AKASO

Akaso is a Belgian contemporary clothing and handbag label for men and women. The collection is renown for its prints and motifs designed by the Kara people in Southern Ethiopia famous for their abstract body painting art. The Akaso founder and designer Philippe Vertriest is father of two adopted Ethiopian born daughters and in his quest to learn more about the heritage of his daughters he discovered the Kara people. A team of 8 Kara tribe men and women create the motifs within the Kara body painting art culture. Akaso photographs these creations on site and pays 250 euro for every single motif obtained from the Kara people. These motifs are then reproduced on garments, bags and fabrics entirely produced in Europe, exclusively using materials made in Europe.