Hello Everybody,
Fashion has always been more than just clothing; it’s a powerful form of self-expression that allows individuals to communicate their identities, beliefs, and emotions to the world. In an age where diversity and inclusivity are championed, fashion plays a pivotal role in shaping and reflecting our personal and cultural identities.
One of the most renowned defining features of the Zambian fashion scene has been traditional African elements with modern design. Today, the fashion scene is heavily influenced by so many prints from all over the world. A lot of fashion enthusiasts, influencers and creatives are getting inspiration from modern-day and vintage fashion icons, allowing them to create their own unique sense of style. It is from the ability that fashion allows creatives to be unapologetic that we see the birth of so many collaborative initiatives such as the Eccentric Affirmation II a concept birthed and curated by Ms Mbunda
The Eccentric Affirmation II (Old Skool Desire) is a Fashion photography series representing individuals with attitudes and beliefs that set them apart from others. This series explores different individuals through artistic and photographic expressions with the narrative that pictures are not supposed to be ‘cute’ but memorable and expressive, demonstrating naturalness and emotion, to change the approach towards photography, from the diverse individuals to the fabric, angles, poses, and editing effects triggering the audience to feel the emotion and energy in the picture, telling a story, with authenticity.
The concept of Eccentric Affirmation II (Old Skool Desire – part 1) is rooted and heavily inspired by the 90’s costumes and clothing of that era and how that translates to the times of today. Themed ‘Old Skool Desire’ the first part of the concept includes modern styling, street/hood vibes in the Luska CBD. Unique accessorising, real-life setups and extras such as skateboards.
“Collaborations with fellow creatives are crucial to the creative industry because they help each of us reach our goals through listening to and learning from one another. Working with all the various and amazing creatives on ECCENTRIC AFFIRMATIONS II was mind-blowing because as much as collaborations are a means of working together towards a common goal, I think they’re also an excellent way to encourage innovation and creativity because then you’re in your niche and it is satisfying to be around people you can relate to and exchange ideas with freely.” Ms Mbunda Shares
It is exciting to see that fashion photography is an art form that seamlessly combines style, creativity, and storytelling. It plays a pivotal role in the fashion industry, showcasing not just clothing but also the emotions, narratives, and cultural influences that define our spaces and ECCENTRIC AFFIRMATIONS II is strong proof of that.
Below is a summary of how some of the present creatives felt about the collaboration.
“This collaboration resonated with me because it drew inspiration from eras in the fashion industry that largely influence my personal style today. Very bold, but colourful and playful, which are qualities I try to incorporate into how I present myself on a daily basis. The idea of being able to communicate that I can be all of those things all at once and I think that the overall message is perfectly encapsulated in the title of the project itself.”
“Making contributions to the various looks felt a lot more like play than work. It was also just really great to see how everyone interpreted the concept on an individual level with the outfits they’d picked and suggested for themselves. So coming together to refine them was really a collaborative effort and a great insight into who these people are and how they choose to show up in the world. There was a real sense of community and like-mindedness that made the overall experience enjoyable.”
“The theme ‘Old School Desire’ was like going back in time to get the feel of a generation before mine. The inspiration for my look came from my dad’s old photos. He and his peers incorporated oversized suits, neckties and Afros in their daily attire and I thought it would be a great look to recreate.”
“Collaborating with other creatives was an amazing experience. Being surrounded by people who appreciate you and see your efforts is such a great feeling. It’s crazy how so many individuals from different backgrounds can come together and create a space in which everyone’s views and ideas are acknowledged, respected and combined to form a project like that.”
“Frozen in time are moments our bodies spoke louder than our voices, moments our short dresses, mini skirts, graphic trousers and colourful tops defined us as ” awkward”. We seek the attention, the attention of those who speak our love language and who understand that socks and sandals are a statement. ECCENTRIC AFFIRMATIONS is fashion and character combined. l loved working with fellow creatives because even if the day had flaws, it was a chance to create something different.”
“Personally, the shoot was an exemplary experience for me because I had the chance to do what I love with people who are on the same wavelength as I am and the highlight of the day was when everyone got in tune with each other and it was just good energy all over.
I had an amazing time collaborating with the other creatives. Usually, I’d feel a little nervous when I’m at a shoot but this time it was different because I was digging everyone’s Aura and if I’d go back to relieve that moment I would cause it’s one for the history books.”
“The theme of this shoot provided a fun escape from the present-day everyday concept of style offering a break from the digital age and a chance to experience a different era’s vibes. It allowed for my creative expression through fashion,
Overall the whole experience was amazing. Being able to share ideas throughout this process and also being able to interact with people who have different creative backgrounds (stylists, photographers etc.) allowed me to have new conversations and look forward to future projects.”
“I look forward to more collaborations because the last experience was just vibes and I believe that when individuals with a diverse range of skills and backgrounds come together, the exchange of unique perspectives and ideas overflow and it just creates a safe environment for everyone to express themselves. I always remind myself that down there is where people are competing but at the top, people are collaborating, therefore here’s to more collaborations!”
The next part of the project is undoubtedly a must-see given the success of ECCENTRIC AFFIRMATIONS II (Old Skool Desire)
Stylist @ms_mbundagram
Assistant Stylist: @flonominaal
Creative Direction and Project Management: @ms_mbundagram
Photography: @meyo_editor_
Entire Crew
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