Shopping Guide: Marrakech

March 14, 2019

Centuries of design, culture and architecture are seeped into the ancient city of Marrakech. Explore the city’s contemporary design landscape through its unique concept shops and boutiques, wander through its maze-like souks for handicrafts and keepsakes, and indulge in traditional Moroccan fare at its excellent restaurants. A trip to the local museums, hammams and historic city squares rounds off the complete cultural experience. SHOP Topolina: French designer Isabelle Topolina’s stores...

Shopping Guide: Nairobi

April 21, 2017

A Maasai Mara excursion may be your prime reason for visiting Kenya, but be sure to carve out a couple of days to spend in the capital. Dubbed the Silicon Savannah for its burgeoning tech scene, Nairobi is also the hub of Kenyan art, fashion and culture. Browse the local arts and crafts markets, catch an exhibit by contemporary African artists or a performance by local musicians, pick up vibrant...

Meyelo

April 20, 2017

Carmen Myers gives traditional Kenyan craftsmanship a contemporary spin with her accessories label Meyelo. Handmade by Maasai artisans in Kenya, the brand’s brass rings and cuffs, pendant necklaces, tote bags and carryalls are sleek and elegant, perfect for everyday. Bonus: they support a worthy cause! 10% of the proceeds from each purchase of a Meyelo product are donated to Myer’s philanthropic organization, A Voice Is Heard, which provides community development and...

Far & Wide

April 14, 2017

With a passion for discovering beautifully unique and carefully made things, Far & Wide offers creations one can only stumble upon in the tucked-away workshops and rural village markets on exotic travels. By solely working with fair trade artisans they are also helping to build a more sustainable infrastructure for the artisanal communities they work with. The remarkable woman behind the brand, Hedvig Alexander, has so much insight and dedication when it comes to the industry, brand and the social...

SOKO

March 17, 2017

SOKO redefines the aesthetics of ethical fashion. SOKO artisans use locally-sourced and eco-friendly materials, such as recycled brass and reclaimed cow horn and bone, to create modern designs that appeal to the urban woman. By connecting these artisans with the fashion consumer, SOKO helps these entrepreneurs build their own businesses, improve production capacity, and sustainably increase income. We caught up with co-founder, Gwendolyn Floyd, to pick her brain about the...

Behind the Label: Fouché

April 07, 2016

Claire Fouché, the former creative director for Fabergé, launched her eponymous jewelry collection in 2014. Produced exclusively in East Africa by skilled artisans, Claire has managed to repurpose Ankole cow horn into sumptuous cuffs and earring that we are dying to wear. This half South African half English designer only uses stones from conflict free mines and co-founded the Maisha Foundation to support talented young people from Kibera, Nairobi’s most...

Fulani Artisans for Sahel

December 24, 2014

Straight from Sahel Design in Burkina Faso - watch the local Fulani artisans create leather accessories with their traditional weaving techniques.

Straight from Sahel Design in Burkina Faso - watch the local Fulani artisans create leather accessories with their traditional weaving techniques. Straight from Sahel Design in Burkina Faso - watch the local Fulani artisans create leather accessories with their traditional weaving techniques.   Shop Sahel Design >>              

Behind The Label | Sahel

December 22, 2014

Kenyan designer Adele Dejak introduced us to Sahel Design founder Charlie Davies. This British ex fashion editor slash Africa insider has been working with Fulani crafts people in Burkina Faso to make artisanal home goods and fashion items that we love. We recently caught up with Charlie - read on for the story behind the label and her insights on where to eat, shop and stay in Ouagadougou.

Kenyan designer Adele Dejak introduced us to Sahel Design founder Charlie Davies. This British ex fashion editor slash Africa insider has been working with Fulani crafts people in Burkina Faso to make artisanal home goods and fashion items that we love. We recently caught up with Charlie - read on for the story behind the label and her insights on where to eat, shop and stay in Ouagadougou. Kenyan designer...

Behind the Label | Indego Africa

November 23, 2014

Working with traditional artisanal techniques, Indego Africa educates women artisans in Rwanda by way of handcrafting beautifully rustic lifestyle goods like vibrantly colored baskets, sculptural jewelry and centerpiece bowls. One hundred percent of the profits from sales contributes to job skills training funds, which gives dozens of these incredibly gifted women the opportunity to create their own global businesses. Shop Latitude now offers the chance to shop these exquisitely crafted pieces and contribute to this empowering cause.

Working with traditional artisanal techniques, Indego Africa educates women artisans in Rwanda by way of handcrafting beautifully rustic lifestyle goods like vibrantly colored baskets, sculptural jewelry and centerpiece bowls. One hundred percent of the profits from sales contributes to job skills training funds, which gives dozens of these incredibly gifted women the opportunity to create their own global businesses. Shop Latitude now offers the chance to shop these exquisitely crafted...

Liz Gilbert's Africa

November 11, 2014

Liz Gilbert, the Kenya-based creator of the Shompole Collection, shares her favorite discoveries from her extensive travels through Africa.

Liz Gilbert, the Kenya-based creator of the Shompole Collection, shares her favorite discoveries from her extensive travels through Africa. Liz Gilbert, the Kenya-based creator of the Shompole Collection, shares her favorite discoveries from her extensive travels through Africa.     You have documented the Maasai for years. What were the highlights of this experience for you? Living and traveling with the Maasai took me from the role of spectator/journalist and...