My Name is Michael Fasere
The Pashione Story.
In December 2022, I took a leap of faith and left behind a rewarding 20-year career in cybersecurity to pursue a newfound passion.
My name is Michael Fasere, and this is the story of my unconventional journey from a globe-trotting cybersecurity manager to the founder of Pashione, a fashion-tech brand bridging the gap between African artisans and the global diaspora community.
I Loved My Career, But…
You see, I led a rewarding cybersecurity career for over two decades.
A career that took me to nearly 45 countries and exposed me to diverse industries such as oil and gas, consulting, financial services, and telecommunications.
It was a path that allowed me to continuously learn, innovate, and push boundaries.
For anybody, it is difficult to leave a predictable career for something new and unpredictable.
So why did I do it?
Why would I leave the rewards and stability of a predictable career and dive into the rough waters of building a fashion-tech startup?
It is not so simple:
Passion! Oh Passion!
Pardon My Sentiments
Despite my success in Information Security, I craved something more—something that was mine and deeply connected to my roots.
My passion for African culture and its rich storytelling through fashion was the catalyst.
I deeply cherish my culture, its vibrant diversity, and our rich history.
In Africa, almost everything carries a story—from a simple bead to intricate artwork—imparting more than just beauty to what we wear but imbuing it with purpose and narrative.
Whether it's the buba, colorful adire, or elegant kente, each piece holds a unique significance.
My journey around the world has deepened my appreciation for the distinct cultures and traditions across communities, helping me connect more profoundly with my roots.
This was the foundation from which the idea of Pashione materialized from.
From Idea to Reality
It was 2010, and I had just received an invitation to an event in Dallas that required me to wear traditional African attire.
I looked at my wardrobe and there was nothing suitable to match the nature of the event and so I embarked on a last-minute search for who could provide me with any style of my native Yoruba clothing, I was that desperate.
In a last-ditch effort, I found a vendor and placed an expensive order, but despite the rush and the premium I paid, the attire never arrived. It still hasn’t been delivered to me till today.
I was left feeling disappointed, frustrated, and, most importantly, aware of the significant challenge of accessing African products from abroad.
Over the years, I also noticed a pattern amongst my circle as sourcing locally made African fashion products was a daunting task to us all.
Home was a thousand miles away, we couldn’t just walk into a store to make our choicest picks.
We were confined to what little options we had available.
Paying a premium? A necessary compromise.
Slightly undersized or oversized? You learned to make it work.
Cultural mixing? A imperfect blend, but it would have to do.
Those moments of frustration sparked a realization that would eventually lead to the creation of Pashione, 12 years later.
The Pashione Project
The etymology of Pashione is derived from the words “Passion” + “Fashion”.
I like to see Pashione as a bridge.
A bridge that connects home — Africa, to the rest of the world.
Pashione ensures that no matter where you are on the map, you can access the latest African clothing, designs, artworks, and accessories directly from home without the fear of fraud.
Your location doesn't limit you - from Nairobi to Boston, Cape Town to Berlin, Lagos to London, and beyond, we deliver the best of Africa right to your doorstep.
We are on a mission to globalize African fashion, empowering local designers, and celebrating our rich cultural heritage.
By working directly with local designers and artisans, we ensure that the products offered on Pashione are more than just beautiful creations – they are living embodiments of the stories, techniques, and histories that have been passed down through generations.
The Road Ahead
We’ve assembled an amazing team who are working hard to achieve the Pashione vision.
We’re also exploring strategic partnerships and growth opportunities to expand our reach and impact.
We recently secured a $150,000 cloud credit deal with Microsoft, providing the resources to bring Pashione to life and have collaborated with and onboarded hundreds of vendors across multiple African countries.
We are intensifying on our marketing efforts to raise awareness and strengthen our user base.
What began as a burning desire to solve a personal frustration has evolved into a mission-driven enterprise.
As I reflect on all of this, I am filled with gratitude for the support and guidance of those who have believed in our vision from the start.
And with a sense of excitement and anticipation, I look forward to the next chapter in our journey, as we continue to connect African fashion with the world, one doorstep at a time.
This is incredible! Well done Micheal… looking forward to seeing the impact of Pashione on the world