For any brand to be visible and talked about for all the right reasons, then they must be doing something amazing. The fashion space this year has witnessed quite a number of fashion events at different times which has open up to more opportunities for designers to increasingly generate more visibility and buzz for their brand.

I would share my twelve 12 fashion brands in Ghana that have this year pushed the PR button in 2018 by way of creating brand presence both online and offline through fashion events and shows, collection launch, collaborations, celebrity placements, media features, awards and social media presence amongst others. I would start with;

Christie Brown

I’m sure I won’t be wrong if I say, Christie Brown is one of the most admired and respected fashion brand in Ghana.  Celebrating their 10^thanniversary with a fashion event at the plush Kempinski hotel earlier this year, one would have expected them to be content because they are known globally but on the contrary. They work as hard to keep the brand visible at the right places. Their online presence has been feeding followers with breath-taking designs and fashion inspirations. This year, they also launched their captivating SS18 Collection called “Conscience”.  

During the Mother’s Day celebration, they collaborated with some fashion creatives to outdoor a campaign that appreciates their clients who are mothers. They were featured in an editorial with Maria Borges for Nigeria’s Schick Magazine.

Christie Brown also participated at the SheTrades event in New York and won the African Designer of the Year at the Glitz Style Awards 2018.  This definitely looks like a great year for the brand as they continuously work to expand the CB brand.

Chocolate by Kwaku Bediako 

Chocolate by Kwaku Bediako is a menswear fashion brand. The designer was selected by African Fashion Fund in the #TailoredAfrica2018 Project and had the opportunity to showcase their collection at the Paris Fashion Week and also showcased at the fashion show held in honor of their Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall during their royal visit to Ghana.

The designer was awarded the Designer of the Year at the EMY Awards and nominated as the Menswear Designer at the Glitz Style Awards. With a tall list of celebrities and public figures on their clientele, Chocolate has earned a spot as one of the Ghanaian designers that has garnered global attention and media buzz including styling Jamal Lyon of Empire fame and features on Vogue, BBC Africa, Congo Airways Magazine amongst others.

Pistis

Mention traditional, weddings and red-carpet gowns and Pistis would certainly come to mind. They have continuously positioned themselves as the go-to designer for anything within that specification. This for me is a brand that understands that finding your niche and being consistent is key. Even though at the beginning of the year, they introduced a new line called “Melange by Pistis” which I believe caters for the RTW line, it obviously wasn’t able to overtake what they are known for.

Within the year, they also collaborated with creatives such as award-winning Makeup Artists Valerie Lawson to create the CVL Campaign. You are most likely to find a celebrity or public figure in a Pistis gown at any major event in Ghana. Among their tall list of personalities include the 2^nd Lady Samira Bawumia, Naa Ashorkor, Joselyn Dumas and a host of many others.

Pistis was spotted on the cover of Dreams Wedding Magazine which featured Joselyn Dumas as the Cover star. This brand obviously continues to dominate the bridal and red-carpet gown space and it looks like they aren’t backing down anytime soon.

Atto Tetteh

Speak about urban menswear brand in Ghana and no doubt Atto Tetteh would be listed. Slowly, slowly, Atto Tetteh is creeping into the fibre of Ghanaian fashion industry to become one of the favs for many fashion enthusiasts. Earlier this year, they launched their new collection called “Patched 18” which featured a wide range of beautiful pieces for both men and women.

They also participated in SA Menswear Week in South Africa where they shot editorial campaigns with other creatives for their collection. The likes of Manifest, Sarkodie, Ameyaw Debrah, Okyeame Kwame and a host of others have all be spotted in an Atto Tetteh.

They crowned the year winning the Menswear Designer of the Year at Glitz Style Awards. I see this brand making greater strides in the coming year.

Selinabeb

Selinabeb is an accessory brand. Earlier this year, the designer showcased at New Orleans Fashion Week which was featured on major media platforms across the country. She has been one of the Ghanaian designers that has garnered a lot of media features through interviews, fashion shows and exhibitions.

She participated in Glitz Africa Fashion Week where she showcased her “Mama Africa” Collection in honor of her late mother and has exhibited at several trade events both in Ghana and outside Ghana.

The brand received 2 nominations this year at both Glitz Style Awards and Accra Fashion Week Awards as the Accessory brand of the Year. Personalities such as Nicole Parker, Dentaa, Nikki Samonas, Kokui Selormey, Bozoma Saint John and many others have been spotted carrying a Selinabeb clutch or handbag.

Though a challenging year for Selinabeb, she has managed to keep the brand visible and one can only be confident of a greater year in 2019.

Velma Accessories

This year has been a great one for Velma’s Accessories. Starting off the year with an exhibition in London at the ‘Great Hat Exhibition’ and going on to launch their spring collection during their Fashion Expose dubbed “Velma’s Garden” which also introduced their men’s hat collection.

Throughout the year, the brand has partnered several designers such as Ophelia Crossland, Christie Brown, Duaba Serwa, Lauren Haute Couture amongst others to launch editorial campaigns. They also participated in the Radiance Wedding Fair and later launched their AW18 Collection “Sheisaqueen” Collection which was showcased during the Glitz Africa Fashion Week 2018.

Velma was crowned the Accessory Designer of the Year at the 2018 Glitz Style Awards and have secured a number of media features including being featured in Nigeria’s Pleasures Magazine.

Sima Brew

We have all come to know and love the Sima Brew brand. Known to create very detailed and stunning looks with each piece, the designer continues to shine through several campaigns they have launched in the year.

Starting off the year, she was out doored at a media event by Zylofon Media as the Fashion Icon and Representative for the label. This year, the brand launched 3 Collections. The “Dream Collection” which featured Berla Mundi in a number of Bridal Gowns, “Timeless Collection” which featured Selly Galley in striking dresses and gowns and then the “Obaapa Collection” which featured Empress Jamilla in Traditional Kente Inspired Gowns.

Sima Brew also opened its own Sima Brew Fashion Business Faculty. They were nominated for an international Achievement Recognition Awards as Best Female Designer 2018 and showcased at the London Fashion Week Runway. It’s been a great year for Sima Brew as they are constantly on our feeds and timelines feeding us with new and exquisite designs.

Abrantie the Gentleman

Abrantie The Gentleman is not new to pushing the PR button each year. Especially for the designer, you are most likely to see him at every major fashion related event happening in the country. Similarly, he engages in interviews and speaking opportunities all of which are strategic ways to keep the brand visible.

This year, they participated at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Accra where they showcased the “Grey of Greatness” Collection and had earlier outdoored the ‘NAA 345 Collection’. His bespoke suits and traditional wears are the go-to for any would be groom and has collaborated with Vlisco to create designs for their showroom.

They were nominated as the Menswear Designer of the Year at the Glitz Style Awards.

Ophelia Crossland

Being the Swarovski West African Ambassador for the past few years, this brand has become a force to reckon with when it comes luxury and haute couture in Ghana. Earlier this year, she was selected among few international designers to display her gowns at the Swarovski Exhibition in Dubai.

Ophelia Crossland won Womenswear designer of the year at the Glitz Style Awards and also showcased their “Ethreal” Ready to Wear Collection at the Glitz Africa Fashion Week as well as participated at the Wedding Radiance Fair.

They launched a series of stunning collections among which were the “Malaika Collection” and the “Wedding Guest” Campaign.

Charlotte Prive

 Charlotte Prive this year has been working to project another value of the brand which is one that is sustainable and dedicated to making change in the environment. Earlier in the year, they partnered with Water Aid Ghana to produce a collection dubbed “Fashion for Change”. The designer also organised a masterclass which was aimed at helping designers build careers in fashion design.

They held their 2^ndedition of “My Christmas Wish” fashion show which attracted many fashion enthusiasts and customers and have had an active social media presence which constantly fed our timelines with what they are up to and who they are engaging.

Yartel

Call him the new kid on the block. He may be young in the industry but this year has been a good year for the brand. You are most likely to guess right when you spot a Yartel piece especially because of the choice of fabric and design silhouette. A good number of celebrities that have been seen in a Yartel among which are the 2^ndLady Samira Bawumia, Becca, Zynnel Zuh, Sandra Ankobia, Efya, Claudia Lumor, Joselyn Dumas, Anita Erskine and a host of many others.

Yartel pieces were featured on two magazine covers, Glitz Africa Magazine and Agoo Magazine and won the emerging designer of the Year at the Glitz Style Awards 2018. They also debuted their collection during the Glitz Africa Fashion Week. With such remarkable brand positioning for this year, 2019 can only get better for this brand.

Wear Ghana

Wear Ghana brand may be synonymous to “Wear Ghana” campaign but what has gained a lot of traction is the “GIGI Collection” by the brand. The GIGI which was launched few years back has come to stay as their signature piece. Currently available in different styles and colors, you are likely to identify a GIGI when you do see one. They have also partnered organisations, individuals and churches to customise their own GIGI which I think is a brilliant strategy. Personalities such as Lucy Quist, Esther Cobbah, Boris Kodjoe, Bozoma Saint John, Okyeame Kwame and your everyday person is spotted in a GIGI.

Their social media engagement strategy has been very impressive and this has turned friends and clients into loyal customers and ambassadors.  Wear Ghana also organises period activities such as “Free Ur Style Friday” and Corporate Tours in collaboration with other creatives as a way to connect with customers who share a common interest in fashion, music and dance. Their brand visibility and strategy this year is commendable and worth noting.

Expectations for 2019

Going into 2019, I wish designers and fashion entrepreneurs would understand that every effort they make would go a long way to create their brand image which doesn’t happen by chance. They need to be creative, research and know about the industry they work in and understand the business of fashion, create unique brand identity, invest in Public Relations to promote their work.  Have a Merry Christmas and look forward to a an awesome new year.

This post was originally published on the Business and Financial Newspaper on 21/12/2018

Faith Senam Ocloo 
Fashion Public Relations 
Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts

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If there is one Ghanaian accessory brand that has transcended the borders of Ghana especially onto the European market, it certainly is Selina Beb. From the fine details of each piece to the quality and choice of fabric used, Selina Beb is definitely a proudly Ghanaian made brand.

Founded and designed by Selina Bebaako-Mensah, Selina Beb brand has grown to become one of the favorites for many fashion lovers and have over the past years proven to be a consistent accessory brand growing steadily to a household brand.

Launched in 2012, the brand is known for its colorful, rich and quality pieces ranging from bags, footwears, jewelry made for women, men and children.

Selina Beb is seen at almost all major fashion and trade events in Ghana and has also participated in many fashion shows in Ghana, London, USA, Italy and beyond.

At the recently held Neskael Corporate Show at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, Ms Bebaako-Mensah as usual thrilled attendees when she outdoored her 2018 Collection called the Kente Collection.

With this year’s theme “Celebrating 60 years of rich Ghanaian culture & continuous economic growth through arts” the launch of the SB Kente Collection was timely as it gave the designer the opportunity to re-echo the ‘Kente’ fabric as a key part of our Ghanaian cultural heritage.

According to Ms. Bebaako-Mensah she was inspired to do a Kente collection based on the theme for this year’s Neskael Show. She added “I wanted to do something that is really truly Ghanaian, something that truly represents us as Ghanaians.”

Being an annual event organized by Neskael Travel and Tours, the event is aimed at showcasing Ghana’s cultural heritage and values through fashion.

The multiple award winning accessories designer brand has been recognized globally for making very beautiful African inspired pieces with this time round focusing more on doing something that is truly Ghanaian and one that reveals who we are as a people and she felt what better fabric could she used than our very own Kente.

This collection features the SB Bags in several variants and accessories handmade with the authentic Kente fabric as well as that of the Woodin designed kente fabric.

Selina Beb is a recipient of many awards with the most recent ones won at the Bi-Annual European & International Women Inventors (EIWIIN) Awards in Italy.

Selina Beb aims at making its customers feel like royalty when using their bespoke items. Products are made with genuine leather, high quality African wax prints, rare and unique beads and the best in raw materials that are all carefully handpicked by the designer to ensure the best possible final product.

Being a proudly made in Ghana, Selina Beb Bags, Footwear and Accessories are all made by hand and each item is made with the upmost effort, care and love.

With a blend of rich Ghanaian history and culture coupled with modern and innovative ways of making bespoke pieces, Selina Beb has become the go to for many Ghanaian accessory lovers.

Below are images of the new collection. You can shop these at their store located near PhotoClub, Osu or call 0543459000.

Faith Senam Ocloo 
Fashion Public Relations 
Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts

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Selinabeb

Many marketing experts have predicted influencer marketing to skyrocket in 2017. This trend which scaled up in 2016 is tipped to be the next big thing for many brands as social media is growing a new breed of influencers whose following across several media platforms have become useful for Public Relations and marketing campaigns. Ghanaian fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands should consider exploring this trend this year if it hasn’t been started yet.

Firstly, understand what influencer marketing is and how useful it will be to your brand strategy. Social media influencers have come about as a result of individuals taking advantage of the enormous opportunities abound on the social media to position themselves as influencers or thought leaders in their niche area. While some may start off as just posting and creating personal profiles online, others have activated business opportunities for such achievements.

Based on a brand’s marketing and PR strategy, these social media influencers have become very useful in fulfilling their campaign goals. In a recent survey by Schlesinger Associates for Augure, 84% of marketing and communications professionals worldwide said they plan on launching at least one influencer campaign within the next 12 months. Marketers and PR experts are taking advantage of this trend to give their brands utmost mileage for their products and campaigns.

So the next guiding questions are; which influencers will they be targeting? Why will they be targeting them? What do these influencers bring on board to these brands?

Who will they be targeting?

Depending on which industry you are in, brands look out for personalities that don’t just have huge following based on numbers on their social media pages. What they look out for is the extent of engagement they gain on their posts. Personalities whose following and exposure is targeted at their very same kind of consumer; one they intend to reach with their product or service.

For instance, a clothing brand could engage the likes of a style and fashion blogger, similarly, sports brands could also engage footballers with good social media following. Social media influencers are known to have created personal brand profiles in their niche or area of expertise and are using various techniques, tools and platforms on social media to gain advantage over many million others. Once an influencer is identified, the terms of engagement are agreed upon to get the influencer to incorporate the brands value and offerings into their own social media strategy.

Why will they be targeting them?

In recent times, such personalities have proven to have the kind of target market that PR professionals and marketers are looking to reach with their product or services. Companies engage these known personalities who have lovely personalities that they can tap into for their product or services and who have become influencers/thought leaders in their specific field or industry. It is believed that when consumers see their favorite personalities with such brands, it resonates better with them and they are able to identify with these products.

The good thing with this is that, it is done subtly without it looking like an advertising. Brands have gain significant inroads to their target consumers as a result of influencer marketing campaigns.

What do these influencers bring on board?

This trend is gaining grounds and as such fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands should be ready to maximize these engagements they make with their influencers and thought leaders. They need to adopt strategies that organically feeds their products or services into the influencer’s way of doing things on their platforms. They just need to ensure that the right messaging is shared with the influencers in order to properly and effectively communicate the product’s proposition.  In the end, companies can benefit by reaching specific consumers and add some practicality to how consumers see their product or service.

Engaging influencers and thought leaders for campaigns are going to get more popular, more profitable and more competitive hence there is the need to join in and cash in for your brand.

Faith Senam Ocloo 

Fashion Public Relations 
Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts

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As I did last year, I shared my 10 fashion brands in Ghana I thought have pushed various aspects of the communication mix to get their brand out there. This year has been not been an impressive one for many fashion brands. 

That notwithstanding, some few brands have still managed to push further and keep working to create some visibility for their brand. Some established brands are fading off whiles some emerging brands have made good in roads this year and 2017 could only get better for them.

Below are my 10 Fashion brands in Ghana that have worked pretty hard this year to put their brand on the radar and create brand presence both online and offline through fashion events and shows, lookbook/collection launch, product/celebrity  placements, media features, awards amongst others.

1.    Sima Brew

This brand has become the go to for many female celebrities. There was no single major event in 2016 that won’t see a celebrity in a Sima Brew Gown. Celebrities such as Selly Galley, Zynnell Zuh, Berla Mundi, Becca, Joselyn Dumas amongst others have been seen in one Sima Brew dress or the other.

The brand also won Red Carpet Designer at the Glitz Style Awards 2016 and Designer of the Year at the Ghana Fashion Awards and also showcased at the Glitz Africa Fashion Week 2016. With such remarkable brand positioning, 2017 can only get better for this brand.

2.    Abrantie The Gentleman

This brand is almost becoming one of the strongest brands in Ghana. They have remain consistent over the last couple of years. They launched 2 collections in the year; AYEYI and GMAN Collection with a buzz on both traditional and social media.

ABT The Gentleman showcased at the SA Menswear Week, African Fashion Week Amsterdam, Durban Fashion Fair and Mercedes Benz African Fashion Festival. The brand was also nominated as Designer of the Year at Glitz Style Awards and Ghana Fashion Awards and won Designer of the Year at Afroma Awards. Their brand visibility this year is commendable.

3.    Totally Ethnik

Totally Ethnik one of the top fashion brands in Ghana have launched 2 collections this year; Dolce Vita and Colors of the Earth which gained several features in top fashion blogs and also generated several media buzz.

Totally Ethnik showcased at the Mercedes Benz African Fashion Festival and Glitz Africa Fashion Week. They were also nominated for Glitz Style Awards and Afroma Awards as Designer of the Year.

The brand have worked in creating not just presence in Ghana but also in Lagos, Abidjan, Kampala, Kigali, Paris, Geneva by stocking their pieces in shops and also organized private sales events in several cities. Celebrities such as Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Bolinto, Sandra Ankobia, Toke Makinwa have been spotted rocking a Totally Ethnik dress. I see this brand making greater strides in the coming year.

4.    Atto Tetteh

This brand is one of the emerging brands that have made great inroads this year. They started off the year participating at the Accra Men’s Fashion Week and then at the Glitz Africa Fashion Week. Their 2016 collections Tohazie and Artisan have been really impressive.

They were nominated as Emerging Designer at the Glitz Style Awards and won Emerging Designer at the Ghana Fashion Awards. Celebrities such as Stephen Appiah and Okyeame Kwame have been spotted in an Atto Tetteh outfit. With such progress made already, we can look forward to better 2017.

5.    Christie Brown

Being one of the ‘role models’ in modern day Ghanaian fashion, Christie Brown has managed to still keep up with being on the list of top fashion brands that have still been pushing hard to keep up with their brand presence. Even though this brand did not participate in any fashion show all year through in Ghana, they however launched 2 collections which created a buzz among fashion lovers all over including a feature in the Teen Vogue.

6.    Charlotte Prive

Charlotte Prive this year worked on making their brand visible at most trade and exhibition events held all year through as this earned them great brand presence within the fashion space. They won Designer of the Year at Glitz Style Awards and also participated at Flower and Garden Show event organized by Stratcomm Africa.

7.    Studio 189

This brand which recently opened its shop in Accra launched its first collection in 2013. They recently showcased at the Lagos Fashion and Design Week, being the only brand from Ghana to have participated at that event. They have gained several media features among which were a feature in vogue.

8.    Selinabeb

One of the very few accessory brand, Selinabeb has continued to create visibility for its fashion brand by introducing a collection called the Stars Collection which featured several top Ghanaian celebrities such as Sandra Ankobia, Joselyn Dumas, Berla Mundi, Kokui Serlomey and Victoria Michaels.

They participated at the African Jewelry and Accessory Fashion Week and Glitz Africa Fashion Week and also won High End Fashion Accessory at the Feminine Ghana Achievements Awards and also participated at several trade fairs among which was the annual Guba Expo event in London.

9.    AfroMod Trends

Being a ready to wear line, Afromod Trends brand’s marketing strategies have made it the go to brand for many smart and easy going women. Their collections for 2016 Elegance Fugu and Canvas of Dreams gained some media attention.

Celebrities such as Sandra Ankobiah, Naa Ashorkor, Yaayaa are mostly seen wearing Afromod Trends at different events and created some visibility for the brand.

10.  Brommon Bespoke Menswear

Brommon Menswear is one of the top handmade suits based in Ghana.  The brand has become a strong force within the menswear space. Prior to its launch and after its launch mid this year, the bespoke brand has position itself as a go to for menswear style inspiration. Personalities such as Nana Asante Bediatuo and Bola Ray, Stephen Appiah have been seen severally in a Brommon piece.

My expectations for 2017

Going into 2017, I wish designers and creative entrepreneurs be more creative through research, learning and investing in building strong and recognizable brands that match global brands.

By Faith Senam Ocloo

The writer is the founder of E’April Public Relations, a boutique PR firm. Senam is a fashion public relations specialist with interest in fashion, beauty and lifestyle. She can be reached on +233272686959, faithsenam@gmail.com, @senamapril on Instagram and @faithsenam on Twitter.

Kindly note photos used here are not my personal photos

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The 2016 Glitz Africa Fashion Week took place last weekend at Kempinski Accra Hotel amidst all the excitement from many fashion lovers.

The 3 days event held fashion shows for established designers, emerging designers as well as graduate designers from both Ghana and Nigeria who took on the runway to showcase their most recent collections from womenswear, menswear and accessories.

Designers as well as stylists took the opportunity to also exhibit their creativity beyond barriers to visitors among who are fashion buyers, retailers, local and international press, bloggers, editors and style influencers.

Designers such as Mai Atafo, Totally Ethnik, Selinabeb, Swarovsky fashion show by Ophelia Crossland and Abaya Dake were my favorites from the runway.

Other designers such as Okahari, Annesi Bespoke, Ejiro Amos Tafari, Jessica Torks, Amarelis, Lumiere Couture, Melanie Crane, Sima Brew, Tokyo James also showcased very amazing pieces.

There was a “Fashion for Help” fashion show which saw some celebrities such as Nanaakua Addo, Victoria Michaels, Adina, Vanessa Gyan, James Gardener, Nikki Samonas, Harold Amenyah and Joey B strut the runway in designer outfits that will be auction to raise funds to support charity. I think this was really a great idea to help a good cause.

Day 1 had very few attendees as I believed people did not turn up because it was a Friday and a working day and they were tired from work however day 2 and 3 had much more attendees.

Candidly, anticipation was high for Glitz Africa Fashion Week 2016 as there was a no show last year. I was expecting to see many well-known designers from many other African countries when the schedule was out as I believed designers needed the platform to showcase their collection to all who matter in the fashion industry. This wasn’t the case as many known designers especially in Ghana did not showcase at this year’s event.

All the same, I believe it was a good show especially after they missed out on last year and trying to pick up the pieces again. I hope next year gets better for both designers as well as the event organizers.

Myself on the last day

Faith Senam Ocloo 

Fashion Public Relations 

Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts

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Top Ghanaian Fashion Brands for 2015

It's been an amazing year for some Ghanaian fashion brands especially those who have made significant efforts at promoting their brands throughout 2015.

 Also, alot has happened within the fashion scene in Ghana for the year 2015. We have seen some new brands making in roads onto the fashion scene, while a few existing ones are also still pushing harder their PR and social media buttons to still stay relevant and for some others I can only say they are fading off.

 The year has also seen events such as the Fashion Icons Awards 2015, the launch of Glitz Style Awards and Afroma Awards, and also the returned Ghana Fashion Awards.

 Fashion Weeks and shows such as the Ghana Fashion and Design Week, Mercedes Benz Africa Fashion Festival, Expressions of Accra, FashionistaGH shopping festival amongst others also gave designers the opportunity to exhibit their collections.

 Here are my top 10 Ghanaian Fashion brands(in no particular order) that have created brands that transcended barriers and borders and have pushed the PR button a little real hard in 2015 through each collection, photography for their lookbooks, social media, websites, nominations and awards, fashion shows, celebrity placements and features and the media buzz that comes with it. 

These very little things communicate what their brands have been doing all year through thus gaining industry and media attention:

 

1. Totally Ethnik

 Totally Ethnik started their year with a feature on the front cover of Glitz Africa Magazine when they provided oufit to style the cover girl Joselyn Dumas. Their 2015 collections; Feline and Ebene were really impressive and had lots of media attention and buzz from fashion bloggers across the globe.

 The team also participated in Mercedes Benz Africa Fashion Festival, Accra, Salon Boucle d'EBene in Paris, Ghana Fashion and Design Week, Ethnodence Fashion Weekend in Belgium, Black Fashion Week in Paris and Africa International Fashion Week in Nigeria.

 The brand won Emerging Designer of the Year at the Afroma 2015 Awards prior to that was also nominated at the Glitz Style Awards, Ghana Fashion Awards.

 Celebrities such as Lydia Forson, Caroline Sampson, Victoria Michaels, Christabel Ekeh and Afua Rida have all been seen in Totally Ethnik outfits.

 With all these in a year, we can only get excited for this brand in the coming years.

 2. Selina Beb

 Selina bebis a Ghanaian fashion brand that specializes in quality handbags and clutch purses. These are made from genuine leather and African prints.

 This year, the brand participated in a number fashion shows. Notable among them is her participation at the Africa Fashion Week London as the only Ghanaian Fashion Accessory designer  for 2015, Guba Expo 2015, Expressions of Accra and have also exhibited at almost all fashion exhibitions held within the year.

 Selinabeb also emerged as the Accessory Designer of the year at the Glitz Style Awards and was nominated at the Ghana Fashion Awards.

2016 could only get better for this amazing brand.

  

3. Abrantie Clothing

This year has been the best year so far for the Abrantie brand. Having won 3 awards in 2015, Oheneba Yaw Boamah can only be smiling all year through.

The brand started the year with the Alewa SS2015, then the Checkables Collection and crowned the year with the Sahara Collection.

Abrantie Clothing won the Next Rated Designer of the Year at the Fashion Icons Awards 2015, Designer of the Year at the Glitz Style Awards 2015, Designer of the Year at Afroma Awards 2015 and nominated at the Ghana Fashion Awards.

The brand also participated in the Mercedes Benz Africa Fashion Festival, Accra

Durban Fashion Fair, South Africa 2015 and Milan Expo 2015, Italy.

Lets get ready to ramble in the Abrantie way in 2016.

 4. Pistis GH

 Pistis has managed to still pitch its tent at the top in the 2015. You are most likely to find a celebrity on the red carpet at most big events wearing a Pistis.

  

This gave them the recognition hence winning the Red Carpet Designer of the Year at the Glitz Style Awards and Fashion Design Brand of the Year at the Ghana Fashion Awards.

  

Another interesting space that this brand has captured is the making of traditional gowns for brides during their marriage ceremony.  The statement made with their designs fused with Kente and sometimes lace are colorful and very unique .

5. Papa Oppong

Papa Oppong Bediako popularly known as Papa Oppong is a fashion designer, illustrator and a graduate from Radford University College.

Papa is known for illustrating a lot of celebrities in Ghana and beyond; among them is Amber Rose, Rihanna, Ty Hunter, Yvonne Nelson, Lupita Nyong’o and many others.

This young chap was featured earlier this year on Forbes as “The 15 Young African Creatives Rebranding Africa” 2015 list, featured on CNN African Voices, collaborated with the bespoke Jewelry curator Anita Quansah London for her SS Tribe Vibe Collection.

He also worked with other brands such as cosmetics giant MAC and Dutch wax fabric company Vlisco. He attended "Designer Meet and Greet in DC"in November.

There is a lot more we are looking forward to from the Papa Oppong brand come 2016.

6. Christie Brown

The brand Christie Brown, has become a household name. The brand has managed to still keep their brand top of mind all throughout 2015.

Earlier in the year, they launched their SS15 Collection and crowned the year with the Coup de Class Capsule which was extravagant and got a lot of fashion eyes turning.

The Christie Brown statement neckpiece has been there all through the year and have also provided outfits for celebrities and graced some media platforms.

 7.AAKS Handcrafted

 A.A.K.Swas only launched earlier this year but the brand has caught the hearts of many fashion enthusiats with its colorful handcrafted bags.

Established by Ghanaian Designer Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, the brand has already been shortlisted as emerging designer from Africa by Vogue Italia, featured by Elle South Africa, Elle Spain,  Anthropologie, participated in IED Moda graduate show in Millan and also featured in the Guardian as .

The brand is a force to reckon with going into 2016.

 8.Poqua Poqu

PoquaPoqu is a luxury Pret a Porter women fashion brand. This brand is working real hard in keeping its place as a ready to wear brand for the everyday woman, be it casual, chic or sophisticated.

Starting the year with its all white "ASEDA" Collection that looked really gorgeous and then managed to keep the pace by participating in several trade shows and fashion events such as designing an outfit during the launch of the Lux new fragrances.

Celebrities such as Becca, Anita Erskine, Afua Rida, Kokui Serlomey and Damilola Attoh have all been seen within the year rocking one Poqua Poqu outfit or the other.

The brand has also provided outfits to style celebrities for Glitz Africa Magazine

 9. Alinafe

The interesting and exciting thing about this brand is that, it gained 3 nominations in 2015 at the Fashion Icons Awards, Glitz Style Awards and the Ghana Fashion Awards thus grabbing the attention of many industry players.

Being a former Vlisco Fashion Fund Winner, the brand has collaborated with Vlisco on a number of projects throughout the year. Celebrity musician Irene Logan is mostly seen in an Alinafe outfit.

10.Lumiere Couture

Lumiere Couture started the year off with the outdooring of its SS15 Lookbook called Identity. This was followed by their participation at the Africa Fashion Week, Nigeria

The brand also received some media buzz after it was nominated and won Emerging Designer of the Year at the Glitz Style Awards and was also nominated at the Ghana Fashion Awards 2015 and Afroma Awards. They as well designed an outfit for one of the Lux fragrances during the Lux launch.

They ended the year with the Resort 2015 Collection.

My Expectations of 2016

Going into 2016, I see a new crop of young talents springing up and gaining much media attention.

I expect designers to invest in their brand, create unique brand identity, invest in Public Relations to promote their work and help shape their brand image. 

I hope to see originality, creativity and pure passion for fashion and am sure i will be seeing you again by the end of 2016. Prosperous 2016!

By:

Faith Senam Ocloo 
Fashion Public Relations 
Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts

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