Celebrating African Artisans: A Necessary Spotlight

In a world where fashion trends rapidly change, and mass production often overshadows traditional craftsmanship, highlighting the work of African artisans is not just a choice but a necessity. This blog focuses on designers collaborating with African artisans, shedding light on their invaluable contributions to the fashion industry and preserving cultural heritage. These collaborations ensure that artisans receive proper credit and compensation, promoting a more ethical and sustainable fashion ecosystem.

Fashion has a long history of drawing inspiration from cultural heritage, often without acknowledging or compensating the original creators. Fast fashion brands are notorious for appropriating artisanal techniques and designs, frequently leaving the communities that developed these skills unrecognized and uncompensated. This exploitation perpetuates economic imbalances and undermines the rich cultural legacies embedded in these traditions.

Highlighting designers who work with African artisans is crucial not only for ethical reasons but also for fostering a deeper appreciation of the intricate craftsmanship and cultural narratives behind each piece. These collaborations offer a platform for artisans to showcase their heritage and artistry to a global audience, empowering them economically and creatively. By bringing these stories to the forefront, we encourage consumers to make more informed and responsible choices, thereby contributing to a fashion industry that values quality, sustainability, and cultural integrity.

SankoShi

SankoShi, founded by Sophie Sankoh in 2022, blends vibrant Rwandese craftsmanship with contemporary design. The brand name combines the Kinyarwanda word for ​‘handbag’, isakoshi, and Sophie’s surname. SankoShi is not just about selling products; it’s a social entrepreneurship project. Sophie collaborates with non-profits like Empower the Future and Love To Help, which support Rwandese street children and women, providing them with professional skills and essentials.

All SankoShi handbags and other products are sourced from local Rwandese traders. Sophie personally travels through Rwanda to hand-pick the best materials and aesthetics, ensuring each piece is a true representation of traditional African skill infused with a modern twist. This hands-on approach guarantees high quality and authenticity in every item.

SankoShi products are available in Wetteren and at various Belgian festivals and events like AFRORUSH and Fair Fashion Fest Ghent. Additionally, customers can shop through their webshop and Instagram page.

Kibibi

Kibibi was born from An’s travels to Kenya and Malawi, where she encountered talented jewellery makers without a platform. She was captivated by their beautiful creations and decided to bring their work to Belgium. Kibibi’s jewellery is fair trade, handcrafted by Ugandan artisans, and made from upcycled or natural materials, ensuring responsibility and uniqueness.

She purchases the jewellery directly from the makers at fair prices, ensuring ethical working conditions. This direct trade model allows her to guarantee that each piece supports the artisans and their communities. Additionally, the ​‘hANdremade collection’ features jewellery that she repairs or creates from loose beads and recycled materials.

Their collections are available online, where customers can explore the diverse and ever-changing range of materials and designs.

Afriek

Afriek, founded in 2013, aims to create a fair partnership within their community by providing tailors in Rwanda with better incomes. The clothing is made in their Kigali workshop, where they ensure ethical and fair working conditions. This close-knit approach allows them to maintain high standards and a personal connection with our artisans.

They use organic cotton and work with social organizations in Tanzania for their materials. Their commitment to sustainability extends to every part of their production, from using water-based inks for printing to choosing plastic-free packaging. They also plan to recycle old Afriek garments in a circular fashion.

Afriek clothing is available at LENA Fashion Library and through their online platforms. 

Binti

Binti, founded by Adhi Lauwers, is a unique multi-brand pop-up store in Antwerp that curates diverse and responsible brands from Africa and beyond. The name Binti, meaning ​‘Daughters’ in Swahili, reflects their commitment to celebrating and empowering women through fashion.

Binti offers a vibrant array of products, including colourful bags, shoes, jewellery, and home decor. Each brand they feature is chosen for its commitment to sustainability and ethical practices, providing customers with high-quality, culturally rich items.

Customers can visit their pop-up store in Antwerp or explore our collection online. They aim to provide an immersive experience that highlights the culture and authenticity of the brands they showcase.

Highlighting designers who work with African artisans is crucial in promoting ethical fashion and preserving cultural heritage. Brands like SankoShi, Kibibi, Afriek, and Binti exemplify how sustainable and fair partnerships can thrive, offering consumers unique, high-quality products while ensuring artisans are fairly compensated and recognized. By supporting these brands, we contribute to a more balanced and respectful fashion industry that honours the rich traditions and skills of African artisans. If you want to read more about this topic outside of the context of just Africa, check out our blog about cultural heritage.