Ghanaian Princess: An interview with Sheila Boakye Agyemang

Shelia[on the left] with her friends on a night out[yes, I recognise some of her friends too] How Fabulous are these ladies!

Shelia [on the left] with her friends chilling out on the beach in Accra...


“It is my dream that Ghana becomes a real Home –where its citizens won’t want to travel outside for greener pastures. I dream of a Ghana with a vibrant Model industry that pays its models well.” Sheila Boakye Agyemang’s

I love and –have enjoyed all our interviews on Ghana Rising [so far], but I have until now, -been eluded by an interview with a Ghana based -Ghanaian Princess.... Well folks, –I’m very pleased to bring you our very first interview with a Ghana based Princess called Sheila Boakye Agyemang; -a beautiful sister living in the Dansoman area in Accra. Shelia is a mother, a model [Exopa Models, Ghana] and a student –and I stumbled across her via a music website –and then managed to contact her via Facebook. I'm so pleased to be able to introduce Shelia -because she is the 'contemporary' face of Africa that is not [often] portrayed or celebrated, -she is not starving or dying [praise God] but is out there ‘doing-her-thing’ –and I’m sure you'll agree -she is pretty special. Viva Shelia...Enjoy folks...…xx


GR: Hi Shelia how are you?
SBA: I'm good!!

GR: Are you working or studying right now?
SBA: At the moment I’m a model with Exopa but I recently completed a course in ‘Passenger Handling’ at International Travel and Tourism Institute and hope to be part of the Emirates Cabin crew.

GR: Can you tell us about your background?
SBA: I'm a simple and out going person -and this has gained me the love and favor from many. I live in Dansoman with my family, -my mom and my siblings. I have two sisters who are twins, Edith and Judith -and my son Nana Agyeman Bawuah.

GR: Wow you have a son [Nana Agyeman Bawuah]. How old is he -and how do you juggle the joys of motherhood, modelling and your 'Travel and Tourism' training?
SBA: Oh-my-goodness! Nana is a lovely son...He is seven years...I love him so much. He is a gift from God. He makes me happy when I'm sad. I love him so much. He schools in Dansoman. I make real and precious time for my son, -I put him ahead of everything I do. I get help from my lovely family -especially my mum. She steps in for me when it’s hard for me. My sisters have also been supportive. To be able to juggle motherhood, modelling and the ‘Travel and Tourism’, I need to make a well planned schedule for myself, -this helps me to plan before hand. I will credit most of my success to the Almighty God. He gave me a precious son, a lovely family and my wonderful Self.

GR: Ghana is so hot right now. Can you name the following?
GR: Your favourite Ghanaian night club?
SBA: Cinderella’s

GR: Your favourite Ghanaian recording artist [singer etc]?
SBA: Sarkodie

GR: Your favourite Ghanaian [fashion] model?
SBA: Jocelyn Nketia of Exopa Ghana

GR: Your favourite Ghanaian Actor and Actress?
SBA: Nadia Buari and Kofi Adu (Agya Koo)
Actress Nadia Buari [pictured here with her partner – footballer, Michael Essien] is Shelia’s favourite Ghanaian actress...

GR: Your favourite part of Ghana and why?
SBA: Accra -because there are a lot of opportunities in Accra.

GR: How do you chill out?
SBA: I love Night clubbing with my girl friends and male friends especially Nana Kwame Adu-Gyamfi.

GR: How would you describe your style?
SBA: When it comes to dressing, I like it simple and nice and catchy, -a little make-up with short nails. I'm a very humble and moderate person [character wise I mean].

GR: Name your favorite Ghanaian designer(s)?
SBA: Nana Esi Hene, Kiki Clothing and Salimi Akil

GR: You are beautiful -what is your secret?
SBA: God the PROVIDER!!! I use Palmer's for my body and Blue Magic for my hair. I wear Hugo Boss (for women), Sentiment by Escada and Matsuri Annayaki

GR: Who does your hair, your nails and do you go to the gym?
SBA: First Choice....I visit the Gym.

GR: On to more serious stuff, -what are your hopes and dreams for Ghana?

SBA: It is my dream that Ghana becomes a real Home –where its citizens won’t want to travel outside for greener pastures. I dream of a Ghana with a vibrant Model industry that pays its models well.

GR: Thank you gorgeous lady. God Bless all your dreams.
SBA: Thanks and long live Ghana Rising!!!

Some of Sheila Boakye Agyemang’s favourite things...

Sheila Boakye Agyemang modeling Kiki Clothing during Ghana Fashion Week…




Like all ‘girls-about-town’ Sheila loves fashion [she is a model after all] –and is a big fan of Nana Esi Hene, Kiki Clothing and Salimi Akil. Pictured in one of my favourite pieces from the Kiki Clothing Collection –Shelia [a fan of simple but elegant dressing] looks fabulous –[www.kikiclothing.com].

With regards to beauty [apart from her good genes] –she credits God for all her physical blessings; and also uses Palmers for her face [and body] –and Blue Magic for her hair. I’m also a big fan of Palmer’s and particularly love their Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula enriched with Vitamin E. This soothing and rich moisturizing –emollient; soften and heals rough, dry skin, -smoothing and blending unattractive marks and scars [www.etbrowne.com].

Shelia has fabulous taste in perfumes –and is a big fan of Escada and Hugo Boss fragrances. Both Desire Me by Escada [www.escada.com] and Hugo Boss Femme Perfume are classic, feminine fragrances -that will see any busy gal -from office to ‘girl’s night out’ [www.hugo.com].

Global Post discuss Fashion in Ghana

Title: Ghana fashion takes the catwalk [Designers aim to build international reputations for their stylish clothes.]
By Anna Boiko-Weyrauch — Special to GlobalPost
Published: October 14, 2009 06:18 ET
Updated: October 15, 2009 14:24 ET

ACCRA, Ghana — Calvin Klein, Armani and … Bayo Adegbe? African designers are working to make a name for themselves outside their countries, showing their collections around the world and bringing their unique styles to wider audiences. At Ghana Fashion Weekend, more than 30 designers from around Africa rolled out their collections, featuring vibrant prints, chunky accessories and traditionally inspired forms. It was the largest fashion event in Ghana and drew audience members from beyond the continent.

“I love wearing the African wear on the runway because everyone is watching to see, ‘What new design?’ ‘What are they going to do with this fabric?’ ‘What’s next?’ ” said Accra resident, Sonia Ibrahim, a part-time model who walked the runway for designer Ouedraogo Usman of Burkina Faso. She sported a ruffled cream gown with a leather bodice, raffia tasseled fan, enormous bangles and bone accents, and a woven wicker mask that obscured her face. “Most people don’t understand, ‘Why is her face covered?’ But it’s traditional wear. And [wearing it] was fun.”

Some designers are ambitious and would like to see Africa’s creativity capture the spotlight on runways around the world. They argue that both Africans and Westerners will look to the continent for the colors, shapes and textures that will form part of their newest innovations in fashion and the arts. Earlier this year, African inspirations found their way onto the runways of Louis Vuitton and Dior. “We have a lot of ideas that have not been tapped. We have a lot of things that have not been used,” said internationally recognized Nigerian designer, Bayo Adegbe, who runs the label Modela Couture. Adegbe’s designs have won him a number of awards in Nigeria and beyond, as well as an all-expenses-paid internship with a design house in Paris. At Ghana Fashion Weekend, a troupe of male models showed off his line of Western suits made from richly textured batik fabric and popular African prints, ranging from orange and yellow geometric designs, leopard spots and pictures of chickens.

Adegbe’s collection also includes sparkling gowns, shorts and tops covered in silver and pastel sequins. He wanted to replicate the natural pattern of fish scales — he even started sewing the clothes with real fish scales from a market in Lagos. Those never lost their fishy smell and shriveled over time, so now he relies on flashy plastic sequins instead to achieve the same effect.

But, more than just creating fancy couture clothing, designers like Adegbe see their role as a catalyst for job creation and economic development on the continent.
“It will help to put business on a lot of people’s tables,” Adegbe said. “The population is large in Africa. So if they are all buying clothes that are made in Africa, then that is good business for a lot of African designers.”

Already a number of independent designers have been able to employ themselves and a small workforce to sketch, cut and sew their collections. But they have trouble pushing their miniature operations to the next level. Adegbe says that there are no factories in Nigeria capable of mass-producing his pieces. Even though he’s had interest from European buyers, he can’t keep up with the sheer quantity of clothes they demand.

Although many designers start small, the organizers of Ghana Fashion Weekend are working for nothing less than a fashion revolution. They aim to change not only the way the rest of the world views fashion in Africa, but also how people at home relate to the industry. Although local tailors’ shops are common throughout Ghana, many Ghanaians just didn’t get the point of a fashion show. According to Ghana Fashion Weekend Exhibition Director, Kofi Essel, “When a lady moves on a catwalk they say, ‘What is wrong with this girl? [She] just wears a dress, turns off, shows everybody and then she goes away.’ They just didn’t understand why somebody should do that first of all.”

But the organizers are encouraged by the showing at this year’s show — and optimistic about the future of what they see as an annual event in the country. Even though there were technical difficulties with lights and sound from time to time during the event, on the last day, the auditorium was packed and the large crowd cheered for their homegrown models and designers.

[Credit: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/ghana/091013/ghana-fashion-takes-the-catwalk]

Fashion: Salimi Akill at Ghana Fashion Week

I would like to thank Ameyaw for posting what I believe is Salimi Akill's very first collection on youtube. The collection looks beautiful -and should silence her critics. This one time reality TV star, singer, actress and Miss Malaika contestant -has come a long way....Good for you Salimi ..........................x

The beautiful Salimi Akill..

Fashion: Ghana Fashion Week!! (1st -4th July)

I'm really looking forward to pictures and news from Ghana Fashion Week [we will keep you posted]. With established and emerging fashion designers from all over the world -expected in Accra over the next four days -Ghana must be buzzing. The French embassy in Ghana has also organised a workshop for six young Ghanaian designers, led by designer Anggy Haif from Cameroon (6-10 July). The garments designed during the workshop will be presented at a special fashion show at the residence of the French ambassador to mark Bastille Day on 14 July, accompanied by music by the Ghanaian singer Bibi Brew -all in support of Ghana Fashion Week, based at Accra International Conference Centre. So in honor and anticipation of the glitz and glamour of Ghana Fashion Week -here are some of my favourite Ghanaian designers ...........Enjoy...xx For more information about Ghana Fashion Week visit: www.ghanafashionweekend.com (Illustration by Michael Roberts)