Beauty In Business:- 2nd Edition of Fashion Weekend Gambia set for December 6-7

The 2nd edition of the much anticipated ‘Fashion Weekend Gambia’ spearheaded by a conglomerate of women within the field of fashion and arts, who wish to create a platform that aspires to bring young designers and creative artistes together to showcase creativity with the ambition, is set for 6th-7th December 2013.

The event is also meant to introduce a more vibrant and promising fashion industry. Slated for 6-7 December 2013, the Fashion Weekend is a fashion industry event in many countries across the globe, which allows fashion designers to display their latest collections in runway shows and as well as avail the media to take a look at the latest trends. As young women, they see the impact that fashion has had on globalization and shaping the trends of the future. Currently African brands are being infused with internationally renowned brands as Africa finally gets its slice of the Fashion cake.

However, what is currently lacking in The Gambia is a formalized Fashion industry in which fashion designers will be exposed to marketing thus creating their brands in order to appeal to the international markets. They will not just compete in fashion shows, but provide a platform in which African based African designers who have successfully launched their brands in the international markets will appear as guest speakers and provide young Gambian designers with the knowledge and know how to make headways in their crafts. This will draw international publicity for Gambian brands and will in essence contribute to micro industry thus also encouraging the spirit of entrepreneurship among Gambian women and youths.

Notwithstanding, this year’s initiative will help raise awareness about child sex tourism and this comes at a time when commercial sexual exploitation of children is a growing concern for countries, of which The Gambia is not immune. It is important that we realize and accept that the practice of child sex tourism can affect the economic, social, and moral integrity of our country.

Adi Conteh, one of the main organizers of this year’s event, explained that the event is aimed at giving young Gambians the opportunity to showcase their talents.

Launched in December 2012, Conteh maintained that this year’s event will take place at two different venues, noting that the opening is on 6th December to be held at Coco Ocean Resort & Spa; where designers will be displaying African wears. She revealed that the second day is called ‘Rep on the Run Way’, more of a street show, and will be hosted at Alliance Francaise, along Kairaba Avenue where designers will be displaying casual wears and mixed with Gambian artist.

Conteh also outlined that the event is expected to attract fifteen designers, mostly Gambian designers and some from Senegal and Nigeria. “What we lack in The Gambia is a formalized fashion industry where the designers can market, brand and put themselves in the international level,” she noted.

She added: “We are working with several organizations and they are supporting us and we are hoping that this is not just a fashion show but is going to be a platform where we invite the international media and African designers who have already successfully launched their brands.”

She further stated that the event will be a chance for Gambian designers to showcase themselves to the outside world and for the outside world to see what talent The Gambia has.

Conteh also disclosed that some of their sponsors include Global Properties, Trust Bank Limited, R & A printing adding that they have a partnership with Alliance Francaise and Beauty in Business while FashionGhana.com are the MEDIA partners.

Author: Omar Wally
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