The Ghanaian fashion scene has been rapidly vibrant in the past years after a crippling global pandemic; COVID-19.

As the infusion of renewed energy, grit and thriving creativity wiggles through the industry in its reclamation of influence in the world again; its bold, eccentric, colourful, regal and ‘ooh, I am a spec’ attitude never left the stage when the lights dimmed and the loud chatters faded away.

Fashion has always captivated the heart and imagination of its patrons at any given moment with functional and dynamic representations of the human beauty and diversity.

The golden city of the Ashanti Kingdom, Kumasi blossomed in its glory as the country graced the land from the East, West, North and South at the 2023 edition of the Kumasi Fashion Week.

The day 3-day event which began from Friday to Sunday at the Kumasi City Mall saw the advent of well-curated activities such as a Welcome Party, Fashion Networking Brunch, Sales and Exhibitions, Business Seminar, Street style and the Grand Runway shows.

On the runway, several notable and budding brands and designers were spotted with unique stories ranging from self-expression, history, culture to climate change.

The dynamic story of AkosahMetier; a clothing brand established in 2018 which specialises in the creation of Batik art and Tie & dye fabrics stood out at the Kumasi Fashion Week 2023 runway show.

The edginess of designs and vibrant colours reiterated the need for sustainable ways of production in the fashion industry as they collaborated with @ehelpbrands; an ethical and eco-sustainable fashion brand with a purpose of encouraging people to invest in themselves by purchasing quality ethical goods to support the fight against generational poverty in Ghana, Africa.

The brainchild behind the AkosahMetier brand is Philip Nsiah, popularly known as Akosah, a textile designer and creative director hailing from Kumasi, Ghana.

He has been honored with multiple awards for his exceptional work in the field of textiles and manufacturing. He holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Fashion Design and Textiles from Kumasi Technical University.

Akosah draws his inspiration from various sources such as history, cultural symbols, proverbial phrases, pan-African crafts, antiques, and nature; including elements like wood back, landforms, and animal skin textures.

His most significant learning experiences have revolved around participating in fashion shows such as Kumasi Tertiary Fashion Week, Ghana Tertiary Fashion Week, and Kumasi Fashion Week.

These events have provided valuable lessons for him on how to prepare and present himself and his creations in line with the latest trends in the market which in turn have been instrumental in honing his skills and expanding his knowledge of the fashion industry as well as equipping him with the necessary grooming and readiness mindset required to thrive in the dynamic and fashionable market.

The collaboration between AkosahMetier and @ehelpbrands came about when he received a text message on Instagram from Akosua (@ehelpbrands), expressing interest in his works.

Akosua's focus on handmade and sustainable fashion resonated with him, hence, the decision to collaborate and create a positive impact on the environment through his core beliefs of being nature-inspired, artisanal and sustainable.

The sustainable journey has not been easy for the AkosahMetier brand, however, they’re determined to draw on their strengths in conceptual motifs, color matching, and nomenclature to create distinctive designs that are visually captivating, harmonious in color choices, and effective name choice to reflect their essence.

Akosah outlines some challenges his brand faced in producing eco-sustainable products.

• Sourcing sustainable materials: finding and sourcing eco-friendly materials that align with the brand's sustainability goals can be a challenge. It requires research, identifying suppliers, and ensuring that the materials meet ethical and environmental standards.

• Balancing cost and sustainability: implementing sustainable practices often comes with higher costs, especially when it involves using organic or recycled materials, or investing in renewable energy sources. Balancing these costs while maintaining a competitive pricing strategy can be a challenge for sustainable brands like AkosahMetier.

• Consumer awareness and education: educating consumers about the importance of sustainability and the value of sustainable products can be a challenge as building awareness and changing consumer behavior takes time and effort which involves communicating the benefits and impact of sustainable choices.

He indicated that despite the above-mentioned challenges and roadblocks, his brand works to be eco-sustainable in the following ways

• Sustainable Material Sourcing: prioritizing the use of sustainable and eco-friendly materials, such as organic cotton or natural dyes derived from plants helps reduce the carbon footprint and negative environmental impact associated with the production process.

• Water Conservation: implementing water-saving techniques during the dyeing and printing processes as well as exploring methods like low-water immersion dyeing or using natural dyes that require less water. Additionally, the consideration of wastewater treatment and recycling practices significantly helps to minimize pollution.

• Collaboration and Advocacy: collaborating with like-minded organizations, NGOs, or initiatives focused on climate change and sustainability by engaging in partnerships to amplify the brand's impact and advocate for policy changes that promote sustainable fashion and combat climate change.

Although sustainability is an emerging trend in the fashion industry, brands such as AkosahMetier are incorporating effective and eco-friendly sustainable practices into their operations to minimize the negative impacts on the environment and therefore reiterating the narrative that ethical and sustainable is possible.