Ghana’s rich cultural heritage has sparked a footwear revolution, and this time, it’s not just about fashion—it’s about storytelling, identity, and the power of craft. Demon Footwear has joined forces with British-Ghanaian artist and architect Giles Tettey Nartey to create the GTN Mule, a slip-on shoe that’s as much a work of art as it is a statement piece. But here’s where it gets intriguing: this isn’t just another shoe launch. It’s a fusion of Afro-Atlantic material cultures, Italian craftsmanship, and Nartey’s visionary design philosophy, all coming together in a limited-edition leather mule that doubles as a ‘living archive.’
Crafted from locally sourced black leathers, each chosen for its unique texture, the GTN Mule is more than footwear—it’s a testament to the intersection of tradition and innovation. Developed in collaboration with Demon Footwear, an Italian brand rooted in Montebelluna’s terrain-specific shoemaking legacy, the mule is a product of a decade-long creative dialogue between Nartey and Demon’s founder, Alberto Deon. Their partnership began at the Politecnico di Milano, where a shared passion for design and culture laid the foundation for this groundbreaking project.
And this is the part most people miss: Nartey’s work isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about exploring how objects carry cultural memory and social meaning. Grounded in research across film, installation, performance, and object design, his practice delves into the relationship between craft and ritual. The GTN Mule is a tangible evolution of this philosophy—a wearable piece of art that transcends traditional exhibition formats, inviting owners to ‘live in’ its story.
‘Design, for me, is a language,’ Nartey explains. ‘It’s a way to communicate, tell stories, and reimagine our world. I use form and material as conduits to share narratives that go beyond the confines of galleries or institutions.’ This approach is vividly captured in the GTN Mule, where every stitch and texture tells a tale of heritage and innovation.
To celebrate the launch, the team traveled to Accra, Ghana, where photographer Natalija Gormalova captured the essence of the city’s vibrant street life. But here’s the controversial part: While some see this as a celebration of Ghanaian culture, others might question whether it’s truly authentic or just another example of cultural appropriation. Nartey, however, sees it differently. ‘Shooting in Accra placed the GTN Mule back into a context that already embodies the logic I’m working with—improvisation, repair, craft, and the choreography of daily movement,’ he says. ‘It’s not a motif; it’s a living design intelligence.’
Priced at 375 euros, the GTN Mule will be available exclusively at Dover Street Market Paris and online at Demon Footwear starting February 7. But before you decide to buy, ask yourself: Is this just a shoe, or is it a piece of cultural dialogue? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you see this as a genuine homage to Ghanaian heritage, or is there a line being crossed? The conversation starts here.
