Board of Fashion Ghana Space(BOFG Space)

The Board of Fashion Ghana was established in 2016, in recognition of the significant impact that fashion can have on Africa’s economy as a driver for job creation, trade, export and tourism. To harness the creative talent that abounds across Africa in fashion to help build create brands, products and businesses that are true to their origin yet relevant to the $3 trillion USD global Fashion market. The Organisation guides graduates and fashion professionals through design innovation, supply chain optimization, access to finance and business advisory, training, research, knowledge sharing, branding, promotion and market development. The special innovation of “The Board” is the creation of Ghana’s first “Fashion Space” which is to educate, manufacture, produce, the gradates work on a prestigious platform and offer national and international exposure, building their confidence through their brands. “The Space” is an extension that follows the model of inception, growth/sustainability of Fashion Education.

With the newfound Fashion Education in Ghana/West, what is the next stage of growth and development for the designers? How will the Graduates carve a career in an industry that is yet to create a pathway for their skills?

By creating an environment where Fashion Design Education/Business, can become part of the social, cultural and economic development of contemporary Ghana/West Africa.

Using case of the Fashion Design Graduate members of” The Board of Fashion Ghana”, this can act as the modal, a viable pedagogy for West Africa and the continent.

Creating the best route in the professional development of its graduates into the industry, through entrepreneurial small to medium scale businesses, or the restoration of historic textiles/garment companies.

The best practice infiltrates the economic development needed in Africa, by the use of fashion and textile industry.

The special innovation of “The Board” is the creation of Ghana’s first “Fashion Space” which is to educate, manufacture, produce, the gradates work at high standards and optimise on prestigious platform, offering national and international exposure, by elevating their work and building their confidence through their brands. 

"The Space" will support the designer from the development of deigns, to sampling and production. To educate and expose through workshops from industry professionals/practice-based learning to grow their brands.

• A place where Graduates, Artisans, Entrepreneurs can have access to equipment and cutting -edge technology. Including access generator for power outages for deadlines.

• A business education centre for, fashion graduates, Artisans fashion start-ups and entrepreneurs, for valuable business training to help local economy.

•A Sustainable lab space were fashion graduates, entrepreneurs/artisans can learn, and integrate sustainable concepts into collections at the beginning of manufacturing cycle.

•A gathering place for the Fashion, Artistic community, for support, advice and production.

•Eventually to create a self-sufficient "Project Studio" which will serve international clients, creating samples using indigenous fabrics, generating funds for BOFG. 

Outreach opportunity to the three communities for social inclusion and shared prosperity. Through online business, technology and educational training resources. To help Designers find sustainable solutions for their business, exposing them to solutions such as Higg Index.

BOFG Outreach to the LGBTQ community in Ghana, due to fear of acceptance and intimidation, according to Human Rights Watch. Despite, the Ghanaian law prohibits persecution and violence based on sexuality in 2016.

The Board of Fashion Ghana will combine’s business with a social dimension through an extended business partnership infrastructure. Micro producers from disadvantaged communities in Ghana are guided and empowered to produce to international standards and to participate in the international value chain, by working with raw material suppliers such as cotton growers and artisans in textile production. By building a creative and entrepreneurial class of African producers, who will appeal to a wider global consumer base, operationalising on their niche.

Women are expected to benefit the most as their share in the total apparel employment is much higher than their share in other industries. A one percent increase in expected wages in the textiles and apparel industry could raise the probability of women entering the labour force by 18.9 percent.

The creation of Ghana’s first “Fashion Space” which is to educate, manufacture, produce, the graduates work on a prestigious platform and offer national and international exposure, creating employment by elevating and building their confidence through their brands. 

The Fashion Space anticipate to support 1,000 graduates’ members in the first year and by year five have 5,000 members.

In the area of manufacturing and mass production to established factories such as Nana Manyin’s (a Graduates of Fashion) in Accra, to position the production, on quality and delivery, as a leading garment manufacturing export facility in the county.  

The “Fashion Space” will be a unique opportunity for graduates and the artisan community to have access to a workspace, equipment and cutting-edge technology and training for their fashion business. Providing a business education centre for, fashion graduates, Artisans, fashion start-up’s and entrepreneurs, where they can receive valuable business training help the local economy, through guest speakers, workshops.   

Sustainable lab space were fashion graduates, entrepreneurs and artisans can learn about sustainability and integrate sustainable concepts into their collections at the beginning of the manufacturing cycle.

This will be a self-sufficient project studio, which will serve international clients, creating samples using fabrics designed produced in Ghana, that will generate funds to help run the space. 

Cutting-edge technology center for fashion Designers also providing digital literacy for artisan’s Micro producers from disadvantaged communities in Ghana, with facilities and support to produce their work

A gathering place for the Artists and Fashion community in Ghana to be educated, create and produce.

Due to COVID 19, designers are unable to showcase the collections/exhibition in July 2020.The Board is working on Augmented and Virtual Reality in constructing 3D augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) hardware, software, and services. VR will provide the opportunity for designers to showcase their work reaching a wider audience using the internet, using AR to provide the retail algorithm.

Augmented reality blends the real world with the digital world and has the potential to change the production and manufacturing processes as well as reducing costs on retail. For designer living in the remote parts of the country this has the ability to spearhead their brands on the global platform.

Artificial Intelligence will also be used on our webpage to allow consumers to view themselves in the garments they are viewing in a virtual changing room. Replicating the retail experience.

Using code that is connected to the app to power of Adobe as a server and ability to drop image of consumer through an integrated write and powerfully extended through this AR interface for image acquisition and positioning. Through APIs for apps with a connector architecture, this can be extended to any app / app server that permits positioned.

“Obsessar” is reinventing the e-commerce interface for discovery-driven product categories into an experience. Although technical members on the Board are working on the 3D build using the designer’s images and illustrations, with support from a company like “Obsesser” using Augmented the virtual reality software platform for experiential shopping using 3D and 360 shopping experience on our websites.

https://obsessar.com/virtual-reality-shopping/

An example of 3D VR being used in Africa is from the brand “Hanifa” by Anifa Mvuemba a Congolese designer of contemporary design brand who on Friday 22nd May debuted her latest collection on Instagram Live via 3D models, instead of her planed physical showcase.

This launched the very technology we have been working on for several months. In uncertain times for the future of the fashion industry and shows. This technology is now at the forefront of the industry and now a gamechanger for organisations such as the Board. 

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/hanifa-3d-digital-fashion-show

Social dimension through an extended business partnership infrastructure. Micro producers from disadvantaged communities in Ghana are guided and empowered to produce to international standards and to participate in the international value chain, by working with raw material suppliers such as cotton growers and artisans in textile production. This involvement with the students will spread to other areas of fashion and garment manufacturing in Ghana. 

The potential gains in exports and jobs, and identifying policies that can unleash export South Asia's, job potential compared with those of their closest competitors in the Southeast Asia region, (Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia), can also occur in Africa; taking shape in Morocco, Egypt, Kenya and South Africa.

 As wages increase, China, the largest apparel manufacturer for the last 10 years, is expected to slowly relinquish its lead position in the global apparel market, opening the door to other competitors such as Africa. This could be a huge opportunity for the continent, and other South Asian countries. Even a 10 percent increase in Chinese apparel prices could create at least 1.2 million new jobs in the Indian apparel industry alone, the report estimates.

Women are expected to benefit the most, as their share in the total apparel employment is much higher than their share in other industries. A one percent increase in expected wages in the textiles and apparel industry could raise the probability of women entering the labour force by 18.9 percent. 

This very optimistic view of the garment industry, and opens international trade links further, in the area of manufacturing and mass production. If established factories such as Nana Manyin (a Member of the Board) in Accra, can position her production, on quality and delivery, it can then stand to be one of the leading establishments in this area. She was commissioned to mass produce T-shirts for US export, for which she needed more investment for special machinery, and asked Board for support that we were unable to help with. “The Space” can support such opportunities as they arise

The creation of Ghana’s first “Fashion Space” which is to educate, manufacture, produce, design brands on a prestigious platform and offer national and international exposure, by elevating their work and building their confidence through their brands. 

The Fashion Space anticipate to support 1,000 graduates’ members in the first year and by year five have 5,000 members.

Year 1: 

• Fashion Space: Anticipate 1,000 graduates member’s fee of $100 a month. Revenue: 1,200,000 

• Project studio: work on 1-2 projects. 

Revenue $10,000 

Photo Graphic studio. 

• Two highly pop-up shops. 

Revenue: $30,000   

Year 2: 

Fashion Space: Anticipate 2,000 fee of $100 

Revenue: 2,400,000 

• Project studio: work on 2-4 projects 

Revenue $20,000 

Lease Photo graphic studio 

• Two highly publicized annual pop-up shop taking 10% commission on sales. 

Revenue: Estimate 

• Start sustainability, business and technology classes fee to non-members. 

Revenue: $10,000 

• Set up online store, -10% commission. 

Revenue: $30,000   

Year 3 

• Fashion Space: Anticipate 3,000 fee of $100 

Revenue: 3,6000,000 

• Project studio: work on 1-2 projects. 

Revenue $30,000 

Lease Photo graphic studio 

Revenue: Estimate 

• Two highly publicized annual pop-up shops, 10 % commission on sale. 

Revenue: $20,000 

• Sustainability, business/technology classes. 

Revenue: $10,000 

• Set up online Fashion Space store, 10% commission. 

Revenue: $10,000     

Year 4: 

• Fashion Space: Anticipate 4,000: fee of $100 

Revenue: $10,000 

• Project studio: work on 1-2 projects. 

Revenue $45,000 

Lease Photo graphic studio. 

Revenue: $10,000 

• Two highly publicized annual pop-up shop 10 % commission on sales. 

Revenue: $30,000 

• Start sustainability, business/technology class. 

Revenue: $20,000 

• Set up online sales10% commission. 

Revenue: $20,000      

Year 5: 

• Fashion Space: Anticipate 5,000: fee of $100 

Revenue: $6,000,000 

• Project studio: work on 1-2 projects. 

Revenue $45,000-55,000 

Lease Photo graphic studio 

Revenue: $20,000 

• Two highly publicized annual pop-up shops 10% commission

 The next stage of growth and development for the newly established fashion designers in Ghana; is to have the support of an organisation such as The Board of Fashion.

Fashion Design Education/Business in Ghana, has challenges becoming part of the social, cultural and economic development of contemporary Ghana/West Africa. The new degree courses has created a population of professional that industry cannot support or employ. Although the Board has been operating since 2016, with limited facilities to support. 

In order to reach a larger number of designers, funding for an official Space for the Board, and equipment is needed to facility all the structures needed for growth in the businesses of all its members.

Many fashion graduates unable to carve a career in an industry that is yet to create a pathway for their skills. Currently, there is no support system place in Ghana to help fashion graduates or artisans acquire basic necessities like a workspace, equipment, business education and access to technology, so they can be a competitive force on the global stage. The lack of financial security prevents the professional development of its graduates into the industry through entrepreneurial small or medium scale businesses models.

By the creation of Ghana’s first “Fashion Space” which is to educate, manufacture, produce, the graduates work on a prestigious platform and offer national and international exposure, by elevating their work and building their confidence through their brands. 

While some financial aid is open to fashion designers in all parts of the continent of Africa, currently there are no organizations in Ghana supporting fashion graduates or providing, workspace, business, and sustainable education and free access to technology. 

  The “Fashion Space” will be a unique opportunity for graduates and the artisan community to have access to a workspace, equipment and cutting-edge technology and training for their fashion business. It will provide: 

• Business education centre for, fashion graduates, Artisans, fashion start-up’s and entrepreneurs, where they can receive valuable business training help the local economy, through guest speakers, workshops.  

• Sustainable lab space were fashion graduates, entrepreneurs and artisans can learn about sustainability and integrate sustainable concepts into their collects at the beginning of the manufacturing cycle.

•A self-sufficient project studio which will serve international clients, creating samples using fabrics designed produced in Ghana, that will generate funds to help run the space. 

• Cutting-edge technology center for fashion Designers also providing digital literacy for artisan’s Micro producers from disadvantaged communities in Ghana.

Other has not been not selected.

All the Board advisors and directors work on a volunteer basis and contribute financially to all activities and events.   

Director; Founder/Vision; Leadership: Part time

Part time  Company secretary; Advisor/ IT Support:  Part time

Board member Graphic Advisor: Part time

Board Member; Legal Advice: Part time

Administrator: Part time

Social Media Administrator: Part time

The Director/Founder recognized that is a problem, due to her work in Fashion Education. The constant request for help and support, confirmed that the need for such an organization as The Board is a necessity.

Members of the Board and advisors shear the vision and have dedicated their time and resources in supporting the vision.

The Members and advisors bring along with them the various professions that allow the Board to seek professional advice at minimal costs. From legal to IT support for the Board as well as the graduate’s members.

Director; Fashion Education: 

Company secretary; IT Developer

Board Member Graphic Designer Board Member; Lawyer:

Administrator; Fashion Graduate

Administrator; Social Media Fashion Graduate

We currently have no partnerships with any organisations.

The BOFG Space will provide; Sampling, Production, Business Support, Training, Events, Masterclasses, and industry trend updates.

The membership service is structured to encourage new business start-ups and established designers with a cross section of support from industry experts. From mentoring to sampling/production to essential ‘Tool’s of the Trade’ administration and business planning.

The sampling potential from the Space and fast track production services for leading, retailers, designers and start-up’s along with extensive training facilities and apprenticeship opportunities. Offering high quality pattern making, sampling and production for all sizes of orders. With the capacity to produce one unit up to 10,000 garments a week using one of its three planned production methods; the Fashion Studio producing 1 to 49 garments, the Couturier 50 – 499 garments and the core Factory 500 plus (minimum order size is 500 garments per style). Ethically and sustainably produced with SMETA and Fast Forward approved. With clients range from start-up to small to medium brands. The Stitching Academy and Perfect Pattern Cutting course is offered at Level 1 and 2, and there are three Level 1 qualifications within production 'Fabrics', 'Machine Engineering' and 'Quality Control' in Diploma and Foundation Levels. 

Accredited short courses are taught by industry experts based at the Factory for beginners who can then progress to higher qualifications, apprenticeships and job outcomes. Employability is a Level 1 Award, which can be combined with another Level 1 unit or taken as a stand-alone qualification. Targeting employment opportunities and higher education qualifications.

•Monthly membership fee of $100 for each member with a projection of 100 members annually.

 • Project Studio: A commercial design studio for space, created to a self- sufficient business to fund the space. To give opportunity to Designers and Artisans projects with external partners and international design houses, the designers will receive a percentage of the project fee depending on the project and its requirements, they will also have additional exposure to international clients to help expand their network. (e.g. percentages given to the designer for working on a $8,000-dollar project will be 50% of the order) 

• Online design store selling designer collections from the space with the Space taking a commission of 40% on every garment sold.

• The Photography Space available to members for creating press and look books. Also available to the local community as a rental and an additional revenue stream. 

• Speaker's Space: Guest lectures and speakers from fashion industry. Also available for rental to local businesses

Year 1: 

• Fashion Space: Anticipate 1,000 number of graduates and members of Ghana fashion board signing up to use the space, paying a member’s fee of $100 a month: Revenue: 1,200,000 

• Project studio: work on 1-2 projects with Creative Capital Design in the US and other Businesses: Revenue $10,000 

Lease Photo graphic studio and equipment to local Business 

• Two highly publicised annual pop-up shops featuring clothing from the designers using the space, the Fashion space taking 10 % commission on sales. Revenue: $30,000 

Solve has the portfolio and expertise of different problems from all over the world that have been resolved by individuals such as the members of the Board of Fashion Ghana. The business support and analysis from a team of expert advisors and mentors, to safeguarded the success of the organisation is equally as important as the financial backing.

While some financial aid is open to fashion designers in all parts of the continent of Africa, currently there are no organizations in Ghana supporting fashion graduates or providing, workspace, business, and sustainable education and free access to technology. 

The creation of Ghana’s first “Fashion Space” which is to educate, manufacture, produce, the graduates work on a prestigious platform and offer national and international exposure, by elevating their work and building their confidence through their brands. 

"The Space" offers "Sovle" a real opportunity to be part of an exciting industry that is in its infancy in Ghana. With the support and funding to set up the organization, it has the potential to become a beacon in Africa, and to your organisation.

Solve has the portfolio/expertise from organisations, with capacity to support the BOFG. The business support/analysis from a team of expert advisors/mentors, to safeguarded the success of the organisation is equally as important as the financial backing.

Currently there are no organizations in Ghana supporting fashion graduates or providing, workspace, business, and sustainable education and free access to technology. 

The creation of Ghana’s first “Fashion Space” which is to educate, manufacture, produce, the graduates work on a prestigious platform and offer national and international exposure, by elevating their work and building their confidence through their brands. 

"The Space" offers these organisations a real opportunity to be part of an exciting industry that is in its infancy in Ghana. With the support and funding to set up the organisation, it has the potential to become a beacon in Africa, and for many organisations associated with Solve.

The Board of Fashion Ghana has the potential and would like to attract potential partners from;

•  Potential to attract partners such as The United Nations, MIT Initiatives, and The World Trade Organization, other SOLVE organizations. 

• Profitable business partnerships and projects with fashion consultants and companies in the US, Europe, and Asia, which can help The Space become financially sustainable. 

• To support constant supply of graduates and artisans who will benefit from the creation of the Fashion Space. 

Women are marginalised in business in Ghana, as the majority of members on the Board are female, the organisation will promote women in business special initiatives that will help designers and artisans, to give access to business training. The female graduate population on the Board is 75%, and have the ability to create the best brands in the world, with the support of that the Space will provide. 

AI on our online platform will help the designers in creating future collection, as well as reducing waste in terms of stock. The shopping habits of the local and international community will be a valuable backend addition on the online shop.

Africans are among the biggest users of mobile phones, and as such the AI is extensive and invaluable to the retail market. All within the capabilities of Data protection laws, allowing the organisation access to consumer shopping habits.

• Actively Seek out female entrepreneurs who would like work in fashion.   

• Education initiatives that make girls aware at high school level that there is an option in the Fashion industry in terms of a business career. Workshops, field visits from schools to the space.   

•Scholarships to use the Space's business training for women artisans using indigenous crafts.   

 • Fashion technology-focused projects with partners to advance the needs of women and girls in Ghana. 

“The BOFG Space” is addressing a fundamental need in the Fashion Community in Ghana and west Africa. By providing the designers with the support needed to expand in their businesses, they in return have a huge opportunity to then employ hundreds of people within the development of their items as well as in manufacture.   

•Technology centre for fashion, where the fashion community can research sustainable solution for the fashion industry using technology.   

• Building a digital business training platform so designers and artisans can be competitive in African Fashion industry.   

• Collaboration with local educational institutions, business and governmental agencies on innovative ways to expand Ghana’s Fashion industry sustainably using technology. 

Accredited short courses are taught by industry experts based at the Factory for beginners who can then progress to higher qualifications, apprenticeships and job outcomes. Employability is a Level 1 Award, which can be combined with another Level 1 unit or taken as a stand-alone qualification. Targeting employment opportunities and higher education qualifications.

The Stitching Academy and Perfect Pattern Cutting course is offered at Level 1 and 2, and there are three Level 1 qualifications within production 'Fabrics', 'Machine Engineering' and 'Quality Control' in Diploma and Foundation Levels. These courses will be focused at Seamstress and Tailors who may otherwise not have any formal qualifications for their skills. 

With a theory component that will encourage literacy skills or start on a literacy programme that will support in the completion of Level 1 Employability course.

Women are marginalized in business in Ghana, as the majority of members on the Board are female, the organisation will promote women in business special initiatives that will help designers and artisans, to give access to business training. The female graduate population on the Board is 75%, and have the ability to create the best brands in the world, with the support of that the Space will provide. 

AI on our online platform will help the designers in creating future collection, as well as reducing waste in terms of stock. The shopping habits of the local and international community will be a valuable backend addition on the online shop.

Africans are among the biggest users of mobile phones, and as such the AI is extensive and invaluable to the retail market. All within the capabilities of Data protection laws, allowing the organisation access to consumer shopping habits.

• Actively Seek out female entrepreneurs who would like work in fashion.   

• Education initiatives that make girls aware at high school level that there is an option in the Fashion industry in terms of a business career. Workshops, field visits from schools to the space.   

•Scholarships to use the Space's business training for women artisans using indigenous crafts.   

 • Fashion technology-focused projects with partners to advance the needs of women and girls in Ghana.