People & Lifestyle
Joyce Ababio, a fashion icon in Ghana
Joyce Ababio is a renowned fashion designer and presently the Founder and President of the Joyce Ababio College of Creative Design (JACCD) and CEO of Fashion Inclusion Production Company in Ghana.
Having graduated from the Texas Women’s university and worked in the US for some years, she came back to Ghana to pursue her career as a fashion designer and by dint of hard work produced garments for winning beauty pageant contestants and first ladies. Notable among them are Matilda Alomatu (Miss Ghana and ECOWAS 1994), Manuela Medie, Sheila Azuntaba, Marian Sugri Bugri and Maame Ewurafua Hawkson (Miss Ghana 1995, 1996, 1999and 2000 respectively), Madam Theresa Kufuor and Mrs. Naadu Mills.
Her dedication to her career and her passion also earned her several awards over the last 25 years, including the Best Formal Evening Wear – Miss World 1995; Bridal and pageantry wear – Republic Hall, KNUST Ebony Awards, 1999; Best Evening Wear (Most spectacular gown award) -Miss Ghana 2000; Jandel Superwoman Award (2014), Nobles International Award (2014), Fashion Contribution Award in Education and Mentoring (Ghana fashion Awards 2012 & 2015); Lifetime Achievement Award (2013), 74th Most Influential Ghanaian (2014); 100 Most Outstanding Women (2014 & 2015); 41st Most Influential Ghanaian (2015), Inducted into the Hall of Fame (Ghana Fashion Awards 2016); Century International Quality ERA Award (2016 (Gold) in Geneva (for Exceptional Leadership and Entrepreneurial Training); Fashion Force (Glitz Women of the Year Honours 2017); Initiator of Change (Lifetime in a Portrait Award 2017); Fashion Enterprise (XWAC Africa Award of Honour 2019), Lifetime Achievement Award (Glitz Africa Fashion Week Awards); Best Achiever in Fashion, Jewelry and Lifestyle (5th Feminine Ghana Achievement Awards 2019); Ghana Feminine Hall of Fame 2019; Women of Distinction, Ghana 2018 and Those who Inspire 2019.
With a goal to see the fashion industry in Ghana become a billion dollar industry and seeking to promote a more positive mindset about fashion design in Ghana, Joyce Ababio saw the need to enhance education in fashion design, hence her establishment of the Vogue Style School of Fashion and Design (VSSFD) in 1995, now the Joyce Ababio College of Creative Design (JACCD) ; the most preferred institution for people who seek a life transforming career in the fashion industry .
The school, which started with five students has over the last 25 years grown to churn out over 10,000 fashion designers from different countries, some of them now well-known brands in the fashion industry in Ghana and beyond. The college was re-launched in 2013 to depict its transformation into a creative tertiary institution after its accreditation by the National Accreditation Board and its Affiliation to the University of Cape Coast. Courses offered at the college now include certificate, advanced certificate, diploma and degree programmes in fashion design and production, and a certificate in graphic design and printing.
Her quest to promote quality and unique fashion in Ghana also led her to set up a garment manufacturing company, Fashion Inclusion Production Company (FIPC) which seeks to produce garments on a large scale that meet international standards. The company is intended to become an internationally acclaimed Garment Production Factory that will service clients across Africa and beyond and provide employment for people, including persons with disabilities. FIPC’s focus is on producing clothing on a large scale for companies and fashion labels, amongst others.
Joyce’s hard work, passion and love for quality in the fashion industry has resulted in an increased interest in the profession, especially among the younger generation, making the industry more attractive to everyone including other corporate professionals. She aspires to bring out the creativity in people and produce world class designers who will become positive global influencers.
She is a member of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) women’s wing executive team, the group that works to promote the business interests of women in the association.
