AFRICAN CREATIVE STORIES
Join us on this episode of African Creative Stories as we sit down with five remarkable African entrepreneurs who are revolutionizing their industries across the continent. They reveal the sparks that ignited their brand launches and the pivotal moments that defined their journeys. Dive in and enjoy their inspiring stories!
Peter ACHA – Founder of PETTRE TAYLOR (Lagos Nigeria)
Q – What inspired you to start your brand?
A – What really inspired me to start Pettre Taylor was a travel experience I had with my dad when I visited my hometown, Utonkon, the Ufia land, for the first time as a youth. Learning to pronounce words in my native dialect while interacting with people and immersing myself in the culture was incredibly priceless and eye-opening.
I also got to teach them words in English and share the knowledge I had. Allowing myself to connect with my people made me realize that, just like my culture and my people, there are other cultures out there with their own spaces, people, and traditions. This fueled my curiosity about the cultural tapestry of the world.
My brand reflects my journey to view the world through my own lens and present my clothes as a medium for cultural dialogue.
Q – What’s the most unforgettable memory or defining moment you’ve had with your brand?
A – I had always been quite reckless in my design process, randomly buying fabrics and designing expressively, without always knowing if the clothes would be well-received. But I had this feeling that there was someone out there for whom I was designing.
When ‘30s Store’ reached out and invited me to showcase my work at their pop-up event in Lagos, I was both excited and nervous. The moment we were done arranging the clothes on the racks, the response was overwhelming. Within an hour, I had sold out almost my entire stock, leaving just two pieces remaining. It was an incredible feeling, not just because of the financial success, but because it validated my approach and my belief that there was an audience for my brand.
Maina Wathiong’o – Founder of KAUWRI (Nairobi Kenya)
Q – What inspired you to start your brand?
A – After spending a year in the design industry, I developed a deep appreciation for the intricate and artistic nature of the design process. From conceptualizing ideas to creating samples and eventually seeing the final product purchased and cherished by clients, I found the entire transformation fascinating and fulfilling. This experience solidified my desire to pursue design full-time.
I wanted to create something unique that reflected my heritage, which led me back to my Kenyan roots, specifically my Kikuyu culture. The cowrie shell holds significant cultural reverence, and I envisioned Kauwri as a modern ode to my culture. Initially, I focused solely on cowrie shells, but to avoid limiting my creativity, I expanded the scope to include other shells and nature-inspired jewelry.
Our journey began with the launch of the Celestial Collection at Nairobi Design Week in March 2024. This collection beautifully merged celestial elements with the cowrie shell, marking the beginning of Kauwri’s unique design narrative.
Q – What’s the most unforgettable memory or defining moment you’ve had with your brand?
A – One of the most unforgettable moments for Kauwri thus far was participating in Nairobi Design Week 2024. Launching our first collection and receiving such positive feedback was incredibly validating, especially as a self-taught jewelry designer. The exposure and following we gained from the event were remarkable.
Another defining moment was when a client purchased a ring from us as a gift for Arsema Thomas, known for her role in “Queen Charlotte.” It was a humbling yet proud moment to know that Arsema Thomas owns a piece of Kauwri jewelry.
Daniel TOHOU – Founder of NEFER (France and Dahomey – Benin)-
Q – What inspired you to start your brand?
A – L’inspiration qui m’as permis de commencer NEFER est le désir profond de rendre hommage à l’héritage globale de l’Afrique et sa diaspora.
Translation – The inspiration that allowed me to start NEFER is the deep desire to pay homage to the global heritage of Africa and its diaspora.
Q – What’s the most unforgettable memory or defining moment you’ve had with your brand?
Le moment le plus determinant est l’opportunité que j’ai eu d’habillé Jidenna pour les Grammy awards, ce fut l’ouverture de la marque au yeux du monde.
Translation – The most defining moment was the opportunity I had to dress Jidenna for the Grammy awards, it was the opening of the brand to the eyes of the world.
Halimat SALAKO – Founder of BL BRAND (Lagos Nigeria)
Q – What inspired you to start your brand?
A – When I began, I had no inspiration (that’s quite funny 😂). It started merely as a means to survive, seeking something different from the typical entrepreneurial skills we were offered.
Over time, it has evolved into a passion and a way to build a community. It’s no longer just about survival; it’s about driving change, standing out, and creating lasting memories. Inspired by the cultural heritage of Adire, I wanted to differentiate myself by infusing the traditional Adire style into modern streetwear.
Q – What’s the most unforgettable memory or defining moment you’ve had with your brand?
A – I have a lot of unforgettable memories with the brand. When we were planning a campaign, it took a lot of time to execute the plan. When the video was released, it became the talk of the town. I felt really good seeing people watch the campaign. It still feels unreal that we were able to produce something like that.
Maurice NIYIGENA – Founder of MATHEO STUDIO (Rwanda)
Q – What inspired you to start your brand?
A – I wanted to create art that allows people to feel it, be in touch with it, and feel connected to it. Since I’ve always loved fashion, I realized that the best way to connect with people in such a way was through something they can wear. So, I started making costumes.
Later on, I found that there is a gap in African fashion where some stories are not told. That’s when I started a brand that would tell and celebrate African stories through art and fashion.
Q – What’s the most unforgettable memory or defining moment you’ve had with your brand?
A – My most unforgettable moment—actually, I have two. The first one was being selected among the emerging designers to showcase at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Kigali. That felt like my breakthrough moment.
The second one was when I showcased a collection to my country’s First Lady, and she stood up for my finale. That was also an amazing experience.
Follow these amazing creative here – Kauwri, BL Brand, Matheo Studio , Nefer and Pettre Taylor
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