Libsyn Directory

Ep 6 Akosua Afriyie-Kumi | Tracing the journey of turning an idea into a globally stocked ethical fashion brand

Release Date: 10/10/2019

Behind The Design

You are listening to Behind the Design the Studio Lessons. Which brings us to the end of season 4. I want to thank all of my guests for taking the time to chat and give us a behind the scenes look into their design journeys. We’ve had insightful conversations. And despite the uncertainty that continues to surround us there is a lot of hope and optimism and just getting on with things because we cannot and will not let a pandemic stop us from expressing ourselves and achieving our potential.

EP5 Natsai Audrey Chieza | Talking Design at the intersection of technology science, nature and society

Behind The Design

This is episode #5 where I am joined by designer Natsai Audrey Chieza. Natsai is a designer working at the intersection of technology science, nature and society. She is the founder of Faber Futures an R & D agency that is creating new spaces and strategies that relate to climate change and biodiversity loss, and the social structures that underpin our human survival. In our conversation, Natsai explains bio-design and the implications it has on creating better sustainable design solutions for our world.

EP 4 Dr Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri | Talks exploring the impact designers working with artisans have on their lives and bringing true sustainable value to artisanal communities

Behind The Design

This is episode #4 where I am joined by object designer and academic Dr Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri. Pam is a multi-award-winning accessories designer, educator, and author, with her own label called Vanhu Vamwe. Her experiences of working with artisans and feeling personally part of the problem of exploiting vulnerable communities led Pam to study a PhD where she could explore the impact designers working with artisans have on their lives and how to make the process better by offering true, sustainable value.

EP 3 Audrey Migot Adholla | Talking finding clarity and finding brand focus and managing a business during a global health crisis

Behind The Design

This is episode #3 where I am joined by jewellery designer Audrey Migot-Adholla. Audrey is the founder of Yala Jewellery an award-winning made in Kenya jewellery brand. In our conversation we talk about the meaning of sustainable luxury, collaborating with her artisan producers across continents, managing a business during a global health crisis, her thoughts on the spotlight being shone on black creatives as a result of Black Lives Matter.

Ep 2 Tosin Oshinowo | Talking about establishing herself as an architect, managing multiple businesses, and using insecurity as a strength

Behind The Design

You are listening to episode #2 of season 4 where I am joined by architect and product designer Tosin Oshinowo. Tosin is an architect with her own architectural practice called CM Atelier. She is also a product designer designing furniture using local fabrics under the brand Ilé Ilà. In our conversation, we talk about establishing her name as an architect, cultivating the confidence needed to win contracts and the business support essentials that have enabled her to start and managing multiple businesses.

Ep 1 Eno Jonah | Talking about sustainable luxury and her passion for artisanal heritage textiles

Behind The Design

You are listening to episode number 1 of season 4. And joining me on the show is textile designer Eno Jonah. Eno is the founder of Nzuri Textiles, a brand of exquisitely handcrafted textiles with a focus on sustainable luxury. In our conversation Eno talks about the inspiration behind her designs, what sustainable luxury means to her, preserving artisan skills, and takes us on the journey from an idea through to finished textile.

Behind The Design Welcome to Season 4

Behind The Design

Welcome to season 4 of Behind The Design.

S3 Ep 7 Studio Lessons Season Recap

Behind The Design

You are listening to Behind the Design episode #7 the Studio Lessons. Which brings us to the end of season 3. I want to thank all of my guests for taking the time to chat especially during the circumstances we currently find ourselves in to give us a behind the scenes look into their design journeys. They like most of us have experienced the upheaval and uncertainty of navigating their way through a pandemic and having to continually adapt as the world finds its way towards some sense of stability.

Ep 6 Mariatu Turay-Akar| Talking about using fashion to heal and empower women to be bold and the importance of telling our own stories

Behind The Design

You are listening to episode number 6 of season 3. And joining me on the show is Mariatu Turay-Akar. Mariatu is the founder of Gitas Portal a London-based mid-luxury fashion brand that uses vibrant African wax cloth textiles to celebrate and promote cultural diversity. We talk about using fashion to inspire and empower women to be bold, how her faith helps her to stay motivated and push past the challenges of running a business, and how Gitas Portal has become a place of healing for her clients.

Ep 5 Jomo Tariku | Talking diversity in African creativity, underrepresentation in design and being good enough to interpret our own culture

Behind The Design

You are listening to episode number 5 of season 3. And joining me on the show is Jomo Tariku. Jomo is an Ethiopian / American artist and furniture designer. His company Jomo Furnitures creates pieces inspired by classical African design icons. In our conversation, we talk about diversity in African creativity, pressing pause on his design business then reviving it, the underrepresentation of black designers in the global design world, and being good enough as African creatives to interpret our own culture.

More Episodes

This is episode 6 where I am joined by fashion accessories designer Akosua Afriyie-Kumi.

ABOUT AKOSUA:

You are listening to episode #6. And joining me on the show is Akosua Afriyie-Kumi the founder of A A K S, a fashion accessories brand that tells an exciting story of Ghana, and offers a different perspective of Africa as a whole. A A K S’s raffia bags are handmade by a women’s cooperative in Northern Ghana, and uses ethical processes inspired by old-age craft traditions. Through her brand Akosua wants the world to see how luxury and quality can grow from traditional designs and is using AAKS bags to change perceptions of Africa through fashion. She has been shortlisted as an emerging designer from Africa by Vogue Italia and has been featured in leading press titles and the A A K S collections are stocked in 20 countries and 70 stores worldwide.

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