Xenophobia Attacks Almost Pulled S.African Designer Otiz Seflo Out Accra Fashion Week, Read What Got Him Back In

449

---

 
[penci_button link=”https://www.fashionghana.com/category/african-fashion-news/about-ghana/” icon=”fa fa-address-book” icon_position=”left” radius=”5px” size=”small” text_color=”#ecd29a” text_hover_color=”#ffffff” background=”#111111″ hover_bgcolor=”#000000″]Ghana[/penci_button] [penci_button link=”https://www.fashionghana.com/category/african-fashion-news/lookbooks/” icon=”fa fa-address-book” icon_position=”left” radius=”5px” size=”small” text_color=”#ecd29a” text_hover_color=”#ffffff” background=”#111111″ hover_bgcolor=”#000000″]Look Books[/penci_button]
 

A week or two prior to showcasing at Accra Fashion Week xenophobia attacks had errupted in South Africa. In all honestly, this was simple rivary gang fights that eventually turned into division and was captured by the mainstream press to seem like it was more than it was.

Old videos began to surface the web, even violent and brutal videos of lynchings not relative to South Africa began to characterise what was really going on in South Africa. Although most South Africans were fully aware that there was a twist being put on the issue at hand, it was frightening to come to the realization that most people around the world had endorsed that twist.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2uf2lvDTii/

Despite Otiz Seflo looking to establish his brand in West Africa, he was caught in a dilemma of if he should or shouldn’t go. A few days after countries began pulling out of concerts, athletes began pulling out of South African games and more, Otiz’s family became more concerned for his well being and advised him not to go to west Africa, at which point he resigned from showcasing.

Organizers took it likely with understanding and began to proceed with the show. 3 days before the event Otiz decided he will continue and showcased at Accra Fashion Week. According to him, ‘if contributes to letting the xenophobia attacks limit his interactions with his west African brothers, then he is proving and giving into what the hate filled mob wants’.

Otiz came to Ghana with the objectives to prove that the majority of black South Africans are not engaging in xenophobia acts. He was ready to show the videos of protests in South Africa against these acts and how many others are opposed to it. Only to land in Ghana and realized that not many people were sprung over the issue.

Otiz did not only put on a fabulous display but her closed the show with a standing ovation, and in addition got the chance to execute a beautiful shoot with Miss West Africa International Dandira, whom had just finished starring as the main chick in Fabolous’s latest video ‘Choosy’.

The shoot was his opportunity to make a fashion mark of connecting South Africa to West Africa. See the images below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3pHa9JpbGR/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3pHiSJJ6ef/

He also took the opportunity to dress the fabulous Ghanaian singer Efe Keys

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3m0_SQjXVF/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3pz27hpQpm/