“I’ve never looked at color or creed as making a difference to your destiny. The focus is always to be good.” - Ozwald Boateng
Ozwald Boateng was chosen by Proverb for our Black History Month, New York Fashion Week feature due to his inventive attitude and multi-faceted aesthetic. His ability to turn a tailoring business into a high fashion house is truly inspiring, as is his creative talent in both fashion and film, and empowering gesture behind the Made in Africa Foundation.
Ozwald Boateng, a British-based designer of Ghanian descent, is known for his ready-to-wear collections and line of custom suits. Switching from computer science to fashion design at London’s Southgate College, Boateng began his career as a tailor before showing his designs in runway collections during the 1990s – becoming one of the first-ever British tailors to hold a fashion show. Considered one of London’s freshest creative forces for his trademark twist on British tailoring, Boateng was appointed the first Creative Director at Givency Homme in 2001. He attributes his inspiration to his father’s suits and cultural heritage, writing “There is a unique formality bound up with the Ghanian tradition which I often think led me to what I do now.”
In addition to his success in the fashion industry, Boateng has also made a name for himself in film, receiving critical acclaim for his writing and direction of short films. He frequently combines the two disciplines, opening many runway shows with a short film expressing the essence of each collection.
Boateng also collaborated with Nigerian businessman Kola Aluko and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts to establish the Made in Africa Foundation, which focuses on first-stage funding of infrastructure projects in Africa.
See Ozwald Boateng’s stimulating designs at http://www.ozwaldboateng.co.uk.
