About Us

 MISSION

To celebrate:

• Culture: the beauty and diversity of Black cultures worldwide; individual expression; and the bond within family and community;

• Creativity: unique, functional and long-lasting designs that showcase authentic African textiles and natural fibers; &

• Craftsmanship: preserving handcrafted techniques while being mindful of textile waste and its detrimental racial/ environmental impact.

We give back to a variety of organizations that align with our mission. Click here to learn more.

VISION

• Economic Justice

  Equal opportunities for the global Black community to build wealth within the fashion and textile industries. Recognition of our immense historical contributions.

• Cultural Appreciation, not Appropriation

  Respectfully indulging in different cultural arts. Listening to others tell their stories and helping to keep those stories alive.

• Conscious Consumers

  Consumers who are aware of the exploitation of African textile designs and committed to supporting authentic Black art.

• Global Accessibility

  A world in which African-made goods are not left out of the technological and logistic advancements of the time.

• Environmentally-Friendly Fashion

  Fast fashion has resulted in excess production of cheap quality textiles which easily pollute the environment. We’d like to see more investment in organic cotton farming, natural dyes and quality, artisan-made practices.

• Cultural Preservation

  Our digital archive (Blog) continuing to provide context regarding African culture and fashion for all.

• Size Inclusivity

  Affordable access to custom clothing that celebrates our unique shapes and sizes.

OUR STORY

We grew up in a Ghanaian-American household surrounded by African fabrics. Our mother would don custom-made fits for church and other outings, and we’d often help our father fold the large piece of kente cloth he’d wear around his body for special events. It was always a treat when someone traveling from Ghana would bring us a colorful outfit, made to our measurements. 

As we got older and started traveling to Ghana on our own, one of the first things we’d do (after eating all of our favorite foods) is visit different markets and stores for unique African prints.  The prints have always been valuable in our eyes—they are heirlooms within our family, a tangible way to connect to the Motherland, and a representation of her art. 

During a trip to Ghana in 2018, we learned that the majority of prints sold in the market were not actually made on the continent. Instead, many are imported (or smuggled) from Asia and Europe.

We were shocked; our intent was always to support the local economy by purchasing authentic, made in Africa goods. We soon learned the impressive history and unfortunate decline of textile manufacturing in Ghana and other African countries, and we learned how to identify the few African fabric brands that still operate today.

We’ve since made a commitment to source our fabrics only from particular brands and artisans, in order to share their stories, preserve cultural techniques, and restore economic opportunities.

Our online store launched in February 2019.