MWEZI bag
Category: Accessories
Competitions: Africa
My name is Felicite FURAHA KAHASHI, a product designer by profession and a creative person in general. During this competition, I am participating in the accessories category, and I have designed a 2 in 1 bag called MWEZI. MWEZI bag MWEZI is a Swahili word that means MOON as well as month. The relationship between the moon and a month is that both have been in a renewal cycle for the longest time. therefore, MWEZI bag is a symbol of longevity. MWEZI is a bag that carries life, history, culture, and art. This bag design has been inspired by the moon and women. Historically, the moon and women have a strong relationship. the moon is a symbol of femininity, renewal, healing and creation. It also represents the cycle of birth, death of rebirth while women are the vessels of life and used to determine things like their menstrual cycles by the help of the moon. in the context of leather goods design and production, renewal, rebirth, healing, etc... can be achieved by repairing, repurposing and reusing which are the principals of sustainability. other element that are part of the bag design inspiration are: -A woman's figure: represented by the middle part of the bag -scarification/ tribal marks (used to symbolize beauty in some African cultures): on a leather product these can be represented and achieved by embossing and laser printing. - the Kuba clothes optical illusions and motifs. the design in conclusion, MWEZI bag is a product that has been designed by a woman, inspired by women, made for women and is a representation of sustainability.
