Passionate about creating spaces of learning, Prof. Dr. Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung shares his perspectives with Beatrace on artisanship from Africa and the diaspora. An internationally renowned curator of African art, author, professor at the Weissensee Academy of Art in Berlin, founder of Savvy Contemporary, yet with a doctorate in biophysics, Ndikung gives a critically thought-out and cross-dimensional perspective on the current state of post colonial art and fashion. A mouthful right? And newly awarded OCAD University International Curators Residency fellowship in Toronto. Not only that but we get a taste of his encyclopedic knowledge of history, philosophy, artisans, and fashion designers from Africa in this interview. ‘I don’t think the catwalks in Europe or America need to legitimise their [African fashion designers’] existence’. ‘It’s never just the aesthetic it’s always about the meaning’.

Contact us or send in a voice message telling us what you think: [email protected]

Support the show

Jana Braumüller, a feminist, political thinker and women’s rights campaigner within fashion talks with Beatrace. Sustainability and justice are at the heart of Fashion Changers, a digital content platform Jana co-founded. Petitioning for laws bringing radical transparency, along with workshops, events and a co-written book, are just some of the efforts Fashion Changers are helping to drive on a societal scale in Germany. A parallel journey many young designers and brands from Africa and the diaspora struggle with: diversity, sustainability and inclusivity - fair fashion. Hear the challenges from Jana & Beatrace's experience in collaborating and adjusting mindsets in the mainstream. ‘Fashion is a vehicle to improve certain things and empower people’ (Jana).Contact us or send in a voice message telling us what you think: [email protected]

Future Fashion:

The initiative is supported by the Future Fashion project - a joint project initiated by the Baden-Württemberg Development Cooperation Foundation (SEZ), of the state of Baden-Württemberg, which is committed to the conscious and sustainable textile and fashion consumption in Baden-Württemberg. "Future Fashion Made in Africa", an extension of Future Fashion, ​​serves networking, knowledge transfer, exposure, market access for textile startups from Germany and African countries and is intended to strengthen the sector of sustainable textiles and promote international exchange.

The Fashion Africa Now podcast is brought to you by Future Fashion and produced by APYA Productions with financial support from the Ministry of State of Baden-Wurttemberg via the Baden-Wurttemberg Foundation for Development Cooperation (SEZ). This episode was created in association with Social Urban Nature. Fashion Africa Now podcast has the permission to use the music and the sounds created by Blackstereo music. 

Support the show

Listen in to a candid and fiery conversation Beatrace Angut Oola has with Omoyemi Akerele, live in Lagos, the highly sought-after driving force for much of Nigeria’s fashion industry; and Roberta Annan, with a strong business development background who kickstarted her place in fashion in the UN, and live in Accra. With years of experience in the African fashion industry, these formidable women agree on the need for infrastructure and collaboration amongst resident Africans and in the diaspora. “African fashion is not a trend. It’s here to stay. Not just a philosophised and a romanticised movement... There are people whose lives depend on this ecosystem” (Omoyemi). So we ask you, what is African fashion? 

Contact us or send in a voice message telling us what you think: [email protected]

Support the show

Meet Beatrace Angut Oola, founder of Fashion Africa Now and our F.A.N Podcast host. With strong credentials in fashion and the arts, working for some of the world's esteemed fashion brands, our Ugandan-German host is also a speaker, curator, guest lecturer and founder of a creative consulting agency, APYA Productions. Beatrace ignites and stewards candid and untold stories of talent from Africa and the diaspora, as well as those shaping the sustainable fashion scene.

Support the show

The first episode of Fashion Africa Now Podcast will drop soon, and Beatrace Angut Oola will be airing every second Wednesday. Here's a quick taste of what's to come. Stay tuned...

Support the show