As part of the women of the African diaspora coffee table book project Haby Barry, Founder of Fulaba and collaborator, Diaraye Barry started in Guinea; Haby directed a shoot in Oakland, CA. We were delighted to have the opportunity to feature Suakoko Betty clothing, a chic modern line of women’s wear featuring ankara prints imagined by Liberian American designer, Charlene Dunbar. In addition to featuring Fulaba jewelry, we had the pleasure of including gemstone necklaces and rings by African American fine jewelry designer, Sheryl Jones. The Oakland shoot featured American women of various origins who all live in Oakland, CA and they included: Lydia – Eritrean American, Tamika – Dominican and African American, and Iminah – Jamaican and African American. Iminah confirmed her tribal origins via African Ancestry DNA testing to be primarily Yoruba and Fulani.
The Oakland shoot was a daylong effort that started in the Gardens at Lake Merritt and continued on to various murals in the downtown area including ‘Welcome 2 Afrikatown’ by CRP on San Pablo & Grand Ave, ‘Oakland Dreams’ by Trust Your Struggle Collective on 4th and Webster and ‘Know Your Ancestors’ by Mike “Bam” Tyau and Jesus Rodriguez on Embarcadero West & Martin Luther King Way. Victor Bashorun (IG: chitownmarksman) was the photographer and we’d like to shout out Thendo Todani who assisted.
Lydia, pictured is wearing a shirtdress by Suakoko Betty made of Holland wax (ankara) print fabric, Fulaba gold dipped Fulani earrings-small version paired with our gold dipped Fulani inspired cuff bracelet, and onyx rings by Sheryl Jones. Lydia’s hair was styled by Haby Barry and her makeup was by Mercedes Gramajo.