Fashion consumers are becoming more aware of where their clothing is made, who is making it, and its impact on the environment. For eco-friendly designers, Nicola Luther, CEO of Lunar, and Sonja Stanislaus-Kaw Di-Aping, this is where their inspiration comes from. On the evening of Friday 24 August, Lunar invited their clients to a special celebration of their journey to creating an authentic, earth conscious fashion line in South Africa. The event was hosted at their atelier at 44 Stanley Avenue in Johannesburg.
The Lunar Journey Exhibition event provided a behind the scenes look at what goes into creating a successful eco-friendly fashion line in South Africa, and a celebration of the dedication to this ideal. To create the beautiful and insightful images showcased in the exhibition, photographers John Hogg and Robyn Keet shadowed Lunar Lifestyle designers Nicola Luther and Sonja Stanislaus-Kaw Di-Aping, from the design phase of the 2019 Summer range to the Sandton City catwalks for SA Fashion week. The resulting collection of images provided a fascinating insight and beautiful backdrop to the showcase of the latest Lunar clothing collection.
The event was a wonderful example of collaboration between Lunar, Inner Voice Creative, and the Lionesses of Africa community, the African continent’s fastest growing network of women entrepreneurs. To kickstart proceedings in style, musical entertainment came in the form of an a-cappella performance from the talented Afro-Jazz singer, Bahatii and her wonderful backing singer. Bahatii is also a member of the Lionesses of Africa community having performed at a recent Lioness Lean In event in Centurion and launched her new record label, Bahatii Productions to much acclaim.
Melanie Hawken, founder and ceo of Lionesses of Africa gave the welcoming remarks on the evening. She shared her insights on the growing global interest in Africa’s innovative women fashion designers, and celebrated the world class design aesthetic and craftsmanship of Lunar, under the direction of ceo, Nicola Luther and her fellow designer Sonja Stanislaus-Kaw Di-Aping. Melanie also acknowledged the wonderful support provided for the event by fellow women entrepreneurs from the Lionesses of Africa community. These included Robyn Keet, founder of Inner Voice Creative, who shot and curated the photographic exhibition; Nzeka Biyela, founder of Sugarbird Gin, who provided the refreshments for the event in the form of artisanal, local botanical infused gin and tonics; and Vicky Bain, founder of Chocoloza, who provided guests with some of the finest, handmade chocolate taste sensations to be paired with the gin.
Commenting on the Lunar Journey Exhibition launch event, Melanie Hawken said:
“It is always exciting to see a new generation of world-class design brands emerging from the African continent and gearing up to go truly global. In the world of sustainable fashion, one of the most exciting brands to emerge from South Africa at the moment is Lunar. Under the asethetic direction of ceo, Nicola Luther and her co-designer Sonja Stanislaus-Kaw Di-Aping, the latest Lunar collection is both beautiful to look at and to wear, but importantly, is designed to make women feel confident wherever and whenever they wear it. This is definitely a brand to watch over the next few years.
The event provided a unique opportunity for customers to meet and chat with the design team, to experience the Lunar brand at first hand, to purchase items from the new collection, and to soak up the unique Lunar design aesthetic through world class photography. Guests were also invited to sign up for a specially packaged “Create Your Own Fashion Journey with Lunar, in partnership with Inner Voice Creative. A Bubble and Shoot session package was launched for customers to sign up for a unique experience including: A private outfit fitting at Lunar Lifestyle; the opportunity to try on 2 Lunar summer line clothing items with no obligation to purchase; a 10% discount on all purchases during this session; on the purchase of a Lunar garment, customers receive a free alteration worth R300; a special 45-minute fashion shoot by an IVC approved photographer; and the chance to enjoy a glass of bubbles and chocolates during a private fitting session.
Commenting on the design ethos behind the Lunar brand on the evening, ceo Nicola Luther, said:
“Lunar is a South African fashion and lifestyle brand, striving to always create clothing that is as natural as possible, both in fabric and in design. Lunar differentiates itself by creating exceptional styles using the finest materials and the best possible craftsmanship. With an emphasis on organic textiles, classic contemporary silhouettes and superior quality garment construction, Lunar has become a hallmark for the ethereal aesthetic. Our clientele enjoy distinctive, exclusive, seasonal designs that are sensitive to their physical and practical requirements, with recognition for their need to exude confidence and style which is definably Lunar.”
The Lunar Journey Exhibition was curated by Inner Voice Creative, the brainchild of photographer and creative entrepreneur Robyn Keet. Inner Voice Creative is an exhibition management organization which specializes in the curation of photographic art. Robyn is a natural connector and qualified communication scientist with an eye and passion for photography, creative strategy and visual story telling. Her photographic collaborator for the exhibition was John Hogg, who brought to the project his thirty years of photographic experience gained in the country’s leading newspapers, from photographer to photographic editor.
Speaking about the work of Inner Voice Creative, Robyn said:
“At Inner Voice Creative, we are motivated to connect communities through the creation, curation and execution of carefully considered photographic exhibitions that are inspiring, and which convey the narrative of ordinary people in an extraordinary way. Inner Voice Creative is privileged to collaborate with top African photographers and national curation teams, to create and deliver unique exhibition activations and customer experiences.”
Other contributors to the success of the Lunar Journey Exhibition event included John Hogg, Armani Quintas, L8, SA Fashion week, Lionesses of Africa, Rapid Studio, Chispa, and photography by Sophie Licht.
To find out more about Lunar and to see the latest collection which will be showcased until end September, visit their atelier at 44 Stanley Avenue, Johannesburg or visit the website www.lunarlife.co.za
To find out more about the work of Inner Voice Creative, visit www.innervoicecreative.com
