social entrepreneurship is so my type of jam.
Using your talent and how you are wired to make an impact?
Yes. Please.
Do it.
My friend Kimathi, entrepreneur and fashion extraordinaire who hails from Nairobi and New York…he gets it. He had a vision of fusing African weaving tradition with the gap in the market for travel bags. His dream is realized in the Buyu Collection.

These are handwoven bags made from the baobab tree (those “upside down” trees found throughout Eastern Africa…you’ll also recognize it from the Lion King, haha). They’re incredibly robust; he ran a lighter through the side of the hand luggage and because of the nature of the baobab fibers, it doesn’t burn…WHAT? Wizardry.

Further, while the line clearly celebrates style, it equally is a party for substance.
The bags helps support a community of women weavers in the Kamba community, giving them more economic opportunity and an avenue to maintain a cultural tradition. It takes close to 40 hours to weave each bag.

I was so privileged to work with a great team to shoot this lookbook:

Locations: Original Timber Co., Tailors Keep and Ampersand
Models: Ryan Devens and Erin Hofmeister
Styling: Kimathi and Claire Xue

The bags are now available for pre-order at www.buycollection.com.
Line up my friends.