Charity Woode speaks on transition from education to fashion

Fashion designer Charity Woode has spoken about her transition from studying education to pursuing a career in fashion. Woode studied General Arts at Asare Bediako Senior High School before earning a Bachelor of Education in Social Science from the University of Cape Coast. She said her education background has influenced how she approaches fashion. “I never saw my education as separate from my passion for fashion,” Woode said. “Teaching is about communication, about understanding people, about translating ideas into something accessible. Fashion is exactly the same.” After completing her university education, Woode enrolled at Lagos Fashion Academy in 2015, where she studied Fashion Design and Pattern Technology. She said her training covered pattern drafting, draping, tailoring and collection development. “I immersed myself in the technical side of fashion—pattern drafting, draping, tailoring, collection development,” she said. “I wanted to master the craft before I could even think about building a brand.” Woode later worked as a junior designer at Maki Oh, where she was involved in hand-finishing, embroidery and embellishment. She also worked at Temple Muse as a designer and creative lead, with duties including creative direction, campaign production and collection management. Speaking on her experience at the two fashion firms, Woode said, “Those years were invaluable. I learned from some of the best in the industry, and I gained a deep understanding of what it takes to build a successful fashion label from the creative vision to the business strategy.” Woode said her work is influenced by culture, history and social issues. “I believe that fashion is more than aesthetics,” she said. “It is a reflection of who we are, where we come from, and where we are going. As designers, we have a responsibility to tell stories that matter.” She currently runs WOODE Studio, a womenswear label. “Fashion is a powerful tool for change,” Woode said. “I want to use it to celebrate our heritage, empower our artisans, and inspire young people to pursue their creative dreams.” Tags: