20 Mar Vlisco Launches NEW City of Joy 2021 Collection; Designed by Anbasja Blanken
Vlisco has launched a new collection of fabrics honoring the “World’s Strongest Women”, the women of the City of Joy, women who began their journey from trauma to arrive at healing, turning their pain to power. The City of Joy 2021 collection was designed by Anbasja Blanken, a women’s wear designer whose strength lies in how she sees the world. Born in Curacao, Blanken is inspired by her earthy upbringing and the extraordinary strength of her mother.
Working with the women at City of Joy, she created fabrics that showcase the vision of City of Joy and the beauty of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Created to reflect their spirit and strength, the five new designs are called The Bouquet, The Lion, The Congo River, The Orchid and Sisterhood. The City of Joy collection is full of over 100 vibrant colors made with traditional Dutch wax printing and honors the strength and the journey of the women who have worked to move from a place of pain to one of love and healing. The collection is made up of patterns in bold, bright patterns.. The fabric designs pay tribute to the vagina and the natural beauty of the Congo region.
Profits from the sale of the collection will be donated by Vlisco to the City of Joy for the development of a new fashion and textile school.
Our deepest gratitude to everyone at Vlisco for this partnership and support of the women of City of Joy, and our shared vision of a world where women thrive, not merely survive.
THE ORCHID : This is an ode to the vagina and how it should be loved and cherished for its fragile beauty.
BOUQUET : The vagina, source of all life, is set against the blackness of the universe. Every flower is different as is every woman. The vagina rests on tumultuous waves which represent the unpredictability of the sea and of life.
THE CONGO RIVER : The river represents a dark place of pain but small seeds grow upwards and become strong flowers, symbolic of the women who are autonomous but still a family.
THE LION : The lion sitting on his perch, dignified and a little sad, represents Dr Denis Mukwege. The fish are following him, the butterflies are the return of beauty to the dark forest and the birds herald the end of conflict.
LEARN MORE About City of Joy and Vlisco Partnership, HERE
READ ABOUT City of Joy HERE
DONATE to City of Joy, SUPPORT WOMEN turning pain to power HERE
LEARN ABOUT the City of Joy Film Available on Netflix HERE