A REVIEW ON LUXURY AND SUSTAINABLE FASHION
‘Luxury is not about excess; it is about craftsmanship, consciousness, and a connection to nature. ’ ~ Daniel Osei Akoto Agyemang
Tosin Clegg
In a world where luxury fashion often means excess and waste, one brand is redefining sustainability. They go by the nameAkoto. Akoto creates more than just elegant clothing; beneath each piece lies a deeper commitment to eco-friendly outfits, cultural narrative, and environmental consciousness. Behindthis wonderful brand is our very own Ghanaian artistic general,Daniel Osei Akoto Agyemang.
Daniel is known for his profound respect for culture and nature; his designs are living and breathing stories interwoven into the African heritage ─ with a touch of contemporary elements in the right places.
A born-and-bred Ghanaian star, he grew up surrounded by the rich colours and textures of Africa, elements that would later shape his artistic vision. It is little wonder that he asserts that ‘Fashion speaks volumes when used as a platform for change’ during an interview upon the launch of his collection pieces.
Over the years, Daniel’s brand has not only grown but also served as a testament to his philosophy about unparalleled harmony in marrying heritage with innovation and tradition with modernity.
While his brand thrives in the high-energy world of runway shows and photoshoots, Daniel’s mission becomes crystal clear: to make fashion meaningful. His designs are notorious for challenging industry trends and norms.
At the heart of Akoto’s collections are prints that do more than beautify garments — they hold deep mysticism about what fashion can be beyond the ordinary eyes. Inspired by Africa’s landscapes, cultural practices, and foreign elements, each design is created to pay tribute to nature and Ghanaian heritage. With every Akoto piece, the wearer steps into a tale woven from the bright hues that sing the praises of Africa with the right tune and tone, whether it’s the deep orange reminiscent of West African soil or the earthy tones of savanna at dusk.
But guess what? Akoto is beyond just aesthetics. This fast-rising brand, Akoto, is also one of the pioneers of slow fashion, ensuring that every garment is crafted with meticulous precision. This process may appear cumbersome, especially because the brand works with cotton — a fabric that is gentle to the eyes and skin. Also, since cotton is a material that moves naturally, it requires expertise in craftsmanship.
According to the fashion tabloids in 2021, each of the magazine’s pages was graced with stunning pieces by Akoto. What was most outstanding for us was the quality of experience the brand has given to sustainable fashion. For Akoto, slow or sustainable fashion is not an afterthought — it is a guiding principle. To begin with, the brand has zero tolerance for waste, and this is mirrored in its ability to reimagine seemingly “waste materials” into eye-catching accessories. Because of this, we had difficulty selecting the most appealing design out of the jaw-dropping dresses on display. Eventually, we had to choose two cute, clean gowns. Why?
Here is our selection:
✓ We judge the creator’s originality and inspiration behind the design (s).
✓ We also pay attention to the sustainability and cultural relevance of the fabric.
✓ Colours are more than just colours. For us, they speak more to human emotions.
✓ We also consider the design’s relevance to the trend.
✓ We check out for fittings, too.
✓ Finishing touches matter to us as far as fashion appraisal is concerned.
✓ We are interested in the audience’s reception as well as further improvements where necessary.
Based on the above checklist, we present Akoto’s Uneven Apparel to you.
Judging by the auto-generated name “uneven”, something is clear about Daniel’s creative choice. Let’s discuss this in detail.
1. Originality & Inspiration of Design
Aside from being deliberately deviant from the conventional round, A-shape, pencil tip, ball, high-slit, ankle or thigh length, and what-have-you shapes, both outfits showcase contemporary African fashion’s adaptability without losing a grip on culture.
A closer look at the first outfit suggests that the designer wants to recreate the feel of the iconic skirts worn in ancient times. What is typical of these skirts is that they are often uneven, sometimes appearing in layers to give the wearer an accentuated silhouette and, of course, for easy swaying here and there. Imagine what an African woman would do in this type of skirt.
The matching top with pocket sleeves is a gentle reminder that,aside from being creative, the designer has no patience with wasted fabrics. Even so, a closer look at the top shows that the sleeves can be argued to be double-layered. A single button onthe hem of the flapping cut would have given more explanation to this design. Overall, the layered sleeves add a couture-inspired edge, reflecting the influence of power dressing in modern African fashion.
The second outfit is a one-shoulder sleeveless dress with an unequal hem. The bodice looks fit and flattering, a style that resonates more with the 21st-century stylish woman. Just right below the almost invisible waistband are two dangling belts directly proportionate to the back length of the skirt. This could have been an intentional effort to show that the wearer can be versatile with her styling choices; she can either choose to let the belts hang loosely or secure them firmly as a bow behind. Whichever way, the designer’s inspiration remains: a more fitting bodice, a little pleated space for the hips, and some show of the wearer’s legs ─ in front.
2. Fabric Choice and Relevance to History & Suitability
Oh, we love the mesmerising striped effects of both fabrics.
We can deduce that both attires are possibly made from cotton or soft linen, with ancestral roots in African textile traditions, particularly in West Africa. For instance, striped patterns are common in handwoven fabrics like the infamous Nigerian AsoOke or Kente from Ghana. The fabric choice is ideal for tropical climates.
In addition, aside from being a hand-sourced quality fabric, the smooth yet sturdy textiles used to produce these timeless dresses are reminiscent of the colonial-era adaptation of Western shirting materials. Nothing can go wrong with striped fabrics since they guarantee comfort and a stylish appeal.
3. The Colour Palette and Its Significance to Culture
In the fashion world, colours speak volumes. They can be finishing statements. For example, the first sky blue and white striped outfit evokes themes of calmness, trust, and heritage, commonly seen in African textiles like the Yoruba Adire. Even though the Yorubas are known to be loud people during outdoor engagements, a colour like blue can also communicate serenity and calmness in the subtlest way possible.
On the other hand, the second outfit reveals a softer, pastel blue that aligns with global minimalist trends while remaining culturally relevant. Blue in African fashion often represents wealth, spirituality, and peace, making it a versatile and timeless choice.
Strikingly, both outfits seem to have contrasting patterns (plain and spiral). This slight difference speaks to the dynamism of the African culture. Though we are of diverse tongues, we are one people.
4. The Designs’ Relevance to Trends
We consider the shirt/skirt outfit a reincarnation of the traditional shirt dress. This design incorporates exaggerated sleeve details and a clutched waist. By extension, we can say it balances masculinity (structured top) and femininity (flowy bottom). The layered sleeves reflect the influence of power dressing in modern African fashion. Additionally, the seemingly jumbled symmetry makes this piece contemporary and wearable. It conforms to the “quiet luxury” movement —understated yet sophisticated.
The one-shoulder aesthetic is a gender-fluid fashion ─ one which continues to dominate local and international runways.
5. Fittings
Movement and comfort are pivotal to luxury fashion. Amusingly, both outfits already depict that. The first outfit highlights a fitted waist, a loose shirt, and a flowing skirt, making it both comfortable and structured without compromising movement.
However, the excess fabric behind the back view of the second outfit might appear quite unnecessary, especially since the front view is already saying enough. Perhaps the reverse might be the case for the woman who always wants to steal the show,whether from the rear or front view.
6. Finishing Touches
If there’s anything we enjoy the most in fashion fetes, it’s that the designer can give their designs a finishing touch. This aspect of outfit creation is key if you want to stand out in the fashion space. After all, it is the little things that do matter.
Ultimately, both outfits display fine tailoring, but the second piece requires more precise execution of sleeve layering to ensure a polished appearance. Hem finishes and seam work appear clean, maintaining the overall luxury feel.
7. Audience Reception & Possible Improvements
The hanging panels on the shirt, no doubt, add depth, but they could be refined for a sleeker look. While the second outfit appeals to younger women who appreciate structured yet playful silhouettes, the first design targets professional women who want a power-dressing look with a soft edge.
For our final verdict, we suggest that shortening the sleeves would have enhanced the first outfit without compromising the statement design. Hence, our only concern about the second outfit would have been the excess back tail, but then we understand that some women enjoy stealing the show.
Akoto symbolises hope in luxury fashion — one that celebrates craftsmanship with deep honour for the planet. Each collection reshapes the idea of fashion, showing that elegance and sustainability can coexist. To wear an Akoto piece is to embrace a philosophy: one that values beauty with meaning, heritage with innovation, and fashion with a conscience. In a world flooded with fast fashion, Akoto is a free ticket to experience luxury with purpose.
