Vlisco’s latest campaign, The Garden of Sisterhood, is an upbeat, vibrant homage to the unbreakable bonds of women—a hymn to collective strength, ingenuity, and variety. Taking inspiration from Congolese superstar Fally Ipupa’s new single “MAYANGA” and the song’s Ivory Coast-filmed music video, Vlisco weaves music and fashion into a continuous tale of empowerment. With creative contributions from Ivorian designer Loza Maléombho and Nigerian director Daniel Obasi, the campaign unfolds with intricate floral motifs and soft, elegant colour palettes that symbolize strength and unity.
The Accra Mall launch event on March 18, 2025 brought together music, fashion, and community—a Purple Strings performance and catwalk showcasing Ghanaian talent completed the night—spotlighting Vlisco’s century‑long history of cultural storytelling. With up-close quotes by Fally Ipupa, Brand Manager Deborah Sowah, and Creative Director Marlou van Engelen, The Garden of Sisterhood welcomes women worldwide to bloom together in a garden where individuality thrives through togetherness.
Inspiration and Creative Collaborations
Vlisco’s campaign takes root in the Women’s Month spirit, launching officially on March 18th with the release of Fally Ipupa’s “MAYANGA” music video, co-produced with Vlisco. The choice of “MAYANGA”—a soulful anthem with rumba undertones—makes for the perfect soundtrack to a celebration of sisterhood, with every lyric a petal of solidarity. To bring the vision to life, Vlisco collaborated with Ivorian designer Loza Maléombho, whose avant-garde design honors generations of African women, and Nigerian filmmaker Daniel Obasi, whose directorial storytelling eye adapts the campaign message of unity into visuals that arrest. This trio collaboration—taken from music, fashion, and film—highlights Vlisco’s commitment to a fusion of heritage and innovation, showing how creative synergy blossoms into cultural pride.
Fally Ipupa and “MAYANGA”
Fally Ipupa describes the collaboration as “a beautiful experience,” referring to Vlisco’s sharp understanding of his vision and its alignment with honoring the women who wear their fabrics. Among Ivory Coast’s lush landscapes, the “MAYANGA” visual intersperses fluttering batik motifs through flowering foliage, visually harmonizing with the song’s themes of growth and unity. As Ipupa’s rich vocals soar over layered percussion, listeners are encouraged that, as in a garden, collective strength is best when each individual contributes their own unique beauty to the group.
Festive Launch Event
The unveiling of the campaign at Accra Mall on March 18, 2025 was a carnival of sisterhood. Creatives, fashionistas, and trailblazing women gathered for an exclusive showcase of The Garden of Sisterhood collection, with Purple Strings delivering a live duet that echoed with unity and empowerment. Brand Manager Deborah Sowah underscored the collection’s message:
“The Garden of Sisterhood is a collection that embodies the spirit of togetherness, collaboration, and the richness of womanhood. Stand together, hold each other, and make each other strong—for it is the only way that women can thrive.”
A catwalk featuring Maison Midekor, Adjoa Yeboah Clothing, and Kwame Owusu designs blended tradition with modern twists, culminating in a bespoke Maison Midekor gown created live for a guest—proof that in Vlisco’s garden, creativity knows no bounds.
Design Aesthetic and Symbolism
In The Garden of Sisterhood, Vlisco’s legendary wax‑print fabrics are reimagined in floral motifs that allude to growth, resilience, and the quiet beauty of every woman’s journey. Dainty yet bold color schemes—blush peonies, plum dahlias, and vibrant calendulas come to mind—coalesce into prints that pay homage to Batik’s Indonesian roots while fully embracing African storytelling. Each print is a visual metaphor: stems of support, petals of self, and roots that ground the wearer in a global sisterhood.
Empowering Messages and Quotes
Marlou van Engelen, Vlisco’s Creative Director, encapsulates the philosophy of the campaign:
“His track ‘MAYANGA’ perfectly sums up our admiration for the women that created us, motivated us, and mean the world to us. It’s not just about fashion but about the story of our beautiful prints. The best stories are always told.”
Together, these voices—of artist, brand manager, and creative director—are a chorus of confirmation, reminding women that individual strength is multiplied as it is distributed within the context of a loving community.
Availability and Enduring Legacy
The Sisterhood Garden collection is available online now at www.vlisco.com and in select stores, including flagship Accra Mall store. As Vlisco marks nearly two centuries of textile art—over 350,000 original prints since its establishment in 1846—the brand’s commitment to celebrating African ingenuity remains unwavering. In this campaign, every print and performance is an invitation: come with us to cultivate, to tell your story, and to watch the garden of sisterhood bloom.
