Across several African nations, fashion plays a significant part in shaping ceremonial attire. Ghanaian designer David Kusi Boyedoe is reimagining how heritage and culture can exist in today’s world. For spring 2027, he was heavily influenced by the Asante Kingdom, a Ghanaian ethnic group, and their dynamic relationship between an Asante King and the Asante man. “It’s also a return to our ideology, which is about going back and restoring, and making known our silhouettes,” he said. With this collection, titled ‘Oath’ (or ‘Ntam’ in Twi, a Ghanaian language), Boyedoe is swearing a pledge to his craft.
Often, there’s a monolithic perception of African fashion: it’s either experimental and bold or lacking commerciality to the Western world. But there’s a cohort of African designers that are offering a counter perspective, and Boyedoe is one of them. “Instead of creating a spectacle, I’m focused on designs that sell,” he said. Even though this collection is more commercially-driven and wearable, there’s still an interesting story rooted in culture, community, and craftsmanship—particularly as the majority of his pieces are handmade by local artisans in Ghana.
Overall, this collection wasn’t about spectacle. Upcycled denim, sourced from textile waste dumped in Ghana, was reworked into his signature patchwork design. Standout looks included a mini patchwork dress and a pair of barrel jeans paired with an off-white blazer. The denim was another avenue into accessories in the form of medium-sized patchwork bags. Boyedoe also introduced a new earthy color palette in silhouettes like an ivory coat and a moss green suit.
