The term Streetwear is a style of dressing casually and is very popular among youths. In the early 90s, streetwear appeared to be a cultural movement taking its form from Japan’s nightlife, hip-hop culture, surf, skate, and graffiti communities.
Over the years, streetwear has grown from a mere lingo synonymous with youthful counter-culture and hyperactivity into an industry with a commercially valuable future. According to a recent Hypebeast survey, 62 percent of customers agreed that streetwear products are always in vogue and about 45% said they purchase a streetwear item at least once a month. In 2017, the streetwear industry was worth over $300 billion, and several reports support the industry’s continual growth.
Even though gatekeepers have been reluctant in accepting streetwear as luxury enough, the lines between streetwear and high fashion brands have become increasingly blurred, which is not surprising following striding successes by personalities like the late Virgil Ablorh whose creations for luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, and Balenciaga continues to shatter glass ceilings.
Ghana’s fashion industry is a pale shadow of the global scene, but its creators and enablers are charting new paths for themselves, leveraging the nation’s growing status as an arts, culture, and entertainment epicentre in Africa.
In this article, we bring you five Ghanaian Streetwear brands you should have on your radar this year.
Subwae Studios
Subwae Studios is a Ghanaian fashion brand launched in 2018, by designer Christopher Akpo. The fashion brand uses sustainable materials and draws inspiration from architecture, art, and the landscape. Subwae Studios has made its mark in the fashion industry from fashion runway shows and features in well-known fashion magazines across Africa. Looking at its current SS23 collection, the fashion brand does explore and tells a beautiful story.
Free The Youth (FTY)
Free the Youth is a Ghanaian-owned fashion brand inspired by Ghanaian street-style fashion and culture. The brand was set up by Jonathan Coffie, Kelly Foli, Winfred Mensah, and Richard Kweku Ormano in 2013 and is still running the race. The fashion brand has collaborated with notable fashion brands such as Daily Paper, Off-White, etc. One can boldly say that Free the Youth fashion brand played a major role in the streetwear revolution in Ghana.
Studio Kojo Kusi
Kojo Kusi is the creative director of the fashion brand Studio Kojo Kusi. The fashion brand is well-known for creating artistic unique designs that always stand out. Studio Kojo Kusi designs have been worn by many Ghanaian celebrities like Okyeame Kwame, Pappy Kojo, Ria Boss, Stonebwoy, Kwaku DMC, and many others. With bold and expressive colorful designs, there is no doubt Studio Kojo Kusi will change the narrative of streetwear in the fashion industry.
Complex Department
David Atanko also known as Mysta Leo on social media is the creative director for the fashion streetwear brand Complex Department. The fashion brand births artistic urban designs and is sustainability conscious. Complex Department is becoming a household name.
Fear No Man Clothing (FNM)
The Fear no Man Clothing line is a Ghanian based streetwear brand designed and produced by celebrity designer and stylist Kulaperry. The clothing line is widely known for its unusual logo and colors which have won a lot of hearts. The brand recently collaborated with Q_tbg to create limited-edition pieces with Mr. Drew rocking one of them.
Written by Miss Anowaa
Thelma Quainoo is my name, and my pen name is Miss Anowaa. My zodiac sign is Aries, and that alone will tell you I am a bubbly soul. A writer and an aspiring public relations practitioner. Find me on IG as @miss_anowaa. #beyouloveyou