*NKWO
For the next three months, we're about to witness the spread of fashion weeks all over the world for Fall/Winter 2013. The pressure is probably rising fast for designers as these events will generate excitement and new trends for the end of this year. This month, the prestigious Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin will present a new section called Africa Fashion Day Berlin. It will be held on January 15th in Berlin. The event will be divided in two parts: exhibition and runway. For the exhibition, the designers will be Bijou Makeda, Hunadi Bespoke, José Hendo, Malaika Design, NKWO and SAWA Shoes. For the runway, they'll be Adama Paris, Nomi by Naomi and Romero Bryan. You can check the informations here - Africa Fashion Day Berlin. We had the opportunity to interview the Africa Fashion Day Berlin founder Beatrace Oola Angut.
*José Hendo
Who is Beatrace Angut Oola?
I was born on 29.08.1980 in Neuss/Düsseldorf in Germany to Ugandan parents. I enjoyed an international upbringing raised by my parents, my father a Doctor and mother a Teacher and Author. I reside in Germany, Hamburg where I turned African Fashion in to my passion. After finishing my A-levels I interned in a media agency in Munich. There I had the chance to work as reporter. During my work experience my openness gained me interviews with famous celebrities, like Bernd Eichinger, Udo Lindenberg and Xavier Naidoo.
I then decided to study Film and TV business in Dortmund at Werbe -und Medienakademie Marquardt. During my studies I got an insight into the whole production flow and noticed that my fervour and obsession is in the art department. I also worked within the film and TV industry as a Production designs assistant. Today I still works as Production designer and Fashion Stylist.
How are Beatrace Angut Oola and African Fashion Day Berlin connected and why?
I am the Founder & Director of Africa Fashion Day Berlin. I felt there was a niche particularly in the German market, compared to for example London where the fashion landscape seems to be more diverse with various cultural influence, in particular African influences. I also feel there is a predominantly cliché and limited view of African Fashion which I desire to educate on through the event.
What is Africa Fashion Day Berlin?
Africa Fashion Day Berlin is a platform for all kind of artist who are focused in African fashion. Through Africa Fashion Day Berlin, I envision to create a network for fashion designers of the African Diaspora globally. “Africa Fashion Day Berlin” connects the fashion industries in Germany/Europe and Africa but also other nations. It is an event of African flair, esprit and glamour - an exclusive event with international character and future outlooks.
When did you start considering fashion?
I grew up with fashion. Since I was a child, I was surrounded with fashion cause my mother had a womenswear boutique in Germany. I always went with her to buy new collections in Düsseldorf. Fashion played very early an important role in my life.
Did you study fashion?
I did not study fashion. I applied for fashion journalism but I was not selected.
How long have you been working to make it happen?
I have been preparing and planning since summer 2011 and I have managed to impress a lot of professionals and built a fantastic team around me.
What is the goal?
The goal is to have this event reoccurring as part of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin who has gracefully accepted us into their schedule, which is an amazing accomplishment for a first time event.
You are collaborating with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin which is a great event and a big organization. How did the collaboration start?
I sent IMG information about Africa Fashion Day Berlin presents Urban Fashion Night just to let them know who we are and what we are doing. Apart from that Mercedes-Benz became aware of us through our promotional activities throughout the year and they had been told from various people about our existence. I personally don’t even know by whom but I am ever so grateful that they have spoken of us. But Africa Fashion Day Berlin would have not been mentioned without the hard work that we; my team and I put in throughout the year. And this how the collaboration started.
Why a collaboration with MBFW Berlin?
MBFW is an establish brand and a leader in the fashion industry. It also stands for quality production and delivery. For MBFW to accept us is like a sign of approval on and for the same qualities that we value MBFW for. I think that too many like to work in isolation, particularly in the African Diaspora. There is so much to gain from a collaborative spirit: you pool your resources and good ideas and also can lean on one another for assistance.
*Romero Bryan
What is your relationship with all the fashion designers presents at this event?
Some of the designers at the event have been part at an early stage when we still worked on promotional activities such as TV-interviews, the editorials with Quality Magazine and Celesque as well as a feature on German-French channel Arte and various other publications on and off-line. The first Africa Fashion Day Berlin production took place in June and since June I build up a great relationship with Romero Bryan, and the PR of Jose Hendo, Melanie Jones.
I've followed and admired the work of some of the designers and in my research discovered so many more designers of the African Diaspora who are innovative, highly skilled in their craftsmanship and resourceful. Many of them are not available here in Germany and Europe or only limited exposure here. I believe it's down to a mix of lack of awareness by buyers, lack of not only opportunity but accessible opportunities for those designers. Those are obviously just some of the reasons. However my aim is to address the gap in the market here. I also don’t think it's a case of labeling them as African designers or designers of African heritage – they happen to come from that culture but they are International designers designing for women and men anywhere in the world and have an amazing alternative aesthetic to offer.
What will be the repercussions for all these designers?
Repercussions? This sounds a bit daunting. I am hoping that through Africa Fashion Day Berlin presents Urban Fashion Night we are offering them a way into the market in Germany as well as elsewhere. Attention from the press, maybe even investors but most importantly buyers. Some of them are new to the industry we also hoping that this can be a useful learning curb and will expand their network and resources overall.
*Hunadi Bespoke
You are clearly bringing something to the fashion landscape by featuring African, African American and Afro-Caribbeans designers in Europe but if you could change one thing about the fashion industry, What would you change?
There are actually two things I would change: firstly diversity – we need more diversity within in all aspects, business, catwalk (models), designers. Secondly accessibility - it is such a competitive industry and very expensive for a designer until he gets a break and even then it takes time before the business becomes profitable.
Tell us something about African fashion most people don't know.
African Fashion is as diverse as the continent itself. Most people do not know that African Fashion can be high end and Made in Africa products also have the same quality like Made in Germany products. The biggest fashion labels in the industry have borrowed from Africa over the years yet the public wants to be in denial over this or simply really doesn’t know.
Today, we are experience a lot of emerging artists who are really creative, do you think that your selection of designers is bringing something new?
Yes, I think they are bringing something new. In the end, the public is the judge and jury.
*José Hendo
You're about to be stranded on an island with one person and one Africa Fashion Fay Berlin's designer piece, who would you choose and which piece would you pick?
I couldn’t possibly choose amongst the designers, they are fabulous each in their own way. As for that special person…: that remains private. ;)
Today, we have the emergence of many African fashion week in many countries. This evolution is the proof of the existence of African fashion, should African designers be present in regular fashion weeks?Is there any discrimination?
Yes, of course, they should be in regular fashion weeks and some of them are. There is discrimination based on meeting basic guidelines and requirements that some don’t seem to be familiar with. If the designer doesn’t meet them, they won’t stand a chance. There are also issues around funding and accessibility and lack of knowledge of the industry a designer is trying to break into and that can be purely down to what socio-economic group one is born into. At the same time that shouldn’t define or limit you but it will make things harder.
What do you think of African fashion and its evolution?
African fashion and its evolution are exciting to watch! The colours, cuts, the innovations, originality and its diversity displayed are second to none. African Fashion has a love for colours, shapes and the unexpected. I am also seeing more head wraps amongst European women and it is an absolute joy to watch these influences across the world. It is all about embracing, accepting and respecting one another. It is not about exclusion. There is a beautiful saying: Out of many come one.
*SAWA Shoes
What are your hopes for the African fashion?
My hope for African Fashion is to be regarded on par on a world stage with the big mainstream fashion houses. I believe the talent is definitely there to do so.
What's next? Do you have any other event planned?
Next is a short recovery phase before we plunge into the next season. I definitely have more plans on the back burner but they are yet to be revealed. Watch this space.
Describe Africa Fashion Day Berlin presents Urban Fashion Night in one word.
Vibrant!