Thuku-Benzinge’s Umutoni: The Jewelry Brand Crafting Its Own Luxury
Umutoni Thuku-Benzinge is curating her own definition of luxury. One deeply rooted in her Kenyan and Rwandan heritage, and grounded in her passion for jewelry, social impact, and craftsmanship. As a fashion entrepreneur, she is the founder of the eponymous jewelry brand Umutoni, known for its East African storytelling and minimalist design language. Born and […]
Threads of Influence IV: The Elegance of Defiance
The art of tailoring has long been a site of Black resistance, elegance, and reinvention. From the studied poise of precolonial kings to the audacious flamboyance of the Sapeurs, tailoring has shaped how the world sees Black style — and how Black people see themselves. The 2025 Met Gala theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, affirms […]
Threads of Influence III: The Sapeurs of Congo
Before a Sapeur steps into the street, the decision has already been made: to show up in the world not just dressed, but composed. Every detail is deliberate—the texture of the suit, the weight of a cane, the tilt of a hat. It’s a ritual of style, but also a quiet refusal. Because in Brazzaville […]
Homecoming Festival 2025: Lagos Culture on Full Display
Over the past eight years, Homecoming has established itself as a cultural convergence point that redefines youth identity across the continent and its diaspora. Founded by cultural curator Grace Ladoja in 2017, the annual multi-day event returns each year to Lagos in grand style. It seamlessly blends music, fashion, sport, and art—creating a hybrid space […]
My Father’s Shadow: Nigeria’s First Official Cannes Selection and the Team Behind It
African cinema is finally commanding the attention it has long deserved. The shift is visible, and it is accelerating. Last year, C.J. Obasi’s Mami Wata premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where cinematographer Lílis Soares received the Special Jury Prize for Cinematography in the World Dramatic Competition. Now, in 2025, My Father’s Shadow, a feature […]
Craft West Africa at Milan Design Week 2025
A decade ago, it might’ve been unimaginable to envision African design expanding across global platforms and shaping the future of design. But today, it’s clear: Africa is no longer on the sidelines—it’s leading. Milan Design Week remains one of the most anticipated events in the global design calendar. It’s a stage for innovation, where the […]
HERitage: Celebrating African Female Changemakers
In conversation with Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye founder and CEO of Ami Colé, now Executive Vice President of Skims’ beauty and fragrance business.
A Lucid Abidjan Dream: Leslie Barbedette’s Hybride Studio Redefines Minimalism
A carefree scroll through Hybride Studio’s Instagram account leaves one thing lingering in the mind – a lucid Abidjan dream. Perhaps it’s the portraits of models in black off-shoulder blouses or flowing overlay pants, posed with poise against warm, monochrome backgrounds. But above all, it’s the effortless elegance that speaks loudest, boldly telling Guzangs that […]
How Influencer Culture Rewrote the Story of African Fashion
We rarely pause to reflect on what it meant to run a fashion business decades ago. Before the rise of social media—and even before the internet itself—African designers relied on tangible, high-effort avenues to drive sales: showcasing collections at fashion weeks, selling through physical retail stores, and promoting through magazine spreads. Television placements, though rare, […]
Kimathi Mafafo’s Art Weaves Stories of Womanhood, Healing, and Identity
There is a certain mystique attached to artists who draw inspiration from pain. It places them in a different realm—allowing them to tap into a deeper creative source and forge an intimate connection with those who experience their work. This holds true for Kimathi Mafafo, the South African multidisciplinary artist whose medium of choice is […]