Categories
Pages
- About BDNN
- African Design Now
- Business Directory
- Contact Us
- Design Books, Publications and Media
- Design Events, Competitions, Awards/Prizes
- Design Jobs
- Design Pioneers
- Design Schools
- Designing Women
- Green and Sustainability Issues
- Haiti Disaster
- JOIN BDNN Here
- News Bureau
- News, Chit-Chat, Hot Spots
- Unemployment Series
- Workspace
Blogroll
Recent Comments
- ttesfamichael on Design Objects by Black Women Designers Across the Diaspora
- BDNN Selects Sanford Garner as Innovative Designer and Architect | A2SO4 on February 12: Sanford Garner, Innovative Designer and Architect
- Thesis Update « Ali Price's Thesis on Design Activism: A Prototype for an AIDS Clinic in South Africa
- Tweets that mention Rivington Gallery: A Must See in London -- Topsy.com on Rivington Gallery: A Must See in London
- Tweets that mention BDNN presents Marketing and Branding for Fashion Designers -- Topsy.com on BDNN presents Marketing and Branding for Fashion Designers
Latest Headlines
-
“Design with the Other 90%: Cities” at the United Nations
Posted on October 3, 2011 | No Comments“Design with the Other 90%: Cities,” the second in a series of themed exhibitions by Cooper-Hewitt that demonstrate how design can address the world’s most critical issues, opens Oct. 15 at the United Nations and runs through Jan. 9, 2012. Organized by Cynthia E. Smith, the museum’s curator of socially responsible design, the exhibition will feature more than 60 projects from 22 countries around the globe.
The exhibition will explore design solutions to the challenges created by rapid urban growth in informal settlements, commonly referred to as slums. Close to 1 billion people live in informal settlements, and that population is projected to swell to 2 billion people by 2030. This accelerated urban expansion will take place primarily in developing and emerging economies in an increasingly climate-challenged world. Projects and products at every scale will be included, with a focus on designs that are informed by end users: alternative housing design, methods and materials; low-cost clean water; accessible education initiatives; sanitation and solid-waste management; transportation solutions; innovative systems and infrastructure; and urban design and planning. “Cooper-Hewitt is delighted to present this free exhibition at the United Nations, where visitors from all over the world will be able to see how design can address the most critical issues in developing and emerging countries,” said Bill Moggridge, director of the museum.
More details: http://cooperhewitt.org/exhibitions/other-90
-
UN launches competition to design memorial to victims of slavery
Posted on October 3, 2011 | No Comments
On September 30, the committee tasked with building a permanent memorial at the United Nations to honor the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade today launched a global competition for the design of the structure to remind the world that millions of Africans were violently removed from their homelands, abused and robbed of their dignity.
The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will administer the design competition, Ambassador Raymond Wolfe of Jamaica, the chair of the Permanent Memorial Committee on Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, told a news conference at UN Headquarters. More details can be found at
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=39899&Cr=slave&Cr1=
-
A tribute to Sylvia Harris
Posted on August 1, 2011 | No CommentsPhoto credit: George Larkins
By Michele Y. Washington designer and friend
The process of paying tribute to the passing of my dear friend Sylvia Harris is an honor, but at the same time it’s perplexing.
It is with profound sadness that the design community mourns the lost of Sylvia Harris who passed away on July 24th at the age of 57. On Thursday, July 21, she collapsed during a meeting in Washington DC, was rushed to George Washington University Hospital where the doctors put her on life support. Surrounded by a host of family members and heartfelt friends who rallied by her side, she later passed due to heart complications.
Sylvia was a beckon, one of those luminous stars whose brilliance encapsulated the design profession at a time when black women designers were few in numbers. I stumbled upon an article in either Print Magazine or Communication Arts featuring Sylvia and her partners of Two Twelve Associates, a firm she helped cofound with several classmates from Yale Graduate School of Design. It was her smiling face beaming from the photo, a fluke phone call that lead to us meeting, and thus our friendship blossomed.
Her vibrant career spans more than 25 years. Sylvia functioned in the design community more like a cultural ambassador, serving on the AIGA national board, the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, and was the recipient of a Design Trust Fellowship for Taxi 07. (http://bit.ly/dQ9lj). Much like that fluke phone of us meeting, the same scenario was replayed when Sylvia joined forces with a group of designers that ignited the charge for the first OBD conference, “Dogon to Digital,” held in Chicago. Known as a kind-spirited person, Sylvia could always be called upon to mentor and inspire numerous designers, whom she counseled to keep forging ahead and they too could make inroads in the design profession.
Recently, Sylvia rebranded her firm from Sylvia Harris LLC to “Citizen Research & Design” a name befitting of her commitment in communicating the needs of public programming and design policy for government, educational and non-profit institutions. Last summer 2010, Sylvia participated in Design Journey: You Are Here, exhibit held at the AIGA national Headquarters in NYC, click this link: http://www.aiga.org/design-journeys-sylvia-harris/
Yes, I can boost of the mountainous accolades and awards as an acclaimed information designer, however, her biggest rewards were being a loving wife to Gary, an attentive mother to a teenage daughter Thai, and fabulous sister to Juliette Harris, and a gracious friend to many. We will all miss Sylvia’s fortitude for life, her spirited walk, sparkling smile, inquisitive chats, and her brilliant mind.
Please share your blessings as Sylvia’s spirit walks through the starry night skies along her journey.
Details for a memorial service will be posted during the fall on http://citizenrd.com/
Michele Washington is a design strategist, she can be found at http://culturalboundaries.com/wordpress/ and at http://officeofmichelewashington.com.
-
March 16: Naana B., designer of Vixen Handbags
Posted on March 16, 2011 | No CommentsA self-confessed dream chaser and globetrotter, the designer began her artistic journey creating steel sculpture and paintings at Columbia University, later inspiring a long lasting love affair with clothing and accessories.
After crafting and learning the elements of design, the line Naana B was conceived! A woman designing for women, Naana B takes the uniqueness and artistry of handbags and clothing seriously. The line reflects the free nature of the designer’s life and adventures.
Handmade and produced by women artisans in Ghana (http://rcempowerment.org/), proceeds from all sales go to the Rural Communities Empowerment Centre in Ghana.
Find her at:
-
March 15: Nkwo Onwuka, fashion designer
Posted on March 15, 2011 | No Comments
Nkwo Onwuka is a bit free spirited, a bit nomadic, and totally African inspired. She is also by the bohemian era of the 60s and 70s in America and the beautiful wearable art found across Africa. Her UK-based collection debuted in 2007 and she volunteers to encourage self-sufficiency among African families living in poverty.
-
March 14: Joyce Chimanye: talented Zimbabwean fashion designer
Posted on March 14, 2011 | No Commentsby Atim Annette Oton
BDNN selects Joyce Chimanye as a talented Zimbabwean fashion designer
Joyce Chimanye is a talented Zimbabwean fashion designer. Zuvva is a quasi-rustic clothing line that was established in 2001 by Joyce Chimanye. She studied fashion at the South African Academy of Fashion Design in Cape Town. Zuvva has participated include:-
• Kora All Africa Music Awards- Sun City South Africa 2001
Fashion Extravaganza by some of Africa’s top designers
• Ubuntu, The African Heritage Afro-Australian Fashion Evening – Sydney, Australia 2003
Afro-Australian fashion evening in support of HIV/AIDS orphans in Africa.
• Fading Cultures Emerging Innovations – Washington D.C, USA 2003
Art and Craft showcase and workshop
• Miss World 2002, 2003.
Dressed the Zimbabwean representatives to the Miss World.
• Tribal Fusion Show-Santa Fe New Mexico 2005 -
March 13: Fashion Designer Aisha Obuobi of Christie Brown
Posted on March 13, 2011 | No Commentsby Atim Annette Oton
BDNN selects Aisha Obubi as Ghana’s Emerging Fashion Designer.
Designer, Aiha Obuobi
Aisha Obuobi – creative director and founding partner of Christie Brown Ltd – began her love affair with fashion at an early age. Her grandmother, who the brand is named after, was a seamstress so she grew up watching Ms. Christie Brown, stooped over a sewing machine, creating beautiful clothes…like pieces of art – out of rich, vibrant materials. As a little girl, she reveled in playing with shreds of African print material and designed mini collections for her favourite dolls.
Aisha started this label whilst in her final year at the University of Ghana, Legon, where she majored in Psychology and she is driven by the desire to create beautiful pieces that will enhance the natural beauty in Christie Brown’s clients. In 2009, Aisha won the highly coveted “Emerging Designer of the Year” award at the inaugural Arise Fashion Week, in South Africa. She was invited to sit on a panel at the African Economic Forum, which took place at Columbia University, New York, and Marie Claire (international) featured Aisha as one of twenty-one “Daring Women of 2010″, noting the “the energy, the courage, the creativity,” and “the drive” behind her work.
Website:
http://christiebrownonline.com/
-
March 12: Kendra Francis of FRANKE
Posted on March 8, 2011 | No Commentsby Atim Annette Oton
Kendra began her career at the age of 13 and was self-taught by the time she began her studies in Fashion Design at Ryerson University in Toronto. Kendra Francis launched her Atelier under the label FRANKE and her SS04 collection, during Toronto’s LFW, consolidated her reputation as one of Toronto’s hottest and respected designers.
Very much a woman’s woman, Francis’ philosophy is based in the belief that “Fashion should enhance one’s personality, not detract from it”. Her collection is focused on the female form and the balance of fluidity, clean lines and refined silhouettes. Francis has since partnered with mass-market retailers to design exclusive collection and in 2010 Franke grew to include accessories. Kendra currently works and lives in Toronto, Canada.
Website:
Web Trails:
http://toronto-style.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-with-kendra-francis-one-of_07.html
http://concreteloop.com/2011/03/designer-spotlight-kendra-francis
-
March 11: Towana Phillip, designer of To’Sha Knits as Emerging Handbag designer
Posted on March 8, 2011 | No Commentsby Atim Annette Oton
BDNN selects Towana Phillip, designer of To’Sha Knits as Up and Coming Emerging Handbag designer
Towana Phillip, the designer of To’Sha Knits, an eclectic line of handbags and t-shirts, a Brooklyn-based handbag company.
Website:
Web Trails:
http://www.textileglobal.com/2011/01/fashion-group-internationals-rising-star-awards.html
-
March 10: Tennille McMillan of Nakimuli, for Funky Fashion Dresses
Posted on March 7, 2011 | No Commentsby Atim Annette Oton
BDNN selects Tennille McMillan of Nakimuli, for Funky Fashion Dresses
Brooklyn urbanista Tenille McMillan’s naKIMuli line offers a series of electric looks for summer. ‘Lock U Up In Luv For Days’ is a hybrid of exotic, animalistic and geometric prints in playful and sexy silhouettes. naKIMuli’s “Dookie Chain” has been on our list for some time, now followers of Tenille’s brilliance can see why we’re locked up in love for the entire collection! We fancy the Aztec-esque print against the season’s must-have strong shoulder on the collection’s black and white “it” bodycon dress. Source: http://clutchmagonline.com/newsgossipinfo/nakimulis-lock-u-up-in-luv-for-days-springsummer-10-collection/
Website:
