Event Listings

F.A.S.T. KENYA

This series of immersive fashion business mission trips are focused on connecting the fashion business world with the producers and artisans in Africa. Our initiative is focused on development and so we aim to build direct relationships with the fashion design community and artisan focused social enterprises throughout the African continent.

These trips have been tailored specifically for design industry professionals as well as sourcing specialists and product developers. Being practical and hands-on sourcing trips, the interaction provided with those on the ground and the chance to network with those in the field, allows for real business opportunities. We have curated a group of individual businesses and organisations to partake.

WHAT TO EXPECT

You will meet:

• Leather bag Artisans and leather accessory factory houses and see how the local leather is made into the most desirable pieces of accessories

• Jewellery makers using recycled bronze to realise how well bronze can be cast into the most gorgeous jewellery pieces

• An amazing small scale eco production unit that makes product using foot pedal sewing machines

You will Visit:

• Garment making factories including that have produced for high street retailer ASOS and top sport brand PUMA and see how this amazing garment factory supports women with children

• The production house who makes bags for the Vivienne Westwoodbrand

• We are confirming a visit to the garment factory that produces for supermodel Liya Kebede and her brand Lemlem!

BENEFITS

These practical and hands-on sourcing trips have been tailored specifically for YOU the design industry professional.

1. By providing you with the relevant vetted connections and the network to get started TODAY and allows for real business opportunities.
2. By reducing your overwhelm of sourcing from scratch.
3. Cutting down the time it would take you to source and produce
4. Providing you with someone to literally hand-hold you through with a step by step process that
5. Save tons of money with having An African Fashion Business Coach on the ground with you and prior to the trip to make sure you are selecting the right country, the right product and the right partners
6. To see upfront the quality standards, logistic and red tape requirements and learn the best practices for international development focused business relationships,
7. Direct support in producing profitable fashion and accessory products that are unique with a strong, compelling social impact story

ABOUT F.A.S.T.

U.K. based company, Africa Fashion Guide Ltd launched our first sourcing trips in 2017 in partnership with local host British Council Ghana and Hatch Africa, tailored towards fashion industry professionals and visionaries looking to explore opportunities to produce socially conscious products. 

After 5 years hosting our popular Fashion Africa Conference and Fashion Africa Business Workshops we have decided, as requested by our followers and network, to develop and deliver Fashion Africa Sourcing Trips (F.A.S.T.).

A business trip for established industry professionals, SMEs and including director level, Design, Merchandising, Production/Sourcing, CSR, who are exploring new socially responsible ways of sourcing and manufacturing with a focus on the Africa continent.

Register your interest at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

See our website for FAQ here: www.fashionafricasourcingtrips.com

 

To secure your place, register by paying your deposit of 497GBP by DECEMBER 31st, 2018

and email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a delegate registration form

Pay deposit here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/payment-plan-fashion-africa-sourcing-trips-fast-kenya-2018-tickets-35641867786

ITINERARY

The itinerary includes an exploration of these businesses through on-site visits of Artisans workshops and manufacturers factory houses. We will deliver workshops and undertake practical activities and provide opportunities to meet with local designers in their stores and/or studios. You will also attend business enterprise panel discussion events as well as business feasibility workshops with professionals in the field of businesses and entrepreneurship (from a local and country government perspective), to assess your business aims and objectives, including social enterprise and business models used. 

We challenge you as a business to work together with the manufacturers and artisans to create foremost beautiful and desirable, competitive products, which not only meet industry standards, but also preserve the local and traditional artisanal techniques, alongside maintaining social responsibility throughout. Are you up for it? Then join us on our Fashion Africa Sourcing Trips. 

Do note:

Full price 2497GBP 

Or this trip is payable in 4 parts

(see link for deposit here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/payment-plan-fashion-africa-sourcing-trips-fast-kenya-2018-tickets-35641867786  )

Price includes accommodation

(minimum 3***, price based on 2 person room share, additional £250 for single occupancy)

and includes on the ground transport

Price is exclusive of flights, immunisations, visas, food and workshop fees.

More information can be found here: www.fashionafricasourcingtrips.com

To secure your place, register by paying your deposit of 497GBP by DECEMBER 31st, 2018

and email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a delegate registration form

Pay deposit here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/payment-plan-fashion-africa-sourcing-trips-fast-kenya-2018-tickets-35641867786

PRESENT PARTNERS:

• Hatch Africa

• Africa Fashion Guide Ltd

PREVIOUS PARTNERS:

• Hatch Africa
• British Council Ghana
• Africa Fashion Guide Ltd

WHO ARE WE?

Fashion Africa Sourcing Trips (F.A.S.T.) is an initiative organised by Africa Fashion Guide (AFG),  a Social Enterprise who work to encourage trade in Africa and so provide potential business partnerships and investment opportunities to artisan social enterprises on the continent. The platform is a one stop shop for fashion professionals, industry bodies, students, retailers, press – TV news, papers and magazines, bloggers and all those interested in African fashion and textiles. We work to create links and bring together African designers, craftspeople, manufacturers and textile designers with international fashion design companies, retailers and consumer markets worldwide.

In September 2016 we launched our first international tradeshow bringing African suppliers to London connecting them with UK and EU retailers, buyers, designers and more. 

AFG hold annual conferences and regular talks and seminars around the world from London to New York, to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Nairobi Kenya. In addition, AFG consult for international businesses and run online workshops on behalf of private clients and small businesses. .

Speakers have included: Vlisco, Internatioal Trade centre, European Commission, Diana Opoti, Mantisworld, Studio189 (Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah), H&M, Vlisco, Solidaridad, Sedex, British Museum, Financial Times, Arieta Muray, Soboye, SOKO, Ethical Apparel Africa, Maxhosa, Textile Exchange and Ethical Fashion Forum.

Africa Fashion Guide are a team of Fashion Professionals, Event Organisers, Project Managers, Public Speakers, Industry Consultants and Marketing Specialists.

photo image credit - SOKO Kenya with thanks

Refund policy

Please note any last minute cancellations will not be deemed refundable. Cancellations can be made up to 4 weeks prior to travel of which the initial deposit to secure your place will not be refunded to cover administrational fees. Any other payments made prior to this cancellation which has not paid for accommodation or transport will be fully refunded.