The GIFW 2024 held under the theme -“Celebrating the diversity, creativity and cultural heritage of fashion from around the globe”, also accorded participants the opportunity to engage with international elite fashion designers.
The event also seeks to serve as a bridge when it comes to latest trend in collections and sustainable development to digital transformation, while positioning Gambia as a fashion destination.
In essence, GIFW aims to inject new life into the fashion industry and tackle the challenges several countries face, particularly in Africa.
Ismaila Jallow, CEO and Founder of Gambia International Fashion Week (GIFW), said the initiative does not only promote made in Gambia fashion, but Africa at large with the aim of helping young models and designers to excel in the industry.
The Fashion Week, he added, is also an opportunity for participants to network and build more connections, while calling on the Government and other institutions to support GIFW to achieve what they are yearning for.
In an interview with The Point newspaper, Zita Obakonowe, an Italian designer, expressed delight to participate in the Gambia International Fashion Week, acknowledging the initiative is a great one that will build networks and connections among young fashion designers and models in the Gambia and beyond.
“My presence here is already a very big benefit for me, but my hope and the legacy I want to leave in this country is giving opportunity to the most, especially to the Gambian models, to have the opportunity to have good and beautiful garments, for them to be able to have a good portfolio and also visibility through which they will be seen and heard globally.” she said.
Veralyn Cecelia George, a young Gambian Female designer, also expressed gratitude to GIFW for giving her the opportunity to show the world her design and that there are a lot of Gambian girls and women that are willing to showcase their talents in fashion.
She encouraged young entrepreneurs and fashion designers in the industry to strive hard in order to excel in the industry
“With all the challenges, but I want to set an example to the young girls here that they can do it, regardless of the difficulties and things they go through because it can be so hard sometimes.”
Alieu Gaye, executive member of Gambia International Fashion Week said “it is an honour and a privilege for them to serve their own people” as the initiator of the event basically to support Gambians by mitigating the struggles in accessing the global market.
“There are so many people that are creative in this country with creative minds and can do amazing designs. However, they find it difficult to sell their concepts and their design to the international world thus it is actually a privilege for myself to be part of this team to serve our people.”
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