The Akire Objects

STORIES SHAPED IN LEATHER

Akire bags began with a curator’s eye and a craftsman’s hand.

Two generations. Two Disciplines. Different hands. One act of making.

Drawing from nature, African cultural objects and inherited skills, their different perspectives found common ground through the hand-shaping tradition into objects for contemporary life.

AKITING SET

To Carry

Akiting is the name given to the capacious-sized African gourd-inspired bag collection.

The Akiting takes its form from the capacious African gourd a vessel shaped by purpose, abundance and the necessity of carrying.

Akiting, means To Carry in the Turkana language.

The name holds a dual reflection: the abundance of natural resources across the African continent, and the weight of a history in which that abundance has also been subject to exploitation.

Generous in form and sculptural in character, the Akiting is shaped by hand in leather, then hand-stitched,vegetable -tanned and finished with beadwork.

A cotton African-print lining sits within, while brass hooks and a leather strap allow the object to be carried at the elbow or over the shoulder.
Its generous proportions are intentional.

The Akiting was created to hold more to accompany movement, travel and the everyday objects we choose to carry with us.

Inspired by nature, informed by cultural knowledge and made through the hand, the Akiting carries its origin forward into contemporary life.

ADD TO BAG

AKITING SET

To Carry

Akiting is the name given to the capacious-sized African gourd-inspired bag collection.

The Akiting takes its form from the capacious African gourd a vessel shaped by purpose, abundance and the necessity of carrying.

Akiting, means To Carry in the Turkana language.

The name holds a dual reflection: the abundance of natural resources across the African continent, and the weight of a history in which that abundance has also been subject to exploitation.

Generous in form and sculptural in character, the Akiting is shaped by hand in leather, then hand-stitched,vegetable -tanned and finished with beadwork.

A cotton African-print lining sits within, while brass hooks and a leather strap allow the object to be carried at the elbow or over the shoulder.
Its generous proportions are intentional.

The Akiting was created to hold more to accompany movement, travel and the everyday objects we choose to carry with us.

Inspired by nature, informed by cultural knowledge and made through the hand, the Akiting carries its origin forward into contemporary life.

ADD TO BAG

AKITERE SET

To Look At

Akitere, is the name given to the middle-sized African-inspired gourd bag collection.

Inspired by the Turkana milk gourd encountered on journeys through rural Kenya, the Akitere draws its form from an object shaped by culture, purpose and everyday life.

Akitere means To Look At
in the Turkana language an invitation to observe what the past can carry into the present.

Shaped by hand in leather, each Akitere is hand-stitched,
vegetable -tanned and finished with beadwork, an African-print cotton lining and adjustable brass details.

Often chosen as a gift from children to their mothers, the Akitere carries craftsmanship forward through an object made to be lived with.

ADD TO BAG

AKITERE SET

To Look At

Akitere, is the name given to the middle-sized African-inspired gourd bag collection.

Inspired by the Turkana milk gourd encountered on journeys through rural Kenya, the Akitere draws its form from an object shaped by culture, purpose and everyday life.

Akitere means To Look At
in the Turkana language an invitation to observe what the past can carry into the present.

Shaped by hand in leather, each Akitere is hand-stitched,
vegetable -tanned and finished with beadwork, an African-print cotton lining and adjustable brass details.

Often chosen as a gift from children to their mothers, the Akitere carries craftsmanship forward through an object made to be lived with.

ADD TO BAG

AKIDUWANG SET

To Win

Akiduwang, is the name given to the small-sized, African-inspired gourd bag collection.

Inspired by the small African gourd, the Akiduwang draws presence from its compact, sculptural form.

Akiduwang means To Win in the Turkana language,
a reflection of how something small can carry significance beyond its scale.

Shaped by hand in leather, each Akiduwang is hand-stitched,vegetable -tanned and finished with beadwork,
an African print cotton lining and brass details.

One of the House’s most recognised forms, it carries traditional skills forward in an object made for contemporary life.

ADD TO BAG

AKIDUWANG SET

To Win

Akiduwang, is the name given to the small-sized, African-inspired gourd bag collection.

Inspired by the small African gourd, the Akiduwang draws presence from its compact, sculptural form.

Akiduwang means To Win in the Turkana language,
a reflection of how something small can carry significance beyond its scale.

Shaped by hand in leather, each Akiduwang is hand-stitched,vegetable -tanned and finished with beadwork,
an African print cotton lining and brass details.

One of the House’s most recognised forms, it carries traditional skills forward in an object made for contemporary life.

ADD TO BAG

AMUKA SET

To Wake Up

Amuka, is the name given to the face molded bag

The Amuka begins with a face carved in wood, over which wet leather is moulded by hand and left to take form beneath the sun.

Amuka means To Wake Up
in the Kamba language, a reflection of creation awakened through the coming together of different hands and inherited skills.

Created through the collaboration of Kamba, Turkana, and Luo artisans, the Amuka brings woodcarving, leatherwork and design into one sculptural form.

Naturally dyed and finished with an African-print cotton lining and intertwined leather straps, each Amuka carries the character of the hands and traditions that shaped it.

ADD TO BAG

AMUKA SET

To Wake Up

Amuka, is the name given to the face molded bag

The Amuka begins with a face carved in wood, over which wet leather is moulded by hand and left to take form beneath the sun.

Amuka means To Wake Up
in the Kamba language, a reflection of creation awakened through the coming together of different hands and inherited skills.

Created through the collaboration of Kamba, Turkana, and Luo artisans, the Amuka brings woodcarving, leatherwork and design into one sculptural form.

Naturally dyed and finished with an African-print cotton lining and intertwined leather straps, each Amuka carries the character of the hands and traditions that shaped it.

ADD TO BAG

AKIDUON SET

To Give Birth

Akiduon, is the name given to the Elephant moulded bag.

A tribute to the African savanna elephant, the Akidoun was the first animal form to enter the world of Akire.

Akiduon means To Give Birth in the Turkana language, marking the beginning of a new sculptural chapter for the House, inspired by the strength and presence of one of Africa’s most remarkable animals.

The Akidoun brings together the inherited skills of Kamba woodcarving, Turkana leatherwork and Luo creative director .

Leather is moulded by hand over the sculpted elephant form, then hand dyeing , hand-stitched and finished with an African-print cotton lining and brass details.

Sculptural in character and shaped through collaboration, the Akidoun carries the strength of the elephant and the cultural knowledge of the hands that made it.

ADD TO BAG

AKIDUON SET

To Give Birth

Akiduon, is the name given to the Elephant moulded bag.

A tribute to the African savanna elephant, the Akidoun was the first animal form to enter the world of Akire.

Akiduon means To Give Birth in the Turkana language, marking the beginning of a new sculptural chapter for the House, inspired by the strength and presence of one of Africa’s most remarkable animals.

The Akidoun brings together the inherited skills of Kamba woodcarving, Turkana leatherwork and Luo creative director .

Leather is moulded by hand over the sculpted elephant form, then hand dyeing , hand-stitched and finished with an African-print cotton lining and brass details.

Sculptural in character and shaped through collaboration, the Akidoun carries the strength of the elephant and the cultural knowledge of the hands that made it.

ADD TO BAG

ASHE SET

Thank You

Ashe is the name given to the African Hobo Design.

Inspired by the traditional Maasai Olbene bag, the Ashe carries a familiar form into contemporary life.

Ashe means Thank You in the Maasai language;
a gesture of gratitude to the cultural knowledge and hands that continue to shape its story.

Made by hand in varying leather textures and natural tones, each Ashe is finished with hand-stitched beadwork, a raw leather interior and cow-bone button details.

Designed to rest on the shoulder or across the body, its simplicity leaves room for individuality in how it is carried.

Rooted in tradition, shaped by hand and carried forward with gratitude.

ADD TO BAG

ASHE SET

Thank You

Ashe is the name given to the African Hobo Design.

Inspired by the traditional Maasai Olbene bag, the Ashe carries a familiar form into contemporary life.

Ashe means Thank You in the Maasai language;
a gesture of gratitude to the cultural knowledge and hands that continue to shape its story.

Made by hand in varying leather textures and natural tones, each Ashe is finished with hand-stitched beadwork, a raw leather interior and cow-bone button details.

Designed to rest on the shoulder or across the body, its simplicity leaves room for individuality in how it is carried.

Rooted in tradition, shaped by hand and carried forward with gratitude.

ADD TO BAG

AAKU SET

I Am

Aaku is the name given to the small sized African Hobo design.

A smaller companion to the Ashe, the Aaku draws inspiration from the traditional Maasai Olbene bag.

Aaku means I Am in the Maasai language, a quiet expression of presence, identity and individuality.

Shaped by hand in leather, each Aaku is finished with intricate hand-beaded details that continue along its leather strap, allowing the beadwork to become part of both the object and the way it is carried.

Compact in form and rich in handwork, it rests comfortably at the elbow or over the shoulder.

Rooted in cultural knowledge and carried with individuality, Aaku is an expression of the self: I Am.

ADD TO BAG

AAKU SET

I Am

Aaku is the name given to the small sized African Hobo design.

A smaller companion to the Ashe, the Aaku draws inspiration from the traditional Maasai Olbene bag.

Aaku means I Am in the Maasai language, a quiet expression of presence, identity and individuality.

Shaped by hand in leather, each Aaku is finished with intricate hand-beaded details that continue along its leather strap, allowing the beadwork to become part of both the object and the way it is carried.

Compact in form and rich in handwork, it rests comfortably at the elbow or over the shoulder.

Rooted in cultural knowledge and carried with individuality, Aaku is an expression of the self: I Am.

ADD TO BAG

AWINJO SET

I Feel

Awinjo is the name given to the backpack collection.

Born from a childhood memory of walking to school with books that sometimes felt heavier than the body carrying them, Awinjo gives form to what we carry through life.

Awinjo means I Feel in the Luo language, a reflection on memory, weight and the experiences that remain with us.

Nature offers a quiet parallel in the dung beetle; small in scale, yet instinctively moving a weight far greater than itself.

A reminder that strength is not always measured by size, but by the ability to carry and continue forward.

Made by hand in leather, Awinjo brings together hand-stitched beadwork, a raw leather interior, brass details and adjustable leather straps.

We carry objects.
We carry knowledge.
We carry memories.

And sometimes, what we carry becomes part of who we are.
ADD TO BAG

AWINJO SET

I Feel

Awinjo is the name given to the backpack collection.

Born from a childhood memory of walking to school with books that sometimes felt heavier than the body carrying them, Awinjo gives form to what we carry through life.

Awinjo means I Feel in the Luo language, a reflection on memory, weight and the experiences that remain with us.

Nature offers a quiet parallel in the dung beetle; small in scale, yet instinctively moving a weight far greater than itself.

A reminder that strength is not always measured by size, but by the ability to carry and continue forward.

Made by hand in leather, Awinjo brings together hand-stitched beadwork, a raw leather interior, brass details and adjustable leather straps.