Meg Eba, a fashion designer from Nigeria, uses her skills and creativity empowering migrant women, facilitating integration in Verona, Italy.
Margaret Enabulele is a fashion designer and presenter is originally from Benin City, Nigeria. She arrived in Italy in 2005 under the Italian family reunification program. I met Meg for this interview after she runs between her two jobs. She is a cleaner in a public hospital and works in Casa di Ramia, a women’s intercultural centre. Meg is running a project empowering migrant women through sewing lessons, helping them to acquire new skills and overcome unemployment.
by Juliana da Penha
“Fashion is my passion, since back in Africa. That’s my world.”
Verona African Fashion Show
The African Fashion Show, an event started in 2017 in which Meg is the chief organiser brings to Verona a colourful catwalk showcasing the creations produced by her and other local designers. The event showcases the work of participants of the workshops she delivers in Casa di Ramia and Genera-Lab, safe spaces where Italian and migrant women work and learn together. They are using creative projects to overcome unemployment and isolation. “Verona African Fashion Show to be precise, is to promote culture, integration, to bridge the gap between our culture and the host country culture”, explains Meg.
Verona is located in one of the most challenge areas for migrant and ethnic minorities in Italy. There is discrimination in housing, employment, access to education and the media coverage portrays migrants as a threat, rarely recognising their positive contribution.
As a consequence, Meg and other women are working together to overcome these barriers, using her skills and creativity. The African Fashion show is a stage for the work of artists from diverse cultures “is a diversity show”, she explains.
Meg believes that an entrepreneurial mindset can help migrant women to overcome unemployment and create new opportunities. Absolutely, she believes it can be an alternative to the global crisis. “Governments cannot do all. If you are able to create something for yourself, the government will see that this empowers people, can create jobs, absolutely, the government can come in. That’s what I am doing. I am trying to empower women through my fashion business”, she explains.
“I think Italy is a land of opportunity if you know what you want in your life. At the moment you discover the purpose of your existence, in this moment you recover.”
Creating a positive impact using fashion
Meg started to be recognised as a reference in African Fashion in Verona. She was invited to collaborate on different projects. As an example, she was asked to be the judge of the work of the students at Le Grand Chic Fashion School, in Verona. It was a project about sustainability and interculturality using inspiration from African styles. She believes that the work she is doing if properly supported and in collaboration with other designers can promote African culture and create jobs.
Along with her fashion skills, Meg uses her communication skills. She studied Broadcast Journalism in Nigeria. From 2013, D-Lot Show- Voice of Tomorrow -her own show, asks leaders of Nigerian communities to discuss issues that affect them in Italy.
Definitely, Meg Eba wants to create an impact on other people lives. And this goes beyond fashion.
“There is something in you that need to come out. You were not born empty. Undoubtely, when it comes out, you touche lives positively. That’s what I am doing. I love to motivate. I love to inspire.”
I couldn’t resist commenting. Exceptionally well written!
“Very good post. I will be experiencing many of these issues as well..”
Hello Eveline, thank you for your comment. If you want to share your experience, we would love to hear from you. Write to migrantwomenpress@gmail.com and we can speak better about it. A big hug!