marist-x-guzangs - Guzangs

Marist

X Guzang

Alternative Realities: Modern and Contemporary African Fashion, a View from the Continent

About This Event

Marist College, in collaboration with Steel Plant Studios & Gallery and Guzangs, presents Alternative Realities: Modern and Contemporary African Fashion, A View from the Continent. This exhibition showcases the innovation, diversity, and cultural significance of African fashion, featuring designs from fourteen acclaimed designers from Africa.

Enjoy Free Entry from September 12 to November 15 at Steel Plant Studios, Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY

Weaving Narratives Through African Fashion

Spanning from Nigeria to South Africa, these designers’ works emphasize sustainability, with textiles ranging from batik to recycled fabric scraps, showcasing the vibrant creativity shaping contemporary African fashion.

Visitors can immerse themselves in a journey of diverse styles, interactive displays, and the sounds and music of Africa, all designed to provide a deep dive into the richness and evolving narratives of African fashion.

Tap into Africa’s Creative Pulse:
An Odyssey of Art and Innovative Style

The Creative Collective

Discover a curated selection of visionary African designers whose unique collections embody the vibrant spirit and rich Traditions of the continent

Florentina Agu

HERTUNBA

Nigerian based Hertunba, founded by Florentina Agu, is a sustainable luxury couture brand that empowers women through elegant, feminine designs and a deep commitment to the environment. Combining her passion for fashion with a desire to inspire confidence, Florentina creates pieces that celebrate the strength and beauty of women. Hertunba is dedicated to sustainability, repurposing 90% of fabric waste into decor and wearable art, and supports women artisans through skill-building and fair wages. This brand is not just about fashion—it’s a force for empowerment and environmental stewardship.

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Kusi Kubi

PALMWINE IceCREAM

PALMWINE IceCREAM, the brainchild of visionary designer Kusi Kubi, is a fashion brand that defies convention, blending diverse tastes and emotions into a seamless tapestry of style. Born from Kubi’s journey back to his roots in Ghana, the brand draws its soul from Accra’s vibrant Kantamanto Market, where discarded garments are reborn into genderless pieces that exude both casual comfort and regal splendor. At its core, PALMWINE IceCREAM challenges the status quo, creating fashion that isn’t just worn but experienced. Kubi’s philosophy of "reconstruct, re-use, and reduce" turns sustainability into an art form, ensuring that every creation treads lightly on the Earth while making a bold statement. This brand isn’t content with merely fitting into the fashion landscape—it’s reshaping it. Internationally recognized for its daring approach, PALMWINE IceCREAM celebrates diversity, creativity, and the audacity to blend the unexpected, making each garment a story of innovation and cultural richness.

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Shema Gaetan

SHEMA

KAYIRANGA Gaetan SHEMA, a Rwandan creative director, visual artist, and fashion designer, seamlessly blends his rural upbringing with the vibrant energy of Kigali in his work. Born and raised in a village in Western Rwanda, Shema was deeply influenced by his mother, a tailor, and began experimenting with fabrics and objects from a young age. Now based in Kigali, he has honed his skills through collaborations with various artists and artisans. Shema’s art is a fusion of his childhood perspectives and current reality, mixing disciplines like photography, fashion, and painting to express his emotions and life experiences.

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Ahmed Al-Saedi

MAISON SAEDI

SAEDI, founded in 2012 by Egyptian designer Ahmed Al-Saedi, is a leading fashion brand celebrated for its bold and original haute couture and ready-to-wear pieces. Inspired by the “soft warrior woman,” a persona reflecting strength and femininity, SAEDI's designs are a tribute to women's empowerment. The brand is known for its unique use of fabrics, innovative cuts, and striking designs that resonate with women, celebrities, and international figures alike. Each SAEDI garment tells a story, contributing to a larger narrative of empowerment and leaving a lasting impact on the Egyptian and global fashion landscape.

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Tasakani Mashaba

HAMETHOP

Johannesburg, South Africa, is home to Hamethop, a visionary brand founded by Tsakani Mashaba that reimagines the coexistence of multiple realities through fashion and design. By questioning the nature of existence and embracing the fluidity of answers, Hamethop invites individuals to define and create themselves. The brand draws inspiration from contemporary art, architecture, and time, crafting pieces that emphasize the liminal spaces between these disciplines. With a focus on traditional techniques and a non-linear creative process, Hamethop’s collections are both hand-woven and sculptural, offering a unique blend of creativity and autonomy. This brand is a constantly evolving space for learning, self-definition, and radical transformation, where time and creativity are seen as open-ended experiences.

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Adeju Thompson

LAGOS SPACE PROGRAMME

Adeju Thompson, the creative force behind Lagos Space Programme, fuses his Yoruba heritage with a forward-looking, queer lens to craft a future culture that transcends borders. His label, born from his journey back to Nigeria, redefines narratives by blending traditional Yoruba craft with global influences. Thompson’s work has garnered international acclaim, including the 2023 International Woolmark Prize and recognition from both Vogue 100 and BoF 500. Lagos Space Programme stands as a bold experiment in design, rooted in tradition yet unbound by convention, offering a glimpse into a future of limitless possibilities.

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Aton Tsiba Ntsaha

MOULANDZAOU

Moulandzaou, founded by Congolese designer Aton Tsiba, is more than just a clothing brand—it’s a powerful narrative of resilience, identity, and pride in one’s roots. Named after the village where Aton was born during the turmoil of the 1999 civil war, Moulandzaou symbolizes his journey from shame to empowerment. The brand blends sportswear, streetwear, and tailoring, while embracing sustainability through the innovative use of upcycled materials like old denim. Moulandzaou’s commitment to creativity and eco-conscious design has earned it recognition on both local and international stages. Each piece from Moulandzaou is a unique expression of African heritage, meticulously crafted to blur the lines between tailoring and streetwear, celebrating the rich cultural identity of Congo.

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MUYISHIME

Muyishime

Muyishime, founded by Muyishime Eddy Patrick in 2016, is a Nairobi-based sustainable luxury brand that defies conventional gender norms with its innovative, sculptural designs. Focused on androgyny and gender fluidity, the brand offers a powerful recalibration of societal expectations, blending feminine and masculine elements seamlessly. Muyishime's bold use of bright colors and dramatic silhouettes in gowns and signature palazzo pants speaks to a vision of liberation, transformation, and timeless elegance. The brand's adaptable clothing also addresses the crisis in self-confidence, making it a fearless and inclusive force in contemporary fashion.

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Katendy Godfrey

IGC FASHION

IGC Fashion, founded in 2017 by Ugandan designers Kasoma Ibrahim and Katende Godfrey, is a dynamic fashion and costume label rooted in African heritage, nature, and culture. Based in Kampala, IGC Fashion views each garment as a living, breathing piece of sculpture, a medium for expressing and questioning cultural ideas. Their work is distinguished by the use of raw, often overlooked materials like bark cloth, raffia, and sisal, which they transform into unique, sustainable garments. Beyond fashion, IGC Fashion is a catalyst for social change. Through their Community Cyphers and Workshops, they empower children, youth, and young mothers by teaching them tailoring, design, and other artistic skills, fostering creativity and self-confidence. IGC’s initiatives aim to fight unemployment and inspire the youth to explore their potential and create their own income. The brand’s commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability, and community has positioned IGC Fashion as a force for positive change in Uganda, using fashion as a powerful tool to build hope, unity, and opportunity.

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Niyi Okuboyejo

POST IMPERIAL

Post-Imperial, founded by Niyi Okuboyejo, is a brand that embodies the power of collaborative storytelling and the creation of new myths. Based in Harlem, New York, Niyi, a Nigerian-American designer, merges traditional African craftsmanship with modern, effortless style in every collection. Each piece is crafted in partnership with local African artisans, thoughtfully considering the social, environmental, and cultural impacts throughout the design process. The name Post-Imperial signifies a break from old regimes, setting a new standard in design that honors the past without romanticizing it. With a background in fashion design from Parsons and experience at prestigious houses like Oscar de la Renta, Niyi has carved out a unique space in the industry, earning recognition, including the 2020 FGI Rising Star Award in menswear. Post-Imperial is more than a brand—it's a movement to redefine the future of fashion through conscious creation and shared narratives.

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Hawi Midekissa

HAWII

Hawi Midekssa, the visionary behind HAWII, fuses her Ethiopian heritage with contemporary design to create a brand that transcends borders. Based in Paris, her work captures the essence of resilience and identity, telling powerful stories through each piece. HAWII has made its mark on global runways, celebrated for its unique blend of cultural pride and modernity, solidifying Hawi’s place as a leading voice in the world of fashion.

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Nkwo Onwuka

NKWO

Nkwo is a pioneering Nigerian artisanal brand founded by Nkwo Onwuka, dedicated to sustainable fashion and the conservation of natural resources. The brand is renowned for its innovative Dakala™ Cloth, made from upcycled materials, and its commitment to preserving traditional craft skills. Nkwo’s work has garnered international recognition, including exhibitions at the V&A Museum and the Fashion Institute of Technology. Through initiatives like the NKWO TRANSFORM PROJECT, the brand supports socio-economic development by empowering women and collaborating with local artisans. Nkwo Onwuka is a leading voice in the African fashion renaissance, celebrated for her contributions to sustainable design and cultural preservation.

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Edwin Okolo

STUDIO IMO

Studio IMO, founded by Edwin Okolo, is a trailblazing Nigerian knitwear brand that merges rich cultural heritage with bold, contemporary design. Known for its intricate craftsmanship and innovative approach, Studio IMO transforms knitwear into a powerful expression of art and storytelling, redefining the boundaries of fashion with every piece.

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Zingha Foma

NGANDE TEXTILES

Zingha Foma, the dedicated founder of Ngande Textiles, is a Cameroonian designer deeply rooted in the rich traditions of African textiles. Named in honor of her late father, Ngande Textiles is a tribute to the craftsmanship and cultural heritage that have shaped her passion since childhood. Based in Accra, Ghana, the brand specializes in authentic African batik fabrics, created by skilled artisans who use traditional hand-stamping and dyeing techniques. Zingha’s journey, from discovering her love for design at age six to pursuing a Ph.D. in African textiles and trade, has been driven by a desire to celebrate and preserve the diverse textile traditions of Africa. Each fabric from Ngande Textiles is more than just a material; it’s a story, a piece of art that embodies the beauty and diversity of African culture. Through Ngande Textiles, Zingha not only offers exquisite fabrics for clothing, accessories, and home decor but also supports the livelihoods of talented artisans, sharing the wonders of African batik with the world.

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Chelsea Odufu

Chelsea Odufu is a first-generation Nigerian and Guyanese American filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist. Her work spans film, video art, installation, and photography, exploring the preservation of Black culture and the impact of urbanization on ethnic identities. Influenced by her African and Caribbean heritage, Chelsea blends afro-futuristic imagery with poetic elements in her visually striking and intuitive pieces. A Tisch School of the Arts graduate, Chelsea has worked with Spike Lee and directed award-winning films like Ori Inu: In Search of Self and Black Lady Goddess. Her work has been showcased internationally and featured in major outlets like the New York Times.

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Bade Fuwa

Bade Fuwa is a Nigerian photographer living and working in Lagos, Nigeria. Fuwa is a self taught photographer whose images are inspired by both the complexities of nature and his own personal surroundings and experiences. Fuwa choreographs an intimacy both reminiscent and sentimental. His lens captures a tranquility recurring in his distinctive style; "Photography is the most organic way for me to express myself."

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Tickets:

Free Admission

Date and Time:

September 12th – November 15th, 2024 Monday- Saturday from 10:00am to 05:00 PM

Location:

Steel Plant Studios & Gallery, Marist College | 3399 North Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Organized by:

Marist College & Guzangs

Tags:

#Fashion #AfricanFashion #MaristCollege #Guzangs #ContemporaryDesign #CulturalDiversity #Exhibition