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Though separated from my homeland, my Congolese heritage remains within me. Driven by a deep need for connection, I’ve embarked on a journey to rediscover my roots. This project seeks to transform that void into a physical form, a tangible reflection of memory, culture, and identity.
KUKOSA, A cultural void
My designs are shaped by profound cultural influences. As a Congolese by origin, raised in the West, I navigate the tension between two worlds. Though physically distant from my homeland, Congolese culture permeates my being in ways that transcend geography. Driven by an existential yearning for connection, I embarked on a journey to rediscover my heritage and reclaim what time and distance have eroded.
Immersing myself in the depths of Congo’s rich history, I sought to uncover the timeless essence of African art and architecture. My aspiration was to create a collection that transcends aesthetics, mirroring my inner journey and the quiet void within me. Rather than merging influences haphazardly, I aimed to craft designs that reflect the complexities of my narrative—a synthesis of heritage and identity, of displacement and belonging.
This collection emerges as a deliberate invocation of African influences, imbued with themes of support, connection, and balance. It offers not just a design but a lens that sparks new dialogues within the design world. Ultimately, it is a conversation between my past and present, reconciling what was with the possibilities of what can be.
