The Conversations on Decoloniality & Fashion is an online monthly gathering initiated by the Research Collective for Decoloniality and Fashion in February 2021. This virtual platform beyond institutional, disciplinary and geographical boundaries is a unique space where we experiment with decental and decolonial ways of knowledge creation and sharing regarding fashion. A space where we come together in-relation to host, listen and (un)learn through a multitude of difference.
For 2024, we are focussing on a recurring topic ‘Designing Goods, Crafting Communities,’ that will be addressed each month by a different moderator and their guests, from different parts of the world. In the context of fashion globalisation, the role of fashion designers in ‘rethinking/repurposing/ modernizing’ local fashions and crafts is welcomed as a solution to ‘save’ local clothing heritages and crafts, but we invite to take a critical look at what is really being lost.
In February, the Conversations was moderated by Chepkemboi Mang’ira (OwnYourCulture Kenya), in conversation with Alex Dingiria (Kali Works), Charity Kiarie (Kiarie Africa) and Sheila Onyango (Okapu).
Chepkemboi J. Mang'ira is a journalist and founder of OwnYourCulture , an online platform that makes pre-colonial Kenyan art, fashion and design visible. She curates art and fashion exhibitions that focus on fairly produced works from Kenya and explore her heritage. With #OwnYourCulture, she explores the themes of identity and belonging in a post-colonial, globalized world to reverse the negative effects of colonialism on Kenyan fashion and art.
Alex Dingiria is the co-founder and conceptualist for Kali Works. From style, cuisine or home goods, Alex practices and incorporates a variety of creative disciplines to express a unique design language, combining his African roots with his cosmopolitan outlook.
As a young teenager Charity Kiarie knew she was different in the way she dressed. So she started a journey of self-discovery, wanting to understand who she really was as an African woman. On this journey her name sake brand Kiarie Africa was born. Kiarie means something big and diverse, which is ironic as this big hearted accessories brand has a lot to offer. The overall look is unapologetically African. Kiarie’s goal was to create something beautiful, but authentic and most importantly culturally inspired. The Kenyan native gets all her inspiration from the diverse beauty found in African tribes as well as cultures from around the world. Colourful beadwork is skilfully handcrafted with brass and feathers to form striking neckpieces and earrings. Kiairie wants to give women a chance to dictate their own standards of beauty and not adhere to those imposed on them by society at large. This enthusiastic entrepreneur is leading the movement to tell African stories her way and she does so in a joyful rainbow of tones.
Sheila Onyango is the creative director and founder of Okapu, a social enterprise inspired by the traditional kiondo basket. They make beautiful contemporary kiondo bags and also offer kiondo weaving class to keep the culture alive. Sheila is passionate about African femininity, sustainability and economic empowerment. She has always loved fashion since her younger days and founded Okapu in 2018 after quitting her job as a Project Manager in an Engineering Consultancy firm.
