The most anticipated first-ever Creative Industry Retreat in West Africa was held from 19th May, 2021 to 23rd May, 2021. The event which was organized by the African Fashion Foundation coincided with the NGO’s 10-year existence. It attracted various industry players and stakeholders across the continent and the diaspora to connect and discuss ways of collaborating and pushing Africa’s creative industry forward. With over 10 countries represented, an arrival dinner was hosted at Olma Colonial Suites on 19th May, 2021 to welcome industry players and fashion stakeholders both locally and internationally.
Hosted by Media Personality Vanessa Gyan and fashion curator Nuel Bans, it was a night of rich cultural display, amazing food, great ambience, great music, intriguing conversations and networking with top fashion icons and industry players across Africa and the diaspora including Nigeria, Ethiopia, Cote D’Ivoire, Senegal, Tanzania, UK amongst others.
Ghanaian Entrepreneur and Founder of African Fashion Foundation, Roberta Annan noted that the main aim of the retreat was to get many creative African stalwarts together to discuss how they can align and work together to protect and create a sustainable future for the industry. Addressing guests Roberta expressed, ‘‘Ten years ago, I moved back to Africa with a dream to support Africa’s creative economy. The journey over the past ten years has been exciting yet challenging. When I started African Fashion Foundation, I had to fund projects myself without any support. But I am proud of the strides we have been able to accomplish and the impact we have made. What you see tonight is the result of an idea my team and I came up with a few months ago and I am glad you were able to join us for such a historic event. I look forward to what the next ten years holds for Africa’s creative economy.
Ghanaian Entrepreneur and Founder of African Fashion Foundation, Roberta Annan
Some of the personalities in attendance were Roberta Annan, African Fashion Foundation, Adama Paris of Adama Paristudio, Elie Kuame of Maison Elie Kuame, Emmanuel Okoro of Emmy Kasbit, Daniel Ilorin of Emmy Kasbit, Nisha Kanabar of Industrie Africa, Adebayo Oke-Lawal of Orange Culture, Mahlet Teklemariam of Adis Ababa Fashion Week, Writer & Humanitarian Rozan Ahmed, Fredericka Brooksworth of Fashion Scholar, Viola Labi founder of Woven Worldwide, Ebuka Omaliko of Omaliko Studios, Samuel Otteng of fashion design label, Otteng.
Others in attendance included Makeeba Boateng, Member of the Interim Board for Creative Arts under Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Arts & Founder of Fashion Forum Africa, Fashion icon and media personality KOD, Media Personality Dzifa Gray, CEO of Mi Prime Entertainment, P. Y. Addo-Boateng,
Storyteller & Filmmaker Maame Adjei, Renown Fashion Writer, Ekow Barnes,
Ghanaian fashion designers Oheneba Nana Yaw Boamah (Abrantie The Gentleman), Alima Bello of Bello Edu, Quophi Akotua of Quophi Akotua Ghana, Entertainment & Lifestyle Blogger, Ameyaw Debrah, US-based designer Clavon Leonard, US-based Writer & Director Candace Vernon, Former Director, office of digital and design innovation at Impact Hub Accra, Gideon Raji of Women’s Choice Awards among others including fashion influencers and creative professionals. Here are exclusive photos from the African Fashion Foundation Industry Retreat Arrival Dinner.
