How a First-Generation Fashion Designer Pays Tribute to Her Ghanaian Heritage
Andrea Osei talks family, ethnicity, and her secret to success.
There’s no one route to success as a designer. While some designers attend a trade school and go on to work at a major clothing brand, others start out in an entirely different career and pursue fashion design much later in life. Andrea Osei’s journey falls into the latter category as she “stumbled into fashion” after working as a pharmacist for 10 years.
After learning how to sew with a machine gifted to her by her aunt, she decided to take the plunge and create Osei en Rose, a line of structured separates with a refined, feminine flair.
“In January, I changed my personal name [on social media] to my brand name and made it a business account,” she tells *Teen Vogue*. “Then I dropped a logo and launched a website.
The next thing I knew, I had at least 70 people at my NYFW presentation.” Surrounded by models in gold brocade coats and pleated floral dresses, attendees immediately fell in love with the brand.
Now Osei is keeping the momentum going with her latest collection, Ashanti Gold, a tribute to her proud [Ghanaian](https://www.teenvogue.com/gallery/ghana-designers-to-know) heritage.
It features pieces like the ’70s-inspired, metallic “Accra Nights” romper, a killer pair of beaded fringe pants inspired by waist beads that women wear in Ghana, and the “Ahoefe” bra, featuring cowrie shells, which were used as currency for over 3,000 years in West Africa.
Teen Vogue spoke to the designer about her beginnings, her connection to her heritage, and what’s next for her Instagram-loved brand.
Source : teenvogue
