NEW DESIGN ACADEMY LAUNCHES IN LAGOS

The renowned music educator and founder of Nigeria’s biggest school of music -Akapo Emmanuel has launched yet another creative academy in Lagos, Nigeria, named Black Fragrance School of Design, a.k.a Lagos School of Design.

Addressing the press last Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the school, Akapo disclosed that Black Fragrance School of Design is the training arm of Black Fragrance Foundation – an international social enterprise that seeks to foster sustainable development in Africa through entrepreneurial and social innovations that improve access to education, strengthen the creative economy and develop enterprise.

“The reason we set up the design school is to help meet the needs of upcoming and aspiring designers by empowering them with the technical and business skills they need to thrive in the creative industry. Courses offered in the school include; Fashion Design, Shoe and Bag Making, Cake Design, Interior & Event Décor, Photography, Web Design, Games and Mobile App Design, etc. Our vision goes beyond providing training, to further grooming, mentoring and supporting our graduates to become successful entrepreneurs. Our coaches at Black Fragrance are successful and renowned designers in their own rights who have chosen to share their passion, skills and experiences with students in an organised academic institution. The School shares same facility with its twin company – Black Fragrance Designs International - a design-oriented, innovative company that provides cutting-edge products and services in clothing, shoes and bags, interior and event decor, photography, web and graphics design, animations and beauty crafts. Our drive is to create and grow sustainable employments and trade in the creative sector. This gives our students the privilege to learn first-hand from professional designers who work in our design production company.  Another great advantage our students have in this academy is the privilege of having every professional they need to build and grow a successful creative career all in one place. E.g, a fashion designer who has got in the same house a photographer, a graphics designer and website designer all in one house - all learning and working together to build robust careers - making a complete industry under one roof. At the completion of their training, we will assist our graduates in developing their business ideas, packaging a business plan and provide them with guides and links to access micro-credits and grants. We intend to give out 100 scholarships yearly to indigent but talented youth, while those who can afford to pay a tuition fee will be charged.”

Speaking further, he announced that Black Fragrance has signed MOU with some of Europe’s biggest creative design institutions, where their students can proceed to for exchange programs and to further their education to various degree levels.

Speaking other activities of the social enterprise, he revealed that Black Fragrance will be selling goods and services in the design industries and a major part of the profit realised will be invested into the social course of improving access to quality education for children in underserved communities.

Black Fragrance Foundation opened two offices simultaneously in Lagos: the head office is located at Sanya-Ijesha by Oshodi-Apapa Express way, while the other campus is at Eleganza Gardens, Lekki.

You can get more details about them and register at www.designschool.ng