Posts filed under ‘fashion’
Nigerian Festival in Nairobi, Oct. 1 – Nov 30 2017 @ National Museum, Nairobi Gallery & Alliance Française
Dates: October 1 (Nigeria National Day) – November 30, 2017
Venues: Nairobi Gallery, Nairobi National Museum and the French Cultural Centre
Organised by Alan Donovan – he of the African Heritage House – and other collaborators.
Pop Up & Chill Handmakers Market, Oct. 1 2017 @ 910 James Gichuru
Date: October 1, 2017
Venue: 910 James Gichuru
Time: from 11am till 7pm
Entry is free
About
Pop Up & Chill is a market that features a carefully curated array of artisans and collectors bringing handmade, eco, holistic and vintage goods and items inspired by Africa and majorly made in Kenya. Its main aim is to link local independent unique artists, designers, makers collectors and traders with consumers of handmade, made in Kenya and made in Africa in a relaxed setting.
CBA Africa Concours d’ Elegance 2017: Beauty and the Beasts, Sept. 24 2017 @ Ngong Racecourse
Date: Sunday, 24th September 2017
Venue: Nairobi Racecourse, Ngong Road
Time: starting from 9:00 am
Advance Tickets: Adults KES 950, Children KES 450 – available at all CBA branches in Nairobi & Thika, Sarova Panafric, The Stanley, Capital FM and TicketSasa
Gate charges: Adult Kshs 1,000, Child Kshs 500
About
East Africa’s most prestigious spectator motor-show event, the CBA Africa Concours d’Elegance.This year’s will be the 47th edition of Concours d’Elegance, a lifestyle event that is acclaimed for the beauty and elegance showcased by both the competitors and the spectators. Apart from the judging of 70 classic and vintage cars and 40 motorcycles – the centre piece of the event – there will be a grand finale involving; pyrotechnics, a fashion show and live performance by Nyashinski. The theme for this year’s Concours is, Beauty and the Beast.
It is the ideal fun-family experience, organized by the Alfa Romeo Owners Club and proudly sponsored by Commercial Bank of Africa.
Literature Cafe: Papa Wemba and Black Dandy, Sept. 27 2017 @ Alliance Française
Papa Wemba | Image via Alliance Française, Nairobi
Date: September 27, 2017
Venue: Alliance Française
Time: 6.30 pm
Free Entry
Join Didier Bokelo Bile, author of the biography, ‘Papa Wemba: icon of African music from generation to generation’ as he discusses the parallel worlds of ‘the man’ and the ‘artist’.
The King of Rhumba Rock, Papa Wemba, or Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba, was also the undisputed king of the ‘sapeurs’.
Photo Exhibition on LA SAPE (Society of Ambianceurs and Elegant People), Sept. 18-29 2017 @ Alliance Française
A Photo Exhibition by Baudouin Mousanda (from Brazzaville) and Yves Sambu (from Kinshasa)
Dates: September 18 – 29, 2017
Venue: Alliance Française, Nairobi
About
The CPF (Comité permanent de la Francophonie au Kenya), an apolitical, non-denominational and non-profit organization which regroups member states of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF – Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie) based in Nairobi, in partnership with the Alliance Française, present an exhibition of photos on the Congolese sub-culture of ‘La Sape’ (Society of Ambianceurs and Elegant Persons).The Sape has its origins in the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republc of Congo. One could not immediately relate this phenomenon of elegance and fashionable extravagance in countries that have been marred by civil war over several decades. Yet, amid the conflicts, there exist these self-proclaimed dandies of sub-Saharan Africa – known as the Sapeurs – just ordinary working men who are devoted to the cult of style and impeccable moral conduct (respect, peace, integrity, honour…). Despite their expensive sense of dress, they are not rich men. This social movement that glories elegance and style was revived in the 1970s by Papa Wemba, the King of Rumba Rock, but also the undisputed King of the Sapeurs.
La Sape can be traced back to the colonial period. ‘There were people in sub-Saharan Africa during the 1930s and 1940s – dubbed évolués (meaning well rounded individuals) according to the terminology of the period – who would imitate Europeans. They would put on airs and copy the colonialists’ behavior. This was a way for them to highlight their social superiority and assert their identities. This kind of dandy is a well-known stock-character in African literature’; says Romuald Fonkua, Director of the International Centre for French Studies at the Sorbonne University.
In the 1970s, La Sape became a protest against the “abacost” policy — from the French “à bas le costume,” or “down with the suit” — that was implemented in Congo. In accordance with Zairianization, the official state ideology of the Joseph-Désiré Mobutu regime, wearing a European style suit and tie was officially forbidden. President Mobutu wore a hat made of leopard fur, a symbol of power in the Bantu population.
“In this sense, La Sape was truly a revolutionary behavior,” notes Fonkoua. “It expressed both resistance and the assertion of an African identity with a global outlook, as opposed to Mobutu’s limited, obtuse vision.”
The Sapeurs have a simple philosophy ‘to live with joie de vivre’. However, in a country devastated by conflict and poverty, one wonders how this flamboyant lifestyle is sustained.The photographer Baudouin Mouanda from Brazaville is an internationally acclaimed photographer. He won ‘The Young Talent Award’ at the influential African Photography Biennial, Bamako Encounters, in 2009 for his photography project on the ‘Sapeurs’. “I look at Africa with positivity,” says Mouanda, “I don’t see Africa from the perspective of people who never came here. I see Africa as a continent that will surprise people tomorrow. I’m sure of it.”
Nicknamed Photouin (Photo + Baudouin), Mouanda began his photographic journey in 1993, when his father offered him his first camera. Years later, he was awarded Best Photographer from the Fine Art School of Kinshasa. Baudouin studied journalism in Paris. His work is published regularly in Afrique magazine, Jeune Afrique, VSD, L’Express Style and Planète Jeune.
The photographer Yves Sambu is a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts of Kinshasa. Born in Lukula (Bas-Congo) in 1980 – he lives and works in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. He studied painting but decided to devote himself particularly to photography and video.
His work is based on the dynamic evolution of man and the social integration of men and women in the “City”. He addresses cohabitation issues which demand respect for one another despite differences in points of view or way of being. For Yves, it is not only the artistic result which is important, but also the process and the approach. Thus, he thinks “… should not art serve its true function in society?”
Concise Programme available, here
African Fashion Pop Up: Ichyulu Pop Up, Sept. 2 2017 @ Zen Garden
Date: September 2, 2017
Venue: Zen Garden
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Entry: Free
About
Ichyulu.com is an online concept store that offers select edits from African fashion and accessory designers. The Pop Up will be an opportunity for people to view pieces from the site in person, shop new arrivals and discounted pieces. Ichyulu.com features over 18 designers from around the continent
K1 Flea Market, Every Sunday @ K1 Club House
Dates: Every Sunday
Venue: K1 Klub House
Time: 10 am – 6 pm
Entry: Free
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