The AW18/19 holiday capsule collection by UK-based Cameroonian fashion brand Maison d’Afie, founded by Sarah Divine Garba is inspired by the designer’s Cameroonian culture and childhood memories.
The designer created timeless pieces that make up a stunning collection which she titled Ngondo – meaning festivity in her native dialect. For this collection, Sarah Divine Garba was inspired by the Kaba, a traditional Cameroonian dress in Victorian style.
The collection consists of carefully sourced natural silk fibres, intricately woven in geometric tonal patterns to create a discrete jacquard design with a smooth hand feel and subtle satin surface. The updated silhouette, structured and fluid mixes of the collection gives it a global appeal.
The collection offers pieces in pretty pleated tiers with cutout details which offer a carefree vibe; elegant outfits with an oriental twist which strengthens that nonchalant sophisticated aura which modern ladies carry; and garments that can be explored in varied ways and that are both sensitive to time and classics. It is the perfect balance between modern femininity, classic elegance and authentic tradition.
According to the brand,
“Sarah Divine-Garba the creative head of women’s wear brand, Maison d’Afie, repurposes a Cameroonian Colonial classic maxi gown known as the Kaba which was paradoxically born by white missionary wives in the 19th century, as a cover for half naked Douala women who irresistibility supposedly distracted their husbands.
Sarah draws from her Sawa (the name given to the coastal tribes of Cameroon) culture and rich childhood memories to create this impassioned modern interpretation of what was once a plain dress with a sack like silhouette born by colonial masters, but has now become an integral part of her heritage.
Designing this collection, for Sarah, rather required a personal honesty that she’d never had to deal with since starting Maison d’Afie. She had to declutter and distill to her core values, leading to a stronger resolve to define and express her identity which also required that she stepped away from some traditional approaches that exist within the industry and carve out something more sustainable for her brand and truly reflective of her values and beliefs.
Colour choices across this collection represent the tropical green forests where most of the SAWA tribes are found and the blue rivers that meander through these forests.”
A look at the collection…
N G O N D O | Lookbook
Creative Team
Models: Eve | @evepowell_, Misty | @misty_thebrand
Makeup artist: Charma | @charma.mua
Photographer: Asiko | @asiko_artist
PR: @theprboy_, Kay Flawless PR | @kayflawlesspr
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