Ghanaian dancer and creative Lisa Quama is set to make history this September as the first Ghanaian to actively participate across three separate shows during New York Fashion Week and Climate Week.
Quama, whose full name is Lisa Naa Quama Darko, has built a strong reputation as a versatile dancer, choreographer and content creator. A prominent member of the Dance With Purpose (DWP) Academy, she is known for blending traditional Ghanaian dance forms with contemporary and hip-hop styles. Her energetic performances and distinctive personal style have earned her a substantial following both in Ghana and internationally.
According to Creatizine, Quama will take part in three different shows during the upcoming New York Fashion Week calendar, which runs in September 2026 and overlaps with Climate Week activities in the city. The magazine first flagged the development earlier in the month, noting that it would mark the first time a Ghanaian creative has been actively involved across multiple shows in this way.
A follow-up post on September 10 confirmed her name and shared professional images of Quama in a green-and-white striped shirt and black trousers, posing against outdoor backdrops that highlight her confident, androgynous aesthetic.
New York Fashion Week remains one of the four major global fashion weeks, alongside those in Paris, Milan and London. It attracts designers, models, stylists, celebrities and industry decision-makers from around the world. Climate Week, which often runs concurrently or in close proximity, brings additional focus on sustainability, ethical production and environmentally conscious creative work.
Quama’s involvement across both platforms positions her at the intersection of fashion presentation and broader cultural conversations.
For Ghana’s creative community, the news carries symbolic weight. While Ghanaian designers, models and musicians have previously appeared at international fashion events, active multi-show participation by a Ghanaian creative at this level has been rare. Quama’s background as a dancer rather than a traditional runway model or designer adds another layer of interest, suggesting a growing openness to multidisciplinary talent within fashion week programming.
Quama’s career trajectory reflects the expanding pathways available to African creatives. She first gained widespread attention through her work with DWP Academy, where she refined her technique and developed a recognisable performance style. Viral dance videos, collaborations and live appearances helped build her profile.
She has performed in high-visibility locations, including Times Square in New York, and has taken part in commercial campaigns and fashion-related events in Ghana. Her public image often emphasises comfort in unisex and tailored clothing, a preference she has discussed openly in interviews.
The timing of the announcement comes as African fashion and creative talent continue to attract greater international attention. Designers from across the continent have shown collections in major fashion capitals, while models of African heritage have secured prominent campaigns and runway slots.
Quama’s multi-show role adds a performance and movement dimension that complements traditional fashion presentations.
Details of the specific shows and the exact nature of her participation have not yet been fully disclosed. Industry observers expect her contribution could involve live performance elements, choreography, modelling, or a combination of creative roles that draw on her dance expertise.
Climate Week programming frequently incorporates artistic responses to environmental themes, which may provide additional context for at least one of the three appearances.
Public Reaction
Supporters of Ghanaian arts have welcomed the news as validation of the country’s growing creative infrastructure. Dance academies such as DWP have produced several internationally recognised talents in recent years, and Quama’s latest milestone is seen as further evidence that structured training combined with digital visibility can open global doors.
Her management and the academy are expected to provide more information as the September schedule approaches.
For Quama herself, the opportunity represents both personal achievement and a platform for broader representation. Having already navigated the challenges of building a career that spans performance, content creation and public appearance, she now steps onto a stage that commands intense media and industry scrutiny.
Success in New York could further elevate her profile and create pathways for other Ghanaian dancers and multidisciplinary artists.
As Fashion Week and Climate Week draw nearer, attention will turn to the precise details of Quama’s schedule and the creative teams she will work with. In the meantime, the announcement has already generated positive discussion among Ghanaian creatives and fashion enthusiasts, many of whom view it as a proud moment for the country’s cultural exports.
Lisa Quama’s participation across three shows this September marks a quiet but meaningful expansion of Ghanaian presence at the highest levels of the international fashion calendar.
It highlights the increasingly fluid boundaries between dance, fashion and cultural advocacy, and positions a determined young talent at the centre of that evolving conversation.
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