AKANO Unveils “Omenala”
AKANO Unveils “Omenala” High Jewelry Collection at The Peninsula Paris During Paris Fashion Week
Amid the buzz of Paris Fashion Week, African high-jewelry house AKANO hosted an elegant, intimate evening at The Peninsula Paris to unveil its newest collection, Omenala. The March 4 presentation marked a powerful moment for the Nigerian maison as it continues to expand its presence within the global high jewelry landscape.
Presented in partnership with Vogue100 and luxury chauffeur service Wheely, the cocktail showcase brought together an international mix of fashion insiders, media figures, and cultural tastemakers. The setting, the Peninsula Paris’ iconic Rotunda, offered the perfect backdrop for a collection that bridges heritage and modern design.
Omenala, which translates to “heritage,” explores legacy not as something static or archived, but as something living and evolving. Founder and Creative Director Akunna Nwala-Akano drew deeply from Igbo cosmology and wider West African symbolism, transforming these cultural references into sculptural jewelry forms defined by architectural balance, tension, and movement.
High-carat diamonds and rare gemstones appear throughout the collection, set into bold silhouettes that feel ceremonial yet strikingly contemporary. Each piece carries a deeper narrative, one that asserts African cultural authorship within the traditionally European codes of haute joaillerie.
“These pieces are about continuity,” Nwala-Akano shared. “Heritage is not static; it evolves with us. With Omenala, I wanted to create a body of work that honors where we come from while imagining what legacy looks like in the future. These jewels are not simply adornments; they are vessels of memory, identity, and possibility.”
The evening unfolded with a live harp performance by Jehanne Drai, whose contemporary interpretation added warmth and elegance to the atmosphere of the Rotunda. Guests mingled over cocktails before stepping into a private viewing of the collection, where they were able to experience the craftsmanship and symbolism of each piece firsthand alongside the designer.
Founded in 2020, AKANO has quickly emerged as a distinctive voice within the world of high jewelry. Rooted in Igbo heritage and the broader cultural legacy of West Africa, the brand approaches each jewel as a modern heirloom, designed to carry both emotional resonance and cultural memory. Through sculptural form, symbolism, and meticulous craftsmanship, AKANO continues to redefine the language of African luxury on a global stage.
With Omenala, the maison offers more than a jewelry collection. It presents a narrative of lineage, identity, and future possibility—proving that heritage, when honored with intention, becomes the foundation for innovation.
Photo credit: Hippolyte Petit / BFA