Presenting the bold streetwear collection from African inspired design label, Kenema.
The emerging unisex label, owned by London-Based Sierra Leonean designer Tamu Thomas, brings to you a collection of streetwear inspired by the love of 90s Hip Hop and R’n'B and a celebration of the cultural foundations rooted by the music of the decade. It comprises of a shirt and trouser set, a bomber jacket and t-shirt and takes on the space where gender becomes ambiguous and clothes are shared.
According to the designer, “With Interlude I’m exploring the androgynous aesthetic prevalent in a lot of 90s fashion. Going on to speak about the design label which started in 2010, Tamu said, “It went from receiving a dress from Sierra Leone as a present to discussions about importing them, to me sitting down and thinking there must be a way to use these fabrics in everyday garments that will appeal to a global audience, to me actually designing and producing an entire collection.”
Kenema takes its name from the third largest city in Sierra Leone, just one of many ravaged by the civil war which raged from 1991 until 2002. “The citizens of Kenema carry themselves with such courage and resilience,” says Tamu. “I want my brand to represent that beauty, strength and tenacity in all of the people.”
View a selection of photos from Kenema’s 2014 collection.
