Ida Saine Conteh, CEO Ida’s Ideas Fashion and Design School
By Landing Ceesay
Ida’s Ideas Fashion and Design School, a pioneer in Gambian fashion education, recently celebrated the graduation of sixteen students from its rigorous training program, marking a significant step towards placing The Gambia on the global fashion map.
As the nation’s very first fashion design institute, Ida’s Ideas has been instrumental in nurturing the talents of numerous young individuals, particularly empowering women and girls with skills in fashion design.
The ceremony marked the third batch of graduates since the school began its educational journey in 2019.
Addressing the gathering, Ida Saine-Conteh, CEO of Ida’s Ideas Fashion and Design School, extended heartfelt appreciation to her dedicated staff for their exemplary work ethic, which has been instrumental in the institution’s commitment to student satisfaction.
Saine-Conteh emphasized the indispensable role her hardworking team plays in realizing the school’s objectives, acknowledging that their efforts are integral to its success.
Furthermore, Mrs. Ida Saine-Conteh extended gratitude to the partners of Ida’s Ideas Fashion and Design School, encompassing both organizational entities and individual supporters.
“I cannot do all these alone, it is because of teamwork that we can achieve these milestones,” she told the gathering.
Ms. Chan Mendy, Principal of Ida’s Ideas Fashion and Design School, emphasized that the graduation of the 16 students symbolized much more than a mere ceremony; it represented the culmination of a year’s worth of dedication, countless sleepless nights, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
She expressed that the gathering at Ida’s Ideas Fashion and Design School was not solely to commend the graduates’ hard work and perseverance throughout their transformative journeys. It was also a celebration of their accomplishments and unwavering resolve in overcoming challenges, their resilience in the face of obstacles, and their ability to maintain vision amidst uncertainty.
“We are here to celebrate your individual and collective accomplishments. Acknowledging the diverse paths you have taken to arrive at this significant milestone. Each of you here today has a unique story of dedication and effort. Today, those stories merge into a shared narrative of success and future promises. Your journey at this institute has been marked by rigorous academic endeavours, creative breakthroughs and personal growth.
“You have not only absorbed knowledge, but also developed critical thinking skills, fostered creativity, and nurtured the spirit of enquiry. As we reflect on your achievements, it is equally important to continue the profound importance of education in our rapidly evolving world. Education is the foundation of progress and innovation. It is the journey that transformed potential into reality, dreams into actions, and ideas into tangible outcomes,” Principal Mendy told the graduates.
The event’s guest speaker, Senior Counsel Amie Drammeh Bensouda, encouraged the new designers to embrace discipline and professionalism as they step into the competitive world of fashion.
Bensouda emphasized the importance of making wise decisions post-graduation, noting that success in the fashion industry is often a result of hard work and dedication, rather than financial backing alone.
“Your fashion industry is competitive. So the choices you will make from today, will, to a large extent, determine what you do. So you must make your choices, and you need to make those choices wisely. I think you will because you have graduated from a school whose owner, Ida Saine Conteh, doesn’t only talk but makes the moves. She (Ida Saine Conteh) works hard, and she is still doing it. I know and believe that in anything you work hard for, God always helps you succeed in it.
“A lot of people have this belief that you cannot start a business when you don’t have money, but I think having money is a liability. Because if you have money that you don’t know how to take care of it, and make good use of it, then it becomes a liability. Don’t allow anyone to convince you that if you don’t have the money, you can’t go anywhere with your business. All that you need is the certificate you acquired from Ida’s Ideas Fashion and Design School today. You are given those certificates today because you know how to do fashion design. That’s the only thing you need,” Counsel Bensouda told the graduating students.
Counsel Bensouda emphasized to the graduates that alongside their certificates, what truly matters now is their commitment and hard work. She encouraged them to pursue endeavors they are passionate about and confident in, rather than being swayed solely by financial prospects.
Highlighting the vast potential within the fashion industry, Counsel Bensouda underscored its diversity and the numerous opportunities it offers for aspiring designers.
Additionally, she advised the graduating students to seek employment with established fashion designers to broaden their experience before embarking on their entrepreneurial ventures.
“Discipline yourselves and develop a good work ethic. Every human should discipline him or herself, especially when you are grown up. You are at a stage where you know what is good and what is bad. Certain people are from a very good family that disciplines them. But there are others that you hear people saying that he or she is disciplined by God. Those are the types of people who are mature, know what is good and what is bad for them, and always do good. If you are used to doing good, you will never do anything bad.
“So a good work ethic is very important. Always work hard, be disciplined, and be dedicated to your work. You should also have patience and perseverance. It is not good to rush; always take your time. Your generation is always in a rush to achieve something. Ida’s Ideas Fashion and Design School is very beautiful today. Ida Saine-Conteh is successful, but if she tells you what she passed through before achieving what she has achieved today, you will not believe it. So don’t just see your fellow graduate open a shop now; you also want to go and open a shop when you don’t know what she went through to get that shop,” Counsel Bensouda advised the graduating students. Counsel Bensouda advised the graduating students to approach life one step at a time, emphasizing the value of gaining experience before delving into personal business ventures. Stressing the paramount importance of integrity, she urged them to cultivate and safeguard it diligently, underscoring its significance regardless of their career paths.
“Integrity is very important. Whether you are working for yourself or for someone else, integrity is very important. You must have integrity. Integrity requires discipline, honesty, commitment, and patience,” she lamented.
Rohey Malick Lowe, the Lord Mayor of Banjul, expressed gratitude to Ida Saine Conteh, CEO of Ida’s Ideas Fashion and Design School, for her efforts in empowering young girls through fashion design training.
Mayor Lowe commended the graduates for their achievements and encouraged them to advocate for their fellow women. She highlighted the pivotal role of women supporting one another, particularly in fields traditionally dominated by men.
The event was attended by notable figures including Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie, Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Claudiana A. Cole, former Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), the Imam Ratib of Banjul, Cherno Mass Kah, and numerous entrepreneurs, as well as current and former students of Ida’s Ideas Fashion and Design School.