Blazer, trousers and belt: Ghana vintage market, Shoes: Larry Jay
For this exclusive editorial for SLEEK, Berlin-based photographer Nti returned to his native Ghana after 19 years to photograph young boys aged between 11 and 13, dressed in smart and stylish local designs. The result are incredibly striking images that smoulder with a fierce energy, despite the young age of the models. According to the photographer, the purpose of the story, entitled GH Boyz II Men, is to “comment on the present and the future of the fashion industry in Ghana”. As Nti explains, “The fashion industry in Ghana, or Africa in general, isn’t as advanced as that in Europe or America, but there are excellent designers. What makes the future so exciting is to see how it progresses when the boys of today turn into men.”
Wearing a combination of colourful vintage finds and exquisite — sharp, ’80s-tinged — tailoring by Ghanian designers, Atto Tetteh, Larry Jay and Gary Pie, the images wink with a fresh sense of character and cool. Working with and supporting local talent was integral to Nti’s overall vision. “It was important to have conversations with the designers and share different experiences, or to have a small dialogue with a curious woman on the vintage market,” Nti tells SLEEK. And what was it like to work with the youngsters? “Working with them was one of the joyful and hilarious moments for me ever,” exclaims Nti. “But the most important thing was they had a lot of fun and soft ice.”
See the full story below:
Left: Hat, vest and shoes: Ghana vintage market, Pants: Atto Tetteh Right: Jacket: Gary Pie, Pants: Ghana Vintage Market, Belt: Larry Jay
Coat and Rumper: Atto Tetteh, Tshirt: Ghana vintage market, Shoes: Larry Jay, Sunglasses: stylist's own
Hat: Ghana vintage market, Shirt: Atto Tetteh
Hat: Ghana Markola market, Shoes: Ghana vintage market, Suit jacket: Gary Pie, Shorts: Larry Jay
Coat and shoes: Ghana vintage market, Tshirt: stylist's own, Trousers: Gary Pie
Suit jacket: Gary Pie, Tshirt and trousers: Ghana Vintage Market Middle: Durek: Ghana Afro Shop, Suit Jack: Gary Pie, Trousers and shoes: Ghana Vintage Market Right: Suit Jacket: Atto Tetteh, Trousers and shoes: Ghana vintage market
Left: Romper: Gary Pie Right: Coat: Gary Pie, Tshirt: Ghana Vintage Market
Left: Shirt: Larry Jay, Bandana: stylist's own, trousers: Gary Pie, Belt and shoes: Ghana vintage market Right: Suit jacket: Atto Tetteh