CDEA’s Fashion Incubator held a Fashion Boot Camp from February 14-17, 2017 supported by GIZ and the East African Community that focused on providing technical support to the incubatees using leather, kanga and beads sourced from Tanzania.
Bernadine Buzabo, a fashion design consultant with experience from major American and European brands held a session on product development focusing the product development cycle, pricing, product life cycle, quality assurance, product Innovation and the importance of market research in product development.
CDEA in May 2018 held the Mashariki Creative Economy Impact Investment Conference where five incubatees from Uganda and Tanzania pitched to potential investors. Clare Musila, an accessories designer from Uganda won 10m Uganda shillings from a Uganda investor for her Ruka Jewellery brand. On December 14, 2017, Ruka launched her jewelry line in Kampala (showcased below).
Two fashion incubators from Tanzania showcased their collection at the Swahili Fashion Week, December 1-3, 2017 in Dar es Salaam. Andrew Kalema’s Sophia collection was a combination of artificial and genuine leather and kanga (below).
Shahbaazi Sayyed showcased his black affair collection (sample below) using chiffon, cotton, satin and silk. Shahbaazi Sayyed has also got Kenyan investor who will fund his workshop and opening a studio for his Baazi brand worth $20,000.
