Sustainable Fashion June 2022
Judges & Pitchers

In collaboration with BlueCrest College, Freetown Pitch Night held its monthly June edition of Pitch Night at Limkokwing University at Hill Station, Freetown on Wednesday, 29th of June, 2022.

The theme of this month’s edition is Sustainable Fashion which is geared towards raising the awareness of the effect of fast fashion and the involvement of all other practices in the fashion industry that may cause harm to the environment.

The event was chaired by Mrs.Emily Bah, who welcomed the guests and thereafter gave a brief history of Fashion and later introduced Mr.Francis, MD of Innovation SL who later emphasized the importance of Sustainable Fashion and subsequently recognise very important guests and all who were in attendance to witness the Pitch Night.                               

After the introduction of Judges, Mrs.Emily called on the first pitcher,  Ms . Fatima Sesay CEO of  Sew Lovely Online Boutique aims to solve environmental issue, global warming by recycling old clothes and fabrics into new products that are comfortable and unique, while contributing to saving the environment.

Fatima Sesay

The judges questioned Ms.Fatimas financial tractions, what sets her apart from other fashion designers, her marketing strategy and recommended that she gets a clear understanding of what she intends to do with the funds required.

Ms.Jalikatu Jalloh, owner of NA IKA ( laba-chonchi) was the second pitcher. Ms.Jalloh highlighted that her business is an inclusive brand aimed at promoting  sustainable fashion by  using organic materials to dye garments and make unique patterns While protecting the planet and contributing to reducing the use of toxic chemicals by 95% and water wastage by 90%.

Jalikatu Jalloh

The Judges commended her initiative and asked Ms.Jalikatu to define her customer base, the type of leaves or plants she uses to dye.After being queried about  her dyeing process, she quickly explained to everyone how she obtains the raw products used to dye her fabrics.

The third pitcher was Ms.Cecilia Fofanah who stated that she wants to solve the problem of fast fashion by using end of life(old or used) materials to produce new designs with excellent customer service.

Cecelia Fofanah

After being questioned about her customer base and the channels she uses to notify her go-to-market about her designs; Ms.Cecilia gave the necessary information required to the judges.

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Mrs. Haja Dalanda Masally, Co Founder of Waste Way, stated that her business produces  durable backpacks, clothes and  other designs. They also co-create with customers. Mrs. Haja highlighted that their  products are eco-friendly, made out of waste and it is  90% plastic and 10% cotton. And that any product purchased from them helps save at least 450 single-use plastic from ending up in the ocean.

Haja Dalanda Masally

One of the Judges questioned the veracity of the statistics she provided. The others asked how intends to pioneer the idea, her marketing strategy and advised that she draws up a realistic approach with a detailed plan of where she wants her business in the next three to six months

This month’s pitch night was different  and spectacular, the function also had a runway show. There were models who did a swift runway for the audience showcasing fabulous and beautiful  designs made by brilliant fashion designers from BlueCrest College.

Lilian
Sasha
Hassianatu

Mr.Rajiv and Ms. Daniella Coker from Blue Crest College was called upon to say a few words. Mr. Rajiv briefly enlightened  the audience about their fashion department in BlueCrest and expressed his gratitude to his students who were the fashion designers and to the audience for their undivided attention.

Head of Fashion School- Mr Rajiv
Judges

The event ended with the announcement of all the five Pitchers as winners because they all had exceptional and brilliant ideas and the presentation of gifts by distinguished guests to the Judges. 

The best  3 dresses made by the students of bueCrest were awarded cash Prizes; SLL 1,500,000, SLL 1,000,00, SLL 750,000 respectively.

Hassianatu
Valerie
Salima

Written By,

Fanta Lomax.

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Seye Olusoj

Seye Olusoji is an Art Director and a Photographer, he is the CEO of Seyestar Studios (Seyestar.com). 
Olusoji Seye is a 21st Century Photographer, Director (movie, and theatre), Actor, and Event Planner. Seye has over 5 years working experience in digital photography. The co-founder of Seyestar, an outlet that handles projects related to Photography, Theatre Arts, Film Production, and Print Media. He takes great photographs, still, motion documentaries and graphics design.

He started his career as a Performing Artist, in the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. After his graduation, he founded Sè Theatre Arts in Ilorin. During his cause of study in the university, he held the position of an assistant director for a stage play titled: Octorush. His directorial skills won him a departmental award as the “Best Drama Performance of the Year” in 2016, and the title of the play he directed was “Ijaye” by Wale Ogunyemi. This same play also won an award for best costume, and was handed to him by the Performing Arts Students Association Award (PASA Award).

He traveled with National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) group to represent Kastina State in Mangu, Jos. Where the group emerged the second in Dance and came third in Drama. In 2019, He staged a theatrical project in Freetown Sierra Leone titled: The Suitcase. The project was in collaborations with another theatre troop (Stage to Stage Marshalls) and the British Council in Freetown. Sierra Leone.

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Frederica Williams

Meet Frederica Williams on Wednesday August 21st at 6pm- the British Council.

Frederica Williams, a graduate from the University of Sierra Leone has over the years succeeded in turning her childhood passion and hobby into a business venture.
She started J&F Fashion Designs in 2005 and the business has evolved from a one-woman shop to one that now employs over 20 staff. She blends excellent design 
skills, strong technical background and solid fashion sense to create innovative garments for both individuals and corporate Institutions.

She has a broad working experience, a skilled manager, a dedicated team player and a social entrepreneur offering free apprenticeship programs.She has created and produced costumes for both local and international beauty pageants, organized fashion shows and also participated in many, a motivational speaker and has won several awards including
Best Designer Miss Sierra Leone 2014.She is also a beneficiary of several local and international business development programs AWEP, PUM,AFFORD to name a few.

Her greatest achievement however has been the resurrection of a dying cultural fashion of the Krio tribe of Sierra Leone locally known as PRINT. This historical style of hand-cut patterns is now widely accepted by both the young and non krio alike. Her dream is to open a Fashion Institution to transfer knowledge to youths nationwide thus contributing to the socioeconomic development of Sierra Leone.

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