Pankara

Fashion + Tech? Yes Please

With the wearables market maturing and tech being integrated in various facets of our lives, it’s only normal that we will begin to see more of fashion being integrated with tech as well.

To this effect, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) have announced a collaboration with Accenture to help shape how fashion can integrate tech to gain consumer insights for its business practices.

Combining Accenture’s adept knowledge in the field of customer experience, insights, strategy and technology alongside the creativity that’s abundant in the CFDA, the two organisations aim to create talent-development programs for fashion designers and retailers.

Expect thought leadership articles from Accenture on the future of fashion customer experience while some of the ideas tested live with members of the CFDA. This new method will no doubt provide an invaluable insights to members of the CFDA while also helping Accenture create solutions it can share with its clients. #EverybodyWins. Literally.

“CFDA’s new collaboration with Accenture will provide our design community with an invaluable resource to help navigate retail and business technology,” says Ashley-Brooke Sandall, director of strategic partnerships at CFDA.

We at Pankara are excited about this new collaboration and can’t wait to dig into Accenture’s discoveries.

Peace, hugs & cupcakes,

Presh

Oscar De La Renta To Grace US Postage Stamps This 2017

It was deightful to read that iconic fashion designer, Oscar De La Renta will be be featured in the US postal service stamps this year.

According to Mary-Anne Penner, director for stamp services at USPS, She says, “The designs are part of a series that will celebrate the people, events, and cultural milestones that are unique to the history of our great nation.” I was thrilled to see that a fashion designer is being celebrated and considered part of America’s great history. Although he was known to have clothed many FLOTUS’ and a lot of the high society women in the political and entertainment circles.

Do you think we will get to the point in Nigeria where fashion designers will be celebrated nationally? Or do you think any currently deserves that accolade?

Till then, we will keep working and hoping.

Peace & hugs,
Presh

What’s In? What’s New?

I know a lot of us say we neither like nor follow fashion trends, style is innate, we express ourselves with our clothes and all what not.

Like it or not, trends rule and we find ourselves following these trends whether intentional or otherwise.

Last year we had some items dominate our runways and street style fashion and I thought to find out if they’ll be making a comeback or if that will be end of them. The shoulder statements from the off shoulder to the cold shoulder were strong in the radar as well as sneakers and all things velvety.

Here’s a quick roundup of what the gurus are saying will dominate the fashion scene this year, 2017.

Stripes: oldie but goodie. Stripes were in last year and will still be in this year. Expect to see them bold and in all types of garments, from dresses to tees to jackets

Statement tees: last year the t-shirts did the talking and will still be this year. From the feminist to the happy shopaholic you can relax and let your Tshirt speak for you again this year.

Pink. Pantone’s prediction of Rose quartz as one of the colours of the year 2016 may have lent credence to the colour’s dominance in the fashion circle. Remember the warm soothing bubblegum shade that was everywhere from nail colours to lipsticks. Expect more of it in 2017.

Sneakers. Sneakers were hot last year but this year we will be seeing a shift from the classic whites to embellished and more versatile designs

Block heels. I don’t know if this has anything to do the feminist and gender equality awareness but there’s been a shift from the 4inch and above stilettos to more comfortable heels. Women are choosing comfort and practicality in their fashion buys hence the increased demand for sneakers and block heels

Artsy. Remember those collaborations between painters and designers in 2016? Get ready for more in 2017.

From my finds, I also discovered there will be more statement phone cases, platform heels (both sandals and sneakers), statement earrings and voluminous shoulder designs.

I think it’s going to be a really interesting year. Let’s enjoy the ride.

Xx,

Presh

Pantone Colour Of The Year 2017

Who else looks forward to Pantone’s prediction of the Colour of the year? I honestly don’t know why they do or the essence of it but we all know Pantone is an authority in Colour palettes and many of us brand people have had to memorize our Pantone codes to be reeled out to vendors on a regular to ensure they don’t deviate from or misinterprete our brand identity.

So back to the Colour of the year – Pantone has chosen Greenery (Pantone 15-0343) as the Colour for 2017. *insert drumroll*
Pantone usually selects colours that represent the prevailing cultural climate. Greenery signifies the growing vegetarian trends, healthier food resolutions, grass and the concept of the environment (go-green movement).

We all know that gender lines are continuously being blurred in fashion so the question of the feminity or masculinity of the colors may not even count here.
I’m exited to see how the colour will be interpreted in fashion and beyond throughout the year while I think it will be brilliant when paired with Metallics.

Here’s wishing you a ‘greene’ year ahead.
Xx,

Presh

Hello…

I guess happy new year felicitations are in order. Before we start with the varied greetings, I think I should introduce myself.

My name is Precious Nwachukwu, a soon- to-be 29 year old lady with experience in marketing communications and only love for fashion.

I did take a course recently but it was a basic fashion course with some crash knowledge in pattern making.

This blog is my journey to launch my ready-to-wear clothing line.While I update my skills beyond the basic level, I’ll be sharing some of the things that pique my interest in fashion; global news, M&As, career options, local scenes in different countries and anything else we consider share worthy.

I have a mentor/accountability buddy (a fashion industry heavy weight) who has agreed to keep me on track with this dream and I will be sharing how I met her in a post soon.

Wish me luck and I do hope you enjoy my stories.

Xx,

Presh