Meet Akos “sunday” Regal

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Akos “sunday” Regal. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Akos “Sunday”, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I have loved fabrics since my great grandmother-Nana Boatemma explained to me as we sat under the palm trees on a musky evening in my childhood home in Kumasi, Ghana that each cloth has a voice and fabrics speak. She explained that the designers of the traditional fabric be it the royal Kente cloth or the basic cotton wax cloth imprinted hidden meanings in their designs and that a woman must carefully inspect the pattern prior to wearing it as not to cause insult or shame to those around her.

Only a woman who has been schooled at the foot of the elders will choose her cloth wisely and rely on the wisdom, patience and insight they have taught her to understand the strength of the message she is sending as she wraps herself in the native garments.

Great grandma explained that one may be enticed by a bold print that depicts two she – elephants with trunks entwined raised high. But the design is signaling to us that there is a war in the house and the elephants are fighting. And we all understand that when the elephants fight it is the ground below that is trampled. No my daughter Nana Boataemma advised it is best to choose the fabric that shows the elephants side by side grazing quietly –this shows that there is harmony in the home.

I would sit at the market place and giggle uncontrollably as my Nana clucked deeply when brightly dressed women passed her store dresses in prints that spoke so telling of their passions for another, their jealousies and secret ambitions . This was my introduction to the African soap opera with its dark alleys, hidden rooms and unspoken messages.

To this day I gingerly study each print and touch each fabric to understand the message its craftsman was communicating to us. Each pattern I choose is designed to empower and embolden its wearer. You will discover that Regal Clothes designs and fabrics will whisper to you of your beauty, courage and compassion that is within.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My love of exotic fabrics with unique symbols and quality textures has lead me back to the traditional fabrics of my youth, African traditional fabrics ntoma/ankara, has developed into a beautiful obsession. Regal Clothes has used this insight and passion for the beauty and strength to expand our product line. This has resulted in the creation of our newest venture which focuses on showcasing uniquely created custom accessories focusing on handbags, clutches, satchels and all the beauties – BagsBowsBoutique.etsy.com.

This collection features the perfect accessories for accenting your wardrobe with a touch of Africa. Bold colors, playful tassels, intricate patterns and shoulder straps. The BagsBowsBoutique has chic purses with functional accessories that allow our clients to highlight their cultural connection. Our artisanal handcrafted handbags are vivid and bold in design. Regal Clothes has always been focused on promoting African fabrics, fashions and cultures as an integral foundation of our designs. This influenced our groups decision to add an diverse selection of fashion accessories to our collection with the focus on unique bags. This is how our newest Etsy shop was created and we are continuing to proceed full steam ahead. We appreciate the feedback from our enthusiastic clients and have heard your requests for additional online shops focused on our hats, head wraps, scarves and head wear with a cultural accent. Many local fans have become very well acquainted with our extensive collection that we only exhibit at craft fairs , Artisan events and Farmers Markets. We are hoping for a Spring launch of our newest cultural and fashion venture. Our motto is : Regal Clothes: Elegant – Exquisite – Ethnic , this is a perfect expression of our fashions, cultural outreach and love for all things Ankara.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three key factors that influence Regal Clothes and the Bags Bows Boutique:
1/ Skill: knowledge of sewing, how to sew, clean finishes, industrial sewing techniques: This is an essential tool in the designing process, knowing how to cut, sew, streamline the process and end up with a polished design. Correction, not all designers know how to sew, many excellent designers can create masterpieces on paper. However, intimately being acquainted with pinning , sewing, interface, lining and how they interact makes a difference in the layering of the fabric, its weight and flow.

Growing up as the 7th of 9 siblings on a daily basis we would inform my Mum that Marie-Therese from school had a beautiful dress today or my brothers would add that Jacques from the hockey team wore jeans that were Super cool. My mother would sigh quietly, reach into her fabric trunk and select fabric for each one of us telling us “Here is a yard of fabric make it”. The initial designs created by my brothers and sisters were haphazard but with time maturity and focus we created some classic beauties. My fondest memory was at my secondary school graduation ball one mother studied me from head to to and mumbled under her breath that she was not aware that (Oscar) de la Renta made gowns for kids. I smiled sheepishly and thought of all the weeks my brothers, sisters and I cut out magazine photos, figured out the patterns and put my gown together piece by piece.

2/ Areas of Knowledge: Different cultures: Growing up in a multicultural society like French Canada we learned early when to ‘Kiss, Bow or Shake hands. This insight is so integral. When people are welcomed in a way that is familiar,comforting their eyes and heart open up to see how much you have in common, This sense of unity often gives people the courage to embrace something new and actually admit to liking it. One of my cherished memories is showing my best friends Mum the latest ankara/tribal print fabric for that season, it was subdued in color with a classic pattern. My friends Mum chuckled and said that she could not believe that anyone would wear the fabric because it was too busy.

My Mummy used the fabric to create a Chanel inspired skirt suit with elaborate solid trimming. My friends Mum asked Mummy where did she attend the Chanel fashion week in Montreal , London or Paris to purchase her lovely ensemble. My Mummy whispered to her “…every mistake in Ghana is a new fashion in Europe…” . There was a lot of laughter in the home and it made me understand that exceptional fabric speaks every language and is understood by all.

3/ Qualities: My love for Ankara/tribal print mesmerized into a fixation of ‘all things ankara’. My youth was spent in French Canada and I have fond memories of my Mum, wearing a classic suit and accenting it with a vibrant neck scarf and elegant head wrap to attend educational conferences. Her style fascinated the society ladies to request that she style head wraps for them to add and exotic air to their formal gowns. It made me realize that my Ghanaian culture was multi -lingual and understood by individuals who had and eye for fashion, love of colors and enthusiasm for creativity.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

The number one obstacle for Regal Clothes/BagsBowsBoutique has been expanding our designs to included cooler weather (fall and winter) fashions that reflect our chic and sassy essence and showcase our vibrant Ankara /tribal print fabrics. We were very focused on designing fashionable, cold weather styles that shows off the vibrancy of the fabrics and are strategically insulated to enhance our clients shape and show off curves. We struggled for a period of time and almost threw our arms up in frustration.

Fortunately, Regal coordinated with a local Maryland fabric house and located the perfect lightweight insulated fabric and also added a reversible component to our patchwork bomber jackets which made them fashionable, warm and very versatile. This winter 2024/2025 we have introduced our newest unisex bomber jackets with much success and will continue to keep the door open for cool weather fashions as we expand our market share. Regal Clothes and our companies are aware of the acute shortage of winter fashions involving African fabrics and sleek styles. We are looking forward to more collaborations in the future especially with makers/designers of cold weather gear.

Baltimore is located in the South Eastern USA and experiences a very marginal winter with some years of minimal snowfall. However, the Northern, Central and Mid -West states and Canada to our north experience consistent snowfall of varying degrees from fall until early spring. The Regal Clothes team is strategically designing and creating winter weather designs that will give Regal the stamp of ‘ Chic ankara/tribal print fashions for all seasons’ . We will continue to enhance our Afro-Fusion designs so that you can wear our fashions and everyone will be drawn to your mystique.

Regal is so excited for Black History Month because we have coordinated fashions from both of our websites to give you a sassy vibrant look!

RegalClothes.com: Elegant- Exquisite -Ethnic BagsBowsBoutique.etsy.com: Handbags & Accessories to Accent your Style

Contact Info:

• Website: www.RegalClothes.com & www.BagsBowsBoutique.etsy.com
• Instagram: #regalclothes
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/RegalClothes

Image Credits

Fabric swatches: Ghanaweb.com