Celebrating the exhibition Africa Fashion, intergenerational storytellers across spoken word, music and art are united each month for an afternoon of free activities, performances and talks for all ages curated by African-led organisations Next In Colour and Yo CiTY.
The series, titled Africa Fashion: Past, Present & Future, shares the influence of the past, pull of the present and hopes for the future of diasporan communities, acknowledging that each generation cannot exist without what came before and what is yet to come.
Africa Fashion: Past, Present & Future takes place across three Saturday afternoons on 20 July, 17 August and 21 September.
Learn more about Africa Fashion
WHAT’S ON
12 – 12.30pm: STORIES FROM THE SALON
This storytelling session references the African hair salon as a communal space where topics around love, life, beauty and style play out. Set amongst a background of a fictional hair salon designed by Ethiopian-Norwegian artist, Olana Janfa, you can hear from African community members each month on what fashion and style mean to them.
Saturday 17 August – Kamble J Kambere & Flora Chol
Kambale J Kambere
Kambale is the founder & creative director of YB TAILORING. Inspired by his African heritage, his creations reflect a rich tapestry of cultural influences drawn from countries like Kenya, Egypt, and Congo. His clothing features a unique blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary style including pieces that not only showcase the beauty of African textiles but also celebrate the diversity and artistry of the continent.
Flora Chol
Flora Chol is a Melbourne based South Sudanese writer and poet. She is the published author of Tomorrows Dream, her first debut poetic anthology. Flora’s writing is an unprovoked stream of literary consciousness that critically delves into complex modern-day discourses. Through an in-depth poetic lens, she explores topics of race, whiteness, gender, cultural and traditional binaries, intergenerational trauma and social as well as political issues.
Saturday, 21 September – Fatma Hussein and Effie Nkrumah
Fatma Hussein
Fatma Hussein is a passionate spoken word artist and author of Fire in the Rain. She is dedicated to courageously challenging perspectives on mental health, self-care, self-love, growth, and identity through her evocative poetry. Known for her open-ended style, she invites readers into deep, reflective conversations with each piece she crafts.
Effie Nkrumah
Effie Nkrumah, a creative multi-hyphenate of Ghanaian descent. She is the founder of Keziah Jemima, a fashion label specialising in sustainable, handmade pieces focused on various traditional fabrics made by artisans in Ghana. Keziah Jemima’s slow, made-to-order approach empowers individual style with artisanal precision.
12.30 – 3PM: TEXTILE WORKSHOPS
Explore how African textiles have been used to demonstrate the wearer’s culture, social status or to commemorate an important event. Create a zine using African textiles in this workshop with Next In Colour.
Visitors can also enjoy a Somali weaving activity lead by Qaymi Arts and Crafts as well as drawing activities for children.
12 – 3PM: NEXT IN COLOUR PHOTO STUDIO
Use your phone to take a selfie in the Next In Colour Photo Studio, a homage to the makeshift photo studios, with their props and painted backdrops, that spread across Africa in the wake of independence.
1.15 – 2.15: AFRICAN JAM SESSION
Be immersed in an African jam session presented by Yo CiTY. Each month musicians Amadou Suso, Boubacar Gaye and Brotha Asanti unite for a session of improvised live music spanning traditional, popular and contemporary styles.
Amadou Suso is a master of the kora, a traditional West African stringed instrument, and is also a direct descendent of the world’s first kora player, Koriang Musa Suso. As a music maker, or ‘jali’ by birthright, Amadou embodies the griot traditions of the Mandinka of West Africa. Known widely as the ‘Jimi Hendrix of the kora’, Amadou fulfils his ancestral duties to share the culture of his people through an intoxicating contemporary mastery of the African harp.
Boubacar Gaye, master djembe player from Dakar, leads Ausecuma Beats, a dynamic 9-piece ensemble blending musical traditions from Australia, Senegambia, Cuba, and Mali. Residing in Melbourne, Gaye unites diverse rhythms and cultures, creating a vibrant and unique global soundscape that celebrates cultural fusion and musical heritage.
Brotha Asanti originates from Zimbabwe with South African heritage. His artistry is deeply rooted in the vibrant underground dance rscenes of New York and Chicago, which significantly influences his work as a vocalist, DJ, and producer. Asanti’s music, particularly showcased in his acclaimed 2020 debut EP Morning After Vol. 1, is a fusion of rich, rhythmic storytelling and soulful melodies.
Program Collaborators
Yo CiTY
Yo CiTY Founded by Percy Dube & Dorcas Maphakela, Yo CiTY is an African-led organization based in Melbourne, dedicated to promoting art and creativity within marginalized African communities across Victoria. Founded with the vision to demonstrate that excellence can thrive in diverse and underserved communities, Yo CiTY operates through four core pillars: Events Management, Artist Management, Content Creation, and Social Media Management.
Next In Colour
Next In Colour is an African-led community arts organisation dedicated to sharing the transformative power of arts and creativity to empower and drive change. Led by creatives Ruth Nyaruot Ruach and Geskeva Komba, Next In Colour work across the creative industries, academia and community engagement connecting the community with opportunities and leading co-designed workshops and events.