In 2008 Andrew and his brother were wrongly convicted for a crime in Italy, in which he spent seven years of his life in prison.
When Andrew McKenzie founded the JesuSegun brand in back in 2016, he had one mission in mind, to create bold and luxurious shoe designs with unequalled comfort, quality and aesthetic.
Hand-crafted in Italy by some of the finest ateliers, the London-Accra-based luxury shoe brand is redefining African fashion excellence into what it should be, a true reflection of the continent’s authenticity and creative prowess.
As the saying goes ‘a diamond is only a chunk of coal that did well under pressure’ and that may perhaps best narrate the birth-story of the JesuSegun brand.
In 2008 Andrew and his brother were wrongly convicted for a crime in Italy, in which he spent seven years of his life in prison.
“I never believed it. It was like a joke. I even laughed when the judge passed the sentence because we were so sure we were innocent and that we were going to be released, but reality soon set in when it dawned on me that we had actually been sentenced and being sent to prison” he told EMY Africa.
Being grounded at home for misbehaving is one thing, but being incarcerated for no wrongdoing can be shattering, a situation some do not live through. But for Andrew, he saw an opportunity to create a new start.
“Every situation you find yourself in you must try and make the best of it and that’s what I did for myself. There was a school inside the prison that taught inmates how to make shoes so I enrolled to learn shoe making and that’s how it started.”
After serving his time in Italy, Andrew returned to London, armed with his new knowledge of shoe cobbling. But it wasn’t just about making shoes, it was about creating something that matched up to the standard of the top global brands he patronised.
“I got back to Brighton and started working with some UK manufacturers but the quality wasn’t to my satisfaction” said Andrew, who was already known to have high taste.
“One thing most black brands lack is quality and presentation. I wanted to do something that stood out. One of my favourite brands is the Versace brand. So, I had to look within and that meant looking back to my roots. That’s why our logo stands out.”
The JesuSegun brand features a popular symbol of African ingenuity, creativity and civilisation, the bronze head likeness of Idia, a Queen Mother from the historic Kingdom of Benin (present day Edo state in Nigeria), which is considered to be one of the most iconic 16th century African bronze art works.
“I chose the symbol not only because I loved the history behind it but also because it has come to be known as a symbol of African artistry all over the world and everyone regardless of tribe can relate to it.”
Using the rough and tumble nature of prison life as a muse for his designs, Andrew allows his own experiences to inspire his designs. “While the JesuSegun brand strives for perfection, we also understand the importance of leveraging on our imperfections, when you look at some of our pieces the detail may not be 100% perfect but that is exactly what some of our clients love because it creates a sense of authenticity.”
Time itself appears to stand still in its Accra showroom located inside the Kempinski Hotel. Finely crafted gold-plated shelves hold bold pieces ranging from shoes, bags and belts to rings and cufflinks. The quiet ambience laced with soothing music in the background paints a perfect picture of the popular oxymoron ‘the sound of silence’.
But Andrew says it not even near completion. “We had to open last year even though the showroom is not yet fully done and that is because we wanted to take advantage of the December in Ghana traffic.”
Today, JesuSegun is a coveted brand among fashion-forward consumers who value quality, craftsmanship, and innovation. They’re particularly famed for their leather shoes and bags featuring bold designs, striking colors, and impeccable attention to detail with unique textures.
Each piece is handmade using only the finest materials, and is a testament to Andrew’s commitment to excellence.
In an industry that often values style over substance, the JesuSegun name stands out as a brand with a compelling story and a commitment to quality. And while the future is uncertain, Andrew is certain about one thing, there is no doubt that the brand will continue to thrive and innovate for years to come.
