I just came across a video on FashionistaGh’s Youtube channel about the first ever fashion show held on the campus of the Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. In the wake of Arise Magazine Fashion Week 2012, I was really excited to watch the clip, thinking to myself ‘how uplifting to see African fashion across the continent stepping up its game.’
After watching the clip I was anything but uplifted. Being held at one of Ghana’s finest tertiary institutions I had nothing but high hopes. Watching the clip reminded me of an article a fashion designer friend of mine forwarded me some time last year.
It was posted on Shadders and talked about the frenzied state of affairs when it came to fashion in Ghana. When it came down to it, the problem seemed to be that there was no central body ensuring the brightest and the best in fashion. Ghana can boast some really talented fashion designers. We have the likes of Aishia Obuobi of Christie Brown, Mina Evans of Mina Evans and Nelly Hagan-Aboagye of Duaba Serwa to name a few. Yet we don’t have a world class fashion co-operative, central body or national council. A nationally recognised body is needed to streamline this burgeoning industry growing in Ghana. And it seems Ghana may have finally found this in the organisation known as Ghana Fashion and Design Week. The launch seems to be this year, with all designers yet to be announced and the event scheduled for April 2012. I can’t wait! I hope it’s what we’ve been waiting for.
Here’s a snippet from the Shadders article:
“Having spent 4 weeks in Ghana, I observed the constant adverts and invites to attend fashion shows and pageants, and with the multitude of these events what exactly is been achieved? I took time out to attend a few shows which I will not name names here, but I was disappointed with every show I attended with nothing meeting international standards. A country like Ghana with no official fashion week, it makes it hard to know where the fashion industry is heading to. Of course, Ghana has amazing designers of which some have showcased their collections at international shows around the world and we continue to see their talents evolve. Right now instead of companies sponsoring unnecessary shows and giving out unnecessary gifts like cars to contestant, its about time they begin to think about developments and the business of fashion carefully. For it is a joke to see so many people setting up little modelling agencies, fashion shows /events and pageants in Ghana when they have no knowledge about fashion, beauty, styling and executing a great show. It is so sad to hear when these so called show producers claim that they want to help boost the industry when in fact they have no idea what the business of fashion is all about, instead some are looking for fame and something they think is fun to do in their spare time. Ghana compared to other African countries is a little advance in some areas and it is quiet worrying to see the fashion industry head downwards.
I am yet to see an official luxurious fashion magazine company representing Ghana, I used to love Canoe Magazine and suddenly could not find it in the shops any more.
I am yet to see an official Fashion week Show in Ghana which is up to an International standard
I am yet to see a modelling agency with models who are not too old and tacky, but fresh face, with unique looks and well trained.
I am yet to see fashion designers setting up websites and understanding the business of fashion with justifiable prices tags
I am yet to see corporate companies fully backing organisers who will be planning fashion week shows in Ghana in the near future and not sponsoring necessary shows like Miss this, Miss that”
Below are some clips of Mina Evans and Christie Brown:
SOURCE: SHADDERS
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