Black Sherif claims his bold sense of style was shaped long before he became one of Ghana’s most talked-about musicians.
He revealed in an interview with Patta, a fashion brand in the Netherlands, that his fashion journey began in childhood and was influenced by both family and circumstance.
He recalled how, after his mother moved to Greece, he lived with his aunt and found inspiration in her wardrobe.
“My whole style started in a woman’s closet—my auntie’s. When my mom left for Greece, I stayed with my auntie, and she had all kinds of stylish stuff. I’d sneak into her things, steal belts, and glasses. That’s when I got into appearances,” he said.
Experimenting with appearance, however, was not always welcomed. He shared how one hairstyle, which locals called “backbone,” drew punishment.
“I also tried different hairstyles, like one called ‘backbone,’ and got beaten for it because it was too bold for where I was living. I’ve always been chasing freedom to dress how I want,” he added.
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Black Sherif also pointed to his mother’s influence. As a seamstress, she instilled in him the value of making clothes his own.
“I used to sew my buttons for school. Even in high school, I’d alter my clothes because I couldn’t afford a tailor. If I didn’t like something about a shirt or a pair of sneakers, I’d cut it and make it my own,” he said.
His style eventually led him into high fashion, with a major moment on the runway for Labrum at London Fashion Week in September 2023.
“As a teenager, I couldn’t afford real designer clothes, so I wore replicas. But now, I get these things as gifts, and I feel like I have a fashion dream that will come true. After walking for Labrum, people told me I was natural at it,” the ‘Kwaku The Traveller’ hitmaker revealed.
Although he admitted he doubted his own runway performance, the positive feedback convinced him he was on the right path.
“I thought I didn’t do a great job, but the reactions were strong. I’m still figuring out my way in fashion, but I believe in it,” Sherif averred.
