Benin: Kanvo Finds a New Place in Benin's Contemporary Fashion

What the report says

Benin’s traditional Kanvô cloth is being adapted for modern fashion and interior design, according to Bird Story Agency in a report republished by AllAfrica. The piece focuses on Charlemagne Andoche Amoussou, founder of the Lolo Andoche fashion house in Cotonou, who is using the handwoven textile once linked to the royal court of Abomey in garments sold in Benin and abroad, including in parts of Africa and France.

The report says Lolo Andoche, founded in 1993, combines Kanvô with materials such as linen and silk to create ready-to-wear clothing while keeping much of the production chain in Benin. The workshop employs around a hundred workers in temporary and full-time roles and works with weavers, especially in Tori-Bossito, to source locally made cloth. Amoussou argues that the labor-intensive weaving process is part of the fabric’s value and sees the brand as a way to preserve artisan skills while building local economic activity.

Beyond clothing, the article notes that Kanvô is also being used in home décor through the work of interior designer Mélia Adjovi, who has incorporated it into lighting, cushions, rugs, curtains and placemats. She said the textile’s expanding range shows its versatility, although finding enough specialized weavers remains a challenge. More broadly, the story presents Kanvô as a symbol of cultural identity and an example of how Beninese design is being positioned as both heritage preservation and economic development.