SURF CULTURE

Bantu Wax is a brand with a unique mission: to develop African-made garments for surfers, urban nomads and afro-punks.

Founded in 2010 by Yodit Eklund, an Ethiopian-American creative entrepreneur who grow up in a few different places in Africa,Yodit realised that there was a better picture to be painted about the continent than poverty and famine.

While studying environmental economics and policy at UC Berkeley, she noticed a need in the surfwear market for African-inspired designs.

Bantu Wax fuses the rich heritage of African art and textiles with Africa’s deeply ingrained surf culture, inspired by stories from the so-called “Dark Continent”,Mami Wata tales, and a passion for surfing.

The brand focuses on embracing its African heritage, engaging with the local community, and promoting a youthful, athletic, and artistic Africa, whether through vividly coloured patterns or featuring friends or friends of friends as models.

With their commitment to portraying Africa’s storey by Africans, the label is redefining perceptions about the continent’s fashion and we just love it.

Directed by Lea & Roberto Colombo
Edit by Will Town @ Modern Post
Colour by Joseph Bicknell @ Company 3
Animation by ANA Projects
Sound Mixing by Daniel Lidchi
Creative by Look Studios
Creative Director Brendan Dunne
Styling by Isabella Meija-Bruton
Featuring Babou Gueye, Ibra Samb, Yoro Ciam, Papa Diallo

Shot on Location in Dakar, Senegal