Dabira Magazine Dabira Magazine_2019 | Page 41

ELILLY ALFONSO Founder : Lilly Alfonso Location: Malawi Business Type : Fashion Lilly Afonso is a fashion and design company. We design and manufacture clothing. The Lilly Alfonso business and brand has two sub-labels, LAwoman and LAman, specializing in women’s and men’s garments respectively. What Is The Inspiration Behind Lilly Afonso? It started out as a hobby, making clothes for friends here and there, then the number of people asking for my services grew. Eventually I had to open a tailoring shop KENTE MASTER Founder : Rafiat Kasumu, Location: Ghana , USA Business : Kente Weaving Kente Master is a fabric artisan startup committed to promoting African entrepreneurship by internationally servicing a unique blend of premium, finished Kente graduation stoles. We create dynamic, long- lasting, and mutually beneficial relationships between local Kente weaving associations in Ghana and universities in the United States so that students graduate wearing authentic, customized graduation stoles #MadeInGhana. By doing this, Kente Master contributes to job creation, security, and economic development in Ghana. 42 Dabira Magazine to accommodate the growing numbers of customers. At that time I only had one tailor but as the demand for my services grew I found myself employing more tailors and buying new machines. This organic growth took place over a number of years. Yet interestingly, all that while, I didn’t consider myself a designer. The Lilly Alfonso brand itself was born after winning an award as best designer - that was a game-changing moment, and that’s when I actually considered myself a designer. Since that time, I have never looked back, and today Lilly Alfonso has become a limited company with shares. "Our products speak of high quality, and we stand out in the marketplace because we make versatile collections." What Makes Your Brand Unique From Other Competing Brand? Lilly Alfonso products are locally designed and manufactured. What we make is of international standard, yet proudly What Is The Inspiration Behind Kente Master? Kente Master was co-founded by a group of my peers and myself, all of whom wanted to revolutionize a threatened traditional weaving industry. While studying abroad with a group of students in Ghana through the University of Pennsylvania’s joint International Development Summer Institute (IDSI) with KNUST, our cohort learned about and visited one of the first Kente weaving associations in Ghana. We grew an immense appreciation for the craft's artistry and history. After learning about the significance of Kente — down to the meanings of colors and patterns – I realized how important this craft is and wanted to be a part of the movement to help these small weaving communities reach international markets, while producing traditionally, at an unparalleled pace. What Makes Your Brand Unique From Other Competing Brand? Kente Master is the only fabric artisan company in the Kente industry that provides authenticity, affordability, and customizability to universities, student organizations, and individuals seeking Kente graduation stoles. By working with the most skilled, traditional African. Our products speak of high quality, and we stand out in the marketplace because we make versatile collections. As a brand, Lilly Alfonso is all about upscale and class. When someone wants his or her outfits customized, we make sure that the final product is personalized to suit their individual tastes and lifestyles Inspiring Words To Women Entrepreneurs It is important that you know yourself. Understand and believe in your dreams. Give yourself room to research and plan for whatever you are dreaming of venturing into. Giving up isn’t the only way if things get tough ahead. Challenges build you up, and so does criticism. Failures make you unique, so use them and turn them into positives. The Founder, Lilly Alfonso is a Malawian who is now a leading light on the Malawian fashion and business scene. Lilly Alfonso can be reached by email; [email protected] Kente Weaving Associations in Ghana, we are able to provide our clients with the most unique and intricate Kente designs available. Inspiring Words To Women Entrepreneurs Make sure you are passionate about the problem your start-up was created to solve. This is essential because that passion you have will be the fuel for business. Always let that passion drive you through every stage of your business. Rafiat Kasumu is a Nigerian- American who developed a love for Kente "I realized how important this craft is and wanted to be a part of the movement to help these small weaving communities reach international markets, while producing traditionally, at an unparalleled pace. " while working with Kente weavers in Kumasi, Ghana Kente Master can be reached by email; [email protected] Back to Contents