Moonshine, the Afro-centric collective renowned for its fusion of streetwear and cultural homage, has launched its latest clothing capsule, Fédération Internationale du Bruit . Inspired by their experiences across Europe and Africa, the collection merges street style with tributes to African dance culture and the Caribbean diaspora. Moonshine’s co-founder Hervé invited me to write about their new release, slyly mentioning that BubblegumClub’s former editor Lindiwe Mgxitama would have done. I took the challenge on.
Streetwear designer Hervé Kalongo and Congolese-Canadian musician Pierre Kwenders, co-founders of Moonshine, have transformed their Montreal-based party series into a global movement. Since its inception in 2014, Moonshine has been a key player in Montreal’s nightlife, known for its Afro-futuristic, bass-heavy, electro-funk sounds and eclectic visual art. Their lunar-themed parties, held at secret locations the Saturday after each full moon, have reached cities like NYC, Paris, and Lisbon.
TRACKLIST
01 Pain & Pleasure
02 Sikoyo
03 Bless You
04 Banzelo à Babi
05 Sakila
06 Exclusive
07 Pilha
08 Banzelo à Babi (instrumental)
The collective also supports underrepresented artists through Club Sagacité and has expanded with international collaborations and projects, including a sold-out Boiler Room event and a mixtape on Aluna’s Noir Fever label. Released under the same label, Fédération Internationale du Bruit is also a mixtape blending Afro-diasporic sounds like batida, amapiano, and Afro-house, featuring collaborations with Pierre Kwenders, Sango, and Branko. The release is perfectly in line with their innovative approach to global club music.
In a Vogue article, Rachel Hahn highlighted how Moonshine’s party series began as a monthly event celebrating African dance music and has grown into a global movement. The series features diverse musical influences, including Afro-house and reggae, and has expanded into a record label, artist collective, and fashion line. The interdisciplinary and inclusive activities of Moonshine have fostered safe spaces for those from diverse backgrounds. But the events and fashion are only part of this cool brand’s mission.
This blend of sound and fashion is not new, but it continuously complicates Africa’s cultural legacy. From rock ‘n’ roll’s leather jackets to hip-hop’s streetwear, musicians have long been style icons with their music videos and performances showcasing and shaping global style. Subcultures and nightlife have also catalyzed fashion movements, with Disco fashion’s sequins and platforms, and the 90s rave scene penchant for bright colors and chunky shoes. Fédération Internationale du Bruit is just another illustration of this ancient connection.
But looking at the capsule collection specifically, I see a strong reference to broader African fashion trends, where military and political dress have become a key influence. Rooted in post-colonial symbolism, military attire evokes resistance to colonialism and the assertion of national identity. Figures like Kwame Nkrumah and Thomas Sankara, known for their politically charged outfits, have inspired today’s African designers Nigeria’s Orange Culture and South Africa’s Rich Mnisi reinterpret military aesthetics in their collections regularly.
But I also see the influence of sports in this collection, another reflection of global trends. Vogue World in Paris recently celebrated the blend of fashion and sports ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Sport and fashion are converging, with Serena Williams receiving the Fashion Icon award and LVMH sponsoring the Paris Olympics. Collaborations like Gucci with Jannik Sinner and Dior with Emma Raducanu highlight new opportunities in fashion, which Moonshine has capitalized on with this new capsule collection.
If you needed it, Moonshine’s Fédération Internationale du Bruit, is further proof of their enduring influence and innovative spirit within the global cultural landscape. The initiative embodies a distinct Afropolitan sensibility while demonstrating a strategic vision for creating significant cultural impact. This new collection now serves as something of a manifesto of the African dream—an enduring aspiration for unbounded movement, affirming pride, and a rhythmic resonance that persists across temporal and spatial dimensions.
