Ali Lamu Small Flame Red Natural LOVE Clutch
Ali Lamu Small Flame Red Natural LOVE Clutch
Made by hand and heart on the Island Of Lamu, Kenya, Ali Lamu bags are a true handcraft. These unique beauties are constructed from Tanga (sails) from the traditional fisherman boats (dhows) that are used through out the waters of the east African coast. Weathered from the coastal winds, the warm African sun and the salty air these tangas are transformed into works of art by nature alone.
Crafted on the Island of Lamu, Kenya
Handmade from vintage Tanga’s (100% cotton sail cloths)
Hand painted
Water resistant lining with inside zipped top opening
Cowrie Shell detailing
Size Apx. 21 x 9 x 16cm
Please note these beauties are made from vintage fabric and do contain markings. This is not a fault but the nature of the weathered Tanga’s used to construct the bags.
ALI LAMU is the story of Daniela and Ali. Daniela Bateleur was born in Italy. After years of travelling throughout Africa, she arrived in Lamu, in the north east of Kenya. Walking along the beach one day she was approached by a fisherman by the name of Ali, in search of work. Unfortunately, she had nothing to offer him but during the course of their conversation she mentioned to him that she was looking for an old sail cloth that the local fishing dhows used, a Tanga. She felt those old sails were artworks on their own, created by the wind, the salt, the sun and the rain during the course of their ocean lives. The worn beige colouring of the sail was amazing, impossible to reproduce. It was the elements that would become the masters behind this artwork.
From here these two creative minds added paint, motifs and words and the Tanga’s were transformed into unique, hand crafted pieces. Other fisherman would join them, left jobless after the overfished waters of the areas failed to offer enough fruits to supply them with a living. These men and women were retrained in sewing, design and in the sourcing of the Tanga’s and the shells used in the beautiful creations.
