Ghana’s fashion industry is set for a new addition to its calendar with the maiden Black Star Fashion Week (BSFW), scheduled for November.
The two-day event, which seeks to spotlight Ghanaian fashion, discover emerging talent and create opportunities for industry players, will take place in Accra and Senchi.
The event is being organised by the Black Star Experience Secretariat, led by Rex Owusu Marfo, with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and its agencies, including the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Creative Arts Agency.
The first day, scheduled for November 4 in Accra, will focus on the Black Star Fashion Summit, bringing together fashion designers, entrepreneurs, creatives, industry executives, investors, buyers, manufacturers, policymakers and the media.
The summit will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, fireside conversations, masterclasses and practical workshops on issues affecting the growth of Ghana’s fashion industry.
Topics will include entrepreneurship, branding, digital marketing, textile innovation, manufacturing, fashion financing, export readiness, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, sustainability and intellectual property.
A major feature of the Accra programme will be the 16-Region Designer Programme, which will give emerging designers from across the country an opportunity to showcase works inspired by the identity, culture, heritage, materials and craftsmanship of their respective regions.
Five designers will be selected at the end of the Accra programme, with one earning the opportunity to present at the main fashion show at Royal Senchi. (Read Black Star Experience to export GH comedy —Rex Omar)
The second day of the event will be held at Royal Senchi on November 7, where the Black Star Fashion Show will take place.
The Senchi experience will also feature a Fashion Village with designer showcases, retail, textiles, artisan displays, brand activations, beauty, technology, food and beverage, tourism and lifestyle experiences.
The organisers said the event would also highlight Ghana’s cultural diversity through music, dance, textiles, craft, food, storytelling, heritage and visual arts.
Outstanding contributors to Ghana’s fashion ecosystem will be honoured, while business and networking sessions will provide opportunities for designers and creative businesses to engage with buyers, investors, manufacturers, retailers and other industry stakeholders.
The Black Star Fashion Week forms part of the Black Star Experience (BSE), a government initiative focused on culture, arts, tourism and the creative industries.
The initiative is designed as a year-round platform to promote Ghana’s cultural and creative offerings and strengthen the country’s position as a destination for cultural, tourism and creative experiences.
source: graphic online
