When Laduma Ngxokolo a textile graduate from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, started his research project he had no idea months later he would end up showing his first collection at London Fashion Week.
I first read about Laduma on Pattern & Textile blog. Since then I have done my catch up research only to find out this 25year old has developed such a phenomenal textile and product that maintains local production and sourcing all in South Africa.
He has developed a Xhosa-inspired range of knitwear for amakrwala (Xhosa for new initiates) and the fashion industry has been set ablaze with established designers interested in collaborations before this chap has even had time to really overstand all that has happened.
His inspiration came from Laduma himself being an initiate in which boys between the age of 18 and 23 undergo circumcision as part of a manhood initiation ritual. Once the initiates return home they must burn their entire wardrobe. Their parents must buy them an entire new wardrobe and a part of that wardrobe must be knitwear. This is where he saw a niche' most of the knitwear was not reflecting the Xhosa culture and are of course mainly imports. Read more of Laduma here Africa the Good News

.. Now that absolutely inspiring and amazing. Laduma is the spark of that next generation that will do what others say can not be done. Step into your greatness and acknowledge that we can be the change we want to see in this world..

On June 19th, 2011 Father's Day and also the Summer Solstice, Samsara released our first three prints. These limited edition printed tees was available for sale at the SNWMF and are now available online . We sourced the best fitting American Made tee shirt "American Apparel" and worked with 3 printers for the process. The response has been overwhelming and we plan to keep releasing more limited edition tees.
The first three designs to be released was the Samsara "Lion", Samsara X Ras Terms, Samsara X Marcus. Each design carried a significance to our brand as we will describe below.

Samsara Lion

This design was very sentimental to our brand because the Lion carries so many meanings throughout history. According to the 12 Tribes of Israel which carries a symbolic relation to the 12 sons of Yacob "Jacob". The month of July is called Judah and this is the month that both designers of Samsara Boutique are born in. In Judaism the lion symbolises the Lion of Judah. In Christianity the lion's significance is to represent "Yahshua",or "Jesus Christ" , or "Yesus Kristos". The lion also represents royalty, strength, symbol of courage, especially in the pursuit of justice and righteousness. In Egypt the lion symbolises the power of the sun and the power that Ra uses to protect the good and annihilate the wicked. In Buddhism the Buddha sits of a Lion's throne. When the lion comes to us, it is a sign for us to step into our natural birthright of power. Each of us is born powerful and divine. The lion reminds Samsara of this!

Samsara X Ras Terms

Samsara X Marcus

This project is the beginning of many more projects with Marcus and Midnite Band. Being away from the Virgin Islands for so many years this project has begun to bloom into many other projects on island and off island. The beginning process actually happened while I was home in "St. Croix" getting grounded and thus carries strong sentiments . Supplications to HIM is a great album from Midnite, this artwork was inspired during the mystical studio sessions. The word Supplication is such a strong word and action in prayer, it is found 53 times in the Old Testament and 7 times in the New. It refers to bending down and indicates a bowing or kneeling of submission within prayer. This shirt in terms of design and printing process is exactly what we had envisioned for the first release. Nuff respect to Marcus and the Midnite Family.

When I got the concept of this crown I decided to go to Little Five Points in Atlanta Ga and check an elder brethren by the name of Simeon. According to the Hebrew bible and 12 Tribes Doctrine the Tribe of Simeon are known to Hearken and Listen, so he is naturally going to be one of the best people to come see if you have a prior concept. Simeon has also been making leather works for as long as I have been on the planet so his experience is bar to none. Besides all of that almost every other elder that I know was also taught the trade by Simeon, so why not go to the teacher?

We began to reason on the concept and right away he get a glow it is the kind of glow an artists is familiar with, one gets when you have said something intriguing and not only do they overstand the challenge but respect the idea as it is innovative. He told me soft and clear " I got it don't worry yourself" So I begin the search for the fabrics I would like to use, I found and ostrich skin and snake skin "diamond back" and decided that I would ask him to combine the fabrics. The results was aprofessionally made Crown suited for a King with detailed trim and lacing techniques that show a wide knowledge of Mexican and his own style fused together. Expert blocking and millinery skills any millinery designer would be highly impressed with.

One thing that I have learned with many artists is you have to ask for what you want don't just look on the walls and assume that what you see is all you can get. Most of the times that artists is waiting for you to ask, just know what you want and allow the artists to price the product, remember this kind of handwork is Rare and original work that should always be compensated.

Simeon can be found in Little Five Points Atl Ga

if your not local you can always email and contact

LaNeek earthtone13@yahoo.com

EarthTone 1139 Euclid Avenue