On
a recent trip to Kenya, Missibaba designer Chloe Townsend, met Abigael Terenoi Sentero and her group of
Massi beadwork craftswomen.
Astounded by the intricacy of their work and a shared passion for women’s
rights and community empowerment a decision was swiftly made to collaborate on
an exclusive collection of beaded bags.
Sentero
is married with two daughters and lives in the Keekonyokie location in Kajiado County,
Kenya. Relying on beadwork to support her family, she meets twice a month to
chair a group of likeminded women who discuss issues effecting the community
and ways of promoting and selling their beaded products. Chloe came into
contact with the beautiful beadwork, traditionally done on leather belts, and
felt that the striking patterns would work wonderfully on bags. Sentero and her group are the breadwinners of their
families and each contribute on a monthly basis to a combined kitty of funds
that go to school fees and to upgrading shelters from Maasai manyatta to the modern mambati
houses.
Chloe gave Sentero the colourful leather panels for three
different Missibaba bags and the Cha Ching, Macaw Sling and Macaw Clutch were
given a uniquely Kenyan makeover. “I am thrilled with the outcome and
completely love the slightly skew obviously hand beaded feel,” she enthuses. A
true labour of love, each bead has been stitched on individually, evident by
the odd stray needle hole, and took the women many weeks to complete. The
beaded panels were then delivered to the bustling Missibaba studio in Cape Town
to be assembled and finishing touches made. The final outcome is a small collection of
unique and exquisite pieces ready to be worn and loved by a handful of lucky
women.
Chloe
and business partner Lizel Strydom are attracted to the handmade, artisanal
quality of African design and crafts. “The patterns embrace the ethos of beauty
in imperfection. No line is straight, no dot or mark the same and the overall
effect speaks to the heart! It is very human”, explains Chloe. The pair describes
African design as having a freedom that is completely intoxicating and
insatiable.
Missibaba
beaded collection bag prices range from R2250.00 to R3600.00 and are available for purchase exclusively from the
Missibaba shop in Birdhaven, Johannesburg (Shop 3 Wrenrose, 64 St. Andrew St, Birdhaven, Johannesburg).
Happy shopping this weekend!
Sentero
is married with two daughters and lives in the Keekonyokie location in Kajiado County,
Kenya. Relying on beadwork to support her family, she meets twice a month to
chair a group of likeminded women who discuss issues effecting the community
and ways of promoting and selling their beaded products. Chloe came into
contact with the beautiful beadwork, traditionally done on leather belts, and
felt that the striking patterns would work wonderfully on bags. Sentero and her group are the breadwinners of their
families and each contribute on a monthly basis to a combined kitty of funds
that go to school fees and to upgrading shelters from Maasai manyatta to the modern mambati
houses.
These new pieces are DOPE! We here at Swag Craze love all 3 crew neck sweaters. Which one is your favorite? 
Craig
Port has teamed up with Cape Town’s luxury beach destination Shimmy Beach Club
to create the ultimate Manscape – an outdoor space that reflects the
celebrated designers artistic vision and captured the essence of the Shimmy
lifestyle.
Decorex
- Africa’s premier décor, design and lifestyle exhibition
portfolio - approached
Craig Port to take part a tongue in cheek project by creating the ultimate Manscape.
Other Cape Town male personalities also paired up with an outdoor
timber specialist and an exclusive lifestyle brand to create a Manscape that
revealed the latest trends in outdoor living.
These Manscapes formed part of the Decorex exhibition that took place at
the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).
Decorex
Cape Town took place at the CTICC. Visit http://www.thebereed.co.za/decorex/
for more information!
