F.A.S.T. GHANA

These sourcing 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:

• Traditional hand weavers experienced in Kente making




• A wax print house and see exactly how the gorgeous famous print associated with Africa is made from cotton to final print!




• Garment making factories - small, medium and large scale - you will have a pick for yourself to get started!




• A woman focused batik organisation after taking a ride to the coast where their talented batikers are based




• Traditional glass bead makers - an ethical production method recycling and upcycling and learn via a workshop showing you how to make glass beads 




• Skilled artisan beadmakers - try your hand at the craft and visit the market 




• Skilled artisan indigo dyers tbc




• Raffia weavers for bags and clothing




• Relevant trade organisations to give you up to date information on setting up your fashion business in the country.



• 
  

  and more!

  
  

  Plus sight seeing including visiting the famous Elmina Castle!

  
  

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: info@africafashionguide.com

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

To secure your place, register by paying your by August 31st, 2023 and email events@africafashionguide.com for a delegate registration form

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 

Price includes accommodation

(minimum 3***, price based on 2 person room share, additional £500 for single occupancy)

and includes on the ground transport

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

Deposit is non refundable

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

To secure your place, register by paying your by August 31st, 2023 

and email events@africafashionguide.com for a delegate registration form

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, International 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.

Refund policy

Please note any last minute cancellations of this made within 12 weeks of the trip will not be deemed refundable. Cancellations can be made up to 12 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 already for accommodation or transport will be fully refunded.