Share FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinWhatsappTelegramEmail 237 There has been an upside down relationship when it comes to that between designers and fashion show organizers in Africa in comparison to the rest of the world. Where in most scenarios designers, big and small, will pay to gain a slot on the runway, here in Ghana and many other African countries, most designers await their calls, and in some cases payment to exhibit their clothes on the runway. Where international, they await plane tickets and hotel confirmation. If this sound weird, don’t be surprised this is the norm for many African fashion shows. More Articles You Would Love #KsiFW: Ahma, Eketino, Kweku Outluk & Marie Valhagan @ Kumasi Fashion Week 2016, Day 2 VIDEO: “It’s So Beautiful” Young Girl Cries After Seeing Positive Black Representation In Beyonce’s ‘BLACK IS KING’ With the growth of fashion in Africa, the expansion of African print media around the world, and the overtake of social media over print media many shows in Africa are receiving a good amount of coverage that can contribute to designer branding. Buyers from UK, USA and more are in tuned into what they see in the press and social media. Some that specialize in African fashion. The tables are slowly turning, show organizers are no longer desperate to have you exhibit at their show just to fill up entertainment time, it is now becoming a question of your dedication to your branding and business ethics to be present where possible. Across the whole African continent, with the exception of South Africa, most designers only reach out to a clientele base of close friends, people that see a design they like, or people who shop with them based on convenience. There is only a handful of African designers whose branding and popularity are calling upon clients from near and far. Fashion shows are costly business events where people are paid and sometimes entertainers because some designers alone are not exciting enough to pull a crowd. All this is only for designers to sell and promote their designs without contribution. It is only courtesy that some respect and payment is due, as one will do if they were abroad. Organizers need to network together and reframe from paying or even inviting designers for free. Africa is currently at it’s turning point. Fashion show organizers need to grant opportunities to new emerging designers who respect business relations and are making just as great designs as the older generation. Despite what some may think in Africa, the difference between up-and-coming designers and many of the older designers in most cases is just a facebook page away, of which fans can be bought for less than a few dollars. In fact, with the growth of the industry across Africa, now is the worst time for designers to be disobedient with branding. This is not to ignore the notion that fashion show organizers also need to take a fair approach and stop giving free entries to friends and people they wish to befriend whilst over-pricing new designers and non-associates. Find More articles like this By clicking the link or following the menu links Articles/Blog->Articles By Type->Progressive Insights and Advice african fashionafrican fashion designerseventsfashionfashion show organizers Share FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinWhatsappTelegramEmail Nana Tamakloe Founder of FashionGHANA.com and Accra Fashion Week. I'm grateful you visited, I hope you share, subscribe and share your comments or opinions below. More For You “There Is A Risk Europe Could Die” Macron Speaks Shortly After Losing Control... PICS: “A Bald Woman Knows Her Kingdom” Gorgeous Top African Model Ayen Monica... #OOTD: Rutie B Hits Us With A Perfectly Stylish ‘Break-Out-The-Norm’ Top & Down... Nigerian Designer Uduak & Asiko Artist Recreate Yoruba Mythology & Gods in Stunning... Trashy Rap Star ‘Megan The Stallion’ Is Being Sued By Her Camera For... #OOTD: Nigeria’s Prudential Atelier Shakes Up The Internet With This Astonishing Wedding Guest... VIDEOS: King Promise & Sarkodie Show Men How To Drip In Kente &... FCCPC Shuts Down Chinese Supermarket In Nigeria That Banned Nigerians From Entering VIDEO: Watch Exclusive Designs You Missed At The Just Ended SA Fashion Week... #OOTD: Shams Berry Merges Elegance & Sultriness in Magbrien’s Striking Bustier Ensemble 2 comments Frederick Chapman October 2, 2013 - 3:27 pm Thanks for inviting me to the facebook group, I love your blog, much better than I thought. I will be in Ghana in November. Keep intouch. Fred Log in to Reply Tiny Mensah October 2, 2013 - 5:17 pm this is so true. thats what happens and then nobody prospers. when ppl are buying gucci they complain. meanwhile they dont pay their fellow ghanaians. asem Log in to Reply Leave a Comment Cancel ReplyYou must be logged in to post a comment. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.