The Fashion Africa Conference hosted by the social Enterprise Africa Fashion Guide returns to London on Africa Day in May 2017. There is no other Fashion conference of this scale outside of Africa which seeks to bring together international interest for African Fashion opportunities on a global scale. Founded in 2011 by African Fashion Expert, Jacqueline Shaw this year’s theme is “Africa. Fashion’s Future”.
“The artisan craft sector is the second largest employer in the developing world. In the next five years, Africa’s textile industry could generate up to $15.5 billion revenue according to The African Development Bank. Within Africa, the entire textile/clothing market is already worth more than $31billion and accounts for the second largest number of jobs in developing countries after agriculture.
As it has been stressed, Africa will rise not by charity or aid but through investment and trade. So the time to invest is now, and a strong garment manufacturing sector is key to Africa’s development.” – Jacqueline Shaw, Founder of The Africa Fashion Guide and The Fashion Africa Conference.
The annual Fashion Africa Conference seeks to highlight the scope of opportunities across the continent by bringing together industry leaders from across Africa and the world. The power and value of opening up African Fashion to global markets is paramount to the economic development of the continent which is why the conference is being hosted in London, England. London has been at the forefront of Fashion for many years and is the ideal hub to bring together capacity builders who will change perceptions of African Fashion. Confirmed speakers include Simone Cipriani of Ethical Fashion Initiative, Laduma Ngxokolo of Maxhoa, Tamsin Lejuene of Ethical Fashion Forum, Orsola Castro of Fashion Revolution Day, Inge Wallace of Fashion For Good (on behalf of the C & A Foundation), and Lance Clark with Dulma Clark of Soul of Africa, and more.
Founder and event organiser Jacqueline Shaw is one of the world’s leading specialists in African Fashion. As the author of the coffee table book Fashion Africa and Founding Director of the social enterprise and sourcing agency Africa Fashion Guide, Jacqueline’s passion for African fashion has given her a seat at the table of thought leadership in the sector. Jacqueline’s aim is for the conference and trade expo to create links between African fashion businesses and the UK and EU fashion retail and consumer markets.
With event partners C&A Foundation, Proudly Made in Africa, Karma Cola, Mantisworld, Hatch Africa and Soul of Africa, the 2017 Fashion Africa conference will act as a vehicle to create a social forum for all those attending to talk openly and share ideas, information and expertise. The Fashion Africa Conference will raise awareness and elevate the perception of design from the continent as well as lead to tangible business opportunities that will make a lasting impact on African Fashion for years to come.
Source: Ronke Lawal
