Diaspora. Born in North London but of Ghanaian decent,Ozwald Boateng developed a love for tailoring and menswear from watching his father prepare for work. At the ripe age of only sixteen, the self-taught designer sold his first collection to a shop in Covet Garden. By 23 years-old he had set up a full-time design studio on London’s Portobello Road but had higher sights on the infamous Savile Row known for impeccable British tailoring. In 1994, Boateng achieved his dream and opening his very on shop at no.12A Savile Row near Vigo Street.

Boateng became one of the youngest and the only black designers to break the barrier giving London’s design world a breath of fresh air.  Critics praised Boateng for redefining the cut of traditional suits fused with color and introducing Savile Row’s roots to a younger demographic.“ This is what I love, designing clothes and creating, that is just me,” Boateng told CNN International in an interview.

Bespoke Couture by Ozwald Boateng was the first collection to show during the International Menswear Collection in Paris, and now shows at the Milan Menswear shows twice per year.  In 2003, Boateng was named Creative Director of French fashion house Givenchy designing his first collection for the house in 2004. However, Boateng parted ways with the company after the 2007 season.

Boateng continues to turn tradition on itself head with his unique international designs with a A-list celebrity roster including Will Smith, Jude Law, Jamie Foxx, Mick Jagger, Daniel Day Lewis and Russell Crowe to name a few clients.  The designer also had the honor of dressing United States President Barack Obama for his 2009 visit to Ghana.

Boateng boasts roughly 25 years of design experience and has truly mastered his craft. Not only is he an inspiration to those of African decent who aspire to enter the design world but to anyone interested in entering the menswear or tailoring arena.

Image Courtesy of bbc.co.uk