Nana Kwame Adusei is capturing the attention of Beyoncé, Kylie Jenner, Ciara, and more with his cutting-edge designs. Each piece he creates carries a piece of his heritage and a whole lot of star power. Hollywood’s biggest stars are wearing Kwame Adusei, and Beyoncé was one of the first to step out in his designs. She bought a leather jacket in 2022 without him knowing at first, but since then, a flurry of celebrities have been spotted in his looks, from style icons like Lori Harvey to music powerhouses like Chlöe Bailey. Adusei remains humble about his rapid rise, attributing it to hard work and focus. “Once you put that much effort into your work, it will inevitably show,” he says. “People will be attracted to it in ways you cannot possibly put together.”
His journey began in Ghana. Born and raised in Accra, he grew up with three older sisters—an experience that gave him firsthand insight into women’s fashion frustrations. He trained at a fashion school in Accra and launched his first label, Charlotte Privé, which he ran for about eight years in Ghana. Clients would bring him a photo of a Beyoncé outfit with a few yards of fabric and expect an exact replica. Rising to the challenge, Adusei became a masterful problem-solver who could make any design fit flawlessly for his clients.
In 2020, Adusei moved to the U.S. seeking broader horizons for his creativity. By 2022, he had launched his eponymous label, Kwame Adusei, in Los Angeles. His mission was “to fuse both worlds but still stay true to [his] Ghanaian heritage.” He quickly set up a 5,000-square-foot atelier in downtown LA and even opened a flagship boutique on Doheny Drive in West Hollywood. In doing so, he is establishing what one publication called “a reference point for an African fashion house” in Hollywood, bringing a fresh West African perspective to the heart of the luxury fashion scene.
His designs celebrate all body types and genders, rooting his gender-neutral approach in how people dress back home. “Back in Ghana we just drape clothing… there’s no male or female clothing.” He often allows his garments to adapt across shapes. Even when borrowing masculine elements, his silhouettes are cut to flatter women’s bodies, creating what he describes as feminine forms with masculine inspiration. The result is clothing that feels “sexier… more protected, and very comfortable.” By designing fluid pieces that accommodate curves and movement, Adusei ensures women of all sizes feel seen and empowered in his clothes.
Sustainability drives his brand philosophy; for Kwame Adusei, it is non-negotiable. “As designers, we have a huge responsibility to make clothes that aren’t going to just be thrown away after a season,” he emphasizes. He often works with deadstock and recycled fabrics, a practice born from personal experience. “I grew up next to a landfill, so [the environment] is something I’m very concerned about.” His approach has helped him build a brand guided by long-term thinking and material responsibility. As he puts it: “People don’t trust luxury anymore because everybody’s producing in some obscure place where they’re paying people $2 an hour, even less. Don’t show one bag being made. Show the factory. Show where it’s located.”
Adusei’s excellence is earning awards and international acclaim. In 2025, he received the Sustainability Award at the Fashion Trust U.S. Awards, recognizing his approach to sustainability in luxury fashion after being selected from 16 finalists. His work has also appeared in Paris, where Kwame Adusei collections debuted internationally. This expansion has placed the brand within the global luxury fashion landscape. Nana Kwame Adusei continues to represent Ghana through his work, offering a visible example of West African talent operating on an international stage. His story is inspiring a new generation of Ghanaian designers to dream big, proving that talent from West Africa can compete and thrive on the world stage.
Written By: HQ
