Barbara Banku

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instagram.com/barbarabanku Many African economies were built on extractive industries.

Exported raw materials were processed abroad where most of the product value accrued. Today, many African countries are still dependent on imports and local manufacturing as a share of output remains low. Recognizing the need to change this story, we work with African-owned businesses to source a range of locally manufactured inputs. The value chains for these materials employ hundreds of people and have immense power to change lives and structurally alter economies for the better.

10/04/2017

We made lots of complementary shapes so you can layer yourself in luscious handmade knits and weaves. Three fabrics shown here of varying weights - from sturdy jeans to breezy tanks. All cotton from both East and West Africa.

09/27/2017

Slim device sleeves we make every season, this year in a new leather from Ethiopia. Extra thick and sturdy + no liner.

09/23/2017

We travelled to Addis Ababa to meet the folks at . They've built an amazingly skilled team working with locally grown Ethiopian cotton and new materials, like wild silk. Several countries in Africa have tried to promote silk as a local value added commodity for export but its difficult going. It's clear that centuries of practice have gone into building the industry in the world's largest silk fabric exporters in Asia, Sabahar's manager explained. Yet they're still making it work in Ethiopia, step by step, with the support of the government and a networked supply chain of small scale local silk farmers and in-house spinners and weavers. This woman has worked at Sabahar for many years and it's likely her hands spun the silk thread that is woven into our latest collection.

09/22/2017

Another shape from our layering pieces - this one in silk and cotton.

09/21/2017

Cross-continental collaboration with these funky fur slides. Chrome-free leather in Cerise from Ethiopia and goat hide from Ghanaian small scale farmers.

08/02/2017

Jean jacket classics, but magic in the materials.

07/28/2017

Last Friday before August type vibes. Keep away winter.🙅🏽Fabrics from Burkina Faso and Ethiopia, lovingly dyed and sewn and Accra. 🇧🇫 🇪🇹 🇬🇭

07/26/2017

Nubuck oversized clutch w handy ring. Fits all ya s**t and looks good while doing it. Leather from Ethiopia, made in Ghana.

07/20/2017

Forged in fire. A few more pieces from our free form molten jewelry. All handmade in Accra. 🔥 🌋 🔥

07/19/2017

Train to Bobo-Dioulasso. You're hit with oasis-by-the-river vibes once you make it off the toasty 6-8 hour ride. And lots of interesting trade, textiles, and cotton processing. It's just a few more hours drive to the Mali border.

06/26/2017

Your next cocktails+brunch+vacay go-to: the convertible cross body ring bag in Cerise. Chrome-free Ethiopian leather. 🍹 🍒 ☀️ 🏖

06/16/2017

Hand loomed and hand knit. Summer cotton. Straight out of Ethiopia.

Address

New York, NY

Telephone

(347) 491-3901

Website

http://www.barbarabanku.com/

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