Since RCEC’s inception, we have been teaching tailoring skills to empower women and enhance their income-earning abilities. The program has so far trained over 30 women, many of whom have set up their own tailoring shops or businesses. The quality of the dressmaking skills of a number of these women is now being recognized around the world through an opportunity given them by an American designer, NaanaB. The women at RCEC’s centers and a network of NaanaB seamstresses are paid to sew NaanaB (www.naanab.com) dresses and women’s handbags that are made exclusively of African fabrics. In the last few years a number of NaanaB-designed items, sown by these women, have been featured in top international fashion magazines including, Teen Vogue (March 2010 edition) and Gladys Magazine (January 2010 edition). Excitingly, a NaanaB gown was worn by a celebrity guest at one of President Obama’s 2008 Inaugural Balls. In 2007, a NaanaB bag was featured in Essence Magazine as a “must-have-bag” for the season.
Amsterdam News, Real Housewives of New York, Morning Show LA
Teen Vogue, March 2010, In Print & Online Moonspire Mini Ruffle Dress Featured in "Global Citizens" Fashion Spread January 2010, Obaasema Magazine Feature When Daughters of Africa Shift, Communities Stir
