Monday 17th of February 2025

Nairobi, Kenya

Kaleidoscope: Deji Oluokun’s Mesmerizing Fusion Of Art And Fashion Shines At Lagos Exhibition

The Alliance Française de Lagos Library recently came alive with a dazzling display of color, creativity, and artistic exploration as it hosted “Kaleidoscope,” the second solo exhibition of celebrated Nigerian visual artist Deji Oluokun. Known for his ability to seamlessly blend various mediums, Oluokun captivated audiences with a fresh convergence of digital art, 3D elements, fashion photography, and immersive audio-visual effects, creating a bold and introspective showcase that spanned from October 12th to October 26th.

Each piece in “Kaleidoscope” unveiled a new dimension of Oluokun’s artistic journey. Works bearing titles like “dediKation,” “Kreativity,” and “foKus” chronicled personal moments of introspection, growth, and aspiration, exploring the universal themes of resilience and transformation. Through a wide array of techniques and mediums, Oluokun demonstrated his unique ability to translate emotion into color and form, inviting viewers to step into his vibrant creative process.

“Kaleidoscope” was more than an art exhibit it was a sensory voyage. Attendees were welcomed into a darkened gallery space that slowly introduced an orchestrated symphony of colors and sounds, designed to heighten emotional connection. The exhibit began with a compelling video trailer and a soundscape that evolved in tandem with the artworks, creating an atmosphere that was as meditative as it was visually stimulating.

In a nod to Millennials and Gen-Z audiences, Oluokun’s collection “RCVRY” championed self-esteem, resilience, and empowerment for emerging artists. It resonated deeply with young creatives, inspiring them to reclaim confidence in their craft and assert their creative identities on a global stage.

“Kaleidoscope” also fostered dialogue between the realms of art and fashion, offering an interdisciplinary platform that encouraged collaboration among professionals from diverse creative industries. With his latest exhibition, Deji Oluokun not only demonstrated the transformative potential of art but also reaffirmed his position as a thought leader in the convergence of contemporary fashion and visual art in Nigeria.

Content courtesy of  Mo Africa Pr & NFH Digital Team

 

Gem Forest Hotel Nairobi: A Grand Opening Night of Elegance and Sophistication

Nairobi’s growing reputation as a prime destination for business and leisure has attracted numerous high-end hotels to its landscape, solidifying its status as a regional hub. Among the latest arrivals is the Gem Forest Hotel Nairobi MGallery Collection, which celebrated its grand opening with an enchanting cocktail event. As the first MGallery in sub-Saharan Africa, this new addition strengthens the Accor Group’s foothold in Kenya and promises to deliver a blend of contemporary luxury and serene sophistication.

A Celebration of Elegance

The opening night of Gem Forest Hotel Nairobi was an unforgettable evening filled with elegance and charm. The hotel’s unique design draws inspiration from the **Karura Forest** and Nairobi’s identity as the “city of water.” Designed by the internationally renowned **Sundukovy Sisters**, the architecture reflects the beauty of  precious gemstones and the surrounding natural environment, offering guests a luxurious yet tranquil retreat.

Situated conveniently near the United Nations Headquarters and Nairobi’s diplomatic hub, Gem Forest Hotel boasts panoramic views of lush greenery and the city skyline. It is set to be a haven for international travelers, diplomats, and local guests alike.

A Night to Remember

Guests at the opening event were treated to an evening of luxury and sophistication, with a carefully curated menu of exquisite drinks and gourmet food. The dress code, “**mystical elegance**,” created an atmosphere of enchantment, and the event space was alive with vibrant energy as attendees mingled in style.

Key speeches from the hotel’s owners and management highlighted the hotel’s commitment to offering a peaceful retreat amid the bustling city. The hotel is not only a place to stay but a modern escape that tells the story of Nairobi and connects guests to the rich family roots of the hotel’s founders.

A Landmark for MGallery and Accor Group

In his speech, Mehdi Morad, Vice President of Operations for Africa, Mauritius, Reunion, and Seychelles at MGallery, emphasized Nairobi’s critical role in the group’s growth strategy. “Nairobi is a very important location for us,” he said, further noting the group’s plans for regional expansion, with sights set on other countries such as Uganda.

The grand opening marks an important milestone for MGallery, as it continues to broaden its reach within Africa’s luxury hotel market. The Gem Forest Hotel Nairobi serves as a beacon of modern hospitality in a region experiencing rapid economic and tourism growth.

A Unique Experience for Guests

Guests staying at Gem Forest Hotel Nairobi can look forward to an immersive experience that goes beyond luxury. Every detail of the hotel, from its contemporary design to its serene ambiance, has been carefully crafted to offer an escape from the hustle of city life. The hotel’s design tells the story of Nairobi, blending modern comfort with the natural beauty of the region. The property also connects visitors with its owners’ family heritage, making it a truly unique destination in the heart of Kenya.

As Nairobi continues to evolve as a global destination, the **Gem Forest Hotel Nairobi** is poised to play a significant role in the city’s hospitality landscape, offering a serene yet stylish getaway that speaks to both local culture and international standards.

The grand opening of Gem Forest Hotel Nairobi marks the arrival of a new era of luxury hospitality in the city. With its captivating design, strategic location, and focus on serene elegance, the hotel is set to become a top choice for travelers seeking both comfort and style. As part of the **Accor Group’s MGallery Collection**, this newest addition reflects Nairobi’s growing significance as a premier destination in Africa, blending modern amenities with the natural beauty of the region.

With plans for future expansion in the region, the Gem Forest Hotel Nairobi signals the beginning of a vibrant new chapter for the hospitality industry in Kenya and beyond.

Content courtesy of Gem Forest Hotel Nairobi & NFH Digital Team

A Recent Brooklyn Museum Exhibit Examines the Continent’s Thriving Fashion and Art Scenes During the Time of Liberation.

Co-curator Ernestine White-Mifetu gives us an illuminating tour of “Africa Fashion” and the greater narrative it encapsulates.
At the Brooklyn Museum, an electrifying new exhibition establishes Africa as a true fashion capital, bursting with imagination, ingenuity, and its own aesthetic heritage. “African Fashion” showcases the designers and other creatives leading the continent’s charge into the 21st century.

Yet the exhibition, which runs through October 22, is much more than a wondrous fantasia of eye-popping looks on mannequins. By highlighting key pieces from designers, artists, and artisans from the mid-20th century onward, it illuminates a panoply of artistic visions to come out of Africa and its diaspora, laying the fascinating historical groundwork for today’s stylistic revolution.

The Brooklyn Museum is the perfect place for curators Ernestine White-Mifetu and Annissa Malvoisin to compile over 300 objects, including not only clothing and textiles but also jewelry, art, photography, and video, as well as vintage posters, magazine covers, and other ephemera.

It has been a century since the Brooklyn Museum became the first art institution to present African art to a North American audience.
The Brooklyn Public Library and the museum have collaborated to offer loanable copies of the historical books on display in the exhibition. According to the museum, it is the biggest installation of its kind ever made in a place in North America.

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London hosted the debut of “Africa Fashion” in 2022, but it has since profited significantly from its voyage to Brooklyn.
During the tour, co-curator Ernestine White-Mifetu said, “It was important that we insert the narratives of creatives here in North America.”
As the museum’s curator of African art, she and her colleagues modified the performance for a new audience, incorporating it into its new setting and complementing it with pieces from the museum’s own collection, one of the largest in the country.
A unique fusion of African and diasporic identity with American flair is the eventual product.

The exhibition has, for instance, pieces by Aurora James and Christopher John Rogers, two designers from Brooklyn who are garnering significant attention. James was featured on the cover of Vogue in 2020 with a painted portrait by Jordan Casteel due to her African-inspired designs and her 15 Percent Pledge program, which calls on fashion shops to allocate at least 15 percent of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses.
The year after he unveiled his collection in 2018, Rogers, 24, won the top honor at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.

The beginning of the play coincides with the end of colonial control in Africa.
In 1956, Morocco and Tunisia declared their independence from French rule. A year later, Ghana took control of itself from Britain. 1960, known as the Year of Africa, brought the independence of 17 additional African countries.
At the conclusion of the decade, that number had increased to 48.
These singular and significant independence movements sparked profound self-reinvention and awakenings that ushered in a cultural renaissance that reverberated across the arts. It’s significant that artists take inspiration from once-disadvantaged traditions to develop entirely original and avant-garde forms.

It was a turbulent yet energetic period that, in many respects, would not have been possible without the FESTAC festival series.
The first one happened in Dakar, Senegal, in 1966, and the final one happened in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1977.
The month-long festivals, as depicted in “Africa Fashion,” welcomed performers, writers, and musicians from all over the continent and beyond.
The largest cultural festival ever held on African land, it brought together up to 15,000 participants from practically every African nation (54 at the time) and the diaspora to inspire pan-African unity via the arts. According to White-Mifetu, “You see Langston Hughes and Duke Ellington going to FESTAC in 1966, and Stevie Wonder and Alvin Ailey in 1977.

Another famous participant in 1977 was Mama Africa, a South African musician and anti-apartheid campaigner. The Black and Brown figure and its full range of creativity were widely celebrated.
The first group of clothes is found in this cheerful context. According to White-Mifetu, “As the continent freed itself, artists used fabric as a visual language to engage with the new and hopeful political landscape.”
She motioned toward a collection of commemorative garments, which were worn to mark significant political occasions.

The final one features a photograph of Nelson Mandela shortly after he was elected president of the African National Congress of South Africa in 1991 alongside a more modern print created by Nigerian designer Lola Faturoti, who is based in New York and worked to honor Barack Obama’s 2008 inauguration as president.
The next section discusses the several textile traditions prevalent on the continent, including the silk kente, raffia-woven kuba, indigo-dyed àdìrẹ, strip-woven a-kè, and mud-painted bògòlanfini, to name a few.

Both the geometric patterns painted on canvas by South African artist Esther Mahlangu and the color blocks used in Atta Kwami’s 2011 painting Another Time are inspired by the kente culture of Ghana.
“And of course,” added White-Mifetu, “we couldn’t include a contemporary Yinka Shoniba sculpture in this dialogue around the influence of textiles and their histories.”
A group of dressmakers and tailors who found themselves converted into contemporary 20th-century fashion designers developed from this crackling frisson.
Chris Seydou (Mali), Kofi Ansah (Ghana), Nama Bennis (Morocco), Alphadi (Mauritania), and Shade Thomas-Fahm (Nigeria) are five of them that are highlighted in this article.
As designers started to seek outside of their borders, a lot of the clothing on exhibit is intriguing hybridization of African and Western fashions.

The work of Thomas-Fahm, the first designer to create a store in Nigeria after visiting Britain and discovering the designer boutique, exemplifies this.
She created wrapped skirts with built-in zippers and head wraps with snaps in an effort to modernize her clients’ wardrobes.
According to White-Mifetu, “She was designed for the contemporary young woman who didn’t have time for all that draping, wrapping, and assembling.
” “Women were much more mobile and active in the post-independence world.”
A section of the display devoted to photography, which has become incredibly important to African life ever since the development of the camera, is among its more moving elements.

The portraiture of Malian photographers Seydou Keta and Malick Sidibé in the 1960s and 1970s seems to be expanded upon in two stylized fashion images by Senegalese artist Omar Victor Diop, which then lead through a corridor to the work of Brooklyn-based Kwame Braithwaite, a Guggenheim Fellow and key figure in the “Black is beautiful” movement.

There are also Hassan Hajjaj’s daring, colorfully framed images.
The “Kesh Angels” series by the Moroccan artist, which was published in 2010, featured covered and veiled ladies sitting on motionless motorbikes in front of Marrakesh’s Theatre Royal while also donning heart-shaped sunglasses and striped socks.

The exhibition’s conclusion, a last display of modern outfits created in the avant-garde attitude, most effectively drives home the idea that contemporary African fashion is a massive synthesis of various communities and influences.

The focal point is a unique burqa designed by Artsi Ifrach for Maison ArtC and fashioned of translucent crinoline in the shape of a trench coat, an idea from Europe.
It was further covered by the Moroccan designer with embroidered hands, which White-Mifetu described as “an Islamic representation of belief.”
Thebe Magugu, a well-known South African fashion designer who won the LVMH Young Fashion Designer Prize in 2019 for his investigations into African spirituality and ancestral ties, also has his Alchemy collection featured in this area.

“I hope that the exhibition challenges viewers’ perceptions of African fashion,” White-Mifetu stated. “Africa has long and richly contributed to the global conversation, whether through visual art, music, or fashion.”
“Africa Fashion” is on display at the Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11238 until October 22, 2023.

Content Courtesy of Art Net News & NFH

Nairobi Brings Fashion and Art Together: Nairobi Fashion Week And Chez Sonia Collaborate To Host A One-of-a-kind Afternoon Event On April 21st.

On April 21st, 2023, Nairobi Fashion Week sponsored a one-of-a-kind afternoon event that blended the worlds of fashion and art while presenting the “JUST fashion” campaign at Chez Sonia.
This event promised to be a feast for the senses and delivered, with spectacular visual art displays from Little Art Gallery, live music, and a fashion show featuring five selected designers, Deepa Dosaja, Inna Design, Kenya Nashipai Leather, Normand Ayats, and Maisha.

Nisria brought together outstanding artists and designers to create an extraordinary day of creativity and beauty.

The event also included a panel discussion on sustainable fashion moderated by media personality Yvonne Ndege, with Katrin Aidnell, the Regional Environment and Climate Change Specialist, Betterman Simidi, the General Manager of Africa Collect Textiles, and Deepa Dosaja, a pioneer in a sustainable fashion.
The conversation centered on the necessity for a fair and environmentally friendly transformation of the country’s fashion industry.

The Nairobi Fashion Week campaign “JUST fashion,” the ultimate aim of which is to support the country’s fashion sector in its JUST, i.e. environmentally sustainable and socially equitable, transition feature’s four advocacy and promotional areas throughout 2023,

focused on Just transition, sustainable fashion, and the protection of the Nairobi National Park.

Credits:
Video by Valde
Photography by: Levi King

Content courtesy of Nairobi Fashion Week & NFH

 

 

 

Hennessy Partners With Thriftsocial To Host Vans Day.

The best cognac in the world, Hennessy, and Thrift Social, a website that encourages creativity and the discovery of music and fashion, teamed up to celebrate Van’s Day in Nairobi on June 24, 2022.
The concert, which featured a mix of music, fashion, art, culture, and talent, brought together fans of music and cognac at Winning Post.

DJs from Kenya including Kaneda, Jo Kisila, Chelsea Vancarter, and Maloza, as well as South African DJ UncleWaffles, provided an electrifying performance for the audience.

Eastern Africa Market Manager for Mot Hennessy, Alexandre Helaine, made the following comment during his speech: “Hennessy is excited to collaborate with Thriftsocial to develop this special experience in Kenya. This alliance intends to develop platforms for young upcoming and established artists \sand creatives to explore their talent as they boost their creativity.”

The collaboration between Hennessy and Thriftsocial provides a space for innovation and the investigation of art, music, and fashion.

Through programs like the Thriftsocial, Mr. Helaine continued, “We will continue to assist people that believe and are enthusiastic about what they do and champion the music culture.”

Hennessy extends an invitation to Never Stop Never Settle, encouraging artists, fashion aficionados, and individuals with a pioneering attitude to showcase their skills and ideas.

About Hennessy
For over 250 years, the leader in Cognac, Maison Hennessy, has shone with its remarkable know-how over the world. The brand is present in more than 130 countries, according to creator Richard Hennessy’s spirit of conquest.
Hennessy is a mainstay of the Charente economy, with its headquarters in the heart of the province.
The House’s success and longevity are built on the quality of its cognacs, each of which is the result of a one-of-a-kind process of knowledge transmission from generation to generation.
Hennessy, the first spirits house to receive ISO 14001 certification, brings together its potential for innovation and the backing of all of its partners to maintain this unique environment.

Content Courtesy African Elite Group Ltd, Hennessy, Thrift Social, & NFH

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