CANEX gives BOYEDOE a chance to make a global splash

David Kusi Boye-Doe, the founder and creative lead of the Ghanaian fashion house BOYEDOE, recently walked the runway in Paris for the first time. This achievement would not have been possible without the support of the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, an initiative of Africa Export-Import Bank. The bank aims to empower African creators and creative brands to own their own heritage and make it accessible to global consumers.

BOYEDOE was established in 2020, driven by the need to address the issue of second-hand clothing imports in Ghana. The brand uses an upcycling model, deconstructing and reconstructing old pieces to create new, distinctive garments that are sustainable and reflective of Ghanaian culture. Sustainability, sophistication, silhouettes, and "sunsum" (an Akan word meaning spirit or soul) are the four core values that define BOYEDOE's brand identity.

African fashion represents a cultural asset that can engage Africa with the rest of the world. However, without the ability to build brands and reach consumers directly, the commercial value of local textiles, techniques, symbols, histories, and aesthetics may be captured elsewhere. CANEX supports African designers to ensure that they capture more economic value from their cultural heritage.

African countries produce substantial raw materials like cotton, which can be utilized to build an integrated fashion ecosystem. With the support of CANEX, BOYEDOE was selected to participate in a Paris runway showcase, providing the Ghanaian label access to one of the world's most important fashion markets. This opportunity allowed international buyers, industry professionals, potential partners, and the media to engage with the brand, leading to potential orders and distribution agreements.