Trendy Fashion Report: BlackBird Jeans Redefines the African Safari Experience

Kenyan Design duo (Zeddy Lukoe and Sydney Owino) of Blackbird Jeans are at it again, and this time they are perfecting the themes that have resulted in their worldwide acclaim.

Africa is dominating the list of hot destinations thanks to a growing interest in the continent, so it makes sense that Blackbird Jeans, after solidifying their influence in the world of menswear, would rise to the occasion and school us on what it takes to weather the layered terrains in style.

The key to a successful outfit is being able to look like a million bucks while also indulging in your particular activities with ease. If you live by this code, then you will be in good hands once you invest in the treasures dreamed up by Lukoe and Owino on behalf of their presently immaculate label.

We are crazy for the effortless way in which these burgeoning designers are able to merge the Western temperaments with astute African confectionery. But still managing to maintain the dignity and relevance of their heritage which very few designers if any are able to realize. This time around they maximized all of the trinkets that have embodied the metamorphosis of civilization, using the cradle otherwise known as Egypt as the backdrop.

We caught up with the Boys in Charge to get a first glimpse into the world they have created and as always we were contentedly inspired.

 MTB: What inspired your need to highlight the Safari theme?

 BJ: The fact that we love the western silhouette and we just want to be different by infusing the toe cultures and at the same time be able to be creative in out own way. The inspiration came after living in the states for a year and a half And being able to really see the need of creating a look for going on a safari in our own way trying to explain to the people that haven’t gone on a safari that that’s how you can dress and have a different feel when you are back there coz the print relates to our mother land and the cut relates to the western world.

MTB: It looks like your pieces always emphasize the need for functionality, is this deliberate?

BJ: The fact that we love the western silhouette and we just want to be different by infusing the toe cultures and at the same time be able to be creative in out own way. The inspiration came after living in the states for a year and a half And being able to really see the need of creating a look for going on a safari in our own way trying to explain to the people that haven’t gone on a safari that that’s how you can dress and have a different feel when you are back there coz the print relates to our mother land and the cut relates to the western world.

MTB: How is Blackbird Jeans taking advantage of the global market as African designers?

BJ: We we just use any opportunity that we came across by creating garments that got the global market and they can be accepted anywhere so we always infuse difference cultures with our own cutlet and tradition or draw inspiration from our culture and mix it with something else.

MTB:  What do you project for 2014?

BJ: We tare taking time to learn about garment construction so we aren’t in no rush to do a show or put a collection out. We are just having fun learning different things in the fashion industry.