Helen Jennings

A magical week in Addis Ababa with six wonderful designers on the Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield residency 💗 From weaving studios to jazz clubs, from storytelling workshops to fasting feasts, we were thoroughly nourished by this city’s warm-hearted embrace. And a joy to hang out with Sir @lakinogunbanwo too 🫶 Full story over on @nataal.com Nice photos 1-7 by Lakin Designers Bettydora Odhiambo (@atienostudio ) Chido Kaseke (@patch_maoko_ezim ) Karoline Vitto (@karolinevitto ) Renata Brenha (@renata.brenha ) Solome Asfaw (@xufan_wear ) Yaku Stapleton (@yaku.____ ) Creative DNA British Council (@southernafricaarts @eastafricaarts @britishcouncilet @ngbritisharts @britisharts ) Paul Smith’s Foundation (@paulsmithsfoundation ) IceAddis (@iceaddis ) Projekt (@thisisprojekt )

Kech part 2 😍

‘Nataal: A Decade of Finery’ at @jajjah.tea for Kech United @154artfair ✨ My heart is full! Thanks to all of our exhibiting artists and everyone who helped us make this anniversary show extra special. 💫 Full story over on @nataalmedia   Love to @miriam_bouteba @eugeneekuban @myfriendsallysue @hassanhajjaj_larache @shot_by_andrew_dosunmu @artcomesfirst @elseed @marchenoirlomeparis @janinegaelle @0lcide @ebonheath @t.01st 💛

Artist Talks: Art Comes First & Marché Noir Saturday, February 7, 2026 · 3:30pm A conversation with Art Comes First, moderated by Helen Jennings, Editorial Director of NATAAL, exploring collective practice, sustainability, and African craftsmanship, and how fashion operates as an art form shaping culture and identity. — حوارات الفنانين: الفن يأتي أولًا & مارشيه نوار السبت 7 فبراير 2026 · الساعة 3:30 مساءً جلسة حوارية مع الفن يأتي أولًا، بإدارة هيلين جينينغز، المديرة التحريرية لمجلة NATAAL، تستكشف فيها الممارسات الجماعية، الاستدامة، والحرفية الإفريقية، وكيف تعمل الموضة كفن يشكّل الثقافة والهوية. — Artist Talks : Art Comes First & Marché Noir Samedi 7 février 2026 · 15h30 Une conversation avec Art Comes First, animée par Helen Jennings, directrice éditoriale de NATAAL, explorant la pratique collective, la durabilité et l’artisanat africain, et comment la mode fonctionne comme une forme d’art qui façonne la culture et l’identité.

10 years young! Join @nataalmedia at @jajjah.tea this week for ‘A Decade of Finery’. Our outdoor installation features over 30 collaborators and joins the Kech United platform by @hassanhajjaj_larache Friday 6, 4-6pm - Come party 🎈 Saturday 7, 2-8pm - talks and screenings with @blacksupermkt @artcomesfirst @marchenoirlomeparis @mouslamrabat @shot_by_andrew_dosunmu @janinegaelle @myfriendsallysue & me Love to our artists: Adama Jalloh, Alice Mann, Atang Tshikare, Cynthia Lawrence-John, Daniel Obasi, Delali Ayivi, Edem Dossou, Feranmi Eso, Gleeson Paulino, Ibrahem Hassan, Ismail Zaidy, Jamie Morgan, Jessica Willis, Josefina Santos, Julia Noni, Kenny Germé, Kristin-Lee Moolman, Lakin Ogunbanwo, Lucia Heath, Michelle Marshall, Mitch Hay, Mous Lamrabat, Nadine Ijewere, Nathan Klein, Najla Said, Njaheut, Olga de la Iglesia, Olivia Lifungula, Onesimo, Oumayma Ben Tanfous, Rosemary Wangari, Rudi Geyser, Ryan Hing, Sabrina Henry, Shitanda, Simrah Farrukh, Slushyy, Stephania Yepes, Till Tan, Tsepiso Seema NATAAL curation @miriam_bouteba & @hellojennings NATAAL art direction @eugeneekuban @154artfair #nataalmedia #jajjahtea

A gallop through Casablanca with @orun_africa for its Heirs of Greatness Day and official launch of this institution’s vision for African craftsmanship. C’est magnifique! Story over on @nataalmedia Bissou @leatik @sunnydolat @kamder @anilpadia 💗

Another magical visit to @belmondmountnelsonhotel for Confections x Collections. Bravo @twygmag & kisses @gabrielle_palmer_2020 ❤️ Image 3 shamelessly stolen from @iona_mccreath 😘

The Wild Ones 💕 Much love to the Nairobi heroes who brought this magic together for @nataalmedia Photography and creative direction Shitanda (@_shitanda_ ) Styling, hair & make-up Rosemary Wangari (@rosemarywangari ) Executive production Sunny Dolat (@sunnydolat ) Words Wanjeri Gakuru (@akilinanywele ) Media Nataal (@nataalmedia ) Cast Alexis Nereah (@alexisnereah ) Cherry Black (@cherryblack01 ) Holyziner (@holyziner ) Tony Ngige (@tonyngige ) Vinette Khakai (@vinette_k ) Fashion Lilabare (@lilabare ) Muyishime (@muyishime_ ) Niko Ngamani (@nikongamani ) Sevaria (@sevaria.ke ) Studio Namnyak (@studionamnyak ) Tony Ngige A collab with @theafricacentre & @eastafricaarts Creative Industries Symposium #nataalmedia #shitanda #kenya #nairobi #UKKenyaSeason2025 #CultureConnects #KenyaUK

Views around Aichi Triennale and on through Nagoya and Seto City for my story on this incredible festival - a global curation from Japan to Palestine to Kenya and beyond considering how we heal our relationship with the planet. Then a quick pit stop in Helsinki to hug a dear friend on the way home 💕 Artists 1-8: Basel Abbas and Ruanne Abou-Rahme Adrián Villar Rojas Kato Izumi Sasaki Rui Wangechi Mutu Saijo Akane ikkibawiKrrr Mirna Barnia

Tanzania dreaming 🤩 What a treat to visit Laba Grumeti Art Lodge (@labalabatravel ) where the works of @therichmnisi ​ @zizipo_poswa @somiandesign @fanimadoda @heferporky and more shape this new residence among the Serengeti​ wilderness​. Kisses to @kerrynfisch and more on @nataalmedia soon 💕

This is a special one! @delaliayivi & @feranmieso present ‘You’ve got to make your own worlds’ for @nataalmedia featuring this years Creative DNA designers. I interviewed the 10 talents from Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Ghana and Nigeria who took part in the British Council fashion incubator programme. Thank you to our incredible team 🫶 Photography and creative direction Delali Ayivi (@delaliayivi ) at @delarevolucion Styling Feranmi Eso (@feranmieso ) Set design Jade Adeyemi (@adeyumyum ) Hair Ana Veronica (@iamanaveronica ) Make-up Fey-Carla Adediji (@feycarlaa ) Models Yusra (@yusrasaeed_ ), Angelina (@angelina_ydd ), Eli A (@eli_amusan ) & Rueban Casting director Jose Malave (@jsmlv.practice ) Photography assistance Wynston Shannon (@wynston_shannon ) & Nadine Scarlett (@nadinescarlett_ ) Styling assistance Beverly Corpuz (@ten20am ) Set design assistance Bronte Carter (@bronte.carter ), Rachel Ifediora (@rachel_ifediora ) & Rosie Young Hair assistance Jamique (@jaamique ) Make-up assistance Lara Nasamu (@ffyyoobb ) Senior production Dan Aremu (@danaremu ) Executive production Mali Okoi-Obuli Production OURHouse (@ourhouse_global ) Studio The Russian Club Kit rental Pro Light (@prolightlondon ) Words Helen Jennings (@hellojennings ) Talent Black Fine and Fly (@henriuduku ) Dagmawit (@dagmawitfashion ) Epica (@epicajewellery ) Guzo Technologies (@guzotech ) Henri Uduku (@henriuduku ) Kisero (@kisero_nairobi ) Ometsey (@ometseyofficial ) Rungano Rwedu (@runganorwedu ) Sevaria (@sevaria.ke ) Shwanda Kollection (@shwanda_kollection ) British Council Creative DNA (@southernafricaarts @eastafricaarts @britishcouncilet @ngbritisharts @britisharts ) #nataalmedia #creativedna #britishcouncil #delaliayivi #africanfashion #britishcouncil

This digital issue asks: What does it take to move from critical reflection to collective action? Spanning fashion, education, craft, and community-making, Vision to Practice explores how care, equity, and collaboration can reshape the systems we’ve inherited - and imagine new ways forward. Honoured to collaborate with @hellojennings , whose thoughtful storytelling shaped our reflections on how fashion, education, and care can open space for unlearning and reimagining. You can read the first stories here: Link in Bio Follow @assemblage.journal for more. Photography by Ruby Okoro, featuring @rafaelkouto ’s Circular Heroes collection