By Josephine Agbonkhese

On January 6th, 2025, acclaimed Creative Director, Goodluck Jane Okwuchukwu, unveiled the inaugural cohort of the “Fashion Trainee Mentorship” Program, operating under the Boriah Couture Mentorship Program.

A visionary named for her razor‑sharp aesthetic and dedication to African craftsmanship, Okwuchukwu aims to foster future leaders in fashion through this dynamic new initiative.

A Platform Rooted in Purpose

Okwuchukwu, known for fusing heritage artisanship with avant‑garde silhouettes, created Boriah Couture’s mentorship as a direct response to the systemic obstacles emerging designers from Africa often face: limited access to mentorship, lack of industry networks, and underrepresentation.

The program is crafted to cultivate holistic creative and business excellence, offering a nine-week curriculum starting with a launch session on January 6. The curriculum includes Design fundamentals & portfolio review; Technical workshops pattern-cutting, draping, sustainable materials; Business essentials branding, pricing, marketing, intellectual property; Live masterclasses with regional and international fashion pioneers; and Capstone showcase giving each mentee the opportunity to present a capsule collection

Meet the First Cohort

Selected through a competitive process, 12 mentees from across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa bring diverse perspectives to the program. They represent graduate students, early-career designers, and artisanal collectives.

Early feedback highlights the program’s impact even in its opening week.
“Working with Jane has rekindled the spark behind my designs,” says Kenyan menswear trainee, Michael Owino.
“I now feel seen, guided, and ready to level up,” he added.

The event attracted collaborations from industry stakeholders including textile innovators such as the Ghanaian batik studios; tech partners; and marketing experts— with each mentor bringing critical expertise whether it’s runway staging, funding proposals, or brand storytelling.

A Vision for Systemic Change

Okwuchukwu sees this as the first of many cohorts. Over the next three years, the goal is to train 100+ emerging creatives, with an emphasis on accessibility, diversity, and sustainability.

“As much as this is about technique and tradecraft,” Okwuchukwu explains, “it’s also about cultivating confidence, global perspectives, and long-term viability. We don’t just want them to make clothes; we want them to lead.”

“Already, following the graduation showcase in mid‑March 2025, several mentees are already attracting buyer interest and press attention. Even more excitingly, connections have been made to residencies and retail opportunities in the UK, UAE, and the U.S,” she said as she announced that the 2026 intake will open in October 2025, with an expanded format including virtual access and scholarship routes for under resourced designers.