A garment and piece of jewellery from one of Kenya’s leading fashion designer Patricia Mbela, head designer of Poisa, was chosen to be part of the Journeys in Beadwork: Contemporary Style Dialogues exhibit at the Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead (North East of London),UK.
Poisa’s invitation was as a result of showcasing the Native Essence – Fire and Ice collection at the ARISE Magazine Fashion Week 2012 held in Lagos,Nigeria, back in March. The exhibition will explore the fascinating history of South African Beadwork sponsored byNelsonMandelaMetropolitanArt Museum and Poisa is the only Kenyan invited to display.
“It is an achievement that a garment, jewellery and unique styling attracted the curators of the gallery. The piece will make people take a serious look at Kenyan fashion and beading,” says the designer.
Photographs of Poisa’s work by Barbara Minishi will be complimenting the backdrop of the exhibit.
This contemporary fashion exhibition will start on 21st April – 2nd September 2012. It seeks to explore dialogues and cultural exchanges between contemporary African and Western fashion specifically using the beadwork as an expression African identity.
According toPatricia,Kenyais a country of beaders and beading plays a big part in the country’s culture. She uses the near-forgotten art of traditional Taita beading.
“I like pushing the design boundaries, but it takes excellent work, patience and a good team creating the stunning Poisa pieces,” she says.
The exhibition seeks to look at how the West has interpreted Africa in haute couture and high fashion, looking at how Western designers have appropriated images or perceptions of Africa