“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.”- Maya Angelou
“Print Rising” focuses on using fashion as a tool for women’s economic empowerment, and fusing the use of Afro-print into everyday life. As CEO of the sister brands, Afropolitan Boutique and Wax & Wonder, Tianna Sherman-Kesselly is a staunch advocate of providing women with opportunities for career advancement and equality.
Both Afropolitan Boutique and Wax & Wonder are currently managed by an all female team, all of whom are mothers - some single - using their positions as an opportunity for economic independence. These women are bound by a sisterhood committed to the global rise of authentic Afro-print fashion and its ability to support female economic empowerment. We believe that if women work collectively they can create positions for other women to succeed.
All of Wax & Wonder's products are authentically and ethically handmade at Afropolitan Boutique's storefront and workspace in Monrovia, Liberia, by local artisans using vibrant fabric sourced from local market women. Afropolitan Boutique was founded in 2010, with the mission of sharing contemporary fashion that encapsulates the beauty and diversity of African culture. In 2016, Afropolitan launched our “Be You” campaign, which utilized vibrant African prints in fashion as a way to shift the conversation on “African” culture from its generally restrictive and stereotypical scope to topics of excellence.
“Print Rising”, through the styles illustrated, highlights the results of the team's collective and united effort. Moreover, it highlights the fact that the companies' core management and operational teams of female artisans and Brand Ambassadors, are truly driving change.
They are fostering multi-national economic growth by:
• authentically producing handmade clothing and accessories; this is creating jobs for talented artisans and staff at the storefront and workspace in Liberia
• hosting a roadshow of pop-up shops across the United States; this is creating entrepreneurial opportunities and autonomy for a growing tribe of Afropolitan Boutique Brand Ambassadors
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• sourcing fabric locally; this is economically empowering Liberian market women.
In Liberia, where many young people grow up with limited access to work, Afropolitan grooms and showcases the talents of local Liberian seamstresses and tailors thereby helping them gain confidence in themselves and their own skills.
Our CEO, Tianna Sherman-Kesselly, works closely with the team to create a safe, secure and nondiscriminatory environment to work. This comfortable environment allows for the free flow of creative energy, which has yielded, among other styles, Afropolitan Boutique’s signature “Body Kind” and convertible style dress to skirt, the Blossoming Tulip.
We believe that if women work collectively, they can create positions for other women to succeed. We ask you to join our movement.
The People Who Make US Possible
MINI
SEAMSTRESS
I’m very happy to be working here at Afropolitan. There is always a strong sense of pride when customers like the clothes. They tell me that they think our styles are unique and praise our work.
BERNICE
OPERATIONS MANAGER
I feel a sense of achievement every day here. Working with other women motivates me and I enjoy when we all share our ideas with each other. Even though we come from different backgrounds, cultures and religions, we are able to work together to achieve one goal.
JOSEPHINE
SALES MANAGER
I enjoy working with others at the store and the unity, joy, fun and jokes we all share as workmates. Going to work and having responsibilities makes me proud. I feel best when customers are happy and they come back and bring others with them.
GRACE
SEAMSTRESS
I feel good about myself working here. As a mother, I like coming to work and earning money to help take care of my children. I am proud of the work we do. It feels good to use my training and not have to depend on others to provide for my family.
LUAN BURKHOLDER
AMBASSADOR
Luan Burkholder, Afropolitan Ambassador for the New York Metro Area, takes the time to pose with this Rosie the Riveter Statue because she believes “We Can Do It!”
NATASHA WRIGHT
AMBASSADOR
Inspired by Beyonce, Natasha Wright, Afropolitan Ambassador for the Washington, DC Metro Area, proclaims
“Hold Up,” you can wear what you want to, “Hold Up,” you can be as bold as you want to, Can’t you see there is no one above you, Look for ways to empower the women around you.
MANYUAN COOPER
AMBASSADOR
Be you. Be your own kind of beautiful in a world where beauty is defined and restricted to certain shapes, sizes and colors. We are part of a movement that celebrates being bright, bold and unapologetically you says Manyuan Kromah, Afropolitan Ambassador.
Like beauty, fashion’s definition is often restricted to certain shapes, sizes and colors.
We are part of a movement that is redefining what is acceptable in terms beauty and fashion.
BACKGROUND
When Afropolitan Boutique Store opened its storefront in Liberia in late 2010, our mission was to help redefine contemporary fashion and have it reflect the beauty and diversity of African culture.
In 2016, we made our items accessible to the international market via an e-commerce platform because we believe global citizens would appreciate our designs, and it would help further economically empower local artisans - thus the creation of Wax & Wonder.
It was also our way of helping to shift the conversation on “African” culture from topics of war and disease, to topics of beauty and excellence.
Today, thanks to the collaborative effort of our teams in Liberia and the United States, we are a lifestyle brand offering versatility and self-expression to the vibrant, well-rounded individual. We are infusing bold and vibrant Afro-print into the everyday life of more people. Nearly, ten years in and we continue to be leaders in the "Print Rising" movement.
Tianna Sherman Kesselly- CEO of Afropolitan Boutique
BACKGROUND
When Afropolitan Boutique Store opened its storefront in Liberia in late 2010, our mission was to help redefine contemporary fashion and have it reflect the beauty and diversity of African culture.
In 2016, we made our items accessible to the international market via an e-commerce platform because w believed global citizens would appreciate our designs, and it would help further economically empower local artisans.
It was also our way of helping to shift the conversation on “African” culture from topics of war and disease, to topics of beauty and excellence.
Today, thanks to the collaborative effort of our teams in Liberia and the United States, we are a lifestyle brand offering versatility and self-expression to the vibrant, well-rounded individual. We are infusing bold and vibrant Afro-print into the everyday life of more people. Nearly, ten years in and we continue to be leaders in the "Print Rising" movement.
Tianna Sherman Kesselly- CEO of Afropolitan Boutique
BACKGROUND
Afropolitan was founded in 2011, with the mission of sharing contemporary fashion that encapsulates the beauty and diversity of African culture. Afropolitan’s merchandise is handmade in Monrovia, Liberia by local artisans using vibrant fabric sourced from local market women. In 2016, Afropolitan launched our “Be You” campaign, which utilized vibrant African prints in fashion as a way to shift the conversation on “African” culture from its generally restrictive and stereotypical scope to topics of excellence.