Open The Gate returns with its unique alternative fair, showcasing the talents from Africa & the diaspora. It includes designer and charity stalls where you can find original fashion pieces, accessories, jewellery, shoes as well as arts and crafts, homewear, beauty natural products, books, music, arts amongst more.
Local and international charities are also represented, promoting their actions, raising awareness but also funds by selling goods. More than an exhibition and trade space, The African Market is a place of curiosity attracting an eclectic mix of people including families, young people, students & adults, and a networking platform both for traders and interested visitors, connecting amateurs, professionals and passionates.
You’ll be welcomed by the distinctive sounds of the open Drumming Circle by Ghanaian collective One Drum and to complete the joyful atmosphere homemade African food will be served. Headwrapping demonstration by Sista E of The Calabash Hub, face painting for the kids and grown-ups, other workshops and taster sessions on stage TBC. It’s open til 7pm, it’s all FREE ENTRY and everyone is welcome!
Exhibitors
Ugo
Seriously delicious arm candy is what UGO offers! Using traditional African fabrics we are a design-led fashion accessories label, presenting you with gorgeous olicloth bags. New collection on the day!
www.ugosboutique.com
Fee Uhssi
An ethical and multicultural label offering limited edition clothing-accesso- ries and jewellery created by mixing fabrics ethically sourced in Africa & Europe, inspired by the Art of Wrap- ping and produced ethically in collaboration with Bolo’no Mali Charity.
Kimoon
Inspired by the creativity conveyed by the street, Kimoon® revisits timeless classics by adding a little something from somewhere else… Each piece is 100 % made with love in Paris in a limited series.
www.kimoon.co.uk
Anna Agyekum
Influenced by the beautiful fabrics of Ghana, Anna began designing and making clothes in 2008. Her collection offers an eccletic range of Afrovintage hats, accessories and clothing.
www.annaagyekum.com
Ameyo Stylez
Jewelry & accessories Designer of German & West African descent, taking joy and pride in making women even more beautiful than they already are by designing funky, trendy and exclusive pieces for them.
www.ameyo-stylez.com
Soul Apparel
Creative, eclectic, funky, vibrant, colourful, bold, daring, positive, challenging & much more!
www.soul-apparel.com
The Calabash Hub
The Hub is a com-unity organisation for the upliftment and empowerment Reaching Across The Divide, Sharing Heritage, Changing Futures. They will be showcasing Ghanaian arts & crafts as part of the project. Sista E will be doing a Headwrapping demo!
www.thecalabashhub.com
Azawala
Azawala-Loosely translated means ‘’IT’S YOUR CHOICE’’ derived from the Fante dialect of Ghana. We discover talents of African artists & craftsmen and aid their exposure to a wider audience.
FORWARD UK: African womens charity working on female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage,
MUFFIN INK : an eclectic range of greeting cards and accessories exuding vintage, afrochic and retro,
EGYPTIAN CHAMBERS : wide range of authentic Egyptian products from Egypt, including pure Egyptian Oils for Aromatherapy (www.egyptianchambersoils.com)
MA’FINDI CLOTHING: inspired by Southern African designs,
REVISION: with a range of handmade clothes, accessories and homewear,
AFROCENTRIC 805 : range of homewear, the artist Morris Thompson, Photo auction to raise funds for the MAAMBENA FESTIVAL, arts & culture festival in Sierra Leone
OPEN THE GATE: cultural organization promoting African and Diaspora cultures.
NAME : The African Market
DATE : Sunday 8th April 2012
TIME : 12 noon to 7pm
VENUE : RICHMIX, 35-47 Bethnal Green Rd, London E1 6LA
TICKETS : FREE ENTRY / all welcome
TICKETS URL : http://theafricanmarket.eventbrite.com/
FACEBOOK EVENT : http://www.facebook.com/events/354276697946313/
URL : http://www.openthegate.org.uk