Recap of the 4-Day digital experience
The just concluded LLF Digital was an absolute blast! LLF Digital is Africa’s first ever digital leather fair and was this year’s edition of the Lagos Leather Fair. The event took place from 19th-22nd November 2020, it was a 100% virtual and was nothing short of amazing. The 4-days were enlightening, filled with insightful conversations, and impactful masterclasses. LLF Digital also featured a 3D tradeshow style exhibition with 24 top leather designers from all over West Africa.
Day 1 started with a welcome speech from the conveyor, Femi Olayebi who introduced the fair and the journey so far, followed by a conversation with the topic; ‘Straight Talk: Where is the leather industry headed?’ with Adeyinka Abimbola, Wilson Erumebor, Femi Olayebi and Toyin Adeniji. Baboa Tachie-Benson took a master class where she extensively discussed Tech and Fashion, while Aisha Ugah taught ‘The Art of Coloring Leather’ afterwards.
Day 2 had Adenike Adeyemi, Lanre DaSilva Ajayi, Femi Olayebi, Rukky Ladoja and Gilles Acogny extensively discuss on the topic, ‘Finding a balance between creativity and sustainability.’ Yvonne Watson and Lani Adeoye also engaged in a conversation about, ‘The fundamentals of product design and development’. The founder of Hanker + Reech taught a master class on the ‘Art of Hand-Stitching to perfection’.
On Day 3, Laduma Ngxokolo, Giovanni Romano, Nelly Wandji and Sinmi Olayebi took a deep dive into the topic, ‘Breaking the Made-In-Africa stereotype’. Tara Mulhare deeply discussed “Taking your business from local to global, while Olufunke Jones of Providus Bank spoke briefly on the topic ‘Providus Bank and the Creative Industry.
Chinyere Okorocha sat with Tade Ipadeola to speak about, ‘Creativity and Intellectual Property: The Copycatting syndrome’, on Day 4. Followed by one of the most crucial conversations, where Nike Ogunlesi, Paul Okeguo, Tokunboh George –Taylor and Yinka David-West spoke frankly on the topic, ‘Lessons from the Pandemic: Creating opportunities in a crisis’. The Style Infidel and Ozinna Anumudu teamed up to teach some fashion tips and tricks in the masterclass, ‘How to style it’.
The Lagos Leather Fair is an initiative by FemiHandbags. This year’s edition was sponsored by Providus Bank, Bank Of Industry and ITC/SheTrades.
