Tarkwa Bae
Prize(s):
WINNER 2026 FASHION DESIGN / Accessory: Jewelry
Company Name:RENIKEJI
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Oluwakemi Agbato
Other Contributor(s):Studio Bablo
Photo Credit:Oluwakemi Agbato
Project Location:Lagos, Nigeria
Design Status:Commercialized
Website: View
Project Description:
Tarkwa Bae is an homage to a beloved beachfront in Lagos, Nigeria. Tarkwa Bae is redolent with meaning. In this collection, we attempt to capture what a beachfront that grants so many a sense of freedom can look like. The salt on the skin. the laughter with friends, the surfers on the waves, were all considered. This project comprises 6 pieces of jewellery. The seaweed necklace is inspired by the seaweed strewn across the beachfront. The Hoist cuff is inspired by the ropes used to secure the banana boats to the dock. The Tarkwa Necklace and anklet combine the tones of the landscape. The breeze earrings are inspired by the breeze blocks of a building on the beach, and the Bamboo cuff is inspired by the bamboo, the architectural backbone of structures on the beach, and the faded blue paint on them. The materials we utilised were considered deeply, brass to mimic the golden tone of the sand and honour the pillar of Nigerian adornment, and beads that ranged from aquamarines mined in Nasarawa to glass beads made in Bida. We created objects that made our tagline come to life. Tarkwa Bay Forever.
Tarkwa Bae is an homage to a beloved beachfront in Lagos, Nigeria. Tarkwa Bae is redolent with meaning. In this collection, we attempt to capture what a beachfront that grants so many a sense of freedom can look like. The salt on the skin. the laughter with friends, the surfers on the waves, were all considered. This project comprises 6 pieces of jewellery. The seaweed necklace is inspired by the seaweed strewn across the beachfront. The Hoist cuff is inspired by the ropes used to secure the banana boats to the dock. The Tarkwa Necklace and anklet combine the tones of the landscape. The breeze earrings are inspired by the breeze blocks of a building on the beach, and the Bamboo cuff is inspired by the bamboo, the architectural backbone of structures on the beach, and the faded blue paint on them. The materials we utilised were considered deeply, brass to mimic the golden tone of the sand and honour the pillar of Nigerian adornment, and beads that ranged from aquamarines mined in Nasarawa to glass beads made in Bida. We created objects that made our tagline come to life. Tarkwa Bay Forever.
Project Innovation / Specification:
The project accomplishes a great feat. It successfully creates the first collection of jewellery inspired by a Nigerian beachfront. As Africans, we have been subjected to wearing symbols of Western audiences as part of daily life. Tarkwa Bae rejects the idea of creating a narrative around a place that we recognize. All the pieces were created in Lagos, Nigeria, continuing the craft of beading and metalsmithing. The materials are also incredibly well considered; our work supports lapidaries in Jos and glass bead blowers in Bida. The project takes familiar motifs: Seaweed, Bamboo, Ropes, and creates objects that are imbued with great significance, because of their familiarity and their journey to the wearer.
The project accomplishes a great feat. It successfully creates the first collection of jewellery inspired by a Nigerian beachfront. As Africans, we have been subjected to wearing symbols of Western audiences as part of daily life. Tarkwa Bae rejects the idea of creating a narrative around a place that we recognize. All the pieces were created in Lagos, Nigeria, continuing the craft of beading and metalsmithing. The materials are also incredibly well considered; our work supports lapidaries in Jos and glass bead blowers in Bida. The project takes familiar motifs: Seaweed, Bamboo, Ropes, and creates objects that are imbued with great significance, because of their familiarity and their journey to the wearer.
Project Sustainability Approach:
The project was inspired by a great respect for our world, and we upheld this throughout our process. All the pieces are made by hand in small batches in our Lagos studio. We continue to uphold this practice to ensure continuity in jewellery crafts and reverse the trajectory of decline. We also prioritise local sourcing, obtaining 95% of our materials locally, contributing to our local economy, and reducing our environmental impact. In the last two months, the project has been well-received by our audience. We have been able to continue patronage of our local suppliers and increase production by our team. We will continue to leverage on our authentic storytelling to connect with a larger audience.
The project was inspired by a great respect for our world, and we upheld this throughout our process. All the pieces are made by hand in small batches in our Lagos studio. We continue to uphold this practice to ensure continuity in jewellery crafts and reverse the trajectory of decline. We also prioritise local sourcing, obtaining 95% of our materials locally, contributing to our local economy, and reducing our environmental impact. In the last two months, the project has been well-received by our audience. We have been able to continue patronage of our local suppliers and increase production by our team. We will continue to leverage on our authentic storytelling to connect with a larger audience.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Project:
We care first of all about the people of Tarkwa Bay. The people who call the beach their home. We were able to create a narrative of dignifying beauty in our creations and our campaign. They were the centre of the story, behind and in front of the camera. We ensured that they received not only the satisfaction of seeing their home afresh, but also received financial gain We are committed to local sourcing, and that continued with all materials in this collection from Ogun to Bida. We are champions of Nigerian gemstones; the aquamarines were mined in Nasarawa. All the pieces were created in our Lagos studio We hope that this project not only shines a light on the lush beauty of Tarkwa Bay but also creates a desire for Nigerian jewellery, thereby sustaining traditional craftsmanship.
We care first of all about the people of Tarkwa Bay. The people who call the beach their home. We were able to create a narrative of dignifying beauty in our creations and our campaign. They were the centre of the story, behind and in front of the camera. We ensured that they received not only the satisfaction of seeing their home afresh, but also received financial gain We are committed to local sourcing, and that continued with all materials in this collection from Ogun to Bida. We are champions of Nigerian gemstones; the aquamarines were mined in Nasarawa. All the pieces were created in our Lagos studio We hope that this project not only shines a light on the lush beauty of Tarkwa Bay but also creates a desire for Nigerian jewellery, thereby sustaining traditional craftsmanship.
Company Name:RENIKEJI
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Oluwakemi Agbato
