About Us
LAUNCHED IN JUNE 2022
Our goal is to be recognized in Africa’s fashion talents’ career paths and business recruitment strategies respectively through our various initiatives and services.
By combining our expertise and personalization, we offer continuous added value to our talent’s career paths and enhance our client’s recruitment strategies.
Our knowledge, international vision and professional network convert us into a strategic partner for companies, candidates, students universities/business schools and other stakeholders in africa’s fashion industry.
Obsidian Advisory Africa envisions a transformed African fashion workforce through sustainable HR solutions, talent development, and industry innovation.
The Mission of Obsidian Advisory Africa is to bridge the gap between fashion businesses and skilled talents by providing strategic HR solutions, workforce development programs, and recruitment innovations that drive sustainable growth in the African fashion industry.
Our Goals
- Enhance Fashion Workforce Development - Equip fashion talents with in-demand skills through training, mentorship, and career programs
- Improve Recruitment Efficiency - Provide structured and transparent hiring solutions tailored to the fashion industry.
- Support Business Growth. - EHelp fashion businesses build sustainable HR structures and retain top talent
- Promote Industry Innovation - Drive digitization, freelancing, and co-production models to modernize the fashion workforce.
- Strengthen Ecosystem Collaboration - Foster partnerships between businesses, educators, and policymakers to create employment opportunities.
- Strengthen Ecosystem Collaboration - Foster partnerships between businesses, educators, and policymakers to create employment opportunities.
Our Objectives
- Train and Upskill Fashion Talents - Equip at least 500 fashion professionals annually with industry-relevant skills through the Bridge Program and other training initiatives.
- Optimize Fashion Recruitment Processes – Reduce hiring timelines for businesses by 30% within a year through structured and transparent HR solutions.
- Support HR Restructuring for Businesses. - Implement HR frameworks and talent retention strategies for at least 50 fashion businesses annually.
- Drive Digital Transformation in Fashion HR - Enhance recruitment and workforce management through digital tools like the Bridge App and virtual training platforms
- Expand Industry Collaboration - Establish at least 10 strategic partnerships yearly with organizations, policymakers, and educators to create employment opportunities and advance workforce development.
- Promote Sustainable Employment Models - Advocate for freelancing, co-production hubs, and flexible hiring models to improve job accessibility in the fashion sector.
Products and Services Offered by Obsidian Africa
Obsidian Africa is a fashion recruitment and HR company specializing in workforce development, talent acquisition, and industry-specific training for the Nigerian and African fashion industry. It offers a range of solutions designed to bridge the gap between fashion businesses and skilled professionals.
Talent Recruitment & Workforce Development
- Fashion Talent Recruitment: Sourcing and placing skilled professionals across various roles in the fashion industry, from entry-level to executive positions.
- HR Restructuring : Helping fashion businesses build sustainable HR structures, policies, and best practices for effective workforce management.
- Internship Program Development: Assisting fashion brands in creating structured in-house internship programs to nurture new talent.
The Bridge – Fashion Workforce Hub (Launching February 2025)
- Coworking Space for Fashion Talents: A dedicated workspace designed for fashion professionals, freelancers, and entrepreneurs to work, collaborate, and network.
- Job Center: A physical and digital space where job seekers can access career opportunities, recruitment services, and industry-specific job listings.
- Training Hub: A learning center providing technical and business training for fashion professionals, covering areas such as digital pattern-making, CAD, merchandising, and fashion marketing
The Bridge Program – Fashion Industry Training & Career Development
- Management Skills Training: Equipping fashion talents with essential business and leadership skills for career advancement.
- Digital Tools & Skills Development: Training on digital fashion illustration, e-commerce management, and social media marketing
- Apparel Retail & Merchandising Pathway: A specialized track focused on retail operations, e-commerce, and customer experience.
- Internship & Job Matching: Connecting trained participants with job and internship opportunities across the fashion industry.
Fashion Business Consulting & HR Solutions
- Workforce Strategy Development: Advising fashion businesses on workforce planning, employee retention, and performance management.
- HR Policies & Compliance: Helping brands align with labor laws and implement structured HR policies.
- Compensation & Benefits Structuring: Developing fair and competitive salary structures for fashion businesses.
Career Coaching & Professional Development
- One-on-One Career Coaching: Personalized coaching sessions for fashion professionals seeking career growth.
- CV & Portfolio Development: Assisting job seekers in creating strong resumes, digital portfolios, and video pitches.
- Freelancer Training: Helping fashion freelancers navigate client management, pricing, and project execution.
Industry Research & Thought Leadership
- Future of Work in Fashion Reports: Conducting research and publishing insights on workforce trends, labor policies, and industry transformations.
- Women in Fashion Conference: An annual event providing masterclasses and digital skills training for women in the fashion industry.
- Fashion Career Fair: A recurring job fair connecting employers with job seekers and showcasing industry opportunities.
Fashion Learning & Recruitment App – The Bridge App (Upcoming Launch)
- Job & Freelance Market: A platform where fashion professionals can apply for jobs and freelance gigs.
- E-Learning & Certification: Short courses on technical and business skills, with points-based certifications.
- AI-Powered Recruitment Tools: Features like resume screening, interview scheduling, and skill-based job matching.
Obsidian Africa continues to evolve, offering transparent, efficient, and scalable recruitment solutions tailored for the African fashion ecosystem. Would you like to refine or expand on any of these offerings?
Obsidian Advisory Africa stands out in several ways that differentiate it from competitors in the fashion HR and workforce development space. Here are key aspects that make your product unique:
Holistic HR and Workforce Development Approach
- Obsidian doesn’t just focus on recruitment but also offers comprehensive HR solutions, including restructuring, coaching, and talent management. This holistic approach ensures that fashion businesses get long-term value through strategic HR interventions, rather than just filling roles.
Specialization in Fashion
- Unlike general recruitment or HR firms, Obsidian’s focus is on the fashion industry. This specialization gives you a deep understanding of the unique challenges and needs of fashion businesses, from talent acquisition to workforce development, making your services more tailored and relevant.
Bridge Program for Skills Development
- The Bridge Program is a standout feature. It’s not just about hiring talent; it’s about equipping them with essential skills to thrive in the fashion industry. With a focus on digital tools like digital pattern making, social media marketing, and e-commerce management, you bridge the gap between entry-level talent and industry needs, offering a solution that combines education with recruitment.
Integration of Coworking and Training with The Bridge
- The Bridge coworking space is a unique offering in the Nigerian fashion space. It serves not only as a job center and training hub but also as a collaborative workspace. This is different from traditional coworking spaces, as it specifically caters to fashion professionals, providing them with tools, networks, and a direct link to job opportunities. This integration of workspace, learning, and recruitment makes it an all-encompassing ecosystem for fashion talent.
Transparency and Efficiency in Recruitment
- You’ve made a commitment to revamping the recruitment process to be more transparent and efficient, which is crucial in an industry often criticized for inefficiency in hiring and talent management. This focus on clear communication and streamlined processes helps fashion businesses save time and resources.
Strong Industry Partnerships
- Obsidian’s relationships with key industry players like The Mastercard Foundation, Jobberman Nigeria, and Lhaude Africa position it as an influential player in the fashion HR and workforce development space. These partnerships also offer added credibility and access to a wide network of resources and opportunities for fashion businesses and talent.
Support for Both Employers and Talents
- Obsidian’s dual focus on supporting fashion businesses (through tailored HR services and recruitment solutions) and developing talents (through the Bridge Program and targeted career coaching) sets it apart. It’s not just about solving one side of the equation; Obsidian addresses both ends—businesses needing talent and talent needing skills and opportunities.
Focus on Sustainability and Digital Transformation
- Obsidian is uniquely positioned to drive sustainability and digital transformation in Nigeria’s fashion industry, supporting the shift towards tech-enabled processes in areas like digital fashion illustration, e-commerce, and merchandising. This modern approach is essential in an industry where digital tools and sustainable practices are becoming increasingly important.
Tailored Solutions for African Context
- Your focus on the African context, including insights on the specific challenges faced by Nigerian fashion businesses and the broader African fashion ecosystem, allows you to provide culturally and regionally relevant solutions. Your work on bridging the talent gap in Africa through initiatives like the Bridge Program and your focus on equipping talents for export is a significant differentiator.
Emphasis on Mentorship and Career Coaching
- Obsidian places a strong emphasis on career coaching and mentorship, offering talent and business owners the guidance they need to succeed. This mentorship aspect helps both employers and talents grow together, ensuring sustainable industry development.
Obsidian Advisory Africa – 2025 Objectives
Launch and Establish The Bridge
- Successfully opened The Bridge in February 2025 as a coworking space, job centre, and training hub for fashion talents, with a goal to onboard at least 200 users in the first six months.
Expand the Bridge Program
- Train and place at least 500 fashion talents in relevant jobs or internships through The Bridge and digital platforms by the end of 2025.
Improve Recruitment Success Rate
- treamline hiring processes to reduce placement timelines by 40% and increase successful hires for fashion businesses using The Bridge as a job centre.
Strengthen Industry Partnerships
- Secure at least 15 new strategic partnerships with fashion businesses, organizations, and policymakers to create more job opportunities.
Drive Digital HR Adoption
- Grow the Bridge App user base by 1,000+ talents and recruiters and introduce new features like AI recruitment tools and interview scheduling.
Support Business HR Development
- Provide HR restructuring and talent management services to at least 50 fashion businesses, helping them build sustainable workforce strategies.
Increase Workforce Sustainability
- Promote freelancing, co-production hubs, and flexible hiring models, targeting at least 30% of job placements to be remote or freelance-based.
Damilola Ademilokun
Damilola Ademilokun is a Nigerian Fashion Career Consultant, Researcher, and Business Strategist, dedicated to transforming Africa’s fashion industry. She founded Obsidian Advisory Africa and the Fashion Career Summit & Fair, platforms that connect emerging talent with career opportunities. Based in Lagos, her work is central to shaping the future of fashion careers across the continent.
With experience at top African fashion organizations such as Legendary Gold Limited, Africa Fashion Business Summit, and Nigerian Fashion Week, Damilola has developed impactful promotional programs for African fashion brands, driving their recognition on the global stage.
Damilola holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations with a minor in History from Babcock University. She has further enhanced her expertise with a Postgraduate Diploma in Employment and Labour Studies, a Postgraduate Certification in Entrepreneurial Management from Pan Atlantic University, and a fellowship from the Council for International African Fashion Education in Research & Project Management.
She is also a certified SMEDAN Associate Business Development Service Provider, equipping her with the expertise to support and scale fashion enterprises across Africa.
As the author of How to Break into Africa’s Fashion Industry and the founder of West Africa’s first Fashion Career Fair, Damilola is passionate about empowering Africa’s next generation of fashion professionals and fostering inclusive, sustainable growth within the industry.