SA: Who Is Koffi Maako?
My name is Zechariah Mako, I’m 23 and I am the creative director behind Koffi Maako.
SA: What sparked your interest in fashion?
Honestly, I started it as a way to keep myself busy before I started university after finishing high school. So it is more like a hobby turned into a career.
SA: When and how did it all start?
It all happened in my mum’s clothing shop about 5 years ago. I had just finished high school waiting to go to the University. After we graduated from high school, a man spoke to me and a group of my friends about how life would be after that. He urged us to take advantage of any chance we would have to learn anything new very seriously because life might come with unexpected turns and hiccups. So I began working as an intern for a guy in my mother’s shop. After a few months, I noticed that most things came extremely easily to me, so I made the decision to enroll in school to study fashion, and the rest is history.
SA: How would you describe your personal style?
I don’t think I have personal style to be very honest. I wear what speaks to me in that particular moment but I always like to be very comfortable which is why most of my clothing are very baggy.
SA: Do you remember the first piece of clothing you were really obsessed with?
Yessss! The first shirt I was taught to make. It was this batik fabric shirt with a zipper on the shoulder. It was my first so it had all my love. Haha..
SA: What inspires your fashion designs?
I truly believe that there is this lack of representation of true African fashion in the mainstream industry so I make efforts to include African aesthetics more vividly into my designs.
SA: You’re both the creative and the business head of your company. How do you balance your time between the two?
This is such a difficult thing to handle and I’m not even joking. I have and still is struggling with the business aspect of it and also because I’m 23.
SA: How do you define cool in fashion?
For me, It is the confidence of the person wearing the piece of clothing that defines cool in fashion because I believe you can wear the most expensive designer outfits and accessories but if you are not confident with what you have on, it’s just going to be like any other thing.
SA: How would you describe your brand aesthetics?
My brand aesthetics is pure Africanism. At least that is what I want to represent.
SA: Is it feasible to design whatever you can think of?
It is but it takes so much time and effort to actually design.
SA: What aspects of the fashion industry would you like to change in your country?
I like to change how Ghanaians especially the youth perceive fashion because we seem to be more in tune and comfortable with the western culture and lifestyle that we forget how beautiful and amazing our culture is.
SA: What do you aspire to be?
I aspire to be an inspiration to other young people who want their voices to be heard and their visions to be seen.
SA: What do you love most about your brand?
The Africanness and boldness of it.
SA: Is fashion ultimately about emotion?
Yes it is. Despite the fact that I adore everything I own, I don’t always prefer to wear it. Before I even put on the piece, I have to feel an emotional connection to it. And when it also comes to designing, I have to be mentally prepared to deal with all the emotions that I’m going to face in the creative process by putting my heart and soul into it.
SA: How many collections do you have?
Just one; BEYINBA COLLECTION
SA: What role do you think social media play in fashion today?
Social media has actually become the heart and soul of everything and it is there that you get to see everything creative and eccentric that can also inspire you to do your own thing.
SA: What was the main inspiration behind the latest collection?
The inspiration was what a modern day boy (me) will wear if he lived 30 or 40 years ago.
SA: What advice do you give upcoming designers?
Know what you are and also what to represent and stand very firm with your vision.
SA: Is there an upcoming collection you would like to promote?
Yesssss. The BIBINI COLLECTION. It is a representation of good days and the bad ones and finding gratitude in everything.
SA: How do we purchase your outfits?
I have a website, www.koffimaako.com and you can also order by sending us a DM on instagram @koffimaako
Thank You Koffi Maako
English