Saturday 26 November 2016

Judging at Ghana Fashion Awards 2016

Myself, Ojeanne and Naomi
The fashion industry in Ghana has not been an easy one. Surviving such industry comes with its own challenges, let alone being recognized and appreciated for your work.

A couple of weeks back, I was invited to judge on the panel of Ghana Fashion Awards with 2 other ladies, Jeanne Oti, a Fashion Consultant and Naomi Nelson Barnes of Global Media Alliance Broadcasting Company. I accepted this task knowing how tough it will be judging from a nominee list of very deserving ones. As someone personally looking forward to seeing fashion brands grow through effective PR strategies and promotions, Ghana Fashion Awards was an opportunity to support in a way possible.

Awards are necessary for the growth of every industry and the fashion industry is no exception. Whereas there are very few fashion awards in the Ghanaian fashion industry, designers and personalities are vehemently working to gain not just the attention of industry persons but also create and promote creativity and business opportunities for many.
It’s on this basis the Ghana Fashion Awards was established in 2010. 

Currently in its 6th edition, this year’s event organized by e.tv Ghana was held at the Mercedes Benz Showroom, Silver Star Towers last Saturday and hosted by Fati Shaibu and DJ Advicer both from Global Media Alliance.

Ghana Fashion Awards was established to put the spotlight on creative and innovative players in the industry, to enhance their visibility and promote their works. These they believe will bring these players together to network and connect with each other as well as collaborate for future projects.

On the night, Sandra Ankobiah and Okyeame Kwame were awarded Female and Male Celebrity Fashion Icons of the Year respectively.
Other awardees were Sima Brew-Designer of the Year, Atto Tetteh-Emerging Designer, Joyce Owusu (Purple Trendz)-Accessory Designer of the Year (Jewelry), Mpaboa -Accessory Designer of the Year (Bags, Sandals), Meek Ghartey-Male Model of the Year, Leana Apenteng-Female Model of the Year and Duke Tetteh Quarshie (Focus gh)-Fashion Photographer of the Year.

The biggest on the night was also the induction of Madam Joyce Ababio, founder of Joyce Ababio College of Creative Design into the Ghana Fashion Awards Hall of Fame for her immense contribution to the fashion industry in Ghana through education and mentoring. A moment was also taken to remember last year’s recipient, the late Kofi Ansah.

Typical of most fashion events, there was a fashion runway show by some the immediate past students and current students of Joyce Ababio College of Creative Design (JACCD) and also a performance from sultry singer eShun.

The event had attendees from both the fashion and entertainment industry gracing the event.

I know people have asked questions like; Faith how come we didn’t hear about this year’s award? How come we were not nominated even though we have worked hard all year through?

From a PR Specialist’s perspective, I will say:

  •         Always look out for all awards in your industry and apply for it when nominations are open
  •        Explore several other opportunities that will grow your business beyond your passion for fashion into a huge successful fashion house.
  •         Promote your work and creativity through both the traditional and digital media as several opportunities awaits in this social media era
  •         Don’t disrespect awards given to you by ignoring your nomination. Awards builds up your brand profile

  •  Note to organizers:
    ·        Offer great incentives to attract people to aspire to be nominated as they know the opportunities that comes with winning an industry award. This will motivate them to work hard to earn the spot of being a nominee and possibly a winner. 



    In my TOTALLY ETHNIK dress


As a goal of Ghana Fashion Awards, award winners will get the opportunity to showcase their works to the public thereby encouraging business transactions and economic empowerment in the future. I am looking forward to this materializing in subsequent editions. 


Congratulations to all winners! Never stop at building a strong recognisable brand.


Faith Senam Ocloo 
Fashion Public Relations 
Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts

Friday 18 November 2016

Ghana Fashion Awards 2016 Comes off Tomorrow

Designer of the Year Nominees 
The 6th Edition of the Ghana Fashion Awards comes off tomorrow at the Mercedes Benz Showroom, Silver Star Towers at 6pm.
Being a very tough year for most people within the fashion industry, I believe some people have still pulled off their best and deserved to be awarded for their hard work.
I am looking forward to a night of fun as we round up the year with the 3rd and Final Awards event for the Fashion Industry.

Best luck to all the nominees on the night. And see you there!!
DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
SIMA BREW
CHRISTIE BROWN
ABRANTIE
EMERGING DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
ATO TETTEH
DAMI ROSE
ADJOA YEBOAH
ACCESSORIES DESIGNER OF THE YEAR (JEWELLERY/BEADS)
JOYCE OWUSU (PURPLE TRENDS)
JENNIFER NAA AMERLEY AMARTEY
SAADATU CHARKI MARBELL
ACCESSORIES DESIGNER OF THE YEAR (BAGS, SHOES, BOW TIE, HAIR BANDS)
MPABOA
ADEPA SHOES
GEORGE AMUA
FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
DUKE TETTEH-QUARSHIE (Focus gh Photography)
SELA ATITSOGBUI (Pixslrate)
MALE MODEL OF THE YEAR
MEEK GHARTEY
LARRY JAY
CLINTON SAMUEL
FEMALE MODEL OF THE YEAR
LEANA EFIA APENTENG
LAURIE FREMPONG
ANGELINA YAKUBU
MALE FASHION CELEBRITY ICON OF THE YEAR
OKYEAME KWAME
STEPHEN APPIAH
KOD
FEMALE FASHION CELEBRITY ICON OF THE YEAR
SANDRA AKOBIAH
ZYNELL ZUH
SELLY GALLEY


Faith Senam Ocloo
Fashion Public Relations
Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts

Monday 14 November 2016

Building a Global Fashion Brand


Fashion is one of the oldest industry in the world. It has existed many generations before us and will continue to exist years to come. The likes of iconic and talented designers such as Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, Dolce and Gabbana, Calvin Klein, Karl Lagerfeld amongst others have built brands that have become recognizable anywhere.

 Fashion is influenced by different factors and incidents happening around us. It has evolved over time with many fashion brands of their time working so hard to create a brand that will transcend all barriers and become acceptable worldwide. For instance, we’ve known the Christian Louboutin, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga etc for their distinct brand identity.


Fast forward to Africa in recent times, many big talents have emerged and are gaining global attention in the fashion world. They are working tirelessly to create their own unique aesthetics and signatures that will be seen as unique, African and at the same time match up global brands. The likes of Deola Sagoe, Taibo Bacar, Christie Brown, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, Lisa Folawiyo amongst others have been seen on international platforms where they have shown their creativity and talent as proud African Designers.

 So the question is how do you build your fashion brand into a global one?


Research and know your trade

As a designer aspiring to grow and become internationally recognized, it’s prudent to know other designers who have treaded similar paths and how they made it. Through research, you can learn from them as well as know how you can incorporate our African heritage, culture, fabric, textures into your work to create your own distinct and unique designs.

 Create unique aesthetics for your brand

From your fabric choice or customized print to the designs, colors, silhouettes and the finishing of your pieces, you have to create that feel that makes your brand stand out from any other. Make sure all your online and offline feel are in sync to give an overall experience to your customers.

 Identify your market

Knowing your target market influences your choice of fabric, pricing, design and marketing promotions. This helps to choose which market your brand will sell and which ones will not. For instance, you need to know your market level to know where to position your brand in the value chain and what kinds of people you want to wear your cloths.

 Move from passion driven to business model

Many emerging designers have started their fashion brands as a result of their passion for fashion. As much as passion driven is a great thing, your brand needs to grow beyond your love and passion for fashion into a business. You need to begin to see yourself as an entrepreneur in order to move the brand to a bigger level. This also means that you need to know the right time to get structures in place that will enable the business to run effectively with or without your involvement in every aspect of the business operation.

As a fashion designer looking to build a brand that is recognizable globally, the aforementioned could be helpful in positioning your brand as one of the best on the continent.

Article was first published in the Business and Financial Times Weekend Paper





Faith Senam Ocloo 
Fashion Public Relations 
Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts

Friday 11 November 2016

Fashion PR Girl: Attending Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2016

Lagos Fashion and Design Week(LFDW) has become one of the must attend fashion events on the African continent. A destination event for many fashion lovers and entrepreneurs across several cities from Accra, Abidjan, Johannesburg, Capetown, Paris, London etc.

As the PR Representative for one of the leading fashion brands in Ghana, TotallyEthnik, I had the privilege to attend this year’s LFDW with the Designer Marie Kipre for the first time having followed it over the years via social media.

The event ground at the Federal Hotel, where I stayed during the period was packed with stylists, fashion bloggers, editors, media personalities, fashion entrepreneurs for the purposes of street style, interviews, networking and meeting designers behind the brand.

We arrived there on Thursday hoping to attend the Fashion Business Seminar but missed it as we got in late. However, we attended the fashion shows on Day 2 on Thursday, Day 3 on Friday and the final Day 4 on Saturday.

The fashion week span for 4 days with Maki Oh having a presentation at Alara Lagos Concept Shop on the 3rd day after the runway show on Friday. 

Interestingly, I ran into several other Ghanaian fashion lovers there as well who were equally there for several other reasons.

Sadly, only Ghana based fashion brand Studio 189 showcased at the LFDW 2016 as had been the case in the previous years even though there have been some applications from designers from Ghana. Does it mean, designers from Ghana do not merit such platform or is there another reason I am not privy to.

It’s my fervent wish that our Ghana’s Fashion Weeks will see the light of the day as the organisers will begin to learn from these events from and focus more on the business side of fashion shows by attracting the right organizations, individuals and partners to their events.

Check my looks below sponsored by @Totally Ethnik. Its a see through look throughout that weekend(wink wink). 




Myself and Marie(Totally Ethnik)




Some Ghanaian Squad

At the Alara Shop

With Untamed Emire Team from Accra

With Papa Oppong


Faith Senam Ocloo 
Fashion Public Relations 
Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts