Vlisco, the leading textile manufacturer that designs, produces and distributes fashion fabrics for the West and Central African market and African consumers in global metropolitan cities to protect and educate consumers in identifying an original genuine African print versus a counterfeit one will be launching the first Connoisseur of Style Day this Saturday, September 5, 2015 at the Vlisco shop in the Accra Mall and West Hills Mall.

The Day is an extension of an ongoing anti-counterfeit campaign, which Vlisco launched in 2013 to put consumers in a position that they are confident they are purchasing an original Vlisco fabric which has gone through multiple processes to deliver premium quality to their customers worldwide.

Mr Stephen Badu, Marketing Director for Vlisco said that today fake fabrics make up about 60% of all textiles sold in Ghana because counterfeiters have gone to great lengths to replicate authentic fabrics which makes it difficult for consumers to identify real from fake Vlisco.

The only way consumers will know is after they have spent their money and bought the fabric before experiencing the vastly inferior quality of the fake fabric.

Vlisco will use this day to educate consumers so that they will be empowered to make an informed decision when making that all important purchase. The consumers experience of this day will include, Bring their Vlisco fabrics for authentication; Learn the 4 key steps to expertly identify genuine fabrics; Enjoy free give-aways and Receive a list of approved retailers where they can purchase authentic fabrics.

Vlisco’s heritage was founded in 1846, aiming to produce and sell hand printed fabrics in- and outside of the Netherlands. They have created unique textiles influencing the fashion landscape in West and Central Africa. This bond between women and Vlisco has continued to deepen over the last century and Vlisco is now woven into the African Culture. A bond that is sure to endure for centuries to come.

The Vlisco brand has developed a highly sophisticated production process, whereby the fabric goes through 27 treatments, both by machine and by hand, and takes two weeks to produce. The Vlisco Group carries four brands: Vlisco, Woodin, Uniwax and GTP. Each of these brands has its own style, brand identity and consumer target group.