Last week, Nairobi was abuzz with creativity as Nairobi Design Week showcased African design talent.
Running from March 9th to 16th, marking its 10th anniversary under the theme “We Are the Ancestors,” this year’s edition reflects on the legacy of creative arts shaped by the past and the art being built today as well as its impact on future generations.
Held primarily at The Waterfront Karen, the festival showcased a diverse lineup of exhibitions, workshops, and discussions.
One of the event’s highlights was around the launch of HerFolio which addressed the massive gap between female and male creatives regarding getting noticed and hired.
The new platform is trying to fix the uneven playing field in the creative space.
“We believe in the immense talent of female creatives in Africa, and we’re committed to providing them with a platform to share their work and gain the recognition they deserve,” said Delna Sethna, Chief Creative Officer at Ogilvy Africa Network, which created the platform. “Talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t.”
Adrian Jankowiak, who founded Nairobi Design Week, stated, “Nairobi Design Week is committed to championing diverse voices and fostering an inclusive design ecosystem.”
HerFolio will connect female creatives across African countries, letting them upload high-resolution videos, images and audio to show off their work.
HerFolio founders are hoping the gap between talent and opportunity in Africa’s creative industries might finally begin to narrow, bringing fresh perspectives to the global design conversation.
