Adwoa Aboah: Redefining Ghanaian Beauty with Boldness and Brains
Half Ghanaian, half British. Fashion tells different stories through clothes, accessories, and beads. Often, culture is transmitted through various forms, including hairstyles, clothing, and footwear. But sometimes it goes beyond what is worn, stepping into a definition of who one is or what one appears to be. This is the story of Adwoa Aboah, a British model and actress of Ghanaian descent who has appeared on the cover of numerous fashion magazines, including American Vogue and Vogue Poland, also known as Vogue Polska.
Adwoa Aboah, photographed by Tyrone Lebon | Burberry Winter 2024 Campaign
Adwoa’s Beginnings
Her story starts in Westminster, London, some thirty years back, when Adwoa was born to a Ghanaian father and a British mother, giving her a rich and diverse cultural heritage to start with. Her name means “born on Monday,” reflecting the values her parents sought to instill from the moment of her birth. While others would see her skin tone as a difference to be proud of, for Adwoa, it wasn’t.
As a child and teenager, she struggled with accepting herself for who she was, instead preferring the looks of other girls her age who were light-skinned, blonde, and blue-eyed. For much of her childhood, she hated herself for who she was and struggled to accept herself, always looking to change something about herself but never being successful in doing so. She also claimed that some of the self-hate could be attributed to the fact that she was constantly rejected at the beginning of her modeling career, with people preferring other models due to her looks.
Rise to Fame
Despite going through certain personal challenges in the United States in 2015, Adwoa returned to London ready to face the world. It would mark the beginning of her successful modeling career, as she secured $1 million in modeling contracts alone just two years later. Adwoa has walked the runway for multiple designers, including Calvin Klein, Fendi, DKNY, Alexander Wang, Theory, H&M, Aldo, Versus (Versace), Topshop, Fenty x Puma, Kenzo, Simone Rocha, and Erdem. She has also participated in several fashion campaigns and shows, including the SS16 campaign for Calvin Klein and the AW16 show for Marc Jacobs.
Adwoa Aboah, photographed by David Benett
Fashion Style
Adwoa seamlessly blends high fashion with streetwear, creating silhouettes and incorporating vintage pieces. She loves patterns for visually pleasing results. She is big on statement accessories, using them as a way to point to her African roots. Adwoa is known for going extreme with her choices at fashion events and shows, often opting for standout appearances that feature unconventional textures and silhouettes.
The Ghanaian-British star is also an actress, having appeared in several films and television projects in recent years. Her most notable movie appearance was in the UK-based Top Boy TV series, where she played the character Becks.
Due to her experience with addiction and depression, she launched Gurls Talk, a platform that helps young girls deal with the same problems, citing a dearth of treatment specifically for young ladies finding their identity as young human beings.
Adwoa Aboah, photographed by Ronan McKenzie/Porter Magazine
Conclusion
Adwoa Aboah’s journey is a testament to the ideals of self-acceptance, resilience, and identity. From struggling with self-doubt to becoming a shining figure in the fashion industry, she embodies the essence and appearance of beauty, both within and without. Also, with her eclectic look, she pays homage to her African heritage while challenging norms and embracing others to embrace who they are, regardless. Her work through the Gurls Talk initiative showcases her dedication to empowering young girls worldwide.
