ZURi and iMANi: Redefining African Prints

ZURi and Imani is a surface and textile design studio that embarked on a remarkable journey in 2016. With a vision to create original pattern designs for the fashion, home, and paper goods market. They strive to produce timeless lifestyle and homeware collections that showcase Africa’s beauty and authenticity.

Unveiling the True Essence of African Prints

The African print market is flooded with fabrics that lack African roots designed by non-Africans and are manufactured outside of Africa. ZURi and iMANi aim to change this narrative by weaving modern stories inspired by the richness of Africa. Their mission is to endorse exclusivity, authenticity, and create their own authentic African content designs that stand the test of time.

Crafting Timeless Pieces for the Revolutionary Woman

ZURi and iMANi’s portfolio boasts an exquisite collection of ladies’ coats, scarves, canvas sneakers, leather bags along with captivating textiles. These timeless pieces are adorned with original ZURi and iMANi pattern prints. They cater to the revolutionary woman who values craftsmanship, authenticity, originality, and exclusivity over passing trends.

From Idea to Prototype, The Journey Begins

Founder Joy Ezeka, driven by a passion for African prints, embarked on a journey to redefine the concept of “Ankara” fabrics. Her research led to the descovry that many prints used by other fashion brands were not produced in Africa nor designed by Africans. This discovery sparked a series of questions, leading her to explore surface design and digital textile printing.

Weaving Modern Stories Inspired by Africa

With a newfound understanding of surface design and digital printing, Joy honed her skills in Photoshop, designing unique patterns that can be printed on textiles. Partnering with select companies offering digital textile printing services, she could ideate, print pattern designs, build prototypes, and put them to the test.

A Revolution in African Prints

ZURi and iMANi’s vision expanded beyond creating custom fabrics for fashion apparel. They embraced pattern designs that could be printed on various surfaces, including leather, paper, and ceramics, opening doors to the fashion, home, and paper goods market. By doing so, they carved an uncontested space for their brand in the saturated fashion industry while revolutionizing the concept of African prints.

Inspiration from Africa’s Beauty

Africa’s diverse landscapes, landmarks, history, and culture serve as the wellspring of inspiration for ZURi and iMANi’s textile designs. Joy takes virtual journeys through African countries, delving into their unique elements and weaving them into captivating pattern designs that pay homage to each nation.

The Lost Kingdom of Kush: Unearthing Hidden Treasures

During her e-travels, Joy stumbled upon the lost Kingdom of Kush—an ancient civilization in Sudan and southern Egypt. Fascinated by the preserved relics of pyramids, temples, and palaces, she drew inspiration from this lesser-known kingdom to create stunning pattern designs.

Building a Bright Future

Looking ahead, ZURi and iMANi have ambitious goals. They aspire to establish a fully equipped design studio in Cape Town, complete with talented surface designers and a production unit. With their own digital printers, they aim to print their designs in-house on various surfaces. They envision their products being retailed internationally and collaborating with prominent brands to incorporate their pattern designs.

Contributing to Africa’s Creative Economy

ZURi and iMANi’s ultimate mission is to contribute to the growth of Africa’s creative economy, particularly the textile industry. By championing “made in Africa” designs created by Africans, they aim to reverse the decline of the African textile industry. They firmly believe that Africa’s time has come, and they are actively participating in the global economy while preserving their authentic African identity.

Embracing the Entrepreneurial Journey

Joy’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to start gradually while keeping a stable income source. Building a business requires perseverance, resilience, and learning from both successes and mistakes. With determination, the right tools, and a belief in their dreams, entrepreneurs can navigate the challenges and achieve remarkable outcomes.

Navigating Challenges Amid a Pandemic

Launching their business in January 2020, ZURi and iMANi faced significant setbacks due to the pandemic. Trade shows were canceled, and sales trickled in. However, they are determined to adapt and evolve their business model to survive these challenging times. Perseverance and a forward-thinking approach will guide them toward a brighter future.