Style notes: New Year brings new ventures from united creatives

It never fails to impress me how January delivers a bountiful yield of newness each year so let’s give a sincerely warm January welcome to a number of new ventures.

I’ve been talking with the Umoja linn girls for a few weeks now and to say I am excited about their marketplace which officially opens online in seven days’ time is an understatement. I thought I’d put a spotlight on them today to whet your appetite for this Afrocentric business which brings a richness of products and colour to the marketplace.

The powerhouses behind Umoja linn are China Soribe and Liswa Adindu-McDonald. The Afro-Irish entrepreneurs, teamed up originally and created Umoja Productions and watched with delight as Irish and international customers responded to their curated pieces.

Scaling things up, the new Umoja linn marketplace is built on the strong pillars of unity and self empowerment and there is a strong Irishness in there too, as the name suggests.

The word “Umoja” means unity in Swahili while “linn” means ‘by us’, as Gaeilge. “Like the African proverb, we believe that ‘if you want to go far, go together’,” the pair told me in a series of Zoom calls plus a walk and coffee with Liswa in Ranelagh.

Liswa was born in South Africa and moved to Ireland in 2007. The same year, Nigerian-born China also moved here and the pair met while studying in Galway and the community of friends included lots of emerging creatives, including Tolu Makay.

Discussing their ambitions in the new business, they say “in uniting Afro-inspired creatives under one vibrantly diverse umbrella, we are reshaping the continent’s narrative. Telling our tales, ourselves, one unique item at a time, while bringing the world along on the ride”.

Their energy and enthusiasm is palpable. As part of their scaling strategy, the team have been working especially hard over the last couple of months on what will be the one-stop shop for all things Afro-fashion.

“On the new Umoja linn marketplace, designers will be able to set up their very own editable, easy-to-use and self-managed online store,” China and Liswa explain.

They intend having 15 designers on offer including Alvina, a South African brand which focuses on portraying the beauty of Africa through high-quality, African beaded jewellery. Incredibly colourful, super light and very affordable, the ‘Iwa’ earrings (pictured above on models Olenka M, Celaviedmai and Phina) cost €20.

I liked them because they are both light but have their own inbuilt movement without being too annoying, or heavy on the ear lobe.

Meanwhile, Kamba from Togo do women’s and men’s clothing and model Aisha wears a Kamba two-piece suit, with longline jacket, belt and narrow-leg trousers, €149.

Other ranges to watch out for are Blaqq Production and Holara, two brands from Nigeria which do womenswear and menswear and also Igbobinna NSB which does Mmanka spirit art.

umojalinn.com

Crafty in Phibsborough

Alexandra Murray launched Alexandra Rae Jewellery brand just last November and her vision is to have a brand that “empowers each of us to be the best version of ourselves”.

Having spent a number of years working for talented Irish jewellery designers, processing orders and shipping — as well as doing assembly work — she realised her dream and has designed her own range inspired by the divine beauty and sovereignty within us all.

“It was so inspiring to work in this field. Ideas and collections would be swirling around in my head constantly. However, as a new and young mother, my identity and confidence were diminished and I felt obliged to abandon my creative instincts and ambitions to provide for my son. Lockdown gave me an opportunity to retreat, reflect and repurpose my existence.” The jewellery is made of recycled 925 sterling silver with the option of a thick layer of 18 carat hard gold plating. She has a number of different collections including Bastet, Lotus, Goddess and Ripple Effect.

It was her honeycomb earrings and pendant, both priced at €111, which instantly caught my eye. Inspired by the Goddess Oshun of beauty, fertility and creativity, the texture, says Alexandra, is reminiscent of thick oozy honey, representing healing and richness.

The entire process of creating each piece is made from start to finish in Ireland with care and with high vibrational intentions.

Alexandra-Rae.com