Curated around the theme of “Contemporary Africana”, Supafrik features artwork and other creations that re-contextualise and re-imagine traditional African aesthetics and tradition within a modern framework. Artists featured in the past have run the gamut from visual artists and photographers to sneaker designers, chefs and bookstores.
Hotshot Gallery, in the heart of Toronto’s vibrant and fiercely independent Kensington Market neighbourhood, played host to the wildly successful first installation of SUPAFRIK in the summer of 2011. The first of its kind at the time, it was featured in Elle Magazine, TheGrid and NOW Magazine and received coveted mentions in blogs like blogto and the Toronto Life. It attracted over 1500 visitors over a two week period who came to shop, peruse and participate in the on-site activities. Now in its fifth installation after making it’s well received US debut in Washington DC, SUPAFRIK is headed to Europe for the first time this summer with a tour that will take the pop-up concept to Shoreditch, London. SUPAFRIK has been wildly successful popping up in Washington DC and Toronto (where it originated in 2011) and now, it makes its debut in Paris in the Chatelet neighbourhood, from July 19- 21 before returning to North America for fall dates.
SUPAFRIK Summer2013–Flyer-LDN
Check out the video from SUPAFRIK Toronto: http://vimeo.com/32175176 and also SUPAFRIK D.C video: http://vimeo.com/52979568
Featured fashion designs include Chinedesign’s 10 year anniversary capsule collection of “remixes” and reissues which is getting an exclusive premier in London, exclusive pieces from UK based clothing “Made in Africa” label Chichia London (recently spotted on Beyonce!) whose street-smart collection is ethically manufactured in Tanzania using traditional kanga textiles and Toronto-based Ann & Arayata which refashions raffia into beautifully constructed and chic bags and purses (proceeds go towards charity work in Rwanda).
SUPAFRIK LONDON will also feature the popular “objet d’art” print wax teddies by MyriamMaxo (Paris), jewelry by Heart 365 Emporium(London), graphic tees from BLKKANGAROO (Toronto/New York) and sharply tailored menswear by Parisian labels Keve (button up shirts) and Nefer by Daniel Touhou (Italian-made bespoke suits from a former Lanvin tailor inspired by the Harlem renaissance). The art gallery will also feature original artwork and limited edition reproductions such as the pop-artinfused photorealistic paintings of renaissance man Komi Olaf whose work is nothing short of cerebral eye candy and Afrofuturistic portraits by Danilo McDowell-McCallum that masterfully deconstructs the human face.
Select featured brands (Left to Right/Top to Bottom)
1. Kévé keve.fr 2. Chichia London chichialondon.com 3. blkkangaroo blkangaroo.com
4. [center] Ann & Arayata annandarayata.com 5. MyriamMaxo myriammaxo.com
6. Chinedesign chinedesign.com 7. Heart365 Emporium heart365.co.uk
SUPAFRIK will double as a space for programmed events over the three days that it will take over the space in Old Truman Brewery. These include a Friday opening night set by top female Afrobeats DJ Aries, a “Patty Party” on Saturday and a one-off customization workshop called “Permutations” on Sunday where customers are encouraged to remix a Chinedesign image by silk-screening it onto any garment they bring or pick from a selection of blanks.
See supafrik.com for the full calendar of events and more info on the featured brands, designers and artists.
WHAT: SUPAFRIK Pop-Up Shop/Gallery
WHEN: July 19th – 21st
WHERE: Old Truman Brewery, Shoreditch, London
15 Hanbury Street (Use Els Yard Entrance) E1 6QR
OPENING NIGHT: Friday July 19th 6PM -10PM
About Chinedesign:
Chinedesign was founded by Chinedu Ukabam. Also known as musician, Eye + Eye, his foray into the fashion scene began with a production of T-shirts to promote the release of his “Love.Life.Music” album. Without any prior fashion industry experience or exposure, the “Love.Life.Music” T-shirt sold over 300 units in Toronto alone. Today, Chinedesign has expanded from just graphic T’s to a full collection that has been sold in boutiques from Toronto to Tokyo. Infused with inspiration from his upbringing in Nigeria, the UK, Dubai and Canada, Chinedu’s designs have been featured in magazines such as Eye Weekly, Sway and recently on the cover of NOW Magazine with Canadian supermodel Stacey McKenzie, on television shows such as Entertainment Tonight, Divas and Dimes and Da Kink. Chinedu recently returned to Toronto after a two year hiatus in Paris to enhance his knowledge of the fashion business and find new inspiration for his designs. Chinedu is known for his printed textiles, all of which he now designs from scratch. Chinedesign counts K-OS, UK rapper Ty, actor Ngozi Paul and theater director Weyni Mengesha as some of its ardent fans.
Great stuff
Very nice pics