With a social media tagline that reads: “Beautiful essentials that have greater meaning and purpose in people’s lives”, this brand has a clear focus. Katungulu Mwendwa’s latest Katush Nairobi collection, Black Bird A Kanga | Obsidian Dawn, is a sartorial ode to her hometown of Kitui, Kenya, where her affinity for craftsmanship first took root…
Sustainability has become something of a buzzword nowadays in the world of design and oftentimes, with its tendencies towards cultural appropriation and erasure, it isn’t hard to see through its thin facade. But every so often, you come across an entity that is so tethered to the soil and the culture, that it is hard…
In a spotlight feature promoting 44 Stanley’s lineup of trendy stores, IFUKU was lauded as its ‘shrine dedicated to vintage denim’. Aside from its vintage charm, the establishment is steeped in history, a virtual mecca for denim aficionados and lovers of timeless craftsmanship. IFUKU, with its quaint yet resolute presence, is curated by the visionary…
One of the best things about social media is that it exposes us to creatives that may otherwise have been rather obscure. The little-known Afro-centric, sustainable, Black Femme-led brand, SEOKEΞTSA caught my eye with their succinct and well-curated Instagram feed. I reached out to Lesego Seoketsa, the visual artist who is also the brand’s founder…
They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure and nowhere is that more true than on the African continent. Whether you’re sourcing from the well-curated albeit overpriced vintage shops of Cape Town or grafting in Joburg’s piles, it’s difficult to imagine our culture without second-hand clothing. With leading designers like Thebe Magugu capitalising on…
The annual Confections x Collections (CxC) event returned to the Mount Nelson this month in a five-day celebration featuring intimate salon-style fashion shows curated by Twyg. The happening showcased local brands including Wanda Lephoto, VIVIERS Studio, Sindiso Khumalo, Mantsho, and Chulaap. It also blended fashion shows with bespoke confectioneries inspired by the slow fashion labels….
OMÔL, led by Nathalie Chebou Moth, is a Cameroonian women’s fashion label that embodies contemporary African narratives. They offer affordable, culturally-rich garments that blend modernity and tradition. Sustainability is at the core of OMÔL’s mission, as they carefully source fabrics from deadstock globally and local markets to create limited-edition, timeless designs. Their commitment to eco-consciousness…
Years ago, I became captivated by design futures with an emphasis on decolonising tech narratives. Also referred to as speculative design, this field critically explores future design proposals by examining the intersection of science, technology and humanity. It directly addresses issues like climate change and inequality. Unlike commercial design, design futures prioritise sustainability and alternative…
Nigeria is a source of rich history and culture and its influence extends beyond its borders. Formed in 2013, the Emmy Kasbit brand aims to highlight and capture the heritage of Igbo people through clothes. The Akwete fabrics and prints that are redolent of old traditions serve as the backbone for the clothing label. Its…
Receiving a package is usually a pleasant thing to experience but in the case of Aristide Loua, a gift can be life-changing. While working in South Carolina as a bookkeeper, Loua got two wax shirts that re-invigorated a sense of pride and longing for Côte d’Ivoire; a country he had not stepped foot in for…
In 1973, American fashion designers were pitted against French designers in the Battle of Versailles. The Palace of Versailles was once home to one of the Western world’s earliest fashion influencers, Marie Antoinette, whose adoption of the chemise dress helped spur chattel slavery and the cotton trade in the United States. In an unprecedented move…
Alexa Schempers grew up with a mother who was a fashion designer and she would read every fashion magazine she could get her hands on. Fashion is in her blood and by the time she was a teenager, she knew that not only would it be a career path, but it would also be her…
