South African luxury accessories brand OKAPI has collaborated with two of South Africa’s most prominent artists- famed knitwear designer Maxhosa by Laduma and influential South African hip-hop artist Riky Rick on its first unisex accessories collection.
This collaboration brings together fashion and the world of music, combining the refined craftsmanship of OKAPI’s signature designs whilst taking inspiration from Riky Rick’s fashion-forward and artistic sensibility and the Xhosa inspired aesthetic of Maxhosa by Laduma.
The collection features a range of cross body bags, pouches, and belts made out of ostrich leathers in shades of red, green, beige and black, all tanned by highly skilled local artisans in the Western Cape.
Exotic skins have been selected for this collection to reflect the brand’s essence of meeting exceptionality and authenticity, with sustainability and little waste.
The shared collaboration has developed from the trios’ mutual philosophy of showcasing the best of what Africa has to offer.
Speaking on the collaboration Riky Rick says he hopes that by merging fashion and music it will expand
the world's view on South African art and culture.
This ethos is shared with OKAPI founder and creator Hanneli Rupert who says ‘the ethos behind OKAPI is showcase beautifully and ethically made products whilst at the same time creating sustainable jobs on the African continent’.
The collaborative collection will exclusively launch on October 3rd during Frieze Art Week at an exclusive launch
party where Riky Rick's new music video featuring the designs will have its premiere unveiling.
Okapi is the quintessential African luxury brand that was founded in 2008 in Cape Town, and continues to uphold the highest international standards of quality, design, and finish which its loyal customer base has become accustomed to. All of Okapi’s materials and manufacturing are finished entirely in South Africa.
Okapi has exclusively pioneered the use of African game skins including blesbok leather, an exotic skin that
reflects the brand’s essence of meeting exceptionality and authenticity, with sustainability and little waste.
The collaboration will be available to purchase from October 4th exclusively at The Shop at Bluebird London and
will be launching online in November at www.okapi.com.