X|Women: An Evening With a League of Badass Exporters

This March, The Assembly is excited to host and celebrate trailblazing women in honour of international women’s day.

X|Women is an intimate virtual meeting where female fashion entrepreneurs will connect with badass exporters in the creative industry. We aim to empower and inspire you in living your dreams and ambitions to export through the war stories; experiences, challenges, and opportunities of our speakers.

The Event
This event will allow creatives and fashion entrepreneurs gain insights into the export potential of their products, get advice on how to position their business operations for export, discuss access to strategies for penetrating global markets and network with like minds.

The Guest Speakers

Olori Ajayi, Founder, and COO at Katie Wang
Olori Ajayi is an experienced Business Strategist and Export Trading Consultant. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Management from Bradford University School of Management, an MSc in Human Resource Management and extensive experience in management roles, Olori has developed a strong competence in business development. She has comprehensive insight into the dynamics of the export trade, export ecosystem development, fashion trading, innovation, as well as community engagement and leadership.
She is Founder and Chief Operating Officer at The Katie Wang Company, a growing global fashion trading company with operations currently in the U.K., Europe, Australia, and the US. The company operates as a social enterprise with expertise in the Apparel Industry and a specific focus on design and development, manufacturing, supply chain, and small scale retail business.

Teni Majekodunmi (Mrs) LLM (Warwick), BL Founder/ CEO Eclectic Chique
Teni is an International Trade lawyer and founder of Eclectic Chique an African Inspired Accessories brand that trains and supports female and male artisans in Nigeria to produce high-quality exportable products to currently 8 different countries. Eclectic Chique has a flagship store in Lagos Nigeria, a production hub and a UK & US online store with pick and pack distribution in Milton Keynes UK as well as stockists in USA, UK Switzerland, Germany, South Africa, Puerto Rico, Nigeria and Japan.
She attained her Bachelor’s Degree (LLB)Hons and Master’s Degree from the University of Warwick, UK. She is a US State Department Alumnus via her participation under President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative 2012, Cherie Blair Institute for Women & a World Bank Scholar. She mentors’ youths & potential leaders and is a motivational speaker at a lot of social and business entrepreneurial events. In addition to serving on the Trade & Impact Advisory board, Teni also serves as a trustee of 2 non – profit organizations and serves as a director on 3 other Companies. She is happily married with 3 children.

Tayo Shonekan, Founder/Creative Director Aimas
Tayo Shonekan is the Founder and Creative Director of Aimas, a ready to wear Nigerian label that produces clothing and accessories for women, men and kids. She has also contributed as a fashion and style consultant for several publications like True Love and Today’s Woman and was a resident stylist for élan the style magazine for the Sunday Next Newspaper and Fashion Director of FAB magazine.
She was born and raised in Lagos, a vibrant city rich in culture, which is strongly evident in her designs and personal style. She is a graduate of engineering but a lover of all things beautiful and stylish. Her personal style is creative with a hint of eclecticism.

Akudo Amy Iheakanwa, Founder Shekudo
Akudo Amy Iheakanwa was born in Sydney, Australia to a Nigerian Father and Australian Mother. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science and Masters in International Public Health, She began her career in community development, particularly youth work (Career Development and Sexual Health), Drug and Alcohol and Community Housing/ Resettlement; all while owing her design business on the side.
In 2017 after wanting to delve deeper into her design work, Akudo relocated herself and the Shekudo brand across to Lagos with the aim of investigating in Nigeria’s artisan and design culture and exploring the potential of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria. After extensive research in the field of traditional design techniques and production in Nigeria, Akudo became drawn to the footwear sector and felt the need to shed more light on the often overlooked artisan and craftsman scene. Now an Emerging footwear and Accessories Brand, Shekudo initially started out with only 4 Artisans and now works with a team of 14 Artisans and craftsmen on both part-time and full-time basis who are based across Lagos. Shekudo currently stocks in USA, UK, UAE, Tanzania, Rwanda and Ghana.

Damola Adejumo, Creative Director Dàmólá Jumo
Damola Adejumo is the Creative Director at Damola Jumo, a contemporary womenswear line for the multi-tasking modern woman. The line is designed and produced in Lagos at the brand’s factory.
Damola has a BA in Economics from the University of Maryland and an MBA from Cardiff University, Wales. She also studied Fashion Merchandising at Academy of Art University, San Francisco.
Her journey as an entrepreneur started over a decade ago with the founding of the House 38 line in collaboration with her sister. After a brief stint in the financial services industry, she founded Damola Jumo to serve the modern woman. She has been able to grow her audience to include women living in the greater African continent, Americas, Europe and Asia. Damola Jumo is currently carried by Anthropologie in the US and Collage Japan.

Who is this event for?
Fashion and Creative Entrepreneurs who are looking to leverage international markets for business growth. The goal is to have participants gain insider insights and pinpoint the right steps to take towards fulfilling their export ambitions.

You should attend if;
You are looking to export but don’t know how to go about it.
You are eager to expand your brand into global markets.
You are excited about discussing export opportunities one to one with key players in the fashion industry.

What to Expect
Gist that can transform your business
A good laugh because it’s always fun when gals get together

Here’s how to Register
https://paystack.com/pay/8d59ol9db2 
Spaces are limited in order to make sure all attendees get the most value out of the event.

Venue: ZOOM

Date: Tuesday 31st March 2020

Time: 6pm

Early Bird Registration Fee by the 27th of March 2020*: N7,500

Late Registration Fee after the 27th of March*: N10,000

This event will be recorded.

*Registration Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.