I spent Monday hanging out with Lusungu at the 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 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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