What began as a challenging self funded dream in 2021 is now a thriving Ghanaian fashion brand embraced by both young and old alike with its name echoing through the walls of Africa and breaking forth into the outermost parts of the world.

Atanko Davidson, born at Goaso in the Ahafo Region of Ghana on May 12,2000 is a self taught Ghanaian fashion designer and creative director who discovered his love for fashion and in turn began sketching designs and experimenting with different styles at age 15.

To Davidson, fashion goes beyond what we see and that is why he constantly looks out for the broader impact each piece will have within and beyond the fashion industry, not forgetting his rich background in geography, which is constantly shaping his perspective on sustainable designs and fashion at large. All the while, deeply rooted in his conviction that fashion is a powerful form of expression that combines creativity with practicality and not just a display of colorful fabrics but a means of storytelling, a tool for challenging and setting the status quo while creating and redefining a sense of identity and belonging.

Fashion to Atanko also means freedom because it gives him room to explore and experiment with various ideas, blends art with utility, address and meet societal and global need and demands, most of all, provides a platform to showcase Ghanaian creativity to the rest of the world.

“Complex Department”, the name many associate with the man Atanko Davidson, is a fashion brand that officially lunched him into world of fashion. The name was derived from the multifaceted nature of Davidson’s designs and diverse nature of his source of inspiration backed by his belief in embracing complexity and transforming it into something remarkable and cohesive. It was no coincidence when he introduced it to the world in the year 2021 at age 21. Drawing inspiration from the rich and vibrant Ghanaian culture, urban landscapes, sustainability and renowned designers like Virgil Abloh and Charaf Tajer.

Though laudable, it wasn’t void of challenges as the early stages proved difficult due to limited resources and the need to shoulder other equally important responsibilities, nonetheless, through perseverance, hard work and support from family and fans both home and abroad, the brand has stood the test of time and is currently receiving the much needed recognition it deserves, hopefully looking forward to more growth and solidification in the fashion industry.

With about five showroom exhibitions to his name, held between Ghana and South Africa, Davidson releases two capsule collections yearly and this hasn’t just boosted his reach but has also helped ink his name in the hearts of fashion enthusiasts.  Due to the quality of pieces he releases,  he’s received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both customers and fashion critics and has also been applauded for his level of creativity and the compelling stories behind each piece.

As a fashion designer, his target audience varies from both young, old, creative and fashion forward individuals who value originality and sustainability. When asked where he envisions himself and the brand in the next five years, Atanko said 

“In the next five years, I envision Complex Department becoming a sought after global luxury street wear brand, expanding and taking over international markets while staying true to my Ghanaian roots as a designer. I’m also willing to take Complex Department as far as it can go , making it a global household name and driving social impact through fashion.”

Aiming to redefine African luxury fashion and create opportunities for young creatives in Ghana, Atanko is constantly working on inspiring workshop initiatives, empowering local communities and exploring new product ideas through the Complex Academy initiative. This is why beyond fashion, he wants anyone who comes in contact with his designs to 

“See innovation, be inspired and leave thinking about sustainability and cultural representation”.

All the same, while fashion is the primary focus, Davidson is open to exploring other fields such as sustainable development and urban logistics where he can merge creativity with functionality. Yet, he’s currently working towards launching sustainable accessories and a sub brand focusing on up-cycled materials.

Speaking on reception towards his designs, Davidson explained that 

“The reception from Ghanaians and Africans at large have been warm and supportive as they value the cultural representation while the foreigners appreciate the unique aesthetics and stories behind the designs.”

For other young and upcoming fashion designers

“The path is clear, stay authentic, keep learning, stay persistent, build a strong network and to top it off, never underestimate the power of storytelling in your designs.”