In a fashion show curated by a pair of brothers, both University of Kansas students, models sashayed down a runway Thursday while artwork adorned the walls around them.
Nana Amfo, 23, King Amfo, 25, and their team debuted their fall 2024 fashion collection on Thursday at Spencer Museum of Art.
The collection was “inspired by a lot of culture influence” and “our upbringing,” King said, referring to his and his brother’s Ghanian roots.
KU faculty and students, community members, and people in the local fashion industry filled seats set up on the second floor of the Spencer Museum. An artificial intelligence host, named Kensie, welcomed guests.
Originally from Accra, Ghana, the Amfo brothers own and operate an urban culture and lifestyle brand — Alpha Gang Media, based in Lawrence. Thursday was their second time hosting a runway show for their fashion line, Alpha Couture. The first was in March for their spring 2024 collection.
“When we did our first runway, we didn’t know what to expect for the first one,” Nana said. “We never try to expect anything, because at the end of the day, you all are the ones who make it what it is. So when you guys show up, when you guys show out and support like this, you guys motivate us to do more.”
The Amfo brothers and their best friend, Michael Oware, founded Alpha Records in 2016 after a song Nana created and recorded blew up. They were in high school at the time. The one-hit wonder generated buzz, and they saw opportunities to expand into fashion and other areas.
King moved to the U.S. in 2019 and is currently a graduate architecture student at KU, and Nana followed in 2021 and is heading into his senior year in visual communications at KU this fall. While studying toward their degrees, they’re also working to support smaller artists within genres from rap to Afrobeat, helping DJs secure residencies, hosting guests on their podcasts, designing original clothing and planning events.
Oware still participates, running an Alpha Gang UK extension. He traveled from London to Kansas just for the show Thursday — and to reunite the trio, of course.
“As much as you see the clothing, also know there’s a deep meaning to it. It stands for community, it stands for family, it stands for culture,” Oware said. “If you have dreams and aspirations, keep on chasing them.”
Two other fashion designers collaborated with the Amfo brothers as part of Thursday’s show: Kansas City designer Sheraz Pompey, who specializes in ball gowns and extravagant looks, and West African designer Noir Model, who creates urban streetwear and pieces featuring traditional garments.
Between the Amfo brothers, Noir Model and Sheraz Pompey, 25 models showcased 25 outfits.
Pieces from all three collections are now on sale on the Alpha Couture website, alphagangct.com.
Stay connected with Alpha Gang Media on the central Instagram page, @alphagang__. Follow King on Instagram at @king.amfo, and Nana at @nanaamfo_. Anyone interested in supporting their projects can contact the Amfo brothers via email at alpharecordsafrica@gmail.com.
Outfits with original pieces by Alpha Couture
Outfits with original pieces by Noir Model
Outfits with original pieces by Sheraz Pompey
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
Carter Gaskins (he/him) has been a photographer for The Lawrence Times since April 2021. He has also been a photographer for 10-plus years in photojournalism and sports.
Check out more of his work at Gaskins-Photography.com. See his work for the Times here.
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Carter Gaskins/Lawrence Times
