Fatma Amor Hamad’s Fashions to Show in the United States!!

Fatma Amor Hamad’s Fashions to Show in the United States with Twelve Tanzanian Women Artists Selected for the ‘Arts Exchange on Women’s Issues’ with U.S. Artists

Dar es Salaam fashion designer, Fatma Amor Hamad of Famour Designs, will introduce her fashions and accessories in several shows in the United States as part of the “Arts Exchanges on International Issues with Tanzania” grant funded by the U.S. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and organized by Arts Council Lakes Erie West and Great Lakes Consortium for International Training and Development.

Twelve additional Tanzanian women artists will also travel to the U.S. from October 6 to November 3, 2009 in conjunction with the program and participate in the U.S. National Arts & Humanities Month activities. Ms. Hamad has designed fashions for fifteen years and has been featured in numerous magazines and television programs in Africa. Most recently, Ms. Hamad presented her fashions at ‘World Women’s Day’ at ‘DarAlive’ (Kakakuona) on March 7, 2009 in Dar es Salaam.

She was crowned Miss Redd’s Ambassador 2006/2007 for her outstanding designs and was the winner at Redds Africa fashion designer awards for three consecutive years in 2005/2006/2007. Ms. Hamad’s exquisite handwork, detailed beadwork and creative ensemble embellishments have made Fatma Amour Hamad a sought after brand name in the fashion market. She continues to receive letters of invitation by other top designers in Tanzania to introduce her country theme fashions.

Ms. Hamad’s dreams of becoming an international fashion designer have come true and she will introduce her fashions at the ‘Magic of Tanzania’ fundraiser event for “Arts Exchanges on International Issues with Tanzania” in Sylvania, Ohio, USA on October 12, 2009. Twelve other Tanzanian women artists including: Harieth Bitanuzile and Miriam Mzee from Bagamoyo, Zena Walakai also from Dar es Salaam, Miriam Mussa and Kauthar Khalfan from Zanzibar, Mefakii Jumbe and Kulthum Omary from Tanga; Maria Chuwa and Martha Ntoipo and Veronica Mushi and Regina Mfoy from Arusha, and Scolastica Malecela from Dodoma will also participate in an exhibit “Art in a Woman's World” at the Magic of Tanzania event.

Tanzanian artists will also participate in arts business development and women’s gender issues workshops, make connections with artists and arts organizations, work on joint artwork with U.S. artists while in the U.S. The artists will visit different communities in the State of Ohio (Toledo, Bowling Green, Sylvania, Fremont, Findlay, Columbus, Cleveland) and in the State of Michigan (Detroit, Ann Arbor, East Lansing and Okemos).

The Great Lakes Consortium for International Training and Development and the Arts Council Lake Erie West are regional nonprofit agencies working in collaboration on this grant program funded by the U.S. State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Cultural Division. WSOS Community Action Commission, Inc. is the U.S. grant contract agent and manager.