Fashion
ATU students turn on style at fashion show
Elegance and style took centre stage as the final year students of the Department of Fashion and Textiles at the Accra Technical University (ATU) exhibited their designs at the National Theatre in Accra.
Amidst some soulful melodies, students cat-walked the runway with striking fusion of African prints, assorted fabrics drawing inspiration from themes like nature and cultural heritage.
Themed ‘Promoting African heritage: our pride, our passion’ the event saw 421 students showcasing not only a fulfilled academic requirement but also served as a platform to ignite creativity and innovation among students.
With a focus on encouraging budding designers to carve a niche for themselves, the event resonated with the spirit of originality.
Head of Department of Fashion and Textiles at ATU, Dr Emma Donkor, urged students to use fashion as a tool to tell their story in order to promote and preserve cultural identity.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
KPALANGA-INSPIRED fashion designs took centre stage in Tamale during the launch of the ‘Fugu Wednesday Wear’ initiative by the National Investment Bank PLC.
The Tamale-based fashion brand SNIKIA NEWLUK showcased a collection of modern outfits made from traditional Fugu fabric, presenting creative designs that blended Northern Ghana’s iconic smock with contemporary fashion styles.
Models walked the runway in uniquely tailored outfits that highlighted the versatility of Kpalanga, a modern interpretation of the traditional Fugu designed to appeal to younger generations and professionals.
Speaking on the side-lines of the event, the founder of SNIKIA NEWLUK said the brand aims to modernise Northern Ghanaian fashion while preserving its cultural identity.
The event formed part of activities marking the launch of the National Fugu Wednesday initiative, which encourages Ghanaians to wear locally made smocks every Wednesday to promote Ghanaian culture and support the local fashion industry.
From Geoffrey Kwame Buta, Tamale
In the bustling streets of Accra, braided crowns, coiled Afros, and beaded locks are more than fashion statements. They are living testaments to heritage, resilience, and identity.
The Afro, which rose to prominence in the 1960s and 70s, was more than a hairstyle. It became a symbol of defiance against Eurocentric beauty standards and a proud declaration of Black identity.
But the story of African hair stretches back centuries. Ancient carvings from Egypt depict intricate braids and cornrows, styles that carried messages of social status, age, and even spirituality. Across West Africa, beads and cowrie shells were woven into hair, turning each head into a canvas of culture and artistry.
“Hair was never just hair,” says cultural historian Ama Ofori. “It was a language, a way of telling the world who you were and where you came from.”
Colonial rule attempted to suppress these traditions, branding natural hair as ‘unruly.’ Yet, generations later, the revival of the Afro and traditional styles has reclaimed that narrative. Today, braids, twists, and Afros are celebrated on runways, in music videos, and on city streets worldwide.
For many young Africans, embracing natural hair is both a fashion choice and a way of honouring ancestors while shaping modern identity. “When I wear my Afro,” says student and stylist Efua Mensah, “I feel connected to history. It’s not just style, it’s strength.”
As the global fashion industry increasingly embraces African-inspired looks, the Afro reminds us that beauty is not only about trends. It is about heritage, pride, and the stories carried in every strand.
By Beatrice Wornovi
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