The festive spirit is gaining momentum, and even more so with the announcement that a new basket of beautiful brands will showcase their products at the Capitec handmadeAFRICA x Oxford Parks market for the first time this week.
On Friday 29 and Saturday 30 November, alongside 50 designers from across the continent, a stand-alone pod dedicated to Dye Lab – founded by Nigerian fashion veteran, Rukky Ladoja, in 2020 – will be a knock-out star of the weekend..
Dye Lab specialises in experimenting with traditional artisanal hand dyed textile techniques known as Àdìre, to create contemporary products. It is a cloth indigenous to the Yoruba people of Nigeria, made using batik wax. The label’s iconic signature product is a modern take on the Agbada, a traditional Nigerian garment updated in whimsical, colourful prints and fun unconventional details. Each piece is hand-designed, hand-dyed, and handmade in collaboration with expert artisans
“Dye Lab was born of a vision to create a global brand that championed local resources in every aspect of its value chain,” says Rukky, “from textile sourcing to design techniques and production.
She embarked on a year of research and experimentation around Africa, engaging with local experts and skilled artisans in textile printing and dyeing techniques. In building Dye Lab’s core DNA, Rukky explains that it was important not only to incorporate local resources, the beauty in homegrown techniques and empower local artisans with technical expertise, but also design recognisable silhouettes that were flattering to all sizes of African women refashioned in modern cuts and prints.
As an e-commerce brand, Dye Lab also runs an innovative pop-up model, creating experiential shopping experiences, exhibitions and installations around the world for its customers. The brand has travelled to Accra, Dakar, Kenya, Rwanda, Abidjan, London, Houston, Amsterdam and Geneva to name a few – and now it’s on its way to Johannesburg!
Sari for Change will also be joining Capitec handmadeAFRICA for the second edition. At the heart of Sari for Change is the belief that fashion can be a powerful medium for transformation – of materials, traditions, and perspectives. By upcycling saris into innovative garments like kimonos, jackets, and dresses, the brand not only reduces waste but also preserves the essence of heritage textiles, allowing them to evolve in a way that resonates with today’s world.
To date Sari for Change has upskilled 120 women in sewing and business skills, impacted 240 families and saved 15,000 saris from landfill waste.
“This is why we are so excited to have Sari for Change on board – their purpose is so closely aligned to the communities we aim to support,” says Garreth van Niekerk, Creative Director of handmadeAFRICA.
From Namibia, comes another new brand just one year in the making. Xammi Namibia was launched by Melody Rohlfs in 2023. Working from her home studio in Windhoek, she sculpts feminine and womb forms in abstract ways to honour herself and the collective female as the life givers and nurturers of the planet. Drawing further inspiration from the breathtaking landscapes of her birthplace, Namibia, she seeks to capture its remarkable diversity in her creations. Brut textures, earth tones, geological features and the interplay of different clay types all find expression in her work, paying tribute to the land’s awe-inspiring beauty.
Crispy Skateboards will also join Capitec handmadeAFRICA for some festive season fun. It’s a local father and (three) sons’ business that creates handmade premium skateboards using the surfaces of the skateboards as a canvas for artworks by prominent South African artists. Two artists – Samurai Farai and Zenele Montle – are each doing a triptych specifically for Capitec handmadeAFRICA.
The final item of news is that The Manor will also have a pop-up at the event, selling their latest issues and a selection of other items… always good to see Trevor Stuurman – who never fails to add glamour and style to proceedings!
“We’ve been bowled over by the positive response we’ve had from designers since the first edition of Capitec handmadeAFRICA,” comments Garreth, and we are proud to be able to say that each and every one of the brands showcasing their exquisite products upholds our vision to bring the continent’s best ethically and sustainably produced contemporary design to South Africa.”
Go to https://www.quicket.co.za/events/288285-capitec-handmadeafrica-x-the-oxford-parks-market/ to buy your tickets