Liberia prepares to amaze the world of fashion in Paris
After a lifetime in the fashion industry, creating famous brands like Queen Of the Brides and TeKay, it’s little surprise that Liberian born designer Kimma Wreh has been chosen by her country to rally support for Liberia’s textile industry. Specifically to help Liberia do well at the Africa Fashion Reception, in the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in January 2016.
The Africa Fashion Reception in January will showcase one designer from each participating country. Those designers have been vying for top-spot in recent weeks and will learn if they were successful at the prelude event in Paris on 21st November.
The Vice President, Joseph Boakai, personally commissioned Kimma Wreh as Liberia’s Fashion Ambassador, to represent the National Tailors, Textiles, Garments & Allied Workers’ Union.
Political unrest in the late 1980s drove Kimma’s family to the United States and that’s where she completed her education with a bachelor’s degree and MBA. TeKay Designs was founded in 1998 with the help of her sister and Queen Of The Brides was launched in 2012.
Kimma Wreh‘s hand-crafted jewellery is popular with celebrities, including Serena Williams.
Liberians living abroad have been working hard to get the West African country noticed on the global stage – and there are well supported Liberian fashion events on a regular basis in the USA.
On 21st November 2015, the stunning Salle Wagram will be the scene for the presentation of designs that will feature in Addis Ababa in January. Located next to the Arc de Triomphe, this will be the 3rd time that the location has played host to the ‘audition’ for the main event.
Designers from across Africa and the Diaspora, have been sending look-books of 10 garments – hoping for the honour of being selected as the sole representative for their country. Each garment must be original, ready to wear, Africa-inspired and it should have a ‘truly global appeal’. Those selected will be allowed to bring one model from their home country to Paris, to walk in this uniquely competitive catwalk show.
Alongside the catwalk itself, each country will have a stand to show off the best of its work in the fashion and textiles market. The World Fashion Organisation (WFO) is a key player in the organisation of this annual event – as well as Legendary Gold and the African Union.
Kimma Wreh will be bringing her skills to Liberia’s aid, hoping to discover and develop new opportunities for her country to expand its position in the global textile and fashion markets.
The event in Addis Ababa itself looks amazing, competition in Paris will be fierce and we wish Kimma luck! The last call for designers is underway. Let us know what you think over on Facebook.
