Afro Royal Code – T-Shirt Collection.
Prize(s):
Honorable Mention 2026 FASHION DESIGN / Textile: Print design
Company Name:ATELIER KIART
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):KEIRATH ZATO
Design Team / Other designer(s):Graphic Development : ATELIER KIART Studio Team.
Other Contributor(s):Local screen printing team: IBEDJI SERIGRAPHIE ET IMPRIMERIE.
Manufacturer Name:White labeling.
Distributors Name:Gallery ZATO, Interluxe Cotonou, Museum Karo, Villa Karo.
Textile / Others Supplier:Local textile market suppliers.
Client Name:Self-initiated project
Photo Credit:Rodolpho Noubadan
Project Location:Cotonou, Benin.
Design Status:Commercialized
Website: View
Video URL:View
Project Description:
This project transforms the classic T-shirt into a wearable artistic medium that communicates cultural identity and contemporary African aesthetics. The collection features a series of three distinct motifs printed designs inspired by African symbols and visual codes, reinterpreted through a modern graphic language. Each piece results from a process artistic research, graphic development and screen-printing techniques. Traditional motifs are translated into bold and minimalist compositions suitable for everyday wear, bridging heritage and contemporary urban fashion. By turning a simple garment into a visual storytelling platform, the designs are created to be suitable for all types of people without distinction. Produced locally using accessible textile materials and artisanal printing processes, the collection also contributes to promote local consumption and the visibility of African-inspired design within contemporary fashion.
This project transforms the classic T-shirt into a wearable artistic medium that communicates cultural identity and contemporary African aesthetics. The collection features a series of three distinct motifs printed designs inspired by African symbols and visual codes, reinterpreted through a modern graphic language. Each piece results from a process artistic research, graphic development and screen-printing techniques. Traditional motifs are translated into bold and minimalist compositions suitable for everyday wear, bridging heritage and contemporary urban fashion. By turning a simple garment into a visual storytelling platform, the designs are created to be suitable for all types of people without distinction. Produced locally using accessible textile materials and artisanal printing processes, the collection also contributes to promote local consumption and the visibility of African-inspired design within contemporary fashion.
Project Innovation / Specification:
The innovation of this project lies in transforming a simple and globally accessible garment ‘’the T-shirt’’ into a culturally expressive design object. By integrating graphic motifs inspired by African symbolic traditions, the collection introduces a visual language that bridges heritage and contemporary fashion allowing to resonate with a global audience. The project delivers a contemporary "Afro aesthetic. It transforms urban fashion into a powerful tool for identity. Strategic Objectives The project aims to scale its current production and distribution capacities. Targeting specialized niches in cinema, theater, and dance performances. Providing artistic structures with a visual style that matches their mission and vision, creating permanent jobs through technical training.
The innovation of this project lies in transforming a simple and globally accessible garment ‘’the T-shirt’’ into a culturally expressive design object. By integrating graphic motifs inspired by African symbolic traditions, the collection introduces a visual language that bridges heritage and contemporary fashion allowing to resonate with a global audience. The project delivers a contemporary "Afro aesthetic. It transforms urban fashion into a powerful tool for identity. Strategic Objectives The project aims to scale its current production and distribution capacities. Targeting specialized niches in cinema, theater, and dance performances. Providing artistic structures with a visual style that matches their mission and vision, creating permanent jobs through technical training.
Project Sustainability Approach:
The project adopts a sustainability approach by prioritizing local sourcing, small-scale production and culturally conscious design. Blank T-shirts are obtained from local textile markets, supporting nearby supply networks and reducing the need for long-distance sourcing. Production relies on artisanal screen-printing techniques carried out in small batches. This method helps minimize material waste, allows better control over production quantities and encourages responsible consumption. By producing limited series rather than mass quantities, the project promotes a slower and more thoughtful approach to fashion. Sustainability is also reflected in the cultural dimension of the designs. The motifs draw inspiration from African symbolic traditions, encouraging the preservation and reinterpretation of cultural heritage within contemporary fashion. By embedding meaningful narratives into everyday garments, the project aims to create pieces that people value and keep for longer. The project ensures its future by investing in people and local expertise.
The project adopts a sustainability approach by prioritizing local sourcing, small-scale production and culturally conscious design. Blank T-shirts are obtained from local textile markets, supporting nearby supply networks and reducing the need for long-distance sourcing. Production relies on artisanal screen-printing techniques carried out in small batches. This method helps minimize material waste, allows better control over production quantities and encourages responsible consumption. By producing limited series rather than mass quantities, the project promotes a slower and more thoughtful approach to fashion. Sustainability is also reflected in the cultural dimension of the designs. The motifs draw inspiration from African symbolic traditions, encouraging the preservation and reinterpretation of cultural heritage within contemporary fashion. By embedding meaningful narratives into everyday garments, the project aims to create pieces that people value and keep for longer. The project ensures its future by investing in people and local expertise.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Project:
The project generates significant local and regional impacts: It creates high added value for the local and national economy through a profitable, self-financing model. It encourages local consumption and expands its reach across the sub-region. It promotes authentic symbols African’s inspired through handcrafted urban wear. By sourcing garments from local markets and producing printed designs through small-scale artisanal techniques, It generates permanent direct and indirect jobs by training. The collection also promotes the visibility of African-inspired graphic traditions within contemporary fashion. By transforming cultural symbols into wearable designs, the project helps strengthen cultural pride and encourages the appreciation of heritage among younger generations.
The project generates significant local and regional impacts: It creates high added value for the local and national economy through a profitable, self-financing model. It encourages local consumption and expands its reach across the sub-region. It promotes authentic symbols African’s inspired through handcrafted urban wear. By sourcing garments from local markets and producing printed designs through small-scale artisanal techniques, It generates permanent direct and indirect jobs by training. The collection also promotes the visibility of African-inspired graphic traditions within contemporary fashion. By transforming cultural symbols into wearable designs, the project helps strengthen cultural pride and encourages the appreciation of heritage among younger generations.
Company Name:ATELIER KIART
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):KEIRATH ZATO
Profile Description:
ZATO Keirath (b. 1995, Cotonou) is a multidisciplinary artist from Benin. Graduated from the Art’Com Sup Rabat School of Design (p. 2018). She was an active member of the founding core of the Pan-African Cultural and Artistic Edutainment Movement ‘‘THE MESSENGERS OF MESSAGES’’(2018-2021); a movement that uses the living and visual arts, culture and words of wisdom as solutions to spread its message in the world through various activities. Since the end of 2021, ZATO Keirath has been living and creating in Cotonou, Benin. Her career, interspersed with creative residencies and exhibitions.
ZATO Keirath (b. 1995, Cotonou) is a multidisciplinary artist from Benin. Graduated from the Art’Com Sup Rabat School of Design (p. 2018). She was an active member of the founding core of the Pan-African Cultural and Artistic Edutainment Movement ‘‘THE MESSENGERS OF MESSAGES’’(2018-2021); a movement that uses the living and visual arts, culture and words of wisdom as solutions to spread its message in the world through various activities. Since the end of 2021, ZATO Keirath has been living and creating in Cotonou, Benin. Her career, interspersed with creative residencies and exhibitions.
Environmental Practices:
ZATO Keirath promotes environmentally conscious practices through small-scale and responsible production. Garments are sourced locally to reduce transportation and support nearby markets. Designs are printed in limited quantities using artisanal screen-printing techniques, which helps control material use and minimize waste. By focusing on durable prints and culturally meaningful designs, the approach encourages longer use of garments and supports a slower and more responsible fashion culture.
ZATO Keirath promotes environmentally conscious practices through small-scale and responsible production. Garments are sourced locally to reduce transportation and support nearby markets. Designs are printed in limited quantities using artisanal screen-printing techniques, which helps control material use and minimize waste. By focusing on durable prints and culturally meaningful designs, the approach encourages longer use of garments and supports a slower and more responsible fashion culture.
Previous Awards Won:
- 2022 : “GNON NAN” Trophies TOP 10 female personalities who have impacted the arts and culture sector in Benin in 2022 -Design category. - 2022 : “Bold Women Values Trophies” as Best Young Talented Multidisciplinary Beninese Artist. - 2022 : Delegate President of the Africanity Trophy. - 2018 - 2021 : Recognition from IOM, UNESCO, African Union, ICESCO; various honorary titles and winner of 10 different INTERNATIONAL Awards as a member of the Movement “THE MESSAGERS OF MESSAGES”: BEST PAN-AFRICAN CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC TROUPE FOR EDUCATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT. - 2011 : Winner of the URBAN Trophy (Young Trendy People of Cotonou).
- 2022 : “GNON NAN” Trophies TOP 10 female personalities who have impacted the arts and culture sector in Benin in 2022 -Design category. - 2022 : “Bold Women Values Trophies” as Best Young Talented Multidisciplinary Beninese Artist. - 2022 : Delegate President of the Africanity Trophy. - 2018 - 2021 : Recognition from IOM, UNESCO, African Union, ICESCO; various honorary titles and winner of 10 different INTERNATIONAL Awards as a member of the Movement “THE MESSAGERS OF MESSAGES”: BEST PAN-AFRICAN CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC TROUPE FOR EDUCATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT. - 2011 : Winner of the URBAN Trophy (Young Trendy People of Cotonou).
