Fashion label Emeka Suits started with some found fabric. The brand’s creator, Sydney Nwakanma, posted a photo of a suit he’d made from curtain fabric bought at a market in Kenya. The messages started flooding in. People were so interested that Sydney wondered if this upcycling could be an answer to unemployment – and fabric waste – in Kenya, a country close to his heart. So in 2019, Emeka’s tailored, stylish, limited edition suits were born. The word “Emeka” is short for chukwuemeka, which means “God has done so much” in Igbo, a language originating in Southeastern Nigeria. It’s also Sydney’s second name. His suits are upcycled from fabric waste and handmade in rural Kenya. The latest range – and the first loungewear collection by Emeka – is fittingly called “Home“.
The collection is made from soft, breathable cotton, hand-dyed and ethically made in Ghana. The garments come in matching two-piece sets in earthy tones – red clay, bronze and eden – and have spotted variations printed with white figures in organic shapes. As they’re all handmade and individual, each design differs slightly. This makes each set special, speaking to the possibilities of ethical production and craftsmanship. We think it’s no surprise that they released these loungeable items just in time for the cozy season…
Text: Savannah van der Niet / Photos: Aja Dotson
Emeka Suits
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