experience the handcrafted
Founder & Designer
Bernice Apaade Andah-Lovely's love for fashion began at just 8 years of age. She spent many hours watching her mother - a talented seamstress and shop owner in Ghana, West Africa - create custom garments for her children and women in her community. That early exposure to the art of fine tailoring sparked a lifelong passion for textiles and design. Bernice relocated to New York City with her family at the age of 14.
For over 30 years, Bernice held key leadership positions in design, product development, and production with pioneering brands including Liz Claiborne, Tommy Hilfiger, Kenneth Cole, and Ralph Lauren. Bernice is degreed in Fabric Styling & Accessory Design and also studied Millinery at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.
In June of 2024, Bernice launched APAADE as both a personal pursuit and a way to carry on her mother's legacy. Through APAADE, she brings the fullness of a generational vision to life, crafting bold, Afro-fusion statement pieces that make women feel powerful, beautiful and unique.
Each design is a reflection of Bernice's cultural roots, travels, artistic evolution, and commitment to make fashion deeply personal. Her work has been met with appreciation and praise for the brand's authenticity and distinct aesthetic.