THE SHOP IS OPEN!!
‘I create wearable stories, I exhibit stories, and I share stories, for us, to press pause and consider
#solidarity #love #connection #freedom
Hello!!! It’s been a while since I have communicated with all those who continue to lovingly support my creative journey! A lot has happened since I last posted, so here goes the Blog!!! In this blog, I will share about the Laura Nyahuye brand online shop launch and what I have been up to. Why launch now? Over the years I’ve wanted to open an online shop however, time, work and life happened! Please find out what I’ve been up to via links.
Laura Nyahuye Brand Launch
I design and make an array of things. Everything in the shop is designed and handmade by me. As a designer-maker, I have enjoyed working with various materials. From beads to designing The Commonwealth 2022 Queens Baton, welding, to printing on several surfaces. I love textiles, sculpting, and recycling, My commission on the Faith project by City of Culture with Tom Piper, I used donated clothes and recycled plastics. I enjoy hand dyeing fabrics, wool, felting, and hand weaving. Mixing textures excites me, rusty wire against hand-dyed fabric. I hope you find an item you fall in love with!
My journey in the UK arts and culture sector began in 2007. In 2018, I held my first solo exhibition, "I Migrated," at the Belgrade Theatre. "I Migrated" is an ongoing exhibition that reflects different aspects of my life, and the unfolding pages of my future. The exhibition also showcases the experiences of migrant women, capturing both their best moments and their struggles. Through voices, visual storytelling, pain, and celebration, "I Migrated" resonates with the audience.
I Migrated is a touring exhibition,
There are 3 sections in the shop.
Cheka – clothing, contains poetry extracts from the I Migrated exhibition
Art /Prints and poetry extracts are from the I Migrated exhibition
Wearable stories Striking adornments
Cheka – Clothing is a #movement #solidarity #love #freedom #connection
Creating a ripple effect of love, unity, freedom, and exploration using design.
Cheka was born in a place of scarcity, the early 2000s. I didn’t have the luxury to buy clothes, no matter how cheap. I stopped visiting clothes shops. When friends or work colleagues invited me to events and celebrations, it was hard, l did not have money to buy exactly what l needed. That pushed me to come up with a plan. I purchased plain fabrics, designed and created simple, dresses. Surprisingly, I felt so comfortable. I felt at home in my self-made clothes. I liked the idea of using plain black, white, or grey fabric as a blank canvas for me to accessorize with adornments and words.
My mother was a designer and seamstress. Growing up, the machine was constantly chucking away through the night. To date, l still find the sound soothing. l remember a small voice in my head, constantly asking, ‘Why mom? Why are your designs so well put together, with nice clean lines and so detailed, I remember, using my mom’s off-cut fabrics to create simple dresses for myself. Little did l know; that I was forging my creative path. The rest is history. CHEKA was born. CHEKA (Shona, my mother tongue) translated CUT. The name is inspired by my mother’s sewing story and my intention to cut, sew, no fuss, no overlocking, blank canvas, and an extract of poetry from my exhibitions and projects to create a #movement that supports women.
I thank God for my mother’s gifts. I hope these garments feel like Home and you find them comfortable, and easy to wear, like l do.
Home Art Prints and poetry extracts are from the I Migrated exhibition
At the age of 20, l was expecting my 1st child. Long story short soon after she was born l started my second business of interior designing (trained, specialised in designing and making soft furnishing) I loved it so much! Though I trained in textiles, jewelry, printing, and ceramics at Coventry University, I believe my core interest in textiles and home décor are embedded in me, my childhood was very tactile and creatively stimulating.
The collection currently on sale is from the exhibition I Migrated. Limited edition prints (some with poetry extracts). To learn more about the exhibition find out more in the Publication and Touring exhibition
Look out for more artworks, I will be uploading as and when they become available.
What I’ve been up to…
‘Wearable stories’ Hosted by MARGINALITIES at Northumbria University
Nominated 50 West Midlands volunteering heroes
Representing West Midlands Cultural leaders @Jeremy Hunt
Legacy Project
Happy shopping! Thank you for supporting a movement, a ripple effect of
#solidarity #love #connection #freedom