Clothes show 2009 slated for September

Jackie Appiah In an effort to stimulate international commerce within the fashion sector, a two-day trade exhibition that seeks to create a platform for interaction between professional fashion buyers and African garment manufacturers and fashion designers will take place in Accra in September.

The event, dubbed Clothes Show Live, Ghana 2009, is the brainchild of Mr Eric Manu, a Ghanaian who has been working in the fashion business in the UK for over 10 years.

He managed to secure to host a Ghana event of the Clothes Show Live which is an established fashion road-show event brand in the UK, and is an offshoot of a successful BBC TV program that provided the backdrop for new trends in fashion in the UK.

It is, however, now being organized live around the globe where it has a focus on seeking out new fashion for stores abroad.

Mr Manu believes that the African Fashion Industry is a multi-million dollar industry and key to Ghana's economic development, a major trade exhibition that will bring expert Fashion Trade Buyers from Europe to meet with local designers and garment manufacturers.

With the African fashion sector showing great promise as new and dynamic designers create exciting apparel, and established ones like Ghana's Kofi Ansah still causing standing ovations with collections on Europe's catwalks, Eric Manu of London Designers Fashion Shows Ltd sought to help take the stakes to the next level by organizing this show to expose more African designers to international fashion buyers.

Though the local textile industry still faces stiff and crippling competition from cheaper imports from China, a new impetus in garment production in the country now offers greater access to better capacity in quality and quantity deliveries.

“We are excited about the journey in fashion we will embark on this year, and look forward to breaking barriers, setting new standards and finally helping to put African Collections on the Global Calendar,” explains Mr Manu. Clothes Show Ghana Live 2009 will be launched at a ceremony at the British Council next week.