Ghanaian dancer and creative entrepreneur Lisa Quama has made history as the first Ghanaian to walk a runway at New York Fashion Week. This milestone was achieved while also participating in Climate Week, a period of global events focused on sustainability and environmental action. Quama's achievement marks a significant moment for Ghanaian and African creators, showcasing their growing presence in global cultural spaces. Her trip to New York was organized by Accra-based creative agency FOURTH AVENEW.
Quama's New York experience began with attending the Opulence Fashion Show as a VIP guest, seated in the front row alongside fashion industry figures, creatives, and cultural tastemakers. This appearance set the stage for her runway debut at the Made With Intention show, where she became the first Ghanaian to walk at New York Fashion Week. During her runway appearance, Quama incorporated dance and movement, blending fashion presentation with performance.
Quama is known internationally for using dance to tell stories on digital platforms. She carried her signature style onto the New York runway, bringing a unique energy to the fashion show. Her participation in New York Fashion Week and Climate Week highlights the intersection of fashion, dance, and sustainability, two worlds that increasingly overlap on international stages. This intersection was further explored through her performance at the THREADS OF IMPACT show.
As part of Climate Week, Quama delivered a one-hour dance installation at the THREADS OF IMPACT show, presented by The Sustainability Laboratory. The performance used choreography and movement to explore themes of sustainability, fashion, and human connection. This event showcased Quama's ability to convey complex themes through dance, offering a fresh perspective on sustainability and environmental action.
Quama's achievement is being framed as more than a personal milestone; it reflects a growing opportunity for Ghanaian and African creators to enter global cultural spaces with their own identities. Her participation offers a visible example of a local talent shaping global cultural conversations, rather than simply observing them. This development is expected to inspire young Ghanaian creatives in fashion, dance, and digital content.
The significance of Quama's achievement lies in its potential to pave the way for other Ghanaian and African creators to participate in global cultural events. Her presence at New York Fashion Week and Climate Week demonstrates the growing recognition of African creative expression on the international stage. As a result, Quama's milestone is being celebrated as a breakthrough moment for Ghanaian and African creatives.
While there are no indications of Quama's further scheduled appearances at New York Fashion Week or Climate Week events, her achievement is expected to have a lasting impact on the global cultural landscape. New York Fashion Week is a biannual series of runway shows that draw global attention to fashion trends, while Climate Week brings together policymakers, businesses, and cultural figures for events focused on climate action and sustainability.
Key points
- Lisa Quama is the first Ghanaian to walk a runway at New York Fashion Week and participate in Climate Week.
- Quama's achievement marks a growing opportunity for Ghanaian and African creators to enter global cultural spaces with their own identities.
- Her participation highlights the intersection of fashion, dance, and sustainability, showcasing the potential for creative expression to convey complex themes.
