THE AKIRE STORY
A fashion curator collaborates with an older experienced craftsman to tell an African luxury Story.
Two beings from different generations, creative fields and sexes cross paths to create these luxury African Bags.
Inspired by Traditional pieces from our African roots, merged with modern luxe designs.
THE COLLECTION
AKIDUWANG SET (SMALL SIZED INSPIRED GOURD BAG)
- Akiduwang means to win in Turkana language
- Akiduwang name is given to all the small sized gourd bag collection
- Inspiration came from the curator’s work travel in Turkana County and in the small villages
- Measurements of the Akiduwang set 13’’ w 17’’h
- Adjustable Strap size– 43’’ full strap
- Hand crafted quality leather
- Logo leather attached to the bags
- Cotton African print lining
- Gifted Tie and Dye Silk fabric to represent the hand made process
- Beadwork done by hand
AKITERE SET (MIDDLE SIZED INSPIRED GOURD BAG)
- Akitere means to look at in Turkana language
- Akitere name is given to all the middle-sized gourd bag collection
- Design inspired by the Turkana milk gourd
- Measurements of the Akitere set 17’’w 20’’ h
- Strap size 25’’ in full
- Hand crafted quality leather
- Logo leather attached to the bags
- Tie and Dye Silk scarf gifted as representation of the hand made process
- Cotton African print Lining
- Hand made beaded work
AKITING SET (BIG SIZED INSPIRED GOURD BAG)
- Akiting means to carry in Turkana language
- Akiting name is given to all the extravagant gourd bags
- Design inspired by the African gourd shape that is used and was used differently in all African homes.
- Akiting Set is a statement piece.
- It also to show the extravagance of African luxury coming from it’s cultural roots
- Measurements of the Akiting set 20’’w22’’h
- Logo in leather attached to the bags
- Strap size 23 –in full
- Tie and Dye Silk scarf gifted as a representation of the hand made process
- Cotton African print lining or soft leather lining
- Hand made beaded work on leather bag
AMUKA SET (MOLDED FACE LEATHER BAG)
- Amuka means wake up in Kamba language
- Amuka name given to all the leather bags that have face mold on this collection
- The design creation involves three artisans; a wood sculptor, a leather pattern maker and a designer. It represents the power of unity within the Kenyan tribes (Kamba, Turkana and Luo Tribe artisans) and sharing skills we have inherited over time and come together to have an awakening luxury piece
- Full grain leather has been used to craft the Amuka series collection.
- The process of molding the Amuka bag involves using wet leather, which is naturally dyed, then placing on the wooden sculpted face, finishing with sun drying
- Inspiration of the bag is from the African wood Sculptured bag. Decades ago the Kamba tribe in Kenya used wooden bags to store dried foods while moving from one place to another or preserve foods
- Measurements of Amuka set 17’w 16 ‘’h
- Strap size 38 ‘’ –fixed setting
- Logo made of leather attached to the bag
- Tie and Dye silk scarf gift represents the process of hand made
AWINJO SET (BACK PACK LEATHER BAG)
- Awinjo means I feel in Luo language
- Awinjo name is given the backpack collection series
- Inspired by the memories of the designer’s past favourite backpack design bags while carrying on her back to school or travels.
- Handcrafted leather bags
- Measurements 14’’18.5”h× 5.2”w
- Straps size on the back 25’’- adjustable setting
- Beaded works on it
ASHE (MAASAI INSPIRED OLBENE BAG)
- Ashe means thank you in Maasai language
- Ashe name is given to all the Big Maasai inspired olbene bags
- Inspiration of the bag came from the Maasai olbene bags then re-designed to modern urban looks
- Measurements of the Ashe collection 13’’ w 17’’ h
- Hand crafted leather
- Handmade beadwork on leather bag
- Cow bones used as buttons
- Zipper included
AAKU (MAASAI INSPIRED SMALL SIZED OLBENE BAG)
- Aaku means I am in Maasai language
- Aaku name is given to all the small sized Maasai inspired olbene bags
- Inspiration of the bag came from the Maasai olbene bags and re-designed to modern urban looks.
- Measurements of the Aaku collection 8’’ w 6’’ h
- Hand crafted leather
- Handmade beadwork on leather
- Zipper included
- Kips leather used on the Aaku collection
ABOUT AKIRE PRODUCTS
They have been handcrafted using different kind of leather (Full grain leather,Top grain leather and Kips leather) .
Each piece will differ from another depending with the leather, bead works (monochrome colours or mixed colours) , stitch counts and occasionally the gourd inspired collection will have different measurements on the top lid.
The inside of the leather has been carefully stitched using cotton African prints lining and each series of the bags have been given names that have been borrowed from different tribal languages in Kenya.
One can make a pre-order if they choose to have ostrich skin used which will be of different price range and time given to work on the material.
The packaging of the Akire products differs depending on the collection purchased.
We do send an email once you purchase our products on how to maintain the leather bags, snippets or a short documentary on the artisans involved in the making of our products.
