atelier 55 – The Curator of Contemporary African Designatelier 55 – The Curator of Contemporary African Design
Made by Design, is a docu-series that shines the light on African creativity. Exploring the work of architects, interior and product designers Made by Design seeks to inspire and change the narrative. The series is created by Titi Ogufere, CEO of Essential Media Group in partnership with double Emmy Award winner and global filmmaker, Abiola Matesun founder of Malekfotofilms.
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Nigerian interior design firm, Decor have tranformed a conservatory into a stylish retreat. Surrounded by foliage and overlooking a lagoon the room is perfect for relaxing and enjoying the views.
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16/16 is a dynamic space for exchanging ideas. Offering a creative incubator and a boutique hotel, the Lagos-based platform brings together creatives from Nigeria and beyond to share and explore their creativity. The hotel offers 10 individually styled en-suite rooms including the Iamisigo Room, a deluxe king suite designed by the Nigerian creative director and artist Bubu Ogisi.
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On a mission to take Nigerian cuisine into the mainstream Orishirishi Cookbook is a journey into the diverse flavours of Nigerian cuisine. The visually rich publication is by serial entrepreneur and interior designer Tola Akerele. Tola is the founder of IDesign an interior design studio and workshop, the boutique art inspired hotel Bogibori House in Lagos and its restaurant Orishirishi Kitchen. Orishirishi Kitchen is the inspiration behind the book.
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Challenging the way we live the global pandemic has given rise to the need for design solutions that serve the health and well-being needs of our communities. Particularly those areas where hygiene standards can be difficult to maintain in difficult circumstances. In a big to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria product designer Nifemi Marcus Mbello came up with a modular portable handwashing station. The design which is currently a work in progress has won Nifemi the 2021 Wallpaper* Design Award “Life Enhancer of the Year”.
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HarpersBazaar magazine gives us a peek into the stylish home of Nigerian interior designer Tola Akerele. Light and airy courtesy of an open-plan design Tola’s home flows seamlessly from room to room. This was intentional as Tola wanted a welcoming space to entertain family and friends.
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While directing the home of Eva Sonaike for a magazine photoshoot the textile designer wore some fabulous statement earrings by Raya, a Nigerian contemporary jewellery brand. Drawn to the colours and style I headed online to find out more. Raya was founded in 2014 by fashion manufacturing graduate Ivie Omenai who spotted a gap for affordable high-quality jewellery made in Nigeria.
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In keeping with his colourful patterned signature style artist and designer Yinka Ilori introduces his debut technicolour homeware collection. Featuring textiles, dinnerware, art prints and socks the collection came about by accident. With projects cancelled due to the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, Yinka used the time to create the collection.
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There is something deeply reverent about the Evoke London website. Its design speaks of a platform committed to upholding and nurturing the rich heritage of global craft. Sourcing one of kind rare cultural pieces Evoke London’s collections are thoughtfully curated and as its name suggests is a space that recalls and brings forth the precious craft traditions of cultures past and present.
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The instability of life on the road led former punk rock musician Osa Atoe to seek an alternative creative outlet. Pottery was something that had always been at the back of her mind so one day she signed up for classes and was hooked setting up her business Pottery by Osa in 2015 from her kitchen. Initially running her business part-time while working as an after-school art teacher Osa has since transitioned into working in it full-time from her dedicated studio in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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Landing on Banke Kuku’s gorgeous website is like entering a tropical paradise. The vibrant colours, the patterns, the textures are just mesmerising. Honing in on her Masquerade Collection of tasselled clutch bags Banke has taken her brand’s signature silk prints and woven together strips of the fabrics to form the bags, which are then finished off with a playful complementary string of tassels.
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Lambert Shumbusho is a designer/artist who transforms pieces of discarded, damaged and found hardwoods into functional works of art. Having cultivated a modern organic design style Lambert lets the unique characteristic of the wood dictate what it will become, working with the splits, holes, cracks, and natural textures to reveal the inner beauty of each piece.
Read More![Chair [iii] Sculpture by Nigerian American artist Dozie Kanu](https://www.atelier55design.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Dozie_Kanu_Chair-iii_2018_0-406x609.jpg)
Dozie Kanu is a Nigerian-American artist and designer who practice intersects art and design. The son of Nigerian immigrant parents Dozie was born in the US, and currently lives and works in Portugal and New York City. These multi-cultural experiences inform his creative expression and the stories he tells through the object he creates. His inspirations draw on the streets and environment where he grew up in Texas, and the traditions of African craftsmanship.
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To say it’s been an ‘interesting’ few months would be a gross understatement as life as we know it has been turned on its head. And oh how quickly we adapt. Now I don’t think twice now about grabbing a mask and a pair of gloves before heading out for essential reasons. With some countries starting to ease their imposed lockdown restrictions it has become increasingly clear we are not safe yet and that masks are going to be an essential everyday accessory for some months if not years to come.
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Africa has yet to make a permanent mark on international cuisine. Pop up experiences and cookbooks like The Groundnut Cookbook, Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen and Hibiscus have introduced culinary enthusiasts to the diverse tastes of African flavours. Serving as worthy introductions to what the continent has to offer these pioneers have only just scratched the surface. The sheer diversity of Africa’s regions and cultures means there are more exciting taste experiences waiting to be brought forth.
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Fashion designer Duro Olowu has designed a textile collection for furniture brand Soane Britain. The collection sees Olowu’s signature style of colourful clashing patterns meet the furniture maker’s quintessential English sensibility. The collection came about after Olowu posted a picture of the Soane Britain storefront on his Instagram page. Founder Lulu Lytle saw it and reach out, beginning a conversation that uncovered a mutual interest in a love of pattern, deep respect for craftsmanship, and brought forth similar ideas for a textile range.
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Situated inside the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos the R Bar & Lounge is a chic space to meet up with friends and colleagues for a relaxed evening of cocktails or informal business chats.
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I just had to stop for a second to feast my eyes on these too cute for words creations. They tickle my shoe obsession! These fun and fabulous statement slippers are by Anita Quansah, a London-based accessories designer. I have shared Anita’s statement jewellery previously and these slip-on shoes are next level exquisiteness, that can be dressed up or down- think floaty maxi’s, jeans, shorts, and even tailored suits.
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Sencillo meaning simple in Spanish is the name given to a stylish minimalist private beach house on the Island of Ilashe in Lagos Nigeria. Situated on a serene beach front which can only be accessed by water travel Sencillo offers a respite from the bustling traffic heavy city of Lagos. As such the architectural design of the property reflects the desire for a calming retreat with captivating views of the Atlantic Ocean.
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Contemporary African designers and artists inspired by scarification and referencing the ancient African tradition in their work. Scarification is the process of superficially cutting, scratching, etching or burning permanent designs into the skin. This form of body decoration is a practice common to West Africa where for centuries the resultant markings expressed a form of unspoken communication such as rank, tribe, beauty, and strength. Patterns in the form of scars would range from simple markings to those more elaborate and intricate adorning the face, chest, torso arms and legs. Scarification is not for the faint-hearted, undergoing the practice was said […]
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