On March 3, 2026, AKANO unveiled its newest high jewelry collection, Omenala, with an intimate cocktail showcase at The Peninsula Paris during Paris Fashion Week. The unveiling marked a defining moment for the Nigerian maison within the international high jewelry landscape.

Omenala, meaning “heritage,” explores legacy as something lived rather than archived.

Presented in partnership with Vogue100 and Wheely, the evening brought together guests from across fashion, media and culture.

Drawing from Igbo cosmology and broader West African symbolism, the collection translates cultural codes into sculptural forms shaped by architectural balance, tension and movement. High-carat diamonds and rare gemstones are set into bold silhouettes that feel both ceremonial and decisively modern, asserting African cultural authorship within the codes of haute joaillerie.

AKANO Jewelry. Photo Credit: Hippolyte Petit/BFA
AKANO Jewelry. Photo Credit: Hippolyte Petit/BFA

These pieces are about continuity, Heritage is not static — it evolves with us. With Omenala, I wanted to create a body of work that honours where we come from while imagining what legacy looks like in the future. These jewels are not simply adornments; they are vessels of memory, identity and possibility.

Akunna Nwala-Akano, Founder and Creative Director of AKANO.

Attendees enjoyed a live performance from harpist Jehanne Drai, whose nuanced and contemporary set brought warmth and texture to the Rotunda.

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Hosted within The Peninsula Paris’ iconic Rotunda, the evening was curated in collaboration with Vogue100, Vogue’s global community of influential women shaping fashion, culture and business. Guests arrived and departed courtesy of Wheely, the luxury chauffeur service known for discretion and precision, underscoring the evening’s refined and intimate tone.

The presentation concluded with a private viewing of the collection, allowing attendees to experience the craftsmanship and symbolism of each piece in a personal setting with Nwala-Akano.

About AKANO

Founded in 2020 by Akunna Nwala-Akano, AKANO is a Nigerian high jewelry house creating sculptural, emotionally resonant pieces rooted in Igbo heritage and the broader legacy of West Africa. Each jewel is conceived as a modern heirloom, anchored in cultural memory yet positioned within the global language of high jewelry.

AKANO has been featured in The New York Times, Wallpaper*, and leading international publications and continues to redefine the parameters of African luxury through craftsmanship, symbolism and form.

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About Vogue100

Vogue100 is Vogue’s global community of influential women across industries including fashion, culture, business and the arts. Through curated events and initiatives, Vogue100 fosters dialogue, collaboration and cultural exchange among its international membership.

About Wheely

Wheely is a Swiss-founded British luxury chauffeur service headquartered in London, offering on-demand and pre-scheduled chauffeur services in Paris, London and Dubai. Known for its highly trained chauffeurs, refined in-car experience and strict confidentiality, Wheely delivers seamless luxury transportation.