An Emerging Designer In The Time of Crisis.
Origin and surrounding play colossal role in forming personality. In those, who chose the path of art, local culture will be reflected in creations. It takes a lot of talent and courage to make the world see the beauty of overcrowded and underfunded community in East Africa. The 24-year-old emerging designer David Avido, raised by a single mother, never felt that coming from Kibera in Kenya was something to be sorry for. The opposite was the case. Kibera inspired him.
Avido gained recognition through crafting handmade straw hats and signature wax-print jackets for reggae stars such as Jamaican singer Koffee. But lately, the trajectory of his creative flow has changed dramatically. With the start of pandemic, designer made a decision to lead a team of 12 to produce free face masks for local distribution. However, the number of confirmed cases in Kenya was relatively low, Avido took upon himself the obligations to take care of protective measures. He promptly organized a few friends and fellow creatives. So far, about 10 000 masks have been handed out to support his community. Interestingly, there were no organizes hand-outs. Point individuals quickly and quietly passed masks to those in need, avoiding fights and chaos around it.
It is worth mentioning that designer masks differ by originality and ethnic motifs.
Report: Olha Dzharyha
At the rise of Covid-19 many of us first questioned the timeline of fashion week and would we see the regular calendar continue - the question weighed over many of us for months! It was refreshing to see design houses and designers across the globe take advantage of the uncertainty and plow into production mode - thus my interest in Jerri Reid New York - The Black Designer based in Brooklyn New York wow’d instagram with his latest collection paying homage to the Black Is King film which debuted earlier this year in July. I was taken aback at quick of a turn round the young designer produced and released his well crafted designs reflecting some of the films most memorable moments.