Papa Oppong is one Designer to Watch

Image courtesy: ShareAmerica.gov

Every so often the world of fashion has a group of new designers that catch the eye of the press.  Those who posses a talent that goes beyond the average designer.  They have a clear vision and their own sense of creativity when they design and put together a collection.  Branding Fashion Africa will strive to bring stories of new emerging designers to watch.  For this first post, the profile is on Papa Oppong, from Ghana.  

Recently profiled on CNN's African Voices (CLICK HERE TO WATCH INTERVIEW), Oppong is definitely a designer to watch.  His level of creativity is one that even surpasses that of some seasoned designers.  He pushes the boundaries of design through mixing art with fashion.   

He was also recently featured in Forbes as one of the top 15 young African creatives who are rebranding Africa.  A graduate of Radford University, Ghana's only school that offers a Degree in fashion design, he was already offered an internship in Washington, DC as part of Macy's Fashion Incubator program which promotes emerging designers. 

Oppong is an example of what can happen when you don't take no for an answer.  As a young boy in Ghana, it wasn't exactly looked upon favourbaly to say he wanted to pursue a career as a designer.  For one thing, Ghana is a country where for the most part, the idea of being a designer is still largely seen as becoming a 'seamstress' or a 'tailor'.  Both of which are noble professions that are equally a part of the business of fashion. However, many people in Ghana don't see it as a career with the possibility of growth and big potential both globally and financially.  The dimension that many don't see in Ghana is also the fact that fashion is a business that merges the creative process with production for the masses.  One where an individual can conceptualize an idea that can be created in quantities for those who want to buy and wear the garments.  

Oppong speaks of how there are very few Black designers at big fashion weeks like Paris Fashion Week.  He would love to see more in the future.  (Watch the CNN video to hear all his thoughts.) This is actually very true in the world of high fashion.  We don't often see Black designers at the elite levels of a Chanel, Gucci or Versace.  Although there are so many who are very talented and deserve to be equally recognized. 

At such a young stage in his career, he has already gained a huge following on social media through posting his illustrations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.  If you don't know his work then you should take a moment to see for yourself.  The likes of Rihanna, Kelly Rowland and Lana Del Ray have applauded the young designer for his talent.  As a big fan of Rihanna, it was such a huge point in his career to see she followed him on Instagram.

This young man is certainly going to make a mark on the fashion world throughout his career.  This is just the beginnin of Papa Oppong and the impact he will have on the world of design and the fashion business.  

He is the new Africa branding the fashion business for the future.