Klenam Founder Kelvin Gyimah Wants Everyone to Shine

Kelvin Gyimah, the Ghana-born creative, now based in Maryland, founded Klenam Co. in 2021 after reconnecting with his love for art which he has carried since he was just a kid. Long before screen prints, photoshoots, and growing collections, Kelvin was simply a kid who loved to draw.

“Ever since I was growing up, I was always sketching,” he says.

Creativity surrounded him from an early age. His mother worked as a seamstress in Ghana, while many of his aunts pursued careers in fashion and operated their own shops. Design was not something distant or unfamiliar. It was woven into everyday life. At the same time, drawing became Kelvin’s way of expressing himself, allowing him to create worlds and characters long before he ever thought about starting a brand.

Years later, while working a small hometown job, and trying to figure out his future, an old friend from Ghana unexpectedly reignited that creative spark. The friend had begun drawing again, reminding Kelvin of the passion he had set aside. Suddenly, the path became clear.

Fashion allowed him to combine both worlds.

The name Klenam carries just as much meaning as the clothing itself. Derived from a West African name, Klenam means “shine.” The inspiration came from Kelvin’s mother, who often used the name while encouraging him throughout his life. “She always wanted me to shine,” he says.

That message eventually became the foundation of the brand. Klenam exists to encourage people to embrace their gifts, stop hiding their light, and confidently show the world who they are. The brand’s sun logo reflects that philosophy directly.

“I want everybody to shine like the sun,” Kelvin explains.

While many contemporary brands lean heavily into trends and hype, Klenam takes a different approach. Nature and community sit at the center of its identity. 

Kelvin wants to present Black creativity through a softer and more intentional lens while still honoring the cultures that shaped him. His collections often pull equally from his Ghanaian upbringing and his experiences growing up in America. Childhood memories, African nicknames, and music all find their way into the work.

Beyond fashion, Kelvin is already thinking about how to give back.

During a trip to Ghana in 2022, he helped distribute custom sketchbooks, crayons, and pencils to children, hoping to encourage creativity the same way drawing once encouraged him. One day, he hopes to build a creative studio there for younger generations where they can feel creative and access the Internet with no boundaries.

For Kelvin Gyimah, success is bigger than clothes. It is about creating opportunities, building community, and reminding people that their light deserves to be seen. And through Klenam Co., that message continues to shine.