East African Business Week (Kampala)
Mbonea Israel
26 October 2009
For the second time in a row Swahili Fashion Week (SFW) will take place in Dar es Salaam to give the local fashion is an exciting three days full of fashion fanfare; and galore.
Swahili Fashion week which brings forth an eclectic mix of Swahili culture ensconced with chic style also brings together talented designers from across the Swahili speaking countries and beyond, under one roof to showcase their unique and truly African creations which include clothes, shoes, jewellery, and handbags.
Speaking at the launch of the SFW, Mustafa Hassanali who is the founder of the event and a respected designer said that this year SFW is promoting "Fashion as Business."
"2009 Swahili Fashion week is the dawn of a new era; as all eyes Focus on Africa for 2010 we are planning an event which promotes fashion as a business. We are trying to grow the fashion industry so that it is not seen as entertainment only but as an income generating industry. All over the world the fashion industry is a big contributor to the economy therefore we would also like to develop this industry locally so that it is taken seriously as a way of alleviating poverty by creating employment," explained Hassanali.
This year's Swahili Fashion Week which includes 15 designers from Tanzania and 6 guest designers from other African countries will be held from 4th to 6th November at Karimjee Hall in Dar Es Salaam.
"Swahili Fashion week provides a platform for both Emerging and established Designers to launch their collections under the same roof, hence the veteran designers to show the young ones the ropes and vice versa. The British Council Emerging
Designer Award plays a Pivotal Role in creating the Future of our fashion industry. SFW provides a chance for designers to interact, share experiences and gain more knowledge of fashion industry through workshops and seminars which take place before the show courtesy of the Goethe Institute," continued Hassanali.
Like SFW 2008, this year's the event will also include semi finalists competing in the famed Mnet Face of Africa competition. The aspiring models will grace the catwalks of Swahili Fashion Week as part of their challenge in the competition.
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hi? im fashoin model from kenya...... this is great job u r dong to take east africa to another lvel.... big up from krax blaze