People always ask about the designer of some of the dresses I wore on my brand material and at a few performances, well they were designed by no other than the sweet spirited Ms Afua Sam of Studio D’Maxsi. Studio D’Maxsi is the notable fashion house owned by Ghanaian Fashion Designer Afua Sam based in Washington DC . Celebrated as an innovative, sophisticated and edgy women’s wear line for the modern woman, STUDIO D’MAXSI makes unique designs for the classy, funky, chic and confident woman.
Studio D’Maxsi’s success journey so far includes having her designs grace Hollywood’s Red Carpet, the BET Honors event, the Grammys, celebrity music videos, TV and documentary appearances, styling various beauty queens, features at national & International fashion shows, multiple awards won, collaborations and much more. Full of gratitude for how far she has come, Afua Sam reflects on how she took a leap of faith traveling from Ghana to America knowing no one on arrival and despite struggles and rejections, her talent and love for fashion withstood the odds and built the strong fashion brand we know as Studio D’Maxsi today.
Afua Sam also founded ‘Operation Prom’, a ‘win a PROM dress’ competition open to deserving academically excellent high school female students.
Afua Sam of Studio D’Maxsi
As a single mother of two, Afua Sam has successfully pulled through balancing motherhood, health, personal struggles while pursuing her passion of fashion. Motivated by her personal story, Afua has over the years embraced social responsibility as a major part of her brand, significantly contributing her talent to support various charity events and causes. Studio D’Maxsi has contributed immensely in developing businesses, personality brands and charity organizations by supporting fundraisers and donating her designs for charities like ‘Fashion For A Cause’, ‘Pink for Africa’, ‘Tigerlily Foundation’, American Breast Cancer Foundation’ and ‘Steps For The Cure’ ; to name a few. Afua Sam herself modeled on the runway for ‘Runway Moms for A Cause’. Giving back remains an important of the vision of the brand.
Tosinger in Studio D’Maxsi original
In the month of June, to celebrate the ten year anniversary, there will be a giveaway to the general public of specially designed fashion items by Studio D’Maxsi with the hashtag #studiodmaxsi10years. More details on social media @dmaxsi. The new and improved website will still be hosted at www.studiodmaxsi.com and it will feature an e-commerce shopping platform for the general public and fashion lovers to shop exclusive non-couture Studio D’Maxsi designs and accessories that are for the everyday woman. Afua Sam is thankful for family, a great team of Photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists, models, fashion show producers, nonprofit organizations, the media, fans, PR clients and everyone who believed in the brand over the years.
Tosinger in Studio D’Maxsi original
STUDIO D’MAXSI’s brand of elegant yet edgy collections has gained her a diverse clientele that also includes artists Jamie Foster Brown, Grammy nominated artist Carolyn Malachi, Miss Ghana Universe, Miss China America First Runner Up, Miss Maryland, Miss Black USA DC among others. STUDIO D’MAXSI specializes in Red carpet looks, party dresses, casual chic (men & women), wedding dresses, prom dresses, suits (men & women) and accessories-for all events.
Tosinger and her manager Jumoke, Tosinger in Studio D’Maxsi originalTosinger and Afua Sam
Operation Prom’s Vision
Operation Prom seeks to make the prom night of one very special high school senior a special night to remember. It is the “giving back” vision of Ms. Afua Sam of Studio D’Maxsi. She designs a prom dress for three lucky 12th graders selected for ‘Academic Excellence’ by their one-page essays.
This is a collaborative effort with Ms. Charlene Brown, a Celebrity Hair Stylist, who has been part of the “Glam Team” since Afua started Operation Prom six years ago. Ms. Brown and the Glam Team, also provide hair and makeup for the girls during a scheduled photo shoot before the prom!
Congrats to the winners of 2016’s Operation Prom
BREONNAYOCELIN CRUZFavor Ogu
NAMES OF STUDENT WINNERS
FAVOR OGU
YOCELIN CRUZ
BREONNA
PHOTOGRAPHER// Marcus Bennet
HAIR // Charlene Brown
DESIGNER// Afua Sam of STUDIO D’MAXSI
Excerpt from thr winning essay by FAVOR OGU
My name is Favor Ogechi Ogu and I am a senior at Francis L. Cardozo Education Campus in Washington D.C. I am originally from Nigeria, but was born and raised in the DC metropolitan area. I have two younger sisters who look up to me as a role model and a caring mother who is my biggest support. My mother and my father are separated; I live with my mother. Growing up in a household with just a single mother and two sisters took a mental, physical and financial toll on me. I feel as though I was not exposed to nor had the same doors opened for opportunities compared to those students who have the advantage of living in a two-parent household. Yet, that did not discourage me; I took this as a way to prove myself more, as another obstacles I had to overcome…..
STUDIO D’MAXSI ANNOUNCES SPRING/SUMMER 2015 COLLECTION
DC based Fashion House STUDIO D’MAXSI launches SS15 line ‘The Royal Collection’
WASHINGTON, DC (February 2015) – STUDIO D’MAXSI announces the launch of her SS15 line the ‘Royal Collection’ which retails exclusively online at http://www.studiodmaxsi.com. The line is inspired by the essence and value of a strong woman. The color theme incorporates a bright golden yellow, beige and purple. A diverse range of fabrics are used including, lace, chiffon, silk and of course African print.
Fashion Designer – Afua Sam Owner of Studio D’Maxsi
Owner of STUDIO D’MAXSI, Afua Sam, award winning fashion designer says of the collection:
“The name of this collection came about last year when there was so many things happening personally that I felt like I won’t be able to design or do what I love anymore. I had the opportunity to have some alone time and one thing was consistent – how being a woman is important. I observed my mom’s strength and how she handles every obstacle or adversity that comes her way. It dawned on me how special women are, we are all ROYALS and that’s how the collection was inspired. I think as women, we need to be more aware of our strength, endurance and dignity”.
The ‘Royal Collection’ features fashion wear with a variety of looks and fabulous unique styling that STUDIO D’MAXSI is known for. They will be available in all sizes, at affordable prices on the website, made to order only.
Studio D’Maxsi was currently recognized and is up for votes for the ‘Fashion Designer of the Year’ by RepYoGrind Awards to give recognition to entrepreneurs who love what they do, have a strong brand and help the future generation achieve their dreams. You can vote for Studio D’Maxsi here . Voting ends March 10, 2015.
With the launch of this new Royal collection, STUDIO D’MAXSI will be working on a couple of new projects and collaborations to reveal her new direction. Clients and fashion industry insiders can check the website at http://www.studiodmaxsi.com for more information and updates.
ABOUT STUDIO D’MAXSI
Celebrated as an innovative, sophisticated and edgy women’s wear line for the modern woman; STUDIO D’MAXSI is a fashion design house owned by Afua Sam. STUDIO D’MAXSI is known for her unique, classy and chic couture designs. STUDIO D’MAXSI has featured in various fashion shows and in 2014 won two prestigious awards namely the ‘High Fashion Designer Award’ at Fashion Awards DMV and the ‘Design Challenge Winner’ at the American Breast Cancer Foundation MD. Runway show features include Maryland Fashion Week, DC Fashion Week, Crystal Couture, Runway Moms for a Cause and various charitable fashion events. STUDIO D’MAXSI was cast in the 2014 DC fashion documentary ‘The Politics of Fashion: DC Unboxed’. Afua Sam also founded ‘Operation Prom’, a ‘win a PROM dress’ competition open to deserving academically excellent, high school female students (coming up soon is Operation Prom 2015 in the DMV) STUDIO D’MAXSI’s diverse clientele include Jamie Foster Brown, Grammy nominated artist Carolyn Malachi, guests of BET Honors Awards event, Miss Ghana Universe, Miss China America First Runner Up, Miss Maryland, Miss Black USA DC among others.
It gives me joy to write about Africans in the Diaspora who are talented and getting the well deserved attention for their excellent creative works. Multiple award winning and highly sought after Ghanaian fashion designer, Afua Sam is one on the spotlight in the fashion industry. The founder and brain behind STUDIO D’MAXSI, one of the fastest growing fashion houses based in Washington, DC. Unique, innovative, and edgy STUDIO D’MAXSI, creates masterpieces for the chic, bold and funky modern woman. Born to a family of six, remarkably self-taught Afua draws her creative artistic inspiration from her late father who was a touring musician and her rich Ghanaian culture. Having come from a poor and humble background, Afua’s journey in fashion and design started in Ghana, West Africa and continued after she relocated to the USA. Despite hardships and personal life challenges she faced growing up and also later in life , fashion designing was the only thing that kept her going.
Afua Sam – Fashion Designer (Studio D’Maxsi)
STUDIO D’MAXSI ‘s first collection was in 2007 for DC Fashion week; numerous fashion shows followed, charity based ones like Fashion Fight Poverty, Steps To The Cure, Fashion Fusion, Fashion For World Peace, others like the New York African Fashion Week, Golden Scissors Awards Show, among numerous others and recently ‘Runway For Moms’ just to name a few.
Here I am in one of her designs – 🙂
Tosinger in Dress by Studio D’Maxsi, Photo by Lola Scott
The ‘Fashion Designer of the Year’ ( 2nd Annual African Awards USA) award winner is also passionate about giving back and empowering young women through her Foundation – Operation Prom. ‘Operation Prom’ is a competition open to academically excellent high school female students who will get a custom made prom dress. Her clientele include Jamie Foster Brown, Grammy nominated Artist Carolyn Malachi, Glynn Jackson of the Golden Scissors Awards Show, Abiodun Koya Opera Singer, Miss Ghana Universe , Miss China America First Runner Up, Miss Maryland, Miss Black USA DC among others . For more info on STUDIO D’MAXSI, visit http://www.studiodmaxsi.com/
Adorable kids strutting in Studio D’Maxsi
Afua says “My message through my fashion brand is “Be As Bold As You Can Be But Very Chic And Sexy At The Same Time” Afua believes her life’s story is a perfect example of what can happen when one is not afraid to go after their dreams no matter how poor or disadvantaged they may be. She believes “you don’t have to be rich to help anybody. As long as you have a voice and a will, you can have an impact on someone’s life. You don’t have to be somebody’ in order to make a difference”
Directed and Written by Elaine Mensah of SVELTE LLC, ‘The Politics of Fashion: DC UNBOXED’ is DC’s first ever fashion documentary, a film that takes you on a journey from the perception of DC fashion by the outside world, through its evolution in retail, style, and business, to the debate about whether or not DC fashion is heading towards a true industry or is just a fashionable city. It opens in AMC Theaters in Friendship Heights, DC on June 3, 2014. For more information, visit http://thepoliticsoffashion.com/
The Politics of Fashion: DC UNBOXED hosts other nationally recognized cast, including Pulitzer winning fashion writer & critic Robin Givhan, runway coach extraordinaire Miss J Alexander, Washiontonian Magazine fashion editor Kate Bennett, Gilt City DC senior curator Marissa Schneider, Bloomingdale’s Operating Vice President & GM Susan Cannaday and many more. See the full cast list on IMDb.
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