African Print

Off the runway and into your home

  Images from VLISCO's fashion collection 'Nouvelle Histoire' 

African designers are presently stepping up their game with the daring choices of fabrics and texture in both the fashion and interior design world. Its not rare to see fabrics switch lanes from fashion to interiors but it is rare to see one set fire so fast to both worlds. African print has been passionately embraced not only in Africa but in the European countries as well. From bold fashion pieces, to footwear, to upholstery, African print has earned its glorious moment in the spotlight in various elements of design. 

 Colourful African wax print fabrics and kente cloths. (left), (centre), (right).

The beauty of African print is that it has the ability to transform the character of your home with great ease. It can be used to play up a rather dull setting, accent the colours within the setting or give detail to a plain piece of furniture.  Below are a few examples of how African print can be used in the home.

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Nneka

“I do it in a sweet way,but I sing to speak the truth." 

                                                                               -Nneka

    The truth is often a bitter pill to swallow but Nneka's soulful voice sweetens the taste. It is rare to find a musician so dedicated to the encouragement and enlightenment of her people. With so much to say, Nneka's music is totally about the message rather than entertainment. 

The AFRO-DIZZY inspiration!

Laduma Ngxokolo-Maxhosa Knitwear

xhosa-inspired knitwear for Amakrwala by Laduma Ngxokolo

    Conscious Inspiration! A term used in art that describes a situation where an idea is borrowed , shaken up and transformed into an embodiment of personal expression. After all, what truly defines good design is the ability to re-invent something has been in existence into a representation of ones own “genuity". 
 The Maxhosa Knitwear illustrates exactly that!

Beaded:

Finding the beauty in African hand crafted jewellery

 Jewellery craftsman at work (image source)

More often than not we tend to overlook the little things in life and yet those little things are what make life that much beautiful. Most times we prepare our attire for the day without questioning who made them and how they made them.

Rags FOR Bags!!

Fashion. LOVE, Africa

We came across ecouterre.com, a wonderful environmentally aware fashion website. While going through it we found this touching story on how a designer Ryan Clements helped to alleviate the lives of residents of Giota Garbage Slum in Nakuru Kenya after witnessing the poor and destitute living conditions. Clement uses the handiwork of the women he met in the slums to create his lovely line of tote bags - Fashion. Love, Africa by recycling plastic bags.
Check them out:

http://www.ecouterre.com

Destination: The Aberdares Kenya

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 Deep inside the Aberdare Forest in Kenya, in sight of the glorious Mount Kenya, lies the Treetops Hotel. This unique lodge was literally built into the tops of the trees of Aberdare National Park as a tree house, offering the guests a close view of the local wildlife in complete safety.

My African City

 We came across this beautiful montage series of photographs from Various African cities from this tumblr page. Any of these look familiar to you? 

KARIBU!

Welcome to our blog! We are KIAFRIKA, an online magazine that explores African Arts and Culture from around the continent. Kiafrika is a direct Swahili translation meaning  "of Africa". As proud young Africans, we are ready to tackle the development of our beautiful continent through Art. Through this medium we will promote young African talent and Culture and through this make way for community development efforts through the Arts. We are counting down to launching our first features on our website www.kiafrika.net. Until then we will douse you in All things Art in prelude for what is soon to come! ITS A REVOLUTION!