NKOYO’s twisting earthly illustrations

NKOYO, the label created by Alice Nyong, is full of delicate, creative pieces from stunning silk scarves to canvas tote bags. As an illustrator and print designer, Nyong is able to carefully communicate feelings and emotions through her designs, which transfer rather stunningly onto silk. 

Nyong, who has worked as an illustrator for Alexander McQueen, Amelia’s Magazine and J&P London, draws her designs intricately in pencil and uses paint to add a different element to the design. Her designs are based on ideas expressing the beauty of nature – the label itself is named after her middle name, Nkoyo, which translates to “Beautiful One” in the Ibibio language, native to Southern Nigeria. That idea itself translates throughout her designs. 

Spanning genres of fine art, fashion and illustrations, NKOYO is inspired chiefly by earthly elements, communicated in her work by three recurring motifs: brains – representing humankind; precious stone – representing earth; and water – representing the sea. The silk scarves are so simple and delicate that the print is really able to stand out and be shown off in all its beauty. The shaded, twisting designs entwine and coil around each other on a diluted background of tantalising reds, blues and greens. 

Nyong’s designs are also translated onto cotton shopper totes, which are made from unbleached natural cotton; the movement and drama of her illustrations are exhibited in full effect on the side of the bag. There is also a range of drawings on sale, all of which adorn cartridge paper and which are all one-of-a-kind designs made in preparation for decorating scarves. Drawings, we’re very excited to hear, can also be commissioned on request.

To browse through NKOYO’s website yourself, click here as soon as possible!

Rebecca Saunders