The maiden edition of Black Star Fashion Week (BSFW) has officially commenced with an industry summit at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.
Organised by the Rex Omar-led Black Star Experience under the theme “Put Ghana On,” the initiative seeks to create new opportunities for Ghana’s fashion industry and strengthen its position in the global fashion market.
The opening summit brought together policymakers, fashion designers, creatives and other key industry players to discuss the future of the sector.
Activities on the first day included masterclasses, panel discussions, fireside chats and exhibitions, providing participants with opportunities for networking, knowledge-sharing and industry engagement.
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, attended as the special guest of honour. Other notable personalities included Ghana Tourism Authority Chief Executive Officer Maame Afua Hoadzeto and UNESCO representative Edmond Moukouala.
In her remarks, Ms Gomashie commended the organisers for the initiative, describing fashion as a strategic pillar of Ghana’s creative economy.
She also called for the deliberate integration of fashion into the country’s tourism offerings to create more opportunities for local designers and businesses.
According to Rex Omar, the fashion week provides an important platform to address critical issues affecting the industry, including access to finance, market development, infrastructure, skills development, industry data, international competitiveness and intellectual property protection.
Discussions at the summit also explored the power of fashion storytelling, financing models for the sector and strategies for building brands capable of competing in international markets.
Another session examined how technology, sustainability and innovation could shape the future of Ghana’s fashion industry.
The event also highlighted successful Ghanaian fashion brands and designers, giving emerging creatives an opportunity to learn from industry players who have established themselves locally and internationally.
The festival continues on Saturday, November 7, at the Royal Senchi Hotel in Akosombo with The Presidential Runway, a major fashion show expected to be one of the highlights of the inaugural edition.
