The 8th annual edition of the Fashion Focus Talks successfully held in four of Africa’s major cities – Abuja, Accra, Lagos, and Nairobi – from the 26th of August to the 2nd of September 2018. This year’s talks themed – “Building From Within” – featured some of the industry’s noteworthy creatives who gave insights on how to create and sustain a world-class brand.
Title sponsors, Heineken remain a proud partner of Fashion Focus, an initiative that is in alignment with their continued support for the creative industry.
Sharing their thoughts in each city were: Andrea Iyamah, Vanessa Bannerman, Rukky Ladoja, Adebayo Oke-Lawal, Omoyemi Akerele, Ituen Basi, Aisha Ayensu, Sacha Okoh, Kike Ojewale, Ronke Bamisedun, Claudia Lumor, Og Okonkwo, Nkwo Onwuka, Adama Indimi, James Kahuri, Diana Opoti and Sunny Dolat, who gave insightful advice and spoke on their experiences on how to create an identity for your brand, own it and build it in a manner it stands out from others.
Speaking on the Fashion Focus Talks, Londe Thompson, Programs Director, Fashion Focus Africa stated:
“It has been such a great pleasure working with some of the industry’s thought leaders. We are very happy with the success of these curated talks as they have provided an opportunity for an exchange of ideas amongst fashion creatives. I believe through these talks, aspiring fashion creatives are motivated to harness their skills and successfully establish their brands in the African fashion industry. I’m really excited about what the future holds for us.”
Andrea Iyamah emphasized at the Lagos Edition: “It is fine to learn from other brands but no one will teach you as good as your own experience”.
Vanessa Bannerman in Accra, also stated: “How you present yourself to your customer always needs to be at the top of your mind.”
Commenting on the talks, Silvia Njoki who attended in Nairobi said “The talks were informative, useful and a great platform to network with familiar faces offline. It was a very friendly atmosphere; we all openly shared. I felt greatly motivated and positively challenged to change some career decisions I am making, It certainly lived up to expectations”.
In Abuja and Accra, speakers reinforced the underlying theme of the talks by highlighting the importance of having the right business plan, telling the African story through indigenous brands and choosing the right team.
The 2018 Fashion Focus Africa applications are still open. The FFA programme is dedicated to the growth and promotion of emerging talent in the fashion industry through mentoring and awarding of a grant via the Fashion Focus Fund. View and fill FFA application forms here, applications close 14th of September, 2018.
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