Ghanaian actress and fashion influencer Nana Akua Addo has responded to allegations by Cambodian luxury fashion house Almée Couture over her viral Cathedral-inspired outfit worn at the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), insisting that the original concept and creative direction belonged to her.
In an Instagram post, Nana Akua denied claims that the design was stolen from the couture brand. She stated that she personally approached Almée Couture with her own ideas, mood board and architectural inspiration for the gown, but the collaboration did not materialise after the brand allegedly declined to execute the design because of its complexity. She later worked with Nigerian designer Mohammed Abbas to create the outfit.
Sharing screenshots of private conversations with the fashion house, Nana Akua questioned why the brand was now claiming ownership of the dress after refunding her deposit and ending discussions on the project. “I shared my idea with you and explained exactly how I wanted it,” she wrote, adding that the concept, structure and overall vision for the gown were originally hers.
Her response comes after Almée Couture publicly accused the Ghanaian celebrity of using a design developed by the brand without acknowledgment. In a statement on Instagram, the Cambodian fashion house claimed it created the final sketch, silhouette and couture interpretation of the dress before the project was cancelled, maintaining that the completed outfit produced elsewhere closely followed its original design direction.
