Fashion
Tamale embraces a new fashion scene at Trends Runway Show
A powerful creative shift took place in Tamale over the weekend, where fashion, culture, and youth converged to redefine the city’s identity.
TrendsRunwayShow celebrated its fifth anniversary, a milestone that confirms Tamale’s growing presence on Ghana’s fashion map and signals a bold, new era for the northern region’s creative economy.
This year’s edition, themed “Freedom of Expression,” granted designers full creative liberty to explore identity, heritage, and modern style.
Eight designers and one stylist showcased collections ranging from culturally infused silhouettes to experimental contemporary designs that captivated audiences across the city.
The runway brought together 25 male and female models, many of whom rely on the show as a stepping stone due to limited access to opportunities in Accra and other southern cities.
By Geoffrey Buta, Tamale
Founded by former model Baba Alhamdu, the event has evolved from a small local initiative into a dependable platform spotlighting emerging designers, models, and artisans from the North.
By Geoffrey Buta, Tamale
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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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