Bold Marks, Global Moves

In this edition of the Zelaki Newsletter, we highlight the bold and brilliant ways African creatives are shaping global conversations. From a record-breaking artwork in Nigeria to spoken word as resistance in Cameroon, each story reveals how art becomes a tool for change. We explore the latest in contemporary African art, witness a historic Met Gala moment for African designers, and end with a behind the design look at our new tote inspired by Ethiopian tattoo traditions. Each feature reflects a deep connection to heritage, identity, and imagination.

Threads of Change: Art, Culture, and Innovation Across Africa

In this edition of the Zelaki Newsletter, we explore how African artists and creatives are using their work to challenge perceptions, raise awareness, and make a lasting impact. From Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke’s Guinness World Record artwork for autism awareness to Zimbabwean stone sculptors confronting colonial legacies at Oxford, we highlight the power of art to spark dialogue and drive change.

We also dive into the Herds puppet project, which travels from Kinshasa to the Arctic Circle, raising climate awareness through recycled material puppets, and celebrate Togo’s debut pavilion at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, showcasing the country's architectural heritage and innovation.

Join us as we spotlight these inspiring stories of creativity, activism, and cultural preservation.

Celebrating African Art, Design, and Culture

This edition dives into three exciting narratives reshaping African art and design today. Harvard GSD explores the evolution of African landscape architecture, highlighting its potential for sustainability and urban innovation. Iké Udé brings a touch of elegance to Vogue, photographing Colman Domingo in stunning portraits that merge historical grandeur with modern Black fashion. Meanwhile, Kehinde Wiley’s latest exhibition, A Maze of Power, challenges conventional views of political authority, reimagining African leadership through powerful portraits.

And for the first time, we offer an exclusive preview of Zelaki Studios’ spring collection. “Roots in Bloom” celebrates cultural heritage through Afro-centric patterns and modern minimalism, blending authenticity, joy, and bold design. This collection embodies the beauty of home, carried with you wherever you go.

Innovating Through Art, Design, & Empowerment

From repurposed plastic bricks in Ethiopia to flip-flop vases dazzling crowds in Milan, this issue of the Zelaki Newsletter celebrates the visionary spirit driving sustainable innovation across the African continent.

This week, we spotlight Kubik, a trailblazing Ethiopian startup turning plastic waste into eco-friendly housing solutions. We also look at how Kenyan artisans, in collaboration with Italian designers, are bringing marine conservation to Milan Design Week in the form of joyful, high-design pieces.

In the world of storytelling and performance, we highlight a new UNESCO-backed residency supporting young African women filmmakers and Malawi’s YDC Theatre, which is calling for stronger investment in youth-driven arts. These stories reflect how creativity and community go hand in hand—reshaping not only how we live, but how we imagine the future.

Join us as we continue to follow the threads of African artistry, activism, and innovation shaping the world, one idea at a time.

African Creativity in Fashion, Film, and Design

From breathtaking bridal couture to groundbreaking innovations in architecture and design, this week’s Zelaki Newsletter celebrates African creativity shaping global trends.

We take a closer look at Zozibini Tunzi’s stunning wedding gown, a fusion of African elegance and international craftsmanship that captivated the fashion world. In architecture, 50 Influential African Women Architects in 2025 highlights the visionaries redefining the continent’s built environment. Meanwhile, the Pan African Film Festival 2025 continues to amplify African and diasporic voices in cinema, showcasing powerful storytelling from across the globe.

Looking toward the future, we explore how African designers are leading the charge in sustainable innovation, blending traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge materials and eco-conscious solutions.

✨ And just for our readers—scroll down for an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming Zelaki Studios Spring Collection, where heritage meets bold new design. ✨

Join us as we spotlight the trailblazers shaping the future of African art, design, and culture.

Reimagining African Art and Culture: A New Era

Welcome back to another edition of the Zelaki Newsletter, where we continue our journey through the evolving world of African art, culture, and innovation. As we explore exciting stories and updates, we are reminded of the vibrant ways African creativity is shaping global narratives.

This week, we’re celebrating monumental steps in the world of African art and culture. From the reopening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s African Art Galleries, to a new film adaptation rooted in West African mythology, and the rise of sustainable design in Moroccan fashion, we see how Africa’s influence stretches across multiple sectors. Additionally, we take a closer look at Green City Kigali, a visionary urban project in Rwanda that exemplifies sustainability and thoughtful development.

Join us as we explore these incredible stories and continue to celebrate African heritage and innovation on the world stage.