Fashion
Yoli Koomson stages fashion show to unveil ‘Daakye’ Holiday Collections on Sunday
Ghana’s award-winning fashion designer, Yolanda (Yoli) Koomson has shared inspiration behind her new ‘Daakye’Holiday Collections.
The unveiling would be heralded with a fashion show on Saturday, December 14, at Kempinski Kempinski Galleria SLW in Accra.
Sharing the creative inspiration behind,Daakye Holiday 25/26 collections, Yoli Koomson said “Daakye,” an Akan word meaning That Which Is To Come, reflects our commitment to honouring heritage while imagining the future of African craftsmanship.”
For this season, Creative Director Yolanda Koomson draws inspiration from the resilient rafia palmin culture, utility, and artistry.
Its raw texture, natural warmth, and generational symbolism serve as the foundation for a collection that merges tradition with modern architectural design.
The palette echoes the earthy strength and understated elegance of rafia:
Silhouettes blend sculptural structure with fluid draping, symbolizing the dialogue between memory and forward motion.
Key pieces include the Architectural Blazer, Draped Gown, Sculptural Trousers, and standout separates embroidered with metallic threads.
Against this backdrop, all creative enthusiast are entreated be at the event to experience a vision of tomorrow one woven with the wisdom of yesterday.
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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