the journey.
Learn the history and the story behind the pieces. It’s not JUST merchandise. It’s art. It’s deep emotions in physical form.
it’s about family.
The history of the kabiani handbag
the kabiani handbag: named after my mother.
Born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo, my step mother immigrated to the U.S. at the young age of 19 years old through an arranged marriage to take care of 7 children. She tackled motherhood beautifully and her main focus was to ensure that we had a nurturing presence in our home and for my siblings and me to still have a blissful childhood. The Kabiani handbag has structure, practicality, resilience and grace … just like my mother.
first made in march 2019.
It all began with having a vision of making the perfect work bag. I needed something that contained all my essentials and a little extra: my iPhone 10, my massive Ray-Ban and its case, my medium sized cosmetic bag and my thick wallet and some extra space for anything else my delusional mind thought it needed. This beautifully crafted bag contains quality that is honed, refined (and redesigned), and relentlessly practiced over the course of over 3 years.
the history of the janet handbag
THE NAME JEANNETTE holds great significance.
The name Jeannette (“Janet” in the English accent) comes from my grandmother then to my aunt: 2 women that diversified and greatly elevated my family name. Both women exemplified charm, impeccable taste, and refined thinking making themselves a significant name in their community. Their elegance is pass down from generations and is manifests in the Janet handbag.
MADE IN DECEMBER 2020.
The first Janet handbag was created as a birthday gift for a friend. I admired the minimalism, structure and size of the mini bag and began making a few for myself as a date night and going out bag. One night, I got very intoxicated and spilled a cranberry and vodka drink into my bag. Later that night I threw the bag in the washer and dryer. It became fully restored. Realizing its practicality, I thought to myself “everybody needs to own a Janet bag”. This handbag has been redesigned, mastered, and perfected over the course of nearly 2 years.
THE HISTORY OF THE SEMA DRESS
first made in december 2019.
The name Sema comes from my notorious great grandmother who owned a successful meat market. A prominent figure in her community, my great grandmother was an unapolegtic fashionista: wearing 7 inch heels well into her elderly age and massive sunglasses. She was incredibly fierce, bold, extraordinary, and transcendent - character that is embodied and captured in the Sema dress.
the story behind the paintings.
“protected”
This piece is a visual painting of a vivid dream I had during a very vulnerable time in my life. I had just moved from one part of America to another and I was surrounded by unfamiliar faces and I was living a completely new lifestyle; very different from the one I had lived for several years. My sense of security was very shaky and my mind was filled with uncertainty about my future. Then the universe gave me reassurance in a dream. I felt as if the universe was telling me not to have doubt and to have faith in the natural order. The universe was telling me not to be afraid and that I will always be protected no matter my circumstances.
the steps
GATHERING REFERENCES, PRACTICING, DRAFTING
