We’ve launched an initiative dedicated to creative collaborations called Missibaba Kindred Spirits! The first collection entitled ‘I See the Sea and the Sea Sees Me’ encompasses three limited edition prints designed by Chloe Townsend of Missibaba, graphic designer Naomi Bossert and illustrator Mia Nolting.
Chloe loves in creative collaboration and finds seeing her craft through another’s eyes both challenging and invigorating. She decided to create a brand initiative dedicated to collaborations that would see collections with designers from all walks of life released throughout the year.
Bossert and Nolting have been experimenting with fabric prints and painting for some time and when Townsend invited them to take part in the first Missibaba Kindred Spirits project they leapt at the chance. The endless blue ocean and the way it connects us all together inspired the ‘I See the Sea and the Sea Sees Me’ collection. Bossert and Nolting are both foreign, originating from Holland and America respectively, and feel a deep connection to vast oceans that tie them to their homeland.
Each designer was responsible for creating one pattern that would be produced in three existing Missibaba styles – the Giant Scarab Purse, the Cha Ching bag and the Wild West Clutch. The limited edition collection retails for between R1850 – R2850 depending on the bag style.
The designers painted black dye in varying shades onto untreated, natural, locally produced leather. Townsend has found the black leather dye to be the most colourfast and all three designers agreed to stick to a monochromatic palate in order to accentuate the patterns. All of the bags were finished with a coat of varnish to prevent rapid wear although there will be slight colour fading if frequently exposed to light.
Townsend’s design was inspired by Japanese woodcuts, the scallop patterns inspired by the sandy homes of fan worms, eylashy eyes and fish scales. She first painted the pattern in a masking fluid to give it the look of a bleach print, and then filled in the scallops with varying shades of black dye before applying copper leaf to highlight the fish scales.
Bossert drew upon elements of reflection and illusion by using a pattern that could be interpreted in different ways through the use of repetition. The small fish that swim in the waves at the edge of the beach and the multitude of different reflections seen on water and in people’s eyes inspired her unique design. Using a calligraphy pen she was able to create sharper lines than those created by a paintbrush.
Combining abstract shapes and drawings of shells collected on Cape Town beaches, Nolting made use of a Japanese ink brush that enabled her to create lines in a variety of thicknesses.
The ‘I See the Sea and the Sea Sees Me’ collection is available for purchase from the Bree Street shop or online at www.missibaba.com.
We love collaborations!
Chloe Townsend Cha Ching Bag
Mia Nolting Cha Ching Bag
Naomi Bossert Cha Ching Bag
Good times!
