This episode brings us to the end of season one. And what a season it has been. Experiences have been shared, nuggets of wisdom and inspiration have been given. I don’t know about you but I’ve learned a lot. Firstly, I want to thank each one of my guests for taking time out from their busy schedules to chat with me and give us an insight into what goes on behind the scenes in their studios and careers.
Read More
In this episode I chat with Olubunmi Adeyemi. Lagos based, Nigerian born designer, Olubunmi is an internationally recognized designer, interior architect and lifestyle entrepreneur. He is the founder of AFROMINIMA™ a design and lifestyle movement inspired by minimalism, and The DÅ brand. Olubunmi has studied design in both London and South Africa. An alumni of the prestigious Lagos Business School, he is currently pursuing a masters at Central St Martins, in London, UK.
Read More
Brand Africa is a continent-based initiative that recognises the power of brands as an asset in cultivating a positive image, reputation and the competitiveness of a nation. As such Brand Africa seeks to inspire and promote a positive image of Africa, celebrating its diversity and driving its competitiveness.
Read More
In this episode I chat with Kwabena Oppong Boateng. Kwabena is a dynamic communications professional with extensive social media, telecommunications and advertising experience across public, private and corporate sectors in Ghana, Nigeria and the United Kingdom. He is the founder of Kayobi clothing, and Nkanee, a 21st century strategy consultancy based Accra, Ghana that specialises in innovative physical and digital experiences powered by ideas and creativity.
Read More
In this episode I chat with Akosua Afriyie-Kumi. Akosua is the founder of A A K S, a fashion accessories brand that tells an exciting story of Ghana, and offers a different perspective of Africa as a whole. A A K S’s raffia bags are handmade by a women’s cooperative in Northern Ghana, and uses ethical processes inspired by old-age craft traditions. Through her brand Akosua wants the world to see how luxury and quality can grow from traditional designs and is using AAKS bags to change perceptions of Africa through fashion. She has been shortlisted as an emerging designer […]
Read More
In this episode I chat with Eva Sonaike. Eva is the founder of Eva Sonaike, a London-based interiors and lifestyle brand creating luxurious textiles and home décor products. Eva, who was born and raised in Germany and is of Nigerian heritage, has taken the best elements of these two cultures to inspire her work. The result being designs that bring the vibrancy of African colours and aesthetics to the luxury home décor and accessories market.
Read More
I know I say this every year, but it’s hard to believe that atelier| 55 turns 9 today! Who would have thought it? This birthday marks a year of profound change as the platform has undergone the biggest evolution since I published my first blog post.
Read More
In this episode I chat with Farai Madzima. Farai is a UX Lead at Shopify in Ottawa, Canada. Born in Zimbabwe, Farai has spent the last 14 years helping to design and build products and teams in the UK, South Africa and Canada. He is the organiser of Pixel Up!, a series of UX and design conferences and meetups in South Africa created to connect designers and developers in Africa with their peers around the world.
Read More
Fashion is an industry in the spotlight over issues around sustainability with regards to fast and throwaway fashion. And this concern extends to accessories. Eden Diodati is a luxury jewellery brand that is addressing the need for sustainability within the fashion industry.
Read More
In this episode I chat with Edith Tialeu, founder of Frida 54. Edith is on a mission to share the rich craft heritage of her home country, Cameroon and the wider continent with the world through her brand Frida 54, which produces collections of woven textiles and lifestyle accessories such as ceramics handcrafted in collaboration with the local artisans she seeks out, many of whom are women. Through her brand Edith seeks to define a new African aesthetic, one which exists between tradition and contemporary style, and upholds creativity, human input and know-how.
Read More
Architecture whether still standing or in ruins serves to tell us the story of a country, a city, a place. Architecture can be used to exhibit power in the form of glittering monuments, it can bring communities together in shared, public spaces, and it can provide us with a sanctuary to call home. With buildings all around us architecture creates the bonds of belonging in ways that we take for granted as we go about our day-to-day lives. But it is only when we lose something that we realise how important it was to us. And in times of conflict […]
Read More
In this episode I chat with interior and furniture designer Siyanda Mbele. Siyanda is the founder of Pinda Design, the design studio he set up in his hometown of Durban, South Africa. He designs and manufactures hand-painted furniture inspired by South Africa’s diverse cultures. Siyanda’s interest in producing products began whilst studying Interior design at Durban University Of Technology. Upon graduation he started freelancing do interior drawing for other design companies, as well as lecturing part-time which gave him the freedom to earn a base income to fund his business.
Read More
A warm welcome to the Behind The Design podcast, hosted by me, Tapiwa Matsinde. Starting a podcast that shares the stories of designers and creatives from across Africa and in the diaspora has been a dream of my mine for a while, and having finally taken the steps to do so I am so so pleased to finally be able to welcome you to the first episode and season.
Read More
I have started a podcast! This is something that has been on my mind for a long while now, and I’ve finally decided to do something about it. Having worked behind the scenes to put everything place I am delighted to introduce Behind The Design podcast where I will be interviewing some of Africa’s and the diaspora’s established and emerging creatives. Getting them to share their entrepreneurial journeys and inspirations to inspire and motivate you as you build and nurture your own business.
Read More
Marianne Fassler is a doyenne of the South African fashion industry. Her brand Leopard Frock is a recognised game-changer, her inimitable style and anti-fashion stance always pushing the boundaries between fashion and art resulting in collections that rewrite the rules with their profusion of animal print, colour, patterns and textures. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that her home reflects all that inspires her.
Read More
Are you struggling to get your business noticed in a crowded marketplace? I hear you, trying to stand out and not getting anywhere can be frustrating and demoralising. But making your brand more visible doesn’t have to be hard. Sometimes all we need is a little nudge to get things moving in the right direction. If you’re not sure where to start and need some ideas to spur you into action my 30 Ways To Make Your Brand More Visible guide will help you on your way.
Read More
Tucked away in Harare’s Miombo Woodland you will find Mutapo, a ceramic studio producing one-of-a-kind collectable crockery. Owned by Zimbabwean ceramicist, Marjorie Wallace, Mutapo has gained international recognition for its intricately decorated porcelain ceramics often coloured with the studio’s signature blue and white glaze. The patterns adorning each product are inspired by the patterns found in Africa’s basket weaving traditions. Marjorie’s love for baskets stems from childhood and her memories of being surrounded by baskets.
Read More
South African textile brand Skinny laMinx turns up the heat with their latest collection. The SunnySide is a feelgood collection that encourages us to bring a little sunshine and positive energy into our everyday lives. The collection of dining and kitchen textiles features bold patterns and colour prints in the Skinny laMinx signature style, which blends midcentury style, pattern and colour, with African chic.
Read More
American artist Kehinde Wiley has opened the doors to Black Rock in Dakar Senegal, a multi-disciplinary artists residency program designed to bring together an international group of visual artists, writers, and filmmakers for a period of self-reflection, practice development and cultural exploration and cross-cultural collaboration. For Kehinde, who’s fame reached new heights with his portrait of Barack Obama, Black Rock is more than just a residency it is also home to his personal studio as he seeks to divide his time between New York and West Africa.
Read More
The stool is an African design classic, an iconic example of Africa’s woodcarving traditions. Its iconic shape has, and continues to inspire designers the world over who are drawn to the simplicity of the form. Stools were created for personal, and ceremonial use, whereby elaborately carved and decorated designs were used to signify status, wealth, and prestige. Here’s a look at four designers from across the continent who are taking inspiration from the traditional stool to create elegant furniture collections designed with comforts of modern living in mind.
Read More
