Ghana is the ideal country for ethical sourcing and production. There is a wealth of artisinal textiles, an abundance of skilled production talent in need of work, and a legal framework that will support the export of your product. The combination of the inspiration of the culture and textiles with the impact of your venture on the economic growth of individuals is the perfect climate for your social business.
Batik, kente, adinkra, batakari, and fugu are the main indigenous Ghanaian textiles. Everyday wear consists of cotton wax printed textiles made by five main Ghanaian producers. The colors, patterns, and motifs in these textiles are visual representations of history, proverbs, moral values, and social codes.
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A Brief Course Description
Everything you need to know about sourcing in Ghana:
- An Overview of Ghanian Textiles
- Identifying Potential Suppliers
- Visiting Suppliers On Site
- Expect Complications
- After You’re Gone
- Waxed Cotton Prints
*This is Part 1 of the 2-class series and it will focus on sourcing in Ghana. Find more information HERE.
Everything you need to know about apparel production in Ghana:
- Partnering
- Pricing
- Legalities
- Small But Important Tricks
*This is Part 2 of the 2-class series and it will focus on production in Ghana. Find more information HERE.
Meet our Teachers
Meghan Sebold
Meghan is the president and designer of Afia, a women’s sustainable fashion line sourced and sewn in Ghana, West Africa. She was drawn to study abroad in Ghana in 2006 because of the vibrant textiles and the complexity that comes with working in developing economies. During a research project studying the local textile industry, Meghan saw both the talent and ambitions of the seamstresses and textiles vendors as well as the growth limitations their businesses faced. By translating the textiles into trends that resonate with American pop culture, Afia opens up a much larger consumer market for Ghanaian textile vendors and seamstresses.
Meghan graduated from the University of San Francisco with a BA in International Relations and Economics. She learned to communicate her design ideas through courses at the FIT.
Elizabeth Cloyd
Elizabeth is a member of the Source4Style team, the first online sustainable textile sourcing platform. She has been with Source4Style from the very beginning – helping design and build the website and facilitating the arrival of the first textiles samples from India, Peru and Uganda. Since then she has sourced fabric and developed relationships with textile suppliers around the world. A recent trip to Ghana to source textiles and clothing has given her an even greater understanding of the global linkages in sustainable fashion. In addition to her work at Sourc4Style, she is the Partnership Director for the socially conscience fashion line Afia.
Elizabeth graduated with a business degree from the University of Colorado – Boulder and has worked with such major brands as Oscar de la Renta and RODO.
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