Fashion Defines Afua Sam’s Destiny
By Nicole L. Gill, CouncilMag.com
Afua Sam, the founder and designer of Studio D’Maxsi and The A Concept by Afua Sam, is no stranger to accolades. This year, DC Fashion Week recognized the trailblazing designers who participated in and supported DCFW through the years. Sam was one of the designers honored with the Hall of Fame Fashion Award. In May, Sam was a “Lit in DC” honoree, which recognized her work in fashion in the District of Columbia.
Sam’s journey through fashion runs through Washington, D.C.
“I have so much love for D.C. because that is my home where everything started in terms of fashion in America,” said Sam, who is originally from Ghana.
Sam realized when she was young that she had a creative gift that shined through fashion design.
“I knew fashion was attached to my destiny because that gave me the opportunity to come to America,” she said.
“I have a very calm demeanor, but my fashion speaks what is inside me.”
– Afua Sam
For all of Sam’s creativity, it’s important to her to give back. She has a program that provides a prom dress to a high school student. In addition, she has been a regular participant in fashion shows and events that support various causes, such as breast cancer awareness, heart health and the Humane Rescue Alliance, to name a few.
Afua Sam designed a dress made of donated bras in honor of breast cancer survivors.
After working with many different breast cancer organizations, she decided to create a dress “to honor all breast cancer survivors all over the world for their courage.”
The “bra dress,” as it is known, is made almost exclusively of black bras donated by the Bali bra company.
“I love that dress because of the idea behind it and the reason why I created it,” she said. “It’s one of the special dresses that always makes me smile.”
Sam’s brands feature bold and vibrant colors. Her newest collection, The A Concept, celebrated its first anniversary earlier this year. The line includes patterned and colorful tops and skirts. Sam described The A Concept as a “more casual look, but it’s chic.” The tops can easily be paired with jeans, while the skirts can be paired with a T-shirt. The clothes are playful and perfect for the weekend or hanging out with friends.
“I realize that most of my favorite and very cool pieces are instant. They just happen instantly. I sit behind a machine and it flows.”
Model, Nina Larkins, displays Sam’s high fashion couture line at the Jefferson Memorial.
Meanwhile, Sam’s Studio D’Maxsi brand is a daring, high fashion couture line that has been featured in many magazines and on runways for at least 10 years.
You “wear it to important events,” Sam said, like the prom, wedding or red carpet.
The gowns speak to a woman who is confident and ready to make a statement – much like Sam.
