Actress Nana Akua Addo, fashion brand clash over AMVCA dress design

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By Enitan Abdultawab

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Ghanaian model and actress Nana Akua Addo has responded to allegations from fashion house ALmée Couture, accusing her of using a disputed design concept for her headline-making outfit at the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA).

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The dramatic cathedral-inspired gown worn by the actress at the AMVCA ceremony in Lagos quickly became one of the most talked-about looks of the night.

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However, shortly after the event, ALmée Couture alleged that the final outfit was based on a design concept originally developed by the brand.

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Reacting in a lengthy Instagram statement, Addo dismissed claims that she stole the idea, insisting that the entire creative vision originated from her.

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“I’ve seen a lot of misinformation surrounding my recent AMVCA outfit, ‘Cathedral’. I reached out to @almee.lii for the outfit and shared my ideas, explaining exactly how I wanted it executed,” she wrote.

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According to the actress, the collaboration ended after disagreements over the execution of the design.

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“However, you said you were unwilling to create it the way I envisioned it because of how detailed my concept was,” she explained.

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“After a refund was made, I moved on and had another designer bring the idea to life. So how exactly does it suddenly become your creation?” she asked.

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“The entire concept and creative direction came from me.”

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In its own earlier statement shared online, ALmée Couture acknowledged that the inspiration for the dress originally came from the actress, but argued that the brand transformed the idea into a couture design through its own creative process.

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“We usually avoid speaking publicly about private creative matters, but due to the confusion surrounding this design, we believe it is necessary to offer clarification,” the fashion house stated.

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“The client shared a cathedral-inspired concept with us, which served only as the foundation of the discussion.”

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The brand maintained that its team handled the artistic development of the outfit.

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“From there, ALmée Couture developed the final artistic vision, original sketch, silhouette, structural detailing, couture direction, and overall execution of the design,” the statement read.

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The fashion label further claimed that ownership of the sketches and couture interpretation remained with the brand after the project was cancelled and the deposit refunded.

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“We later discovered that the final gown was produced elsewhere using the original sketch and developed design direction created by ALmée Couture, without acknowledgement of our creative contribution,” it alleged.

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ALmée Couture clarified that it was not claiming ownership of the cathedral inspiration itself, but rather the detailed transformation of that concept into a finished couture piece.

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“Transforming a broad concept into a complete couture piece through original sketching, silhouette development, structural interpretation, and artistic execution is the work of the designer and atelier behind the garment,” the brand said.

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“As a couture house, we deeply value creativity, artistry, and the emotional labour behind every design. We believe original design development deserves proper acknowledgement, respect, and ethical consideration.”

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