ABOUT US
At Anika Clothing Company, we are passionate about fashion and empowering women. Our team of skilled artisans creates unique and beautiful garments using traditional techniques and materials. We are committed to ethical and sustainable production practices. Our mission is to share the beauty and richness of West African culture through our clothing, and to create a community of individuals who appreciate artistry and individuality.
Meet the Seamstresses
Ever wonder who makes your clothes? With Anika, now you know!
Doreen
I work as a teacher in Ghana, but the pay from that along was not enough to take care of my two daughters and one sibling. To supplement my income, I decided to start a sewing business. I learned the basics of sewing in school, so it only took me one and half years to learn everything I needed to know to start my business. Currently, I have four apprentices in my workshop and I still teach during the day.
What inspires my designs and creativity when working on dresses is to become best at what I do.
What I find most rewarding about being a seamstress is getting to express my unique style and this helps boost my personal confidence.
Nancy
In Ghana, there are not many job opportunities for vocational or technical training and it can make finding a job after university difficult. So, I decided to learn to sew. Luckily for me, my mother’s friend was into the sewing business and she taught me the business for five years. Once skilled enough to go out on my own, my father set up a container workshop in front of our house for me to start my own business. I have only one apprentice for now and things are moving on perfectly for me.
My current business goal is to get a modern sewing machines so I can set up my own clothing line. What normally inspires my designs and creativity when working on dresses is when I engage in other arts. Especially watching films provides me the opportunity to considering design elements. Personally, the greatest reward of being a seamstress is meeting dynamic individuals and who help me develop my fashion skills.
Vivian
Vivian is a single mother of two. She used the money she made from this project to pay for her children's school fees and hire someone to help her clean at home so she can focus on her sewing business.
Our Fabric
The fabric we use is wax cotton, the wax making the fabric more resistant to water and stains than your typical cotton. The patterns and fabrics are traditional Ghanaian and bought in local Kumasi markets. They design and print new fabrics every two weeks and although some fabrics are consistent, some are only available for those two weeks and never return to the market. This makes each Anika dress special and unique!
All Anika fabrics have been pre-washed and dried, but just like all cotton, should be washed in cold water and hanged to dry to minimize shrinkage.