DOSIER OF KENNEDY NANA KOFI ANSAH FRIMPONG"AWARD WINNING GHANAIAN FASION DESIGNER"

Kennedy Nana Kofi Ansah FRIMPONG, affectionately known as NANA by many fashion lovers .Being  a young talent who is gradually breaking through the Ghanaian fashion industry and the International fashion front as a HAUTE COUTURE designer, There are three things that best describe me and I call it the 3Es. I am an ENTREPRENEUR, ENTERTAINER and EDUCATOR.
Graduating with a 1st class (HONOURS) in Fashion Design, Modeling and Textile Technology from the Premiere Polytechnic, Accra Polytechnic,My fashion career begun at a very young age and I believe it has grown with time and now I can now say I am a Fashion Stylist, the Creator and Founder of “AFRI-KEN by NANA”, a ready- to- wear and made- to- order fashion brand. Currently I am trying to expand my business by producing, retailing and marketing ethnic fashion (clothing and accessories).
My proudest accomplishment sois that I won the MTN DAVIVA SEW PROJECT 2009 now known as GHANA FASHION STAR. This opportunity has gone a long way to promote my brand and given me a platform to give back to the society.  I am a well-known stylist for lifestyle magazines, video clips, movies and TV commercials.  Plus I have participated and contributed to numerous prestigious fashion events and exhibitions to unearth other talents and raise funds for humanity  such as STARS OF THE FUTURE, MISS MALAIKA GHANA, EXQUISITE FACE OF THE UNIVERSE, MISS GHANA, GHANA FASHION WEEKEND, GHANA FASHION TRAIN, MISS SONYA AFRICA, FASHION AND LIFE ACHIEVERS AWARDS, FASHION NIGHT OUT,DA VIVA GHANA COLLECTIONS, GOLDEN HEART FOUNDATION(WOMEN EMPOWERMENT LAUNCH), GHANA MUSIC AWARDS, GOETHE @ 50 FASHION NITE, DAGOMBA COLLECTIONS, DARK AND LOVELY GOLDEN SCISSORS AWARDS, FACE OF BLACK’S SECRET AND  TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, AKOSUA ADJAPONG @20 MUSICAL CONCERT, TAGOE SISTERS EASTER FAMILY DAYOUT AT GOLDEN TULIP,INCREASE FOR DECREASE FUND RAISING DANCE CONCERT  FOR LUEKEMIA AND HOLE IN HEART FOUNDATION,KNUST FASHION WEEK  etc.
Amazingly, I had the opportunity to share my life and experiences as a YOUNG fashion designer with about 750students from 10Senior High Schools across the country when I was nominated to represent the youth of the country and to deliver a speech on the topic “THE YOUTH AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP” during the celebration of THE WORLD HOME ECONOMICS DAY. Seeing how thrilled and inspired these students were, I could not help but be motivated, grateful and most of all humbled.
My specialty lies in producing elegant and gorgeous evening and bridal gowns, casual and office wear and accessories for both men and women. My style is a fusion of western tailoring and African drapery with outfits made from African prints in vibrant colours. The addition of textures in my clothing line is key while a flattering contour is achieved. I draw my inspiration from the word oceanology that’s to say the seascape and everything that surrounds it. From the sand, coconut trees, shells, fishes, waves etc. My works are characterized by wavy lines, undulating lines, feminism, circles and above all the flow of life.The  AFRI-KEN exclusive range of clothing is set to make you look extremely good, feel good, smart, gorgeous, bold and beautiful yet covers you up and still gives you style.
I have had the privilege to understudy and work with top fashion designers including KOFI ANSAH, JOYCE ABABIO, KWESI NTI, PEARL AMOAH, ROYAL DENNIS DESIGNS, MAKEBA CREATES, AJ KWAFO,and KARIM ISSAKA AND THE PRESIDENT’S SPECIAL INITIATIVE ON CLOTHING AND TEXTILES and these experiences have contributed to my versatility. In terms of formal education,I  Started my basic education at New Hope School and continued at Ghana National College, Cape –Coast where I Pursued Home Economics (clothing and textiles option) and graduated as the overall best student in the department and finally read fashion design and textileat Accra Polytechnic.
 I am happy to have numerous satisfied clients in the UK, USA, KENYA, SOUTHAFRICA and many more countries on the continent. My clothing has aesthetically adorned Ghanaian personalities such as Becca, Akosua Adjapong, Tagoe Sisters, Naa Ashorkor, Jessica Opare, Nana Ama McBrown, Mawena Dumor, Chris Attoh, Shirley Frimpong Manso, Mimi Areme (Miss Ghana 2009), Stephanie Karikari –MISS GHANA 2010, Adole and Nasara (Ghana’s Most Beautiful WINNERS).

I was awarded the second runner up winner during the Young Creative Entrepreneur Fashion AWARDS organized by the British Council, Ghana later in July 2011. In November 2011, I was selected as the only fashion designer in Ghana to represent the country at the 8th edition of the Festival International de la Mode Africaine (FIMA) in Niamey, Niger organized by Niger’s fashion icon Alphadi.
Currently, a finalist of FASHION POWER AFRICA. Afashion competiton between 6 young designers from GHANA and 6 young designers from NIGERIA. Awaiting grand finals in LAGOS, NIGERIA.
Again, just after my return I was nominated for the Emerging Designer Award during the Ghana Fashion Awards.  I had the opportunity to work with FRANCA SOZZANI, Chief Editor for Vogue Italia when she visited Ghana in December, 2011.

I believe fashion in Ghana has taken roots and rapidly growing into an industry, I hope to be the next Ambassador who will facilitate this growth process not only to gain recognition both locally and internationally, but also to use fashion designing to impact the youth to move to greater heights and contribute their quota towards Ghana’s social and economic developments.
Reported by: Sadick Assah"