Selina Bebaako-Mensah: the brain behind African accessory brand “Selina Beb”
The broadcast journalist shares the secret behind moving into the fashion space after returning to Ghana in 2008
Selina Bebaako-Mensah, the founder and creative director of the African fashion accessories brand “Selina Beb”, says she had no background in fashion design before she started her brand.
Selina, who worked as a broadcast journalist before she launched her fashion brand, said she used to buy her accessories from particular designers after she moved back to Ghana in 2008, but she noticed that some of these products were not well made.
Unable to get the quality accessories that she wanted, she decided to go into the fashion business “to produce well-made and quality accessories that people will look at and even doubt that they’re made in Ghana”, she told Prince Moses in an interview on Asaase Business PM.
Selina said that after depending on local artisans to help her bring her designs to life, she took a fashion course at the Academy of Fashion and Costume in Rome, Italy, where she specialised in bag-making.
Her “Selina Beb” brand has become one of the most sought-after accessory brands in Africa since it was launched in 2012, with outlets in countries all over the world, including Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Italy, Australia and the UK.
The brand produces quality ready-to-wear clothing and accessories for men, women and children.
Watch the full interview here.
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Bebaako-Mensah was born in Accra, Ghana. The fashion entrepreneur holds a degree in communications from the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) and a law degree from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK.
She has been part of several global fashion platforms, including the 2015 African Fashion Week in London, GUBA expo 2014 and 2016 in London, New Orleans Fashion Week in 2018 and Glitz Africa Fashion Week 2013, 2016, 2018 and 2019. She is listed on Beyoncé’s “Black Parade” directory on beyonce.com.
As a woman entrepreneur, Selina wants “to make an impact in my community in a positive way … inspire other women like myself and young ladies as well and also … give back to my community”.
“You’re supporting made in Ghana, locally produced items,” she said, “and you’re contributing towards our economy” when you patronise her products “because the money stays right here in Ghana.”
Nana Abena Boakye-Boateng
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