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The latest edition of Moyi Magazine is out, and firstly what a stunning cover! Apt for our times the colourful cover features artist and activist Malene Barnett founder of Malene B Studio and Black Artists + Designers Guild (BADGuild). This issue celebrates the colour-filled homes of Malene in New York and textile designer Eva Sonaike in London. As a contributing editor for Moyi magazine, I had the pleasure of directing the photoshoot for Eva’s gorgeous, colour and plant-filled home.
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What does it mean to be an ‘African designer’? Is it the fabrics you use, or earthy colour palettes, perhaps it’s traditional references or ethnic motifs? This is a question designers from the continent grapple with when presenting their work to international audiences and if their aesthetic does not fit into the perceptions of African design often find it being critiqued as not being African enough. Who gets to decide what it is to be African? The creator or the critic? This is the question posed and explored by Kenyan-based The Nest Collective in their book Not African Enough, which […]
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The launch of luxury tea brand YSWARA’s Johannesburg tearoom has been joined by the opening of one in Accra, Ghana. The YSWARA tearoom and boutique is part of a collaborative space shared with local retailer Luxury Living and Akrafo, YSWARA’S sister brand of gourmet condiment’s, bringing gourmet and interior decor experience to the city’s stylish residents.
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Looking to be inspired by some modern Afro style goodness to set the tone for the new year ahead? Then Moyi magazine is just the thing. The winter issue is out now and I am loving the cover which features South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha wearing a dress by fashion designer Joel Jansen Van Vuuren in the sophisticated surrounds of Saxon Hotel.
Read MoreThere is nothing I love more than a good cup of tea, the stronger the better. Anytime is teatime as far as I am concerned, so you can only imagine what I think about those who take their tea as seriously as I do. Like YSWARA for instance, the luxury tea brand championing made in Africa, who are reviving the ceremony of ancient African tea-drinking rituals with its offering of specially blended teas and accompanying accessories. And now you can immerse yourself fully in the YSWARA brand experience with the launch of their flagship tearoom and store in Johannesburg.
Read More[Image credit: Marianne Fassler x YSWARA Aromatherapy Candle for Orange babies – via hot919fm.com] Legendary South African fashion designer Marianne Fassler has teamed up with luxury made in Africa tea and lifestyle brand YSWARA to create a limited-edition scented candle for Orange Babies, a Dutch HIV NGO with a local South African branch that works to reduce mother to child transmission of HIV as well as helping children affected by HIV/AIDS to live a better life.
Read MoreAfrica 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.
Read MoreIf you are a lover of beautiful design, inspirational editorials, peeps into other peoples homes for a dose of African inspired interior design inspiration and boundless African creativity then make room in your life for Moyi, a brand new quarterly modern Afro lifestyle magazine that curates the best in design, decor, architecture, arts, travel, beauty, fashion and food showcasing and celebrating the work of talented individuals of African heritage. Moyi means sun in Lingala, a language spoken in Central Africa. And through its colourful, elegantly designed pages Moyi shines the light on the exceptional creativity and lifestyle defining a modern Africa. […]
Read MoreM Project by Baobab Collection [Inspired by Africa] [Image credit: Mena Max 24 Candle -M project by Baobab Collection – Delyss] Belgian interior fragrance brand, Boabab Collection recently launched a new range of scented candles that celebrate exquisite African craftsmanship, natural materials, and invigorating scents. [Image credit: top, Mainty Max 24 Candle; bottom Mena Max 16 Candle –M project by Baobab Collection – Delyss] A limited-edition of five candles in the M Project collection is produced in collaboration with artisans in Madagascar, which sees each candle encased in an elegant woven organic raffia finish that comes in either black and beige or red […]
Read MoreJournals and Notebooks [Nigeria / South Africa] [Image credits: Clinton Friedman – Purely African] When I started this blog I never anticipated how much writing I would end up doing; making notes on paper, on the computer as I’ve let all my thoughts flow out. One thing that strikes me is how ideas for posts and perfectly formed snippets of sentences often appear at the most inconvenient of times when there isn’t a paper, pen or pencil to be found within close range and by the time you’ve found one the moment is lost; the thought evaporated like a puff […]
Read MoreTaunina [South Africa] [Image source/credit – Taunina Skyler Bunny Rabbit – Positive Luxury/Taunina] Displayed on one of the prettiest websites I have seen in a while, is an adorable, colourful range of soft toys that have been exquisitely handcrafted by a group of talented artists in Woodstock, Cape Town. Taunina is a company that produces an enchanting collection of one-of-a-kind collectable teddy bears, bunny rabbits, and puppy dogs; each a precious gift designed to be passed down the generations as future heirlooms. Individually crafted, comprising of more than twenty panels, each soft toy takes around four to seven days to complete, in a process […]
Read MoreAfrica – David Attenborough/BBC ONE I have been watching Africa, the new documentary series by veteran British presenter, Sir David Attenborough. Filmed over four years, so far five episodes have taken viewers through the Kalahari, Savannah, Congo, Cape, and Sahara, with the sixth and final episode next week looking at the Future of Africa, in terms of what is being done to help preserve the Continent’s precious biodiversity, including how local communities are helping in the war on poaching.
Read MoreDecléor Voyage – Madagascar Scented Candle [Africa Inspired] [Image credit: Decléor Voyage – Madagascar Scented Candle] Premium aromatherapy skincare specialists Decléor introduces a relaxing candle infused with 100% natural essential oils, whose scent and packaging evoke the rich and diverse eco-system found in Madagascar. Tonka Bean, Vetiver, Vanilla, Ylang Ylang, and Grapefruit are combined to create a blissful luxurious fragrance that naturally perfumes your living space whilst contributing to your wellbeing.
Read MoreSwazi Candles [Swaziland / Eswatini] [Image credits: Swazi Candles] In the mountainous countryside of the Kingdom of Swaziland a disused cowshed in a former dairy was turned into a candlemaking workshop that has become a local tourist attraction as visitors from all over the world stop by to see the production process and an array of unique candles. Whether round or triangular, animal or fruit; carved or hand-painted Swazi Candles are created and finished by hand meaning no two will be the same.
Read MoreBibi Invitations [Nigeria] [Image credits: Ifenkili – Bibi Invitations] Spotting a gap in the market after an unsuccessful search to find modern invitation designs that showcased her vibrant Nigerian heritage prompted designer Ify Ojo to seriously consider creating her own range and led to the founding of Bibi Invitations; an exquisite range of wedding and special occasion invitations designed to capture the vibrant celebratory spirit of Nigerian, and indeed many African special occasions. The company was officially launched in 2012 by three friends; Ify Ojo and Omena Babalola who are based in Canada, and Chinelo Agazie who is based in the UK. […]
Read MoreGentlemen of Bacongo [The Congo] [Image credit: Gentlemen of Bacongo – Daniele Tamagni] Every time 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 the book; 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 and accompanying exhibition have delighted and captivated audiences across the world, taking them on a fashionable journey […]
Read MoreSchier Shoes [Namibia] Lately, the unique style of Namibia’s Herero Women has been the inspiration for several fashion collections, and a recent advertising campaign by Namibian footwear maker, Schier Shoes brought a smile to my face, its embracement of this spirit of individuality and enjoyment of life whatever your age and wherever you are. Based in Swakopmund, Namibia, the company Herbert Schier has been manufacturing Veldskoen shoes since 1938. Although more mainly associated with Namibia and South Africa, those from the Southern African region will be familiar with Veldskoen’s or ‘Vellies’ as they are more commonly known, a type of rugged […]
Read MoreAngels in Africa [Reflections] [Image credit: Angels in Africa, book cover – Beth O’Donnell] 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 […]
Read MoreShumba Inc [Zimbabwe] [Image credit: Kissing Couple Card – Shumba Inc] No words are necessary with this sentimental card that captures the spirit of love. Using felt, the card is handcrafted by Harare based company Shumba Inc, whose cute and quirky products I have featured before here. Additional details:For further information about Shumba Inc and to order visit: www.shumbainc.com
Read MoreMiller Harris/Le Touessrok [Mauritius] [Image source: Miller Harris Cardamon Sucre Candle – Red Online] In search of some sun and relaxation and a break is out of reach at the minute then let a limited edition Miller Harris’ candle bring that holiday feeling to you. Inspired by the landscape and local spices of Mauritius, perfumer Lyn Harris of luxury British company Miller Harris has teamed up with Le Touessrok, one of Mauritius’ most elegant resorts, to create a fragrance and scented candle, entitled ‘Cardamon Sucre’.
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