Inspired By An Accra Slum, Streetchief Blends Streetwear & Hair Art
Ghanaian designer Jesse Frimpong's Streetchief blends modern streetwear and traditional threaded hairstyles in the label's latest collection
Images courtesy of STRETCHIEF
In 2013, Ghanaian fashion designer Jesse Frimpong launched the streetwear brand STREETCHIEF to bridge a specific disconnect he noticed within himself and among his peers.
"The brand is a reflection of many African youth in the diaspora who are [torn] between traditional principles of the African culture and the hip hop influenced urban culture of Western world," the Canadian-based designer told Okayafrica via email.
The most recent STREETCHIEF collection pays homage to Nima, an Accra slum where Frimpong spent most of his childhood years. In the Nima Girls lookbook, photographed by William Ukoh, each colorful item is brought to life thanks to model Jessica Bentu's effervescence and Philippa Frimpong's fresh hairstyling talents. The traditional threaded hairstyle worn by Bentu—and famously photographed by J.D. Okhai Ojeikere—perfectly reflects the duality that Frimpong is aiming for with his brand.
"As the mission also implies, STREETCHIEF is definitely dedicated to a certain demographic usually ignored in fashion, music and art, even though they offer artists so much inspiration," said Frimpong.
To shop the 'Nima Girls' collection and to learn more about the brand, visit STREETCHIEF's website and Instagram page.