Omenala, meaning “heritage,” explores legacy as something lived rather than archived.
Tuesday night in Paris, AKANO unveiled its newest high jewellery collection, Omenala, with an intimate cocktail showcase at The Peninsula Paris, during Paris Fashion Week.
The evening brought together a tightly curated group of international editors, collectors, and cultural figures, marking a defining moment for the Nigerian maison within the global haute joaillerie landscape.
Omenala, meaning “heritage,” explores legacy as something lived rather than archived.
Drawing from Igbo cosmology and broader West African symbolism, the collection translates cultural codes into sculptural forms shaped by architectural balance, tension and movement. High-carat diamonds and rare gemstones are set into bold silhouettes that feel both ceremonial and decisively modern, asserting African cultural authorship within the codes of haute joaillerie.
These pieces are about continuity, says Akunna Nwala-Akano, Founder and Creative Director of AKANO. “Heritage is not static — it evolves with us. With Omenala, I wanted to create a body of work that honours 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.”
Attendees enjoyed a live performance by harpist Jehanne Drai, whose nuanced and contemporary set brought warmth and texture to the Rotunda.
Hosted within The Peninsula Paris’ iconic Rotunda, the evening was curated in collaboration with Vogue100, Vogue’s global community of influential women shaping fashion, culture and business. Guests arrived and departed courtesy of Wheely, the luxury chauffeur service known for discretion and precision, underscoring the evening’s refined and intimate tone.
The presentation concluded with a private viewing of the collection, allowing attendees to experience the craftsmanship and symbolism of each piece in a personal setting with Nwala-Akano.
See more photos from the evening below.
Founded in 2020 by Akunna Nwala-Akano, AKANO is a Nigerian high jewellery house creating sculptural, emotionally resonant pieces rooted in Igbo heritage and the broader legacy of West Africa. Each jewel is conceived as a modern heirloom, anchored in cultural memory yet positioned within the global language of high jewellery.
Photos: Hippolyte Petit/BFA
