By Jimmy Chazama
Vice-President Jane Ansah on Saturday called upon the corporate world to invest in the creative sector.
Ansah made the remarks during the Malawi Fashion Identity: Fashion Meets Business event held in Lilongwe.
“The creative industry, especially fashion, continues to show immense potential in creating jobs, empowering young people and promoting Malawi globally,” she said.
Ansah called on the private sector to partner with designers, saying that arts and culture were pillars of national development.
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She said that was why there was a policy to wear traditional wear on Fridays.
“By wearing our traditional attire, we tell our story, honour our heritage and support our designers and artisans,” she said.
Spearheaded by award-winning fashion designer Lilly Alfonso under Creative DNA Malawi, Malawi Fashion Identity is a project run in partnership with the British Council to support young and aspiring designers.
Alfonso said the Malawi Fashion Identity project was a ground-breaking national initiative designed to define, elevate and celebrate Malawi’s creative expression through fashion.
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“Malawi has immense creative talent, yet we have not clearly defined a recognisable fashion identity as other nations have done,” she said.
Alfonso said Malawi needed to invest more in the creative industry.
“The potential is there; all we need is a structured system that elevates skills from beginner to professional level and, at the same time, strengthens partnerships. We are thankful to partners like British Council and Standard Bank plc,” she said.
Fifteen designers showcased designs at the event.
The designers included Faith, Uppi, Rux, Terrance, Emen, TIMWork, V Touch, Iza Fashion House and Living through Time.
One of the designers, Lady Porcupine, said Malawi had talent.
“We are showing that Malawi has talent and stories to tell through fashion,” Lady Porcupine said.
