African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program: Day 3

Day 3 of the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program included a workshop on marketing and communications with Ms Terra Winston of Interract consulting at the Allerton hotel.  After the workshop we departed for a Chicago sidewalk sale and fashion show organized by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. The sidewalk sale and fashion show included 44 participants; 24 of who were vendors, showcasing their designs on the runway. Afterwards we had a meeting with Ms Melissav Gamble, the Director of External Affairs, Internships and lecturer at Columbia College. She gave an overview of the fashion industry in the US and the reasons why emerging designers experience difficulties in having their products sold in high end stores. We also had a meeting with Ms Maria Krasinski on social media and the effectiveness of different platforms for different audiences. Our day ended at designer Azza Atelier’s Chicago based boutique. She gave us an insight into her business, her design technique, stockist, employees and the everyday challenges she faces in the fashion industry.

Here are a few snaps from our day
Xoxo
Madam Wokie