Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa 2013 – Samsung #AmazeAfrica: 1981 by Nana Brenu & Adéle Dejak present “Beetles”

Second to unveil their collection was Ghanaian /Italian brand 1981 by Nana Brenu & Ugandan/Kenyan luxury fashion accessory designer Adéle Dejak.

Their collection was themed by Beetles. Speaking on their collection here is what the designers had to say

1981 by Nana Brenu said “I was inspired by the delicateness of the beetle’s wings and its hard exoskeleton, translating this into armour-type garments but with a soft feel, using silk organza to simulate the wings and silk gazar and techno wool to simulate the exoskeleton of the beetle.“

Commenting on his collaboration Adéle Dejak said “Given the brief, on seeing the Coleoptera beetles, their hard, shiny exterior and fascinating ‘oil in water’ like colours, the Ankole cow horn immediately sprang to mind. Wanting to rejuvenate African luxury, as well as representing the beetle in a contemporary, stylish manner, the shape of the beetle was stripped down and focus remained on the body. In keeping with wanting to create luxurious pieces, black leather was chosen. The black leather is clean cut and bold: minimal – and the horn clasp is reminiscent of the body of the beetle itself, hard, polished, captivating. Horn has been introduced in to every piece from the Samsung #AmazeAfrica collection to remind us of the beetle’s hard, shiny exterior. Recycled brass also played a role in the creation of the pieces, in keeping with the luxury brief, giving the pieces that extra luxurious edge, adding the colour gold.“

My Verdict
I cant hate on a clean piece of art and that is what I thought the 1981 & Adéle Dejak collaboration was – clean. I love the simplicity of the pieces and that fact that the 1981 pieces were plane enough to incorporate the subtle edginess of the Adéle Dejak accessories.

Check out the collection and drop your comments.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa 2013 – #AmazeAfrica: 1981 by Nane Kweku Brenu & Adéle Dejak

Genera: Beetles

Photo Credits: Simon Deiner/SDR Photography