Archive for June, 2011

Sourcing in Ghana

June 9, 2011

Join Source4Style at Guilded for a lively discussion on sourcing and producing in the West African country of Ghana

IMG_2594-Edit-2

Our esteemed colleague, Elizabeth Cloyd (a.k.a. EClo) came back recently from a sourcing trip in Ghana. Join her on June 14, 2011 at Guilded to hear her story on sourcing in the country and get a sneak peek at the materials that Source4Style will be showcasing.

Ghana is the ideal country for ethical sourcing and production. There is a wealth of artisinal textiles, an abundance of skilled production talent in need of work, and a legal framework that will support the export of your product. The combination of the inspiration of the culture and textiles with the impact of your venture on the economic growth of individuals is the perfect climate for your social business.

Batik, kente, adinkra, batakari, and fugu are the main indigenous Ghanaian textiles. Everyday wear consists of cotton wax printed textiles made by five main Ghanaian producers. The colors, patterns, and motifs in these textiles are visual representations of history, proverbs, moral values, and social codes.

The sourcing portion of this class will focus on efficiently and effectively sourcing fabric in a region of West Africa. We’ll discuss the dos and dont’s of working with suppliers in Ghana, including helpful tools on identifying potential suppliers, using trade organizations to your advantage, and maintaining relationships once you have left Ghana.

On the production front, we’ll discuss how to navigate legal environment, form strong partnerships abroad, and produce fluidly.  The goal is to operate as a social business; thus, being altruistic in social impact and strategic with your business goals.


IMG_2584

MVI_2590

IMG_2594-Edit-2

Our esteemed colleague, Elizabeth Cloyd (a.k.a. EClo) came back recently from a sourcing trip in Ghana. Join her on June 14, 2011 at Guilded to hear her story on sourcing in the country and get a sneak peek at the materials that Source4Style will be showcasing.

Ghana is the ideal country for ethical sourcing and production. There is a wealth of artisinal textiles, an abundance of skilled production talent in need of work, and a legal framework that will support the export of your product. The combination of the inspiration of the culture and textiles with the impact of your venture on the economic growth of individuals is the perfect climate for your social business.

Batik, kente, adinkra, batakari, and fugu are the main indigenous Ghanaian textiles. Everyday wear consists of cotton wax printed textiles made by five main Ghanaian producers. The colors, patterns, and motifs in these textiles are visual representations of history, proverbs, moral values, and social codes.

The sourcing portion of this class will focus on efficiently and effectively sourcing fabric in a region of West Africa. We’ll discuss the dos and dont’s of working with suppliers in Ghana, including helpful tools on identifying potential suppliers, using trade organizations to your advantage, and maintaining relationships once you have left Ghana.

On the production front, we’ll discuss how to navigate legal environment, form strong partnerships abroad, and produce fluidly.  The goal is to operate as a social business; thus, being altruistic in social impact and strategic with your business goals.


IMG_2584

MVI_2590