Kwaku Bediako
Portrait of Kwaku Bediako
Born7 May 1986
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Nationality Ghanaian
EducationUniversity of Ghana Legon,
OccupationFashion Designer
Known forClothes Designing
LabelChocolate Clothes
SpouseMelissa Owusu
Childrenunknown
AwardsBest fashion designer of 2018 EMY Africa Awards
Websitewww.chocolateclothesglobal.com

Kwaku Bediako Oduro also known as Kwaku Bediako (born 7 May 1986) is a Ghanaian contemporary fashion designer[1] and founder of Chocolate Clothing now Chocolate Clothes Global.[2]

Early life and education

Kwaku was born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria before his parents moved to Ghana were he attended University of Ghana Primary School Legon, then proceeded to Achimota School for his senior high school education. He furthered his education in University of Ghana where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Archaeology and Information Studies.[3]

Career

Kwaku after graduating from the University of Ghana set up an idea company Checkmates, which provided marketing and business ideas services.[4] He evolved from writing movie scripts into designing clothes after encountering Mr Philip Ayesu of GM Multiproconcepts and the CEO of XMEN Grooming through Checkmates.[1]

He founded the fashion company, Chocolate Clothes now Chocolate Clothes Global which started operating as a clothing line for women in March 2013 but grew into a men's wear and accessories brand and later got incorporated in 2018. Although starting the clothing brand as a single-handedly operated business, Kwaku in recent times has unveiled that the growing fashion house is now capable of handling 1000 orders a month. Chocolate.

The decision to name his brand Chocolate Clothes Global was intended to illuminate the positive aspects of products originating from Ghana and Africa at large to reshape the perception of items made in Ghana, a revelation he made in an interview with CNN on African Start-up.[5][6]

Works

Kwaku won the best fashion designer of the year award during the 2018 EMY Africa Awards. He also won the maiden edition of Tailored African Fashion 2018, a project by Roberta Annan and African Fashion Fund in collaboration with Joy FM. His winning package comprised a flight to Paris as a speaker for the Change Now Summit as well as a visit to the French fashion house and luxury retail company, Louis Vuitton where he was to acquaint himself with Paris’ lavish products and brands. Through the African Fashion Fund, designs by Chocolate Clothes were featured in the Paris Fashion Week too.[7][8][9][10][11]

Chocolate again clothed the Black Stars of Ghana during the 2014 world cup.[5][12]

Chocolate has been featured in the Congo Airways magazine, CNN African Voices in January 2016,[5] Vogue Magazine[10] in 2017 and BBC radio in 2018.[4][13]

Designs by Chocolate were among the works of designers displayed at the banquet held by the President of Ghana in honour of His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla Duchess of Cornwall during their five-day state visit in November 2018. Chocolate Clothes’ designs were showcased at the Fashion for Peace show in Paris, organized by the EU, African Fashion Fund, UN ITC-EFI and Ethical Fashion.[14]

Chocolate designs have been displayed at fashion shows including Radiance Fashion Show and Glitz Africa Fashion Week.[15][16][17]

Kwaku has worked with a number of Ghanaian and international celebrities such as Steve Harvey, Idris Elba, Jamie Foxx, T.I., Cardi B, Jack Dorsey, Nasty C, Mr Eazi, Black Boy of GhOne, Majid Michel, Joe Mettle, M.anifest and Kwabena Kwabena patronize Chocolate Clothing. Jussie Smollett, better known as Jamal Lyon from Empire wore a piece by Chocolate Clothing in his music video Hurt People.[18][19]

Personal life

Kwaku is married to Melissa Owusu, the founder of the make-up brand, Aquia.[20]

References

  1. 1 2 "Kwaku Bediako Speaker Profile | Tech in Ghana Conference Accra". Teching Ghana Conference. Archived from the original on 2019-03-23. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
  2. ↑ "Chocolate Clothing By Kwaku Bediako Impresses In Paris". Modern Ghana. 2018-10-02. Retrieved 2019-05-05.
  3. ↑ "Component content". Ashesi University. Retrieved 2022-11-13.
  4. 1 2 Hallie, Emily. "Edward Enninful Joins The Prince Of Wales And The Duchess Of Cornwall In Ghana". British Vogue. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  5. 1 2 3 Young fashion designer sews his way into success - CNN Video, retrieved 2019-03-23
  6. ↑ Doe, Esther Eyra (2016-04-13). "Meet the young fashion designer behind the Chocolate brand". Yen - Ghana news. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  7. ↑ Senam, Faith (2018-12-28). "Fashion Public Relations: 12 Fashion Brands in Ghana that pushed the PR Button in 2018". Fashion Public Relations. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  8. ↑ Debrah, Ameyaw (2018-11-08). "Ghanaian designer, Kwaku Bediako receives endorsement sfrom Prince Charles and other fashion royalty". AmeyawDebrah. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  9. ↑ "Chocolate gets acquainted with Italian luxury brand Schiaparelli in Paris". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  10. 1 2 "Video+Photos: Louis Vuitton praises Ghana's Chocolate Clothing". The Ghana Guardian News. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  11. ↑ "Roberta Annan, Kwaku Bediako To Represent Ghana @ Paris Fashion Week". DailyGuide Network. 2018-09-17. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  12. ↑ "Getting the Stars covered! Kweku Bediako's Chocolate fashion brand clothes Black Stars". Proudly Ghanaian! | Enews. 2014-06-07. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  13. ↑ "12 Fashion Brands In Ghana That Pushed The PR Button In 2018 – Faith Senam". Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  14. ↑ "Photos: Chocolate by Kwaku Bediako makes impressive appearance in Paris". Myjoyonline. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  15. ↑ "#PodcastsOnLive: Kwaku Bediako of Chocolate Clothing on Paris Fashion Week, big name clients & more". Live 91.9 FM. 2018-11-08. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  16. ↑ "Fashion Public Relations". fashion and public relations blogspot. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  17. ↑ "GLITZ AFRICA FASHION WEEK » Chocolate By Kwaku Bediako". Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  18. ↑ Jessica (2018-04-20). "Chocolate Clothing by Kwaku Bediako Styles Jamal Lyon of Empire Fame". Trends and Blends GH. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  19. ↑ "Chocolate Clothing's Recipe for Success in Perspective". Ben Boateng Official. 2018-10-31. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  20. ↑ Larnyoh, Magdalene Teiko (2019-12-17). "Meet the 33-year-old Ghanaian fashion designer who styled Steve Harvey, Cardi B, Idris Elba in the 'Year of Return'". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
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