Fashion & Style
How Ghana’s Kwaku Bediako Took African Fashion Global Through a Chance Encounter With Steve Harvey
Ghanaian fashion entrepreneur Kwaku Bediako has shared the behind-the-scenes story of how his vision to build a globally competitive African lifestyle brand evolved into a breakthrough partnership with American television icon Steve Harvey, helping propel African fashion onto the world stage.
In a recent interview featured on Earn Your Leisure Clips, Bediako recounted how his brand, Chocolate, grew from designing large-scale traditional African wedding attire into a globally recognised fashion label worn by some of the world’s most influential figures.
From Community Weddings to Global Vision
Bediako explained that his early success was rooted in a deep understanding of African communal culture. Unlike Western weddings that typically feature a handful of groomsmen and bridesmaids, his designs embraced traditional African ceremonies where entire communities play a visible role.
He recalled creating outfits for wedding parties with as many as 175 groomsmen, some spread across Ghana and Europe, particularly Spain. According to Bediako, the idea was symbolic—showing that marriage in African culture is backed by community, responsibility and collective protection.
While the model worked locally, Bediako said he soon realised that achieving his broader goal of building “the biggest African lifestyle brand in the world” required connecting Africa to its global diaspora and forging partnerships across fashion, sports and entertainment.
The Steve Harvey Moment
That opportunity came when Steve Harvey visited Ghana. With the help of mutual contacts, Bediako took a bold risk: designing a suit for Harvey without ever taking his measurements in person. Instead, he studied Harvey’s public appearances and social media posts, eventually identifying a rare casual photo that gave him confidence to proceed.
Despite Harvey’s initial reluctance to wear ready-to-wear clothing, the suit reportedly fit perfectly. The moment proved pivotal. Harvey immediately ordered several more suits for himself and his family and publicly endorsed the brand.
Bediako recalled Harvey’s words: “Yesterday’s prize is not today’s prize,” a phrase that later became symbolic of their partnership. Harvey went on to feature Bediako’s designs on Family Feud Africa, Miss World, and other major platforms, significantly boosting the brand’s international profile.
Expanding Africa’s Fashion Influence
Following the Harvey endorsement, Bediako said his brand gained validation from global cultural leaders and institutions. This led to collaborations with figures such as Idris Elba, the NBA and NBA Africa, as well as involvement in major cultural initiatives linked to Africa’s diaspora engagement.
He credited preparation, community values and strategic networking for his success, noting that African fashion has the potential to compete globally when culture, craftsmanship and opportunity align.
Bediako’s journey highlights how African creativity—when paired with strategic global partnerships—can reshape perceptions and create powerful economic and cultural opportunities.
Fashion & Style
Cowry Shells, Natural Hair and Fringe: A Modern Take on African Elegance
There are outfits that simply look good, and then there are looks that make a statement about where beauty comes from.
This fringe resort dress, paired with a sculptural afro threaded with cowry shells, does the latter with striking ease.
At the centre of the look is the hairstyle. The full natural afro is shaped into an elegant updo, with delicate cowry shells woven through the hair like jewellery.

Across African communities, cowry shells have carried associations with prosperity, femininity, protection and identity.
Here, their presence feels less like decoration and more like a deliberate styling choice—turning natural hair into a canvas for cultural expression.
The cream fringe dress brings a softer rhythm to the ensemble. As the fringes move, they add texture and fluidity, giving the outfit a relaxed resort sensibility without losing its sophistication.
Its warm neutral tone also allows the richness of the wearer’s complexion and the sculptural hair to command attention.

Stacked wooden bangles complete the look, reinforcing its connection to natural materials and handcrafted design.
There is little need for excessive jewellery or elaborate styling. Every element has room to breathe, creating a polished aesthetic that feels rooted rather than overworked.
That balance is what makes the outfit compelling. It challenges the idea that African-inspired fashion must be loud to be recognisably African.

Sometimes, heritage speaks through a shell placed carefully in an afro, an earthy colour against melanin-rich skin, or a handmade accessory worn with confidence.
The look ultimately makes a simple but powerful fashion argument: authenticity can be luxurious.
Natural hair, cultural symbols and African-inspired styling do not need to be softened or disguised to fit contemporary fashion.

They can occupy the centre of the frame—and set the tone for what modern African beauty looks like.
Fashion & Style
Christie Brown’s Resort Collection Champions Timeless African Elegance
At a time when fashion feeds are crowded with oversized logos, fleeting micro-trends and outfits designed to go viral for a day, Ghanaian luxury label Christie Brown has chosen a different path.
Its latest Resort Collection is built on the idea that confidence doesn’t need to raise its voice—and that African fashion can command global attention through craftsmanship, not excess.

The collection arrives as quiet luxury continues to shape conversations across international fashion, but Christie Brown gives the movement its own identity.
Instead of borrowing the aesthetic wholesale, the brand infuses it with details rooted in African creativity: painterly prints inspired by movement and landscape, meticulous hand-finished embroidery, rich chocolate linens, earthy neutrals and flowing silhouettes that celebrate ease without sacrificing elegance.

The result is a wardrobe that feels equally suited to tropical holidays, destination weddings, rooftop soirées and leisurely afternoons in the city.
Breathable linen separates, softly tailored jackets, fluid skirts and elegant blouses are designed to work together, encouraging women to style each piece in multiple ways rather than reserve it for a single occasion.

It’s an approach that values longevity over novelty, placing thoughtful design ahead of fast-changing trends.
That philosophy has become increasingly relevant as consumers look beyond seasonal hype and invest in clothing that reflects both personality and purpose.
Christie Brown answers that demand with garments that move naturally with the body, while subtle fringe detailing and handcrafted finishes provide texture without overwhelming the overall look.
More than a seasonal release, the Resort Collection reinforces Christie Brown’s place among Africa’s leading luxury fashion houses. It demonstrates that contemporary African design can define global conversations instead of following them.

By choosing timeless tailoring, exceptional craftsmanship, and understated elegance over spectacle, the Ghanaian label offers something increasingly rare in modern fashion: clothes that are made to be lived in, treasured and worn long after the season has passed.
In doing so, Christie Brown reminds the industry that true luxury isn’t measured by how loudly it announces itself, but by how confidently it endures.
Fashion & Style
From Ankara Minis to Beaded Fringe: The African Designers Defining Brunch Style
There was a time when brunch was simply about good food and catching up with friends. Today, it has become one of fashion’s most closely watched daytime stages, where personal style speaks almost as loudly as conversation.
The modern brunch invitation now carries an unspoken dress code: polished without being formal, expressive without looking theatrical.
The latest roundup of eight brunch-ready looks from African designers captures this shift perfectly.

Rather than encouraging over-the-top glamour, the collection celebrates a sweet spot between relaxed resort dressing and refined elegance, proving that daytime fashion has its own rules—and its own stars.
Among the standout pieces is a flowing white maxi dress by @simisa, cinched with a structured African-print corset. The combination feels effortless while highlighting how contemporary African fashion continues to reinvent heritage textiles for modern lifestyles.
Equally eye-catching is @timarestudio’s intricately layered beaded fringe dress, a handcrafted statement designed for luxury hotel brunches, exclusive daytime gatherings and fashion-forward social events.
For those who see clothing as conversation, @kilentar delivers two memorable options. One is a colourful embellished mini dress bursting with personality, ideal for creative networking and influencer circles.

The other is a sunshine-yellow fringed ensemble whose movement and bold colour embody the joyful spirit that brunch fashion increasingly embraces.
Not every striking outfit belongs at every table. A dramatic beaded fringe sarong styled by @juveinaoneis edges closer to resort evenings and gallery openings than a relaxed Sunday meal, reminding readers that successful dressing is often about understanding the occasion rather than chasing attention.

The most wearable pieces may also be the most timeless. A clean sleeveless top paired with a structured mini skirt offers understated confidence for corporate brunches, while a tailored Ankara mini dress featuring fabric by @uniwaxciv celebrates African print with youthful ease.
Completing the selection is a softly draped caramel jumpsuit by @yesanda_, demonstrating that quiet luxury can leave just as lasting an impression as bold embellishment.

As brunch continues to evolve into a showcase for creativity, networking and celebration, fashion is becoming part of the experience itself.
The best-dressed guests are rarely the loudest. They are the ones who understand that true style feels effortless long before the first mimosa reaches the table.
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