Fashion company fights Nana Akua Addo over AMVCA cathedral dress

Ghanaian actress and fashion influencer Nana Akua Addo has responded strongly to allegations by Cambodian luxury fashion house Almée Couture over her viral cathedral-inspired outfit worn at the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

The glamorous outfit, which became one of the most talked-about looks at the event, has now sparked a public dispute between the Ghanaian celebrity and the couture brand over claims of ownership and creative direction.

In a statement shared on Instagram, Nana Akua dismissed accusations that she stole the design from Almée Couture, insisting that the original concept and architectural inspiration for the dress were entirely hers.

According to her, she initially approached the fashion house with a detailed mood board and her own vision for the cathedral-themed gown. However, she claimed the collaboration failed to materialise after the brand allegedly declined to execute the outfit because of the complexity involved.

Nana Akua explained that she later teamed up with Nigerian designer Mohammed Abbas to bring the concept to life.

Sharing screenshots of private conversations between herself and the fashion company, she questioned why Almée Couture was now laying claim to the outfit after refunding her deposit and discontinuing discussions on the project.

“I shared my idea with you and explained exactly how I wanted it,” she stated, maintaining that the concept, structure and overall artistic vision behind the dress originated from her.

Her response follows an earlier statement by Almée Couture accusing the actress of using a design developed by the company without proper acknowledgment.

The Cambodian fashion house claimed it created the final sketch, silhouette and couture interpretation of the gown before the project was cancelled, arguing that the completed outfit produced elsewhere bore close resemblance to its original design direction.

The controversy has since generated heated debate on social media, with many fashion enthusiasts divided over issues of creative ownership, inspiration and intellectual property within the fashion industry.

See post from Almée Couture: