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Public Relations Associate: Jen
Jen@Adiree.com
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Boston Native, Africa Fashion Week Director, Adiat Disu to Speak at Harvard Africa Business Conference on Luxury + Africa + Retail
February 15th, 2013- Boston, MA- Adiat Folasade Disu, a Boston native and graduate of Bentley University (Business school of Accounting and Finance) on Saturday, February 16th will be a panelist at the upcoming 15th Annual Harvard Africa Business Conference, to be held from February 15th-17th, 2013.
Disu, the President of Adiree (a communications and branding firm in New York), who produces Africa Fashion Week held in July, annually supported by Mayor Bloomberg ; along with West African designer Ituen Basi (West Africa), East African designer Ally Rehmtullah and Founder of Africa’s first Fair Trade Certified apparel company Chid Liberty of Liberty & Justice will speak about challenges and opportunities related to Africa’s emerging retail culture and fashion goods.
The panel will explore the African fashion industry by thoroughly examining each step of the value chain, current incentives and key considerations around local versus outsourced production to achieve cost competitiveness.
Africa continues to be a topic of interest, and in most recent events, drawing upon the biggest names in the industry; names including LVMH, PPR, Hermes, designers such as Jean-Paul Gaultier, Manolo Blahnik and Vivienne Westwood at events such as the International Herald Tribune Conference in Rome, Italy. The highlight of the Harvard conference is that native Africans within these industries will provide personal hands on experience about Africa’s potential as a market for luxury goods.
“It’s clear, Africa in itsemergence as a consumer of luxury goods -1 billion population, 70% under 30 making it the youngest continent, 1.4 trillion spending forecast by 2020 – looks appealing to many, however, our main focus and concern are the brands coming from Africa that will transcend seas and resonate with indigenous consumers and worldwide,” states Disu.
“With the motto: Luxury Brands Focused Globally, Adirée TM has focused on re-branding Africa, as a destination for luxury brands, and has taken exclusive brands from Africa and placed them on nationally esteemed and recognized platforms via placements in distinguished media outlets like CNN, Elle, Washington Post, Huffington Post, and more,” says Disu.
Through partnerships, quality productions, campaigns, and media placements Adirée is establishing the way consumers should view products from Africa (i.e. Made in Angola, Made in Zimbabwe, or Made in Nigeria). Using communication strategies such as hosting international “Africa fashion Weeks” ignited a trend, via their original idea of establishing and hosting African Fashion Weeks throughout fashion capitals thus birthing Africa Fashion Week throughout fashion capitals thus Africa Fashion Week New York | London | Paris | Milan | Berlin | Tokyo.
The result; increased awareness of African fashion by 8.5 million views; $100+ K generated in financing for African designers and artisans, to showcase in the U.S, and support from Mayor Bloomberg.
For more information about the event please visit Harvard Africa Business Conference.
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Adiree Company is a media, marketing, and marketplace group reaching multicultural consumers. Every month, readers turn to content by Adiree — for impactful conversation, our marketing and it’s marketplace to engage with meaningful products. Focusing on everything from culture, lifestyle to careers, Adiree Company leverages the power of diversity and heritage to engage and empower. Adiree Company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in New York City, with offices in Lagos Nigeria.