At Vlisco&co learning about local culture is very important. Our projects always start with a field research trip together with the local youth. 

In 2018 and 2019, the Vlisco&co team started a new edition called, Heritage & Storytelling, and went to Ghana on two research trips to cross the country from South to North. We wanted to learn more about the Ghanaian history of fabric and its meanings. Whilst travelling together, we visited family members of our young companions and held conversations across generations to discuss what the future of print might be. What does the history of print mean to today’s young people and what do they think about its future?

We crossed Ghana, passing through Kumasi and Tamale, reaching the very North on its border with Burkina Faso where we visited Sirigu, to learn about basketry, pottery and wall paintings. To learn about fabric, we visited Universities and different generations of fabric traders across the country. We were lucky to share a day with the Queen Mothers of the Volta region, who explained to us the meanings of different traditional fabrics throughout history. We visited too, the Kente weavers who shared knowledge on the making, origins and meanings of the local craft.

Our team was composed by:
Maame Adjei
Ushie Kingsley
Daniel Attoh
Nuits Balneaires
Jessica Sarkodie
David Boanuh
Steve French
Trevor Stuurman
Ofoe Amegavie