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Fashioning the Future: Entrepreneuring in Africa’s Emerging Fashion Industry

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  • Thilde Langevang

    (Copenhagen Business School)

Abstract

A vibrant fashion scene is emerging in Africa, spearheaded by a new generation of young fashion entrepreneurs. Drawing on a multi-sited study of Ghanaian, Ugandan and Zambian female designers, this article examines the emerging fashion industry as a site for entrepreneuring where people’s aspirations to bring about personal, cultural and socio-economic development converge. The paper reveals how fashion designers envision their endeavours as pathways for pursuing their passion, for changing the associations ascribed to ‘Africanness’, and for revitalising failing clothing industries in Africa. The paper proposes that while the emerging character of the industry creates uncertainty and many obstacles for running viable businesses, fashion designers remain enthused by narratives about the industry’s future prospects.

Suggested Citation

  • Thilde Langevang, 2017. "Fashioning the Future: Entrepreneuring in Africa’s Emerging Fashion Industry," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 29(4), pages 893-910, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:29:y:2017:i:4:d:10.1057_s41287-016-0066-z
    DOI: 10.1057/s41287-016-0066-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ana Alacovska & Thilde Langevang & Robin Steedman, 2021. "The work of hope: Spiritualizing, hustling and waiting in the creative industries in Ghana," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 53(4), pages 619-637, June.

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