Deep Dark Africa Creates Simple Fair Trade Home Design
Tiana Reid — September 13, 2011 — Social Good
References: deepdarkafrica & facebook
Founded by stylist Alexia Kondylis, Deep Dark Africa is a design company that creates home accessories that are anything but dark. With an eye for everything simple and modern, this chic social business focuses on fair trade practices.
While fair trade, as an industry, has expanded its consumer base and marketing strategies, many people still consider fair trade and "bohemian" as synonymous. However, it's companies like this that showcase how contemporary design, eco-friendliness and people-centric business practices can go hand in hand. Now, this isn't your average IKEA copycat. From cow-print cushions to wooden pedestal bowls, the designs have a quirky character that makes it elegant and humorous. What's more, Deep Dark Africa isn't all about the home design and offers children's trinkets and fashion accessories including earrings and beach bags.
By working with a range of crafters, designers and artisans, Deep Dark Africa wishes to showcase local talent while at the same time expanding the market and create economic empowerment through design. One of the company's overall goals is to close the gap between well-known African artists and lesser-known African artists smaller so that all can benefit from the greater contemporary design market.
According to the Deep Dark Africa website, the name of the business comes from "a time when this unique continent was shrouded in mystery and misunderstood in it's [sic] unknown ways." It's through design that Kondylis hopes to show the beauty of Africa to the world. It's refreshing to see how Deep Dark Africa plays with prior misconceptions that surrounded Africa during colonial times and flips the script to create new meaning.
Contact Information:
Deep Dark Africa Website
Deep Dark Africa Facebook
Deep Dark Africa Twitter
While fair trade, as an industry, has expanded its consumer base and marketing strategies, many people still consider fair trade and "bohemian" as synonymous. However, it's companies like this that showcase how contemporary design, eco-friendliness and people-centric business practices can go hand in hand. Now, this isn't your average IKEA copycat. From cow-print cushions to wooden pedestal bowls, the designs have a quirky character that makes it elegant and humorous. What's more, Deep Dark Africa isn't all about the home design and offers children's trinkets and fashion accessories including earrings and beach bags.
By working with a range of crafters, designers and artisans, Deep Dark Africa wishes to showcase local talent while at the same time expanding the market and create economic empowerment through design. One of the company's overall goals is to close the gap between well-known African artists and lesser-known African artists smaller so that all can benefit from the greater contemporary design market.
According to the Deep Dark Africa website, the name of the business comes from "a time when this unique continent was shrouded in mystery and misunderstood in it's [sic] unknown ways." It's through design that Kondylis hopes to show the beauty of Africa to the world. It's refreshing to see how Deep Dark Africa plays with prior misconceptions that surrounded Africa during colonial times and flips the script to create new meaning.
Contact Information:
Deep Dark Africa Website
Deep Dark Africa Facebook
Deep Dark Africa Twitter
Trend Themes
1. Fair Trade Home Accessories - Deep Dark Africa showcases how contemporary design and fair trade practices can go hand in hand, creating an opportunity for companies to focus on ethical home accessories.
2. African-inspired Design - Deep Dark Africa plays with African stereotypes and creates quirky designs that showcase local African talent, providing an opportunity for other companies to explore the expanding market of African-inspired design.
3. Eco-friendly Fashion Accessories - Deep Dark Africa also provides eco-friendly fashion accessories and toys for children, opening up the opportunity for companies to focus on creating sustainable and socially responsible products for kids.
Industry Implications
1. Home Design - Companies in the home design industry can focus on ethical and contemporary fair trade practices to create unique and beautiful home accessories.
2. African Art - Companies in the African art industry can showcase local talent and expand the market for contemporary African-inspired designs that break stereotypes.
3. Fashion and Toy Design - Companies in the fashion and toy design industry can explore eco-friendly and socially responsible practices to create sustainable products for children.
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