PHOTOGRAPH BY NICI EBERL COURTESY OF FASHION SCOUT.
PHOTOGRAPH BY NICI EBERL COURTESY OF FASHION SCOUT.
PHOTOGRAPH BY NICI EBERL COURTESY OF FASHION SCOUT.
PHOTOGRAPH BY NICI EBERL COURTESY OF FASHION SCOUT.
PHOTOGRAPH BY NICI EBERL COURTESY OF FASHION SCOUT.
PHOTOGRAPH BY NICI EBERL COURTESY OF FASHION SCOUT.
PHOTOGRAPH BY NICI EBERL COURTESY OF FASHION SCOUT.
PHOTOGRAPH BY NICI EBERL COURTESY OF FASHION SCOUT.
PHOTOGRAPH BY NICI EBERL COURTESY OF FASHION SCOUT.
PHOTOGRAPH BY NICI EBERL COURTESY OF FASHION SCOUT.
1 February 2023
SEVEN DESIGNERS / SEVEN COUNTRIES FROM ACROSS THE AFRICAN CONTINENT
About the project
Creative DNA is a British Council programme that promotes alternative and innovative approaches to the global fashion system.
Creative DNA: Africa is a British Council and Fashion Scout cultural programme consisting of an installation and a residency for seven leading and sustainable designers from across Sub-Saharan Africa travelling to London for a London Fashion Week residency in February 2023.
Creative DNA: Africa was born following the success of Creative DNA Kenya, demonstrated by the desire to offer much wider support to creative fashion businesses across the continent. The residency culminates with an installation featuring the designers' work at Fashion Scout during London Fashion Week (16th – 19th February).
Meet the Talent
ETHIOPIA: FOZIA ENDRIAS
An ethical and sustainable casual wear brand from Addis Ababa, Fozia Endrias was established by the forces of passion, enthusiasm and the drive of creating new things out of all that exists.
The brand is known for its use of pastel and earth tone colours, patches and stripes made of recycled and upcycled materials and its structural, oversized, and kimono-based designs which create the unique aesthetics Fozia Endrias is known for.
GHANA: EKUAADDO
Ekuaaddo is an Afrocentric and pluricultural fabric company that creates ready to wear and alternative style garments and accessories. The brand finds inspiration in the infusion of Pre-Columbian, Caribbean and Ghanaian cultural elements.
With the motto “fabrics that speak”, it prides itself in bringing the past to life. Family, Heritage and Tradition are the elements which keep the brand together, ensuring that stories of the past will become the present to share with those around us.
KENYA: EPICA JEWELLERY
Founded in 2015 by Sharon Wendo, EPICA jewellery finds inspiration in African culture and contemporary fashion that prides itself on being sustainable. All the pieces, ranging from earrings to body jewellery, are handmade using raw materials that are sourced locally in Kenya.
The brand focuses on supporting women in building confidence through its edgy jewellery pieces. Union. The brand has been proven popular with local and international African celebrities and has been featured in magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar Italia, Vogue Italia, GQ South Africa and Business Daily Kenya.
SENEGAL: BAAX STUDIO
BAAX is a lifestyle, sustainable brand deeply inspired by local Senegalese craftsmanship and style. Founded by Sophie Nzinga Sy, who previously dressed A-list celebrities and is the found of the brand Sophie Zinga, created BAAX as a fashion catalyst for conversations around self-worth, human connectivity and cultural identity.
The word BAAX means “heritage” or “tradition” in Wolof.To honour the brand’s sustainability values, customers will be able to exchange Sophie Zinga pieces for BAAX while the former will be repurposed into BAAX’s sustainable line.
SOUTH AFRICA: FIKILE SOKHULU
Fikile Zamagcino Sokhulu is a South African brand whose mission is to create a womenswear brand that will elevate African fashion and adorn African women.
The aesthetics are influenced by a high standard of craftsmanship with the intention of implementing femininity and movements into the design. Featured in WWD and ColorBloc Magazine, the designer speaks of the importance of sustainability and social impact in the brand’s existence which tells a story of human connections.
UGANDA: IGC FASHION
Founded in 2017 by two Ugandan fashion designers, Kasoma Ibrahim and Katende Godfrey, IGC Fashion (Ibrahim and Godfrey’s community fashion) is a fashion and costume label from Kampala inspired by African heritage, nature and culture.
The brand sees garments as moving breathing pieces of sculpture and art which can used as a vehicle for communicating and questioning ideas about cultures.
ZIMBABWE: HAUS OF STONE
HAUS OF STONE, a Zimbabwean slow-fashion brand developed by Danayi in 2018, is influenced by the fantastical. It is home to the conscious aspirational global wanderer seeking apparel that is understated, experiential and imbued with a hint of mysticism.
The brand is driven by the need to use fashion as a vehicle to narrate contemporary Zimbabwean narratives infused with heritage and cultural nuances. The brand’s 3 pillars are built upon fostering sustainable design practices, visual storytelling and experimentation through handcrafted skills.