With the continuous decline of the Naira and dwindling opportunities and fortunes in the country, more designers are discovering that looking outside might be a viable way to introduce their design labels to new markets and circumvent the problems that plague our fashion industry.
But it is not enough to just look outside the country, All the major and minor fashion weeks in developed markets have ludicrous competition for showcase spots and such smaller labels get muscled out. So platforms like the African Fashion Show Switzerland and the Africa Fashion Week London are invaluable to helping small labels break into the big markets. And now, we can add Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam to that list.
AFWA would like to expand the African fashion and textile industry through mentoring, exhibiting and promoting home based and international African and African-inspired designers. The ultimate vision is the empowerment of African designers, highlighting their contributions to the industry and branding African countries as global players in fashion, art and culture.
Africa has a very young population. Because of that the continent will have a very large labour potential in the future. AFWA would like to focus on the trade and labour possibilities for Africa but also emphasize on Africa’s cultural richness and beauty by aiming for a cultural exchange of fashion, art and culture on an international platform.
The showcase is already in its third year has become one of the more important events in the Dutch fashion calendar and this year will allow an even larger number of exhibitors showcase. Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam is opening entries for design labels from now to the June 30th 2016, ample time to get that mood board and those samples for your next collection ready. To find out more, or register, visit them at Afwamsterdam.com