Black Star Fashion Week ended on Saturday, November 7, with a Presidential Runway at the Royal Senchi Hotel in Akosombo, celebrating Ghanaian design, craftsmanship and cultural heritage.
The event brought together leading designers, creative industry figures, musicians and fashion enthusiasts, while offering established and emerging talent a platform to present their work. It also reflected the ambition to make Ghana a leading destination for fashion and creative enterprise.
Collections were shown by Abrantie the Gentleman, Boyedoe, Kenneth Tetteh, Chocolate, Atto Tetteh, Quofi Akotuah, Nessa Atelier, BloombyEdzi and Adjeponmaa, alongside designers from the 16-Region Designer Programme.
Black Star Experience Coordinator Rex Owusu Marfo (Rex Omar) urged designers to improve their craft, invest in professional development and treat fashion as a serious commercial business. He said greater attention was needed on brand development, quality, production, marketing and long-term commercial sustainability if Ghanaian fashion was to compete locally and internationally.
In his keynote address, broadcaster Kwasi Kyei Darkwah (KKD) called for stronger support and a more organised approach to developing the industry. He highlighted the need for specialisation, higher professional standards and investment throughout the fashion value chain.
KKD also described fashion as an economic sector capable of creating jobs, supporting tourism and generating opportunities in manufacturing, textiles, retail and related industries.
Honouring Ghana’s fashion pioneers
A major feature of the evening was a tribute to seven Ghanaian fashion icons, both living and deceased, whose work has influenced indigenous textiles, African couture, modern design, fashion education and garment production.
Madam Joyce Ababio was recognised for incorporating Kente into everyday clothing and advancing fashion education. She became the first Ghanaian designer to win Best Formal Evening Wear at Miss World in 1995, has dressed successive First Ladies since 1992 and founded the JACCD Design Institute Africa.
Kofi Ansah (Posthumous) was honoured as a pioneer of African couture whose designs helped establish Ghanaian fashion internationally. The late Juliana Miranda Norley Kweifio-Okai (Posthumous), founder of Chez Julie in 1960, was recognised for combining African dress with international influences and creating opportunities for women in business.
Ricci Osei (Posthumous) was remembered for the St Ossei and BRASS labels and for linking fashion with art, music and culture. Mawuli Kofi Okudzeto was recognised for the Mawuli Kofi Okudzeto, MAWULI and MKO.GH labels, as well as his influence on hiplife fashion and Ghanaian streetwear.
Nora Bannerman-Abbott was celebrated for leading Sleek Garments Export Limited and supporting entrepreneurship, manufacturing and export growth. Tetteh Adzedu, founder of Adzedu of Shapes, was honoured for bringing African menswear and traditional textiles into contemporary design. His accolades include the 1998 Principal Prince Claus Award and selection for a UNESCO event in Paris.
Performances by Okyeame Kwame and Lamisi connected the runway with Ghanaian music and contemporary creative expression.
The Presidential Runway concluded the maiden Black Star Fashion Week, which began with the Black Star Fashion Summit in Accra on November 4. Held under the PUT GHANA ON campaign, the initiative aims to strengthen Ghana’s fashion ecosystem, attract investment, promote local designers and increase international visibility, while linking fashion with culture, tourism and economic development.
