By: Mariama Njie
At least 45 entrepreneurs including men and women have been trained on technical fashion which included drawing, pattern cutting, designing and sizing clothes.
The two-day training program was held at Gaye Njoro skill Center, Turntable Brusubi Junction.
The Trade Ministry support project dubbed She-Trades Gambia and Andandorr seeks to help young entrepreneurs on how they could exhibit their talents in the global entrepreneurship market.
Instructor included Senegalese fashion expert Mr. Momodou Diallo and three trainers from MO Style provided intensive technical fashion training for the 45 entrepreneurs.
Momodou Diallo, a trainer, said they trained the young entrepreneur on designing and how to go about it. He disclosed that She-Trades did well in organizing the training for them because the young entrepreneurs are very passionate and dedicated.
Rebecca Oli Jallow, a participant said she have learnt a lot in the training saying “I am into sewing but not much into sewing of men outfits. I was taught how to cut and sew men trousers and the use of patterns as well because in The Gambia we don’t use much of patterns we cut directly on the fabric.”
Among lesson gathered from the training, she said she will now be able to create her own patterns and transfer it on the fabric without any mistake and that will have immense impact in her work as a tailor.
“The Gambia has many younger entrepreneurs that are coming up but our challenges is lack of materials and resources in training institutions, because what we have learnt in 3 days, going to a training school I have never learn such before,” she confessed.
Another participant, Numa Wali Ndong said as a fashion designer and CEO of Gam plus Clothing this training was one of her greatest opportunities, “because I was able to learned new techniques from their shortcuts just in 3 days. Since I am a designer and not a tailor, I never knew that there are certain steps when not put into consideration might spoil the product and with this training, I will be able to guide my tailors.”
“We are young entrepreneur who are not only targeting the Gambia market but the global market as well so we have to go beyond Gambia’s needs, therefore I called on fellow entrepreneurs to collaborate and bring our ideas together,” she added.