While I've been away; The Life of a Ghanaian Fashion PR Girl

Photocredit: PRGirlMedia

I know I have been missing on my blog for the past month or so. It’s been a crazy season for me. I have had to triple my efforts to make these 3 events come to live. I will share a post for each of them in my subsequent posts.

Firstly, is the “Rebranding of Totally Ethnik to Nadrey Laurent” coupled with a new shop opening which took place on the 30^th of June 2017 and then the “Maiden Edition of Women in PR Ghana Seminar” event on the 1^st of July( organised myself and team) and then and finally my trip to Lusaka on the 6^th of July 2017 for Lusaka July 2017 on the 8th in Zambia as the PR Representative for Nadrey Laurent.

Combining fashion and Public Relations has been one of the greatest career decisions I have had to make. As crazy as these 2 industries are, one needs to learn to be up and about all the time.  No off day, off hours always on the go. It's been exciting and fun moving from these 2 spaces in time and reminding myself that they are 2 different love(s) I have to deal with. 

I am going to share what these events are and how what my role was with you in my subsequent posts. I am sure you will appreciate and share your thoughts as well.

Cheers

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

Gaining Press Coverage for your Fashion Brand and Event

Getting press coverage as a fashion designer for your brand or event is a big deal for your brand as it opens several opportunities for the brand. In as much as some designers have great relationships with editors and journalists in getting their brand featured at one point in time, it is also important you take note of the following points below in gaining media coverage for your brand.

Press coverage is important as it creates a lot of positive momentum around your brand. It also opens up to you opportunities that exist that you might not know about, creates visibility for your brand amongst others.

Your Brand or Event must be Newsworthy

Not all events are worth pitching to the media. Truth is, editors are always looking for new and exciting brands and products to feature.  They will be glad to have a newsworthy information from you. Let’s say the launch of your new fashion brand, new collection, new product line, fashion show participation etc. All you ought to do is ensure that they are have been captured in the right way that will get their attention hence it should be done the right way. So ensure that your brand has that one new and exciting that will make editors want to have it featured.

Know the Timing to Pitch for Feature or Coverage

Timeliness is very important when pitching your brand to be featured. Fashion content also thrive on timeliness to see to it that your story is featured at the right time be it for traditional or digital media. In pitching your brand or event story to the editor, make sure it is done considering the timing of the brand, the editorial calendar of media especially for magazines. Timeliness also means ensuring that the kind of story you are pitching to the editor at the time. This guides you on when to pitch and when not to pitch.

Pitch to the Right Editor

Content interest varies from one media house to the other. Same as one editor to the other. There are different editors who have different subject interests. For us in the fashion, beauty and lifestyle space, we need to focus on pitching rightly to the fashion and lifestyle editors who will gladly welcome our content.  But first, you need to fit into their formula in order to catch their attention, because they surely have a house style and editorial policy they work with. Focus on building good relationship with the right fashion editor over time.

Whereas gaining press coverage for your fashion brand or event creates several opportunities for your brand through visibility and awareness, it does not directly generate sales for your brand. You need to further employ various strategies such as marketing and social media drive to compliment your feature and coverage and drive people to action.

This post was originally published by the Business and Financial Times Weekend Paper.

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

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 6^th 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

Loving Totally Ethnik's Birds of Paradise, The Remake Lookbook

Totally Ethnik, Birds of Paradise, The Remake

Totally Ethnik's "Birds of Paradise, The Remake" Collection was recently released. Am sure you loved them just as I did. If you haven't had the chance to go through all of them, hola, here you go!

These collection was inspired by the Birds of Paradise Kingdom where the most beautiful and extraordinary creatures are found. Totally Ethnik’s The Remake Collection expresses astounding beauty, romance and sensuality while being fierce to take on the world.

These collection shares the untold possibilities of our inner strengths.

Creative Director/Stylist- Marie Kipre

Models: Chantell Dapaah & Ama Ayirebi

Photography: Phloshop

Makeup Artist: Maquillage by Abena

Fashion PR: Faith Senam Ocloo

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

My thoughts on the Maiden Edition of Accra Men's Fashion Week

Models on the Runway

I know its been past a couple of weeks since the Accra Men's Fashion Week (AMFW) event took place but I have been wanting to share my thoughts on the event.

Being the Public Relations Specialist for the event I received some feedback especially from attendees of the event. What was constant was that the Set up, Lighting, Runway and Organisation were all on point and even an impressive turnout of guests. Others mentioned that they weren't too impressed with some of the looks and models on the runway. Others also mentioned that they would have loved to see more established brands on the runway. All that said, they applauded the organizers of the event for pulling such a great event.

My thoughts

As you may know, starting something as unique as this event is no small joke. Designers, Corporate organizations and individuals were not too sure how this event will turn out hence were hesitant to join even when given the platform at no cost to them. All the same, some few designers and emerging ones applied and participated and they expressed excitement after the event.

Being the first of its kind in Ghana and the sub saharan Africa, Designers and Models from neighboring countries such as Cote D'Ivoire, Benin, Togo welcomed this opportunity and participated in the fashion event. After this first edition, I am certain they will like to be associated with this event  going forward.

Looking forward to AMFW2017

Hopefully next year, we will have more established and emerging designers from various countries participating. We look forward to sponsorships and partnerships from corporate orgainsations joining in. I should mention that there are many other aspects of Mens fashion and style that we hope to grow within this space and I am personally looking forward to it. "Everything that makes Men Men"! From clothing, shoes, bags, belts, underwears, watches, jewelry, accessories, auto etc

Email accramensfashionweek@gmail.com if you hope to be a part next year.
Below are some of my favorite looks from the runway from different designers. See more on Facebook via Photo credit by @qwasieasephuaphotography or Accra Mens Fashion Week

My look on Day 1

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