Nigerian fashion designer Ejiro Amos Tafiri has challenged emerging African creatives to prioritise education, technical expertise and business knowledge over social media hype, stressing that sustainable success in the fashion industry requires more than raw talent.
She made the call at the third edition of the Fashioning a Legacy: Leaving a Mark in Time conference, held on Saturday, October 24, at the British Council in Ikoyi, Lagos. The event brought together designers, fashion students, entrepreneurs and industry stakeholders to discuss the future of African fashion.
Tafiri, founder and creative director of the Ejiro Amos Tafiri fashion brand, has consistently advocated professional training, mentorship and stronger business foundations for emerging designers. Through her School of Design, she seeks to equip young creatives with practical skills in design, branding, marketing and entrepreneurship.
The conference also focused on addressing barriers limiting the growth of African fashion businesses, including inadequate investment, limited production capacity and challenges in taking local brands to international markets. Organisers said the platform was designed to encourage collaboration and develop a more competitive African fashion ecosystem.
Tafiri’s message reinforces the importance of building lasting creative businesses through continuous learning, craftsmanship and strategic planning rather than relying solely on visibility and online popularity.