In The Know: You Khanga

Monday

Throughout the year, there’s constantly a good number of designers that I keep on my radar before sharing. This is especially the case when I come across particular brands that have a genuine sensitivity and passion in the products that they produce.

It’s always nice to see emerging designers flourish. But, even when it takes a bit for the rest of the world to catch on, there are brands like You Khanga that are special enough to be both respected and recognised in a mere glance. Of course, having a dose of brilliant colour united with striking patterns doesn’t hurt either!

You Khanga is an Italian footwear brand that produces uniquely printed slippers and ballerina flats with a bold colour story.
 
Through travelling the world and having a high regard for Kenya, Veruscha Rossi and Benedetta Ceppi established the You Khanga brand. They decided to merge two cultures with a high-fashion theory—combining “African life and Italian style” would be the foundation of the You Khanga philosophy.

So, what is khanga precisely? It’s a colourful and printed piece of cotton fabric that is rectangular about 1.5m by 1m, and often has a border along the sides (or pindo in the Swahili language). There is no mass production in Kenya. With that being said, each You Khanga item is quite exclusive, and there’s no exact khanga that equals to another, therefore one shoe might be cut in a different point of the material—individuality being even in the smallest amount of detail.

I remember seeing the type of fabric (in my youth) that my parents had received that were later, made into dresses. The khanga is often adorned with bright colours and messages in the form of proverbs, or riddles. Perhaps you’ve seen it or similar cloth if you know about African fabrics, as it’s a traditional type of dress amongst women from the African Great Lakes area.
  Above: from the spring-summer 2013/14 collection.


More to Love:
The brand’s contributing efforts for women and children in Kenya is just one of the many reasons to love the company more. In fact, donations from their very first collection for spring-summer 2014 will be given to an orphanage in Mambrui, the Asante Sana Roberto Children’s Home. Thus, You Khanga intentionally creates small handmade khanga bags at a local setting, which allows them to devote their involvement in charitable works there specifically.


What do you think of You Khanga’s designs?
For more information visit: www.youkhanga.com 
*Special thanks to YouKhanga. Images: courtesy of You Khanga, edited by Fashion Tales. 

Stay updated via Facebook, and Bloglovin'Instagram


49 comments

  1. Hi Madison! What a shame, Im Italian and I didnt know this brand! Is colorful, bright and looking at their prints makes me smile. The mix of the two cultures is impressive and is admirable their effort in Kenya too. Wish I owned one of their flats!:) Have a great week ahead Madison, kissses! xo

    ReplyDelete
  2. francesca r11 August

    Italian? As lilli I've never heard if it!! I love it! The flats are gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gorgeous shoes, love the bright colours :) I hope you have a great week doll xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Daniella11 August

    Madison thank you for giving a bright start to my day with this gorgeous and colourful shoe collection. I love the colours and prints, refreshing and up lifting. They would make a great addition to any wardrobe :)

    Take care,
    Daniella xox

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ms Madge11 August

    I was just in Italy but it seems the highstreet in Pisa doesn't carry this brand. I love them! I'm into colourful designs and this is something that I'll definitely buy. Thanks for featuring them. Have a lovely week x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Danielle Styles11 August

    These shoes look awesome, love them!

    www.sohostyles.blogspot.nl

    ReplyDelete
  7. sartorialsidelines11 August

    Wow - those colours are really stunning! What a great line. I'd never heard of it before - thanks for sharing.


    Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines

    ReplyDelete
  8. Erika Sorocco11 August

    Le sigh...the prints are gorgeous! I am so loving the ballet flats!

    xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. rakhshanda11 August

    OMG, so lovely shoes, loved the bright color! Hope you have a great Monday honey <3 Kisses <3

    ReplyDelete
  10. These remind me of the beautiful and bold African inspired prints we get here locally, so pretty and unique! Thanks for your fashion input…Have a great start to the week!

    ReplyDelete
  11. These You Khanga prints are fantastic, Madison:) I'm loving all of them!


    PS Vancouver is, indeed, lovely:) We're here til tomorrow:)

    ReplyDelete
  12. You are right they really deserved to be recognized and known….Love their prints and colours. Thank you for sharing this with us <3

    XXX from Vienna,

    Mahshid مهشید

    http://www.facebook.com/thanks2fashion

    http://www.thankstofashion.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. These are so much fun! I love the 4th pair :)

    ~Alexis Grace of North On Harper

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh to Be a Muse11 August

    Thanks for sharing this brand. I really like the black and yellow flats from the collection. Hopefully more people will get to know this brand now.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Liebe Madison,
    ich denke das design ist wunderschön!
    Die Drucke gefallen mir sehr, tolle Idee :-)


    Liebe Grüsse aus der Schweiz,
    Kira

    ReplyDelete
  16. Vix Brearley11 August

    Glorious colours and fabulous prints, I like them a lot! x

    ReplyDelete
  17. Glam up your Lifestyle11 August

    Ich schließe mich Kira an, auch mir gefallen die Drucke sehr gut, tolle Farben.

    ReplyDelete
  18. mustwearthat12 August

    Love the print and such a beautiful collection:).
    http://www.attraction2fashion.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Missy May12 August

    I'm in love with the choice of prints they use for these shoes. Very vibrant and pretty. Thanks for sharing doll! :)
    Liebe Grusse!


    missymayification.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lola Finn12 August

    Oh wooooow *.* those shoes are soooo amazing!!! I´m in love now :)
    Very cool design!
    Danke dir für dein schönes Kompliment, liebe Madison!!! :)
    Kisses from Munich

    ReplyDelete
  21. Dressed with soul12 August

    Liebe Madison, vielen lieben Dank, dass Du diese Designs hier zeigst. Mir gefallen die Farben und die Muster sehr und auch, dass Du hier erklärst, was sie so besonders macht! Ich liebe Farben und Muster und werde mir daher das hier sehr gut merken :)

    Alles Liebe von Rena

    www.dressedwithsoul.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Talk about stop you in your tracks prints! Of course you know I'm not much for brights or prints but I'm certainly not immune to beautiful things even if I wouldn't be likely to wear them myself and these shoes are truly, truly beautiful. Thanks for sharing these, Madison!
    xox,
    Cee

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love to hear about a new company that gives back something to help others! The patterns and designs are really something special! Of course you would know I would love the bold colors!

    Rebecca
    www.winnipegstyle.ca

    ReplyDelete
  24. I think it is very hard not to fall in love with the their work. Phenomenal pieces, very creative, colorful and outstanding.

    http://www.thefashionstirfry.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Madison! These shoes look totally amazing. I love the cute prints. Number one is my favorite. I haven't heard of the brand before and will check them out asap :D Happy Thursday!!

    xx Mira

    www.glamdevils.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ali Hval14 August

    Well I am absolutely in LOVE with these colors and designs! I saw the thumbnail and knew I'd have to click and read all this the way through. I love, love big bold patterns and can't believe I've never heard of this brand before. Thanks for the introduction!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love the designs! The flats are just so gorgeous. I wouldn't be able to pick a pair if I had to - they're all great.

    ReplyDelete
  28. chictherapy14 August

    I love it all!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Allie Mackin15 August

    ILOVE them! What a brilliant idea to use these patterns on shoes!! Genious. I must look in to getting a pair.

    Allie of ALLIE NYC
    www.allienyc.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. You're welcome! Happy to introduce you to this brand.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi Lilli, thanks so much for reading. It's okay, most brands that I showcase are not as known to bloggers. They are a great Italian brand. I wish you a wonderful weekend. xx

    ReplyDelete
  32. Me too! Such gorgeous prints! Liebe Grüße,
    xx/Madison

    ReplyDelete
  33. Glad that you liked them too. Thanks for reading. x

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thank you so much. Enjoy your weekend. x

    ReplyDelete
  35. I knew you would love them too! :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. How nice, about your Italy trip. I really want to go to Venice some day in the near future. Thanks for your comment Marj. xx

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hehe, it's okay. Now you know them! :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thanks Sam, I am a fan of African prints and fashion, of course! Happy weekend to you.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I agree! :) Thanks Alexis.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Liebe Rena, Ja, das sind die Drucke und Stoff mein Favorit. Die Farben sind hell und glücklich! Schönes Wochenende!
    Alles Liebe,
    Madision xx

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thank you Mica, yes, it's nice to see the charitable initiative of brands like these. :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. Thanks Daniella for your comment, I am pleased that you were inspired and brightened in your day. Take care dear, xx
    /Madison

    ReplyDelete
  43. You're welcome. Happy to share this great brand. :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Liebe Kira! Danke, ich schätze Deine Kommentare immer.
    Grüsse,
    Madison xx

    ReplyDelete
  45. Thanks so much, Mahshid! :) x

    ReplyDelete
  46. Closet Fashionista15 August

    How cool!! I love interesting prints like that! They look really comfortable too :)
    http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

    ReplyDelete

© FASHION TALES. Design by FCD.