Guest blog by Ngyenzi 'Nunu' Mugyenyi, co-Founder and Director of BOLD Kampala
As part of Lionesses of Africa's month-long Focus on Africa’s Women Fashionpreneurs, we asked a number of our community members from within industry to write for us on some of the issues and challenges facing women entrepreneurs in Africa’s fashion sector. This week, Ngyenzi Mugyenyi, co-founder and director of award-winning Ugandan fashion retail outlet, BOLD Kampala, gives her thoughts on the opportunities presented to the African fashion industry through the recent global interest in African print fabrics.
The recent international trend of the African print fabric, though largely produced outside of Africa, has opened many doors for the African fashion industry. We have broken more barriers in the last two years than we have in the last decade. With the world watching, we have been forced to raise our standards and professionalize our systems.
"The African print, like all other trends, will come and go - the African fashion industry should not."
Even more empowering than the opportunities this spotlight has created, is the renewed sense of appreciation for African culture that it has come with. In order for us to truly realise our potential, we need to be able to see it first. The African print, like all other trends, will come and go - the African fashion industry should not.
"We have broken more barriers in the last two years than we have in the last decade. With the world watching, we have been forced to raise our standards and professionalize our systems."
In light of this, the development of the African fashion industry is closely associated with, but not restricted to, the African print trend. We will continue to face the challenges that come with chasing big dreams in small and underdeveloped markets, regardless of what is trending. A window of opportunity has been opened for the African fashion industry, but it's up to us to keep it open.
Ngyenzi 'Nunu' Mugyenyi is a co-founder & director of BOLD Kampala. She is also responsible for the company's business development activities. Nunu is one of LoA's guest bloggers and writes on her passion for Africa's fashion industry and her hopes for its future.
BOLD Kampala is an award-winning retail outlet, housing over thirty clothing and accessory brands from six different African countries. It is a platform designed specifically for African entrepreneurs in the fashion industry. Its mission is to increase the awareness, appreciation and active support of African brands, both locally and internationally. To find out more about Bold Kampala, visit the website boldkla.com or Facebook page facebook.com/Bold.Simply