Ghanaian actress and model Nana Akua Addo has responded to allegations raised by fashion house ALmée Couture over the design of her widely discussed outfit at the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA).
The cathedral-inspired gown, which drew significant attention on the red carpet in Lagos, became one of the most talked-about fashion moments of the night.
Shortly after the event, ALmée Couture alleged that the final outfit was derived from a design concept initially developed by the brand, sparking a public disagreement over creative ownership.
In a detailed Instagram statement, Addo rejected claims of design theft, maintaining that the concept originated from her personal vision.
She explained that she initially approached the fashion house with her idea and discussed how she wanted the outfit executed.
According to her, the collaboration ended after differences emerged over how the design should be brought to life, leading to a refund and the termination of the arrangement.
She added that she subsequently worked with another designer who completed the final version of the gown based on her original concept.
Addo insisted that the creative direction behind the outfit remained entirely hers, questioning the basis of the brand’s claims.
In its earlier response, ALmée Couture acknowledged that the initial inspiration for the gown came from the actress but stated that its team developed the concept into a full couture design.
The fashion house maintained that its creative process included original sketching, structural detailing, and silhouette development, which formed the foundation of the final design direction.
The brand also alleged that its design interpretation was later used without proper acknowledgment after the collaboration was discontinued.
While both parties differ on ownership of the final execution, ALmée Couture clarified that it was not disputing the cathedral-inspired idea itself, but rather the transformation of that concept into a completed couture piece.
The exchange has since sparked wider discussions within the fashion industry about creative ownership, collaboration agreements, and attribution in high-profile red carpet designs.
