Ozwald Boateng, OBE (/ˈɒzwəld ˈboʊtɛŋ/) (born 28 February 1967) is a British fashion designer, best known for his trademark twist on classic tailoring and bespoke styles.
Boateng was born in the Muswell Hill district of London on 28 February 1967, the son of Ghanaian immigrants. He was inspired by the immaculate suits his father wore, and received his first suit (a double-breasted outfit in purple mohair) from his mother at the age of eight. When he was 14, he found a summer job sewing linings into suits. While studying computer science at Southgate College at the age of 16, he was introduced to cutting and designing by his girlfriend. Using his mother's old sewing machine, he started designing and selling to his fellow students, and switched to graduate in fashion and design. He helped a friend to make clothes for a fashion show; after receiving praise for his work, he sold his first collection to a menswear shop in Covent Garden. Some of his first pieces were also sold in Academy on Newburgh Street in 1987. This enabled him to open his first studio in Portobello Road in 1991. In 1994, he staged his first catwalk presentation during Paris Fashion Week, becoming the first tailor to stage a catwalk show in Paris.
Mentored by Tommy Nutter, the success of the Paris show in 1994 enabled Boateng to open his boutique on Vigo Street, the south end of Savile Row, in 1995.

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