Belinda with the management of Vlisco Ghana
Twenty-five-year-old Belinda Ofori has been adjudged winner of the 2017 Vlisco Fashion Fund, an initiative that invests in the African fashion world and empowerment of women through supporting upcoming tailors and designers.
Belinda, an alumna of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Joyce Ababio College of Creative Design, exhibited a high level of creativity in using Vlisco fabric to win the judges’ votes and emerged the overall winner from 50 portfolio submitted and seven other finalists.
She was presented with a prize of GH ¢20,000 and an enrolment into the Vlisco masterclass at a ceremony held at the Accra Mall Vlisco shop.
Belinda’s aim is to see people express themselves through her concepts of designs.
She expressed her appreciation to Vlisco, her friends and family for supporting her.
Belinda has worked in brand strategy and content development, and she is now ready for her fashion label ‘Turquoise’, which will be supported by Vlisco.
Araba Akompi, CEO of Stylista_GH, and Eugenia Techie-Menson, educationist & 2014 Vlisco ambassador, representing the four-member judging panel, expressed their satisfaction at the level of creativity exhibited by the finalists and encouraged them to keep doing what they love best.
Interacting with NEWS-ONE, Stephen Badu, Marketing Director of Vlisco Ghana, stated that Vlisco believes in creating a platform that connects Africa’s fashion talent, creativity with the knowledge and activities of the brand in the African and global context.
Explaining the criteria for selection, he said in the first round, 43 applications were carefully evaluated, out of which eight candidates were selected and asked to make a cocktail outfit using Vlisco fabric.
The outfit was worn by a model and presented to the jury upon which they made their judgment.
Mr Badu pointed out that Vlisco would continue its relationship with the other finalists in supporting them in the journey of fashion design.
The Vlisco heritage is quite unlike any other. Since 1846, Vlisco has been creating unique textiles known as Wax Hollandais, or Dutch Wax. These textiles are cherished for their distinctive designs, colours and wax effects. A special wax process, which originates from elaborate batik techniques, ensures that every centimetre of fabric is truly unique. Vlisco is the only brand still creating authentic Dutch wax today.
“Each of our fabrics stands as an enduring mark of true Dutch craftsmanship,” he added.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri