In the evolving global fashion landscape, sustainability has shifted from a niche concern to a defining benchmark of innovation and leadership.
Designers who demonstrate a clear, original response to this shift are increasingly recognised as key contributors to the future of the industry.
At Tarkwa Fashion Week 2025, Nigerian designer Coker Oluwabunmi Ashiat, founder of ShugaCollection, delivered a collection that firmly positions her within this progressive global conversation.
Making her second consecutive appearance at the Ghana based fashion platform, ShugaCollection presented a refined body of work rooted in upcycling, ethical production, and cultural storytelling.
The collection transformed textile waste into structured garments and accessories that balanced functionality with strong visual identity. Notably, the brand’s signature aprons and accessories stood out for their craftsmanship and adaptability, illustrating how sustainability can coexist with commercial viability and design excellence.
What sets ShugaCollection apart is the clarity and consistency of its creative vision. Rather than treating sustainability as an aesthetic trend, Coker approaches it as a core design methodology.
Each piece reflected deliberate material choices and thoughtful construction, reinforcing a narrative of renewal, responsibility, and innovation. This level of intentionality signals a designer operating with long-term impact in mind, rather than short-term spectacle.
The collection was met with positive critical and audience reception, generating discussion among fashion professionals on the role of African designers in shaping sustainable fashion practices globally. By reframing discarded materials as valuable creative resources, Coker challenges conventional luxury norms and aligns her work with international movements advocating circular fashion systems.
ShugaCollection’s continued presence on Ghanaian runways also underscores its growing cross-border relevance within West Africa’s fashion industry. As a Nigerian label gaining recognition beyond its domestic market, the brand contributes to regional and international cultural exchange, an important indicator of global potential and influence.
From a critical perspective, the Tarkwa Fashion Week presentation demonstrated a confident balance between conceptual depth and wearable design. The collection reflected not only artistic originality but also an understanding of the global fashion market, positioning ShugaCollection as a brand capable of scaling responsibly.
As international institutions increasingly seek designers who combine creativity with social and environmental impact, Coker Oluwabunmi Ashiat emerges as a fashion talent with clear global relevance. ShugaCollection’s work at Tarkwa Fashion Week 2025 marks an important step in a trajectory that suggests meaningful contributions to the future of sustainable fashion worldwide.
Kweku Zurek is a fashion critic for Graphic Online, covering African fashion innovation, sustainability, and emerging designers with international impact.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
