Ankara is more than just a fabric. It is a colorful and expressive manifestation of African culture, identity, and creativity. Ankara, also known as African wax print, originated from the batik technique of Indonesia, but was adopted and adapted by West African artisans in the 19th century. Since then, Ankara has become a staple of African fashion, with its vibrant patterns, symbols, and meanings. Ankara is also a versatile and innovative material that can be used to create various styles, from traditional to modern, from casual to formal, from simple to elaborate.

However, Ankara is not without its challenges and opportunities in the global fashion industry. On one hand, Ankara faces issues such as piracy, imitation, and appropriation, which threaten its authenticity and originality. On the other hand, Ankara also offers a unique and diverse perspective that can enrich and inspire the world of fashion. Many entrepreneurs have recognized the potential of Ankara and have leveraged it to create successful fashion businesses that showcase the beauty and diversity of African designs.

One of these entrepreneurs is Nicole, the founder and CEO of Imani Luxe, an international fashion brand that specializes in Ankara clothing and accessories. Imani Luxe, which means “faith and luxury” in Swahili, aims to empower women of all backgrounds and cultures to embrace their beauty and confidence through Ankara fashion.

Nicole’s journey with Ankara started when she was a young girl growing up in Nigeria. She was fascinated by the colorful and intricate designs of Ankara that her mother and grandmother wore. She learned how to sew and design her own clothes using Ankara fabrics that she bought from the local markets. She also developed a passion for fashion and entrepreneurship, as she dreamed of creating her own brand and sharing her creations with the world.

Nicole pursued her dream by studying and understanding fashion design and business which is how she honed her skills and knowledge. She also participated in various fashion shows and competitions, where she showcased her Ankara designs and received positive feedback and recognition. She decided to launch her own brand, Imani Luxe with the help of her family and friends.

Imani Luxe started as a small online store that sold Ankara dresses, skirts, tops, and jackets. Nicole used social media and word-of-mouth to market her brand and attract customers. She also collaborated with other African designers and influencers to promote her brand and expand her network. She soon gained a loyal and growing customer base, both locally and internationally, who loved her unique and innovative Ankara designs.

Nicole’s vision for Imani Luxe was to create a global brand that celebrates and elevates Ankara fashion. She wanted to make Ankara accessible and appealing to people of different cultures, tastes, and occasions. She also wanted to make Ankara sustainable and ethical, by using organic and recycled fabrics, supporting local artisans and suppliers, and giving back to the community.

To achieve her vision, Nicole invested in scaling up her brand and expanding her product range. She hired more staff, opened more stores, and partnered with more distributors and retailers. She also diversified her products, by adding Ankara shoes, bags, jewelry, and home decor. She also experimented with different Ankara styles, by mixing and matching different patterns, colors, and fabrics, and by incorporating elements from other cultures, such as denim, leather, and lace.

Imani Luxe soon became one of the leading and most popular Ankara brands in the world, with customers and fans from Africa, Europe, America, Asia, and Australia. Imani Luxe also received acclaim and recognition from the fashion industry, as it won several awards and featured in several magazines and blogs. Imani Luxe also participated in major fashion events in Nigeria and across the world, where it showcased its latest Ankara collections and trends.

Nicole’s story is an inspiring example of how Ankara deserves a global stage. She has proven that Ankara is not only a beautiful and diverse fabric, but also a powerful and expressive medium of fashion and entrepreneurship. She has also shown that Ankara is not only a reflection of African culture and identity, but also a source of inspiration and innovation for the world of fashion. She has also demonstrated that Ankara is not only a symbol of faith and luxury, but also a catalyst for empowerment and change.

Ankara is more than just a fabric. It is a fashion statement that speaks volumes. Ankara is more than just a trend. It is a fashion movement that makes waves. Ankara is more than just a business. It is a fashion passion that makes a difference.

Agree that Ankara deserves a global stage? Want to learn more about Ankara fashion and entrepreneurship and join the Ankara revolution? Visit imaniluxe.com and follow @imaniluxe on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Shop for your own Ankara pieces and accessories at imaniluxe.com or at any of their stores and outlets. Share your Ankara stories and photos using the hashtag #imaniluxe. 

Imani Luxe: Ankara with a difference.

Published by: Martin De Juan

Image commercially licensed from Unsplash

Product Management is one of the fastest-growing careers, with increasing demand from companies seeking to differentiate and innovate. Entering the realm of product management is notoriously competitive, leaving room only for the willful and skillful.  Those who venture into this domain are met with substantial barriers to entry despite the growing demand for skill sets—especially in today’s highly competitive job market. Experienced product managers often grapple with the challenge of acquiring the necessary qualifications and demonstrating real-life expertise for career growth.

The resume for product managers typically falls into two categories: Those directly involved in managing or building a product or those who have pursued formal education such as CSPO or similar product management courses. However, experienced product managers often miss an avenue for growing their expertise and mastering advanced techniques in product management and innovation beyond the initial set of learning or experiences.

Spark Engine offers just this – advanced learning and hands-on experience through a combination of both training and coaching to help senior product managers grow in their careers. Known as the Certified Product Innovation Professional (CPIP) program, it equips Product Managers specifically with a body of knowledge, advanced techniques, and a set of frameworks to grow their expertise, foster product innovation, and position themselves for growth. Uniquely, the program is delivered over 6 weeks with part-time hands-on work on a real product and one-on-one coaching to develop not only conceptual knowledge but also experiential proficiency in applying product and innovation techniques to new product development.

While other programs are tied to specific Agile practices or offer foundational learning in product management, the Spark Engine programs are framework agnostic. The CPIP builds upon a foundation of Product Thinking, Agile, and Design Thinking principles and delivers non-linear, process-agnostic frameworks to develop new ideas, evolve existing products, and drive innovation in companies of any size. Those with a CPIP certification indicate a thorough understanding of strategic and tactical concepts in product management/product ownership and a mindset that allows them to tackle new challenges and develop new innovative products in any industry. Someone who is an expert in adaptive innovation planning at any point in the product life cycle and is ready for a promotion to a more senior role.

In addition, Spark Engine has the flexibility to provide hands-on training and coaching for entire teams within organizations. This is particularly valuable for product teams seeking to foster competencies across customer discovery, product planning, validation, experimentation, and ideation. Product leaders can organize a CPIP class for their entire team, thereby expanding the skills and leveling the knowledge and expertise of their teams—an offering that distinguishes Spark Engine in the market.

Core to Spark Engine’s DNA are frameworks that help Product Managers deliver great products and identify new opportunities for innovation. These proprietary frameworks include the “5 Dimensions of Innovation,” “3 Problem Levels,” and “Zones of Value. ” As students engage with these frameworks through Spark Engine’s practical modules, they not only develop a heightened familiarity but also acquire the expertise to sustain product-led growth and define product ideas that drive innovation.

Stories from Former Spark Engine Students

Spark Engine students, were interviewed recently and this is what they had to share:

Javier Urbina is a Product Manager at DealerOn who participated in and successfully completed the Certified Product Innovation Professional (CPIP) program alongside his team.  Throughout the program, he focused on redesigning and launching a new version of his product within a tight timeframe. Over the six weeks, he conducted discovery activities, redefined the customer problem he aimed to solve, and initiated a plan to create a more satisfying product.  In Urbina’s words, “I now feel more strategic and confident as a Product Manager, thanks to the program. In the Scrum process, you learn about ceremonies and technical details, but it doesn’t go deep into what a Product Manager really needs to accomplish or the innovative aspects of the role. This program filled those gaps, giving me a better understanding of the practical and innovative aspects of being a Product Manager.”

Another student and Entrepreneur, Brittny Rene, launched an apparel business in Utah and also shared her experience with Spark Engine. Previously uncertain about executing various business strategies for over a year, she found clarity through the CPIP program and the hands-on coaching she received. Working collaboratively, she developed a comprehensive plan with her partner and implemented a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Using discovery activities, Rene gained insights into the needs of marathon runners, refining her focus on solving a specific problem. Reflecting on the program, she highlighted its value in pushing participants to engage in activities beyond their usual scope, fostering a deeper understanding of the problem. Rene emphasized, “The entire purpose and benefit of the class lies in pushing oneself to undertake activities not typically pursued, ensuring sustained focus on the problem. Often, the activities one hesitates to try are precisely those that yield significant benefits.”

Who Is The Ideal Candidate for Spark Engine’s Programs 

In terms of the ideal candidates for Spark Engine’s CPIP program, it caters to entire product teams and experienced product managers looking to broaden their skill set beyond foundational training (like the Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) credential) and focuses on developing the ability to lead product strategy, formulate compelling visions, establish metrics, conduct experiments, and strategically plan releases. For product professionals, the CPIP certification acts as a pivotal step in advancing their product-oriented career trajectory, expanding their expertise with an innovation mindset, and fostering confidence and credibility in the launch of new products amid organizational uncertainty.

How Does a Certificate from Spark Engine Help Prospective Product Managers? 

If you’re wondering how Spark Engine’s certification program can enhance your career trajectory,  Valerio Zanini, Co-Founder of Spark Engine, explains that the CPIP certification provides a thorough understanding of strategic and tactical concepts in product management/product ownership, with a focus on key principles of product innovation, human-centered design, and agility. Through a hands-on program, participants move beyond theory to put into practice the methods, frameworks, and mindsets that enable Product Managers to excel at what they do and build great products. Therefore, Product Managers who highlight a CPIP certification in their resume or job application distinguish themselves from the broader applicant pool. This certification signifies the successful completion of a rigorous program in product management and innovation, showcasing advanced skills essential for steering innovation in developing new products.

Published by: Aly Cinco