Afriek: A Story That Suits
Vorige week ben ik met twee vriendinnen naar een meeting geweest van de organisatie ‘Ambitieuze Meisjes’. Voor deze meeting was een lezing van Sivan Breemhaar georganiseerd, waar zij vertelde over haar kledingmerk Afriek.
Het verhaal hieronder heb ik niet zelf getypt, maar overgenomen van de wordpress-pagina van mijn vriendinnetje Veer. Neem daar ook vooral een kijkje: https://daisiesandfros.wordpress.com
“Afriek is a Dutch Fashion label that had me instantly off guard. One of the founders ,Sivan Breemhaar, shared her story during the meet up of “Ambitious Girls”, which stimulates networking, and inspirers entrepreneurship, for young woman. Afriek is founded in 2013 by Kars Gerrits and Sivan Breemhaar. Two people that decided to change the one-sided perception of Africa that most of people have.
Sivan noticed during her masters “Conflict studies and Human rights” that her fascination for Africa kept getting bigger, while the media prejudiced that the Africans ability to be happy depends on the Westerners goodwill.
Which is completely BULLSHIT
Unfortunately the media is still one of the powerful reality-killers and image shapers. By setting up a Fashion label that shows the rich culture of Africa’s craftsmanship, combined with the craftsmanship of the dutch designers, gives a colourful and realistic view of Africa. A positive and objective Africa.
Together with designer ‘Jo Luymes‘ Sivan Breemhaar selected beautiful African print fabrics originated from Ivory coast and Nigeria at local markets in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. This collaboration was at that time for the mens collection.
Afriek has a solid team of partners, who they work with on equal terms (respect and equality). It makes this fashion label even more special and personal. Every garment is handmade by a tailor in Rwanda. The consumer that buys the garment at the end of the value chain, can find a name label of their tailor that is sewed on the inside of his garment.
It is important that we see the value again of our products. Afriek reveals the stories of their craftsmen, which gains awareness about the clothes we wear and where it comes from.
At the moment they only have a mens collection, but they successfully launched their first womenswear collection designed by Dutch designer ‘Lisa Konno‘ through their crowdfunding campaign page. All fabrics are originated from Kampala, Uganda and are sourced from West Africa. Unfortunately the crowdfunding campaign is now closed. But I’m sure and I do hope that , there will be more collections to come!
For more information definitely visit their page and all their social media to keep up! I highly recommend it, if your still interested.”
Bronnen: http://afriek.com/ , https://daisiesandfros.wordpress.com/2015/11/04/afriek-the-story-that-suits/
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