“IRI JI - HARVEST”
SENTI Design | FW’22 Collection
“IRI JI / HARVEST”
A collection inspired by the Igbo “Iri Ji New Yam Festival” and the Harvest Season in West Africa.
West African Harvest Season
SENTI’s FW22 “Iri Ji - Harvest” collection showcases motifs drawn from the West African Harvest season—with particular inspiration taken from the “Iri Ji New Yam Festival” celebrated annually in August by the Igbo people of West Africa.
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The collection features colors and patterns that call to mind the floral, leaves, crops, and environment indicative of West Africa at the end of summer. This season’s clothing allows one to feel relaxed and at peace as fall begins and summer comes to a close.
August Harvest.
August begins the harvest season in much of West Africa as major crops such as corn, yam, peanuts, millet, and rice are harvested after one of the year’s longest growing seasons. For thousands of years, generation after generation of West Africans have organized festivals and celebrations the continent over to coincide with this season—both in celebration of a successful harvest which ensures continued life for the community but additionally to connect and share the bounty with others throughout the community.
Iri Ji / New Yam Festival.
The New Yam Festival (Iri Ji / Iwa Ji) is one such celebration held annually by the Igbo people of West Africa to commemorate their harvest at the end of the rainy season. Each community has their own unique customs and celebrations that they undertake though most include a combination of dancing, public theatre productions, music, entertainment ceremonies, masquerades, and fashion shows.
