One of our favourite Afroluxe handbag designers, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, founder of Ghanaian brand A A K S, has just launched her much-anticipated Spring/Summer 2016 collection, and its great new online store - www.aaksonline.com - and both were well worth the wait! The new online store has been beautifully designed and is as eye-catching as all the AAKS handbag designs are. The beautiful and refreshing new collection itself reunites Akosua’s impeccable eye for detail, with superb craftsmanship and a raw visceral energy of new shapes.
The aesthetics of the brand’s recent design work is inspired by Luis Barragan’s architectural shapes and photography which strikes a wonderful balance between structure and fluidity. These influences pulsate through the new AAKS collection with contrasting colours and contemporary ease; in shades of delicate pinks, midnight blues and vibrant reds which attunes to creative director Akosua’s eye for artisanal detailing.
"The aesthetics of the brand’s recent design work is inspired by Luis Barragan’s architectural shapes and photography which strikes a wonderful balance between structure and fluidity."
Each piece is made entirely from raffia, combined with leather finishing and fringe detailing, creating a crisp palette which brings dynamism, desirability and play into that colourful summer spirit and heritage of the brand that is now so well known and loved.
It takes approximately one week to complete each handbag. This fine attention to detail celebrates and attests to an unwavering dedication to craftsmanship using traditional methods, yet incorporating a crisp modern style and contemporary interpretations. What makes each AAKS handbag unique is that each one is lovingly made by hand, and each bag bears the fingerprints of the person who fashioned it, with a wonderful signature tag being added to prove authenticity.
"What makes each AAKS handbag unique is that each one is lovingly made by hand, and each bag bears the fingerprints of the person who fashioned it, with a wonderful signature tag being added to prove authenticity."
Akosua Afriyie-Kumi is fast becoming a name to watch on the global accessory scene and her work is winning new fans around the world. She has already showcased her work internationally in Milan, London and Cape Town and now stocks her collection in 28 stores worldwide in 8 countries including the prestigious Anthropologie retail store. The AAKS brand tells an exciting creative story of Ghana, offering a different perspective and exploratory feel of Africa. The visual inspiration behind every design reflects a sense of spontaneity which embraces the visceral energy of Ghanaian culture and pulsates through the entire collection. Akosua continues to build an African brand ethically and conscientiously, one handbag at a time.
To visit the new AAKS online store, go to www.aaksonline.com