This collection serves as the first part of a continuing series that looks to explore the Swahili and their forgotten parts. To understand through art and fashion the influence they had over the continent and the rest of the globe and to unpack the level of advancement of their civilisation and how from holding such a vital role in trade and the interaction of peoples globally, they came to have much of their history silenced.
Through my exploration I have looked to focus on elements of adornment which are key in the cultural expression of the Swahili. Through this I have picked on elements within their architecture, jewellery and traditional textiles which I have used to inform and develop my own series of prints and forms of adornment which I have used throughout the collection.
The prints that feature in this collection were inspired by traditional Swahili prints as well as patterns and symbols that are present in traditional Swahili architecture and jewellery. The digital prints are designed on the principles of the traditional Kanga. It features a Swahili proverb as well as a prominent pattern in the central part of the fabric and a derivative along the border. The batik prints feature symbols derived from jewellery and forms of adornment as well as traditional Swahili architecture. These prints are put together both with the principles of the Kanga but also as a more haphazard combination of symbols to communicate the layering that is seen in traditional Swahili dress aesthetics.
Photographed by Harrison Thane at The Kasbah House in Lamu, Kenya.
Models: Anyier Anei, Lorains Mercy and Jumah Jatteh.
Creative Director: Iona McCreath
Producer: Ann McCreath
Partner: SafariLink
$450
The Shela shirt is made from regenerated orange peel. The digital print is designed and commissioned by KikoRomeo. The shirt is loose fit with coconut buttons down the centre front. It...
$645
The Faza jumpsuit is made from regenerated orange peel fabric. The digital print is designed and commissioned by KikoRomeo. It has double layered pants and a neckline that comes like...
$250
The Kua top is made from hand batiked linen with a light cotton lining. It is cropped with a sweetheart neckline in the front and scoop neck back and side zip....
$450
The Kaole trousers are made from hand batiked, grey, linen. They have a fitted waistband, side and single back pocket and straight-cut legs. The textiles featured in this piece are crafted...
$295
The Kipungani trousers are made from rain-fed East African cotton and feature a double layer with the top layer in a medium weight cotton and bottom layer in a light...
$530
The Lamu shirt is made in layers of hand-dyed spatters of grey on a base of off-white Kenyan silk or regenerated Rose petal textile. It has a round neck, short...
$865
The Shanga V-neck jacket is made from hand batiked linen with the back is embellished with dramatic hand-sewn strings of glass beads. It features a signature logo button along the...
$95
The Wete harness is an accessory that can be added to several pieces from this collection as well as act as a piece to elevate your wardrobe staples. It is...
$525
The Songo dress is made from a mix of handwoven fabrics, both woollen and cotton, crafted by our artisan partners Pendeza Weaving in Kisumu, Kenya. They source the weft wool...
$250
The Dar miniskirt comes in two colour ways and is made from handmade batik. The green colour way is hand batiked on a base of industrial waste cotton and the...
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