NEW YORK, Apr 7, 2009 / FW/ — Inspired by the ‘mud cloths’ from Mali, warp-striped weaves and ikats from Madagascar and painted ‘calligraphy’ clothes from Ghana, the ‘Bambou’ handbag collection fuses French design sensibilities to the raw power of African tribal aesthetics.
Designed by New York-based and Paris-born Farrah Delaunay, who became a designer after spending time as a model for Paco Rabanne, Azzedine Alaia and Xuly Bet, the ‘Bambou’ Handbag Collection consists of the Dakar, the Kampala, the Lagos, the Casablanca and the Brazzaville.
Following over a year of development, the Bambou incorporates indigo-resist dyed cloths from West Africa into meticulously crafted handbags of supple lambskin.
Framed against classic shapes – clutch, hobo, bourse, weekender, carry all and beach, the bags also feature braided handles and sections with details or linings in bright green, brown, navy, pink, white and beige.
Each design evokes a bold statement that brings the visual richness and diversity of African textile tradition into a thoroughly modern context for the fashion forward woman of today.
Retailing from $360 – $950, the Farrah Delaunay Bambou collection rolls out of department stores and specialty boutiques nationwide this spring.
[MARGUERITE SEBASTIEN]
Photos courtesy of Farrah Delaunay
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