Buki Akib
Richly hued colour, clashing pattern and texture you can’t help but want to reach out and run you hands against, signal the energetic vibrancy of knitwear label Buki Akib.

A graduate of Central Saint Martin’s, highly experimental designer Buki Agbakiaka’s work is bold, unique and extravagant. Her recent menswear capsule collection entitled ‘FELA’ was inspired by the pulsating rhythm of the Afro Beat movement, taking the viewer back to a decadent 1970’s Lagos music scene dominated by the pioneering musician Fela Kuti. Fela Kuti’s legendary style was distinctive and heralded a new era of showmanship in the West and Pan-Africa music scene.

Highly innovative the ‘FELA’ collection captures a moment in time, drawing on the past to fashion the future and portrays the influence Buki’s Nigerian heritage plays within her creative process. ‘FELA’ is the visual expression of the effect the music had on Buki whilst conducting her research into the genre… and Fela Kuti’s influence is everywhere; from the colour palettes interspersed with shiny lurex, the eclectic mix of textures; to the style of the clothing in bold high waisted trousers, flamboyant tasseled jackets and knitted swimming trunks.

Buki's style combs traditional knitting methods with African fabrics to create new, luxurious fabrics and sees her trademark of experimenting with creating three-dimensional patterns, by wrapping viscose yarns onto silk and cotton yarn. 

... An unapologetic style, 'FELA' celebrates a personality and the excitement of life. 

Recreate
I ABSOLUTELY love this chair… it’s cute, fun and very quirky... all the things I like… and when I first saw it, it brought a smile to my face. A product of Recreate a company, which gives a new lease of life to objects that have outgrown their original purpose; its just the thing to add some character to an uninviting hallway or  romantic nostalgia to a sumptuous boudoir.

Ingeniously and lovingly recycling pieces of discard junk by skillfully turning them into unique furniture, lighting and interior accessories; Katie Thompson started the aptly titled, Recreate in 2009 following a passion for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. Beautifully crafted, Recreate’s interior design range is eclectic; a nod to Katie’s self-described tendencies as a hoarder of all things useless, impractical, colourful, shiny and broken.

For me personally it the vintage suitcases and boxes turned into trendy chairs that captured my imagination. To bear body weight the suitcase’s internal structure is steel reinforced and generously upholstered in a variety of fabrics from patterns to plain colours and then finished off with some decorative feet. I’m not sure how high the chair below is, but I can immediately see several around a dining room table, or just at the opposite ends - the legs could probably be made longer though, as Katie does customised creations.

Or what about this vintage hatbox turned into a stylish, retro ottoman with concealed storage. 

Although I am not one heavily into buying all things preloved... I tend to admire and then wonder what I'd do with it... there are some real treasures to be found and if you do see something you like, you will need to snap it up fast as usually once its gone, it gone (although similar styles can be recreated!).

Sandstorm Kenya
Starting life as a maker of luxury tents for East Africa’s leading safari camps, Sandstorm Kenya progressed to creating a range of safari-grade bags and accessories inspired by Kenya’s breathtaking landscape and resilient wildlife. Using the same traditional skills and materials found in the tents, Sandstorm Kenya’s bags, shown off with some stunning photography are comfortingly familiar; the embodiment of the classic explorer-style safari look I was accustomed to seeing throughout shops in the cities, hotels and resorts up and down Zimbabwe and I even owned a similar-style holdall, given as a leaving gift when I came to the UK.

Based just outside Nairobi, Sandstorm Kenya initially created their timeless creations for local residents and people visiting for safari, but their reputation has since grown outside Kenya's borders appealing to those seeking the safari look and products are now stocked at discerning retailers worldwide. Products are made using the finest East African materials including: Kenyan cowhides; camel hides from sustainable-farmed sources in Kenya’s Northern Frontier district; 18 oz safari-grade canvas made from 100% cotton that is grown, milled and manufactured in Tanzania; and soft cotton drill lining from Kenya. In addition their Scottish Estate Tweed collection uses tweed from Johnstons in Scotland. 

Each bag is handmade and comes with a lifetime guarantee. Standstorm Kenya stands out in that it has no production line; instead employing the skills of craftsmen and women predominantly from the Luo tribe from the shores of Lake Victoria who are renowned for their stitching and finishing skills, traditionally honed whilst working on fishing nets and weaving. Operating an open door policy Sandstorm Kenya invites you to visit the workshop for yourself and see how they operate.

Combining durability with luxury, the bags for men and women are practical whether you are roaming the majestic plains of Africa or prowling the urban jungle.

…characteristically safari.

Landry&Arcari
In a blend of cultures, the richly textured raffia cloths of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Kuba and Shoowa people provided the inspiration for a range of Tibetan weave rugs hand-woven in Nepal. The rugs use Tibetan wool, mohair and silk and capture the distinctive iconic designs through the patterns, textures and colours. The silk is used in the lines of the designs and shimmers as it catches the light. Landry & Arcari the company behind the rugs, created the range as a way to pay homage to what they felt was a rich but under-appreciated African textile tradition in the wider world, creating greater awareness through their craft.

I say nothing beats the original, but I think these are ideal if you are looking to commission the design to cover furniture like a sofa or the headboard for a bed, as I find that the original Kuba and Shoowa designs in the raffia fabrics can be quite delicate when it comes to daily wear and tear. Having said that I have two original squares framed and hung on the wall and they do look stunning. 

Specialising in hand-woven Oriental rugs and broadloom carpets, Landry & Arcari is a family run business in the US that has galleries located in Boston and Salem. Landry & Arcari offer a custom service should you require a specific size or design to be reproduced.

Lodge des Collines de Niassam
Sandals got me dreaming of sun, sea and sand and so led me to this stunning image of Lodge des Collines de Niassam in Palmarin, Senegal; four hours from the vibrant capital Dakar.

Senegal sits at Africa’s most westerly point on the Atlantic Ocean, and is a beautiful country with a diverse landscape; and although a country marked with a poignant past, it is today a place brimming with optimism. In a tranquil setting, the unique Lodge des Collines de Niassam captures the spirit of getting away from it all and was established in 2002 by Sylvie and Jean Pierre, who describe it as a magical place for dreamers (…me), gourmets and meditators. Surrounded by majestic baobabs, thirteen individually designed rooms make up the Lodge; each with private terraces to maximise spectacular sunrises and sunsets. You can chose from family rooms, traditionally styled earth huts, lagoon huts on stilts or if prefer nestle in a cabin entwined in the arms of the mighty baobab. 

Unwind by taking a dip in the pool, swimming in the lagoon or if you are feeling a bit more energetic the ocean is a half hour’s walk away. Let birdsong serenade you while taking in the 360 degree views. Embracing natural produce, in the restaurant you will find cuisine using Bissap (an organic plant often used to make tea), fruit from the baobab, tamarind fruit and of course fresh fish bought from local fishermen's catches of the day. Aware of the impact tourism can have on a place, the emphasis here is on living at one with nature and creating a sustainable environment for the Lodge and community in which it resides. Mindful of the effects on the environment the Lodge is run on solar power, providing a continuous supply of electricity aided with a wind turbine to allow for energy at night during windy periods. Recycling from kitchen to water waste is in place. Rooms are designed to invite the outside in and vice versa, blurring the lines between interior and exterior to create harmony. The owners participate in fairly trading with the local community members who supply produce; and handicrafts are sold commission free in the Lodge’s shop. Guides come from the local village and bring with them their knowledge of the area, traditions and customs and guests are encouraged to participate in responsible eco-tourism, with opportunities to get involved, experiencing local life as well as the ecological initiatives. 

.. naturally blissful.

Missibaba
Granted when it comes to women’s footwear there is so much more to choose from than men’s, and with the mercury rising as summer approaches people will be looking towards a more relaxed laidback approach, especially if lucky enough to go on holiday. So if you are a guy shopping for yourself or a woman looking to spoil your man, then Missibaba is branching into men’s accessories with a new range of men’s sandals, perfect for the lazy summer days ahead, that I spotted on the blog, Man of the Cloth.

With all the signature hallmarks of Missibaba’s style, the sandals are made of leather with yellow suede inners and come in colours ways of charcoal or pale camel and charcoal. There is also a more colourful pair of Espisands sandals in pale camel and grey/blue leather with bold red and blue zigzag sides also in leather. Available in sizes 7(42)-11(46), the sandals are made-to-order via the Missibaba website and if you need some cues on how to wear them, then look to menswear designer Stiaan Louw’s recent fashion show where models wore the sandals to accessorize the collection... very nice! 

To find out more about Missibaba refer to a previous on their other accessories here.

…they look super comfy too…

Emerald Fish
I have always thought that a sumptuously decorated Bedouin tent in the middle of the desert is so wonderfully mystical and incredibly romantic. Although the complete look may be too much to bring into the home, a few well-chosen items can help capture the spirit of the look, whether it is for a few hours of entertaining or permanently placed. Enter Emerald Fish, a gem of a boutique that I discovered this morning on Aphro Chic (one of my favourite reads) whose selected items from Morocco will add a touch of colourful elegance to your living space. Emerald Fish refers to itself as a ‘global style collective’ and its stylish owner; Heddie Chu sources her chic, sometimes one-of-a-kind pieces from across the globe. The stylish product offerings include home décor, gift items and accessories such as jewellery. 

Let the sunshine catch the glass, casting beautiful shadows across your entertaining space with jewel-toned tea glasses that can be used for any beverage. My sister has a thing for apothecary jars and Emerald Fish has some Moroccan inspired ones in a gorgeous emerald coloured glass.

The elegant yet comfy-looking poufs are great for placing around your home to add a touch of pattern, colour and personality. Especially ideal if you have limited space that is unsuitable for bulky furniture, but need additional seating.

…fabulously chic!

Tamacali
Tamacali is a creative enterprise that draws on the ancient jewellery traditions of Malian Dogon, Tuareg and Togolese tribes. Seeking to bring together the talented artisans from these tribes Tamacali was founded in 2005 by Tetou Gologo, a Malian contemporary artist and the enterprise produces some amazing jewellery pieces that have a fresh modern feel without losing the heritage of the past.

With the desire to develop a great Malian company owned by a woman, Tetou herself draws inspiration from the sights, sounds, smells and colours of a vibrant energetic Mali and says her designs reflect herself as a Malian woman proud of her past, walking proudly in the present and looking to building the future. Working as an artist Tetou came to jewellery design by chance when accompanying some friends who wanted to explore Mali, and found herself in an Aladdin’s cave surrounded by assorted objects and trinkets included pearls, which she was familiar with from her Grandma, her mother’s and aunts collections.

Tetou and the artisans she employs, work with various materials including: silver, ebony, bronze, leather; along with pearls, colourful stones and beads in assorted shapes and sizes. All gathered from various sources and combined to create unique, beautiful and eye-catching symmetrical and asymmetrical jewellery. Local know-how and tradition appear in the form of style inspiration and detailing such as the clasps used, which were inspired by an accessory for horses hailing from the Dogon country; this is now a defining hallmark of Tamacali jewellery.

Tamacali is ultimately about teamwork, solidarity and reflecting Mali with each piece that is created, so not only working to preserve a heritage the artisans earn living of five times the Malian minimum wage and this has seen some use the money to attend school. Tamacali also provides employees with medical services, annual vacation and daily meals. I am a bit of a magpie when it comes to beads and all things jewellery related and having created jewellery myself I can appreciated the time, effort and skill that goes into making each piece.

 ... some of these designs are just simply regal.

Bunmi Koko
It was great seeing Scottish/Nigerian designer Bunmi Olaye on one of the UK’s leading news channels, ITV during their coverage of the Royal Wedding. She was a guest commentator, invited to discuss the wedding gown designed by Alexander McQueen’s Sarah Burton and I think this opportunity was definitely an indicator of her growing recognition as a designer of note within the international fashion industry.

Bunmi Olaye is the highly talented creator of Bunmi Koko; a name with a rather special and beautiful meaning behind it. Bunmi refers to her name and means ‘God gave me' in Yoruba; and Koko meaning ‘my other half’ in Efik (another Nigerian dialect), refers to the affectionate nickname given to her by her partner Francis Udom. Founded in 2009, the company specialises in luxury ready-to-wear and bespoke collections.

Bunmi recently launched a bridal collection making her presence on the Wedding day highly relevant; however although based in Aberdeen, Scotland; Bunmi Koko is also seen as one of Africa’s celebrated and well-known luxury fashion houses. With a flair for the dramatic; exquisite detailing and tailoring are the hallmarks of Bunmi Koko’s sculptural designs. Handmade to suit each client’s needs, clothes are cut to enhance and flatter the female form. Not only are Bunmi's clothes impeccably tailored they are also visually stunning... just look at those gorgeous shades of orange and violet.

With a view to creating a complete luxury lifestyle brand, Bunmi Koko also has subsidiaries in South America, South Africa and London; retailing a growing portfolio of products ranging from: footwear, lingerie, accessories, eyewear and swimwear to name a few.

Bunmi Koko has a sub-brand that offers artistic illustrations for: fashion, media, gift cards. books and exhibitions; making the company slogan ‘Luxuria, Art, Elegans’ (Luxury, Art, Elegance) totally apt.

…Bunmi Koko is sexy, flamboyant and above all cutting-edge.

Thembi Mabule
Just emerging from a nice long, and I must say rather eventful, bank holiday weekend given current world events. While watching the pomp and ceremony; and fashions of Friday’s Royal wedding it became apparent that hats, 'the Fascinator' in particular were the real stars of the show, if the continuous streams of tweets and blog posts were anything to go by. The Fascinators were a big hit with the American audiences which surprised me a little as they have been hugely popular in the UK for the last decade, if not more and I assumed that they were a big trend in America too.

Headwear in Africa has long been culturally significant and can denote things like status. More contemporary styles have grown in popularity and speaking as a Southern African I can say no Zimbabwean wedding is complete without a spectacular display of hats and fascinators especially from the immediate families... and who can forget the image back in 1994 of Zinani Mandela who was her father’s escort to his inauguration as president, I clearly remember thinking at the time… what a hat! So with that in mind I went on the hunt for some of Africa’s finest milliners and came across the gorgeously feminine creations of Thembi Mabule. 

Thembi is a milliner based in Pretoria, South Africa and started her career in 2008. Thembi's creations are in demand by a discerning clientele who require a stunning creation when attending some of South Africa’s prestigious events. Naming her company Thembi Mabule; designs are glamorous, elegant, theatrical and flamboyant garnering international press from CNBC to features in an Australian millinery magazine as a representative of the wider African millinery industry. Thembi's creations have also made an appearance on the catwalks of South Africa’s Sanlam Fashion Week. Catering for both men and women all hats are handcrafted with great attention to detail and finish. Thembi also draws private clients from across the continent namely; Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, Nigeria, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and also internationally.

Fascinators are fun and so pretty; and can pull an outfit together in an instant adding a touch of ladylike glamour and sophistication. Hats can so often be an indicator of personality so why not take the time to design your own with guidance from Thembi.

Additional Details:
For further information visit:  www.thembimabule.co.za   
Exclusive designs are also available in selected boutiques across South Africa
For order enquiries visit:  www.thembimabule.co.za