Ghanaian fashion icon and actress, Nana Akua Addo, has revealed how much time it took to prepare her most talked-about costume for the just ended 2025 African Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (AMVCA).
In a video shared on Instagram on May 16, 2025, Nana Akua Addo said it took a year and a half to put together her attire.
“This outfit was planned by my Indian and Nigerian designers. It took us a year and a half to plan it. For me to be able to do what I do, a lot of thought processes went into it because it was fashion-infused with technology.
“We wanted to find out how it was going to work. We practised it several times, and it wasn’t working, but finally, it did.”
Nana Akua Addo
She also expressed joy at finally bringing to life an outfit she had dreamed of for a long time.
“This is a laser card, and I am so happy we finally got to use the laser card to do this dress. It was imported from India.”
Nana Akua Addo
Nana Akua Addo captivated audiences at the event held on May 10, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria, with a groundbreaking, tech-infused, rotating futuristic gown designed by Nicoline GH in collaboration with Metal Bender Studio and Nigerian designer Jewoola Adenike Racheal of Nichole Stylish.
The all-white ensemble, featuring wearable ABS material laser-cut into a fish scale-inspired texture with floral motifs, was described as a fusion of fashion and technology, earning widespread praise for its innovation and bold style. She complemented the dramatic look with minimal makeup and sleek hair.
Her history at AMVCA shows a consistent pattern of show-stopping looks, from a Gaurav Gupta gown in 2020 to a 3D-printed dress in 2024. Her most recent bold fashion statement cemented her reputation as a fashion trailblazer.
No specific awards or nominations for Nana Akua Addo were mentioned for AMVCA 2025, but her fashion statement overshadowed much of the event’s coverage.
Nana Akua Addo Calls for Global Spotlight on African Fashion
The Ghanaian actress and fashion icon made another striking fashion statement at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), this time fusing creativity with glamour.
Addo, noted for her memorable red carpet appearances, previously made headlines in 2024 with a ₦16.5 million 3D-printed gown. This year, she raised the bar with a dazzling, tech-infused costume that shimmered throughout the night — a look she boldly tagged as ‘fashion meets technology’.
Addo expressed her passion for elevating African fashion on the global stage. “I just want to make Africa proud,” she said. “I think it’s time for African fashion.”
“It is a great thing to be a Western African woman. It’s not even about Ghana or Nigeria. It’s about using fashion to have a voice. I think I have been able to do that. I am Ghanaian, and I am in Nigeria now, but I can proudly say I am a household name. It’s so fantastic to use fashion as a tool, as a voice and to be able to speak as a woman through fashion.”
Nana Akua Addo
The actress-turned-style icon emphasised her commitment to treating every red carpet like a global runway.
She stated her endearment for the Nigerian fashion market and likened the prominent AMVCA show to walking the Met Gala. “Coming to the Nigerian red carpet, I treat it like coming to the Met Gala,” she said. “I’m not waiting to be called to the Met before I bring my A-game. This is home.”
Addo also highlighted the necessity of starting in West Africa, hailing the region as a thriving hub of creativity.
“Starting from West Africa is the best way to have the home support. I think we are doing it,” she added, hinting that international fashion heavyweights like Anna Wintour may already be watching.
When asked about potential Nollywood collaborations, Addo mentioned some top Nigerian actors and filmmakers. “So many of them — to be honest, so many are my friends, from Funke Akindele to Toyin Abraham,” she mentioned.
The fashion icon has continued to stand out in the fashion industry as she creates a meeting point for art, technology, and advocacy. The Ghanaian star uses the red carpet to convey cultural liberation and African pride.
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