BRUCEBUCKS move to wordpress: Fashion PR

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Last week, I was invited by my very good friend Nana Mensah, founder of Accra Mens Fashion Week and Mr. Model Africa to speak to aspiring Models on the "Secrets to becoming a successful Model".

I shared the platform with 2 known faces within the Ghanaian Modeling Industry Prince IB and Shirley Selase Anku and Mrs. Mabel Adu, CEO of Alloette Africa.

It was a pleasure to do so because as a Fashion PR Specialist for fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands, I had the opportunity to also speak to them on building a brand on Social Media as a Model. I advised them not to overlook Visual Branding and storytelling by creating unique contents on social media. Additionally, I told them to carve a niche for themselves by truly understanding who they are as a model and learning to live what they portray by being consistent with their brand offerings and thriving to build strong relationships both online and offline.

Here is what the other speakers shared:

Speakers at the event included Mrs. Mabel Adu, CEO of Alloette Africa. As a beauty and Skincare Expert, Mrs Adu highlighted the need for models to take very good care of their skin by eating healthy, drinking lots of water, eating fruits daily and keeping a good lifestyle. She emphasized that the skin is essential to the success of models and as such models need to know their skin type and know what kinds of products they apply on them.

Prince IB a renowned model and CEO of TM Model Management who has worked for many brands in Ghana and walked many runways also advised attendees first to keep to time if they really want to succeed in this industry. He added that there is a place for any aspiring model who is invests in researching and learning about the industry and attend auditions well prepared with the right requirements and willing to take up challenges when no one dares to do it.

Shirley Selase Anku, a Ghanaian beauty who has starred in many commercials and editorials for international brands admonished aspiring models to have a thick skin if they want to survive in the fashion industry. She added that models need to know their worth and their body inside out in order to deliver on the job when contracted. Shirley also told models to sign up with the right agencies in order to get in-house trainings who will equally manage their client relationship and prospect for jobs on their behalf.

233 Models Summit promises to be a yearly event as part of Mr. Model Africa Competition to search for the ideal Male Model which is taking place on Saturday 28th October, 2017 at the Providence Event Place, Trade Fair.

Faith Senam Ocloo
Fashion Public Relations
Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts

Public Relations has played a primary role in the business of fashion and how fashion brands have evolved overtime. It has also help them gain entry onto various media channels which has intensified with the advent of social media.

At the recent edition of “In Style Series” held by Dreams College of Creative Arts (DCCA), I had the opportunity to speak to fashion students and reiterate the importance of PR in the development and growth of fashion brands.

The discussion around the “Essence of PR in Fashion” falls under the schools’ Fashion Law, Media and Production course which is aimed at educating students on other aspects of fashion beyond garment designing.

Dr. Clement Asemrenya, President of DCCA at the talk series explained why he decided to introduce Fashion PR in his course syllabus saying “There was a time when I thought all that mattered in fashion was the designing of cloths. But I have discovered that PR is an essential part of the fashion industry. In fact, it is necessary across all industries in order for a company or organization to become successful and the fashion industry is no exception”

He adds that, “Fashion Education is meant to prepare students for life after school. Understanding the business aspect of the profession is as essential as the garment design process. PR knowledge in Fashion education enables emerging designers to understand how to build their brands, be equipped to make the necessary day to day decisions that can help their brands break through the international world”

I couldn’t agree better as PR’s role in today’s brand growth is undisputed. From large brands to emerging brands, PR needs to be part of the process from the beginning. It helps emerging designers to get things right and build a solid foundation for the brand to grow on.

The basic understanding of Public Relations is the management of a brands reputation and building mutually beneficial relationships. With that said, fashion brands are no exception when it comes to building reputable brands. Mind you the fashion industry is worth millions of dollars with so many other brands competing for almost the same kind of customer base. You need to create brands that are authentic, that have a unique story and one that people can connect with.

This is achievable when students have a good understanding that what they produce, say and wear all works to create a brand.

In the event emerging designers can’t afford the services of a PR representative or agency to manage its PR needs, it becomes feasible to do it yourself because of the education and understanding you have acquired about its importance.

Doing it yourself includes ensuring that you understand the business side of the industry you are in. Know your product inside out and able to speak to it. Have a story and craft your messages in a unique way that people can connect with. Identify what your target market is and how to reach them. Which media platforms are best to reach these targets. Understanding all these helps you create a recognizable brand and ready for PR values to take effect on your business when the timing is right and the brand is business ready. Just so that, when you can afford to bring on board a professional, it takes off smoothly.

Adding my voice to this call, I urge fashion institutions to include PR in their syllabus as it helps in adequately preparing students not just in fashion designing but also running successful fashion brands that have distinct signatures and that have the ability to break through international markets.

With Dr. Clement Asemnrya, President of DCCA

This article was originally published in the Business & Financial Times Newspaper on the 14/09/2018

Faith Senam Ocloo
Fashion Public Relations
Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts

In April, I get to start all over again.

The month of April which means "to open" or blossom always has a special effect on me. For me, its another opportunity to open up to the things that thought I couldn't achieve in the last year. To take new chances and live life again because I am only alive because He kept me alive.

To others, birthdays are simply nothing than just any regular day but for me its a special day. I wait 365 days to get to experience this day. Don't forget its not everyone who gets the chance to live another day.

The last year had been my most challenging year yet but I did learnt some few lessons because guess what, I came out better, stronger and more content.

I'll please myself first
I'll never to regret any decision I make no matter the circumstances
My happiness is a choice I must always choose to own
Things happen for a purpose not for nothing
Life isn't a race, its a journey I have already started and I will get to the intended desitination
That being real to myself saves me from so much stress
My purpose is totally different from anyone else
Whatever is causing me to worry or be in pain right now won't be forever. Time heals. Things change and it will pass
It's all about positivity

One thing I kept telling God throughout last year was not to put me to shame nor forsake me and He never did. I'm immensely grateful for my new age because I am proud of what has become of the Faith Senam April who few years back was just a little girl with aspirations.

Today, those aspirations are my reality, my smiles, my pain and my lessons and still my aspirations to be a better person making an impact.

This new year, I will be #OwningMyHappiness

Thankful to all who never gave up on supporting and being there for me.

Green Gown: Zoya_233

Fascinators: YadeyJewelry

Photography: AnansePhotography

MUA: Pretty Touch_gh
Neckpiece: Egudzi

Faith Senam Ocloo
Fashion Public Relations
Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts

Daniel Kumevor (Middle)

There is something captivating about Emirates Cabin Crew and their stunning and easy recognizable uniform. Being at the forefront of the airline and serving as the direct link to customers, their uniform identity has won many hearts with many desiring to have an opportunity to work there.

Daniel Kumevor is one out of over a 100 other Ghanaian working with Emirates, an award winning global airline while enjoying the best opportunities working in a multi-cultural environment and living his best lifestyle.

Currently a Supervisor In-flight Emirates, Daniel’s recounts how his remarkable journey as a Cabin Crew started off during his first flight experience with a Ghanaian Cabin Crew member in 2008 while traveling back home with 4 other colleagues from the University of Ghana on board Emirates. This lady after the boarding procedures caught up with them and encouraged them to take a chance and apply for a job on their website when they needed a job.

Two years after that encounter, Daniel decided to apply for a job with Emirates and to his amazement, he was selected among a few other Ghanaians to begin training and subsequently commence work as a Cabin Crew.

Looking all dapper in his rich chocolate color suit featuring a subtle cream and red pinstripe complemented with a cream-colored shirt and a brown tie that has diagonal red strips, Daniel shares his experience and life with fellow social media influencers and journalists over lunch at the Golden Tulip Hotel.

Daniel explains his role as a Supervisor as one that involves being well knowledgeable about all the procedures. “I always go in anytime they need help to offer assistance. Because I have been through all the ranks so I know what works and offer assistance. You are trained on the service flow and how to talk to your customers such as phrases to use for the President or a Minister and you need to be able offer them first class treatment.”

For Daniel, aside going through all the trainings on how to dress and look good at all times, his most gratifying moment is to make people happy and so he always wears a smile no matter what. Even when dealing with angry customers, all he has to do is to smile “My smile, I have never had one (in reference to angry customers), really, I always think, you don’t know what really happened to the person, he might not be smiling because maybe he had an issue at the airport or maybe had a bad day”. All he has to do is to welcome the person with a smile.

While he is flying across the entire world for mostly 22 days and only gets off for about 8 days, Daniel also finds fulfillment in supporting and working with other colleagues in making an impact in the lives of others through donation and charity events.

The Emirates experience which puts your Safety, Entertainment and Service first also compliments his natural genes as a Ghanaian identified mostly as hospitable, honest, humble and very happy people.

Myself and Laurie

Myself and Yaa Somuah

Myself and Daniel

Listening attentively while Daniel shares his life at Emirates, one thing I found really heartwarming is to see a Ghanaian really making Ghana proud and happily making an impact on peoples lives even if its just a smile because a smile is all it takes to make impact.

This post was originally published in the Business & Financial Times 6/4/2018

Faith Senam Ocloo
Fashion Public Relations
Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts

Collaboration as a practice within the fashion industry has become an important value creating concept. Many times we have read and heard people talk about the power of collaboration and how important it is for fashion brands to collaborate yet have wondered how and why one should collaborate. Most collaborations are business-driven pairings while some are friends teaming up and others are a group of creatives trying to be disruptive to a cause while expanding their reach.

The fashion industry in Ghana is yet to fully witness exciting collaborations from brands even though we have witnessed a number of them from Designers, Makeup Artists, Creative Directors, Photographers and many other parties with the wedding space leading quite strongly.

In recent times, we saw collaborations from Vlisco & Co made up of young and emerging designers and creatives such as Ushie, House of Paon and Kelvincent. Another remarkable collaboration was between Papa Oppong & Lawdin and host of other creatives in the For the Birds Presentation.

We also have Cross-brand which looks at collaboration across other industries and these collaborations have become an ideal way to speak to the visual and cultural complexity of today’s consumer who has so much options to choose from. With the fashion industry getting saturated all the time, collaboration could help you build greater ideas, strengthen relationships for future gains, serve as a win-win for all collaborators and also offer opportunities to share ideas and cost.

Builds Greater Ideas

When people come together with different areas of strength and expertise, they are able to create more ideas and work better. Once all parties are on the same page with regards to clear objectives and goals and dedicated towards the ultimate vision of the collaboration, they are most likely to build on initial ideas. That said, ideas can often get bigger than what is initially laid out which means as a collaborator one must be ready to create room for expansion and incorporation of bigger ideas when the need arises in order to achieve a much desired result.

Strengthens Relationship

Collaboration among brands cutting across different areas helps to build mutual relationship for a common goal. The period within which the campaign or project is being worked on provides room to learn from each other and better still build good relationships valuable for the future. When collaborations turn out well, brands are able to enjoy leads to future deals and referrals even when the same parties may not be part of it going forward.

Win-win for Collaborators

When brands collaborate, they transform a creative vision into something tangible and profitable for all parties. It becomes a win-win for each party involved to optimize the opportunity and tap into each other’s respective creative pool, client base and following. Depending on the overall goal for the collaboration, it could drive sales action, generate buzz or create awareness for the project or campaign.

Exchange of Ideas and Cost Sharing

A lot of times when brands collaborate, there is the exchange of ideas across board which allows for collaborators to share their creativity, emotions and vision while learning from each other. It also offers the benefits of sharing the cost of production on the project or campaign as well as the risks associated with working alone.

For many designers and creatives looking to try out something new, explore collaborating with brands in other areas such as décor, furniture, music, lifestyle, technology etc. That said, ensure that you collaborate with individuals or companies whose brand image and target market matches yours and one you can work with to bring out the concept and vision just the way you intend to or possibly even better.

Faith Senam Ocloo
Fashion Public Relations
Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts

Securing a feature in the media is an important goal to attain. While this is could be an achievement, many designers forget that gaining press attention, precisely positive stories can support your brand growth when strategically prepared for.

There are points to note in order to properly prepare in the event that your PR efforts play out well and your product gets featured and triggers all the good things such as increased in enquiries of your product, more clicks on your website, increase in sales amongst others.

Make sure you have available pieces

I have had an instance where a designer I once worked with to secure a placement have had to lose out on several sales opportunities because she did not have the specific dress which had been featured. So it is advisable to have a good inventory of pieces readily available before the feature even it means having them in different colors as a way of options that way you can cash in on these opportunities when they bring themselves.

Encourage your Employees to share

Employees are ambassadors of any company. When well informed about a company and its operations, they can well serve as good ambassadors. With a major hit in the media for your brand, share the news internally with your team and employees so they can also share with their network. If your employees support in amplifying it on social media, you will be able to maximize the coverage.

Keep your social media accounts active

Social Media continues to play a very significant role for many fashion brands. It could serve as an amplifying platform to reach a wider audience. Make sure that once you secure that media feature, you share them across your social media platforms. Share the links or image of the feature and leverage on that to get more reach.

Keep track of your new clients

Once you begin to hit that point where people are asking for the product that has been featured, you should be able to capture their contact. The reality is that, not all of them will buy immediately. Some may buy immediately and some may do that later. It is advisable to still take the contact details of those who enquire but are unable to purchase immediately as you can follow up with them at a later date. Also for those who may want specifics but you are unable to offer them.

Tap into your client list

Once your article goes live, you could share the good news with your clientele. These are people who have been with your brand and have been following your journey all this while. If they're proud enough to be associated with your brand after a big feature, some may take it upon themselves to share the good news as well among their personal networks.

The bottom line is that, when a positive piece of press gets published, the kind of activities you undertake could make all the difference in simply getting a media hit and turning them into a remarkable funnel to generate sales. Promote and circulate them to as many people as you can.

Faith Senam Ocloo
Fashion Public Relations
Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts

A beautiful skin is a woman’s pride. It radiates beauty and makes one look and feel confident. Keeping a good skin doesn’t come easy as one needs to engage in daily habits to guard the skin and maintain its natural state.

With issues such as discolorations, uneven skin tones, eczema among others staring in the face, one will go every mile in search for a skin care product that will clear all those issues. For many women, it’s such a relief to find that ideal skincare product that works on your skin.

Also in our part of the world, getting people to appreciate and embrace their own skin tones amidst all the challenges of dealing with skin issues is an ongoing discussion as people still think having a lighter skin is preferable and prettier.

On this premise, Nokware Skincare was recently launched for people looking to find a product that is not only natural and organic but one that encourages people especially Africans to embrace their own skin and natural beauty.

Tutuwa Ahwoi, a Ghanaian and Thato Tau, Motswana both founded Nokware Skin care range of products. Nokware translated in Twi as “Truth” is not just your regular skincare range of products. It is 100% organic made from the finest ingredients sourced from sustainable local farms in West Africa.

Sharing their journey on starting Nokware Skincare products, Tutuwa explained that while studying in Paris sometime in 2014 they had problems with their skin but couldn’t find any product that worked. Upon using our very own Sheabutter and Alata Samina their skin began to take shape and fell back to its natural state. This birthed the idea earlier this year to start a Skincare product to cater to the many people who needed a natural and organic product especially for those living abroad.

Few years down the line, Nokware was launched in September and has since then made an impressive entry onto the Ghanaian market and has been received well by many consumers. The more exciting and hearty bit about the brand is its organic product and sustainable beauty packaging which is increasingly appealing to consumers in recent times.

It has Calabash which is the cut and dried fruit of the gourd plant and is recyclable. The Calabash covers are made from natural jute fibres from the jute plant. The raffia is derived from a palm tree native to tropical Africa and the brown paper is made from the unbleached wood pulp and is recyclable. This certainly makes Nokware products as eco-friendly as possible.

Currently being sold via online and in shops such as Elle Lokko and Juben House of Beauty and Healthy Shops in Labadi as well as some major outlets in Botswana, plans are also underway to begin selling in Nigeria and other African countries.

Tutuwa stated that “Nokware is made for anyone with skin, babies, children, men, women as there is a product for each skin category be it oily skin, dry skin but not for anyone looking to have a lighter skin tone”

Nokware beauty soup product offering comes in four (4) variants namely the Original African Black Soap, Neem Oil Black Soap, Activated Charcoal Black Soap and Shea & Baobab Oil Black Soap all of which are handmade and sourced locally. Other additions introduced include the organic Loofah Body Exfoliator and Sponges which makes bath equally an eco-friendly experience.

As a young brand, challenges are inevitable as Tutuwa mentioned trading among other African countries as one of the hurdles they have had to cross so far. She said “our biggest challenge is getting the product out of Ghana to other countries in Africa where unlike the EU countries, it’s easier to trade among each other; it is very difficult to do same here in Africa”.

She added that Social media has played a significant role since their launch as many orders and purchases were made via their Instagram account.

In the next coming years, Tutuwa discloses that there will be new more additions such as the Sheabutter to the range of products while working to make Nokware a global brand. At the core of this is for Nokware Skincare to be available for anyone looking for a natural and organic product that appreciates and embraces ones’ own skin color.

Founders (Tutuwa & Thato)

Nokware Skincare

This post originally appeared on my column in the Business and Financial Times Newspaper on November 17, 2017

Faith Senam Ocloo

Fashion Public Relations

Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts

If there is one Ghanaian accessory brand that has transcended the borders of Ghana especially onto the European market, it certainly is Selina Beb. From the fine details of each piece to the quality and choice of fabric used, Selina Beb is definitely a proudly Ghanaian made brand.

Founded and designed by Selina Bebaako-Mensah, Selina Beb brand has grown to become one of the favorites for many fashion lovers and have over the past years proven to be a consistent accessory brand growing steadily to a household brand.

Launched in 2012, the brand is known for its colorful, rich and quality pieces ranging from bags, footwears, jewelry made for women, men and children.

Selina Beb is seen at almost all major fashion and trade events in Ghana and has also participated in many fashion shows in Ghana, London, USA, Italy and beyond.

At the recently held Neskael Corporate Show at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, Ms Bebaako-Mensah as usual thrilled attendees when she outdoored her 2018 Collection called the Kente Collection.

With this year’s theme “Celebrating 60 years of rich Ghanaian culture & continuous economic growth through arts” the launch of the SB Kente Collection was timely as it gave the designer the opportunity to re-echo the ‘Kente’ fabric as a key part of our Ghanaian cultural heritage.

According to Ms. Bebaako-Mensah she was inspired to do a Kente collection based on the theme for this year’s Neskael Show. She added “I wanted to do something that is really truly Ghanaian, something that truly represents us as Ghanaians.”

Being an annual event organized by Neskael Travel and Tours, the event is aimed at showcasing Ghana’s cultural heritage and values through fashion.

The multiple award winning accessories designer brand has been recognized globally for making very beautiful African inspired pieces with this time round focusing more on doing something that is truly Ghanaian and one that reveals who we are as a people and she felt what better fabric could she used than our very own Kente.

This collection features the SB Bags in several variants and accessories handmade with the authentic Kente fabric as well as that of the Woodin designed kente fabric.

Selina Beb is a recipient of many awards with the most recent ones won at the Bi-Annual European & International Women Inventors (EIWIIN) Awards in Italy.

Selina Beb aims at making its customers feel like royalty when using their bespoke items. Products are made with genuine leather, high quality African wax prints, rare and unique beads and the best in raw materials that are all carefully handpicked by the designer to ensure the best possible final product.

Being a proudly made in Ghana, Selina Beb Bags, Footwear and Accessories are all made by hand and each item is made with the upmost effort, care and love.

With a blend of rich Ghanaian history and culture coupled with modern and innovative ways of making bespoke pieces, Selina Beb has become the go to for many Ghanaian accessory lovers.

Below are images of the new collection. You can shop these at their store located near PhotoClub, Osu or call 0543459000.

Faith Senam Ocloo
Fashion Public Relations
Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts

Representing Nadrey Laurent at the Instagram Runway Show during the SMWiAccra Week organised by Debonair Afrik

Wow! I can't believe it's almost 2 months since I last made a blogpost here.

You know the biblical saying the "the Spirit is willing but the body is weak" That's exactly what I am going through now. Been trying to pull myself up and keep going.

That said, a few things have still been going on in my life as a Fashion PR Girl.

I still write for the Business and Financial Times paper every Friday. Unfortunately, I don't get to share them on social media like before because I don't get the digital copy like i do. All the same, I hope you make time on Fridays to grab a print copy to read my column "Fashion and More with Faith Senam" as I share some insights on things happening in fashion with you.

Nadrey Laurent will be showcasing at Kampala Fashion Week this coming weekend. This new collection looks fantastic already. Have some few favorites already. And we will be showcasing at Glitz Africa Fashion Week as well. Follow @NadreyLaurent on Instagram and Facebook for all the updates on our shows.

Evangel Magazine Gamma Edition will also be launching early next month 8th October 2017 in partnership with Fountain Gate Chapel. Its theme is centered on "Compassion". How showing compassion to someone could make a difference in ones life. Hope you grab a copy after the launch.

Women in PR Ghanawill also be support the Trust Hospital launch its Pink October Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Tuesday 3rd March, 2017 at the Trust Clinic, Adenta Housing Down.

So you see, while things may look cool from the outside, work is still ongoing from the inside.

Thanks for stopping by as I update you on whats been happening in the life of a Ghanaian Fashion PR Girl.

Until my next post, adios