Sierra Leone’s recently formed Fashion Design and Textile Association (FD&TA) will hold its first national symposium today (23 April 2025), to discuss strategies for realising the industry’s full potential
The event’s theme Sierra Leone’s Fashion Potential: Collaboration, Innovation, and Growth, brings together designers, entrepreneurs and policymakers from the fashion and textiles industry to cover topics such as the creative sector and its development impact, as well as sustainability and circular fashion.
Speakers include Professor Dilys Williams – Director of the Centre for Sustainable Fashion based at the London College of Fashion, who will be giving the keynote address. Professor Williams, who is also Chair of the Social Purpose Advisory Group, has extensive experience as a womenswear designer, having headed up international collections for Katharine Hamnett, Liberty and Whistles.
Isatu Harrison – founder of the brand IZELIA and the Creative Hub Africa and Karfa Yacoro – who heads up CABES (Commerce et Artisanat pour le Bien Être Social) – a network of 2,400 organic cotton artisans in Burkina Faso, will be discussing the development potential of the fashion industry.
Oroma Cookey, co-founder of Nigerian fashion brand – THIS IS US which focuses on sustainable and ethical production, Awa Meite, a Mali-based textile designer and Kadiatu Koroma bring their expertise in local fabrics to the topic of circular fashion and sustainability.
The audience will get the opportunity to hear how to join the FD&TA and see an exhibition of Sierra Leone’s fashion heritage and designs from the FD&TA’s members.
Frederica Williams, FD&TA President, said that the symposium is intended to enhance the Association’s visibility and boost membership. “We also hope it will encourage a collective industry approach to issues around supply chains, shipping and access to international markets, as well as increase awareness of the sector’s potential to make a significant economic and developmental contribution to Sierra Leone,” she added.
