The checkered polypropylene bag, once known as the “Ghana Must Go” bag, has travelled from displacement and street markets to global runways. Discover how luxury brands and African designers are reimagining this symbol of resilience in contemporary fashion.
What looks like a simple bag is so much more. It’s a story of survival, a symbol of movement, and now, a part of high fashion.
The checkered polypropylene bag, known across West Africa as the “Ghana Must Go” bag, started as a practical carryall. In the 1980s, it became tied to the displacement of Ghanaians leaving Nigeria, carrying with it heavy memories of resilience and migration.
Decades later, the same bag is being reimagined. Designers have taken this everyday object and placed it on global runways, turning its humble material into something iconic.
From Resilience to Runway
The bag’s bold checkered pattern has travelled far beyond its roots. Luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Céline and Balenciaga have all referenced its shape and design in their collections.
What began as necessity now inspires coats, bags and high-end textiles. While the aesthetic catches the eye, the deeper story carries weight. It’s a reminder of how design can move from street culture to luxury fashion, carrying history with it.
African Designers Leading the Way
African designers are leading the charge. For them, the material is more than a trend. It’s a way to tell stories of migration, identity and pride. By weaving it into their work, they’re reclaiming ownership of the narrative and showing how creativity can transform lived history into something powerful and new.
Why Polypropylene Works
There’s also a practical side. Polypropylene is tough, reusable and water-resistant. It lasts through wear and tear, which is why it first became so popular in daily life. Those same qualities make it appealing for fashion today, especially as designers look for materials that balance style, durability and sustainability.
More Than Just a Bag
The checkered polypropylene bag has travelled a long way. From carrying belongings across borders to being carried on runways, it proves that design doesn’t always start in studios or ateliers. Sometimes it begins with survival and everyday use.
Its journey shows how a simple object can hold history, meaning and pride and how our ‘stories’ can inspire fashion worldwide.
