Bobby Joseph

Inspo— fleece shorts, done better.
BOBBYJOSEPH jacquard teal leopard pattern “Runners”.
Wool / Cotton feels like cashmere

From yarn-dyed cotton Dogon, to traditional cotton Ankara, to coated cotton canvas, to vintage yarn-dyed Kente. 5-panel “Oysterman” (long visor) and “Anansi” (standard visor) camper hats

BOBBYJOSEPH® Summer II Headwear Collection

I went to Africa in 2008 via a stopover in Londontown. I’d been to London dozens of times prior, on this trip I decided to stay on the other side of the park and explore the city differently than trips past. The most memorable part of the trip was ‘discovering’ Asafo flags at a gallery on Savile Row. Completely out of my price range, that piece has remained embedded in my artistic spirit. My art/design through-line tends to be visually bold, dynamic, and ensconced in storytelling, all native to “Franks”. Time and thought and development has synthesized my creativity to create…

Since the 19th century the Asafo, a part of the Fante tribe located on the southern coast of what is now Ghana, became known for their elaborate flags (frankaa) “Frank”, that were symbols of military companies within communities. They would be flown when they went into battle, fighting together with the British, their colonizers. The flags wouldn’t be flown the entire time but would also be danced in elaborate ceremonies celebrating victory or community. The flags themselves are visually stunning – large, colorful pieces with symbols and shapes that told stories or represented complex social and political issues. On many flags, the Union Jack or British fighter planes are sewn in gorgeous designs. Each company had their own flag and designated uniform colors, though it’s not uncommon for individuals to have their own flags. Asafo flags are made exclusively by men, with younger generations apprenticing to learn the art. The flags were an active art, something used in day to day life, and are still being made, as Gus Casely – Hayford, a British curator, cultural historian and lecturer with Ghanaian roots called them, “a visual metaphor for what community can mean.”

During the 18th century, the Ndzundza Ndebele people of South Africa created their tradition and style of house painting. Until the late 1900s, the Ndebele noted warriors and large landowners. In the autumn of 1883, they went to war with the neighboring Boers. The loss of the war brought on a harsh life and horrible punishments for the Ndebele. Through those hard times, expressive symbols were generated by the suffering people expressing their grief. These symbols were the beginning of the African art form.

The vibrant symbols and expressions portray communications of personal prayers, self-identification, values, emotions, and marriage. Sometimes the male initiation, was a reason for repainting, but the ritual was not expressed. The women of the Ndebele are often the traditional carriers and the main developer of the wall art of their home. The tradition and style of house painting are passed down in the families from generation to generation by the mothers. A well-painted home shows the woman of the household as a good wife and mother. She is responsible for the painting of the outside gates, front walls, side walls, and usually the interior of her home.

Dr. is a South African artist she is known for her bold large-scale contemporary paintings that reference her Ndebele heritage. She is one of South Africa's best known artists.

I was introduced to the beautiful art of the Ndebele from Ms. Edna in the early 2000’s. When my youngest sister traveled to SA in 2010 she HAD to bring me back a figurine. These influences sparked a t-shirt that I created around 2013 that was an homage the Ndebele design language. There’s something about Ndebele art that I’ve been chasing/pursuing that I have not captured yet…

Please enjoy 40% off the world-famous BOBBYJOSEPH® Ankara Oysterman hats while supplies last.

Discount [LOOKUP] applied at checkout.

Paris is always a good idea!
Enjoy 50% off the entire Patrick Kelly collection starting today.
Discount [PARIS-GOOD] applied at checkout

The face Howard alum make when they here another school’s alumni say “the real H-U”

Happy Monday enjoy 30% discount at checkout on “The Mecca” hoodies [YOU KNOW!]

Howard University is affectionately known as “The Mecca” to its alum that have believed for over a century that it is the epicenter for higher education amongst young Black people. As the sentiment will rage on in debates amongst HBCU grads for another century, here it's being commemorated with this limited edition hoody.

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“Run Faster” collaboration + BOBBYJOSEPH®

“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're the lion or a gazelle-when the sun comes up, you'd better be running.”

- Christopher McDougall

for
Client:
View: Tier 0 seeding packaging renderings /
exploded view

or
Sketch > to 3D rendering > IRL

for
Client:
Project: Ideation, Design, and manufacturing packaging

How to rock BOBBYJOSEPH® Ankara Joggers (part deux):

*Please disregard Step 2. in previous post (you might need socks depending on weather and/or shoe 🙃)

📷 Bo-ski

*Also disregard Step 2. in previous post (you might need socks depending on weather and/or shoe 🫥)

To every model that’s ever been on set with me… please forgive me for yelling at you to “put your chin down!” 😂

BOBBYJOSEPH® Ankara Joggers

📷 Bo-ski

How to rock BOBBYJOSEPH® Ankara Joggers 101:

Step 1. Grab a collegiate top (the juxtaposition seems to add something)
Step 2. No socks (might be too visually competitive). *remember the Ankara Joggers are the hero 😏
Step 3. The right sneakers will complete the look, must be subordinate to pants. Balance is key (refer to Step 2.)
Step 4. Do whatever TF you want, y’all know how to dress 😂

RESTOCK | BOBBYJOSEPH® patchwork Ankara Joggers
DM for details