Pooja Jeshang is an upcoming talented fashion designer who graduated from Birmingham City University in England last year. She is currently a freelance designer who has used her time effectively to launch her own brand Saffron which specializes in Ready to Wear and evening wear. Pooja takes her inspiration from a range of sources in her everyday life whilst also being inspired by culture and society across the globe. She was named a top eight emerging designer for Swahali Fashion Week 2010.She currently has two collections in her portfolio, the first Military Power which she worked on in her final year at university and the second Jambo Afrika which she launched with her label Saffron at Swahili Fashion Week 2011.

 Skirt (fashion-conscience) Jacket (Topshop) Earrings (forever21) shoes (Topshop).

LITTLE CREATIVITY
Here is thing there is no way you will make it in this business without so kind creativity ( noway). I have said this over and over again just because African fashion is taking off does not mean that we can all jump in the wagon. You may think well there are a lot of celebrities such as Jessica Simpson, Kimora lee simmons , Victoria Beckham to name a few that are successful but they are not designers per say. The difference between  you and them is that they have creative directors behind them and are loaded with money. Trying to copy the work of a western designer by using African print will not work. If you want to stand out among others you have to be different. The key is that you can be a designer with no sewing skills  but can't be a designer with no creativity. This does not only apply to African designers but all designers . Unfortunately if you create your business and make the same dress over and over again with different fabrics you will miserably fail. 

Le festival international de la mode Africaine (FIMA) took place last week in Niger. This year  marks the eighth edition of the festival which was founded  in 1998 by the one and only Niger designer Alphadi(The festival happens every 2 years). This festival brings together some of the biggest names in African fashion including Mustapha Hassanaly, Alphadi, Pathe O, Daviva, Elie Kuame, Maimour, to name a few.This year more than 200 people in the African fashion industry  including designers , models, stylists made their way to the festival. It also aims to introduce young talents of our continent and to develop their craft. FIMA is not often talked about on the multitude  African fashion websites or covered in the mainstream media ,but one thing we should know is that Fima has been there before all the so called  African fashion weeks. Starting  a fashion festival in Africa is very challenging as it is but doing it in a country where 90% percent of the population is muslin  is even more challenging.

Dakar Fashion Week was took place last week and I was fortunate enough to watch the events live.. Some of the designers invited were ADAMA PARIS , ALAIN NIAVA,ALFREDO MONSUY,BEATRICE BEE ARTHUR,DIOGOMAYE LO, FALLOU STYLE,MATHILDE BADJI, MARIEM BOUSSIKOU,MARIAM DIOP,PATRICK ASSO,MARIAH BOCOUM KEITA and more ...The show was amazing and I have no doubt that Dakar is on his way to be one the  fashion capitol of  Africa. There are quite a few pictures available online however because of copyright reasons I can't post them on ciaafrique. Here is link where you can check a few backstage photos http://www.backstage.2central.net/?p=1 
Below are some videos highlighting the night of the show and the fashion award show as well.