The Creative Director
Velma Owusu-Bempah is an ingenious Ghanaian creative visionary in the fashion industry celebrated home and abroad for her epochal creations.
Under her eponymous brand, Velma’s Millinery and Accessories, she has rejuvenated the accessories space in the Ghanaian fashion industry by
providing a classic luxury brand that specializes in intricate millinery, accessories and jewelry.
She embodies the sophistication, style and attitude of the 21st fashion forward woman who loves to look and feel classy.
Taking inspiration and cues from her family heritage which has had a long run with fashion and the arts, Velma easily found her purpose as an accessory designer and Milliner and pursued the dream diligently
After obtaining a degree at the University of Ghana Business school in marketing, Velma Owusu-Bempah joined her mother, Sarah Crossland, a fabric merchant in the family business.
Using various fabrics and textiles, she began creating handcrafted accessories which caught the eyes of the elegant clients who fell completely in love with the designs and inspired her to start an accessory brand.
Velma with the blessings of her beloved mother, applied to study Millinery, Bag designing and Communication at the Central St. Martin School of Arts in London, a constituent college of the University of the Arts, London where she trained under some of the world’s most seasoned milliners including Ian Barnett and Chloe Scrivna .
The year 2004 saw Velma begin what has become a stellar career and thriving business from humble beginnings which has earned her an
enviable position in the African fashion industry and place in the global market.
An expert craftsman, she has successfully experimented and worked with various materials to craft her pieces ranging from Ankara fabrics to other fabrics like leather, plastic raw silks, organza skills, abaca, sinamay, cipro sisal straws, brocade, feathers, crystals, amongst others.
The Velma brand has contributed to some very inspiring fashion collaborations: the triad collaboration of Velma Millinery and Accessories, Ophelia Crossland Designs and
Swarovski West Africa made fashion history during the Glitz African Fashion Show and at the Swarovski Sparkling Contour in Dubai where Velma showcased an elaborate high fashion headpiece made from Swarovski crystals to accessorize an Ophelia Crossland.
Another key milestone that propelled her brand to international heights was the Prince of Wales fashion show and Royal banquet held in honour of Prince Charles and Camilla during the royal visit to Ghana. Velma was tasked to accessorize all the pieces of the various designers on the runway.
A versatile artist, Velma also doubles as a bag and jewelry designer, creating masterpieces up to world standards for the black woman. Velma’s clientele Rolodexx spans women of all walks of life and all over the globe. She has created exclusive pieces for The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Her Excellency Mrs. Rebecca Akuffo Addo, Samira Bawumia, Zynell Zuh, Jackie Appiah, Joselyn Dumas, Senator Florence ita Giwa fashion icon for Nigeria, Nicole Ari Parker and recently Ms. Tina Lawson, mother of pop singer Beyonce Knowles.
In 2018, Velma was selected as one of the milliners worldwide to showcase two strong headpieces at the Great hat exhibition 2018 organized by Xterrace fashion platform London for London Hat week.
Velma is also the principal of Velma’s Millinery Academy, a prestigious fashion institu tion in Accra. It was established in 2018 and offers courses in Millinery and accessory making for prospective students .
In 2019, she was announced as the Most Outstanding Woman at the GO Awards for her outstanding work in Philanthropy and for Humanity.
For Velma, God, family and nature are her inspiration and she believes that her story of greatness has just begun.
HISTORY OF THE BRAND
Velma’s Millinery and Accessories is a luxury signature handcrafted women’s accessory brand which was established in 2004 by Ghanaian creative visionary and award winning milliner, Velma Owusu-Bempah.
The Velma brand is in the business of transforming a good fashion ensemble into a stunning work of art using the complements of head accessory pieces that embodies elegance and class!
Some of the collections under the millinery stream of work include the Birthday collection, Classic & Sophisticated Collections,SS17 –Floral Accents and Bows just to mention a few.
The SS18 – Velma’s Garden, She is a Queen AW18, Intricate Collection in 2019, Gold Coast Queen A/W 19 which paid homage to Gold coast fashion and the women in her family and her latest Spring/Summer “Homemade Recipes”
Over the years, the brand has positioned itself strategically in the fashion industry and has managed to chalk huge milestones.
The brand’s style aesthetic has matured over the years and continues to remain relevant in this dynamic fashion industry by incorporating style with modern technique, exciting materials and pieces.
For women who love to be bold, elegant and have a knack for intricate detail yet comfortable headpieces with fine craftsmanship, Velma’s Accessories is their preferred designer.
It currently operates under three labels which are the Bags and Clutches by Velma, Velma’s Accessories, Hats and Headpieces By Velma.
Velma’s Millinery and Accessories was the designers who accessorized the Fashion show held in honor of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at the Jubilee House in 2018.
Velma’s Accessory was the 2018 winner of the Accessory designer category at the Glitz Style Awards for her creativity and hard work.
The brand was also selected to showcase at the Great Hat Exhibition 2018 organized by Xterrace fashion platform organizers of the London Hat week and has been selected consecutively to represent Ghana at the London Hat Week 2020.
The eccentric Velma headpieces complemented the fashion runway during the 10 year celebration fashion show for Christie Brown’s SS18 Collection “Conscience” in Accra Ghana at the Kempinski Hotel. It also partnered with global African brand, Tiffany Amber on various runways across the world.
Some noteworthy patrons of the brand include the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Her Excellency Mrs. Rebecca Akuffo Addo, Her Excellency Mrs. Samira Bawumia, Anita Erskine, Zynell Zuh, Jackie Appiah, Joselyn Dumas, Senator Florence ita Giwa fashion icon from Nigeria , Nicole Parker, Bozoma St.John and Ms.Tina Lawson.
Velma happens to be a member of the British Millinery Association and has been featured in numerous magazines, publications including , Dream Wedding Magazine 2017, Daily Guide Africa, Hbeonlinemag, Agoo Magazine, Pleasures magazine, London runway Magazine Issue 12 , Hat Academy, Hat Talk Magazine, Pleasures Magazine, Glitz Africa, CNN Africa, Suitcase Magazine, Time Out Accra, WWD, FLYafrica Magazine, Vougue Italia and Vogue Germany.
It is the brand’s dream in the near future to collaborate with international brands such as Christian Dior, Fendi and Gucci.
Velma’s Accessories ships worldwide and is popular in countries like Nigeria, UK, Australia, Canada, USA, SouthAfrica and Ivory Coast.
Velma’s Boutique is located in Osu on the 1st floor of the Sarah’s Fabrics Building in Ghana.
Velma’s currently stocks at the ViVa boutique concept store in East Legon and the Lotte African concept store at the airport.
Achievements and Recognitions
Collaboration with Ophelia Crossland at the Swarovski Sparkling Couture in Dubai 2017
Velma’s Garden in the SS’17 fashion season: Her biggest collection yet, was made up of over 150 pieces inspired by various kinds of natural elements like; cactus, succulents, roses, lilies, butterflies and the likes.
Velma’s Millinery and Accessories became the first Ghanaian designer to be selected to showcase at the London Hat Week 2020.
Fashion Weeks and Exhibitions
London Hat Week Preview Catwalk Show 2020
London Hat Week 2019
Great Hat exhibition 2018
Xterrace Private Viewing 2019
Prince Charles Royal Banquet and Fashion Show 2018
Radiance Bridal Fair 2019
Rhythmz On Da Runway
African Fashion Week, Netherlands
Glitz Fashion Week 2018
Full Circle Festival 2018
Capsule Abidjan 2019
Viva Boutique @ 1 fashion show
Arise Fashion Week with Tifanny Amber
Awards
FGHA Fashion Ghana- Best Accessory Designer 2019
Glitz Style Awards 2018- Accessory Designer of The Year GOWA Woman Of The Year- 2019
Entertainment Achievement Awards – Accessories Designer of the Year 2021
African Global Trade and Investment Awards, Dubai 2021 – Velma’s Millinery and Accessories Ghana
6th Feminine Ghana Achievement Award, Most Outstanding Female Philanthropist
Business Excellence Awards 2021, Velma’s Millinery and Accessories