Okapi Africa continues to build on its legacy of craftsmanship with the launch of new apparel and accessories that celebrate collaborative African design with the Art of Collaboration campaign.
In an inspired campaign that celebrates creativity, diversity, and unity across borders and genres – spanning fashion, art, beauty and luxury lifestyle - Okapi Africa joined a select but diverse group of African and international luxury brands.
As part of this campaign, Okapi Africa unveiled a new range – a creative endeavour that underscores the brand’s endlessly collaborative spirit and expanding repertoire. Known primarily for its luxury leather accessories, Okapi Africa expands its offering to include knitwear apparel as well as new bag designs, crafted in collaboration with local artisans that specialise in their respective disciplines. From beaded shawls that demonstrate the intricate artistry of Monkeybiz, to felted pieces created with the expertise of textile designer Stephanie Bentum, and a range of sumptuous knits ethically crafted using the finest South African merino wool from Gerber and Co.
The products themselves speak to the art of collaboration: the bringing together of skills and knowledge across multiple disciplines, cultures and traditions to represent the power of a collective. The artisans themselves are deeply invested in cultural heritage, harnessing the legacy of craftsmanship from the continent.
“This is a story about what luxury means now and to us – something that we as Okapi Africa have embodied since inception. A union of creativity and craftsmanship, that tells a deeper story,” says Jeanine Benjamin, CEO of Okapi Africa.
Founded by couturier Stephen Van Eeden, who has described it as ‘a movement’, The Art of Collaboration 2024 represents a ‘new era of luxury collaboration where the boundaries between art, fashion, and culture are blurred to create something truly unique. It is a testament to the fact that when creative minds come together, the result is nothing short of extraordinary’.
This goal of creating something extraordinary aligns seamlessly with the Okapi Africa ethos. A brand founded to showcase the skill of leathercraft using uniquely African materials, it has creativity woven into its very fabric. Thus, taking part in this multicultural and multidisciplinary project was a natural outlet for the brand’s commitment to excellence.
The Art of Collaboration 2024 not only brought together top brands, but also leaders in their respective disciplines to craft this visual journey, through the city of Marrakech. The visuals were brought to life by the ‘muse’ of the campaign Melissa Nayimuli – a Miss South Africa 2023 finalist and a rising star in the creative production realm – making it a true representation of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.
Unveiled at home at an event held at Okapi’s winelands boutique, this campaign showcases some of the recent collections available at the boutique, but more importantly tells the story of a brand that lives beyond our borders and speaks to a universal and evolving notion of luxury.
