tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61004855850484586722024-03-19T02:45:55.197-07:00FAFA KenyaFAFA -Festival of African Fashion and Arts- 2010.
FAFA brings to light the creation of a movement within African designers and artists which embraces and embodies ethical fashion and the values it upholds.
Through increasing the capacity and well-being of the people and communities, creativity, design and fashion can play an active role in poverty reduction, the development of sustainable livelihoods and the reduction of the harmful effects on the environment.Marcella Echavarriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782996549207614817noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6100485585048458672.post-37088196170460980152010-10-26T04:00:00.000-07:002010-10-26T04:00:58.367-07:00Ann McCreath, Founder FAFA - Interview 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzTwksFgvjuRboCYGx594TO3LfGbTjao_C4MG-m1-MsMupJA8o9BAOSE3f2zv0XV7-wtTEe3ZfIVVmq1bssNQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Marcella Echavarriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782996549207614817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6100485585048458672.post-14598432599002368302010-10-25T15:45:00.000-07:002010-10-25T15:49:48.583-07:00FAFA Workshops: Building the Kenyan fashion industry from within. By Musimbi King<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB">As international designers and buyers look for the next big thing in the ever-revolving door of trends that is the fashion industry, they increasingly turn to Africa and its cultures for inspiration. Africa, quite simply, is in vogue. Max&Co recently renewed its commitment to responsible sourcing in Kenya following the success of two previous lines in its Max&Co&Africa&You project, while earlier this month Louis Vuitton announced a collaboration with ethical line Edun to produce certain components for their bags, again in Kenya, at the Africa Rising Art Exhibition in Paris.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span lang="EN-GB">On the catwalk, particularly strong references were seen in Japan’s Junya Watanabe’s SS09 collection, with further influences in SS10 and AW10 designs by Diane von Furstenberg, Marca de la Renta and Dries van Noten to name but a few. Indeed British designer Paul Smith was so taken by the distinctive looks of a group of a fashion-obsessed men in Congo, that he based several outfits in his SS10 collection on these self-professed gentlemen of style.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span lang="EN-GB">Of course this is not the first time that designers have looked to Africa for ideas. Ever since Picasso’s cubist reworking of Dogon ceremonial masks, Africa has provided a source of inspiration for creative circles in the West. However despite playing a significant role in the development of modern art, and references on the catwalk dating back to Yves Saint Laurent’s</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB">1967 ‘African’ dresses collection, designers from the continent itself rarely seem to break into international markets. There can be no doubt over the global interest in the African aesthetic, but the dialogue so far has been largely eurocentric.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span lang="EN-GB">When it comes to taking African fashion to the world however, the onus cannot rest entirely on the shoulders of its designers. We live in an age of increasing interconnectivity, and for them to establish a hold in the international arena it is vital they are supported by a strong local industry. A key component to building this base lies in the ability to access up to date market intelligence. Without an in-depth understanding of the ever-changing dynamic of fashion, in particular what the market needs and demands, our fledgling industries will not be able to keep abreast of current trends, let alone predict them.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span lang="EN-GB">This year FAFA seeks to address the area of knowledge acquisition through a series of hands-on workshops delivered by top industry specialists from around the world. Intended for highly experienced Kenyans working in fashion, the workshops will lay heavy importance on practical participation, including collaborative work with other seminars running simultaneously.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><img height="400" src="webkit-fake-url://74C93879-7E1D-43F7-AEF4-618BF0553D4E/image.tiff" width="300" /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><img height="300" src="webkit-fake-url://76B77CBA-68C1-4576-9C83-A4C3D544CA57/image.tiff" width="400" /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><img height="400" src="webkit-fake-url://C974306B-26BB-4858-B556-E37CA9DEC190/image.tiff" width="300" /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><img height="400" src="webkit-fake-url://DBF4F853-5D2A-465D-8D6B-1C688B91E385/image.tiff" width="300" /><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span lang="EN-GB">The concept behind the initiative is to not only to impart crucial knowledge that will see our industry gain the competitive edge necessary to hold its own on the global scene, but also equip participants will the skills to go on to facilitate their own workshops. This will create an ongoing dialogue between industry specialists and those rising through the ranks, feeding creative vision and strengthening the Kenyan industry from within.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span lang="EN-GB">Details matter when integrating into global markets, as does the ability to ancipiate where they are going. These workshops will provide insight into a fast moving world, and this will in turn will enable us to understand our place in it. What does Kenya have that is unique, that the market needs and others cannot provide? It is imperative that through current market intelligence we recognise the power of local branding in the context of a global industry.</span></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><img height="400" src="webkit-fake-url://A8ADF1DE-9518-4CB5-9138-65D65FFF9BA0/image.tiff" width="300" /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 12px;">IPeace patch by KikoRomeo</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 12px;"><img height="300" src="webkit-fake-url://109A00FE-F907-4610-A8F1-0C4C964110BA/image.tiff" width="400" /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Fashion should form an integral part of our national identity. Furthermore, it is a dynamic art form that lies at the centre of critical issues relating to trade and socio-economic growth. We cannot afford to sideline such an important industry, nor relegate it the bottom rung of social and political news. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 12px;"><img height="300" src="webkit-fake-url://CA1AD95E-9C15-4043-A777-5472EB3621E0/image.tiff" width="400" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 12px;"><img height="300" src="webkit-fake-url://3ACD7EAF-4267-4C02-8AFA-B31BDDFCBD04/image.tiff" width="400" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><img height="300" src="webkit-fake-url://D790422A-EF05-4188-ABF7-A754A9E86356/image.tiff" width="400" /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px;">Peace patch by KikoRomeo</span></span></span><br />
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</span></span></div></span>Marcella Echavarriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782996549207614817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6100485585048458672.post-65818609580658941562010-10-25T15:29:00.001-07:002010-10-25T15:29:41.473-07:00KikoRomeo<div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">KikoRomeo peace patches with jewelry by Le Collane di Betta</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><img alt="" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IKsed5APgvDGSF3BYXor1GYEk1y3ViTMEMwKwOdxeDy6RQdLoPTzcloJFTMoJA9W9HhOfLIhujOoqS3S48pWSsVv3-nuvC9GgsCORjvilGmYPdW8b1MT3fyIufuZgXvJI3PMhgG9PDNO/s320/_E5I7664.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="214" /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">KikoRomeo mens by Joseph Hunwick</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>*Can you tell us a little about your work , the idea and the philosophy behind it.</b></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I came to Kenya for 3 months out from the fashion scene in Barcelona. I found I liked it & so stayed 3 years as head of Mission for MSF. At the end of that time I was frustrated by emergency aid and thought I could use my fashion skills to do trade instead of aid . I aimed to produce through community groups in rural Kenya, generating employment. The concept for a contemporary African clothing brand came from the lack of availability of Kenyan ready-made designer products and the lack of pride I saw in the local culture and anything African. So KikoRomeo, meaning Adam's Apple in swahili, was born to fill these gaps.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><img alt="" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUawd0iki1dGEtylH1Lr5C1ZAA8CppiUX3Vvoe9zUkDR8djJInanWQdEzDVEyZIs5y6tf7La2tg___x4lQPXrB7POOXl2FH3M8POSgkmsb2ucTE0TBplo26FFTRiAD38qP07kMDFv391X/s320/_E5I9853.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="214" /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Kooroo cloak from recycled silk sari, photo by Joseph Hunwick for FAFA<b></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><img alt="" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQhRfvoJZ4WOdVen_KNHxpEG7gGEFDcJRaks5zay6P9keKBOOfeZAQuF73FdOFUdlopkS91LciLWaWdPTLczdoncc1ePxrTshmPIo5rWEOlDZxxHpCWONlvfP-nzoO6BxUfidshKgFrvH/s320/_E5I8696.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="214" /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Outfit by Kofi Ansah in traditional handwoven Kente cloth from Ghana, photo Joseph Hunwick</div></div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><img alt="" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyGAwF3Kf-3rhXfe29JXkrSsoLI2DDc6cgeNftInOyKEC-Y-VLI5H_XE8V4z5UTAzJPdhl8-ESe1yYnaIwyNkuFVruhRxK6r5TtE20188xFzrJ8myo1c35IP3ls_VyNIooQCEO71YzjQd/s320/Kiko_Romeo_E5I9549_v2.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="214" /></div></div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">KikoRomeo Peace Patch dress</div></div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><img alt="" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREDjtxMnQtPEq5l7P14qqj_XxVBv5lDIl8xglwsp7GDjN8jNwQ7S7gJI8PlQvWq761DrHUxDuanB8vDAmkpfqypM8D5J5R50V04ZTnoC_DcBi-f4fQL0q501Oq2dJm6dXEDy359o648L_/s320/_E5I9430-2.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="214" /></div></div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">KikoRomeo Peace patch dress, photo by Joseph Hunwick for FAFA, jewelry Le Collane di Betta</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>*Why is there such a need for the fashion industry to think sustainably?</b></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Fashion has an impact on the environment, in our case through the cotton industry which uses a lot of pesticides, and damaging fabric dyeing & treatments. Kenya is badly affected by climate change and so protection of our environment is key. As regards short term fashion trends, people wear & throw within no time, meaning a huge wastage of material & energy inputs. Such consumer habits can also adversely affect communities and businesses, which gear up to meet a demand, only to be dumped the next season. This means they can't plan long term, and are at the mercy of trends in the developed markets.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><img alt="" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjnyck38AvaZuzt4SqoDdThT6fWSgI4kS2_P6LeeVY_jehNaGwPskIbet-qKHdyeO0ojcNj80cXPBiEEuvT-COTk0l1nK95-eurGzaFisuqNmDp8Uj9jt5wGiZWFC8N2yQQV9jNi1dkuQ/s320/_E5I9330.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="214" /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Outfit by Kofi Ansah - embroidered PVC and mudcloth, photo Joseph Hunwick for FAFA</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>*What is "now" in terms of materials, colors, techniques?</b></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In East Africa, "now" usually means many different things, as people are not used to following a few trends, have few magazines to persuade them to buy a specific trend, and often go for individual looks. The only recent clear trend has been a big interest in the traditional "khanga" or "lesso". These are cotton fabrics which are printed in with a rectangular framed border, usually with big bright patterns in contrasting colours & with a slogan or proverb in Swahili. They are sold in pairs & traditionally were bought and kept by women to sell when they needed money. Colours are very diverse, but definitely a big interest currently in golden yellow, turquoise, shocking pink and orange.</div></div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><img alt="" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_7Y9Q_IaZHeCiW2PtTNtncmuSM39whTk0TtrgNdlKwwQscNn9pqxJeMp5diyXm8XIL_DS8hNHiBvuUFC-nq6ioPcD9Id9bZyguZ3bhFaPRs4iLg4hHqpmbrRjQtZziBLDPyo-trgDUbr/s320/Pat_Mbela_E5I8783.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="214" /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Jewelry and dress by Patricia Mbela, photo Joseph Hunwick</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>*Why do you think there such revival for everything ethical now?</b></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I have been working in "ethical" for a long time, because I find humanitarian principles very important, and I hated big fashion's disregard for them. Having said that, I think the global economic crisis has made people re think how things are made, where they come from, and has led to an appreciation of small-scale, handcrafted, tangible, home-made etc.. The human stories behind the products are interesting, the big manufacturing model had become boring, impersonal & mechanical.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><img alt="" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmNgZQ-a_bLcP6v5qVgiYeFo-0vXscDNlphtVdAhE7IVU6LnPn-YejR8r7uINxnsuSgvHXL0InEAO-V4dugT35s10Ec0lcdAOP8Gcj84-p0lOvAL8FieahmREucNS9jDaot1s5CJxgtJB/s320/_E5I8266.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="214" /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Coat by John Kaveke, Jewelry Kazuri Beads, Photo Joseph Hunwick</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><img alt="" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTciiQgoNdB9NggvsSFUK-7kUKvMgePuKq-FqNH6mtlrV5YKCDUo4Q30ehsHBbd2i3Ipbt9lGYcslHRQ4Qx_yNgBN6h0u0dC8a737kFeLDmt4uzJHRPFKhv7Y9BP2AWgzZGgaMAtloADSj/s320/imane_E5I9088.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="214" /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Imane Ayissi design, photo Joseph Hunwick</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>*Can you visualize 2010 in a color palette? a texture? a word or several</b></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">My year is always about colour - lots of it, in strong, bright contrasts. Having a diverse clientele with different skin colours, I think it's important to offer a wide choice.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">My 2010 is a mix of new fabrics with recycled scraps & 2nd hand clothing. Stripes, bold East African prints, mixed with lacy knits crochet and beaded & hand embroidered applique patches. Layers, drapes and textures. Colours are orange, yellow, white, blues with beige & black and many more as the year unfolds. Coconut buttons. Inspired by the Swahili culture of the East African coast & particularly the island of Lamu.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>*How has your work impacted the communities you work with?</b></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">We create supplementary income for many communities - particularly beaded leather from Namayiana Womens Group (100 Maasai women near Ngong), "Peace Patches" from Kibera A & B ( association of 20 young women living in Kibera slum), decorative metal tubes & buttons from KWOSH (association of women, youth and orphans in Kisumu), coconut buttons from Murage (community business in Mombasa) etc... We also connect them to other networks & businesses. We help them develop new designs, which in turn enables them to better interpret designs of other companies.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>*How is your work sustainable?</b></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">We work with locally available materials & craft skills. We use our off cuts to make or decorate other products, so nothing gets wasted. We train staff both in house and in groups to make our designs.</div></div>Marcella Echavarriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782996549207614817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6100485585048458672.post-62509008793216297402010-10-25T15:12:00.000-07:002010-10-25T16:33:00.253-07:00Acknowledging and celebrating the immense creativity and beauty in the arts and in fashion industry in Africa, FAFA (Festival of African Fashion and Arts) will host their 3rd Annual Fashion for Peace gala evening on the 30th Oct 2010.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokEr1DpahlR1u9VkEg0iNU5nA_I7JBKc59zPNpvMOQtUuI9odSSMbJwO6tLl50VdmjMbVsyZg8P9dLvQWtrymfKpSo9W2cnF1skI8-asK9wHopxJno9zyE4P9TN2ECa3fNuQnPf0HEd3Q/s1600/logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokEr1DpahlR1u9VkEg0iNU5nA_I7JBKc59zPNpvMOQtUuI9odSSMbJwO6tLl50VdmjMbVsyZg8P9dLvQWtrymfKpSo9W2cnF1skI8-asK9wHopxJno9zyE4P9TN2ECa3fNuQnPf0HEd3Q/s400/logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The high-end fashion show and gala dinner to be held in the Nairobi National Park will bring together the best of Africa’s designers to showcase their designs and enormous talent. The event will also bring to light the creation of a movement within African designers and artists that is led by the fashion industry which embraces and embodies ethical fashion and the values it upholds.<br />
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H.E President Mwai Kibaki says of FAFA’s efforts, “I am very pleased that an event of this calibre is taking place in Kenya; it demonstrates that Kenya not only has the talent and resources to hold a world class festival, but also the vision to see that fashion and the creative arts, if developed properly can indeed play an important role in our economic development. I have the confidence that our youthful designers have come of age and are ready to take their rightful place amongst the world’s finest.”</span>Marcella Echavarriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782996549207614817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6100485585048458672.post-51765344352813381452010-10-24T09:30:00.000-07:002010-10-24T09:30:43.398-07:00FAFA 2009<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSGkgmxJUnAUD3pW-T7use8An4mnSBSCwuyWQ5plIQrIt1ZAdibssw-Q0s5Hb5l1IDxy70C7EE9DDO3jQvkZyT_jEOQXddsoH5kAloV-yR38bVo8A14tWGF1MuqCsPrtDv1KERw3wo70p/s1600/Kofi_Ansah_E5I8656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSGkgmxJUnAUD3pW-T7use8An4mnSBSCwuyWQ5plIQrIt1ZAdibssw-Q0s5Hb5l1IDxy70C7EE9DDO3jQvkZyT_jEOQXddsoH5kAloV-yR38bVo8A14tWGF1MuqCsPrtDv1KERw3wo70p/s320/Kofi_Ansah_E5I8656.jpg" width="213" /></span></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNT1xn9deI-ViKq3Wwbw4F6N9CTaJBRuixnLgq0Yb-3KLZJpiP3fNpFJxIa9wXRfCaXWWjQGR7DmL_UdGfJOwSRZfkxWgAHPn7EaaDbF1suk2aJzzAT1tFnntqt9xytq8PkND0RO5uyV2f/s1600/Tiffany_Amber+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNT1xn9deI-ViKq3Wwbw4F6N9CTaJBRuixnLgq0Yb-3KLZJpiP3fNpFJxIa9wXRfCaXWWjQGR7DmL_UdGfJOwSRZfkxWgAHPn7EaaDbF1suk2aJzzAT1tFnntqt9xytq8PkND0RO5uyV2f/s320/Tiffany_Amber+copy.jpg" width="209" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUawd0iki1dGEtylH1Lr5C1ZAA8CppiUX3Vvoe9zUkDR8djJInanWQdEzDVEyZIs5y6tf7La2tg___x4lQPXrB7POOXl2FH3M8POSgkmsb2ucTE0TBplo26FFTRiAD38qP07kMDFv391X/s320/_E5I9853.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="214" /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1851797462">http://handmade2010-1011.blogspot.com/2010/07/interview-with-ann-mccreath-from-kiki.html</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1851797462"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1851797462">www.estudiolaraubago.com</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.josephhunwick.com/">www.josephhunwick.com</a></span></span>Marcella Echavarriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782996549207614817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6100485585048458672.post-84562549332073065142010-10-23T14:09:00.001-07:002010-10-27T13:54:54.718-07:00FAFA Kenya 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5h_4L-8ICKBqY6p8Y5uMStySv6O0lWfDkWiPvhVOzXKLggVz3j2xsjlocI6sKd495BX_EUFmRdMgEAtpQAfUEFyq_eoQVwpL3wdXSAamwzky9tsyqW9HY7XxknO4ICXId5Qw3H_PY2xn/s1600/Full+page+Orange+Ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5h_4L-8ICKBqY6p8Y5uMStySv6O0lWfDkWiPvhVOzXKLggVz3j2xsjlocI6sKd495BX_EUFmRdMgEAtpQAfUEFyq_eoQVwpL3wdXSAamwzky9tsyqW9HY7XxknO4ICXId5Qw3H_PY2xn/s640/Full+page+Orange+Ad.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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