Laëtitia Kandolo

Photo Courtesy Of Laëtitia Kandolo

WHERE DO YOU LIVE IN FRANCE?
In Paris.

CAN YOU GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF EVERYTHING YOU REMEMBER ABOUT YOURSELF BEFORE UCHAWI HAPPENED?
I was a young woman full of creativity, maybe no ready to use it all, thinking that it might be too much for people. And one day she realized how much time she had lost, and how much she wanted to conquer the world through her designs and vision.

WHAT IS UCHAWIWORLD?
Uchawi (means “magic” in Swahili) is the place where my label and I fuse. It’s everything, from the way I dress, to my state of mind, art and tranquility. I am really peaceful, sorta like a hippie. Uchawi is more of a lifestyle than a brand. I think I’ve always lived in this world. I just never named it because it was part of my daily routine. And I realized that people would say things like “I need your magic” around me. When you see the look book, it’s not only about clothes.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY?
I studied at two Parisian fashion schools, Mod’Art and Esmod. During my first year, at 19, I met Sarah Diouf. I was an intern at People’s Revolution’s press office. She owned a publication, and when my internship ended she offered me a position at “Ghubar Magazine”. The same year I was the assistant of the assistant costume designer of Black Eyed Peas’, The End Tour. Since then I’ve worked for several other artists like Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Sting, Beyoncé, Madonna and B. Åkerlund, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West, and many of Condé Nast’s publishing outlets.

WHO ARE THE PEOPLE YOU LOOK UP TO?
Most of them are dead. I’m not inspired by one or two people, it depends on my mood. It can be Albert Elbaz today and Sinatra tomorrow. But honestly, I don’t want do something that’s already been done. I would say, no one.

FROM WHENCE DO YOU DRAW INSPIRATION?
Everything. Photography. Music dominates. Contemporary art, geometry and travel. I usually work from a mood board that defines my thoughts. It’s not organized. It’s just me and my brain selecting a set of pictures. If I like an image, I do a screenshot, cut the paper or whatever and save it. I don’t know why and I am not asking myself why. With time I start reading where I’m going. The colors, the chi are linked.

HOW DO YOU SELECT WHAT MATERIAL TO WORK WITH?
Every material or fabric is the image of something I want to reinterpret, a feeling, a tribute to an artist by using a similar print that could look like a painting. I apply the same system with colours.

WHAT MOMENT ARE YOU HAVING?
My first love story: Pastel Colors. Ricardo Legorreta. And the Dogon Tribe in Mali. Three different things. Random.

HOW DO YOU OCCUPY YOUR TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK?
I spend time with my family and my few friends. Or chilling on Spotify and Soundcloud. Or just sleeping. I’m usually surrounded by a lot of people all the time because of my work, so I do love being alone to refresh myself and enjoy the silence.

DO YOU SPEAK LINGALA? HOW DO YOU SAY “LOVE” IN YOUR LANGUAGE?
Bolingo.

Kanye West

Photo Courtesy Of Laëtitia Kandolo

"Last winter Kanye decided to do few charity shows in Europe, including London and Paris during Fashion Week. He wanted to evoke a military vibe with vintage items. We did a lot of research to arrive at a perfect shade of nude because khaki green would have been too predictable. Kanye’s latest collection with Adidas portrays the same spirit. By the way, in the picture he’s wearing the Yeezy 950 Boost. They were still a prototype at the time," Laëtitia Kandolo said.

Pull Up To The Bomber Baby

Photo Courtesy Of Laëtitia Kandolo 

"This jacket (see post below) is from our Masusa Line. I remember working on it being on, 'On the Run Tour', and everybody was like ‘What are you doing with your fabric?’ It’s actually my favorite piece because it was the first prototype of Uchawi Collection N.0. It required several hours of work - a mix between a traditional technic and some modern cuts, which is Uchawi’s essence. Every item is made by hand. Usually it takes several days to arrive at the final product," says Laëtitia Kandolo.

RDC Redux

Photo Courtesy Of Laëtitia Kandolo

The Illustration

Illustration By Cuba Tornado Scott

Mellow Black & Yellow

Photographed By Christina DeVictor

 A colour to wear this spring.

Tangina Stone

Photo Courtesy Of Tangina Stone 

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED?
I was born in Cleveland, Ohio. I was raised in Canton, Ohio.

WHEN DID YOU GET STARTED IN MUSIC?
I started singing at the age of two and performing by the age of seven. By the time I was 12, I began to record music in studios as well.

FIRST SONG EVER SUNG?
My first song that I have ever sang was "Jingle Bells". Because I sang it so often, my family gave me the nickname "Bina Bell".

WHO ARE YOUR MUSICAL INSPIRATIONS AND HOW DO YOU CLASSIFY YOUR OWN SOUND?
I classify my sound as a blend of soul and rock. I'm inspired by Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Sade, Motown, Billie Holliday, Stevie Nicks and Janice Joplin.

WHAT’S YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
To spend my time in places that inspire me and surround me with positive energy.

WHAT’S YOUR ARTISTIC DIRECTION?
My hair is all natural, my style is androgynous and I love leather. I am very expressive and particular about the way that I present myself.

WHAT’S THE NEXT BEST THING TO, IF YOU WEREN’T DOING THIS?
If I wasn't doing music, I would probably be teaching music and history.

HOW DO YOU TURN UP?
The same way that most do. I spend time with my amazing friends, and do amazing things together. Sometimes we stay up for whole days and nights. Sometimes we end our good times with writing a great song.

WHAT WAS DOPEST THING ABOUT 2015?
All of the opportunities that came to me through music. I traveled to the West Coast for the first time to perform. I played at the Howard Theatre in D.C. This year was a tough one, although I believe that it officially sparked the beginnings of my dreams coming true.

AND FINALLY, A QUESTION YOU WISH SOME ONE WOULD ASK YOU AND THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS?
I like that the questions that people ask me are sometimes surprising. They cause me to think really hard, and to give the most thoughtful answers as possible.

Tangina's Brogues

Photo Courtesy Of Tangina Stone