International jewelry accessories designer, Anita Quansah gave an amazing presentation at the just concluded MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week.
She had an unusual runway design - power bike, trees which her jewelries hung on...it was very stunnig, really amusing.
Read more about Anita Quansah below and check out pictures of the show.
Anita Quansah London was created in 2006 by UK designer Anita Quansah. After obtaining a textile degree in 2003, from Chelsea College of Art and Design London, Anita Quansah has been working to develop and promote recycling in her designs by creating elaborate one of kind statement jewelleries.
Her pieces are strong statements, which are a fusion of modern bohemian tribal mixed with her cultural background which is African.
Anita Quansah entered the fashion industry producing works for the likes of DKNY, Diane Von Furstenberg, Ischiko, Victoria Secret, Ecko and textiles Weisbrod Zurrer, Christian Lacroix and Sandy Starkman and being involved with Indigo, Premier Vision in Paris and other such exhibitions.
But her flair and passion for creativity stems from her early childhood. Growing up, watching and learning from her now late 82 years old grandmother and muse, a renowned seamstress and designer of her time, teaching and running an all women institute of more than 400 students. Teaching local women in the community, how to better themselves by taking up home economics, designing and sewing. Her grandmother believes that every woman needs to make use of what they are blessed with which one of them are your “hands”. I guess this has indeed inspired and motivated the designer to now follow her long loved passion for creativity, by stepping into her grandmothers shoes, which to her is very hard to fill.
This creative instinct and memorable influence has led the designer to successfully obtain her degree and progress into Jewellery making which is self taught by experimenting with many found materials fused with her textile background experience.
Her work speaks originality, eclectic, expressive and yet authentic and can be perceived as works of art, all handmade by the designer using recycled and vintage materials fused with gems from around the world, incorporated with mixed metals, silver, gold, gunmetal and the introduction of colourful elements such as rare African beads sourced from Africa, pearls, beads, rhinestones, ribbons and fringing giving the collection a sense of modernity with a hint of the past
Anita Quansah’s works have gained the attention of Stylists, fashion editors and celebrities alike.
In 2004 she collaborated with Christian Lacroix, designing and embroidering a jacket which featured on the runway for his Haute Couture show in Paris.
In April 2010 British Vogue, named her neckpieces as “Best Buy” and also in November 2010, she was nominated for the “Best African Fusion Designer” at the prestigious GUBA awards in London.
Her designs have been featured in editorials such as German Vogue, Elle Germany, British Vogue, Elle UK.com, Dare2magazine, Fab Magazine, Muse, German Tush, Flux, SVA, Pride, Fashizblack, Pref, Sublime and Vision and many online fashion and style blogs.
All the pieces within the entire collection are handmade in the UK with Love
Anita Quansah London jewelry is currently available for purchase at My Sugarland boutique in London and www.shrimptoncouture.com.
