From a being a party hostess at the Fredash International Annual Fashion Avenue (FIAFA 2014/15) to creating a very popular fashion brand, Afrik Fashion Trend (AFT) – Here’s the journey of Sulet Nkafu, a young Cameroonian fashion designer who has gone against all odds to follow her dreams.
1) How did fashion designing begin for you?
I was inspired by a Cameroonian brand called Amare Caesar which I worked with as a marketing and sales agent in August 2015. Even though I had the zeal and passion since childhood to design my own products ,working with the brand pushed me and gave me the courage to begin with my own brand – Afrik Fashion Trend. I couldn’t have done it without the special support and advice from my family, friends and my one true friend/brother Alvin Dede who sponsored me through my start-up journey.
2) Why is FIAFA so dear to you?
Wow… my relationship with FIAFA is one of the best ever due to the edge, push fullness and advice from the founder of FIAFA – Alfred Nemfor aka Fredash. He’s always been there to advice and promote me since I started working with him. I became a part of FIAFA team as a hostess back in 2014 – 2015. It was then I watched some of my role models/designers on the runway and said to myself why don’t I also start showcasing my work. I mean, the show gives a good professional platform and promotes uprising young designers by putting them in a competition and offer prices for the best .
By 2016, I was part of the designers who showcased for the young designers category at FIAFA. The experience was the platform which began my journey and this 2017 was just wow… I decided to step up my game with my latest collection “Simple but Classy”. From FIAFA 2017, I got so many links and connections from the media like CRTV , STV and Africa News in South Africa and clients,promoters and many well wishers.So I will say I have a blessed relationship with FIAFA because it has made my dreams come to reality.
3) What does your brand, Afrik Fashion Trend stand for?
AFT is the name of my brand which means Afrika Fashion Trend. The brand represents our African culture and the modern-day fashion. Many people in the past didn’t treasure our African print dresses so I decided to come up with a brand name that could reflect our African culture. The vision for AFT is to represent Cameroon as one of the recognized African brands. The name is not just AFT but it has a slogan “Sulet by Design” which represents my creativity and strength as a woman.
4) Who are your role models and why?
My role models in the fashion industry comes from all over the world but those who inspire me the most are Cameroon based fashion designers like OZI International, EB Kreations, Nuvi Creatives, Fame Style and Amah Fashion House. These amazing fashion designers have helped me learnt a lot on where I want to go as a fashion creative. They inspire me to work harder and be like them some day and why not more. I am happy because they see me as their little baby sister growing and give me advises whenever I consult them in times of challenges.
5) What does the future hold for Sulet Nkafu?
The future for me is a big dream ahead which I visualize daily and hope to make it come to reality ..Designing is my passion but I am a career woman with a First Degree in Accounting and Masters in Business Administration/Banking and Finance (MBA). I plan to work hard in my career field and invest more into my business in the future because I see AFT in the future like a factory which carries out mass production just like Adiddas and others. So I plan working harder and harder to make my brand go worldwide and achieve my dreams. My biggest support comes from my family and love ones. So, I am happy.
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