Being Bôhten: “Fashion with a Social Conscience”

by Gabriella Ienzi

Bôhten Eyewear. For a full product catalogue and to place an order, visit www.bohten.com. Photo: John Smith

Luxurious. Ultra-chic. High-quality. Eco-friendly.

Sound too good to be true? Well, it’s not.

Thursday, November 14, marked the official launch of Bôhten Eyewear, a new design line of ultra-chic, eco-friendly luxury eyeglasses. From December 2012 when Bôhten debuted with Barklae, its first collection, the brand is taking off with fireworks: it’s already attracted attention from the Ottawa Citizen, where journalist Ellen O’Connor called the shades “uber-cool,” and appeared at Ottawa Fashion Week, Black Expo Design in Montreal, and on the back cover of Press the Fashion Magazine.

The vision of Bôhten first appeared to Nana Boateng Osei, CEO and Founder of Bôhten, from the mountainous region of Kwahu, the highest habitable place in Ghana: that vision was to create social and environmental awareness and responsibility. Named after his middle name, Boateng, meaning prosperity, Bôhten’s—and Osei’s—journey to change the face of Africa will be nothing short of historic, and with his roots still buried deep in his Ghanaian heritage, Osei continues to draw inspiration from his homeland for his designer collections.

And although he wasn’t able to slay the dragons in Dragon’s Den, Osei is still fierce in his determination to see his vision become reality and to prove that fashion doesn’t have to be at the cost of social responsibility.

Model Naira Fragoso wearing Bôhten
Exstel Tortoise Acetate & Wood.
Photo: John Smith

Using reclaimed materials to create stunning shades, Bôhten proudly boasts its materials on its website for every pair of glasses in their catalogue. Materials consist of reclaimed acetate and reclaimed wood sourced from Africa—sapele, rosewood, zebrawood, bamboo, walnut, redwood… the list (and choices!) go on.

The launch featured the new iconic Aristocratz Sunwear, inspired by Sid Cratzberg, known as the Aristocrat of Scent. Made of 100% reclaimed zebrawood, the new design is eco-luxury at it’s finest: both bold and timeless.

Maybe this is why November’s African Symbol of the Month, on Bôhten’s website, is “Sesa wo suban,” meaning “change or transform your character.” In a world of mostly mass-produced manufactured products, Bôhten offers something that’s significantly lacking in fashion today. I can think of no better words than Cratzberg’s: “Fashion with a social conscience.” 

Bôhten represents exactly that: a change for a more conscientious fashion sense… without having to sacrifice style.