Friday 18 March 2022

ABOUT COLOUR EXPLOSION Spring/Summer 2022

TRIBUTE TO MY MUM 

To this collection, I will begin with a tribute to my mother as she has always been a great inspiration and the drive that caused me to look back into my journey to Anna Luks as a Clothing Brand. 
Anna Luks is presenting for the very first time, a new Plus size collection called Colour Explosion.




As a Clothing designer, my beginnings were inspired by my mother, who was not only stylish but also a dressmaker who made clothes for all my three sisters and myself. My mum was well known for making outstanding Leather bags with intricate details, a much-needed skill. With time, patience, and practice I will learn to incorporate in my bags too. I miss her deeply. 




 Being a native of the beautiful city of Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania, it is only natural to be induced by its rich Swahili culture lifestyle. The cultural richness includes diversity in food, dress, rhythms, open markets, and the aroma from the shores of the Indian Ocean. Mentioned above suffices is an inspiration to any creative being. You do not have to break a sweat to be inspired, it is all around you. 

 

I always refer to myself as an experimental designer, I detest operating or working within guidelines. I like my creativity to evolve organically. My instinct is a tool that guides me or helps me make that final decision in making. This tool is important to me; it is my compass in creating. This tool has a name, and it's called a mistake. Whenever I make a mistake when working, I don't panic, I just change the sail, and the destination is wherever it may take me. It is bound to be "sure", and this is how I teach my apprentices or anyone working with me. 

My favorite makers' quote.

This collection is my very first breakthrough to bigger sizes; my goal is to stretch up to other sizes.  Making Plus sizes have always been a challenge for me. I actually avoided making bigger clothing sizes. But it eventually came along with experience over the years and understanding women’s different types of body shapes and sizes. With my acquired confidence I am determined to cater to all body shapes and sizes. 
The Brand's specialty is in everyday wear or calls it smart casual and is open to a wearer's styling whether to dress it up or down pending the occasion. 




Brand wise, Anna Luks was enhanced mostly by studying Fashion History, movements like Art Nouveau of the 1800s,  Art Deco of the 1920s, and reading biographies.  A biography that really resonated with me was by Antonio Gaudi. Some described him as a true genius, but on the other hand, some thought he was ridiculous. m=1http://annaluks.blogspot.com/2011/01/from-gaudi-to-couture.html?m=1
Some of my earlier experimental work was architectural-inspired. I was particularly fascinated with a few architectural buildings with such as The Eden Project in Cornwall Uk and Zaha Hadid Sunrise Tower in Kualalumpa.
Clothing brands that inspired Anna Luks mostly are Duro Olowu, Mary Quant, Teresa Martin, Etro, Kenzo Takada, Rei Kawakubo, Yamamoto, Gap, United Colors, Diesel, Calvin Kline, and Galiano. 

After scaling my first goal, Anna Luks is intentionally interested in, expanding the business to the motherland Tanzania, by using local fabrics made in Tanzania.   As a proud Swahili woman from Tanzania and a Textile designer, my dream is to practice what I always preached, and that is to support local Textile industries in my beloved country. 

Kariakoo Market in Dar - es - Salaam - 2021


Kitumbini Market in Dar -es- Salaan -2016

Ironically, when I was out to source local fabrics made in Dar markets and shops in Tanzania, they were flooded with fabrics from Congo, Ghana, India, and China. The saleswomen in the market always encouraged me to buy these fabrics. They would yell at me, (hii nzuri)... meaning those fabrics are the best ones. I would say no to them and ask for locally made fabrics which sadly, I found out there were not many. 
I bought some fabrics locally made by Sungura Textile and from a local Textile designer called John who I was introduced to.   

Tie-dye fabric by John a local artisan in Dar


I have fond memories of touring the Urafiki Factory in the Ubongo area of Dar-es-Salaam, wherein the early 80s, unfortunately, its beautiful authentic Swahili name was changed to Friendship Textiles instead under Chinese management. 
I am holding on to the memories and proud to have had the privilege of modeling Urafiki's beautiful Khangas and Vitenge produced by these factories via YWCA Tanzania, which was one of the major clientele for purchasing the local fabric.

Urafiki Khanga fabric



Thank you Mama Lukindo
May you continue to rest in eternal peace until we meet again.
Amen.
















Sunday 2 November 2014

Anna Luks In Dar



This summer, I was back in Dar-es-Salaam, my home town for a vacation with a difference.  Instead of enjoying the wonderful sun, sea and sandy beaches it was more of a working holiday.  My aim this time around was to introduce my clothing brand Anna Luks..
Being home is always a blessing.   Despite being born and growing up in the city (Dar-es-Salaam, the Swahililand), I found myself surrounded by a "new" Dar!!  A world of new faces and lifestyle, it felt strange but understandable at the same time.  I was reminiscing of the beautiful old Dar, familiar places and landmarks, many of them are very sadly no more!  Things just seemed totally new to me!

I was quite fortunate to have family and friends helping me out in my venture.  Karolyn Klaire and Carola Kinasha were the main force behind Anna Luks in Dar by introducing me to many wonderful people in my field.  I couldn't have achieved what I did without them.
I had an opportunity to be part of one of the fast-growing Pop Up shops in Dar known as Pop-Up-Bongo which is run by Natasha. The Pop-up-Bongo exhibition event took place on the 2nd August in Slipway Dar-es-Salaam. The turn out and interest was amazing.  I was also thrilled to have finally met quite a few of Anna Luks supporters in person for the first time!
The highlight of my trip to Swahililand was being invited by one of the prestigious Fashion Magazine, Bang, for an interview and a photoshoot at Albert Manifester studios in Mwenge Dar-es-Salaam.
I have put together a few highlights/behind the scene of my working holiday in Dar.  Enjoy!

Exhibition




Venue:  The  Terrace , Slipway Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
 My buddies Tony Joett (TJ) with Sauda Simba.  Thanks guys for the love!  xxx

Natasha of Pop-up-Bongo and Karolyn Klaire wearing Anna luks skirt and crotchet top 
Rope Jacket


Rio-the- Stylist rocking Anna Luks Rope Jacket

Tz model  Chelsea E Santana

Tz Designer of Pax Fashion label  Judith Ngonjela


Interviews
At Holiday Inn Dar-es-Salaam
With Khadija 

Ruth Luks talking about her Jewelry.



Photo Shoots
Behind the scenes
Ladies in Red.  The coat dress
Dyed hessian fabric 
Karolyn  in Hessian Coat Dress
Nasreen of Enji Pai Jewellery 
  

 
Its a wrap guys!  @ the Bang Magazine shoot with awesome photographer himself Albert Manifester.



Other Business
 Nasreen Karim of Enjipai and I

Karolyn and I chilling after a meeting with Designer Ally Rhemtullah at the Fish Market in Msasani Dar-es-Salaam
Ally and I
Ally with Anna and Ruth of A&R Luks accessories




Chillaxing ; Anna & Ruth Luks of A&R Luks accessories

Thanks to: 
Karolyn Klaire, Carolla Kinasha, Athanasius Lukindo, Natasha of Pop-up-Bongo, Lyn Lux, Tony Joett, Zainab and Jabu Maalim. 
Much appreciation!
See you guys very soon!
Anna x