Maria is a multifaceted and business-oriented creative who is skilled in design and visual storytelling. After finishing her Fashion Design Degree at Escola Superior de Disseny ESDi at Barcelona, she moved to Ghana to immerse herself in craft and design. After three years of experience working as a designer and project manager in two well-recognized companies, Maria decided to pursue her dream of creating a brand by collaborating with local artisans. In January 2021, Maria co-founded Aketekete with her partner Michael.
AKETEKETE designs and creates high-quality jewelry and woven baskets with age-old techniques by supporting artisan communities to make them. Aketekete values connecting with creatives to produce modern pieces using traditional techniques while maintaining ethical and fair processes. Aketekete promotes a transparent process where the artisan is always the main focus of our work.
In addition to this fulfilling adventure, Maria is also a professional freelancer who works as a photographer and content creator in her free time. Some of her clients include AAKS, Ghana Food Movement or Konzoom.
Projects
- Cultural Nostalgia'Cultural Nostalgia.’ is a collaborative photo project we shot with the stylist Sabi Diez while traveling throughout Ghana. During this trip we had the opportunity to meet different people and ask them each the same five questions about their traditions, hobbies and more. Their responses served as inspiration for each photo set.
Work history
Co-Founder and Creative DirectorAKETEKETE
Accra, GhanaFull Time
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Fashion DesignerKathrin Eckhardt Studio
Accra, GhanaPart Time
Co-designer for the SS20 collection.
Support in Design, Project Management and Production.
- Creation and design of the batik dyed patterns
- Pattern-making
- Fabric research
- Quality control (QA)
Support with the artisans - basket making
- Quality control (QA)
- Research of new techniques
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Skills
- Hand Knitting
- Pattern Making
- Design Development
- Creative Direction
- Photography
- Technical Drawing
Education
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BA Fashion DesignEscola Superior de Disseny ESDi
- Barcelona, Spain