Socks appeal Until very recently, men’s socks were mostly monochromatic affairs, but the arrival of the vibrant, Ghanaian-heritage-inspired Chale Socks has injected some much-needed colour.
I
t’s now possible to express
world of men’s socks and to promote
your pride in Ghana’s cultural
Ghanaian cultural symbolism.
heritage right down to your
“We wanted to transform a simple,
of bold patterned socks that draw on
feet. The means of this is a range
everyday accessory into bold,
the wisdom-packed Adinkra symbols
of socks primarily patterned with
African-inspired wearable art,” says
that relate to the history, beliefs and
the timeless and evocative Adinkra
Kudjo. “African-inspired accesso-
philosophy of the Ashanti people in
symbols of the Ashanti. The Ghana-
ries were popular at the time, but
Ghana and have decorated ceramics
designed garments themselves are
African-inspired socks were not so
and textiles for centuries.
soft, sturdy and with just the right
common, so we went there.”
amount of stretch – they’re made
Among the evocative motifs Kudjo has appropriated in his socks are
from 78 per cent combed cotton,
Inspiration
17 per cent polyester and three per
Growing up in the kente-weaving
cent spandex – so are as lovely to
town of Agotime-Kpetoe, in the
wear as to look at.
Volta Region, Kudjo frequently
wards while its feet face forward
observed expert craftsmen
carrying a precious egg in its mouth
parts fashion item, symbol of
producing beautiful yards of kente
– and ‘Gye Nyame’, a symbol repre-
national pride and socially responsi-
cloth. It led to an appreciation of
senting God’s omnipotence and the
ble enterprise.
African art and craftsmanship.
deep knowledge that people should
Kudjo brings the colours, careful
not fear anything except God.
Welcome to Chale Socks: equal
The company was set up by
10
In the company studio in Tema he and his team have designed a range
‘Sankofa’ – which translates as ‘Go FOUNDER Kurtis Kudjo
back and get it’ and is symbolised by a bird with its head turned back-
designer Kurtis Kudjo in 2015 out of
design process and expert execu-
a desire to bring some colour and
tion he witnessed to the design and
a sock brand that focused on idol
“We didn’t just want to create
artistry to the resolutely dowdy
production of Chale Socks.
patterns,” says Kudjo. “We wanted to
