Jan 22, 2021
When we conceived our Spring/Summer 2021, we wanted to give the world something deeply connected to our African heritage. This season we presented a deeply personal collection that explores the ancient wisdom and traditions of pre-colonial civilisations while being inspired by the creativity and innovation of Africa’s youth today. We present to you “Future Roots.”
The collection pays respect to our heritage but through a modern lens, proudly bringing Africa’s cultural past to the future. We did this by developing dynamic new textiles through extensive research into the origins of various African fabrics. For instance, our newly-introduced lace is cut from a custom-branded broderie anglaise, featuring empty portrait frames that symbolize the heroes of the past.
Elsewhere, a further sense of heritage is conveyed in the preppy tailoring of jacquard blazers, flared trousers, and pleated skirts, pieces that are reminiscent of the student style and classrooms of the 60s and 70s where the activist mindset was developed.
For SS21 we went back to our roots in more ways than one, showcasing how Africa’s oft-forgotten pre-colonial past serve as a stunning blueprint for the future.