Trend Watch: Lagos - Africa's Cultural Nerve Center?

The 21st century has seen Africa front and centre of age old discussions on culture, art and identity, culminating in a movement - some call it a Renaissance - that is beginning to define and re-define the continent's value beyond its borders. In other words, Africa isn't just safari central or AIDS republic -- Africans and non-Africans worldwide are probing the length and breadth of Africa's unique contribution and sharing their findings and creations on some of the world's most recognized platforms. Yet, with exhibitions and shows traversing the nooks of London, New York and Vienna, Africa itself is beginning to host a small but encouraging number of them. 

Today, Fela!, the Broadway Show depicting the life and times of the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, opens at the Expo Hall, Lagos [April 20-25] and promises to be a colorful and cultural affair. Art buffs and enthusiasts are set to converge at Terra Kulture this evening where the Centre for Contempoary Art (CCA) will host a conversation with renowned Nigerian-British artist Yinka Shonibare, MBE. May 14 sees the arrival of the Austrian Lace - Nigerian Fashion exhibition, celebrating Austria and Nigeria's textile and (invariably) cultural relationship. In one sense, Lagos is shaping up to be one of Africa's most formidable cultural nerve centres, and these trends must be nurtured and fostered in across the continent or we stand the risk of appreciating Africa more outside its shores than inside -- a tragedy, if you ask us.

For further information on each event:

Yinka Shonibare

Fela!

Lace in Lagos

- SLiq

Photos: Yinka Shonibare, Broadway, Silke Jurkowitsch

Inspired: Mara Hoffman meets Ndebele

The first thought that occurred to us when we saw Mara Hoffman's latest swimwear collection was: "Oooooh, Ndebele!" (yes, really):

[Ndebele wall art common among the South Ndebele people of South Africa]

Wouldn't you agree? Between the geometry, symmetry and colours, we find the art-meets-Africa-meets-swimwear execution very exciting and refreshing indeed. And then there are the wonderful "crack" batiks common in parts of Africa and Indonesia, all simply and stunningly accessorized with layered beads. Feels like summer already.

 Don't you just LOVE it?

XO

Photos:

Fashionologie

Google

Who Wore What: Liya Kebede in LemLem

Liya Kebede at A Tribute To The Models Of Versailles wearing Lem Lem Poncho

The first thing that probably comes to mind when one thinks about Liya Kebede is super model - and perhaps all-round super woman comes a very close second. Following a trip back home to Ethiopia in 2007, Liya founded Lem Lem - a label of ethically-produced pieces that keep the tradition of weaving alive in Ethiopia:

Supermodel / actress and World Health Organisation's Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Liya Kebede discovered that traditional weavers in her native country of Ethiopia were losing their jobs due to a decline in local demand for their goods and wanted to do something about it. Recognizing the beauty, quality and historic significance of their work, Liya started Lemlem in 2007 as a way to inspire economic independence in her native country and to preserve the art of weaving...[Lem Lem]

The Handmade Process

Today, Lem Lem's handmade goodness has made its way all over the world and is stocked in several stores and online at Barneys, J.Crew, Les Nouvelles, Lem Lem and Net-a-Porter (coming soon).

Lem Lem's Kalkidan Poncho

At Shop Liquorice, there's a special place in our hearts reserved for brands than not only reference Africa in their work and produce their pieces in Africa, but also brands that preserve traditions and cultures unique to the continent. We're excited about Lem Lem -- are you?

XO

Photos courtesy of:

YBF

Lem Lem