FASHION
FASHION
9) You have successfully created amazing pieces collection after collection, your creations have been featured time and again on the ever so stylish Diana Opoti as part of her 100 days of African fashion. You have introduced the brand in Nairobi through your store at the Hub in Karen, with that being said, what is next for Coco Lili Africa?
Eseri: we are currently working on multiple collections and print development, now that we have launched and interacted directly with our consumer we are going back to the product development table to see what we might have missed.
Furaha: We have just fi nalized the prints for our new collections and we are currently going through the design processes, which we hope to release next summer. We are also working on developing a wide assortment and selection of pieces.
10) As a fashion entrepreneur what advice can you give to budding entrepreneurs with an interest to either invest in fashion or create their own fashion brand?
Eseri: I think it’ s really important that they have a clear understanding of why they want to do it and what their goals are( short and long term), that way they having a starting point. I also think it’ s really important that they do there research and have a full understanding of what the whole process entails. So that they don’ t end up going through the process of writing a business plan, then investing only to fi nd that it is not what they thought it would be.
Fashions a lot of work and there’ s a lot more that goes in to it than coming up with ideas, so it requries a clear vision, drive and a lot of patience.
Furaha: Oh dear … what can I say. Creating your own brand is not as easy as it may appear to be. The idea of CocoLili was conceptualized in February 2013 and we didn’ t sell our fi rst piece until November 2016. During that time we were busy writing out our business plan, strategizing, fi ne tuning our structure and working methodology, preparing our collections etc. The entire process is time consuming and very capital intensive. Unfortunately, Banks are not willing to lend to fashion startups so it can be diffi cult getting your resources together.
Also, one of the important things is to really understand what you want your brand to communicate to the world. What are you all about? Having an idea is not good enough if you cannot put it on paper. You must be able to articulate your ideas on paper and thereafter action them. You must also learn to manage expectations and surround yourself with a core group of people who are supportive and enthusiastic about your idea and who will be able to encourage you and lift you up when you come across those bumpy moments of which there can be quite a few. Also you need to remain very positive and single focused and view bumps and hurdles you come across as an opportunity to reassess and readjust rather than an obstacle.
Writer Triza Ngesa Photography Proc & Logistix team
LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 003 / 17 / March 2017 21