Some legacies are written in history, while others are woven into the fabric of a nation. At the grand finale of Ghana’s Most Beautiful’s twentieth anniversary season, fashion brought this idea to life through a beautiful mix of Ghanaian textiles, contemporary couture and cultural expression.Themed The Legacy Year, the season celebrated the pageant’s journey since its inception in 2007. Beyond the search for a winner, the finale provided a platform for Ghanaian designers and creatives to showcase their talent, with each outfit contributing to a night of colour, creativity and cultural pride. Among the evening’s standout moments were the six finalists’ evening gowns, created through a collaboration between GTP, the pageant’s main fabric sponsor, and Ghanaian fashion house Hagyams. Made with GTP NuStyle fabric, the gowns reflected different regional identities and design inspirations, proving that one fabric range could tell many different stories.
Six Finalists, Six Gowns: A Legacy in Design
From bold prints to sculpted silhouettes and intricate embellishments, the six gowns offered individual interpretations of Ghanaian heritage through modern fashion.
Nana Konadu: A Tribute to Bono Heritage
Inspired by the traditions of the Bono people, Nana Konadu’s gown paired a rich burgundy bodice with a patterned GTP NuStyle skirt. The structured top gave the design a regal feel, while the expressive print added character and connected the look to its cultural inspiration.
Lamiley: Heritage Meets Contemporary Couture
Lamiley’s gown combined bold African print with purple satin, sculpted corsetry and detailed embellishments. The contrast between the patterned fabric and smooth satin gave the outfit depth, while the fitted bodice created a defined silhouette. The result was a modern, polished look that brought Greater Accra’s cultural identity into a contemporary fashion setting.
Sessinam: The Legacy of Volta
Sessinam’s gown stood out through its vibrant combination of burgundy, orange, purple and blue. The sculpted corset and mermaid silhouette created a dramatic shape, while floral details around the shoulders softened the design. Its flowing train added movement, bringing the different colours and textures together in a striking tribute to the Volta Region.
Ayinboma: A Celebration of African Heritage
Representing the Upper East Region, Ayinboma wore a gown featuring a colourful blend of orange, green and purple GTP print, accented with magenta embellishments. The fitted bodice, mermaid silhouette and flowing train gave the outfit an elegant finish, while the beadwork added texture and detail without taking attention away from the fabric.
Tiwaa: A Portrait of Modern African Elegance
Tiwaa’s gown brought together a blue and gold African-print bodice, intricate beadwork and a teal satin skirt. The detailed upper section contrasted beautifully with the smoother skirt, while the mermaid silhouette and voluminous train added drama. The design demonstrated how Ghanaian prints can work effortlessly with contemporary couture techniques.
Ampomaa: The Purple Queen of Asanteman
Titled The Purple Queen of Asanteman, Ampomaa’s gown drew inspiration from the cultural heritage and royal associations of the Ashanti Kingdom. Purple dominated the design, while geometric patterns referenced traditional craftsmanship. Sculptural ruffles and feather details added volume and movement, giving the gown a theatrical finish while maintaining its connection to Asante heritage.
Together, the six gowns showed the creative possibilities of GTP NuStyle fabric. Through their individual choices of colour, print, structure and embellishment, the designers transformed a shared textile into six distinct expressions of identity and style.
Cocktail Elegance: Six Interpretations of Style
The fashion story continued during the question and answer segment, when the finalists appeared in cocktail dresses made with GTP NuStyle fabric. These looks offered a lighter, more playful take on occasion dressing while allowing each contestant’s style to shine.The dresses were designed by Manthabrown for Sessinam, Eliomarleyofficial for Tiwaa, Vhest_Atelier for Lamiley, EugeneDwise for Ampomaa, Hensel for Ayinboma and EboCommodore for Nana Konadu.
With a different designer creating each look, the segment highlighted the versatility of the fabric and the creativity behind each interpretation. The dresses had their own personalities, showing that Ghanaian textiles can be adapted to different silhouettes and occasions without losing their distinctive character.
A Cultural Opening, Reimagined Through Fashion
Before the finalists took the stage in their cocktail dresses and gowns, the opening act set the tone with ensembles by GOTA GH.
The outfits featured long, layered raffia skirts paired with corseted cowrie shell tops. The natural texture of the raffia contrasted with the structured bodices, creating looks that were both dramatic and visually interesting. The layered skirts added movement, while the cowrie shell detailing brought texture and cultural character to the ensembles.Matching hairpieces by Purple Trends completed the looks, giving the opening act a coordinated appearance while allowing each outfit to retain its individuality.
The styling offered a fresh interpretation of cultural references through materials, shapes and accessories, demonstrating how traditional elements can inspire contemporary stage fashion.
The Finishing Touches: Jewellery, Beauty and Hair
Fashion is rarely just about the clothes. The right jewellery, hairstyle and makeup can bring an entire look together, and the finale was no exception.
Woman by Sangel’s Imperfection Collection contributed jewellery pieces identified as Raw Beauty, Heritage, Armani and Becoming. The accessories complemented the contestants’ outfits, adding detail to their overall presentation without overwhelming the designs.
Meanwhile, Covered Cosmetics handled makeup, while Leejay Looks styled the contestants’ hair. Their contributions helped create a cohesive appearance, ensuring that the clothing, jewellery and beauty choices worked together throughout the evening.These details may sometimes go unnoticed, but they play an important role in how a look comes together. When carefully chosen, they enhance the outfit and allow the designer’s work to stand out.
More Than a Finale: A Fashion Legacy
Twenty years of Ghana’s Most Beautiful is a milestone worth celebrating, not only for the pageant itself but also for the creative opportunities it has provided.From the GTP NuStyle gowns created with Hagyams to the cocktail dresses, GOTA GH’s raffia and cowrie shell ensembles, and the work of the jewellery, makeup and hair teams, the finale brought together a range of local creative talents.
More importantly, the fashion of The Legacy Year showed that heritage and modernity do not have to compete. Ghanaian textiles, regional traditions and familiar cultural materials can inspire fresh ideas when placed in the hands of imaginative designers.As Ghana’s Most Beautiful moves beyond its twentieth year, the message extends beyond the runway.
Supporting local designers, celebrating Ghanaian craftsmanship and creating platforms for emerging talent are all part of keeping the country’s fashion story alive.
The legacy of Ghanaian fashion is not simply found in what has already been created. It lives in the hands of designers who continue to experiment, in the fabrics that carry stories of identity, and in the next generation of creatives who will find new ways to express what it means to be Ghanaian.
A true legacy does more than endure. It evolves, inspires and continues to be woven into the future.
By: Sheeba Walker