With a kaleidoscopic lens, Fort Mosé 1738 designer Maurice Gattis explores the freedom of new frontiers through contemporary African textiles. The Spring/Summer 2025 collection of dynamic looks for men and women premiered at DC Fashion Week and will be available online shortly at www.fortmose1738.com and the new consumer shop from The Folklore Group, a thriving digital global fashion community leveraging technology to connect creators around the world and disrupt global commerce.
An acclaimed new entry in the global fashion arena, Fort Mosé 1738 celebrates the legacy of Fort Mosé, the first free, legally sanctioned black community in America, founded in 1738. The sustainable, ethically-made collection is handcrafted in exceptional African textiles, including kente, the fabric traditionally worn by African royalty, as well as 100% cotton in colorful prints.
Founder/Designer Maurice Gattis, M.S.S.W, Ph.D., states, “It is my goal to shine a light on the textile artisans of Ghana, that’s my vision for Fort Mosé 1738. I am committed to boosting the economic empowerment of these artisans by helping to build awareness in the U.S. for their extraordinary talent. The collection celebrates their exuberant use of color as it honors freedom of creative expression, an endangered freedom that I believe is vital to maintain all over the world.”
The Fort Mosé 1738 Spring/Summer 2025 collection is themed "The Color of Freedom." The looks are fabricated in hand-woven silk and cotton kente illuminated with golden threads as well as 100% cotton in brilliant, painterly patterns. The sunlit color palette speaks not only to the original exultation of those
who found freedom in Fort Mose itself during the 18th century (more than 100 years before the Emancipation Proclamation was signed) but also to the joy of creative freedom—a valuable and endangered right. The textiles joyfully abstract the nature of Africa, while the modern silhouettes are a sophisticated choice for a bold clientele. The men’s and women’s collections shown during the recent DC Fashion Week will be showcased on www.fortmose1738.com. However, select items are now available in the new consumer shop on www.thefolklore.com.
Fort Mosé 1738 Looks for Men
Silhouettes for men include polished suits in handwoven kente accented with golden thread. More casual choices are in 100% cotton with a color palette brilliantly evoking the African landscape. Suit jackets and color-coordinated pants are available individually. Sizing is small to XXL. Suggested retail pricing starts at $135 for cotton shirts with elegant kente suits in the $600 range.
Fort Mosé 1738 Looks for Women
Silhouettes for women include dresses in 100% cotton and pantsuits in shimmering kente. Sizing is small to XXL. Suggested retail pricing starts at $200 for a cotton dress. Luxe kente pantsuits are in the $600 range.
About Designer Maurice Gattis
Daytona Beach, Florida native Fort Mosé 1738 designer Maurice Gattis discovered the thriving fashion scene in Accra, Ghana, on a personal journey. A chance encounter led to the creation of this cross-continent fashion venture. As the chapter of American history the community of Fort Mose represents is not part of a traditional academic curriculum, Maurice took the opportunity to honor this bastion of freedom by adopting its name and essentially its meaning for his first fashion venture. Bringing diverse credentials to his role as the force behind Fort Mosé 1738, he is a self-taught designer with a lifelong love of colors and textures, and also a prominent LGBTQ advocate, a Fulbright Scholar, and a Professor of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Who Is Wearing Fort Mosé 1738
Conde Nast Traveler Magazine identifies Ghana’s capital city, Accra, as “the continent’s capital of cool, and a reimagination of pan-African heritage … surfacing the sexy.“ Fort Mosé 1738 is in sync with this joyful vibe. The collection's positive energy is embraced by creative, influential figures in the entertainment community who are delighted with the opportunity to be brand ambassadors for Fort Mosé 1738. Among the brand's global fans are exceptionally versatile DJ Tao, who has opened for some of the world's biggest acts, including Diplo; The Chainsmokers; Snakehips; Zedd; Colin Asare-Appiah, former British TV personality, "The Cocktail Kings" star, co-author of "Black Mixcellence: A Comprehensive Guide to Black Mixology" and founder of AJABU Cocktail and Spirits Festival in South Africa; Rodney Jon, Emmy-nominated makeup artist for the talk show "Sherri"; and Nigerian American baritone and creator new music genre Hip Hopera.
About Fort Mosé 1738
Fort Mosé 1738 is a global fashion house that turns the spotlight on the artisans of Africa. Designed in the U.S. by Maurice Gattis, Fort Mosé 1738 ethically and sustainably produces fashion for men and women from the textiles of Ghana, including hand-woven kente, the choice of African royalty, and bold, colorful 100% cotton prints for contemporary looks. Earning a following worldwide, Fort Mosé 1738 is finding fans among international celebrities and fashion-forward individuals. Learn more about these joyful looks and this cross-continent creative endeavor at www.fortmose1738.com.
An acclaimed new entry in the global fashion arena, Fort Mosé 1738 celebrates the legacy of Fort Mosé, the first free, legally sanctioned black community in America, founded in 1738. The sustainable, ethically-made collection is handcrafted in exceptional African textiles, including kente, the fabric traditionally worn by African royalty, as well as 100% cotton in colorful prints.
Founder/Designer Maurice Gattis, M.S.S.W, Ph.D., states, “It is my goal to shine a light on the textile artisans of Ghana, that’s my vision for Fort Mosé 1738. I am committed to boosting the economic empowerment of these artisans by helping to build awareness in the U.S. for their extraordinary talent. The collection celebrates their exuberant use of color as it honors freedom of creative expression, an endangered freedom that I believe is vital to maintain all over the world.”
The Fort Mosé 1738 Spring/Summer 2025 collection is themed "The Color of Freedom." The looks are fabricated in hand-woven silk and cotton kente illuminated with golden threads as well as 100% cotton in brilliant, painterly patterns. The sunlit color palette speaks not only to the original exultation of those
who found freedom in Fort Mose itself during the 18th century (more than 100 years before the Emancipation Proclamation was signed) but also to the joy of creative freedom—a valuable and endangered right. The textiles joyfully abstract the nature of Africa, while the modern silhouettes are a sophisticated choice for a bold clientele. The men’s and women’s collections shown during the recent DC Fashion Week will be showcased on www.fortmose1738.com. However, select items are now available in the new consumer shop on www.thefolklore.com.
Fort Mosé 1738 Looks for Men
Silhouettes for men include polished suits in handwoven kente accented with golden thread. More casual choices are in 100% cotton with a color palette brilliantly evoking the African landscape. Suit jackets and color-coordinated pants are available individually. Sizing is small to XXL. Suggested retail pricing starts at $135 for cotton shirts with elegant kente suits in the $600 range.
Fort Mosé 1738 Looks for Women
Silhouettes for women include dresses in 100% cotton and pantsuits in shimmering kente. Sizing is small to XXL. Suggested retail pricing starts at $200 for a cotton dress. Luxe kente pantsuits are in the $600 range.
About Designer Maurice Gattis
Daytona Beach, Florida native Fort Mosé 1738 designer Maurice Gattis discovered the thriving fashion scene in Accra, Ghana, on a personal journey. A chance encounter led to the creation of this cross-continent fashion venture. As the chapter of American history the community of Fort Mose represents is not part of a traditional academic curriculum, Maurice took the opportunity to honor this bastion of freedom by adopting its name and essentially its meaning for his first fashion venture. Bringing diverse credentials to his role as the force behind Fort Mosé 1738, he is a self-taught designer with a lifelong love of colors and textures, and also a prominent LGBTQ advocate, a Fulbright Scholar, and a Professor of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Who Is Wearing Fort Mosé 1738
Conde Nast Traveler Magazine identifies Ghana’s capital city, Accra, as “the continent’s capital of cool, and a reimagination of pan-African heritage … surfacing the sexy.“ Fort Mosé 1738 is in sync with this joyful vibe. The collection's positive energy is embraced by creative, influential figures in the entertainment community who are delighted with the opportunity to be brand ambassadors for Fort Mosé 1738. Among the brand's global fans are exceptionally versatile DJ Tao, who has opened for some of the world's biggest acts, including Diplo; The Chainsmokers; Snakehips; Zedd; Colin Asare-Appiah, former British TV personality, "The Cocktail Kings" star, co-author of "Black Mixcellence: A Comprehensive Guide to Black Mixology" and founder of AJABU Cocktail and Spirits Festival in South Africa; Rodney Jon, Emmy-nominated makeup artist for the talk show "Sherri"; and Nigerian American baritone and creator new music genre Hip Hopera.
About Fort Mosé 1738
Fort Mosé 1738 is a global fashion house that turns the spotlight on the artisans of Africa. Designed in the U.S. by Maurice Gattis, Fort Mosé 1738 ethically and sustainably produces fashion for men and women from the textiles of Ghana, including hand-woven kente, the choice of African royalty, and bold, colorful 100% cotton prints for contemporary looks. Earning a following worldwide, Fort Mosé 1738 is finding fans among international celebrities and fashion-forward individuals. Learn more about these joyful looks and this cross-continent creative endeavor at www.fortmose1738.com.
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