Kwaku Bediako, Chief Executive Officer of Menswear brand, Chocolate Clothing has emerged winner of the first edition of Joy FM and African Fashion Fund collaboration.

African Fashion Fund, in collaboration with Joy 99.7 FM, a few weeks ago embarked on a journey to find one lucky Ghanaian fashion designer to represent Ghana at, and participate in, this year’s Paris Fashion Week.

According to the organisers, over 800 designers applied to participate in the competition. 

Founder of African Fashion Fund, Roberta Annan, who was excited about the outcome of the cooperation with Joy FM, says it was difficult settling on the 10 finalists.

“We got over 800 applicants which were quite shocking and that list was shortlisted to 10, it was difficult choosing the 10,” she said.

On Wednesday, all 10 finalists namely Abrantie, Avonsige, Meg Signature, Esowba Couture, Kofi Akotuah, Sante Trends, Chevelle, Tapaz Trends, Jae GH, Chocolate by Kwaku Bediako, took turns to display their designs to judges - Lexis Bill, Amina Kwei and Virgile Satge, a representative from the French Embassy.

After rounds of questioning, Chocolate Clothing was adjudged the winner.

“We had 10-point criteria; passion, branding, talent, articulation and confidence, presentation, outfit, an occasion for outfit, motivation, colour combination and fit for the model. The highest person got 262 and the least had 180,” Lexis Bill revealed.

Obviously, Chocolate got the highest marks on the judge’s sheet. He was announced the winner of the trip to Paris Fashion Week and Change Summit under the auspices of French President, Emmanuel Macron.

“It is a great feeling. We’ve been working on this; we’ve been working on our brand. We’ve been working really hard. Recognition is very important coupled with the challenges in the industry to actually win an honour like this to actually go and represent not just Ghana but Africa in Paris is huge,” an overwhelmed Kwaku Bediako said.

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