The Mirror's Health , Lifestyle and Fashion
Masantewaa - A Ghanaian bead accessories brand going places
According to Ms Adelaide Adu Gyamfi, a team member of Maasantewaa, although the brand had been in existence for over a decade, it produced the pieces mainly in bulk for resellers and on demand.
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The decision to finally tag their pieces, she explained, was to provide total customer satisfaction to its clients.
Today, with an emporium located at Atta Mills Junction, Ofankor Barrier in Accra, the brand designs unique beaded handbags and accessories for different occasions.
Ms Gyamfi explained that the brand rode on innovation and design by incorporating different Afrocentric styles into its pieces.
She said aside customer satisfaction, their dream was to put Ghana on the international fashion market and recently, the brand had started participating in international fashion shows.
A couple of weeks ago, they were part of exhibitors at the Festival International Du Pagne Tisse (FIPAT 2022) held in Coutonuo, Benin.
The festival, which featured many designers across the African continent, saw the handmade bead accessories brand exhibited at the maiden edition of the International Festival of Woven Loincloth.
A model in a Masantewaa statement piece at FIPAT 2022 held in Coutonuo, Benin
In 2021, they were also part of the fashion connect Africa runway, an annual show held in Accra.
Their works have not gone unnoticed as at the 2022 Ghana Fashion Honours, they were named the Accessory Brand of the Year.
Ms Gyamfi said although the business was not focused on winning awards, such recognitions showed that people appreciated the work that went into creating the pieces.
“We have mastered the art of fusing vintage, new trends and an African touch to create timeless products. Our designs are handmade, which means that all of our production processes benefit from a professional touch and attention to detail.
She added that the brand, which had become a benchmark for most competitors in the beading space also placed priority on customer satisfaction.
“We have waltzed through 16 years in the industry and are grateful to God for the lessons we have learned along the way and we hope to have our products in all major fashion centres around the world,” she said.
Ms Gyamfi said as a way of giving back to society, they were part of projects that helped young people develop their talent, saying “The faith life enhancement centre (FaithLEC) is a non-profit organisation founded and funded by the ICGC Faith Temple at Ofankor to provide training to groups and individuals seeking any type of skilled training. For about six years, Masantewaa was the primary instructor for beading sessions. Apart from this, we have also trained many young people at no cost so they earn a living.”
In December, when they celebrate their two-year milestone, they have planned to partner with a non-profit organisation in the Northern Region of Ghana for a donation and also give discounts to customers.
