title: Cecil Duddley Mends
text: # Cecil Duddley Mends
  
  Cecil Duddley Mends is a Ghanaian fashion designer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of CDM Fashion Couture and CDM School of Design .
  
  ## Early life and education
  
  Cecil was born and raised in Winneba, Ghana. He is an alumnus of Winneba Senior High School and Yilo Krobo Senior High School. He attended the University of London for his bachelor's degree.
  
  ## Career
  
  Since completing his education, Cecil has held various positions in organizations, including Zoomlion Ghana, Japan Motors, and Multimedia Group Limited.
  
  In 2014, he resigned from Multimedia Group Limited and pursued a career as a professional fashion designer. He became the chief executive officer of CDM Fashion Couture, which manufactures high-end clothing and academic gowns, and founded the CDM School of Design.
  
  Gowns and designs created by CDM Fashion Couture have been worn by prominent leaders, such as Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo and Gambian President Adama Barrow.
  
  In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company diversified its production to include face masks, aiming to contribute to the efforts in mitigating the spread of the virus.
  
  ## Recognition
  
  Cecil is a one-time winner of the Best Fashion Designer of the Year award at the Ghana Peace Awards. He also won the Fashion Brand Business Leader of the Year award at the 2nd National Brands Innovation Awards.
  
  