As part of its ongoing commitment to youth development within the community, Virtues Life Foundation recently held a three-day free fashion masterclass in Oregun, Lagos, aimed at empowering young designers.

The masterclass focused on the significance of craftsmanship in the fashion business, strategies for generating income, designing and creating outstanding garments in today’s world, and utilizing social media to grow their businesses.

Speaking on the initiative, the President of Virtues Life Foundation and Senior Pastor of Virtues Christian Centre, Pastor Alexander Faranpojo, said, “There is huge potential in the fashion industry. The industry has significant potential. Where it is now is notable, but it can grow further, depending on how we navigate into that future. It is definitely a billion-dollar industry.”

Speaking on how the masterclass will benefit participants in building their fashion businesses, Faranpojo added, “Learning is a lifelong journey. The more you learn, the more you earn. Knowledge gives you an edge in life, and the more they learn, the more their craft will improve.”

“This is just one of the many things we are doing to empower people. Given the current state of the economy, even with a job, having an additional skill is beneficial. This prompted me to empower people within the church and the community; it’s a community initiative. So we’re doing this to empower people. Even if you’re comfortable, you can always improve. And it’s all free,” he explained.

“We are inspiring people to open their minds to be more creative. I believe the fashion industry is often underestimated. That is why fashion trends significantly impact the economy. We hope these simple efforts will point us toward where we should be in the future. Perhaps the participants are the ones who will create the future we’re envisioning. I hope it will positively impact the economy and the entire productivity space.”

Advising participants, Faranpojo emphasized, “They should keep learning. The more you learn, the better you become. If you learn, then you have the advantage of earning. Small details can give you the edge over other competitors.”

According to Pastor Funmilola Ade, “The masterclass was organized by Virtues Life Foundation to give back to our community. It was put together by our principal partner to help those in the fashion business elevate their enterprises. Many people have been in business for years without seeing value for their money. The idea is to empower the common person and those who are struggling in their business.

“This masterclass differs from other fashion workshops because it is free. Our instructors are providing their services pro bono. It’s a give-back project from Virtues Life Foundation and our visionary, Reverend Alexander, aimed at empowering people who are struggling in their fashion businesses.”

Speaking on what she learned from the masterclass, one of the participants, Akanni Omotolani, said, “As a designer, I now understand that not everyone is my customer, not everyone is my client. I also learned that fashion is a broad field, and I need to pick a particular craft and excel at it. It could be making crafted bags, shoes, dresses, or even just stoning, but it’s essential to specialize and become known for that specific craft.

“The training has broadened my understanding of the fashion world. I received many materials that I can study, including a ‘fashion bible’ to refer back to for my business. Additionally, I have connected with many people and joined various business hubs, fashion group chats, and fashion academies.