How a First-Generation Fashion Designer Pays Tribute to Her Ghanaian Heritage

There's no one route to success as a designer. While some designers attend a trade school and go on to work at a major clothing brand, others start out in an entirely different career and pursue fashion design much later in life. Andrea Osei's journey falls into the latter category as she "stumbled into fashion" after working as a pharmacist for 10 years. After learning how to sew with a machine gifted to her by her aunt, she decided to take the plunge and create Osei en Rose, a line of structured separates with a refined, feminine flair. “In January, I changed my personal name [on social media] to my brand name and made it a business account,” she tells *Teen Vogue*. “Then I dropped a logo and launched a website. The next thing I knew, I had at least 70 people at my NYFW presentation.” Surrounded by models in gold brocade coats and pleated floral dresses, attendees immediately fell in love with the brand.

Now Osei is keeping the momentum going with her latest collection, Ashanti Gold, a tribute to her proud [Ghanaian](https://www.teenvogue.com/gallery/ghana-designers-to-know) heritage. It features pieces like the '70s-inspired, metallic "Accra Nights" romper, a killer pair of beaded fringe pants inspired by waist beads that women wear in Ghana, and the "Ahoefe" bra, featuring cowrie shells, which were used as currency for over 3,000 years in West Africa.

Teen Vogue spoke to the designer about her beginnings, her connection to her heritage, and what's next for her Instagram-loved brand.

Teen Vogue: How did you get started designing clothing?

Andrea Osei: It sounds so cliché, but fashion is definitely something that I stumbled into. I've been a pharmacist for 10 years now, but four and a half years ago, I started sewing. It all started when my grandmother passed away. My grandmother had started to teach me to sew by hand, and it was something I was really into. But I put it to the side to become a pharmacist. My aunt bought me a sewing machine because she knew how close my grandmother and I were. So I began sewing more, and was like, Hey, I'm actually kind of good at this. So I started practicing, and then I launched my business.

__TV: Did you always love fashion?__

AO: I never had access to clothes as a child. I never had the new Jordans or the flyest clothes — I would go to school in my sister's hand-me-downs. I would always look at Vogue magazine or Elle or Harper's Bazaar and say, “Wow, these people look beautiful.” But I never thought I would be making clothes.

TV: What was your vision for Osei en Rose when you started it years ago? And is there a special meaning behind the name?

AO: Osei is my last name and I added the "en Rose" because it's a play on the term “la vie en rose,” which roughly translates to “through rose-colored glasses.” So Osei en Rose is fashion through my rose-colored glasses. I wanted something that spoke to who I am but with a twist.

TV: I love that! You presented during New York fashion week last season. What was that like?

AO: It was major because this was my first time putting on a fashion presentation during New York fashion week by myself. I actually built the entire set with my sister. I was on a shoestring budget. I thrifted the chairs; I reupholstered them; I painted a few end tables gold that I bought in Ghana — we just made it work.

TV: How has your Ghanaian heritage influenced your fashion line?

AO: I'm a first-generation Ghanaian-American. I was born in Newark, New Jersey, but both of my parents are from Ghana. My heritage was a big piece of my show. When I was coming up with inspiration and styling, I actually had a box of my mother’s old pictures. I took pictures of her and my aunts from the 1950s or 1960s through the '80s, when my sisters and I were born. Even though the trends changed, their style always remained the same. When you look at my line, there are pieces that pay tribute to the Ghanaian style, but in a modern way, almost like a vintage Ghana or *Coming to America* feel. You’ll see a romper mixed with a poplin bottom or a pleated dress but still with a delicate, rich trim detail.

TV: Is there a celebrity you would love to wear your clothing line?_

AO: I love Lupita! People say we look alike. I take it as a compliment because I don't really think we look alike, but I'll take it. I love Cardi B, too. I like her authenticity and how she's come into her own as an artist. Beyoncé, of course. Who wouldn’t want Queen Bey to wear their stuff? Oh, and Angela Bassett. She's like my mother. I could totally see her in it. Honestly, anyone who [embodies] black girl magic.

TV: What has been your biggest career highlight thus far?_

AO: My New York fashion week presentation is probably the biggest highlight of my career, fashion-wise, because of the jelling of all of the concepts, brainstorming, and hard work. It's not easy to be an entrepreneur and work full-time. To see the fruits of my labor was so fulfilling. Like, wow, God is really good! He did that for me!

TV: What do you hope young girls and women can take from your experience?

AO: A couple of different things. One thing is that a lot of times when people have a dream, especially first-generation Americans, that they want to pursue, they get discouraged because it's not what their family thinks they should pursue. But I want to encourage everyone that you don't have to give up on your dream. You just have to remain faithful and keep pushing. Nothing happens overnight. You also have to be open to consistently reinventing yourself, and you have to convince yourself to be a lifelong student, especially if it's something that you’re passionate about. I got into sewing and started a business because I was good at it, but I didn't do any research. I had to take a step back and say, "If I really want to be serious about this, then I need to study it and become a perfectionist." And finally, be your biggest cheerleader.

TV: What's the best career advice you've ever received?

AO: You always want to present your best customer service. As a pharmacist, I have internal customers who are my coworkers, my colleagues, and my peers, and then external customer service who are the patients I serve. You always want to put forth your best effort. You want to honor your audience with your best performance, no matter what. Because you never know who's really watching. I apply that mindset to my business now as a fashion designer because even if there was only one person who showed up to my fashion presentation, I was going to give them my best effort. And always carry yourself with integrity. Do what's right and 9 times out of 10, you're going to come out on top.

TV: What's next for your line?

AO: I’d like to get into mass production and get into boutiques and stores. I would also like to create another line, too. I'm not sure whether I'll do another presentation or fashion show yet, but I definitely will do a line and launch it digitally. I'm just trying to keep my mind active, keep the ideas fresh. I would also love to have a storefront in New York one day. What fashion designer doesn't dream of that?

Additional reporting by Deena Campbell

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