A Ghanaian fashion designer, Sadia Sanusi, is redefining dressmaking by blending inherited craftsmanship with contemporary design, positioning her work within both local and global fashion conversations.
Sanusi’s journey reflects a deep-rooted family legacy passed down through two generations of women. Like many of the world’s leading fashion houses built on tradition and craftsmanship, her story is anchored in lineage as much as skill.
Growing up in a home with a sewing studio, Sanusi was exposed early to the art of dressmaking. She recalls observing her mother and apprentices transform fabric into garments in what she described as a lively and busy environment.
“I still have fond memories of watching my mother sew,” she said. “It was quite a chaotic setting, with bundles of cloth everywhere and customers always on the move. She was that good. Whenever I came back from school, I would sneak in there, curiously observing, eager to be a part of it all. I found their work fascinating.”
The foundation of her craft, she said, began with her grandmother, who mentored her mother. Although she never met her grandmother, Sanusi said the stories she heard shaped her understanding of the profession.
“I never got to meet my grandma, but my mom always spoke highly of her,” she said. “I heard stories of how she could read a fabric’s grain and knew exactly where each seam should fall, even without measuring. She was gifted, and my mom used to tell me I had a touch of her greatness in me.”
Sanusi emerged as the only one among her siblings to pursue the craft, describing her early experiences in her mother’s studio as pivotal to her development.
“It’s more than nostalgia for me, because that’s where my destiny was shaped,” she said. “There’s something profound about witnessing creativity unfold. Seeing the ideas of other women come to life before my eyes was transformative.”
In 2016, after earning a Bachelor of Communication Design from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Sanusi launched her fashion brand, Sadia Sanusi. The brand has since grown into an atelier focused on bespoke Kente designs that highlight African identity and craftsmanship.
Her work combines heritage with modern couture techniques, drawing parallels with global fashion capitals such as Paris, Milan and New York. Her designs have appeared on red carpets and gained attention beyond Africa, noted for features such as boned bodices, hand-finished French seams and detailed beadwork.
“Kente’s bold geometry speaks of identity, cultural pride, and legacy,” she said. “Those stories find a home in every piece I create.”
Despite growing international recognition, Sanusi says she is committed to building her brand in Ghana and contributing to the local fashion industry.
“Sometimes, the best kind of legacy is the kind you leave at home,” she said. “Africa’s next generation of fashion leaders is emerging, and I would like to be at the forefront.”
As part of efforts to sustain the craft, she is investing in the local fashion ecosystem and training upcoming designers. Her upcoming SS Kente Sewing Artistry masterclass, scheduled for June, will mark the tenth anniversary of her brand. The programme will bring together emerging and established designers for hands-on training in Kente construction, couture techniques and fashion business development.
Sanusi has also been supporting young designers by donating professional sewing machines and supplies to graduates of fashion schools across Ghana, including Dreams College.
Over the past decade, she has built a brand that connects generations of craftsmanship while contributing to the growth of Ghana’s fashion industry, ensuring that traditional dressmaking skills continue to evolve in a modern context.
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