As a beauty and lifestyle expert, I joined CHCH Morning Live to discuss the release of a shopping guide for African fashion brands in Canada. The show was a resounding success and was aired on February 2nd, 2022 at 8:50am EST during which I participated virtually through Skype. What an amazing opportunity it was to speak with Annette Hamm about the guide and what all Canadians should look out for as they shop for clothing in this season and beyond. The free, online resource features more than 25 brands across the country to inspire people to diversify their clothing choices and encourage African-owned businesses.
For this feature, it was important to look the part by walking the talk. I wore African brands from head to toe and was ready to speak about the quality that clothing they provide. Although it lasted only a few minutes, it was a fun and engaging experience. The amount of exposure one can get from live shows like this is huge and I would encourage everyone in the business of fashion to invest in a solid public relations strategy. Here are some excerpts from my presentation on each brand below.
Sirani’s Fashion – First up is a brand called Sirani’s Fashion. This is the Tara mudcloth print coat. Now, the print that you can see here is very distinct and it based off the original mudcloth textile that is from the country of Mali in Africa. I love the fact that Sirani’s fashion has taken this print and made it into a trendy and versatile coat that is completely weather appropriate considering the fact that we are deep in winter!
Kejeo Designs – Kejeo Designs sells a beautiful tote bag that is structured, well-made and very functional. It is colourful, features an animal print and has some beading on it. You can wear this to just about any occasion by styling it in ways that complement your entire look. As you can see, it is quite large and that just makes it the perfect size for going on quick errands to the grocery store or just for carrying one’s daily essentials.
Ofuure – Finally, we have the brand called Ofuure and they design versatile pieces for the everyday Queen. This is one of their bold statement earrings in a bright orange-red but which also comes in different colours. When worn together with the coat and the tote bag, I find that these earrings do a great job of just providing that pop of colour and pulling the entire outfit together into a cohesive look.
As I mentioned during the live interview, these brands are all Canadian. Some of the brands in the shopping guide work with artisans in skilled communities in Africa and others produce locally in Canada, thus helping to stimulate the economy. I think of all the incredible Black creatives we have who are of African descent and the great work they are doing in keeping culture, craftsmanship and community alive through small business. It just goes to show how industrious and resourceful these people really are. So, I believe that they deserve our support not just during Black History Month in February but also forever!
If you are keen and curious about African fashion, I totally recommend the three brands mentioned above. Their work is creative, high quality and can compete in any market. That’s it! I hope you enjoyed this little recap of the live show. The segment was only a few minutes but there was so much great content in it.
Watch the segment and let me know your thoughts below!
I’m a seasoned communications and marketing consultant with a penchant for all things stylish and chic. Follow me on social media and subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates on industry trends and much more!