Observations – Designer Nana Yaa Asare-Boadu's Got Moves
Part of The Folklore's main goal is to maintain a platform and environment that promotes storytelling. Whether it be telling the stories of the luxury African designer brands we stock or of emerging creatives moving the culture, discovering and promoting untold narratives is what we are most passionate about. That's why this week we are excited to reveal The Folklore’s new blog series –– "Observations". Curated by TF’s Digital Content Manager, Amandla Baraka, "Observations" is a bi-weekly series that strives to share the personal observations of artists, musicians, designers, and other creatives from around the world. The observations each subject shares primarily focus on topics related to love, art, health, food, spirituality, and anything else that compels them
Our first Observations subject is British-born Ghanian fashion designer and artist, Nana Yaa Asare-Boadu. The new Brooklyn resident, who lives in the borough's Bed-Stuy neighborhood, works as a full-time designer in Manhattan. Nana's time in the fashion industry has given her the opportunity to lead her life on an incredible journey traveling the world to places like Paris, Milan, and Amsterdam.
Although fashion design might be her full-time job and something she's highly skilled at, another huge influence in her life is performance art, specifically improve dance. Nana connects to this physical art form through her thoughts, feelings, and fears. Her movements are all about letting go of something and sometimes it can even have a touch of humor. “My practice is about my everyday life, it’s like a therapy," said Nana during an email interview with The Folklore."I deal with part of my life through movement. It makes me a better person.”
On social media, Nana is known for sharing striking imagery that artistically incorporates both her love affairs with fashion and dance. Last month, Nana welcomed The Folklore team into her Brooklyn home to show us how she moves in The Folklore's Spring/Summer 2019 styles from Abidjan-based womenswear brand Loza Maléombho and Cape Town-based accessories brand, Pichulik.
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My practice is about my everyday life. My thoughts, feelings, my fears.
Top - Tonla Burlap Top (Loza Maléombho)
I emote what I feel, it can have elements of humour, it can be about letting go of something, sorrow... it’s like a therapy.
Belt - Bronze Masks Utility Belt (Loza Maléombho)
I deal with part of my life through movement. It makes me a better person.
Top - Three Masks Bustier Top (Loza Maléombho), Earrings - Adrestia Sand Earrings (Pichulik)
Photography - Amandla BarakaStyling - Nana Yaa Asare-Boadu
