If Benin is well known for its crop of talented contemporary artists such as Romuald Hazoumè or Moufouli Bello, then just wait for its roster of young fashion designers who are carving out a path for themselves on the global stage, starting in their own country. While Maureen Ayité has made a name for herself with her international ready-to-wear brand Nanawax, designers and fashion entrepreneurs from the diaspora like Daniel Tohou of Nefer Couture or Rodrigue Vodounou of Goya Paris want to be more intentional with their brands—relocating to their home countries or expanding on the continent.
While clothing is getting its much-deserved attention, bags made in Africa are still severely underrated. Below, you’ll find a roundup of brands created by skilled designers with salient points of view on construction and texture. We’ve selected their bags with summer in mind, but we’re sure you’ll reach for them repeatedly each season. Kayadua Studio Led by creative director Eyiwaa Agyekumhene, Kayadua Studio aims to honour the legacy of Ghanaian elders. The Kaya Bag comes in bright orange and is shaped similarly to a Yoruba talking drum.
The African creative industries are on the rise, and thanks to this current era of digital connectivity, e-commerce platforms have become a gateway to discover their power and diversity. Whether you enjoy casually scrolling or you’re a shopping addict, there are several online platforms that proudly present multiple African fashion, design, beauty and lifestyle brands. Not only will these platforms satisfy all your shopping needs, they are also catalysts for a much grander narrative — the continent's boundless creativity. With each click, they unveil a vibrant tapestry of fashion, beauty, and artistic expression, revealing the stories of African artisans, designers, and visionaries. Beyond their virtual storefronts, these platforms work to connect global audiences with the profound ingenuity, cultural richness, and savoir-faire that pulse throughout the African continent.
"I really embrace my diverse heritage. My father is Senegalese, and my mother is from Niger. As for me, I was born in Dakar and raised between Montreal and New York City," says Fatou Alhya Diagne. This introduction from the young cultural and fashion entrepreneur reflects her pride in being part of the 350 million people in the African diaspora – one of the biggest diasporas in the world after China and India. But not just that. In 2020, she created FAD, a platform named after her initials, and the three pillars her initiative focuses on: Fashion, Art, and Development. FAD reflects its founder's personal and professional identities as it aims to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity. But thinking of FAD as just a brand would be a mistake.
Chanel surprised everyone last year, when they showed their Métiers d'Art 2022/23 collection in Dakar, Senegal. It was the first ever show the French brand has done in sub-Saharan Africa. The move from the storied fashion house could be surprising given the driving forces in the luxury category on the continent which, according to Statista, are South Africa and Nigeria. This year, the two countries boasted $783 million and $459 million in revenue so far in the luxury goods market category. Meanwhile, with almost 17 million inhabitants and $141 million in luxury goods market revenue, Senegal on first glance looks like a relatively small market to dive into.
Travel to Key West, stay at The Gates Hotel, and eat on the beach… Not ever have I longed back to a vacation destination more than to those I went on last year. In specific one that I haven’t even shared with you yet… Part of me doesn’t want to share it, because I don’t want everyone to go there, but on the other hand, how can I not share this little piece of heaven on earth. Plus, it’s one of those perfect destinations for when you are traveling with little ones…
After our so loved stays at the EDITION Hotel in London and Miami, it couldn’t be long before planning a stay-cation at the freshly opened EDITION Hotel in New York. With a prominent spot in one of my favorite New York areas, a Clocktower as its “landmark”, and those endless photo walls – a signature of the EDITION Hotels interior design – it promised to be an amazing weekend “in” at our beloved second home: New York. It’s time to share the long awaiting review of our stay with the kids The New York EDITION!
A photo speaks a thousand words. No wonder we used to make the most beautiful photo albums from family vacations and other memorable happenings in our lives. But things have changed. Those photos still say more than words can ever do, but films got replaced by digital cameras, time became more limited, and in the end photo, albums are just something our parents used to make… I was one of those people who printed films, made photo albums, and send post cards from tropical destinations. Nowadays I upload photos to two different group apps on my phone so that our families know what we are up to, I carry around a digital camera too to make sure every “moment” is captured, but those photo albums remain unfinished.
Before winter set foot in New York, I jetted off to the Maldives to get my winter tan on, but more importantly, to take part of the Vaara Wellness retreat hosted by billionaire wife Tatiana Korsakova. And don’t get me wrong, no negative intentions referring to her as a billionaire wife, it’s the truth, and this is definitely what enabled her to put her dreams into reality. Because let’s be honest, she took the traditional “press lunch to the next level” flying out UK press, wellness specialists, and International influencers to her favorite resort in the Maldives, to enjoy daily private yoga classes, vegan food, and dinner on the beach. This is not something just anyone can do, but Tatiana could, and she did. Resulting in a once-in-a-lifetime yoga experience!
After a month of traveling for work, I can finally say I’m here for a while and truthfully, there’s nothing better! Don’t get me wrong, I obviously love the traveling part of my job – I wouldn’t go away from my kids if I didn’t believe it was for something good – but the airplane life isn’t me… Every time I step on an airplane, I try to improve my airplane-routine so that I arrive freshest and as rested as possible, but I haven’t mastered it yet. So now, my body has a month to recover until the next flight, which will be by the way, with the kids! But later more on that. Today is all about spending time as a family. The older the kids get, the more they blend into my work-life. It’s easier to travel with them, I can bring them with me, and they are the perfect little faces to practice my photography on.
I only recently found out that besides the Upper East Side Bonpoint store – on 69th and Madison – and the one in Soho, there’s actually also one all the way uptown; on the corner of 96 and Madison. With its large windows and high ceilings, it instantly became my favorite store of the three. Nothing’s wrong with the other two stores, but somehow the natural light makes it so beautiful in there. Anyway, so when we visited the store a few weeks back, in preparation for the upcoming Bonpoint Fall-Winter 2019 show, we did a little store tour with Stella, and selected some of her favorites looks. You have to wait a few more days to find out what those are, because James and Stella will be wearing this all in Paris coming week, but here’s already a little sneak peek of what’s coming!
For the fourth season in a row, I’m beyond excited to show you all the backstage and show photos of the Bonpoint children show, held in Paris during Haute Couture. However, I’m still way in deep editing everything, and making sure there’s a beautiful story lined up for you for this weekend. Until then, proud mother as I am, watch James and Stella walk the Bonpoint SS19 show! Inspired by the colors of the world; prints from Africa to India, and of course, the loveliest smiles you will every see on a runway… Enter the universe of the cutest kids in fashion with the Bonpoint SS19 show, and stay tuned for much more of the show and our days in Paris…