Books Archives - atelier 55 - Contemporary African Design

BEAUTIFUL portraits of Black Beauty by photographer Mario Epanya

BEAUTIFUL: Portraits of Black Beauty By Mario Epanya

If you are follower of African fashion, style and beauty, then you are probably familiar with the images of Paris-based photographer Mario Epanya. The Mario Epanya who divided online opinion with his super-stylish series of fictional Vogue Africa covers, a concept that was turned down by Condé Nast giving rise to the debate of whether or not Africa needed Vogue. Fast forward seven years and the Cameroonian-born photographer is once again setting the digital world alight this time with his debut book BEAUTIFUL: Portraits of Black Beauty. And what a treat it is.

Fashion Illustration Africa A book about a new generation of African fashion illustrators by African art book publishers Shoko Press

Africa Art Books Fashion Read

Fashion Illustration Africa Art Book Introducing A New Generation

Fashion Illustration is a creative discipline that in recent years has captured the imagination of fashion lovers everywhere, and is by no means a recent phenomenon. The discipline has a rich history of documenting fashion, style and cultural trends long before the advent of cameras and photography led to its decline. Rising and falling in popularity over the decades but never quite reaching the dizzy heights of the past, in recent years Fashion Illustration has witnessed a renaissance on the back of the growing share culture that has been fostered by social media. This has allowed for an abundance […]

Africa Rising Book African Design, Fashion and Lifestyle co edited by Gestalten and Design Indaba

Africa Books Read

Africa Rising Fashion Design and Lifestyle from Africa

Africa Rising is a new book edited by publishers Gestalten and South African based design platform, Design Indaba, which spotlights African design, fashion, photography, architecture, and lifestyle. Africa Rising was launched in September 2016 in London as part of a programme of events for the inaugural London Design Bienniale at Somerset House.

Africa Books Fashion Read

African Catwalk Captures Africa's Fast Growing Fashion Industry

African Catwalk is a new book by award-winning photographer Per-Anders Pettersson, that takes the viewer on a journey behind the scenes of Africa’s flourishing fashion industry. African Catwalk brings together images shot in 16 countries over a 7 year period, and captures a side to the fashion industry rarely seen by the audience. From the birds-eye view of models parading down a sleek catwalk under the glare of bright lights to the unguarded moments of models waiting their turn African Catwalk documents the details that are making the Africa’s diverse fashion industry one of the most exciting around.

Books Design Events South Africa

Contemporary African Design And Craft At Open Design Festival Cape Town

Join myself, Tapiwa Matsinde and South African author, Elbe Coetsee on Tuesday 18th August 2015 as we discuss contemporary African design and craft, and our recent publications,Contemporary Design Africa (Thames & Hudson) and Craft Art in South Africa (Jonathan Ball) respectively. Elbé will be there in person to answer questions, and I will be joining in over Skype from London. The event is part of The Open Design Book Boutique at the Open Design Cape Town Festival.

Africa Books Food & Drink

Modern African Food And Recipes From The Groundnut Cookbook

Whilst passing through Waterstones Piccadilly, my eye was drawn to a colourful book display positioned in front of the elevators. Stopping to get a better a look I was introduced to The Groundnut Cookbook, exploring modern African food. The Groundnut Cookbook was written by Duval Timothy, Jacob Fodio Todd, and Folayemi Brown three friends who run a bi-monthly London supper club called The Groundnut, hence the name of the book.

Copies of Contemporary Design Africa Art Book by Tapiwa Matsinde showcasing modern African Interior Decor Accessories

Books Competitions . Offers . Giveaways

Contemporary Design Africa Competition Winner

Congratulations to Yolanda Salimu, who is the Contemporary Design Africa Competition Winner. A signed copy of Contemporary Design Africa is on its way to her.

Books Competitions . Offers . Giveaways

Win A Copy Of Contemporary Design Africa [Competition Now Closed]

To celebrate the publication of Contemporary Design Africa, I have a signed copy to give away to ONE lucky Atelier Fifty-Five reader. To enter, all you need to do is: 1. Correctly answer the question below. 2. Fill in your name and contact details. 3. Then like our Facebook page when prompted. COMPETITION NOW CLOSED: The competition runs from Monday 13th July 2015 and ends midnight (GMT) Friday 24th July 2015. Entries submitted after this time will not be counted. The winner will be notified, followed by an announcement in due course made on the blog. Good […]

Books Design Events

Contemporary Design Africa Book Launch And Designer Showcase Event

Contemporary Design Africa will be launched at a special event at The Jungle in Johannesburg, South starting this Thursday. If you happen to be in Johannesburg between the 9th -25th July, pop along to the concept store, where in addition to celebrating the book, The Jungle will also be showcasing and selling the work of select designers featured within the book’s pages. A great opportunity to see some of the designs first hand. [Image featured, Chair by Nulangee Design courtesy David Crookes for Design Network Africa]

Books Design

Africa Day And Modern African Design – Contemporary Design Africa Launch

To day is Africa Day, cited as a day to celebrate the continent’s achievements and to reflect on the challenges faced. So, rather fittingly today is also the day Contemporary Design Africa, a book about modern African design is officially published in the UK, celebrating the achievements of contemporary designers emerging from the continent; and here are some of the exceptional designs featured within its pages. [Main image credit: Centro de Artes Africana, Wooden Vessels – courtesy Deborah Mason for Aid to Artisans]

Books Design

Sneak Peek Of Modern African Design In Contemporary Design Africa

Woo hoo, just received advance printed copies of my forthcoming book Contemporary Design Africa! Nervous anticipation kicked in so it took me a while to get round to opening the package, but when I eventually plucked up the courage I can’t describe how it felt to finally hold in my hands and see months of hard work come together and revealed in the finished product. African design is truly amazing!

Books Decor Design

Contemporary Design Africa Book Modern African Home Decor And Design

Back in September 2014 I hinted at some news I was looking forward to sharing a few months into the future; well that time has now come and I am so thrilled to finally be able to introduce my forthcoming first book on modern African home decor and design entitled- Contemporary Design Africa. Contemporary Design Africa will be published by Thames & Hudson in May 2015 in the UK, and in early June in the US. [Image credit: Contemporary Design Africa, Cover – Thames & Hudson]

Books Interiors

AphroChic Home Decor Book Remix: Decorating with Culture, Objects and Soul

Earlier this month, the beautifully illustrated AphroChic home decor book, Remix: Decorating with the Culture, Objects and Soul was launched by bloggers Jeanine Hays and Bryan the bloggers behind the chic interiors blog, AphroChic. Remix is beautifully illustrated, filled with inspiration and tips on how to tastefully infuse culture into modern design aesthetics, and avoiding the cliches that end to come with creating culturally inspired spaces. Indeed, the couple have long been championing cultural diversity in design through their blog, and textiles company. Drawing inspiration from global cultures from France, to India to Africa and beyond, the couple believe that design should be […]

Books Fashion

The Gentlemen of Bacongo Sapeurs Of Congo Street Style

Everytime the ‘Gentlemen of Bacongo‘ photographic exhibition came to London, I always managed to miss it, so whilst I was in Dakar I finally got to see some images from book of the Sapeurs of Congo; on display as part of a wider exhibition on contemporary African photography entitled ‘Africa See You See Me’, that was being held at the Goethe Institute, during the Dak’art 2012 Biennale. Since its release in 2009, the book about the Sapeurs of Congo and accompanying exhibition has delighted and captivated audiences across the world, taking them on a fashionable journey through the streets of […]

Books

Angels In Africa Book An Inspirational Photographic Journey

I read constantly and each book in its own way leaves its mark on me, but there are certain books that have a profound effect on me, one particular the harrowing ‘A Piece of Cake‘ by Cupcake Brown had me constantly reminding myself that this really happened and was not fiction; and every time I find myself thinking ‘woe is me’ I remember that book and think I shouldn’t be complaining, if Cupcake can make it through some unspeakable horrors then I am sure I can make some effort. Another thought-provoking book full of hope is ‘Angels in Africa‘, by Beth O’Donnell […]

Books Lifestyle

Koto Bolofo Photography La Maison Hermès’ Rich Heritage

Koto Bolofo is one of the most prolific fashion photographers of his generation. Born in Lesotho and raised in the UK; the Koto Bolofo photography portfolio includes iconic photography for fashion and lifestyle’s elite from magazines like Vogue, GQ and Vanity Fair to editorials and advertising campaigns for the likes of Louis Vuitton and Dom Pérignon. Now residing in Vendée, France Koto has several books to his name capturing in print his often evocative photography. [Image credit: Koto Bolofo – La Maison]

Books Food & Drink

Modern African Food Dorah Sithole Cooking From Cape To Cairo

Whether it’s a steaming plate of sadza ne nyama, a beautifully fragranced lamb tagine, spicy jollof rice or a Sunday roast; our favourite foods done just the way we like it provide a source of comfort, reminding us of Mum’s good home cooking and with Mother’s Day in the UK a week away, on Sunday 3rd April what a good day as any to get together, cook up a feast and honour our Mothers as we make them feel extra, extra special. As the flurry of gift buying gets under way if your Mum is a foodie and loves […]

Books Ethiopia Food & Drink

Food & Drink: award-winning chef and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson

Marcus Samuelsson [Ethiopia] [Image credits: abcnews.com recipes: salad and dessert] Ethiopian born, Swedish raised and now living in Harlem, top chef Marcus Samuelsson certainly has a lot of influences to bring to his culinary creations and has been praised for introducing innovative interpretations to classic Swedish dishes and quality of flavours and textures his food possesses. Adopted by a Swedish couple at the age of three Marcus grew up in Sweden and learnt his love of cookery there, training to be a chef before moving to France and then America where his career has flourished. Crowned Top Chef Master on Season Two […]

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