The fashion department of the Accra Technical University (ATU) has held its annual fashion show and exhibition for final-year students of the school.

The event, held under the theme, “Thinking Global, Wearing Local: Propelling the Wheels of Creativity through Fashion,” featured a rich display of textiles created by the students and fashion students who showed their creativity with some outstanding designs.

From casual, formal and dinner wears crafted with African fabrics and accessories, patrons were mes-merised by the ingenuity and captivating collections of the students.

Addressing guests at the exhibition show held on Thursday, August 17, the Ag. Vice Chancellor and Pro Vice Chancellor of ATU, Prof. Amevi Acakpovi, expressed his admiration for the works of the over 300 students who graduated from the fashion department.

“We’re delighted to witness the exhibition. We’ve seen some great innovations and dynamism with designs. The students demonstrated ability, creativity, and innovation and brought life into fabrics and African accessories.”

“Our students have displayed a high level of skill. It will make them very competitive in the industry. We urge them to continue to innovate and create a lot of jobs and employ others,” he said.
The event was climaxed with a fashion show on Friday, August 18 at the National Theatre where models took to the runway to display works of the students.

One after the other, the models mesmerised patrons and students with various designs reflecting their unique artistic vision and impressions from the students with the fabrics.
In a keynote address at the fashion show, the Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Professional Stud-ies (UPSA), Dr John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, called for collaboration between tertiary institutions in the country to develop the fashion industry.

He called on the govern¬ment and the private sector to commit resources into the fashion industry to promote job-creation.
“Most developed countries are taking this creativity of the younger population to boost their economies and Ghana can do same by investing in the fashion industry,” he stated.
He urged students to take advantage of opportunities for startups by the gov¬ernment to expand their businesses.
One of the final-year students who spoke to The Specta¬tor, Felicia Abubakar, expressed delight at the exploits shown, adding that, “this is an indication that we’re ready for the industry.”
“I have learnt a lot and can confidently say that I’m ready to carve a niche for myself with the wonderful designs on display. We’re ready to take the industry by storm,” she said.

Photos: Lizzy Okai
By Michael D. Abayateye