Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson Announced As The 2015 Vlisco Ambassador

Last night, authentic Dutch wax brand Vlisco concluded their month-long celebration of the third annual Vlisco Women’s Month campaign with a star-studded award ceremony and fashion show in Accra, where Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson was announced as the 2015 Vlisco Ambassador.

On winning, the founder and director of the Girls Education Initiative of Ghana which provides academic and financial support for girls, with a special focus on students with special needs said: “It’s a profound honour to be associated with the Vlisco brand and carry the torch from my predecessor, Eugenia Tachie-Menson, who performed her role so well. I am incredibly honoured to fill the shoes of such great women. I want to thank everyone who voted for me and I’m looking forward to the year ahead.

The night featured performances from singing sensation Gena West and multiple award-winning neo-soul vocalist Efya as well as the funky sounds of the Afro Maestro Orchestra, a group that combines African beats with traditional classical instruments in an incredible fusion. The young and talented singer Maame Esi and Heroes Dance Group also gave great performances at the show.

The fashion show was based on the stunning and colourful ‘Feel’ collection from Vlisco, with a vibrant, varied and inspiring collection from six talented Ghanaian designers including Mavis Adwoa Yeboah Designs, Alikoto Clothing, Kofi Gyedu, Ameyo, Kwabena Klassics and Royal Dennis. Makeup for the fashion show was provided by Maybelline New York and jewellery from Armanda Jewels.

Constance Mensah of fashion label EfuaStanzz was announced as the winner of the Fashion Fund programme which serves as a platform for young and incredibly talented up-and coming-designers to showcase their creative abilities and compete for prizes designed to support them in living their dreams as a fashion designer.

The event featured an amazing turnout of some of Ghana’s most prestigious dignitaries and celebrities, there to soak in the amazing performances and support a brand that has become synonymous with empowering women to achieve their dreams. Among the guests were Stephanie Benson, Grace Omaboe, Marie Humbert, Aunty Paulina, Shirley Frimpong-Manson, Hon Minister Sherry Ayitey to name but a few.

The award ceremony and fashion show culminates Vlisco’s month-long celebration of women which is designed to coincide with International Women’s Day. Over the past month, various public appearances, speaking engagements and media activities in countries across West and Central Africa supported this year’s campaign theme: LIVE THE DREAM, a tribute to women who have the faith and courage to accomplish their dreams.

With singer Barbara Kanam as the face of this campaign, Vlisco continued the success of last year’s celebration of inspiring West and Central African women, empowering women to achieve their dreams.

The nominees have spent a busy month attending events and activities to promote social change and campaign for votes from the public. The runners-up for the campaign are:

- Kokui Selormey is the award-winning co-host of a leading TV breakfast show and a classical singer who divides her time between advising a non-governmental organization that supports the survival of children in Ghana and using her talents to help raise funds for charitable causes

- Valerie Labi-Okudzeto is the CEO of Clean Team Ghana, a company dedicated to improving sanitation services in Ghana by revolutionizing how waste is removed from households and catalysing innovation and commercialization of municipal waste

The Vlisco Women’s Month campaign was supported by Access Bank, Delta Air Lines and Maybelline New York.