An idea that stole our hearts

Launched in 2011 by Peter and Nana Opoku, their mother Mary Gyapong, and their close friend Duke Yeboah, House of Stole set off with one goal in mind: to make graduations more memorable with handwoven kente stoles.

The idea struck when Mary got some kente stoles woven for Peter and a few other friends for their Swarthmore College graduation. Everyone adored the stoles and was curious about how to get one made for a loved one’s future graduation.

The light bulbs flicked on instantly, and shortly after, House of Stole was born.

Weaving memories worldwide

Since then, House of Stole has woven thousands of stoles for individuals, organizations, and schools worldwide. It has proven enormously popular with prominent universities and organizations, such as Harvard University, New York University, Wellesley College, Yale University, and Columbia University, to name a few.The company, headquartered in Tema, Ghana, has also worked with clients in Canada, France, the USA, Zimbabwe, England, and Gambia, and has even woven a stole for Oprah Winfrey!

Check out the House of Stole feature spread in the Swarthmore College Bulletin here.

House of Stole is committed to sharing the vibrant history and beauty of Kente with the world. “We’re all about creating art, providing jobs, and producing top-quality products that reflect the richness of Ghanaian culture, through kente, all while helping you celebrate your big day in a big way,” stated Nana Opoku when asked to describe House of Stole.

Kente and beyond

Today, House of Stole is growing faster than ever, as it looks to evolve into the fashion and accessories space. The organization will soon launch an online store with ready-made kente products and fashion items, expanding beyond its ‘customized stoles’ roots.

And with its new Campus Ambassador Program, the company looks to create and promote a culture and community around kente and other related high-quality, made-in-Africa products.