The maiden edition of the Lome fashion week held recently offered Togolese stylists the opportunity to promote their works as well as exchange ideas with colleagues from across Africa.
Togolese designers relate with African peers at Lome fashion week
“I am here to represent my country. My collection is a way for us to value all that is African, which originates from the Ivory Coast and is embraced by other African countries,” Ivorian stylist, Asta Bangoura said.
Recognized for its experience in the textile trade, Togo now faces a challenge of training new professionals in the fashion domain. Although young people have shown a passion for designing, training institutions are rare.
A few stylists after their training abroad return to share their experiences with young people who are passionate about the job. This is the case of Fall Toure who has created the first school for designers in Lome where disciplines like training, photography and fashion journalism are taught.
“I know what is taught in fashion schools across Europe. I taught design over there and I decided to bring this know-how here. What we lack is the same level of knowledge. If we have the same level of knowledge as in Europe, we would go far,” Fall Toure, a Togolese stylist said.
With these experiences, the learners say that they are ready to face new challenges.
“After three years of training, I can say that I can conceive an idea, draw it before proceeding to make it,” one of the trainees said.
The young designers will constitute the promoters of Togolese fashion in the years to come.