In Kumasi, Ghana, a workshop in the Sawaba suburb is bustling with young women learning garment-making and beadwork. The founder, Bilkis Zulkarnain, a graduate of Kumasi Technical University's fashion design program, aims to create a modest-fashion brand that extends beyond Ghana's borders. Her interest in clothing began in childhood, driven by admiration for her elegant and modest dressing style. This passion led her to formally study fashion, eventually running her own fashion brand.
Zulkarnain identified a gap in the market, noting that despite Africa's creative talent, many consumers opt for modest clothing imported from Turkey, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia. This observation prompted her to establish Alkiss Fashion School. She wants African designers to move beyond consuming international fashion trends and become part of the global modest fashion conversation. Her goal is to empower women with skills in garment production and design.
The women attending Zulkarnain's workshop come from diverse backgrounds, including those seeking alternative income sources after struggling to find formal employment. The training program covers garment cutting, machine sewing, and decorative beadwork. One graduate, Khadimatullah Suleiman Ishaq, has opened her own fashion shop and now trains other aspiring designers. Ishaq credits Zulkarnain with encouraging her to start small.
The school's impact extends beyond Ghana, with students traveling from across West Africa. Four women from Mali, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, and The Gambia are currently training at the Kumasi-based school. Kambara Houda from Togo and Isatou Mamansa Sanko from The Gambia intend to return home and pass on their skills to other women interested in fashion design.
Since 2023, the school has trained approximately 120 women in fashion design and garment production. Zulkarnain's broader goal is to help them become independent designers and entrepreneurs, rather than simply machine operators. Her approach focuses on empowering women with skills and knowledge to succeed in the fashion industry.
The school's graduates are already making a positive impact. Khadimatullah's students include a Ghana Water Company employee and a worker from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) attending weekend classes. This demonstrates the potential for the school to create a ripple effect, enabling women to pursue new opportunities and build sustainable careers.
Zulkarnain's initiative has the potential to contribute significantly to Ghana's fashion industry and beyond. By providing women with skills in garment production and design, she aims to promote modest fashion and empower women economically. The school's growth and reach could pave the way for African designers to become a major force in the global modest fashion market.
Key points
- Bilkis Zulkarnain's Alkiss Fashion School has trained around 120 women in fashion design and garment production since 2023.
- The school's reach extends beyond Ghana, with students from Mali, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, and The Gambia currently training at the Kumasi-based school.
- Zulkarnain aims to empower women with skills in garment production and design, promoting modest fashion and economic empowerment.
