The BoFG: Meet Michael

Working under his label Owusu Kofi, Michael Owusu is an Accra-based designer and an expert tailor. Michael reflects on the ways that fast fashion disrupts one’s relationship with self, community and culture. Hopeful that COVID-19 will bring about positive changes, he says, “We are social beings, we are supposed to love each other as persons, but fashion has turned out to be something that is dividing us based on what you wear, the car you drive...this is what fashion is doing to us. But COVID-19 has opened our eyes to what really matters — it’s family, it’s friends... if we go back again and start chasing the newest outfit, making changes every six months, I think we didn’t take advantage of this pandemic that is hurting us now...We should be different from the outside world. If globally they still want to go ahead and change up new items every season, I think us as persons in Ghana, or in Africa, I think we should try our best to make sure we enjoy our way of life.” Michael learned to sew from his father before pursuing a degree & launching his own brand. He has shown at Ghana Fashion Week and designed countless custom looks. Michael’s suiting is sharp — he is an EXPERT tailor with exceptional attention to detail. We are often asked if secondhand clothing depresses the local textile economy. It certainly has but perhaps more concerning today is the impact secondhand clothing has on the bespoke tailoring sector. Watch to hear Michael explain how Ghana’s fashion industry c