ILANGA LISHONILE COLLECTION “The Sun Has Set”
NINA CHRISPIM, at 28, is a woman of multiple talents and passions.As co-founder of the recently launched jewelry brand Chrispim-Marley.
In collaborating with E_Mania, Nina Chrispim delved into research on São Paulo’s Carnival, aiming to capture the essence of the matriarchs represented in the “Alas das Baianas,” a crucial and emblematic part of the parades in this long and traditional festivity that takes place in Brazil between February and March every year. Her grandmother, Neyde André, was one of the great figures of this celebration in Brazil and is being honored in the collection.
The portrayal of the more mature, faceless feminine figure was carefully exalted, conveying the message and representation of Black women who continue to be the backbone of Brazilian families, playing the traditional role of maternal leadership passed down through their ancestors.
The texture was designed to evoke traditional bead necklaces, which carry a spiritual and ancestral connection, with colors meticulously selected to convey the noblest feelings. Crimson represents love, strength, and the energy of Xangô, and, along with white, it predominates in Candomblé, an African-derived religion widely referenced in Brazilian Carnival. Orange emerges as a symbol of optimism and freedom, while yellow represents creativity, according to colour psychology. These colors blend in a gradient, flowing like life itself.
In summary, Nina Chrispim’s collaboration with E_Mania not only celebrates the rich tradition of São Paulo’s Carnival but also honors and perpetuates the influence and strength of the matriarchs who have shaped this festivity over the years. Through careful visual representation, the collection seeks not only to convey aesthetic beauty but also to tell stories and preserve memories that are essential to Brazil’s cultural identity.
In designing we kept the 3R promise and this was applied throughout the design process:
- Reuse: The top part of this garment is from our previous SS23 final dress.
- Repair: The mat the model is holding in the last frame is an old family Zulu mat that has worn out. We repaired certain sections and repainted it for our collection messaging.
- Recycle: We repurpose all the fabric scraps from the print production to make styling pieces for all looks. Lastly each model is wearing Zulu shoes made of 100% recycled material: tyres and nails.
Isithembiso sika-3 R
elukwe ngesandla
Umthwalo _”baggage”
ikhowe
ubuhlalu
Irondavel
okhulelwe
ukushada kwamasiko amabili
