"Proudly from Africa," Winner of the "PLUG IN GRAND PRIX" Grand Prize at the October 2020 Show
SKYAH Co., Ltd. CEO Yukari Hara
UPLOADED 12 MAY, 2021
At the "PLUG IN GRAND PRIX," where visitors to the joint trade show "PLUG IN" vote for the exhibitor brand or company they found most appealing, SKYAH Co., Ltd.'s "Proudly from Africa" won the previous Grand Prize. We spoke with SKYAH CEO Yukari Hara, who nurtures and promotes stylish, high-quality brands out of Africa.
Congratulations on the Grand Prize.
《Ms. Hara》Thank you very much. It was our first time exhibiting at a joint trade show, and we were kept busy with meetings day after day, so I was genuinely surprised to hear about the award. It's honestly gratifying to have received so much appreciation from such a wide range of visitors involved in fashion. I think people were also drawn to our focus on ethical, sustainable, high-quality African brands.
Please tell us about SKYAH.
《Ms. Hara》SKYAH is a company we founded in 2018 with the aim of introducing high-quality African products to Japan. "Proudly from Africa" (https://proudlyfromafrica.com/) is our gateway for introducing a wide range of African brands, and as the name suggests, we think of it as a place to share the stories of people who proudly create region-specific products and services. Our Japan-based staff work alongside local brands that keep pushing forward and taking on challenges even in the midst of the pandemic.
How was exhibiting at PLUG IN?
《Ms. Hara》We had originally planned to debut at PLUG IN's March 2020 show, but it was cancelled due to the pandemic, so the October 2020 show was truly our first time exhibiting at a joint trade show. We were conscious of how to convey each brand's unique, one-of-a-kind story, and many of the buyers who visited our booth responded with more enthusiasm than we'd expected, saying things like "I didn't know Africa had such great products!" and "I've finally found the kind of product I was looking for!" We also received many invitations for pop-ups from department stores and fashion specialty stores, and we've carefully selected a few to begin working with.
What are your hopes for the March 2021 show? *This interview was conducted in January 2021
《Ms. Hara》Beyond the SDGs and ethical angle, of course, we want to bring the appeal and value of each individual product to more people. We'll be introducing new brands too, including "Bohten," an eyewear brand that turns offcuts of West African building material into eyewear made in Sabae, Japan; "SHEKUDO," a Nigerian shoe and accessory brand; and "'57 Chocolate," chocolate made in Ghana, the birthplace of cacao. We see PLUG IN as a place where we can really be ourselves. Market conditions remain tough due to the pandemic and other factors, but the brands out of Africa are full of energy and eager for new challenges. We're looking forward to meeting shop partners we can walk alongside for the long term.
Thank you. We look forward to seeing you at the March 2021 show too.
Right: Ms. Hara. Center: Frank Ofori, Ambassador of Ghana to Japan
【Office notes】
We understand Ms. Hara had a connection with Senken Shimbun's New York correspondent while studying in the US, which makes us feel a special bond. Setting aside the African, ethical, and SDGs angle entirely, every brand she carries is simply cute and wonderful. We're delighted to hear that PLUG IN has helped raise the brands' profile among more people in the fashion industry. (Staff O)