What It Means to Be Crowned: Dignity. Identity. Ancestral pride.

At Tristan Brew Haute Couture (TBHC), being crowned is not limited to a physical headpiece, it is a state of dignity, identity and ancestral pride. The headline on our Journal page encapsulates this ethos, inviting readers to reflect on heritage and fashion. To be crowned is to recognize the rich histories woven into our garments and to embrace the majesty within yourself. This article explores the cultural origins of crowns, the royal legacy of Kente cloth, and how TBHC reimagines these symbols for today's modern kings and queens.

Crowns in Akan Culture: Symbols of Rank and Protection

In Ghana's Akan empire, kings, queens and regents wear distinctive headgear called abotire. These velvet headbands, often referred to as crowns, are worn at ceremonial festivities to signify rank and allegiance. The crowns are decorated with gold leaf ornaments whose shapes carry proverbial meanings. For example, some abotire feature a row of carved rectangles and triangles forming the Maltese-style cross called musuyides, believed to protect the wearer from curses and bad luck. Others display stars or animal motifs; a proverb linked to star motifs compares the regent to the evening star that always stays: close to the moon, symbolizing loyalty. These embellishments reveal that crowns are not mere

accessories but storytelling devices conveying virtues like protection, fidelity and leadership.

Kente Cloth: Woven Royalty

Crowns are not the only symbols of royalty in Ghanaian culture. Kente cloth, with its vibrant colors and intricate patterns, was historically reserved for kings and royal households. The Asantehene (king of the Asante people) controlled the production and use of Kente; owning a piece was comparable to owning a tuxedo or evening gown today. When a person wore Kente for special occasions, it conferred honor and prestige of the ceremony. Thus, Kente functioned as a wearable crown, a visible declaration of status and heritage. TBHC honors this legacy by commissioning master weavers in Ghana to produce custom Kente cloth for our collections. Each pattern carries symbolic meanings, and the luxurious fabric reminds the wearer of their rightful place in a lineage of kings and queens.

Universal Meanings of the Crown

Across cultures, the crown has always signified more than power. It is associated with reward, victory, honour and the highest attainment. Because it sits at the highest point on the body, the crown represents pre-eminence; phrases like "crowning achievement" capture this metaphor. These universal meanings make crowns resonant symbols for individuals seeking to reclaim their heritage or celebrate personal milestones. Wearing a crown, or clothing inspired by it, affirms that one's journey and accomplishments are worthy of honor.

TBHC's Reinterpretation: Wear Your Crown

TBHC's mission is to empower you to wear your crown every day. Our garments are designed to evoke the majesty of crowns and the prestige of Kente, even if no literal diadem graces your head. Silhouettes in our Crowned Collection draw from the structure of royal headpieces; rich fabrics and gold accents echo the lavish details of abotire. Yet we also modernize these symbols: our designs feature clean lines, contemporary cuts and versatile styling, encouraging you to incorporate heritage into everyday life As our Journal tagline suggests, being crowned is about dignity, identity and ancestral pride. It invites everyone, regardless of background, to feel regal by honoring the traditions that shaped them and embracing their unique story.

What Being Crowned Means Today

In the 2ist century, being crowned is less about hereditary titles and more about self-recognition and cultural reclamation. For people of Ghanaian descent, donning Kente or wearing a garment inspired by Ghanaian crowns can be an act of affirming identity and resisting erasure. For others, crowns symbolize personal triumphs: finishing a degree, launching a business or simply embracing one's authentic self. By wearing TBHC garments, you participate in a lineage that dates back centuries, from the abotire crowns that protected chiefs to the Kente cloth worn by kings and later, entire communities. Being Crowned at TBHC means you join a movement that seeks to honour the past while forging a stylish and inclusive future.

Crown Yourself: 

Being crowned at TBHC is both a privilege and an invitation. It is a privilege because you wear materials woven and crafted by artisans whose knowledge spans generations. It is an invitation because it calls you to stand tall, celebrate your roots and inspire others to do the same. When you choose a piece from our Crowned Collection, you are not merely purchasing a garment; you are claiming a story of resilience, victory and heritage. We encourage you to wear your crown, whether in the form of a Kente-infused jacket, a sleek gown with regal lines or a bespoke piece commissioned to tell your personal story. Join us in redefining what it means to be crowned, not as an exclusive privilege, but as a universal affirmation of dignity and identity.