Made in Africa: Nicole Miller + Cocoki, Rwanda

Nicole Miller's collaboration with Rwanda-based co-op, Cocoki

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Several buzz words pop up when Africa and Fashion are mentioned in the same sentence. Everything from tribal to global to ethnic and nomad. More recently, we've noticed fair trade, eco-friendly and co-ops pop up every now again. Case in point: earlier this year, it was Rachel Roy and Fairwinds. Then our spotlight moved to Diane Von Furstenberg and Vital Voices. Catherine Malandrino too stocked pieces from South Africa based Monkeybiz Bead Project. Now, we turn the spotlight to Nicole Miller's collaboration with Indego Africa, featuring vibrant bangles made by a Rwanda-based women's co-op, Cocoki. Not only does this collaboration promote the "Made in Africa" movement, economic empowerment and cross-border trade, it's also a brilliant platform to take the work of talented women in a little corner of Africa that much closer to the mainstream. We love.

Get your set of 3 bangles here for $25.

XO

Africans in the news: Rachel Roy collaborates with Fairwinds

  While Africa has inspired and continues to inspire many designers, Africa seldom benefits directly. It's part of why we created this blog - to highlight designers and entrepreneurs of African descent and to link you with them directly. Those amongst them who manufacture their products in Africa are particular favorites of ours because it's a win-win situation - designed by an African and Made in Africa by Africans! Everybody wins. Last year, we featured Macy's' initiative in Rwanda. Recently, we were especially pleased to read about Rachel Roy's initiative with Fairwinds to produce a collection of handmade accessories in Tanzania and Rwanda and in turn support their local artisans.

We hope this is a trend that catches on as long as the artisans are treated fairly, paid decently, and are given their due recognition.

Read the press release here and shop here.

XO

in the news: rwanda//gahaya links

ahhh, this one warmed all three of our hearts. but first, a little background:

"Basket weaving has a long tradition in Rwanda, and two sisters, Joy Ndungutse and Janet Nkubana formed Gahaya Links, a small business with great ambitions. They employ over 4,000 rural women who weave intricate baskets that end up on the shelves of Macy's in New York City."

[more here and here]

isn't this absolutely brilliant? empowering africans to help themselves restores dignity to people who continue to rise in spite of staggering odds. it's amazing the stuff that comes out of one continent...and we can't WAIT to share news and stories from our trips around africa with you SOON. stay tuned :-) that said, gahaya links is a brilliant initiative and we're curious to discover just how many folks have similar initiatives in and around africa. nothing makes us more excited than to see africa come to her own. slowly but surely...

shop and explore the MOST AMAZING pieces from gahaya links @ macy's here.

xo

photos courtesy of macy's.