ABOUT GRACE AMA TAAH II OWUSU-AGYEMANG
G.A.T.O.A
Grace Ama Taah II Owusu-Agyemang is a 22 y\o Visionary, Designer and Philanthropist currently based in London. She was born in Zambia to a Nambian/South-African Mother and a Ghanaian Father. G.A.T.O.A is many things in one with interests that include farming, skateboarding, photography, just to name a few. G.A.T.O.A is highly detail oriented with a minute eye for texture and natural patterns. Her heritage and all things nature are my main inspirations that push her to create limitlessly.
G.A.T.O.A’s graduate collection, Af-Gro, Moving forward received the Textile Innovation Award at the Regents Graduate Show in May 2022, judged by Industry panellists Jessica Bumpus, Angela Quaintrell and Rebekah Koy. The Kente jacket emsemble in Look three was seen worn by the founders of Guap Magazine, the world’s first video magazine, on the announcement of the anticipated Guap Gala which is themed ‘Fairytales & Folklore’.
She graduated from Regents University London with a Bachelors in Fashion Design (Marketing) and received the Vice Chancellors Commendation Award. Grace will now start her Masters this winter in Womenswear fashion at the renowned Central Saint Martins in London.
THE
FUTURE
IS
AGRO
THE FUTURE IS AGRO
“Bridging the gap between femininity and masculinity through drapery and tailoring is a consistent aspect throughout my work. Studying fashion design at Regent’s University for three years, I gained the skills to become ready for the industry. I have grown exponentially as a creative person with skills of pattern cutting, textile making and Adobe. My Highlights include trend & emerging brand awareness, ability to see multiple perspectives and proactive listening. I am skilled in CAD softwares with proficiency in photoshop and Illustrator. During my bachelors, I embarked on the cross disciplinary path, undertaking personal shopping, styling clients internationally and working with artisans in Ghana.”
Afro futurism is an envisioning of black people of varying cultures in natural and imagined spaces that feed to liberation and sustainability. Analysing Afro futurism and aspects surrounding it such as agriculture, is the route I will be expanding my research on in relation to fashion and other arts.
Drawing at the past to imagine the future is very necessary when looking at Afro futuristic solutions. The holistic and agricultural aspect of the future is not regularly spoken in relation to Afro futurism. While the advancement of technology is beneficial and important, it is crucial to acknowledge that the future needs to be in harmony with the environment and for more longevity. This six outfit collection creates a new world of afrofuturism with textiles that are unique as well as illusive to bring a fresh and futuristic take on fabrics. The silhouettes throughout the collection are referenced from the past, the Herero tribe , and inform the future—which is now.
G.A.T.O.A performing agricultural practices in Lusaka, Zambia. This moment was a vital turning point for the collection with major references leading to a more depth understanding of Afro-futurism in relation to agriculture.