About Afua Sam

Afua Sam is a fashion designer and the founder and owner of Studio D’Maxsi Designs and The A CONCEPT by Afua Sam, notable fashion design houses in the Washington DC metropolitan area, dedicated to making unique designs for the modern-day chic and confident woman. A Ghanaian native, her achievements in the fashion and design industry have made her a pacesetter with amazing contributions, featuring a brand of elegant yet edgy collections and have gained her diverse clientele from everyday people to celebrities.

A multiple award-winning and highly sought-after fashion designer, Afua’s journey in the design industry started more than 20  years ago, learning how to sew with an in-born creativity. Motivated by the desire to become a global expert in her field, Afua Sam leveraged the wisdom of her Ghanaian culture and pushed herself to her fullest potential. Drawing her creative artistic gene from her parents (late), Afua Sam attributes her background to be one of her many inspirations for the creation of her designs. A self-taught industry professional and celebrated for her invaluable uniqueness, innovativeness, and edgy fashion designs, Afua’s gowns are worn in Hollywood and across the globe. Even then, she remains a gentle spirit who is true to her values.

She has made numerous TV appearances in the USA and internationally, including FOX5 ATLANTA, POTIAL TV Show, WUSA9 news, FOX5DC news, Good Day Baltimore, ABC7 News, Living Social DMV and FOX45 Baltimore. Her Resent appearance was on FOX5 and 

WUSA9 . March 2026 for Spring Fashion and Cherry Blossom Festival.

Media appearances in Ghana include METRO TV, Show Biz Entertainment, GHONE TV, Xpressive, AgooTV, ASSASE Radio, and JOY FM 99.7.

With deep industry knowledge, coupled with an analytical, detail-oriented approach, Afua Sam is equipped to understand the needs of the most discerning clients, delivering an experience rooted in customer service, integrity and expertise. Her strong creative and design skills make her a keen advocate for clients, proactively seeking new opportunities to enhance her services and continually attain excellence, with client satisfaction the ultimate objective.

In 2026, Afua Sam was honored with   the “Art In Motion Fashion   Icon Award ” at Caribbean  and African Women Of Impact Honors.

Additionally, Afua Sam was one of the distinguished  designers selected to be featured in the inaugural runway show at the “National Cherry Blossom Festival” representing her Ghanian Culture.
In September 2024 , she was awarded Fashion Designer of the year by  GHPAC  in Washington DC.
In October 2024, Afua Sam had the opportunity through her fashion to  be at the WHITE HOUSE for  the “National Medals  Of Art And Humanity“ Hosted by   The President and First Lady Dr Biden.”This opportunity inspired me more to keep what I’m doing with my fashion “ said Afua.

In March 2024, Afua Sam was the recipient of two awards in London by DIVAS OF COLOUR, Fashion Designer and ICON of the Year at their 10-year anniversary celebration. In 2023, she was the recipient of SNMM HOREE for Direct and Indirect Commitment to Community, Excellence and the Highest Standards of Ethical Conduct, Integrity, Civic and Social Responsibility. Also in 2023, Afua was part of history, by designing a special piece for the legendary Melba Moore for her street naming ceremony in New Jersey.

In 2021, Afua was named by C-HUB Magazine in LONDON as one of the 100 most INFLUENTIAL CREATIVE people. Tropics Magazine named Afua one of the Top 500 most influential Africans in the world 2021. She was inducted into the DC Hall of Fame Designers 2019 by DC FASHION Week, Lit in DC Honoree 2019. Also, in 2018, Afua was mentioned by global icon, Forbes' top-ranking CMO, and Marketing Hall of Famer Bozoma Saint John, in Essence magazine as one of her favorite designers.

In addition to her fashion, Afua has added actress to her name. She starred as herself in “THE POLITICS OF FASHION DC UNBOXED," produced and written by Elaine Mensah. In 2023 Afua Sam was a part of a DC CULTURAL event representing her county and culture which won an Emmy for BEST Production. In 2019, a short documentary, filmed and produced by Jerald Council, was made about Afua.

Afua has also worked with talented celebrity stylists, such as 

Lana Rae, Maggy Francoi, Joy Kingsley Ibeh, Germane G, Michele Lopez, and Logan Renee, just to name a few. Afua's designs have been seen in Essence, WWD, Marie Claire, District FRAY, DC Luxury, Monarch Magazine, Glamour, C Hub Magazine London, The Washington Post, and more. Afua worked with “The Washington Performing Arts” at The Kennedy Center in celebration of Dr Matin Luther King by Children of The Gospel Choir.

In March 2024, her designs were showcased at the BRONNA BROTHERS 77th Annual Hair Show in Atlanta. Afua's designs has been showcased in the past 3 years at the one of the biggest fashion platforms in metropolitan area. “The BALTIMORE MET GALA “ 

In 2023, She was featured on FOX5DC as part of the BLACK PANTHER, WAKANDA FOREVER movie premier.  She was also on ABC7 to discuss Ghanaian culture at the “DC CULTURAL FASHION SHOW.” Afua's collections have gained her a diverse clientele from everyday people to celebrities for major events such as The WHITE HOUSE Correspondents Dinner, The Color Purple world premiere in Hollywood, Astra Film Awards in LA, Oscars, Grammys, Daytime Emmys, BET, Ebony 100 Most Influential People, BLACK PANTHER 1 and 2 Hollywood premiers, IMAGE awards, Preakness, GUBA Awards “GUBAYA21” Ghana, GUBA Awards USA, Reality TV Show RHWOP, music videos and TV Shows, Afua has been a judge on the Ms. Ghana USA beauty pageant over the years and Miss Africa USA.

A humanitarian to the core, Afua Sam believes that her success and achievements are not complete until she’s had the chance to influence the lives of others, especially young children and women. It is for this reason she founded Afua’s Foundation with a mission to empower women and young people. The foundation’s first major initiative known as “Operation Prom,” seeks to make prom a memorable event for a very special high school senior each year. Afua personally designs a prom dress to be worn by a deserving senior.

Afua has also been part of and supported charitable fashion events like The “Powerful 7 SNMM, One Sparrow, GNO by Shawn Yancy, SHADE by Philantropik, IHeart Health Expo, Fashion For PAWS, Steps to the Cure, Generosity Ball, Pink For Africa, Rise Against cancer, The Steve Smith Family Foundation for Domestic Violence, America Breast Cancer Foundation, Tiger Lilly Foundation, Fashion Fusion, Fashion for World Peace, Runway Mom for a CAUSE, Pink Jams, and Beyond Words Fashion Show For The "Lollipop Kids Foundation."

Using her skills to help those whose lives would be enriched by it, Afua's brand’s mission is to “be bold and chic at the same time”. She believes her life story illustrates what can happen when one is not afraid to go after their dreams regardless of the odds.