African Fashion: Discover the unique and ethical creations of Afropian and Hortense M’Bea
African fashion is evolving and many brands are emerging to highlight the continent’s craftsmanship and traditions. Among them, Afropian and its founder Hortense M’Bea stand out for their authentic and ethical approach to African fashion.
Hortense M’Bea, originally from Cameroon and citizen of the world, chose Ethiopia as her second home. She has two jobs, that of an interpreter and that of a fashion designer. Afropian is a pan-African brand that works with artisans from 15 different African countries. Weavers, bronze workers, each piece is handcrafted, ethically, using natural materials and ancestral processes. Each collection tells an almost forgotten African story.
Creation is for Hortense M’Bea a true passion and a means of expression. She considers her brand to be a way of promoting the excellence of African craftsmanship and telling stories that are often overlooked. She works with textiles such as batik, bogolan and Ethiopian woven. In Ethiopia, where cotton is exceptional, she draws inspiration and materials for her creations. Its goal is to create bridges between different cultures and show that Ethiopia can be connected to the rest of Africa.
Each Afropian collection is the result of a crush, an encounter or a story that left its mark on Hortense M’Bea. For example, his latest collection, titled “Le mariage de Penboura”, is inspired by his sister who is part of the Bamoun royal family in Cameroon. She imagined what her marriage would be like if she had married according to her father’s customs. These personal, vibrant stories are at the heart of every Afropian creation.
Beyond its creative aspect, Afropian also stands out for its eco-responsible commitment. Hortense M’Bea, originally from an animist region of Cameroon, has respect for nature and the environment anchored in her. She uses natural materials and recycles all fabric scraps to create jewelry, placemats, etc. In addition, she works with certified organic artisans in Mali for her bogolan creations. Eco-responsibility is an essential value for it and is an integral part of its brand.
African fashion is constantly evolving and brands like Afropian and talented designers like Hortense M’Bea are changing the image of African fashion. Their artisanal, ethical and eco-responsible approach highlights the richness and diversity of African cultures while respecting nature and traditions. Discover their unique collections and let yourself be seduced by the story they tell.