By Grace Oakhiena
The Edo State Government, through the Edo State Skills Development Agency (EdoJobs), joined forces with LAFAAC, a mobile training app, to provide residents with comprehensive entrepreneurship training in the fashion industry. The training, which commenced on May 3, 2023, at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, concluded with a grand showcase event on June 9, 2023.
Dubbed “Design Your Dream,” the event took place at the Theatre Hub of the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub and featured an array of activities, including design showcases, styling and PRO presentations, dance performances, spoken word poetry, critique sessions by esteemed judges from the fashion industry, and certificate presentations.
EdoJobs has consistently demonstrated its commitment to partnering with relevant brands and organizations to deliver top-notch training, promote employment creation, enhance skills acquisition, and foster entrepreneurship development. The training program combined virtual and real-time classroom teachings on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship in the fashion industry.
Facilitated by Miss Rhoda and other trainers from LAFAAC, the course covered a wide range of topics, including marketing strategies, market targeting, product creation and production, as well as the ethical and ecological aspects of fashion. Participants had the opportunity to explore the luxury and fashion markets in Africa and internationally, equipping themselves with the necessary tools to establish and structure successful fashion businesses.
During the showcase event, the students who demonstrated what they had learned were divided into three groups: designers, stylists, and PROs. The Design group impressed the audience with their presentations, showcasing various attires they created during the training. Their collection, named “UYIEDO,” meaning the glory of Edo, incorporated traditional elements such as the Ivy mask, Ada, and Eben to reflect the essence of Edo culture in their designs. The Styling team elaborated on their styling techniques, explaining how they carefully curated each ensemble to align with the theme of “UYIEDO.”
Renowned judges provided constructive feedback on the showcased pieces, offering insights on how the students could further improve their craft. Miss Rhoda applauded the students’ efforts, acknowledging that some of them had no prior knowledge of fashion design and styling. Despite the time constraints, the students produced exceptional work, thanks to the fabrics provided by LAFAAC and their determination to excel.
Expressing her gratitude, Miss Eghosa, one of the participating students, expressed her appreciation to EdoJobs and LAFAAC for the invaluable training opportunity. She highlighted the significance of teamwork in the fashion industry and emphasized that the project had been an enriching experience for her and her fellow students. She commended EdoJobs for fostering a collaborative environment through the House of LAFAAC.
The event concluded with a special certificate presentation to the students, judges, and facilitators, recognizing their commitment and dedication to the program. This successful collaboration between EdoJobs and LAFAAC marks another milestone in empowering Edo State residents and nurturing their entrepreneurial aspirations in the dynamic world of fashion.
