Launched by the African Development Bank, the Fashionomics Africa initiative aims to highlight the skills demonstrated by African fashion designers through the infusion of culture and heritage in their designs says Amel Hamza, Acting Director for Gender, Women and Civil Society. The initiative has launched the second online sustainable fashion contest for African designers.

Launched in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Program, Parsons School of Design, BPCM and the Ellen McArthur Foundation, the contest mentors new branding packages and other support for winning African designers. To participate in this contest, African fashion brands need to pursue environment-friendly measures and adopt sustainability and circular economy principles in their operations. Winners of the ‘best sustainable design’ contest will be given a cash prize of $3,000 along with other prizes. Two other finalists will win $1,500 cash prize each in addition to other incentives.

Promoting circularity at fundamental levels

Aimed at encouraging a more sustainable shift in consumer practices, the competition will celebrate African fashion brands changing the way fashion is produced, bought, consumed and recycled. It will promote circularity at the most fundamental level, adds Hamza.

Targeted at young African textile, apparel and accessories entrepreneurs above 18 years, the competition will applaud their sustainable designs produced within the last five years. It will focus on their products and sustainable business models and highlight their environment-friendly and innovative initiatives. It will also emphasize on the materials used by these products, their design and production process and shipping methods.

Access to media insiders and industry experts

The competition will be judged by a five-person panel representing the African Development Bank. The panel will announce the three finalists by March 2022. The entries of these finalists will be posted on the Fashionomics Africa digital marketplace and mobile application for public vote.

Besides the cash prize, the winning fashion brand will also be given a certificate and an opportunity to participate in online events and share insights on the key sustainability challenges faced by the industry, The brand will also gain an access to media insiders and industry experts, and will be able to mentor and network with competition collaborators.

Encouraging economic development in member states

An African Development Bank initiative, Fashionomics Africa focuses on increasing Africa’s participation in the global textile and fashion industry value chains. Its initiator, the African Development Bank Group(AfDB) is one of Africa’s premium development finance institution. It includes three entities, namely: African Development Bank (AfDB), African Development Fund (ADF), Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). Having offices in 37 African countries, the AfDB also has an international office in Japan. It encourages the economic development and social progress in 54 regional member states