Ghanaian media personality Nana Akua Addo has responded strongly to claims by fashion brand ALmée Couture over the ownership and creative direction of her widely discussed AMVCA “Cathedral” outfit.
The controversy began after the couture house released a statement alleging that it developed the final artistic vision, sketches, silhouette and structural detailing for the outfit before the project was cancelled and the deposit refunded.
According to the designer, although Nana Akua initially approached the brand with a cathedral-inspired concept, the fashion house was responsible for transforming the idea into a complete couture design through extensive creative work and craftsmanship.
ALmée Couture further claimed that after the project was cancelled, it was agreed that the brand would retain ownership and exclusive rights to the developed sketches and design interpretation.
The fashion house alleged that the final outfit was later produced elsewhere using the original design direction created by the brand without acknowledgment.
Reacting to the claims, Nana Akua dismissed suggestions that the outfit concept belonged to the designer, insisting that the entire creative direction originated from her.
“I’ve seen so much misinformation about my recent AMVCA outfit,” she wrote on social media.
According to her, she personally approached the designer with a detailed concept and clear vision of how she wanted the outfit to look.
Nana Akua claimed the designer declined to execute the outfit due to its complexity, after which a refund was issued and she moved on to another designer.
“So why and how is it now being claimed as yours?” she questioned.
The fashion icon maintained that the architectural concept, structure and moodboard for the outfit were all her intellectual property.
In a strongly worded response, she added: “I carry my idea and concept come show you, you say you no fit do am, I carry my kaya go another place, headache don dey worry you.”
The exchange has since sparked conversations on social media about creative ownership, fashion design ethics and intellectual property within the entertainment and fashion industries.
