We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Efua Amissah-Aggrey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Efua below.

Efua, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I started working at 15 years old and as I continued to advance in my career and eventually entered the corporate world, I found myself questioning if this was it. If this routine would define the next 30 – 40 years of my life. Beyond the initial thrill of a new job, I consistently grappled with a sense of unfulfillment, recognizing that many of my skills and talents remained untapped. My true passion lies in the realm of creativity. Whether through writing, painting, graphic design, or, most importantly, fashion. That’s where I truly thrive.  Fashion has been a constant source of joy throughout my life, from meticulously planning my outfits as a child to styling others in my early 20s. It became my medium for expressing the intricacies of my personality, emotions, and ideas.
Despite feeling a profound connection to it, I never thought pursuing it as a full-time career was realistic. In my world, everyone followed the conventional 9-5 job path, and societal expectations, especially in an African household, emphasized pursuing a career in STEM. The routine of a conventional job never felt quite right; it was as if my true self was confined within those walls. The more I suppressed my longing for a creative career, the more the desire to break free intensified. However, there comes a point when the heart’s whispers become too loud to ignore. That realization dawned on me during a fashion show in October 2021. Amid the runway lights, I got lost in thoughts, picturing my future show. Ideas swirled in my mind—how the models would walk, the music playing, the emotions people would feel and, most importantly, the exquisite garments and the story they would share. Even before creating a single piece or buying any fabric, these thoughts engrossed me. I made a decision that day, determined not to spend my entire life wondering “what if, “I chose the unconventional path, embracing the uncertainty that came with chasing my dreams. Little did I know, this decision would not only redefine my life but also reshape my understanding of fulfillment and purpose.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi, my name is Efua Amissah-Aggrey, I am a fashion designer. It’s kind of surreal to introduce myself that way. The fact that I’ve achieved my lifelong dream of pursuing a career in fashion never ceases to amaze me —it’s genuinely the honor of a lifetime. My journey to becoming a fashion designer hasn’t been easy, but each obstacle I faced became a steppingstone, propelling me forward and shaping my path. The triumphs, both big and small, are the fuel that keeps my passion alive. It’s the resilience gained from overcoming these obstacles that have shaped the person and fashion designer I am today. Let’s rewind a bit, shall we?

My love for fashion traces back to my childhood as I would watch my mom meticulously put together her outfits. Witnessing the confidence radiate from her as she completed each look left me in awe. My fascination with fashion grew, and by middle school, I was experimenting with clothes to understand my personal style. I vividly remember the extensive planning that went into my clothes, accessories, and hairstyle every night before school. My mom would jokingly question if there was a perpetual fashion show at my school, but for me, every moment outside my house was an opportunity to showcase my style.

Fashion, once just a hobby, overtime transformed into an innate calling. The profound realization that suppressing my creativity would result in immense regret in the future became crystal clear after a fashion show in October 2021. While sitting in my car afterward, the emotions overwhelmed me, so I pulled out my phone and poured my heart out in a voice memo. I knew without a doubt that this was what I wanted to do with my life. Once home, fueled by that newfound determination, I translated my dreams onto a vision board, outlining the types of clothes I wanted to design, visualizing the runway shows, and sketching out the life I wanted. Each image I placed on that board became a declaration of my commitment to a future where purpose, passion, and perseverance become the driving force to bring these images to life.

Jumping ahead to the present year, 2023, where my vision board became reality, I had the incredible opportunity to present my very first collection, “Triumph in Technicolor,” at both The Lady Lounge “Women Matter Fashion Show” and “Passport to Fashion” during Fashion Week Columbus. This collection means the world to me; it’s not just about expressing my creativity—it’s a living testament to my personal growth and transformation. Each piece carries a piece of my journey and seeing it all come to life on the runway is beyond words. Fashion, for me, has been a healing force, empowering me to be the confident and radiant woman you see today. This collection is a fusion of hope, resilience, and triumph, interwoven seamlessly with the rich heritage of Ghana. Each piece is elevated by fabrics paying homage to the indigenous textile brand established by the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President.

The collection reflects the victories achieved through perseverance as we navigate life’s challenges. These challenges are what shape us into wise and adaptable individuals capable of reaching new heights of intimacy, empathy, and self-acceptance. Within this remarkable collection, we embark on a fashion-forward exploration that beckons us to embrace the very essence of African culture. Here, fashion becomes a vibrant celebration of life itself, allowing us to revel in the depth and intricacy of our existence and experiences.

My inspiration stems from fashion becoming a profound teacher, guiding me through the challenges of severe depression and anxiety during my childhood. Rediscovering my love for fashion and reestablishing my relationship with God became transformative turning points along my journey. Looking back, I feel an overwhelming wave of peace, recognizing my worth and embracing the beautiful life I’ve been blessed with. Every day, I wake up to actively pursue my dreams, using fashion as a medium to promote a message of radical self-love and acceptance for my self and others.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Yes, at Baddest, we’re on a mission to use fashion as a tool for a radical self-confidence movement. We believe in wholeheartedly embracing and expressing yourself through your unique personal style and presence in the world. Society’s beauty standards often impose unrealistic expectations to dictate how we should look, leading to widespread insecurities. Having personally faced challenges with low self-esteem, I know firsthand the devastating impact it has on our mental and physical well-being. Fashion became my means of overcoming these struggles, guiding me to discover and embrace my authentic self, flaws and all. Now, I’m driven to help others navigate a similar journey and find their inner confidence. We want to inspire people of all sizes, races, sexual orientations, abilities, and more to confidently express themselves. Remember, the clothes are just an accessory—the confidence is all you, and you wear it well.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

A story that best illustrates my resilience is the story of how the brand name “Baddest” came to life. I was bullied most of my childhood, from elementary all the way up to high school. Although I’ve healed from a lot of that now, back then, my self-esteem was practically nonexistent. One day, I came home crying, and before I could make it to my room, my dad saw me and asked what was wrong. I told him that the kids at school were making fun of me and calling me ugly. My dad looked at me and asked, “Do you think you’re ugly?” I said, “Well, no….” He said, “So what’s the problem?” with a slight chuckle. And the light switch went off in my head. My dad taught me a very valuable lesson that day. That I am only who I say I am. So, from that day on, even if I didn’t feel the best, I would refer to myself as “The Baddest” because I refuse to let my worth be defined by the opinions of strangers. Fast forward to today as a 25-year-old Efua; I understand that my worth is rooted in what God has affirmed about me and reinforced my self-perception . I know that I am beautiful, intelligent, ambitious, compassionate, full of life, and most importantly, THE BADDEST. Not in comparison to anyone or swayed by the opinions of the world. I love the woman I am, flaws and all. Little Efua would be so proud to see me now, fearlessly taking on the world with her head held up high. At the core, that is what Baddest is all about. It’s about fearlessly taking on the world with a deep knowing of how valuable and truly unique you are.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ShopBaddest.com
• Instagram: @baddesttrends @justefua
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/efua-amissah-aggrey-150044219?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Image Credits
Tony Bentivegna Photography