African Fashion Designer Award motivated me to unify designers worldwide

Dasilva Olasunkanmi, from Lagos State, Nigeria, studied Business Administration at the University of Abuja. As the convener of the African Fashion Designers Awards (AFDA), he says he has managed to bring together designers from different parts of the world for the 6th edition of the awards, in this interview with Quadri Akanbi (Godsent)

How far have you gone?

Well, over the years, what we have is a call for designers across Africa through our social media handles – be it Instagram, X, Facebook e.t.c, through ads and all. The fact that the African Fashion De-signer Award has been consistent since its existence has unearthed that it’s easy, and with the trust they have in the brand.
What inspired you to create the African Fashion Designers Awards in the first place?
I have said this before in a couple of interviews; the African Fashion Designer award is inspired by the love for our culture, our heritage, and our values as Africans, which is the only way to come up with a platform that can embrace the premium beauty of creativity in Africa and beyond the continent. And over the years, it’s been an amazing journey so far, through God’s Grace.
Could you share some of the challenges you’ve faced in organising the awards so far?
Hmmmm! Challenges, sincerely, have been quite tough. You know we all know how crazy the industry is, with the fact that everyone sees you as a competitor and the fact that people always want to see what you’ve done previously before they can give it a shot. Even though we’ve been pushing the brand for the past Six (6) years now, and still, we haven’t had a financial sponsor to date. It is somehow frustrating why you are pushing a brand and you have been using your other mainstream incoming to keep doing that because of consistency’s sake. We’ve actually written to different banks and other firms on collaboration and in the end, it bogs down to who they are, who referred them, and where are they coming from… Sincerely, it hurts a lot because the African Fashion Designer Award is a unique platform brand, and companies are meant to jump on because it’s not just all about awards. It also involved impacting life through empowerment, and mentorship to young aspiring designers out there for better knowledge and living.

How did you come up with the idea for the African Fashion De-signers Awards?

Well, African Fashion Designer Award idea came in when I thought of how to embrace and encourage our very own fashion designer. Just like the way you have Headies Awards, AMMA, AFRIMA, and AMVCA. All these people are not people who make them look glam and dapper in terms of looks. So how do we embrace these designers with the love have for our creativity that we unveiled the African Fashion Designer Award back in 2018

What motivated you to create a platform that brings together designers from different parts of the world?

In terms of motivation, I will say growth because every blessed edition gets better and that gives me a lot of hope to keep trusting God for better and greater years ahead.

Can you share some of the highlights from the previous editions of the awards?

Well, it’s been a year of a roller coaster. One of the highlights was the first edition where I couldn’t pay up the balance of my event venue due to a lack of sponsors, and support in 2018, and management of the hall cut of the power when an event was going on and the designers and some the guest have to contribute money for me to pay up that’ night with the likes of Uche Nnaji, Maleek Shehu, Dalkulture, Ugo Monye, Bryan Okwara, Keyz Austin, Sexy Steel, and some amazing people that came to grace the event. Another highlight was when Ay comedian showed Grace the 2nd edition to support the brand in 2019 with Sexy Steel, Nkechi Blessing Sunday, La Pearl NYC, and Sixteen Urban coming com through to honor the event. And boom to the 2020 COVID break 💔 where TIAN-NAH showed up to support the brand, despite the hardship in the world then. In 2021, we have an all-fame edition where we have designers from Uganda, Ghana, Angola, e.t.c, to celebrate the first time in six years… All praise be to 4th Edith at the National Merit House in Maitama, Abuja. 2022 was all about the endorsement from the Lagos State Tour-ism Art and Culture, which makes me so happy and lifts my spirit high that finally we are getting there… 2023. Having 10 billboards from LASSA was it for me because it was like a dream come true for me to see my brand on billboards for God for his faithfulness.

How do you select the designers who participate in the awards?

We call for open nominations that last for two months for entries across Africa.

Have you seen any notable growth or changes in the industry since the inception of the awards?

I have seen growth since inception be-cause every year it keeps getting better.
Can you tell us about any collabo-rations or partnerships that have been formed through the awards?
So far, Budweiser supported with products in 2021 in Abuja, and Fidossi Wine and Spirits supported with products in 2022 and 2023.
Media like Spice TV Africa, SilverBird TV, AIt, NTA, and ThisNigeria newspaper have all been supported with coverage.
How do you handle the logistical challenges of organising an event of this scale?
I just have to try everything I can from other sources because we have to keep moving; we can’t give up.

Are there any plans to expand the awards to other regions or countries in the future?

Yes, we have plans, and that’s why we are pushing for a list of firms for sponsors and collaboration. This is an event that will still be held in a couple of top cities in Africa and beyond the continent.
What advice would you give to aspiring fashion designers who want to participate in the awards?
Be focused and keep believing in your-self self and never for once have doubts that you can’t make it. And trust God with the process.

How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the fashion industry?

Through all our networks

What are your hopes and goals for the future of the African Fash-ion Designers Awards?

I always hope for better years and believe there are no limitations. Our goal is to keep embracing the premium beauty of creativity in Africa and beyond.
What kind of impact do you hope the award has on the African fashion industry?

African fashion designer award adds more value to them. It motivates and encourages them that no matter where they come from, we see, appreciate their works, and embrace them through our platforms.