008: End of Summer Ode

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 🗞️

This week, we’re on a much-needed holiday break, but we want to hear from you! Send us an email at [email protected] with any questions you desperately want answered.

Looking for the perfect birthday gift? Curious about the beauty brands we’re watching? We’ve got you covered and we’ll share the best of the bunch in our final summer dispatch.

We appreciate all of the support for our Founding Membership and please continue to spread the word — one referral truly makes a difference. ✨

In the meantime, we’ll be gearing up for the fall season covering runway shows, product launches, and monitoring the state of creative industries across the diaspora. Stay tuned!

DISPATCH — 008

Welcome back! On this short edition, we’re kicking off with monographs and market finds. Plus: picnics, video choreography, and malachite jewelry. But first, going behind the scenes with Accra’s finest…

THE INTERVIEW / AAKS

With almost a decade under its belt, AAKS has been steadily building its accessories brand one bag at a time. Founder and creative director Akosua Afriyie-Kumi started by pulling vibrant hues and shapes from photography, architecture, and contemporary art for her woven fringed raffia bags perfect for holiday travel. We checked in for the latest and fan the flames for a physical shop — take a look!

SCALING A BUSINESS

“Ideally slowly. On our side at AAKS, all our bags are made by hand, so our growth has been slow, organic, and sustainable. Depending on your craft, one can scale by increasing your orders, which then allows you to increase your team. I see so many businesses scaling fast, which is exciting. For me, it’s a marathon, so it’s manageable and has longevity.”

FINDING STOCKISTS

“Grateful to say a lot of our stockists found AAKS through our social media channels, press listings, blog posts, or word of mouth. Someone reads about us or buys a bag and tells someone who tells someone. But I did reach out to stores via email as well and having a good website is key!”

GIVING UP & PUSHING THROUGH

“Oh gosh! Many times sadly. My family has been my biggest support, pushing me to not give up. I have said this before, but my mum told me at the time ‘if I fail, at least I tried’ and that stuck with me. So if and when I am going through a hard time, I remind myself [of] this mantra and keep going. It’s been tough along this crazy journey, but when you do something you love, it’s really difficult to give up.”

OPENING A SHOP IN GHANA

“If you asked me this eight years ago, I would have said no, but now I will say yes. We hope to have our own little store in Accra one day!”

This interview has been edited and condensed.

MARKET FINDS

An end of summer ode to the market finds we admire. Starting with this olive green tote from Curves by Sean Brown, a contemporary homewares and objects brand, followed by a signet ring of malachite from L’Enchanteur and indigo eyelet shorts in the archives of Post-Imperial. Embrace this restful season.

ON OUR RADAR

Zohra Opoku releases her first monograph published with Mariane Ibrahim Gallery in honor of her first solo exhibition in Paris, The Myths of Eternal Life…Part 2. The exhibition itself was a sight to behold, so we have high hopes for the tome. (Link)

Acclaimed dancer and movement director Stephen Galloway is behind the newest single from Miley Cyrus Used to be Young released today. Galloway continues to craft iconic imagery that stands the test of time. (Link)

This insane-in-the-best-way picnic by Zelikha Dinga of Caro Diario. (Link)