Fashion enthusiasts, designers and other stakeholders in the fashion industry gathered in Kumasi for the much-celebrated Kumasi Fashion Week which happened from the 14th to 16th of May 2022. The event which was well attended presented an opportunity for a combination of emerging and established designers to showcase their creativity.
Akosombo Textiles in addition to being as the official fabric sponsor of the event also supported the event’s first-ever ‘Sustainable Fashion Project’. The project was was supervised by Akuvi Adjabs, the Head of the Sustainable Fashion Advocacy Unit of the Ghana Youth Environmental Movement (GYEM). The project provided fashion students the opportunity to present sustainable ways of recycling second-hand clothes.
The climax of the four-day event was the fashion show on Sunday 15th May 2022 with designers from across West Africa presenting unique original designs.
Two Ghanaian designers – Afriken by Nana and Jerey Mensah, worked with Akosombo Textiles to present capsule collections using ATL’s latest collection. The designs used were inspired by Ghana’s 65th Independence anniversary which was celebrated in March 2022.
Speaking at the event, Petra Aba Asamoah, Head of Sales & Marketing at ATL, emphasized ATL’s commitment to the fashion industry and the company’s pledge to consistently provide the market with designs that were vibrant, colorful, historically, and culturally relevant as well as contemporary. “ATL has been in this market for fifty-five years and our commitment is unwavering. We will continue to support the fashion industry, provide a bridge for students of fashion and textiles to participate in the textile industry whilst ensuring that we are competitive”, she stated.
The commemorative collection designed by ATL’s design team is made up of six designs portraying monuments and motifs of historical significance to Ghana and her journey as an independent state.
The designs are:
“Positive Waves”
The classic gramophone motif represents the transmission of waves that help in communication. Combined with the stars in the cloth, this design depicts the message “positive influence creates a vibrant society.”
“Limitless boundaries”
This design is a combination of stars and the classical design asɔ bayere. The black star represents the Ghanaian identity and with the asɔ bayere representing hospitality and good character. The deisgn is dedicated to Ghanaians living in the diaspora and reminds them to shine brightly and make Ghana proud.
“Blessed Generation”
This design is a representation of an abstracted snail shell. The snail represents attributes of toughness and steady progress. The cloth’s message communicates, “Life presents us with difficulties, but it is those who are resilient and consistent that survive.”
“Adikanfoɔ (PACESETTERS)”
This design presents the staff or Akofena, which is a symbol of authority and positive leadership. The message is that leadership is an essential skill for nation-building.
“Proudly Ghanaian”
This design is a fusion of the Kwame Nkrumah mausoleum and the “Nkrumah Pencil”. The mausoleum is a national monument and the famous “Nkrumah Pencil” design adds a classical touch of artistic class to the fabric design. This design reminds us of the role of Kwame Nkrumah in Ghana’s independence struggle.
“Treasured Heritage”
This design combines adinkra symbols, the Adomi Bridge, stars, and the classical gramophone motif. The message here is that we should be proud of our traditional wisdom, heritage, and achievements and together forge ahead for a future of excellence and unity.
The new collection is available in ATL’s shop at No. 40 Kwame Nkrumah Avenue (Opposite Swanzy Shopping Arcade) online at atlfabrics.com or from ATL distributors in Accra, Kumasi, Cape Coast, Sunyani and Takoradi.
