Episode Four- From Etsy to the Vogue Fashion Fund: Akua Shabaka on Building a Brand with Style and Substance

Entrepreneurship

Oct 29

Written By Sereth Design

Akua Shabaka makes clothes that celebrate the nuanced history of The Diaspora. Listen as she takes us on a spiritual journey of founding her fashion house alongside her mother, using garments as a way to keep the past alive, and the financial realities of producing story-rich clothes for the runway. Listen here.

Guest:

Akua Shabaka, Co-Founder and Creative Director of House of Aama

About the Episode:

In this episode, Akua Shabaka, co-founder and creative director of House of Aama, goes deep into the archives to tell us about how she resurrects underrepresented history through fashion and makes it undeniably cool. For this visionary designer, it’s truly a family affair. From co-founding her label with her mother to creating designs inspired by the West African folklore passed down by her parents, Akua centers her heritage in every stitch. And it all started with her upcycling vintage clothes on Etsy. Listen here for this and more helpful tips on whether or not to show at New York Fashion Week, where to get the best internships, and staying afloat with the help of family funding. You may even figure out how to land a coveted spot in the CFDA’s Vogue Fashion Fund.