In Marrakech, Nataal took over a floor at DaDa – an exciting multidisciplinary arts space and one of 1-54’s two main partner venues – to create a digital installation that transported visitors into the world of WE, MAJI. Nataal’s creative director Marie Gomis-Trezise led the curation of the show, alongside the Nataal team, to ensure the issue’s stories came alive through a dynamic interplay of still and moving images, music and text. “It’s been an incredible journey curating an experience that celebrates the power of creativity, culture, and water as a central force connecting stories across Kenya, Rio, Dublin, Togo and beyond,” says Gomis-Trezise.

The exhibition was made possible with the kind support of Vlisco and included Nataal’s cover story shot by Togo Yeye (Malaika Nabillah and Delali Ayivi) from the brand’s ‘Blossoming Beauty’ campaign. The stunning visuals draw on the language of flowers and the lush landscapes of Lomé’s beaches to express the strength found in sisterhood.

Other projects visitors could dive into included ‘Heaven, Earth and Below’ by IAMISIGO and Shitanda, which offered up a glistening invocation to the sun gods of Mambrui. The short film and photography series ‘Camadas de Nós’ was shot by Tansi Makele, Morgane H.Gomez and Vincent Frédéric Colombo for C.R.E.O.L.E and acted as a tender ode to Brazilian youth. ‘Bol’ by Silvana Trevale took inspiration from her childhood on the Venezuelan coast to create a studio portrait steeped in saturated colours and nostalgia for home. Budding rapper Khakikid headed into the watery depths with photographer Paula Trojner. Axle Jozeph and Issaka Bance hailed the spirit of the Nollywood It girl. And creative director Rafaela Pinah channelled her love of Realengo into her ongoing Coolhunter Favela project, ‘Brasil Profundo’.

Another highlight of the Nataal installation was ‘Of Us’, a short film from Jukebox Collective which uses play and dance to pay tribute to the Afro-Caribbean communities of Tiger Bay. Directed by Liara Barussi and produced by Lauren Patterson, this joyful work features young students from the Jukebox Academy and was accompanied by the soundscape ‘Omi’, created by Felix Taylor and Melo-Zed in collaboration with Touching Bass. Visitors to our exhibition were enveloped by ‘Of Us’ and came away surprised to find out it was filmed along Wales’s dramatic coastline. “Seeing Wales and our talent reflected within the contemporary African art space was a really significant moment,” says Liara Barussi. “We’re excited to see the work being presented beyond the UK, and Marrakech with Nataal was a beautiful installation to be a part of.”

We were also proud to collaborate with Anil Padia for WE, MAJI. The Yoshita 1967 founder debuted his series ‘Mystic Tides’, which was shot in Lamu with Michael Mwangi Maina and Fred Odede and explores his brand’s fluid interplay of gender and identity. In addition, we hosted a 1-54 VIP event featuring a private screening of Padia’s short film ‘Temple Road’ followed by an insightful Q&A between the filmmaker and Dolat. “My work revolves a lot around Kenyan identity, stories of migration, and the points of harmony and tension between those two things,” Padia explains. “With ’Temple Road’, we’re taken on a journey of initiation through the veils of existence, where rituals unlock the unseen and mysticism whispers truths only the heart can hear. Screening it here, and seeing ‘Mystic Tides’ showcased in Nataal’s installation, was a powerful moment of creative exchange and storytelling.”

Among Nataal’s guests for this intimate event were some of our favourite people. Zoubida’s creative director Sophia Kacimi, menswear designer Zak Timol, musicians Hasna and Thaïs Sala, stylist Alexander-Julian Gibbson, chef Akwasi Brenya-Mensa, artist Hannah Bouattia and Showroom Amsterdam boss Carmen Hogg all helped us show the love! Thank you to everyone who came through to experience WE, MAJI and mark the start of Nataal’s 10th anniversary year.