Our Folklore

This week, Nigerian fashion designer Kanyinsola Onalaja joins Amira Rasool for a conversation about blending her culture and African design aesthetics with Western sensibilities, creating “wearable art” and the methodology behind her creativity.

On this week’s episode, Amira Rasool is joined by painter and archivist Shaina McCoy to have a conversation about her creative process, how her family history inspires her work and the messages she’s communicating through her art.

On this week’s episode, Amira Rasool is joined by Felton Brown, the vice president of creative services at Dreamville Records. They have a conversation about his journey from graphic design and advertising to the music industry, what it really means to be a creative director, communicating the vision of artists such as J. Cole and Ari Lennox, and what he finds most fulfilling about his role.

This week, Amira Rasool is joined by architect and product designer, Tosin Oshinowo, the founder of Lagos-based architecture firm CM Design Atelier, and lifestyle brand Ilé Ilà. On this episode, Amira speaks to Tosin about African architecture, her minimalist design aesthetic and how her Yoruba culture influences her work.

On this episode, Amira Rasool is joined by Abdul Karim Abdullah, the founder of the Afrobeats music festival, Afrochella. The festival began in Accra in 2017, and has grown to be an international stage for the amazing things that can be experienced in Ghana and other African countries, from music and art to food and fashion.   Amira speaks to Abdul about where the idea for Afrochella came from, how the Year of Return 2019 became a pivotal moment and what’s next for the festival in 2021.

This week, we are joined by the founders of Nigerian luxury brand CLAN, Teni, Aba and Tiwa Sagoe, who grew up around fabrics, backstage at shows and traveling around the world thanks to their fashion designer mother. The Sagoe sisters talk to Amira about carving out their own lane in the industry, empowering women through statement designs and changing the narrative of African fashion.

This week, we are joined by the founder and director of ART X Lagos, an art fair that connects Nigerian artists to galleries, buyers and collectors all over the world. Tokini and Amira have a conversation on the power of visual art, Nigeria’s creative renaissance and using her platform to change the way African art is appreciated around the world.

On this episode we are joined by the Grammy-nominated music producer behind Jidenna’s “Classic Man” Nana Kwabena for a conversation on the Black renaissance and shifting the trajectory of the next 100 years. Amira speaks to Nana about the Black movement and the power behind it, embracing entertainment and music as a tool for reaching as many people as possible, and why he describes himself as a “minister of propaganda”. 

There are very few Black and female-owned luxury boutiques in New York and the T.A. concept store in the Meatpacking District is one of them. Founder Telsha Anderson talks getting started, launching during a pandemic and creating a relatable brand.

On the first episode of season 2 of ‘Our Folklore‘, Amira Rasool is joined by the authors of Black Futures, an anthology of artwork, essays and interviews that asks the question “what does it mean to be Black and alive right now?” They share their journeys from STEM to the creative and art worlds, and what the future holds for the Black experience.

For season 1 episode 10 of ‘Our Folklore’ we are joined by Creative Director and Fanm Djanm Founder Paola Mathé for a conversation about brand building and fostering an engaged community. Amira spoke with Paola about how she grew her business, the importance of building a strong online community, and the peaks and falls of entrepreneurship. Follow us on social media @TheFolklore and shop our selection of luxury designer brands online at www.shopthefolklore.com. Take 10% off your first order when you sign up for our newsletter.

For season 1 episode 9 of ‘Our Folklore’ we are joined by the Lagos-based mixed media artist Dennis Osadebe for a conversation about the influence Neo Africanism, Afro-Futurism, and tech have on his work. Amira spoke with Dennis about the importance of visualizing a future for Africa and his latest gallery show in New York. We spoke about his artistic journey, the thriving arts community in Lagos, and sending Nigerians into space. Follow us on social media @TheFolklore and shop our selection of luxury designer brands online at www.shopthefolklore.com. Take 10% off your first order when you sign up for our newsletter.

For season 1 episode 8 of ‘Our Folklore’ we are joined by fashion aficionado, social media influencer, wellness advocate, and Harper’s Bazaar alum, Chrissy Rutherford. Chrissy Rutherford is a New York native of Jamaican heritage who, as the head of Harper’s Instagram, helped the brand reach over 4 million followers. Amira spoke with Chrissy about fashion’s relationship with mental health, and how her own mental health journey inspired her to become a mental health advocate. We spoke about how the fashion industry deals with mental health issues, the power of therapy, and the importance of manifesting your goals. Follow us on social media @TheFolklore and shop our selection of luxury designer brands online at www.shopthefolklore.com. Take 10% off your first order when you sign up for our newsletter.

For season 1 episode 7 of ‘Our Folklore’ we are joined by travel photographer and creative director Dapper Lou for a conversation about cultural storytelling. Dapper Lou is a Brooklyn native of Haitian heritage who experiences life through a creative lens. Amira spoke with Lou about his start as a street style photographer, his transition to cultural photography, and his distinct editing skills. Follow us on social media @TheFolklore and shop our selection of luxury designer brands online at www.shopthefolklore.com. Take 10% off your first order when you sign up for our newsletter.

For season 1 episode 6 of Our Folklore we spoke with Edas​ designer Sade Mims, skin therapist Samantha Mims, and stylist Mecca James-Williams about the power of building sisterhood in the creative industry. Amira spoke with the creatives about the importance of mentorship, the power of collaboration, and representation in the fashion and beauty industries. Follow us on social media @TheFolklore and shop our selection of luxury designer brands online at www.shopthefolklore.com. Take 10% off your first order when you sign up for our newsletter.

For season 1 episode 5 of ‘Our Folklore’ we are joined by Creative Director and Entrepreneur, Josef Adamu. The Toronto-born creative is the founder of Sunday School, a brand agency that caters to the development of creative campaigns and social media management for brands like Facebook, Shea Moisture, and Cannon. Amira spoke with Josef about Toronto’s diasporic community, his creative journey, and his latest photography series Jump Ball. Follow us on social media @TheFolklore and shop our selection of luxury designer brands online at www.shopthefolklore.com. Take 10% off your first order when you sign up for our newsletter.

On season 1 episode 4 of 'Our Folklore' we are joined by Tastemakers Africa Founder Cheraé Robinson for a special conversation about elevating Africa’s travel industry. Tastemakers Africa offers unique tours created and hosted by artists, creators, and makers in Africa and beyond. The platform helps travelers connect with people in authentic ways. Amira spoke with Cheraé about what it was like traveling to Africa pre-Tastemakers, how the company enhanced the experience and the importance of connecting global African communities. Follow us on social media @TheFolklore and shop our selection of luxury designer brands online at www.shopthefolklore.com. Take 10% off your first order when you sign up for our newsletter.

This week we on season 1 episode 3 of 'Our Folklore' we are joined by Third Crown designers Kirstin and Kofi Essel for a special conversation about the power of the pair. Third Crown was established to celebrate the merging of two creative forces coming together to form something new. In the short time since its debut, Third Crown has already caught the attention of celebrity fans like Beyonce and Solange Knowles. Amira sat down with Kristin and Kofi at their home in Harlem to discuss what it’s like working as a married couple, how their Jamiacian and Ghanian heritage is integrated into their collections and their plans for the future. Follow us on social media @TheFolklore and shop our selection of luxury designer brands at www.shopthefolklore.com. Also, take 20% off of all Third Crown jewelry on our website until April 9th. The discount is automatically applied at check out.

This week we are joined by Bronx-born photographer Joshua Kissi, who recently collaborated with Nike to release a special Black History month campaign that has the internet buzzing. Kissi first hit the scene as ½ of Street Etiquette, a men’s fashion and lifestyle blog. He is now the Co-Founder of TONL, a photo stock gallery that represents a diverse array of skin complexions and lifestyles. I sat down with Kissi in his home in Queens to discuss his experience as a Ghanian-American capturing cultural moments both in Africa and in the diaspora and the importance of artists approaching this work with integrity.

For season 1 episode 1, we put together audio from The Folklore's sold-out New York Fashion Week panel discussion hosted last month at the Museum of Contemporary Diasporan Arts in Brooklyn, New York. During the panel, The Folklore Founder Amira Rasool spoke with Orange Culture Founder and Creative Director Adebayo Oke-Lawal, Former GQ Editor and current Stylist Alexander Julian, Head Designer of Jonathan Simkhai Nana Yaa Asare Boadu, and The Cut Social Media Editor Nana Agyemang about the support and skills that are needed to help globalize Africa’s luxury design industry. Follow us on social media @TheFolklore and shop our selection of luxury designer brands at www.shopthefolklore.com.

Our Folklore is a fashion, art, culture, and design podcast brought to you by The Folklore, a contemporary online concept store and wholesale showroom that curates Africa’s top luxury and emerging designer brands. Our Folklore is hosted by Amira Rasool, Founder and CEO of The Folklore and accomplished journalist. Our Folklore features interviews with top creative talents from around the globe. These inspiring innovators are making an impact across various categories and using their talents to deliver quality products and services. From South Africa to Nigeria, the UK to the US, Ghana to Brazil, these editors, photographers, tech founders, and musicians all share the same passion, to recognize and support the creativity and talent brewing in Africa and the diaspora. This is Our Folklore. Visit us at shopthefolklore.com and follow us @thefolklore.