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Carol K. Muthiga
Caroline Karungari Muthiga-Oyekunle
Show RCA work
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"Mumbi Le Deux" & "Ndomé" Eye Wear, Carol K. Muthiga 2019
Acetate, brass rod & sheets, nylon lenses, laser cut leather, gold spray paint, plastic foam.
Photographer: Carol Muthiga"Mumbi Le Deux" & "Ndomé" Eye Wear, Carol K. Muthiga 2019
Acetate, brass rod & sheets, nylon lenses, laser cut leather, gold spray paint, plastic foam.
Photographer: Carol Muthiga
Major project:
The Intergalactic, Afrofuturistic, Time Traveling, Woman Warrior: The Vessel & the Shield
Info
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School
School of Design
Programme
MA Fashion Womenswear
Specialism
Fashion: Accessories
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Contact
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My design practice is inspired by subjects that are dear to my soul: my culture as a Kenyan-American – history, heritage, African fractals, Agĩkuyu cosmology, geometry, geomancy, numerology, the magnificence of nature and the cosmos. My creative process comes from how I feel my ideas can be best presented in a way that is relevant to me, and that can withstand the test of time; merging digital and analog, technology and sustainability. In the realm of popular culture, amongst others, I am especially inspired by the art of Janelle Monáe (Django Jane) and Donald Glover, aka Childish Gambino (Redbone). Their work essentially questions the status quo.
My studies at the Royal College of Art manifested in the creation of an intergalactic, Afrofuturistic, time traveling, woman warrior. Bridging the past and the future. Symbolic of women, everywhere. Standing in their wisdom and power. The quintessential superhero. Her eyewear is her shield.
The notions of camouflage, defence, duality, masquerade and 'hiding in plain sight' are essentially what eyewear design denotes for me.
I have had an extensive 20+ year career in New York City, as an art director in branding and advertising (Ogilvy), publishing (Condé Nast) and television (Lifetime/Disney/ABC). I am the founder/creative director of Kipepeo, Lolita Lorenzo and Cetra Eyewear.
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Previous degrees
- BDes, Visual Communication, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, 1997
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Exhibitions
- A Celebration of Eyewear, 100% Optical Show, London 2018; All At Once, RCA Fashion Show, Cork Street Galleries, London, 2019
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Publications
- 'The Vessel & the Shield: The Allegory of the Agĩkuyu Woman,' masters dissertation (distinction), Royal College of Art, Gīkūyū Centre for Cultural Studies, 2018
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Awards
- Accessories, Who is on Next, Vogue Italia/AltaRoma, 2015
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Sponsors
- Divel SpA; Mazzucchelli SpA; La-Es SpA; James Cropper; Cubitts
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Collaborators
- Matic Veler, Fashion Womenswear, 2018; William States Lee, IDE, 2019; Guillermo Whittembury, IDE, 2019; Amos Oyedeji, IDE, 2019; Isabel Maria Ashworth, Fashion Womenswear, Accessories, 2020; Mila Chielman; Matej Prokop; Daffy London; Lissonia Mendes