Kwame Koranteng needs no introduction to connoisseurs of style and bespoke tailoring. A six-time winner of the Best Male Fashion Designer award and a creative icon in menswear, Kwame has redefined the art of dressing with his impeccable craftsmanship, unique designs, and bold African storytelling. From his Ghanaian roots to his rise as one of London’s most celebrated designers, his journey is as inspiring as it is groundbreaking.
In this exclusive interview, Kwame takes us behind the scenes of his remarkable career, reflecting on his creative journey, his inspirations, and the legacy he hopes to build for African fashion. He speaks with passion about his craft, offering insights into the discipline of bespoke tailoring, the lessons he’s learned, and his vision for mentoring the next generation of designers.
FAB: Congratulations on winning the Best Male Fashion Designer 2024 award! How has it been for you since receiving such an award?
Kwame Koranteng: It’s been great. I’ve won that award six years in a row, so it’s been amazing. It means everything to me. It means whatever I’m doing, whatever I’m creating, people appreciate it, and they want to see more of what I’m creating, so it means the world to me. It was the first award that I won when I started working as a fashion designer, and that particular year, I won about three different awards. Since then, it’s been brilliant.
FAB: Which other awards currently?
Kwame Koranteng: I’ve won the Diamond Awards, the International Achievers Awards, and the 2018 Pride of Africa from Spain and Barcelona. I’ve won so many. I’ve won the Creative Industry Awards as well. I’ve won a total of 25 awards.
Winning the Best Male Fashion Designer award for six years in a row means the world to me. It shows that people appreciate what I create and want to see more.
Kwame Koranteng
Kwame Koranteng: From Ghana to London’s Fashion Elite
FAB: Incredible, and with 25 awards, how did it all start? Did you always know that you would like to become a designer? What’s the story? How did you find yourself in that space?
Kwame Koranteng: My journey really began with my dad—may he rest in peace. I went back this March to bury him. Growing up, my dad was a head teacher at the primary school I attended. Every morning, I’d watch him dress up, always in his suits. He had this style we used to call the “political suit”—a short-sleeved suit—and he wore it every single day. He always made sure his beard was groomed, his hair was neat, and his suit was perfectly ironed.
Watching him, I developed a deep interest in how he carried himself. I’d tell him that when I grew up, I wanted to dress like him. He used to say it is good to always take care of yourself. Around the same time, I discovered I was good at drawing. I could sketch people just by looking at them, and soon I started sketching him—standing in front of the mirror or ironing his suit. That’s when I fell in love with menswear.
Eventually, I asked him if I could have a suit of my own. He introduced me to his tailor, and I got my first made-to-measure suit—a short-sleeve suit. However, back home, pursuing fashion wasn’t seen as a career. My dad, like many parents, wanted me to become a doctor, engineer, or lawyer—something more “traditional.” I was on track to become an accountant, but I couldn’t shake my passion for designing. I promised myself I’d do it on the side if I couldn’t make it my full-time career.
What really changed everything was coming to London. Back in Ghana, I was always in the library, reading about menswear and the origination of suits. I discovered a book called Men’s Fashion for Savile Row, and it introduced me to bespoke tailoring and the legendary Savile Row in London. I told myself that if I ever got to London, I had to visit that place.
When I finally did, it was a dream come true. I remember staying with my aunt and telling her, “I need to go to this street called Savile Row.” When I got there, I met so many incredible people—master tailors who had been in the craft for 50 or 60 years. I had the opportunity of speaking with them and learning from their experiences. One tailor in particular, George, stood out. He told me that tailoring is something you learn by doing—it’s a craft that improves with practice and time. He encouraged me to study and work part-time, combining both to learn the trade faster because tailoring is more of a handiwork. That advice was invaluable, and it’s what led me into the world of tailoring.
FAB: You mentioned visiting Savile Row and experiencing the core of bespoke tailoring. How would you compare the Ghanaian fashion scene to the European one? Are there any notable differences?
Kwame Koranteng: I would say there is a difference when you compare the standard of work on Savile Row to that of Ghanaian tailors. The craftsmanship and finishing here in London are generally more refined and cleaner. However, I believe the Ghanaian and African fashion industries are truly stepping onto the global stage now.
In the past, it was much harder to compare our work to European standards, but I can confidently say we’re now standing shoulder to shoulder with them in many areas. That said, there are still some differences. For example, when I compare suits I’ve made here to those I’ve seen in Ghana, the finishing really stands out as the key distinction. I’ve had the privilege of meeting with several Ghanaian tailors and designers who called me to discuss their work. Many of them showed me their designs, and while their craftsmanship and creativity are impressive, the finishing is where there’s room for improvement.
Finishing is crucial—it’s what makes a piece truly stand out. We can all cut the same fabric, but if the finishing isn’t up to standard, it diminishes the quality of the garment. That’s the one area I consistently encourage Ghanaian tailors to focus on, because it’s the finishing that elevates a piece to the next level.
My journey into fashion began with my father. Watching him dress in his perfectly tailored suits inspired my love for menswear
Kwame Koranteng
The Influence of African Heritage in Menswear
FAB: In your opinion, while African products are now on par with those from the European market in many aspects, the issue of finishing still stands out as a challenge. What do you think is the way forward to achieving excellence in that area?
Kwame Koranteng: The way forward is to focus on improving our finishing. One thing I’ve noticed, especially when I visited Ghana, is that many tailors are primarily worried about the outer appearance of a suit, they want it to look perfect on the outside. But they often overlook the inside.
For many clients, especially those familiar with quality tailoring, the first thing they do when buying a suit is open it up to check the inside. The outside might look clean and polished, but if the inside isn’t well-finished, it diminishes the overall standard. Details like proper taping and clean stitching on the inside are what set a suit made in Europe apart from one made locally. Unfortunately, I’ve found that some tailors don’t pay enough attention to these details.
To truly compete on a global level, we need to prioritize finishing—ensuring the inside is as clean and refined as the outside. That level of attention to detail can make a significant difference in how our work is perceived and elevate our tailoring to international standards.
FAB: If African fashion, particularly from Ghana, focuses on perfecting even the tiniest details in tailoring, where do you envision its position in the global market in the next five to ten years?
Kwame Koranteng: At the moment, I’d say we’ve already taken over. African fashion is doing exceptionally well. There was a time when you wouldn’t see an African designer featured on certain platforms or shows, but that has completely changed. Now, at almost every major event or fashion show, you’ll find an African designer—not just participating but often being the main highlight of the event. Our designs, our stories, and especially our use of colour have captivated audiences worldwide. Africans have an incredible way of working with colours—they’re vibrant, bold, and tell unique stories. This sets us apart and makes our creations stand out. Right now, we’re at the center stage, and if we continue at this pace, in the next five years, African fashion will be everywhere.
FAB: You’ve mentioned African designers making waves on various platforms, which brings me to your own show, the Coming to America Collection, at London Fashion Week. How did that collaboration come to life?
Kwame Koranteng: That collaboration was truly a life-changing experience—one of my biggest achievements as a designer. Partnering with Paramount on the Coming to America Collection was incredible. It all started with a call from a lady named Sophia. She told me she’d been trying to reach me for a long time, sending emails, but I hadn’t noticed them. Honestly, with the number of scams out there, I tend to ignore certain emails, thinking they might not be genuine. One day, Sophia found my number on Instagram and called me directly. She explained that she was working on a collaboration with Paramount for a Coming to America runway project and believed I was the perfect designer to bring it to life. She mentioned the deadline was just a week away, so we had to move quickly.
I was happy but also overwhelmed because being chosen for such a project, especially with so many talented designers in London, felt like a dream come true. However, the process was far from easy. I had to design and sketch the entire collection, ensuring every piece was painted to reflect how it would look when completed. Each sketch had to include fabric samples and be submitted for approval. I personally delivered everything to Paramount Studio’s main office at Viacom, where their product managers reviewed every single piece. When they loved and approved the collection, it felt like the first big breakthrough.
But that was just the beginning. For each piece, I had to document every step of the process, from fabric cutting to assembly, through photos and videos, which also had to be submitted for review. It was an intense and demanding experience, but ultimately, it was worth every effort. The show itself was a great show. We had attendees from America and all over the world. It was listed as our own independent show during London Fashion Week, which was such an honor. Looking back, I’d say this collaboration represents the biggest achievement of my career so far as a fashion designer.
FAB: You mentioned that the lady believed you were the only one who could pull this off—such a strong vote of confidence and integrity. It really speaks to the positive perception people have of you. With that in mind, I’d like to ask: There are many young, talented African designers and artists across various fields—fashion, visual arts, music, acting, and more. As someone who has achieved such success, with 25 awards to your name, what advice would you give to young African designers looking to break into the international fashion scene or creative scene?
Kwame Koranteng: What I would say to young African designers is, first and foremost, believe in yourself. Self-belief is crucial because there are things only you know you can do. People around you might see the surface, but they don’t know the passion and potential that burns inside you. Once you believe in yourself, others will start to believe in you as well. If you don’t have that self-belief, it’s hard for others to believe in you.
Secondly, be ready to take risks and ask questions. Every industry has people who have been in it for a long time and know the secrets. If you’re a designer, reach out to other designers, speak to creatives in the industry, and ask them for guidance. When I first started, I was just in my corner, taking pictures of my work and posting them. I didn’t think anyone knew me, but someone saw what I was doing and reached out. It was through speaking to people and asking questions that I got my first big opportunity.
For example, I got invited to showcase in Ghana by the PRO of the Ghana Dressmakers and Tailors Association. There was a gentleman who was the creative director for models. His name is Sola Oyebade. Sola is the one who is coordinating the show. Sola called me and told me he had confidence in me, and we were talking, and it got to a time, the finances that we needed to get us the hotel and the flight, and the person who was supposed to sign for it asked for the owners to show for the following…
At that time, I wasn’t prepared for such a big opportunity. But I began asking questions, learning how to organize a collection, and how fashion shows work. The advice I got from others helped me immensely. I did Sola’s show, which was my first-ever runway show, and that show led to more invitations, and I began to build my career from there. Another key piece of advice is to be ready to take risks. If you stay in your comfort zone, you won’t grow. You must be willing to step out, take risks, and challenge yourself to improve. You’re not competing with anyone else, you’re competing with yourself to grow and move forward.
Lastly, always have something you believe in. For me, my faith in God has been the source of my inspiration and power. Everyone has their own belief system, but for me, turning to God for guidance and strength has helped me throughout my journey. Whatever you believe in, find that source of inspiration to keep you grounded and motivated.
FAB: I’ve got to ask, what do you think makes people believe in you so strongly? Throughout this conversation, you’ve mentioned how people have approached you saying, “I believe you are the one for this” or “I believe you can do this.” What do you think it is about you that inspires such confidence in others?
Kwame Koranteng: Personally, I believe the reason people have so much faith in me is grace—grace from God. Grace is what gives you things you don’t necessarily deserve. Every time I pray, I ask for grace. In fact, for my new collection, I named it “Grace” because I was reading a book that said, “It takes grace to be great.” If you want to be great, you need grace. It’s something I pray for every single day. When you ask how I’ve been able to stand out among so many talented designers in London, I truly believe it’s grace. Of course, I put in my best effort, I work hard, and I create the best I can, but at the end of the day, it’s God’s grace that has played a huge role in everything I’ve achieved.
It takes grace to be great. If you want to be great, you need grace. It’s something I pray for every single day
Kwame Koranteng
Kwame Koranteng on Mentorship and Inspiring the Next Generation
FAB: You’ve made some excellent points, especially about believing in yourself, asking questions, taking risks, and, of course, believing in God. But I want to focus on the aspect of asking questions. In Africa, there is often a culture of gatekeeping and a scarcity mentality where people believe that sharing knowledge will push them out of the market. For example, you might see apprentices being shadowed by their trainers, who want to maintain authority and prevent them from growing. What are your thoughts on this mindset, and how can we overcome it?
Kwame Koranteng: You know, this issue is prevalent in every organization, especially when it comes to training someone. The goal of training should always be to help the person become better than you. I often tell people who say, “Kwame, I want to be like you when I grow up,” that they should use me as inspiration but aim to be a better version of themselves, not me. What you see in me is just a small part of what I allow you to see. There may be aspects of my journey or actions that they wouldn’t want to take on themselves.
In our industry, it’s common for people to hesitate about training others because they’re afraid that, by the end of it, all their knowledge will be taken and possibly used against them. I’ve spoken to many designers who regret bringing someone into the industry or training them because things didn’t end well. Often, their designs or methods are copied or leaked, which creates a lot of distrust. Personally, when people approach me to work with them, I’m open to helping, but I make it clear that I can’t work with them on the same brand. If they have their own brand, I’m more than happy to help them build it, but collaborating under my brand is not something I do. I have a small circle of people I trust to work with me, and it’s important to set boundaries in order to protect your vision and maintain trust.
FAB: How do you think we can protect trade secrets while still passing down knowledge to the next generation? We’ve heard many times that one of the differences between African countries and European nations is how they build and nurture the next generation, often through structured training and history, whereas in Africa, knowledge tends to be passed down through oral tradition, and things sometimes get lost. How can we manage the commercial aspects of knowledge while ensuring that we’re also impacting and training the next generation effectively?
Kwame Koranteng: Impacting the next generation is important because, ultimately, it’s the next generation that will take over. If I don’t pass on my knowledge, then it’s lost when I’m gone. That’s why I run a youth club where I teach, and I make sure I mentor others. I always ensure that I’m passing on knowledge to people who can continue the work. As Africans, if we don’t invest in this, our legacy could fade away. But I’m really encouraged by where we are in fashion right now. We’re at the centre stage, and if we keep pushing forward, we’re going to continue to thrive. If we continue with the momentum we have now, I’m confident that in the next five years, with all the mentorship, shows, and knowledge sharing happening, the next generation will have everything they need to succeed and carry on the work.
I have people that I mentor. I always make sure that there are people that I can impact positively with my knowledge, you know. So if I’m not there, definitely there’s still somebody to continue the work.
The goal of training should always be to help the person become better than you. Use me as inspiration but aim to be a better version of yourself
Kwame Koranteng
FAB: Now, speaking about the next generation and the importance of asking questions, who would you say have been some of your biggest influences or mentors in the world of fashion?
Kwame Koranteng: One of the people I truly admire and cherish is Vivienne Westwood. May her soul rest in peace. I hold her work in the highest regard—perhaps more than any other designer. Vivienne Westwood was an incredible designer. As someone who makes suits, I find her approach to cutting and creation particularly inspiring. If you look closely at many of my pieces, you’ll notice a bit of her influence, especially in the way I cut and shape garments. Her work has had a profound impact on the fashion industry. Vivienne Westwood’s legacy is timeless, and I believe that, even in 100 or 150 years, people will still be talking about the incredible work she left behind. She is truly an inspiration to the entire fashion world.
Aside (Harriet): Vivienne Westwood was also my inspiration when I was studying fashion. Oh, that’s amazing! I even dreamed of wearing one of her wedding dresses one day, and it happened. We all love Vivienne—who wouldn’t? The incredible work she’s done has left a lasting impact. May her soul continue to rest in peace.
FAB: There’s a culture in many African countries where people tend to avoid buying from local Black creatives, often preferring international sources. What do you think is behind this trend, and what can we do to change it so that we can embrace and support our own local designers and creatives?
Kwame Koranteng: I always say it’s important to embrace your own culture and the unique products that come from your country or the African continent. If we don’t start by supporting and loving our own, others won’t do it for us. I remember growing up, no one in Ghana was buying suits locally—they were all imported from Europe. People even rented suits for weddings. But now, I’m thrilled to see local tailors creating beautiful suits for weddings, and people are beginning to embrace buying them within the country.
It started with one person choosing to buy locally, and now it’s spreading. If we don’t celebrate and be proud of what we have, no one else will. We have to sell our culture and the incredible things we create. Yes, you can be talented, but if you don’t market yourself properly, no one will know. It’s time to really sell what we have in Africa—because when we do, others will see the value and embrace it too. I’m happy to see the shift, especially in countries like Nigeria and Ghana, where people are so proud to wear their traditional attire and celebrate their culture. It’s a beautiful thing to witness.
FAB: Now, let me push a little further as we wrap up. We’re currently witnessing the rise of gender-neutral fashion, making waves globally and even here in Africa. What are your thoughts on this trend, and do you see it playing a role in any of your future collections?
Kwame Koranteng: Personally, I’m more than happy with the trend. When I participated in Iceland Fashion Week, I had an experience that really opened my eyes. They brought two models, and one of them identified as both he and she. The model shared that when wearing men’s clothes, they wore one size, and when wearing women’s clothes, they wore a different size. They said, “I’m happy to work with whatever fits.” And I was completely fine with that. I think the industry has reached a point where we need to accept all genders. If we start differentiating, it not only affects the collection but the brand as well. I believe it’s important to embrace all genders as long as there’s no harm being caused. Personally, I think it’s something that we should all embrace moving forward.
FAB: What role do hats play in your personal brand? I’ve noticed you’re often seen wearing one, and when we met, you were wearing a hat as well. Could you tell us more about that?
Kwame Koranteng: When I first started working as a tailor, I wanted to create something that would make me stand out and be easily recognized. So, I started wearing hats. Everywhere I went, people would say, “Did you see the guy with the red hat?” or “That hat looks great on you.” It helped people remember me, and over time, it became part of my identity. As my brand grew, I thought, “Why not add hats to the collection?” And when I did, people loved it. It became an essential part of my brand and has really helped me stand out. I create all the hats myself. Everything is handmade in the studio, and I put a lot of effort into designing them. You can wear these hats with suits, traditional outfits, or anything really—they’re versatile.
Right now, I want to focus more on accessories because I’ve realized that when I travel, people tend to buy accessories more than the actual outfits. Things like bow ties, pocket squares, and hats are much easier for people to buy, and I can sell them quickly. That’s something I want to expand on moving forward.
Future Collections: What to Expect from Kwame Koranteng
FAB: Are there any exciting collections on the way that we should be looking forward to?
Kwame Koranteng: I’m really excited about the new collection I’m working on, which will be released in February during London Fashion Week. Additionally, I have a pop-up sale coming up on December 7th, so that’s something I’m looking forward to as well. This new collection is all about elegance and evening wear, with a twist from what I’ve done before. I’m calling it “The Gold Sense.” It’s not been revealed to anyone yet, so you’re the first to hear about it. I’m truly excited about this collection—just the fabrics alone have inspired me. I believe it’s going to be one of my best works so far, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone in February.
Fun Zone: #FABFastFive
FAB: If you could collaborate with any designer right now, who would it be?
Kwame Koranteng: Puma
FAB: If you could design your dream city, what would you name it?
Kwame Koranteng: I would call it Kwame O, Kwame city.
FAB: If you could turn any activity into a form of art, what would it be?
Kwame Koranteng: Listening to music.
FAB: What is the weirdest combination you’ve ever tried?
Kwame Koranteng: The weirdest combination was using a cashmere fabric with green silk to make a waistcoat.
FAB: If you could ask any mythical figure one question, what would you ask?
Kwame Koranteng: I will ask where Kwame Kwanye is going to be in the next 10 years?
