Avant-Garde Fashion Projects from Sekondi-Takoradi in Ghana

Abstract

This study seeks to highlight the concept of avant-garde as a viable and radical approach to instilling creativity in fashion design practices in Sekondi–Takoradi, Ghana through putting together different materials to represent shapes and forms in the ultimate sculpting of silhouettes. This experimental exercise is a sequel to an earlier study that gauge the level of engagement of fashion students and practitioners regarding the avant-garde concept within the study area. Even though the avant-garde concept could be useful in terms of creativity and material exploration, the practice is not common around the study area due to the high cost of fabrics and other materials and the fact that it has not been part of the training of fashion practitioners. There were a series of experimentations and material collaboration in this study that led to a number of garments and accessories. In all, twenty (20) pieces of garments and accessories were made from a selection of low-cost fabrics, feathers, beads, canes, straw, glitter, leather, can spray and other fibrous materials. The garments were showcased at two major fashion runway events namely the Technique Style Fashion Show organised by the Department of Fashion Design and Technology, Takoradi Technical University in Takoradi and the Portrait of Reality Show, organised by Exquisite Modelling Empire in Accra. It is anticipated that this project will serve as a pointer to reinforce the concept of avant-garde as a creative design paradigm in fashion design practices in Sekondi-Takoradi and Ghana as a whole.