Famous Georgian designer Tamuna Ingorokva supports young businesswomen

For women entrepreneurs who are taking their first steps into business, the opportunity to seek advice and learn from the experiences of successful women from the same field is invaluable, contributing to gains in new knowledge and even motivation.

Tamuna Ingorokva, one of the most famous fashion designers in Georgia hosted a masterclass for the women entrepreneurs from west Georgia engaged in sewing and design business; Photo: Georgian Farmers' Association

Supported by UN Women, one such event took place on 22 May 2019 with the initiative of the Georgian Farmers’ Association. Women from western Georgia who are engaged in entrepreneurial activities in the field of design and apparel production attended a masterclass taught by Tamuna Ingorokva, a leading Georgian designer.

Ms. Ingorokva has been a successful apparel designer since 2002, and she is quite popular not only in Georgia but also abroad. She shared her experience with the masterclass participants and gave practical advice that they can take into consideration during the garment-making process, in order to make their businesses even more profitable. “Nowadays, it is the quality that gets much focus worldwide; this is why it is especially important to observe it. The online space should also be considered. Social networks will greatly help you with sales,” she advised the group.

The masterclass participants had a chance to visit the designer’s showroom and sewing workshop, as well as the design planning and fabric rooms. They also observed the process of creating a spring-summer collection. Irina Korshia, who lives in Zugdidi (Samegrelo region) and creates accessories, showed examples of her work to Ms. Ingorokva and received some advice from her.

Magda Kupatashvili, one of the meeting participants from Kutaisi (Imereti region), reflected: “To me, it is a very big incentive to work with such a successful designer. She showed us the entire working process. The masterclass will greatly help me develop my work. Now it seems to me that I have a completely different understanding of this business.”

In total, eight female entrepreneurs attended the masterclass. All of them are the beneficiaries of the project “A Joint Action for Women’s Economic Empowerment in Georgia”, implemented with the financial support of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project contributes to improving the specific knowledge of female entrepreneurs and supporting them to acquire more information and share experiences about business sustainability and profitability.