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African designers go global

Written by: G Kofi Annan

Article Overview: The International Herald Tribune published a good article about a new generation of enterprising African artisans who are creating cosmopolitan designs referencing Africana.

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African designers go global

The International Herald Tribune published a good article about a new generation of enterprising African artisans who are creating cosmopolitan designs referencing Africana. The article highlights Ethiopian designer Sara Abera and Kenyan Julia Doig who has been successful in redesigning the kikoi, a traditional Kenyan wrap, for the global market.

The article makes a good point about how African brands can compete in the global design market using heritage and local craftsmanship as a selling point. This is a good point considering most African countries cannot compete with Asia when it comes to providing cheap, skilled labor and an robust industrial production. Popular apparel lines are further solidifying this point by looking to African craftsmen for just that. Premium denim line PRPS promotes it’s use of African cotton in it’s $200+ jeans, while Edun, founded by Ali Hewson (wife of U2’s Bono) and denim designer Rogan Gregory, proudly publicizes it’s use of family-run factories in South America and Africa for production of its collection which is sold at stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Fred Segal.

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Home > African-Accounts > G Kofi Annan > African designers go global
Article Tags: African countries, enterprising African artisans, Julia Doig, Rogan Gregory, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sara Abera, The International Herald Tribune

About the Author: G Kofi Annan
RSS for G Kofi's articles - Visit G Kofi's website

G. Kofi Annan is a Ghanaian creative director and strategist (cultural trends, marketing, branding) who specializes in the emerging African market. He is the principal of Annansi LLC, a boutique consultancy which bridges the gap between the African market and the global community. Annansi LLC produces both Annansi Chronicles and Annansi Clothing Co., a premium streetwear apparel line. Kofi is an active board member of the African Film Commission, and has appeared and been quoted in influential media outlets including Reuters, FastCompany.com, Inc. Magazine, PSFK.com, i-D Magazine, The Source Magazine, Complex.com, VH1, and BET. He is currently researching a book on the relationship between Africa’s brand image and foreign investments.

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