A strategic alliance for excellence
The FLY program has established itself as a veritable catalyst of transformation for young fashion entrepreneurs in West Africa. For twelve months, 19 brands, mainly from Benin, benefited from a unique hybrid scheme:
- Intensive academic training provided by IFM teachers (Paris).
- Strategic mentoring and individual coaching tailored to the needs of each project.
- International networking and access to a dedicated workspace on the Sèmè City campus.
This alliance makes it possible to promote creativity deeply rooted in African heritages, while integrating the recognized standards and expertise of the international fashion industry. The program confronts participants with the realities of the marketplace, helping them to assert a strong creative identity and structure a viable business model.
From Benin to the world stage: revealing creative potential
The highlight of this first cohort was Demo Day, held on June 17, 2025 in Sèmè City. In front of an audience of professionals, investors and journalists, the 19 brands presented their projects, the fruit of a year of creative maturation. The creations revealed – garments inspired by local textile traditions, innovative collections or accessories bearing cultural narratives – demonstrated the strong potential of these young talents.
As Claude Borna, Managing Director of Sèmè City, points out: “The Fashion Led by Youth (FLY) program embodies our vision of a Benin that is resolutely banking on the creative potential of its youth. Through FLY, we offer much more than support: we provide a framework for dreaming big, revealing talent and giving birth to bold new brands capable of shining in Benin and beyond.”
A sustainable dynamic for the future of industry
FLY’s ambition does not stop with this first promotion. By investing in the cultural and creative industries, Sèmè City and the IFM are helping to position Benin as an emerging creative hub in Africa.
Xavier Romatet, Managing Director of the Institut Français de la Mode, confirms: “This first cycle of the FLY program is the start of a promising dynamic, which is set to grow. A new class will be launched by the end of the year, with the same ambition: to reveal bold, contemporary and competitive African fashion on international markets.”
This partnership of excellence is an essential milestone for sustainable cooperation between African and international institutions, paving the way for collaborations, fund-raising and the launch of marketed collections on the global scene.
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