Winneba Weavers, a weaving centre for apprenticeship training and research in indigenous and contemporary weaving, received overwhelming applause and commendation for their innovative handcrafted fabrics that pay homage to heritage and celebrate modernity. They exhibited their collections at the Woori Festival held in Wa in the Upper East Region of Ghana on March 6-9, 2025 (https://wa.nubukefoundation.com/The-Festival). The theme for the festival was “A Festival of Our Weaving Traditions”. Interestingly, the audiences could not withhold their excitement and appreciation for the wide array of 100 percent cotton designs they showcased. The exhibits showcased comprised the two brands of weaves designed and woven by Winneba Weavers, namely, Universal Weaves and Classic Weaves.
Universal Weaves
The Universal Weaves celebrates modernity, creativity, and bold experimentation. The fabrics go beyond traditional design to redefine what handwoven textiles can do. They are made for people who are visionary, rebellious, and ahead of the curve. Each Universal Weaves label has its philosophy. They use both cutting-edge technology and traditional skills to make fabrics that are both useful and unique. Universal Weaves thrives on innovation, versatility, and exclusivity. It pioneers techniques that challenge the boundaries of handwoven textiles. Fabrics under universal weaves adapt to high fashion, avant-garde décor, and wearable art. The Universal Weave brand has three labels: Timeless, Freestyle, and 3D Illusions.
Designs in the Timeless category have minimalist yet striking visuals with enduring quality. The Timeless collection also features clean lines, neutral palettes, and versatile designs that effortlessly transition from haute couture to everyday luxury. These fabrics are for those who seek understated sophistication—pieces that never fade from style. These fabrics celebrate timeless elegance and would be a great addition to closets and homes that prioritise classic style over quickly out-of-style items.
The Freestyle Collection is a dynamic range of fabrics that dwells on rebellion against uniformity and embraces asymmetry, vibrant colour clashes, and abstract patterns. These fabrics reflect individuality, encouraging wearers to express their unique identities. These fabrics are ideal for fashion statements, avant-garde décor, or anyone seeking a platform for self-expression. With Freestyle collections, chaos meets craft. Freestyle is freedom incarnate—a dynamic range of fabrics designed to adapt to your lifestyle. It comes with variations, namely
- Freestyle Interior: Bold, large-scale patterns for statement-making curtains, upholstery, and wall art.
- Freestyle Smooth: Silky, fluid textures for flowing garments and luxurious linens.
- Freestyle Rough: Raw, tactile finishes ideal for bohemian fashion and rustic decor.
- Freestyle Organic: Designs inspired by the natural environment.
The 3D Illusions label employs sophisticated weaving techniques to craft fabrics that manipulate light, shadow, and texture, thereby generating depth that extends beyond the surface. The way the geometric patterns and layered motifs look like they are shifting and changing makes the visual experience more immersive. Clients seeking to transform spaces and garments into interactive art find their fabric taste.
Classical Weaves
Classical Weaves is a tribute to the timeless beauty of tradition. Rooted in cultural heritage, this brand revives ancient techniques and motifs, ensuring they endure for generations. Each fabric is meticulously crafted by artisans who revere their craft. The brands under Classical Weaves connect the past and the present by selling high-quality textiles that are both historically significant and useful in the modern world. Classical weaves honour heritage and stitch legacies. Classical Weaves keeps cultural traditions alive by using designs that have been passed down through generations to show exceptional craftsmanship. There are two labels under classical weaves: Heritage and Heritage Revival.
Tradition is what heritage fabrics are all about. They are derived from old designs, patterns, and looms that come from Africa and other places. Each piece tells a story—whether it’s an ethnic motif, a royal brocade, or a ceremonial weave passed down through centuries. Collectors, cultural enthusiasts, and those who cherish authenticity in every thread appreciate this collection.
Heritage Revival label reimagines classic designs for contemporary tastes. Heritage Revival takes old symbols and combines them with modern style to make sleek, simple shapes. It presents old worlds with new narratives. The designs are ideal for blending cultural richness with modern elegance in fashion and interiors.
Winneba Weavers is centre-based in the University of Education, Winneba, serving as a centre for excellence in apprenticeship training and weaving research. The Centre came into being through an African-German fashion designer, Rahmée Wetterich, working in collaboration with Prof. Osuanyi Quaicoo Essel of the University of Education, Winneba. GIZ sponsors the handloom weaving project, which aims to empower youth through apprenticeship-based training in handloom weaving, among other activities. It is a two-year project aimed at providing entrepreneurship training and economic empowerment to weavers in Ghana.
We invite you to patronize our products to enhance its sustainability. People who get training in weaving are young people, mostly girls in the Winneba community, and graduate fashion and textile teachers from the university's Department of Textiles and Fashion Education. Exploring Visual Culture (EVC) played a leading role in establishing the link between Rahmée Wetterich and Osuanyi Quaicoo Essel, setting the tone for the project.
Osuanyi Quaicoo Essel
