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the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs

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Fashion’s Finest Africa Awards Recognize Leading Women Entrepreneurs from the Lionesses of Africa community

August 11, 2019 Melanie Hawken
L-R: Anita Quansah and Femi Olayebi

L-R: Anita Quansah and Femi Olayebi

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

The prestigious Fashion’s Finest Africa Awards 2019 have just taken place, and two leading women entrepreneurs from the Lionesses of Africa community have scooped the top two awards. Bag Designer of the Year 2019 went to Femi Olayebi, founder of Femi Handbags and Accessories of the Year 2019 went to Anita Quansah, founder of Anita Quansah London.


Commenting on her award win, Anita Quansah said: Thank you so much Fashion’s Finest Africa for honouring me with this beautiful award, "Accessory Designer Of The Year.” My late grandmother always said; ”Anny, hard work is rewarding and great things come to those who relentlessly and passionately work hard.” I'm an advocate for pursuing what sets your soul on fire, while respectfully embracing the journey and the whirlwind experience that pursuit will take you. I'm so thankful for the many ideas that selected me out of the millions of creatives in the world to execute them. I'm so happy to my creator for assigning me on this great trip called life, without it's beautiful, difficult challenges, I wouldn't have realized that I'm capable of doing many great things.”

Visit Anita’s website here https://anitaquansahlondon.com

Also talking about what this latest award win means to her, Femi Olayebi said: “We brought it home again. Honoured! Thankful! Grateful! For the wins, the recognition, the nominations, the opportunities, our story, the ups, the downs; for the doors that have opened wide when others slammed shut; for our cheerleaders one by one, they know themselves! For fulfilled dreams, for solid friendships built along the way, for our team that works tirelessly behind the scenes and for those who share our vision, even when they think its downright crazy! Grateful to all those who are part of the Femi Handbags journey - they know themselves too. Grateful for growth. Grateful that we can continue to aspire, and inspire, because we continue to dream and believe...Thank you to Fashion’s Finest Africa and to everyone who counted us worthy. This award is for each and every creative out there pushing, and making it happen, no matter what!”

Read Femi’s startup story here http://www.lionessesofafrica.com/blog/2015/9/22/the-startup-story-of-femi-olayebi

Fashion’s Finest Africa is a forward-looking business oriented platform that brings together all the players in the fashion Industry in a unique format that is designed to advance the business of fashion. For three days, Senior Policy-makers, Fashion Entrepreneurs, Manufacturers and Industry Creatives share ideas on how to increase Nigeria’s participation in the Global Garment Industry. Fashion is the most profitable industry in the world and FFA is determined to play a critical and catalytic role in bringing Nigeria into full garment production as a strong participant in the global fashion industry.

For more information on the Fashion’s Finest Africa Awards visit the website: http://fashionsfinestafrica.com

LIONESS LAUNCH: Femi Handbags opens its first flagship store in Lagos - Lionesses of Africa

This month saw Femi Handbags, one of the foremost and most iconic leather handbag and accessory brands in Nigeria, announcing the beginning of an exciting new chapter as it opened its first ever stand-alone handbag and accessories store in Lagos on Sunday 1st July 2018.

One Of A Kind Womens Statement Jewellery and Footwear By Anita Quansah

The world's incredible online destination for unique works of wearable art for incredible, powerful, beautiful confident women. Unparalleled creative, shopping experience and service like no other. Handmade jewellery, accessories and footwear created with love, on purpose, with a purpose, for a purpose.

In Award Winner Tags Fashion, Handbags
← LIONESS LAUNCH: South African textile and design studio, Zuri and Imani, launches its new season LeManteau-Une collection of ladies coatsThe One Hour Content Plan: The Solopreneur’s Guide to a Year’s Worth of Blog Post Ideas in 60 Minutes and Creating Content That Hooks and Sells by Meera Kothand →
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Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

Five female founders win over $100,000 in TechFoundHER Africa Challenge. Read more


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCASTS

Lioness Radio Show Interview: Listen to Mr Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer of the African Guarantee Fund, discussing the journey from Bias to Bankable - AGF’s Case for Financing Women Entrepreneurs.

Lioness Radio Show: Five Mozambican women entrepreneurs share their experiences of building successful green businesses and creating green jobs for local people. From an environmentally-friendly, high-impact skincare brand, to an innovative green transportation business transforming marine waste into bicycles, these Lionesses are making waves in Mozambique. Listen to their stories, learn from their experiences, and be inspired by their tenacity.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Accessories…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a comp
Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y
Image of the Day / Rokus London

Sculpted statement jewellery…If you want to make a statement with your accessories, then these uniquely crafted pieces by Rokus London, a fine jewellery brand founded by Marie-Paule Tano, are just for you. Roku
Image of the Day / Eva Sonaike

Vibrant interior design…The striking new interior designs by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global i
Image of the Day / Kunjina

Statement designer fashion…We are big fans of Kunjina in Ethiopia, the fashion brand founded by the talented Kunjina Tesfaye in 2017. She launched the brand while she was a university student studying construction t
Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis
Image of the Day / FiveStars Africa

African Cycling Style…Who says cycling and style don’t go together? If you are a cycling enthusiast and you want to look and feel good whilst you are are on the road, then take a look at the seriously
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The
Image of the Day / The House of Agness

An elegant floral gifting idea… Mariana Agness Francisco Eria is a creative force in contemporary floral design. Her business, The House of Agness, is a luxury florist and gifting boutique nestled in Map
Image of the Day / Abiola Olusola

Minimalism x artisan craftsmanship…If you are looking for a contemporary women’s ready-to-wear and bespoke fashion brand interweaving minimalism with artisan craftsmanship, then look no further than Abi
Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Accessories…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a comp Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y Image of the Day / Rokus London

Sculpted statement jewellery…If you want to make a statement with your accessories, then these uniquely crafted pieces by Rokus London, a fine jewellery brand founded by Marie-Paule Tano, are just for you. Roku Image of the Day / Eva Sonaike

Vibrant interior design…The striking new interior designs by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global i Image of the Day / Kunjina

Statement designer fashion…We are big fans of Kunjina in Ethiopia, the fashion brand founded by the talented Kunjina Tesfaye in 2017. She launched the brand while she was a university student studying construction t Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis Image of the Day / FiveStars Africa

African Cycling Style…Who says cycling and style don’t go together? If you are a cycling enthusiast and you want to look and feel good whilst you are are on the road, then take a look at the seriously Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The Image of the Day / The House of Agness

An elegant floral gifting idea… Mariana Agness Francisco Eria is a creative force in contemporary floral design. Her business, The House of Agness, is a luxury florist and gifting boutique nestled in Map Image of the Day / Abiola Olusola

Minimalism x artisan craftsmanship…If you are looking for a contemporary women’s ready-to-wear and bespoke fashion brand interweaving minimalism with artisan craftsmanship, then look no further than Abi

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Dr Juanri Jonck and Bernadette Kruger, co-founders of a first-to-South African-market serum-only skincare range
Dr Juanri Jonck and Bernadette Kruger, co-founders of a first-to-South African-market serum-only skincare range
Gillian Holl, a South African architectural entrepreneur building a sustainability-focused business that responds to the needs of both clients and the environment
Gillian Holl, a South African architectural entrepreneur building a sustainability-focused business that responds to the needs of both clients and the environment
Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms  by Mary Grant
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms by Mary Grant
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out  by Fiona Soutter
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out by Fiona Soutter
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

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