Actress Nana Akua Addo and fashion brand dispute AMVCA dress design

By Enitan Abdultawab

Ghanaian model and actress Nana Akua Addo has replied to accusations made by fashion house ALmée Couture, which claims she used a contested design concept for the outfit that attracted widespread attention at the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA).

The cathedral‑inspired gown she wore at the Lagos ceremony quickly became one of the most discussed looks of the evening.

Shortly after the event, ALmée Couture asserted that the final dress was derived from a design concept originally created by the brand.

In a detailed Instagram statement, Addo rejected the allegation of idea theft, maintaining that the entire creative vision was her own.

“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.

She added that the partnership ended following a disagreement over how the design should be executed.

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

“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.

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

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

“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 said.

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

The label asserted that its team was responsible for the artistic development of the garment.

“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.

ALmée Couture also claimed that ownership of the sketches and the couture interpretation remained with the brand after the project was cancelled and the deposit refunded.

“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.

The fashion house clarified that it does not claim ownership of the cathedral inspiration itself, but rather of the detailed transformation of that concept into a finished couture piece.

“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 explained.

“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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