This archive report was first published on 7 October 2019.
Published on October 7, 2019, Ghanaian fashion designer Ophelia Crossland made history as the only African designer selected to showcase her work at the 2019 Global Qipao Invitational Exhibition in China.
With 16 years of experience in the fashion industry, Ophelia Crossland has made outfits for high-ranking officials in Ghana, including the country's female Chief Justice and a former First Lady.
Commenting on her selection, Ophelia Okyere-Darko, Creative Director of Ophelia Crossland, said, "I'm excited to have been given the opportunity to showcase Ghana on this international platform. I believe this is a matter of pride and honor for myself and the continent as a whole."
Her initial sketch was selected out of close to 5,000 sketches submitted to the jury this year, and she used Ghana's iconic Kente and other indigenous fabrics sourced from Africa to create the Qipao gown, a formal gown worn on special occasions by Asian women.
The Global Qipao Invitational Exhibition, which started on September 29 and will last for a month, aims to provide cross-boundary interactions between culture and tourism, tradition, fashion, art, and life.
The exhibition is held at the National Silk Museum in Hangzhou City, China, and features designs from 10 international designers, including Ophelia Crossland.
