In the follow up of the French Embassy strategy to support the Ghanaian fashion industry and professionalization of young designers, Institute français du Ghana has decided to organise 2 workshops in Accra and Kumasi, in partnership with Da Viva, and Polytechnic schools.

The focus of these workshops will be aimed at the professionalization of fashion thanks to invited designers and teachers from Nigeria, Togo, Ghana and France, and Austria for Swarovski crystals.

A continuous fashion support in Ghana
The French Embassy has been supporting the young designers and has also been involved in creating an association of young designers in 2011 called the 'WEB' to encourage and promote young fashion designers and the Ghanaian fashion industry.

Strengthening their commercial and professional skills will enable them to conquer the market, as well as give them a chance to showcase their work. In the capacity building process, one first fruitful workshop was organised in December 2010 at Polytechnics Accra under the direction of famous designer Kofi Ansah.

Da Viva Company was immediately inspired by this project, and signed up a year's partnership that allows the young designers of each month to show case their collections at the Da Viva shops in Osu. Da Viva also supported the first Harmatan fashion show by providing fabrics.

May 2012 Panafrican Professional Workshops in Accra and Kumasi

The previous fashion shows and other programs organised with the WEB in partnership with Da Viva highlighted a real need to reinforce some commercial and professional skills.

Accordingly, the focus of this professional workshop will be on cutting and finishing, creation and conception of a line, and fashion marketing.

Organised in partnership with Alliance française, a grand closing Fashion show at Golden Tulip in Kumasi will showcase Da Viva and Regional Designers Guest work.

Format of the workshop
Period:
-1 week Accra (8th to 11th of May)
-1 week Kumasi (14ht to 18th of May)
- Fashion show by Da Viva in Kumasi at Golden Tulip (18th f May)

Locations and partnerships:
Accra - Polytechnic school, Da Viva, Alliance Française

Kumasi - Polytechnic, KNUST, Alliance Française, Golden Tulip

Beneficiaries :
Fashion students from Polytechnic, KNUST fashion students, Web Young Designers

Invited Fashion Professionals from West-Africa and Europe

- Prince, Nigeria, who directs a Fashion school in Lagos - Cutting and Finishing

- Ms Naa Amanua Williams, Ghana. Da Viva star designer - Creation and conception of a collection.

- Ms Ayanick, Togo, who directs a famous Fashion Design School in Lome -

- Expert - 'l'Afrique est à la Mode', France. Sakina Msa, Creation of portfolio and fashion marketing

- Ines Lafner, Austria, technical advisor for Swarovski on different techniques for crystal fixation.