Summer Skincare Spotlight: Yes, Melanin Needs Protection Too
As the sun lingers longer and the days heat up, we shift into the season of glow —skin out, shoulders kissed by sunlight, and natural radiance at full power. But while summer is a time for movement, joy, and celebration, it’s also a time to take our skincare more seriously. For Black and brown communities, […]
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 […]
Vibrate Film Lab: Ghana’s New Haven for Analog Photography Unveiled by Surf Ghana Collective
In the 1950s, Ghana’s film photography scene burst to life, driven by pioneers like James Barnor and Felicia Abban. From Barnor’s Ever Young Studio to Abban’s trailblazing work as Ghana’s first professional female photographer, they captured a nation stepping into independence with analog cameras and darkroom magic. But as decades passed, digital technology, economic shifts, […]
The Enduring Power of the Drianké in Senegalese Culture and Art
In Senegal, particularly in the lively streets of Dakar, there is a woman whose presence commands respect and admiration. She is the “Drianké“. More than a symbol of beauty, she embodies wisdom, resilience, and leadership. Her influence stretches far beyond her carefully curated attire and radiant presence; she is the weaver of traditions, the keeper […]
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.
Nene Yaya: A Legacy of Luxury with a Soul
Marième Gaye remembers the first time she saw her sister, Nene, cradle a handbag the way one might hold something precious—a delicate heirloom, a piece of history wrapped in fine leather. Even as children, Nene had a discerning eye. While others indulged in fleeting trends, she believed in permanence. “A great handbag,” she often said, […]
The Legacy of Shea Butter: A Ritual, A Remedy, A Revolution
“Shea butter is my go-to. It’s nature’s ultimate moisturizer—pure, simple, and effective.” — Lupita Nyong’o In the ever-expanding world of beauty and self-care, few ingredients have the legacy and sheer efficacy of shea butter. Extracted from the nuts of the West African shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa), this rich, buttery elixir has been the cornerstone of […]
Bruin Feskens on Capturing Contrast, Crafting Stories, and Finding Beauty in Silence
Every tool we encounter serves a purpose in what we create as artists. In Bruin Fesken’s case, his use of light birthed a fascinating product that sparked our unique appreciation for the purity and crispness of black-and-white, with the contrast and exuberant experience of a stand-alone bold accent color. We experience the focus and characteristics […]
Our African Hairitage: Filmmaker Adanna Madueke’s documentary celebrates the uniqueness of various African hairstyles.
There is an overwhelming eloquence Adanna Madueke possesses, most especially the way she speaks about the virtues and vices of the natural hair movement; it’s seemingly calming. And as she speaks, making quick jokes intermittently, the panel room bursts into a subtle laughter. For the filmmaker, content creator and natural hair advocate, it feels like […]
Ilkhe du Toit on Material-First Design and the Journey of Salt
Image credit: Liezl Zwarts. Ilkhe du Toit’s collection Salt begins with a contradiction. The designer grew up on a sheep farm in South Africa where her family exported wool to European mills, surrounded by raw fiber that would eventually become garments. Yet the connection between the two felt invisible. “I didn’t understand how wool became […]