An ancestral legacy... A A K S, founded by Ghanaian designer Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, is a brand that celebrates traditional Ghanaian craftsmanship through the creation of raffia bags and accessories.…
An ancestral heritage...
A A K S, founded by Ghanaian designer Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, is a brand that celebrates traditional Ghanaian craftsmanship through the creation of raffia bags and accessories. Raffia is a very strong textile fibre used in the manufacture of ropes and upholstery fabrics. In the Bolgatanga region, in northern Ghana, where basketry is considered a true art form, a women’s cooperative weaves these bags with passion and expertise, thus perpetuating a craft heritage passed down from generation to generation.
They are made using raffia sourced in an environmentally friendly way. Akosua Afriyie-Kumi aims to promote this craft by creating sustainable jobs. Far from being limited to their primary function, these creations embody a bridge between tradition and modernity, ethics and aesthetics. A A K S is the story of a commitment to promoting Ghanaian craftsmanship, by highlighting traditional and ethical weaving techniques.
Ethical luxury...
Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, drawing on a rich career enriched by experience working with leading names in London fashion such as Peter Pilotto, Matthew Williamson and William Tempest, founded A A K S with a vision: to transform perceptions of Africa through fashion. But beyond the product itself, it is a vision of luxury, quality and chic that Akosua wishes to share with the world. Her bags, characterised by bright, exuberant colours, are not merely fashion accessories; they are ambassadors for a rich, diverse and innovative Africa.
Each bag is a unique creation, handcrafted, bearing the distinctive marks of its designer, accompanied by a signed label attesting to its authenticity. The constant pursuit of beauty and uniqueness in every piece means that variations in texture and colour lie at the heart of AAKS’s identity. Since its launch in September 2014, Akosua has successfully brought A A K S to the international stage, from Milan to Paris, via London and Cape Town.
Recognised as an emerging African designer by Vogue Italia, she has also captured the attention of prestigious media outlets such as CNN, Vogue and Forbes Woman Africa. Today, her designs are stocked in over 70 boutiques across 16 countries, reflecting the enthusiasm for a brand that, beyond its products, tells a captivating story of Ghana and offers a different perspective on Africa.