Category: Fashion

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Sneaker Pimps in South Africa

Sneaker Pimps Tour South AfricaFreshness Magazine has some pictures of the Sneaker Pimps 2006 Tour which stop in Capetown, South Africa in March. The Sneaker Pimps Exhibition is the worlds largest touring sneaker show featuring up 1000 pairs of rare, limited, artist collaborated sneakers and a collection of sneaker inspired artwork, fashion and photography.

South Africa is becoming quite the gateway to Africa, with major independent and corporate money going into it’s cultural development. Cape Town in particular is getting a lot of media attention with many article in popular magazines highlighting it’s tourist appeal. This is quite a 180 from South Africa’s previous reputation during apartheid. I hope the South Africans are able to take advantage of the attention and keep the money in South Africa.

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African designers go global

SaraAbera1.jpgThe International Herald Tribune published a good article about a new generation of enterprising African artisans who are creating cosmopolitan designs referencing Africana. The article highlights Ethiopian designer Sara Abera and Kenyan Julia Doig who has been successful in redesigning the kikoi, a traditional Kenyan wrap, for the global market.

The article makes a good point about how African brands can compete in the global design market using heritage and local craftsmanship as a selling point. This is a good point considering most African countries cannot compete with Asia when it comes to providing cheap, skilled labor and an robust industrial production. Popular apparel lines are further solidifying this point by looking to African craftsmen for just that. Premium denim line PRPS promotes it’s use of African cotton in it’s $200+ jeans, while Edun, founded by Ali Hewson (wife of U2’s Bono) and denim designer Rogan Gregory, proudly publicizes it’s use of family-run factories in South America and Africa for production of its collection which is sold at stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Fred Segal.

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Puma backs African teams for 2006 World Cup

amoah.jpgPuma announced that it has partnered with German charity United for Africa to support the African countries who are participating in this summer’s World Cup. The press conference was hosted by Ghanaian football player and journalist Anthony Baffoe (Go Ghana!). Our favorite Senegalese singer Akon was in attendance with his father Mor Thiam, and British/Nigerian artist Maxi Jazz of the group Faithless.

The press conference debuted the Puma Charity Collection designed specifically for the partnership. Additional campaign merchandise include a music CD featuring music from African and Western artists and a book “The African Game” which is a cooperation between the Nigerian fashion photographer Andrew Dosunmu and the author Knox Robinson. The book is “an affectionate and photographic homage to Africa and football”.

As a long time Puma fan, I can’t wait to see what the collection looks like. There’s also a feature on the accompanying book (The African Game) in this months Complex magazine with nice pics. I’m especially happy that Puma chose Andrew Dosunmu for the book. His work is excellent and really captures a distinct African perspective. The collection and book will be available from the end of May @ Puma concept stores.

GO GHANA!