Kwanzaa is a time to celebrate our culture, our heritage, and our values. Each day of Kwanzaa has a different principle that guides our lives. Today, we focus on Kuumba, which means creativity in Swahili.

Kuumba is about using our imagination and our skills to make our community better. It’s about expressing ourselves and our values through art, music, literature, fashion, and more. It’s about honoring our ancestors and our heritage by keeping our cultural traditions alive.

That’s why we want to introduce you to Brother Vellies, a luxury accessories brand that celebrates cultural histories and timeless design. Brother Vellies was founded in 2013 by Aurora James, a Toronto-native and New York City-transplant, who has a passion for artisanship, design, and humanitarianism. She wanted to create a brand that keeps traditional African design practices and techniques alive, while also creating and sustaining artisanal jobs across the globe.

Brother Vellies works with artisans in South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and more, to handcraft shoes, bags, and other accessories that are inspired by the diverse and rich cultures of Africa. They use natural materials, such as leather, fur, wood, horn, and beads, to create unique and stunning pieces that reflect the beauty and the spirit of the continent. They also use ethical and sustainable practices, such as vegetable tanning, chrome-free leather, and recycled tires, to minimize their environmental impact and support the well-being of the artisans and the communities.

Brother Vellies is not just a brand. It’s a movement. It’s a way of celebrating and supporting African creativity, craftsmanship, and culture. It’s a way of practicing Kuumba, by using our creativity to make a positive difference. It’s a way of honoring our roots and our identity, by wearing pieces that tell a story and have a soul.

So this Kwanzaa, why not join us and Brother Vellies? Let’s make this a season of creative shopping, of conscious fashion, of African excellence. Let’s honor Kuumba and show the world what African creativity can do. Let’s wear Brother Vellies, today and every day.To learn more about Brother Vellies, visit their website. You can also follow them on Instagram. And don’t forget to share your purchases and experiences with the hashtag #BrotherVellies.