Fashion brand I A M I S I G O has released its new Autumn/Winter 2020 collection called “Chasing Evil“.
According to the brand:
“Chasing Evil” is a collection that is centered around the exploitation of Congo and Africa as a whole, through research in Bukavu and Kinshasa by working closely with war victims and understanding how a country so strong and rich (3 times the size of Nigeria and 3 times richer in natural resources), seeks to overcome issues of post war trauma, post colonial exploitation as well as neo-colonialism through fashion in particular.
Through indigenous spirituality, we discover a connecting link with the Congolese mystical idol Nkisi Nkondi, an aggressive fetish figurine commonly used to affirm oaths and to protect communities from evildoers and enemies.
We find the only way to “Chasing Evil” is through unity across borders and in the works of our hands. Therefore examining, the act of placing particular importance in physical appearance or dressing up as a form of protection and in essence a fetish.
Colors and forms highlight the popular Congolese Sapeur subculture, sape gotten from french slang “to dress up” alternatively meaning Society of Ambiance and Elegant people, began at the start of slave trade, where colonizers would pay slaves with clothes as opposed to money, a society dominated by men. A concept derived from the 18th century practice commonly known as “Dandies”
The collection is demonstrated by creating textured surfaces referencing Congolese raffia clothes in interrupting expected lines, by weaving dried palm leaf raffia from Congo and Nigeria with unbleached cotton from Uganda, as well as weaving acrylic dyed yarn and cotton, establishing juxtapositions of sharply differing units and abrupt shifts of forms, with dyed recycled cotton and deconstructed recycled garments.
Bag accessories were made from Banana raffia from Madagascar and shoes from dyed vegan leopard skin made in Nigeria.
I A M I S I G O collaborated with Kenyan jewelry designer, Brian Kivuti, using camel bone and recycled silver, to create a range of dual functional rings, earrings and brooches.
I A M I S I G O is a fashion label based between Lagos, Nairobi and Accra. Her work is primarily focused on how fashion and textile can not only keep history alive but also pass on information for the future through preservation of techniques and expression through matter. Creating wearable art pieces with unconventional materials and heritage textiles traditions through in-depth research with remote African communities in different parts of the African continent. By conveying lost historical stories and transforming these found “data” and applying them into garments and fibres, as a form of silent protest to post and neo-colonialism, portrayed through space design, visuals and film.
The brand has showcased at the International Fashion Showcase (London Fashion Week) London 2015, Lagos Fashion and Design Week, Lagos 2011-2018, South Africa Fashion Week, Durban 2015, Afrodyssee Geneva 2016-2017, Tribal Chic Nairobi, Kenya 2017, 2019 and the Galerie Sakura Showroom Paris Fashion Week, Paris 2018-2019.
The brand has been worn by supermodel Naomi Campbell and a list of other celebrities. Has also been featured in a number of publications Elle SA, Vogue UK, Vogue talents IT etc. I A M I S I G O pieces have been exhibited at Art21 “Platforms 21” Lagos, Nigeria, 2015.
Brighton Museum Brighton April 2016, Troppen Museum “Fashion Cities Africa”, Amsterdam, Netherlands 2017, Afrika Museum Rotterdam, Netherland 2018 kunstgewerbe Museum (Museum of Decorative Arts) August 2019, Art X Art fair “Play by Creation” Lagos, Nigeria November 2019.
Credits:
Model: @_g.a.bb.i.e_
Styling: @sunnydolat
Makeup: @jamiekimani
Photography: @themaganga
Jewelry in collaboration with: @brian.kivuti
Creative Direction: @bubogisi
Instagram: @iamisigo
