Meet Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz

Hassan Alfaziz’s vision for Hazza, his burgeoning brand is to gain global recognition for ethical, contemporary, and urban designs made in Africa.

Hassan Alfaziz caught our attention with his culturally inspired, yet modern designs.  Hueish explored every bit of this delightful collection and the message each piece conveys. For example, a few of his collection items (if not all) gave tribute to a mother’s struggles and her devotion to her children’s’ success. The playful and almost unbelievable nature of this love connection is depicted in its structured pieces, strong pockets, and hand-painted art. Let’s not forget what can be termed a battle-ready quality that is evident in every piece.

We dug deep to discover how Hassan Alfaziz has converted even the most skeptical of critics into strong believers and created an army of supporters.

Hueish: How would you describe your childhood and what are some of your favorite memories? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

Growing up wasn’t rosy because of the dynamics that can come with a broken home. I lived with my paternal grandmum for most of those years and that hurt because I would have given anything to have my mother and father living together. Children always seem to find a means of escape into their own world, where they make memories of their own. My favorite memories were the days I spent playing soccer with my cousins and friends, playing Cops and Robbers , Chaskele, Pilolo and other local games.

Hueish: Would you ascribe your creativity to anyone in your family (creatives, artists, etc.)?

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

Not really. I’ve been crazy about the Arts since I was a child because it was a source of happiness for me, but I was influenced by a friend who made us build houses and make footwear with cardboard.

Hueish: When was your lightbulb moment? That moment you realized that you had a special talent? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

My talent became clear after Junior High School when I would purchase plain T-Shirts and customize them with acrylic paints or put my own spin on their style.

Hueish: What catapulted your desire for design? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

In 2014 I attended a Ghanaian art festival known as Chalewote Festival, and I was wearing a constructed tattered shirt with safety pins I had designed and tailored myself. It literally turned heads and earned me so many admirers that I actually sold that shirt that very day to some guy. Had no choice. There was a Ghanaian artiste who loved it so much that he ordered one and wore it in his music video. That incident encouraged me to create my collections.

Hueish: What’s sets your collection apart from other different collections on the runway?

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

Well, I believe in anything beautiful and artsy, and my collection is not just any trendy collection but also tells inspiring stories. We’re into capturing old forms of the African culture and weaving in traditional elements while designing for the modern world.

Hueish: Which designer did you look up to growing up (and why)? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

Growing up, Kofi Ansah (may he rest in peace) was one of the few I always looked up to. He was unique. Still is, even now that he is dead. Kofi Ansah left a legacy for us all, and you can still spot his work a mile away.

Hueish: Did you study Fashion & Design? Or do you believe you were born with this skill? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

No,  I didn’t get to study fashion and design. I believe it was in me since childhood.

Hueish: Where did you study? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

I’m a graduate of Central University College which is popularly known as the biggest private university in Ghana.

Hueish: What helped you come this far (resources or classes)?

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

I give credit to lots of online research and practice.

Hueish: What is technical and non-technical fashion education like in Ghana? Do you think there needs to be a greater focus on fashion education? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

Fashion education in Ghana has come a long way and is definitely on the rise, and that’s great.  I believe that every designer needs all the education they can get if they intend to succeed in the business of fashion.

Hueish: How important do you feel fashion education is to a designer’s career? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

It is essential, even indispensable, to a designer’s career because it broadens the mind and understanding of the fashion industry. There is so much to know, from changing trends to know-hows of fashion to entrepreneurship.

Hueish: What business classes (and or other), would you have wished to have taken? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

I read Bsc. Management Studies in school so I studied most business courses, but other classes I wish I had taken is fashion and design..Still going to study it, though,

PRODUCTION AND MANUFACTURING:

Hueish: Do you prefer to sketch first? What do you do to help push your creativity and create illustrations? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

Yes, I prefer to draw first..Like I said earlier, fits I capture the old forms of the African cultures and my everyday life to create looks fit the modern world.This helps in creating my sketches.

Hueish: How do you source your materials, locally and globally? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

For my SS16 collections, I sourced locally, but I’m looking forward to source from anywhere in Africa be it Togo, Nigeria, Kenya, as long as they have what I’m looking for.

Hueish: What challenges do you incur when manufacturing locally and or globally? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

I’m based in Accra, and my manufacturers are in Kumasi which makes it a big challenge for me because I’ve to be going to and fro..Another problem is getting the right materials needed for production .at times you just want to let go everything

Hueish: How do you select local talent (photographers, models, volunteers, assistants) to help you with your business? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

Fortunately, I’m built around geniuses in the industry. I’ve got friends who are good at what they do.  My network consists of photographers, models and good friends who are always there to assist me in my business.

Hueish: Are there infrastructural challenges? If not, what other challenges do you face and how have you been able to overcome them? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

Yes,  lack of capital, low and irregular income, and also importations of cheap clothing and textiles from the other continents are among other challenges we face. I overcome this through the sales I make from my side jobs, but I think the government should provide financial assistance in the form of loans to help acquire modern and more efficient machinery and raw materials to improve the fashion business.

SALES / BUSINESS

Hueish: Have you seen an increase in sales internationally? If so, what has contributed to this (internet or brick/mortar store)

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

Not globally yet, but locally there is an increase in sales through the web.

How do you sell your items locally and globally? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

I sell my items through an online store.

How do you capitalize or live off of your talents? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

I also deal in vintage apparels. I benefit from my talent through the savings I make from that.

How do you sharpen and strengthen your skills daily? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

I do a lot of practices, and I surf the internet almost every day searching for inspirations around the world…

Three (3) tips on what others should do to identify and apply their talents? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

I actually believe that we are all creative souls walking this earth. It’s like a call you know. But for one to Identify his/her talents, one has to

 1. Recognize his/her talent.That is, finding what makes him/her feel strong and happy.

2. Nurture and develop this talent

3. Be open to change

MARKETING | BRANDING & PROMOTION

Hueish: Why is it so important to promote your culture in everything that you do? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

Culture is paramount. It defines who we truly are and where we come from.

Hueish: How are you promoting your brand locally and globally? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

I promote my brand with the help of social media. People around the world gets to see my designs because of social, and some get interested in purchasing. I believe social media is a great tool to push your business out there to the public, so I don’t joke around with my social media activities.

Hueish: How did you come up with the concepts behind Ashasie3 SS16 Collection? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

I met this lady with her child some time ago who was begging for money just to get food for her crying baby. With the way she talked, I was deeply pained for her, and it was really touching. I started thinking about my mom, the pain and the hustle she goes through just to see happy each day. So I thought it wise to pay homage to them (our mothers) that birthed my Ashasie collection for the love they show us and the struggle and pain they go through just to see us succeed in life.

How helpful are local and global fashion weeks? –Local & Global Fashion Shows can help a designer out there. After participating in Ghana Fashion Week, the feedback I got and still getting is just amazing

Hueish: What global fashion weeks would you participate in? Why or why (not)? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

Yes, I’ve heard about New York Fashion Week (Africa). It would be a dream come true participating on that show, and I would love to attend because it would be a great moment in my career as a fashion designer and a great impact on my brand.

Hueish: What celebrity would you like to dress (local and global celebrity)?

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

Locally and globally I would like to dress Wiyaala and Beyoncé respectively.

Hueish: Is it more important to be known as an African designer or an artist who is inspired by cultures and traditions (mostly from Africa)? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

It is important to be known as an African designer because that’s who I am and what I represent.

Hueish: How has media helped to elevate your brand? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

The media has really assisted in advancing my brand through the multiple features I get

How is fashion media, bloggers in Ghana (Africa)? How has it contributed to your brand overall? Feel free to brag where you’ve been featured.

The fashion media in Africa, talk of Ghanaian, Nigerian and South African bloggers are just fantastic, and I thank them all because they’ve really helped in elevating my brand. With the features, globally I can’t mention all, but we have been featured on Vogue Talents, Elle Magazine SA, NotjustALabel, Afropunk, BellaNaija, BraPerrucci, DebonairAfrik, Unartiste.co etc. It feels good & motivates me more to work harder.

ACCESSIBILITY

Hueish: Where can one purchase your items? (list your stocklist)? Online and Offline? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

At the moment our website/webshop is underway, but one can purchase our items from our social media platforms (Notjustalabel, Facebook, and Instagram).We have more than a few stockists waiting to stock our items, though.

Hueish: How has social media assisted in generating sales? What social platform do you mostly use to promote your collections? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

The social media has helped me in many ways. Through social media, I get to interact with my customers. Instagram is my favorite social media tool because it helps me in promoting and selling my designs to the world.

Hueish: What trade shows or conventions have assisted you in securing new customers and clients? 

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

I’ve participated in the Fashionista Ghana Shopping Festival, and they have also helped me, attract clients.

Hueish: What are some of the challenges you face while trying to sell locally and globally?

Fashion Entrepreneur Hassan Alfaziz:

Selling locally or globally can be challenging when customers are indecisive. It can get frustrating but I am here for them, and it is always my pleasure to fulfill their needs [when they decide to purchase our pieces].

Hueish Staff

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