Comments on: Is it Necessary for African Designers to Show Abroad? http://www.ladybrillemag.com/2010/03/african-designers-show.html #1 Africa Fashion & Entertainment Site for the West | Ladybrillemag.com Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:17:41 +0000 hourly 1 By: SHADDERS http://www.ladybrillemag.com/2010/03/african-designers-show.html/comment-page-1#comment-3594 SHADDERS Thu, 17 Feb 2011 18:42:33 +0000 http://www.ladybrillemag.com/?p=8938#comment-3594 Ladybrille this post got me thinking today, i am with you on this one too. I really fully support Africa and African fashion designers, last year i attend a couple of fashion shows i asked the producers of the show if there were any buyers they said no,,,,,hhhhmmmm???? Secondly i think we have to keep pushing forward for more exposure, but it will make alot of difference if Anna Wintour and other renowned editors will attend our events to see some of the real talents we have. Arise is another example that offers great opportunities, will be looking out for Anna & Andre leon Talley during the Arise fashion week in Lagos....keeping my fingers crossed Ladybrille this post got me thinking today, i am with you on this one too. I really fully support Africa and African fashion designers, last year i attend a couple of fashion shows i asked the producers of the show if there were any buyers they said no,,,,,hhhhmmmm????

Secondly i think we have to keep pushing forward for more exposure, but it will make alot of difference if Anna Wintour and other renowned editors will attend our events to see some of the real talents we have. Arise is another example that offers great opportunities, will be looking out for Anna & Andre leon Talley during the Arise fashion week in Lagos….keeping my fingers crossed

]]> By: Gbemi http://www.ladybrillemag.com/2010/03/african-designers-show.html/comment-page-1#comment-3592 Gbemi Thu, 17 Feb 2011 01:55:00 +0000 http://www.ladybrillemag.com/?p=8938#comment-3592 The answers for each person would be determined by what their own SI unit for measuring "success' is. If international exposure is what a designer craves, perhaps mere showing, whether or not fashion buyers are there, is enough (the designer that said they only came for fun, Bongela mentioned for instance). For those who have to see cash, the story will be different. While the shows might not turn into cash, the exposure does raise the perceived value of the designer and that translates to better returns back home. I read an interview where Folake Folarin-Coker of Tiffany Amber said her label makes it's money in Nigeria, and not internationally. She's no newcomer, so she can afford it. Take the amazing Nigerian designer Frank Osodi, whom I interned with for example, he gets lots of invitations to show but only takes a few. His reason? He believes that his clients come first and so he spends the bulk of his time meeting their needs. The needs of younger designers, like myself, are very different from those of the more established designers, so each designer has to be sure they are making the choice that works for them. Anyway it goes, the fact that African designers are getting some form of attention can't hurt. www.gbemisoke.blogspot.com The answers for each person would be determined by what their own SI unit for measuring “success’ is. If international exposure is what a designer craves, perhaps mere showing, whether or not fashion buyers are there, is enough (the designer that said they only came for fun, Bongela mentioned for instance). For those who have to see cash, the story will be different.
While the shows might not turn into cash, the exposure does raise the perceived value of the designer and that translates to better returns back home. I read an interview where Folake Folarin-Coker of Tiffany Amber said her label makes it’s money in Nigeria, and not internationally. She’s no newcomer, so she can afford it.
Take the amazing Nigerian designer Frank Osodi, whom I interned with for example, he gets lots of invitations to show but only takes a few. His reason? He believes that his clients come first and so he spends the bulk of his time meeting their needs. The needs of younger designers, like myself, are very different from those of the more established designers, so each designer has to be sure they are making the choice that works for them.
Anyway it goes, the fact that African designers are getting some form of attention can’t hurt.

http://www.gbemisoke.blogspot.com

]]> By: ChoChotte Designs http://www.ladybrillemag.com/2010/03/african-designers-show.html/comment-page-1#comment-3591 ChoChotte Designs Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:55:52 +0000 http://www.ladybrillemag.com/?p=8938#comment-3591 I am with you on this issue.It is surprising how the peaople who are always saying Africa needs the support ,don't bother taking it further on behalf of Africa,but on the other hand don't you think they have tried to work with designers in the past and have found it difficult to get them to be more professinal and effecient with their designs in the long term.As a designer living in uk I sometimes try to introduce some quirky designs to my clients and most of the time they worry if its in fashion,or what people or tradition will think.mmmmm I could carry on.what I know Africa has talented people. I am with you on this issue.It is surprising how the peaople who are always saying Africa needs the support ,don't bother taking it further on behalf of Africa,but on the other hand don't you think they have tried to work with designers in the past and have found it difficult to get them to be more professinal and effecient with their designs in the long term.As a designer living in uk I sometimes try to introduce some quirky designs to my clients and most of the time they worry if its in fashion,or what people or tradition will think.mmmmm I could carry on.what I know Africa has talented people.

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