DCTE-UEW Students Showcase Sustainable Fashion with Inclusivity in Focus
Level 300 students pursuing CLT351: Apparel Design and Construction at the Department of Clothing and Textiles Education (DCTE), University of Education, Winneba (UEW) have showcased creativity, innovation and technical expertise at a vibrant fashion show.
The event was held on Wednesday, 8th April, 2026, at the forecourt of the Faculty of Health, Allied Sciences and Home Economics Education (FASHEE).
The event, which formed part of the students’ practical examination, brought together faculty, industry players and guests who witnessed a compelling exhibition of self-garments, inclusive embedded designs and sustainable fashion products inspired by natural elements. The runway culminated in Ms. Eva Amanfo emerging as the winner of the Outstanding Design (Self-Garment) category.
Ten student groups presented innovative projects during the exhibition, demonstrating practical solutions that merged inclusivity with sustainability. At the end of the presentations, Group Three emerged as the standout team, winning both the Best Sustainable Project and the Overall Best for Sustainable and Inclusive Projects awards. The group focused on mobility impairment, designing adaptive solutions for individuals who rely on their hands for movement by producing padded hand gloves and comfortable apparel made from durable, flexible fabric to ease mobility.
On the sustainability front, they showcased a range of upcycled products, including clothing, key holders and sewing tool organisers made from worn-out jeans. They further demonstrated creativity by transforming discarded mosquito nets into wearable gowns and repurposing woven plastic bags, popularly known as “Ghana Must Go” bags, into aprons, baby bibs and dresses. Additionally, the group utilised straw combined with fabric pieces to design aesthetically appealing bags, underscoring their commitment to innovative, eco-friendly fashion solutions.
Prof. Fred Yao Gbagbo, the Dean of FASHEE, expressed pride in the students’ efforts. He noted that the platform provided an opportunity for them to demonstrate the practical knowledge acquired throughout their training. He commended the Department for nurturing talents capable of translating theory into meaningful practice.
Delivering the welcome address, Prof. Rosemary Quarcoo, the Head of the Department of Clothing and Textiles Education, described the fashion show as more than a display of garments, emphasising its deeper significance as a reflection of identity, creativity and environmental responsibility.
She highlighted the event’s theme, “Showcasing the Thread of Natural Identity and Eco-Friendly Couture Through Self-Expression and Sustainability,” as a call for conscious fashion that balances aesthetics with ecological preservation. She further noted that the students’ works demonstrated how fashion can communicate stories, values and cultural heritage while addressing global sustainability concerns.
Providing insight into the scope of the exhibition, Dr. Jacqueline Ogoe explained that the showcase featured three core components: inclusive and sustainable group projects, nature-inspired individual designs and draping techniques.
She stressed that the students’ projects reflected their ability to design for diverse user needs including persons with disabilities while promoting environmentally responsible practices. According to her, the exhibition underscored the role of fashion as a tool for identity expression and social inclusion, challenging designers to create with both purpose and responsibility.
A key highlight of the event was the presentation of innovative group projects that merged inclusivity with sustainability. One group showcased a design titled “Silent Voice,” an embedded garment for individuals with hearing impairments, incorporating symbolic hand gestures inspired by sign language to communicate visually.
Other projects demonstrated adaptive clothing features such as Velcro fastenings and elastic adjustments to enhance independence for persons with visual impairments. Students also incorporated tactile elements including beads and Braille indicators, to help wearers identify garment orientation through touch.
Sustainability was equally central to the designs, with students creatively repurposing discarded materials such as old jeans, fabric remnants, seashells and spoons into functional and aesthetically appealing garments and accessories. These innovations highlighted the potential of recycling to reduce textile waste while maintaining high design standards.
The Special Guest of Honour, Prof. Jonathan Ammah, commended the students and lecturers for an impressive showcase, particularly praising the emphasis on inclusivity and sustainability. He encouraged the use of person-first language when discussing disability. He urged students to recognise the value of their skills, emphasising that graduates of the department possess employable competencies that can generate income.
He further advocated for extending such fashion exhibitions beyond campus to the wider community, especially during major local events to strengthen the University’s engagement with society.
The fashion show not only celebrated the students’ academic journey but also reinforced UEW’s commitment to producing graduates equipped with practical skills, creative ingenuity and a strong sense of social responsibility.
