Ghana At Africa Fashion Week

Ghana’s participation in the just-ended Africa Fashion Week in Johannesburg was not exactly an earth-shaking affair; no one expected that. But followers of the event cannot deny that Ghana made its strongest impact at the annual gathering of 30 designers from the continent and the African diaspora.

Both on an off the runway, Ghana could not to be missed. On top of many people’s mind was Ozwald Boateng, the London-based designer of Ghanaian descent who picked up the ultimate Designer of the Year award. The award is given to the African designer who has made the biggest impact on the world scene.

When accepting the award from African Fashion Week president Dr Precious Moloi Motsepe, Ozwald Boateng revealed that it was his first ever African award in his long career.

Boateng has worked at Saville Row in London for over 20 years and and is famous for his bespoke suits recognised for its modern twist. Now owner of his own label, the former creative director of menswear for Givenchy also said that Africa will have to up its game in the fashion industry.

Besides Boateng, Ghanaians who shared the on-runway limelight comprised designers whose labels may not be household names in Ghana and yet the surprise they pulled in far away South Africa was so significant that they can no longer stay on low key at home.

Kiki Clothing, Duaba Serwa and Christie Brown raised quite a cheer on the runway when unusually, they were all crammed to show their clothes on the same platform within a one-hour space.

If the organisers had anticipated the impact of that jam, they would have spread the Ghanaian designers out over the 8-hour, 3-day runway show. Many people who saw the Ghanaian lot turned that show into a reference point in conversations. “Did you see the Ghanaian’s show? ” They kept talking about it for the best part of the day although the show was opened by very popular designers Kluk CGdT.

Perhaps if the show had been held in Accra, organisers may have made the same crammed mistake considering that fashion shows are rare and far in-between, a situation that does not allow Ghanaians to know and appreciate their designers better than they do now.

Kiki Clothing (by Titi Ademola) specialises in unique ethnic designs for children and adults and merges vibrant colour, Afro-centric prints and easy, wearable styles that are smart, organic and chic.

The most vital characteristic of the Kiki Clothing label is that it manufactures all of its products in Ghana, from clothing to footwear, and it takes pride and passion in promoting Made in Ghana designs. Titi draws inspiration from everyday people as well as a variety of cultures; mainly her diverse African heritage, which she believes carries a wealth of great ideas.

Kiki Clothing is well known for supporting and using African textiles in their pieces, which aim at exposing a part of Africa to the rest of the world through fashion.

Christie Brown (by Aisha Obuobi ) has since 2008 won multiple awards at various fashion The Christie Brown designs cater to contemporary African women with a distinctive use of colour, all inspired by African culture and art. Her collections range from innovative tailored gowns to beautiful statement pieces and accessories.

The youngest designer among the Ghanaian participants, Duaba Serwa (by Nelly Aboagye) has one of the cutest pleated short skirts and dresses that look chic at all events.

Winner of a recent British Council inspired Young Creative Entrepreneur Fashion Award in Accra, Nelly was originally inspired to pursue a career in fashion through the arts and crafts teachings of her mother. She then went on to study graphic design, textiles and art, before changing to nursing. After graduating from the University of Ghana, she re-entered the creative space with the label, Duaba Serwa.

As a designer, she has adopted the saying “La mode se de’ mode” by Jean Paul Gaultier, meaning “Fashion goes out of Fashion”. The comment represents her desire to be versatile and innovative as a designer.

Away from the runway shows of Africa Fashion Week, Ghana was again very “represented” by the presence of Nkwaye Ansah and his Canoe magazine crew as well as ...... guess who? Kwaku T of Big Brother fame who was introducing his Boma Ye label T shirts to guests at the trade show.