By Monique Ezinwa
Meet Mishanty, the South London Ghanaian designer who’s making traditional West African fashion into a trendy shared experience for all cultures.
Tucked away in the middle of Brixton village is where you’ll find MISHANTY. Unaware to those who do not know of Brixton, the cultural hub of South London, Brixton village is the perfect place for Mishanty, a place filled with colour. I was lucky enough to watch the store’s setup. In contrast to the outside gloomy weather, the space was transformed from darkness in minutes and took on character.
Mishanty’s store interweaves modern and traditional elements to create innovative designs that help form London’s fashion landscape. Her first steps into the fashion world were in in-house design, where the industry’s rhythmic pulse set trends. Her career began in the fast-paced apparel industry. The fusion of artistic and commercial endeavours thrust her into a realm where her creations were featured in recognisable department shops, where she supplied retail giants like Warehouse and Acadia Group.
Mishanty says, “It feels like a different lifetime when I used to resupply to the High Street.” Growing up in the U.K., she had a good childhood with a seamstress mother who allowed her to be involved in fashion at a young age. However, as life unfolded, so did Mishanty’s perspective on her heritage.
“I wasn’t initially drawn to African clothing,” she says. Life, nevertheless, had a way of urging her in a different direction. Her work with manufacturers involved tight collaboration with printing, which led to a significant shift. “I began to appreciate the richness of West African prints, infusing them with a Westernised flair that resonated with a younger audience,” says Mishanty.
The moment her identity and work came together, she described it as “like finding my creative home.” When faced with the difficulties of extensive travel, especially after becoming a parent, Mishanty boldly decided to forge her route. “I needed to take control of my name and work,” she says. With this choice, a store that reflected Mishanty’s name and creative spirit was born.
The development of Mishanty’s store involved more than simply clothes—every stitch and piece of fabric had a story. She says, “I design for confident women who want to stand out, feel good, and look good,” highlighting that her creations are more than just clothes; they are statements of individuality as she works closely with clientele to ensure that each piece is unique to them.
Thorough research into the dynamic realm of fashion is necessary to bring these designs to life. “Manufacturers work from fashion shows and catwalks, identifying the next trend,” says Mishanty. However, because she can work on her schedule, she incorporates her ideas into designs that capture original stories and trends.
Trends are sometimes at the centre of Mishanty’s creative process. “Kimonos were popular last year. I sold a lot of kimonos,” she says; the previous year saw a rise in maxi dresses including cutout features, demonstrating Mishanty’s capacity to stay on the cutting edge.
“The trend this year?… It lingers from the last year,” she says. According to Mishanty, jumpsuits, pastel dresses, and maxi dresses with cutout features are still popular. “Those are the shapes and trends that speak to my clients.” The trick is to adjust these forms with creative elements rather than trying to recreate the wheel, which Mishanty is very good at.
She emphasises that this is where the importance of the print comes into play. Because every print is different, a single print transforms a well-known shape into something fresh and intriguing. The fact that Mishanty adds unique details to well-known shapes rather than merely copying trends is what sets her apart.
A fundamental element of Mishanty’s methodology is the meticulous choice of textiles. West African prints provide a medium for her artistic expression with deep cultural meanings. “Fabrics come in batches, and once it’s gone, it’s gone,” she says, highlighting every production’s fleeting aspect.
More than just a fashion decision, the fusion of West African designs with Western trends is a cultural movement. According to Mishanty, “recognising who you are and being proud of it” is a message that permeates all of her works. Through her clothes, the store is where many cultures join together via embroidery and screen printing.
As the discussion progresses, Mishanty divulges more about her clientele.
“It’s more the younger generation who wants a bit more Westernised styling,”
Mishanty, speaking about African Fashion Week, says. “It’s not just about UK designers; it’s a global exchange of creativity”. Collaborating involves forming alliances with jewellery designers and skillfully integrating fashion components with accessories that perfectly complement the designs she sells in her business.
Mishanty’s vision does not end at the boundaries of cultural exclusivity. Regardless of ethnic background, everyone is welcome to visit her store. It’s about establishing a space where different stories come together, not simply about clothes.
“I think it’s about embracing people into the shop so they understand where we come from,” she says. She asks others to embrace the designs as a cultural expression, seeing them as more than just patterns on cloth. Some clients are cautious when they approach, wondering if they fit the style of West African designs, but Mishanty claims that worry disappears when they put on the clothes.
“That’s what [West] Africa is about,” Mishanty says proudly. West African prints are a tribute to a rich tradition that celebrates colour with its brilliant hues and complex designs. “It’s really about the colourfulness, how we celebrate colour in our print,” she explains. She sees fashion as a celebration of culture and a way to express individuality, not just a matter of taste.
Considering how West African design has changed, Mishanty is happy to see a wide range of consumers. She says, “Wear it with confidence,” stressing that style is a language everyone can understand. Mishanty’s store has evolved into a sanctuary where vibrant West African designs and Western styles coexist, honouring both the vitality of modern fashion and the depth of legacy.
In the constantly changing world of fashion, Mishanty’s journey from the West End to the world of African patterns is proof of the transformational potential of embracing one’s heritage and cultivating an open, global viewpoint.