Fashion DNA

Fashion DNA is a 3-day programme (2-4 September 2014) aimed at building the capacity of 10-15 emerging fashion designers in Lagos, Nigeria. The programme will deliver a variety of business skills and innovative fashion techniques, while also connecting with a network of cross-sector contacts to inspire new ways of working. 

Fashion DNA will bring together a range of designers, practitioners and institutions from across Nigeria and the UK to explore new ways of working through a range of seminars, workshops and networking sessions.

We have been working with an exceptional number of partners from both the UK and Nigeria to make this project happen.  Ravensbourne, our main UK partner, will be working with Yabba College of Technology to provide a workshop around fashion business and technical skills.  Foxall Studio will be working with Lagos Fashion & Design Week and Enterprise Creative to create a workshop around brand identity.  While Elena Corchero and Cassie Robinson will be working with CcHub and its network of developers to deliver a fashion hack. In addition to this, UKTI Nigeria have invited our participants to join their fashion programme in October.

Linking these Nigerian and UK organisations and practitioners in this way, not only enriches the participants experience, but also forms new connections between both countries for future exchanges and developments.

The programme aims to create an infrastructure with longevity for the British Council’s work, developing something that could potentially be relevant for our Nigeria 2015 programme where we see the structure expanding and the participants returning to lead workshops and mentor themselves.

Nigeria's fashion industry is made up of uniquely talented individuals, however very little support is given to small businesses to ensure that they continue to grow and retain a Nigerian identity at the same time. This programme aims to provide these businesses with the necessary skills to compete on an international basis, while also informing them of new techniques and ways of working that might bring a new approach to their work. As well as encouraging cross-disciplinary working methods, it also inspires a new collective way of working within the industry.

This is part of the British Council’s ongoing work to develop innovative, high-quality events and collaborations that link artists and cultural institutions in Nigeria with their counterparts in the UK.

Fashion DNA has been designed in partnership with the Architecture, Design, Fashion team at the British Council.