Highlights:
- Crystal Palace Names Ghanaian Kenny Annan-Jonathan Premier League Creative Director via Hypebeast
- Labrum London Collaborates with Guinness for Summer Collection via FashionUnited
- Mr Eazi Announces Global Art Exhibitions in Lagos, Accra, New York, and London for Upcoming Album via Hypebeast
- London's Next Alt-Jazz Superstar: muva of Earth via TheFace
- The Elaborate Carvings by Sthenjwa Luthuli Depicts Ancient African Traditions via Colossal
- South Africa's Sneaker Mania: From Converse to Bathu via OkayAfrica
- Johnnie Walker and Air-ink launch Keep Walking Lagos Bottle via BellaNaija
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Crystal Palace Names Ghanaian Kenny Annan-Jonathan Premier League Creative Director
London's Crystal Palace Football Club has appointed Kenny Annan-Jonathan as the Premier League's first creative director to oversee apparel collections and fashion partnerships. With a fashion and design background, Annan-Jonathan, founder of sports marketing agency The MailRoom, will lead innovative projects, beginning with launching Crystal Palace's Fall/Winter 2023 collection, aiming to expand beyond traditional sports merchandise and enhance the team's fan base. This trend follows moves by other clubs, like Red Star, to leverage creative collaborations for global exposure.
Labrum London Collaborates with Guinness for Summer Collection
Labrum London, winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design 2023, has launched a limited-edition summer capsule collection in collaboration with the Irish alcohol brand Guinness. The collection pays homage to Sierra Leonean social traditions, featuring a co-created print inspired by Labrum founder Foday Dambuya's Freetown memories. The collection includes apparel and accessories, with public workshops planned to celebrate unity.
Mr. Eazi Announces Global Art Exhibitions in Lagos, Accra, New York, and London for Upcoming Album
Nigerian artist Mr. Eazi plans to showcase bespoke artworks by 13 African artists, each paired with a track from his upcoming album. Group exhibitions in Lagos, Accra, New York, and London will feature the artworks, emphasising Eazi's dedication to creativity. The artist's meteoric rise in the music world includes collaborations with global stars. His London exhibition will coincide with the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair at Somerset House in October, while the album is set for release on October 27.
London's Next Alt-Jazz Superstar: muva of Earth
Davina Adeosun-Bright, known as muva of Earth, creates empowering and vulnerable music with her debut EP "Align with Nature's Intelligence." The project blends neo-soul, jazz, and Afrofuturism with spiritual and meditative elements, exploring growth and alignment with nature. The standout track "hear me above" is uplifting, while "your intuition is your friend" transitions into lively jazz percussion. Adeosun-Bright aims to evoke relaxation, empowerment, and openness in her listeners.
The Elaborate Carvings by Sthenjwa Luthuli Depicts Ancient African Traditions
Artist Sthenjwa Luthuli's exhibition "Inzalo Ye Langa: Birthplace of the Sun" at Unit London draws inspiration from the enigmatic structure "Inzalo Ye Langa" in South Africa. Luthuli's hand-carved wood art explores African culture, history, and folklore, with intricate geometric patterns and headless figures symbolizing ancestral connections and the continuous cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The exhibition, on view in London until August 24, reflects Luthuli's contemplation of the human spirit and the essence of individuals.
South Africa's Sneaker Mania: From Converse to Bathu
South Africa's sneaker culture is transforming, with local brands like Bathu and Drip Footwear gaining prominence. Sneakers have become a key part of the fashion landscape, with Bathu and Drip Footwear leading the way. Events like "Sneaker Exchange" and the resale market contribute to the evolving sneaker scene. Brands' authenticity and connection to local stories drive their success, with collaborations with musicians playing a crucial role.
Johnnie Walker and Air-ink launch Keep Walking Lagos Bottle
Johnnie Walker, one of the best prominent Scotch Whisky brands, has released a limited edition Lagos bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label, designed by Nigerian artist Victor Ehikhamenor. The bottle uses ink from air pollution captured from Lagos, promoting environmental innovation. The Keep Walking City collection showcases global cities through distinctive designs, showcasing the fusion of art and innovation. The project features artists from various cities, including Delhi, Bangkok, Warsaw, Madrid, Mexico City, Istanbul, Taipei, Costa Rica, and Seoul.
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