Africa’s largest tech and digital media event Social Media Week begins on the 4th of February 2018 and BellaNaija Style will be hosting a panel on the 7th of February titled “The Democratisation of Fashion: New Media, Storytelling & The Role of Technology in the African Fashion Industry” – a panel discussion with 3 industry leaders in the country at #SMWxBNSTYLE19.
Meet one of our panellists- Sophia Ike-Onu
Sophia is an Architect who has turned her affinity for creativity into building exciting businesses. She studied to be an Architect in Nigeria, practiced in Lagos and Abuja before heading to the UK for her Masters in International Architectural Regeneration and Development.
Prior to moving back, Sophia had garnered – based on personal experience and interaction with other avid Nigerian shoppers and from personal experience – the need to create a great and more affordable shopping experience for African women.
The5kshop.com is the primary shopping destination for quality affordable fashion pieces as her pieces are priced under N5000. With over 10,000 orders shipped around the world and a huge social media following, The5kShop has received both local international awards and has grown exponentially each year since inception.
Sophia has also been featured on notable platforms including CNN for her strides in promoting the made in Nigeria narrative.
She was also the first place winner of the British Council Entrepreneurship Challenge. Named as one of 100 most inspiring women in Africa, she has been personally mentored by Sir Richard Branson and currently serves as the brand ambassador for Virgin Atlantic.
___
In a hyper-connected digital age, it can be a challenge for brands to tell their stories and cut through the noise with clarity and credibility. Add in a broken distribution system, a news cycle that moves at warp speed and heated political and social climate – social media can feel fraught with peril for both established and emerging brands.
We intend to discuss with Sophia Ike-Onu and other creative fashion leaders who have mastered the elusive balance between technology and fashion and are at the forefront of shaping the industry’s future.
Date: Thursday February 7, 2019
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Venue: Experience Stage