Jenolo Star

Darcie Rashina, Belgian of Congolese-origin, created fashion brand Jenolo Star and believes dressing yourself is an expression of personality and identity.  Their chic, trendy and original Fall and Winter 2020/21 collection embodies this practice, with items intended to move and surprise the viewer and wearer regardless of their age or origin.

When Darcie was a child back in Kinshasa, she saw her mother make embroided fabrics.  She made them in different colors and different designs.  At six years old,  her mother bought sewing machines and started making shirts with African loincloth to match with western bags and shoes.  They always had a lot of musicians traveling between Europe and Africa that came by their house, like Werrason and others.  They were like Darcie’s big brothers.  The designer was always somehow connected to clothes and fashion.  She was surrounded by people who always made a point of being perfectly dressed true to the spirit of the Congolese “sapologie”.  Those experiences had a profound influence on her: “La sape is like a religion that never quits you.  It’s a means to express yourself with esteem and a touch that makes a difference.”

Throughout her young years,  Darcie loved being well dressed, this how she was raised, to always be well dressed.  For Darcie, dressing is like an identity, a way of expressing your personality.  Fashion can expres itself in any age and person type, it’s matter of taste.

The designer’s goal is to continue to move people, make them dream and take pleasure in creating like she did with this first collection.  She wants to transform her ideas into tangible items that can surprise people.

Jenolo Star is sold in select shops around the world and on www.jenolostar.com.  You can follow the brand @jenolostar on Instagram.

Photography by @vincentkos and @aglography.