Fashion for peace was held in april 2008 and april 2009. I am not going to lie: i did not go to the event : way too expensive first! And the feedback i had from it were not that great : i was not motivated (and rich) enough to go!
There is no publicity about a "fashion for peace 2010": i wonder if there is going to be one or not.
To me, the idea of this show is absolutely stunning: it is another version of a fashion week and i love the way music and fashion are mixed.
On the other hand : is it organised well enough to bring designers exposure? is it sponsored well enough to bring buyers to the event? I don't think so.
To me, it all goes wrong first with the board members:
Ann McCreath (Scotland) worked as a designer in Italy and Spain, she worked on aid in Angola, Kenya and Zimbabwe with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Traditional arts and crafts then inspired her to move from aid to fair trade as a long term solution to poverty. Her Kenyan contemporary fashion label, KikoRomeo, works with a wide variety of rural and urban communities.
Translation : it is a good opportunity for the designer to talk about her label. (she obviously showcased her collection during the show)
Patricia Amira (Kenya) is one of East Africa's leading media professionals, appearing on Capital FM Nairobi, MNet and the BBC. She is also one of Kenya's foremost corporate MCs. She is the host of her new pan-African prime time television talk show on MNet - The Patricia Show.
Translation : A good way to promote "The Patricia Show"
Patricia Okelo (Kenya) is a graphic designer by profession and has been running her own design studio in Nairobi for the past 7 years. She has always had a keen interest in the arts and feels that they are a powerful catalyst for unity and transformation.
Translation: is she a very good friend of someone in board already or is it really useful to have a graphic designer on board?
Thierry De Oliveira (Cabo Verde/Senegal) has worked as an economist with the United Nations Environment Program in Nairobi since 1999. He is also a professional drummer, studying with Milt Hinton and Drori Mondlak, and performing in the New York jazz scene and with renowned African musician Ali Farka Toure. He is currently working on an album to be launched in early 2009.
Translation: I personally never heard of this man but obviously, being in the music industry is what he is there for.
Hebret Lakew (Ethiopia) studied fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City. She worked for Italian label Max Mara for four years, heading the Visuals and Merchandising Department for all Max Mara corporate shops in the USA. She is co-founder and designer for the Kenyan based label Kooroo.
Translation: Present as a member to promote her brand (she also showcased her collection during the show)
Dudu Sarr (Senegal) is a London based music promoter and DJ who has worked with top African artists including Baaba Maal and Youssou N'dour. He is currently one of the Womex 7 Samurais and is a jury member of the BBC world music awards. Dudu recently launched his own African music label and production company – Motherland Music.
Translation: Here to represent the music industry, i get it.
Lara Mastropasqua (Italy/Canada) is a freelance media, communications and information consultant, working for the UN, NGOs and the private sector. She spent many years travelling around the globe, working in Asia, Latin America and West Africa before falling in love with Kenya, settling there in 2001.
Translation: Let's be hard on that one : Ann McCreath needed another mzungu perhaps? I can't think of any other good explanation.
If i can give the board's members an advice from a young and african woman ( and trust me, i am the target you want to reach) : i do not want to see old designs for old people chosen by old and tired board members. Africa is not about Masaai and Kanga! There is so much more. Perhaps the FAFA team needs someone young,fresh and with NEW IDEAS in their team? I have many names...
No comments:
Post a Comment