Bubblegum Club

Tag: Nokana ‘Dodo’ Mojapelo

  • Local designers reinterpreting one of Nike’s most recognizable silhouettes

    Introduced to the public with the slogan ‘Air in a box’ in 1982, the Nike Air Force 1 was the first basketball shoe that featured a pocket of air, offering extra comfort on the courts. In addition to this history of innovative technology, the iconic white on white and black on black sneakers present a blank canvas of self-expression, making their reign as royalty in sneaker culture consistent. To celebrate one of Nike‘s most recognizable silhouettes Nike invited a curated group of creatives to customize the sneaker.

    South African designer, photographer embroidery queen Danielle Clough, aka Fiance Knowles, along with designer and stylist Nokana “Dodo” Mojapelo were asked to apply their creative freedom to reimagining the AF-1.

    Clough, armed with her needle and thread, reinterpreted the triple white sneakers, displaying bursts of bright colours. Her one-of-a-kind “Summer Salad” theme includes watermelon slices, kiwis, and an array of citrus fruits, making a connection between the classic sneaker and memories of fun in the sun. Her interpretation of embroidery as art gels with Nike’s design process, where sneakers are see as more than just protection from the elements.

    Mojapelo’s triple black AF-1s follow on from his own D.O.C.C collection of the same title, “STAFF ONLY”. His thinking around how to reimagine the AF-1s came from his desire to create stylish, functional shoes that show appreciation for the workers behind the scenes of making South Africa a beautiful, ever-evolving country. Mojapelo has been invested in understanding how basketball has influenced street style and vice versa since the ’90s, and this knowledge can be seen in his treatment of the sneakers.

    In addition to these two South African creatives presenting their own interpretation of the AF-1s, their designs will be auctioned off with the proceeds going towards the upkeep of the recently refurbished Zoo Lake courts, where Nike is hosting the 3-on- 3 Battle Force Challenge on 25 November and 3 December.  The courts feature a brand new design created by local artists Faatimah Mohamed-Luke and Karabo Moletsane. “Summer Salad” will be auctioned on 27 November, and “Staff Only” by will be auctioned on 3 December.

    Follow the conversation on Twitter @NSWZA using the hashtag #BattleForceJHB.

  • The Booty Call EP – Future Weird 

    Although painful and brutal, break-ups and other personal crisis are a proven  inspiration for creativity.  Icons like Bob Dylan and Marvin Gaye made some of their most powerful work in the ruins of imploded marriages. In 2008, Kayne West changed the sound of mainstream music with 808’s and Heartbreak, and also created the template for professional sad-person’s Drake’s entire career.  Doubling down on his own personal misfortunes, local streetwear designer Nokana ‘Dodo’ Mojapelo’s, of the D.O.C.C. brand, has teamed up with producer Hakim Malema to make the world’s first ‘post break up fashion EP’.

    Inspired by an aftermath of a relationship, the first fashion component of the Booty Call project dropped last December. The clothes were inspired by bittersweet memories, with ‘ Dear Diary’ shirts and jackets emblazoned with ‘ I told my therapist about you.’ Dodo’s aim was to use fashion as a blank canvas to reflect on the past ‘I didn’t want to just be creative I wanted people to be attached and be able to reflect back on a time period using my collections like anyone does when hearing an old song and immediately they reminisce….  I want to make a relatable impact whilst giving the consumer confidence through design.’

    And the clothes have now been joined by the EP. Comprising of four tracks and a handful of skits, the songs extend the theme of disappointment and cynicism. Dodo’s lyrics combine personal themes with some unexpected commentary on contemporary values. Online speaks to this generations social media addiction and futile attempts to escape from reality- ‘woke up it was summertime/no coins/dark time.’ The songs are powered by Hakim Malema’s pumping beats. With an eye towards the future he borrows inspiration from the vapor wave sound, which combined with classic SA minimalism, makes what he calls his ‘future weird’ style. The end product is to make personal misery danceable,  finding  meaning in dark times.