Kwaku Bediako (born 7 May 1986) is a Ghanaian contemporary fashion designer and founder of ''Chocolate Clothing.''

Early life and education

Kwaku attended

University of Ghana Primary School Legon The University of Ghana Primary School is a primary school located on the campus of the University of Ghana in Legon, Greater Accra Region, Ghana. It was established at a temporary location in Achimota in 1955 to educate the children of un ...

, then proceeded to Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast before entering

Achimota School Achimota School ( /ɑːtʃimoʊtɑː/ ), formerly Prince of Wales College and School at Achimota, later Achimota College, now nicknamed Motown, is a co-educational boarding school located at Achimota in Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana. The school wa ...

for a year. He furthered his education in University of Ghana where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Archaeology and Information Studies.

Career

Kwaku after graduating from the University of Ghana set up an idea company ''Checkmates,'' which provided marketing and business ideas services. 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.'' He founded the fashion company, ''Chocolate Clothes'' 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'' does not only design clothes but also manages the production of custom-made shoes and sandals. The name ''Chocolate'' according to Kwaku is meant to drive more interest and craving in people towards his products, a revelation he made in an interview with CNN on ''African Start-up''.

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. ''Chocolate'' again clothed the Black Stars of Ghana during the 2014 world cup. ''Chocolate'' has been featured in the Congo Airways magazine, CNN African Voices in January 2016, Vogue Magazine in 2017 and BBC radio in 2018. 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 Fashion is a form of self-expression and autonomy at a particular period and place and in a specific context, of clothing, footwear, lifestyle, accessories, makeup, hairstyle, and body posture. The term implies a look defined by the fashion in ...

. ''Chocolate'' designs have been displayed at fashion shows including Radiance Fashion Show and Glitz Africa Fashion Week. Celebrities such as Steve Harvey, Jamie Foxx, T.I, Cardi B, Jack Dorsey, Nasty C, Mr Eazi, Black Boy of GhOne, Majid Michel, Joe Mettle,

M.anifest Kwame Ametepee Tsikata (born 20 November 1982), known professionally as M.anifest is a Ghanaian musician, rapper and record producer. He won Best Rapper and Hip-Hop song of the year at the 2017 Ghana Music Awards. He has worked with Damon Albarn ...

and Kwabena Kwabena patronize ''Chocolate Clothing''. Jussie Smollett, better known as

Jamal Lyon Jamal Joseph Lyon is a fictional character from the American musical drama, ''Empire'' on Fox. Portrayed by Jussie Smollett, Jamal is the middle son of hip-hop mogul Lucious (Terrence Howard) and his wife Cookie (Taraji P. Henson). Jamal, a talen ...

from ''Empire'' wore a piece by ''Chocolate Clothing'' in his music video ''Hurt People''.

Personal life

Kwaku is married to Melissa Owusu, the founder of the

make-up Cosmetics are constituted mixtures of chemical compounds derived from either natural sources, or synthetically created ones. Cosmetics have various purposes. Those designed for personal care and skin care can be used to cleanse or protect ...

brand, ''Aquia''.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bediako, Kwaku Living people Ghanaian fashion designers University of Ghana alumni 1986 births Alumni of Achimota School