“Carefree and cool with a touch of afrocentricity ” – Interview with the luxury brand Mina Evans!

APiF: Please introduce your business and your designs.
Mina Evans-Anfom: My Name is Mina Evans-Anfom, I am the founder/creative director of the Mina Evans luxury clothing brand. The brand unveils my love for fusing luxurious fabrics with Ankara and intricate handpicked embellishments to produce feminine, stylish and flawless fashion pieces that are wearable time after time again. We also have a menswear dress shirt range which is carefree and cool with a touch of afrocentricity.

APiF: When and why did you start designing with African Prints and Fabrics?

Mina: I started fusing some Ankara prints with other fabrics when Mina Evans was launched back in 2010, to add an extra dimension to some pieces in my collection.

APiF: How do you feel about the new African Prints/Fabric trend? Is it here to stay?
Mina: It is a great development for our fashion industry. When you see big names like Burberry Prorsum and Anna Wintour experimenting with Ankara, then you know it has become more than what we think it is. I think it is here to stay for those in the African fashion industry, however it may not be the case for mainstream fashion that have jumped on the bandwagon, too.

APiF: What inspires you?
Mina: I am inspired by almost anything and everything around me. You would be surprised at what you can find right in front of you!

APiF: Fashion Finds – What is your favorite piece in your closet or of your collection and why?
Mina: My favorite piece is from the ‘Jewels & Tulle’ collection. It is the ombre blue and white maxi dress and I love it for its versatility. You can dress it up or you can dress it down, according to your mood or function.

APiF: How do you market your designs and how do you make them accessible to a global audience?
Mina: For marketing, we use magazine/publication/blogs/TV features worldwide, our website as well as our facebook and twitter sites.

APiF: Any tips for new designers/start-ups in the fashion industry?
Mina: Build up your knowledge on the fashion industry, know your competition, brand your business well, ensure your product is up to par and also ensure that you are visible to your target market.

Find out more:
w:http://www.minaevansonline.com/
f: https://www.facebook.com/MinaEvans
t:http://twitter.com/#%21/mina_evans