By Adeola Ogunlade
No fewer than eight women have benefited from the 3-day Fashion Business Workshop organized by Virtues Life Foundation in Ojota, Lagos.
The three days Fashion Master Class featured various business strategies that covered topics such as business management, marketing, branding and client relationship.
The workshop instructors, who are well-established figures in the fashion industry, shared practical insights from their own experiences, helping participants to see new possibilities for their businesses.
Speaking at the event, the Founder of Virtues Life Foundation, Rev Alexander Faranpojo said that the programme was to reach out to the community and elevate them from one level to another level.
He said that the Nigerian Fashion industry has witnessed remarkable growth over the years, demonstrating immense potential as a catalyst for home-grown economic development.
Farapoju noted that the workshop aimed to provide practical business skills and industry insights to fashion professionals facing challenges in their businesses.
According to him, the event was motivated by a desire to give back to the community and help those who, despite years in the industry, have not seen significant growth or return on their investments.
“Our key objective of the workshop was to elevate the fashion businesses of the participants, enabling them to compete more effectively in the marketplace”.
Faranpojo emphasized the need to support those who have been in the fashion industry for years but are still struggling to make a mark.
“We hear of new names doing well, and our goal is to empower the common man, those who are not seeing the value for their efforts,” he said.
Co-pastor of the foundation, Pastor Funmilayo Faranpojo, added that the workshop was offered free of charge, with all the instructors offering their expertise on a pro bono basis.
She emphasized that this was in line with the foundation’s commitment to community development and giving back without expecting financial returns.
“We are focused on identifying and empowering the most talented and skillful small business owners in the fashion sector through knowledge sharing, mentorship, networking, and providing them with the necessary support systems to scale their businesses,” she said.
One of the facilitators, Folakemi Ode, Managing Director of BlinkzHub, spoke passionately about the importance of developing fashion education and encouraging government investment in the industry. Despite being part of the faculty, Udi remarked that the workshop was insightful for her as well.
“It opened my eyes to how much more I can offer through teaching and sharing the experience I’ve gained over the years,” she said.
During her session, Ode guided participants through essential steps for building a successful fashion business, including honing their craft, setting up a business, managing customer relations, and maintaining quality control. She also underscored the importance of formal fashion education, which should go beyond practical skills like cutting and sewing to include areas like pattern drafting, illustration, and accessory design.
“There’s much more to fashion than just cutting and sewing by the roadside,” Ode, said. She advocated for comprehensive training programs that cover additional aspects of fashion, such as bag-making, shoe-making, and jewelry design.
Furthermore, she called for fashion design to be included in university curricula, likening it to fine arts programs, which allow students to specialize and master their craft over time.