5 top Ghanaian fashion designers right now

Fashion designing is an age-old trade that evolved over centuries. The name might have changed from when fashion designers were called Couturiers but their primary work has remained unchanged; create visually appealing clothes, shoes and accessories.

Ghana like many places in the world is home to a variety of fashion trends both local and international. These trends collectively define what the Ghanaian wears and how they look when they step out. Thanks to the many designers in the country including the top fashion designers who make our list today, Ghana cannot miss out on a medal when fashion is awarded at the Olympics.

Today’s list covers a few of the top names in the industry. Their names do not appear in any order. They are all recognized in this list for their uniqueness and contribution to the industry in the country; not ranking. With that said, who are some of the top fashion designers in Ghana?

Cecil Duddley Mends, CDM Fashion Couture

Cecil Duddley Mends is one of the top names in the Ghanaian fashion industry. Born in Winneba in the Central Region, the University of London alumnus has imprinted his name in the Ghanaian fashion business. He is the founder of CDM Fashion Couture, the brand under which he has served top personalities such as President Akufo-Addo and Adama Barrow.

Besides creating exquisite pieces for Ghanaians, Cecil Mends also owns the CDM School of Design, where people can access training on fashion design. For his hard work and eye for excellence, Cecil was awarded the Fashion Brand Business Leader of the Year while CDM Couture scooped the Innovative Fashion Brand of the Year at the 2nd National Brands Innovation Awards in 2023.

Aisha Ayensu, Christie Brown

Aisha needs no introduction in Ghana, having served Ghanaians since 2008. She founded her fashion house Christie Brown in 2008 and currently serves as the Creative Director. Aisha is celebrated in Ghana and beyond for her influence and creative prowess. A year after taking the bold decision to start her brand, she was awarded the Emerging Designer of the Year at the maiden rise Africa Fashion Week in Johannesburg, South Africa. A two-time winner of the Glitz Styles Awards African Designer of the Year and the African Prestigious Awards Best Fashion Designer, Aisha has shown that creativity is something she has mastered.

She is an alumnus of the Joyce Ababio College of Creative Design (now ACCD Design Institute Africa). Genevieve Nnaji, Jackie Appiah and Celestine Ann “Tina” Beyoncé Knowles-Lawson are some of the high-profile personalities to have patronized Christie Brown by Aisha Ayensu.

Matthew Agambire, Bondaana

Matthew Agambire is one of the finest names in Ghanaian fashion and undeniably, one for the international market. In an era where people produce anything for the market, Matthew has chosen to commit to quality of the highest standards; focusing on the detailed perfection of every stripe, thread and button. Having started marketing his brand as Agams Bespoke, Matthew Agambire has successfully rebranded his fashion brand to Bondaana to better serve and fit the reputation of what he delivers. With Bondaana, Agambire has redefined bespoke suits and kaftans and created a new form of gravity about them. Though one of the latest starters from our list, Agambire and his Bondaana brand cannot be ignored when one is calling the top industry names to a table.

Bondaana has clothed top personalities including former President John Dramani Mahama and President Mohamed Irfaan Ali of Guyana. Also, Chief Dele Momodu, former Black Stars skipper, Stephen Appiah, Nathan Kwabena Anokye Adisi, popularly known as Bola Ray, CEO of EIB Network, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Israel Laryea and Rev. Stephen Yenusom Wengam, General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Ghana.

Coincidentally, Matthew Agambire and Aisha Ayensu are two of the fashion designers on our list who have been nominated for the 2024 40 Under 40 awards by Xodus Communications. The two designers have been nominated for the 2024 edition.

Kofi Okyere “KOD” Darko, Nineteen 57

Kofi Okyrere Darko may have made a big name in Ghanaian media but just like Cecil Duddley Mends who made it big in the Ghanaian media before venturing into fashion, KOD also took a similar direction. It may just be a mere coincidence even though the two fashion moguls both come from Winneba in the Central Region.

Additionally, KOD and his Nineteen 57 brand have also been organizing the annual Rhythms on Da Runway music and fashion event in Ghana. Nineteen 57 has a speciality in several areas including kaftans, caps, t-shirts, socks and suits.

Kwaku Bediako Oduro, Chocolate Clothes Global

Kwaku Bediako is one of the established names in fashion and one of the best fashion designers in Africa. His international presence occasioned his decision to rebrand his fashion brand from Chocolate Clothing to Chocolate Clothes Global to emphasize its global presence. Born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Kwaku Bediako is a product of the University of Ghana. His brand in its early days as Chocolate Clothes started dealing in women’s clothes only but later transitioned to include men’s clothes.

Kwaku Bediako won the Fashion Designer of the Year at the EMY Africa Awards, in 2018. He also won the 2018 Tailored African Fashion presented by Roberta Annan and African Fashion Fund. As part of the prize package, he visited the Louis Vuitton in Paris and had designs from Chocolate Clothings displayed during the Paris Fashion Week. Some of his notable patrons are Cardi B, Nasty C, Kwabena Kwabena, Steve Harvey, Jamie Foxx, Mr Eazi and Idris Elba. He also notably clothed the Black Stars of Ghana for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

And that is the round-up of our top five fashion designers in Ghana right now. This is not an exclusive list as several others deserve a prominent place in our list. Names such as Ophelia Crossland of Ophelia Crossland Designs, Tonyi Senayah of Horseman Shoes, Elikem Kumordzie and the celebrated Joyce Ababio cannot be skipped. Chloe Asaam, Abrantie the Gentleman, Atto Tetteh, Leslie Wiredu of Chapter One Clothing, Sally Torpey of Sallet Fashion House, Mimi Plange and Mabel Simpson of mSimps among others.

NOTE: check some of our previous lists including the top Ghanaian movies that will keep you thrilled and the five national parks you should visit in Ghana.