H&M South Africa is collaborating with local illustration studio Yay Abe, with a cool new range of casual wear that promotes local art and design.

The print collection featuring the works of Russell Abrahams, founder of Yay Abe, will be available in-store from 2 June 2022.

“The Yay Abe X H&M collaboration is a project initiated to support small business owners and promote the local design industry within South Africa, This collaboration is the first-ever locally printed collection from H&M in South Africa, and we are very excited to offer our customers a unique collection that’s inspired by the celebration of life,” says Caroline Nelson, Country Manager, H&M South Africa.

READ MORE: Illustrators We Love: Yay Abe

The bold work of Yay Abe is inspired by the melting pot of culture and the local vibrancy of South Africa and its people. His style is playful using colour combined witha unique graphic style, featuring thick lines, shapes and tones. The illustrations aim to tell a story and a narrative of individualism. 

“This collection for H&M is inspired by gratuity and reciprocating appreciation between people. I really wanted to create a body of work that people can wear and be proud of. It’s all about feelings, affirmations, and craft. I think illustration should always evoke an emotion. It’s what makes people gravitate towards good design,” says Russell Abrahams, founder, Yay Abe.

Looking for more design inspiration? Sign up to our weekly newsletter, here, or take a look at Rich Mnisi’s collab with adidas.

The post Cool Collab: Yay Abe X H&M appeared first on Visi.

Every year, 50 talented up-and-coming creatives, from furniture designers to visual artists, are featured as part of the annual Design Indaba Festival.

The Festival, which will be held in Cape Town from 27 February to 1 March 2019, sees 40 Emerging Creatives, supported by the Department of Arts and Culture, showcase their work, with 10 Emerging Creatives exhibiting at the Joburg Simulcast of the Design Indaba Conference.

Previous Emerging Creatives include designer Laduma Ngxokolo of MaXhosa by Laduma, artist Atang Tshikare, ceramicist Andile Dyalvane, fashion designer Rich Mnisi, artist Paul Senyol and designer and illustrator Daniel Ting Chong, who is behind the design of the 2019 Design Indaba campaign, which you can read more about here.

This year’s line-up has been curated by illustrator and graphic designer (as well as a 2014 Emerging Creative) Russell Abrahams (aka Yay Abe) and award-winning fashion designer Thabo Makhetha.

Expect to see stand-out work from all 50 Emerging Creatives, including fashion designers Kgahlego Kewana, Shaline Naicker and Zane Ngwenya, graphic designers Nicole du Toit and Rofhiwa Mudau, furniture designers Bright Dimba and Christine Goosen, industrial, product and surface designers Minenhle Zazi Cira, Simphiwe Mlambo and Primrose Chimhanda, spatial designer Mpho Mphaga and jewellery designer Mbali Mthethwa.

Nicole du Toit

Rofhiwa Mudau

For more information about this year’s Design Indaba Festival, visit designindaba.com.

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The fun, colourful designs created by Cape Town-based illustrator Russell Abrahams, aka YAY ABE, grabbed our attention when we spotted them on a new T-shirt collab range with MRP.

We got in touch to chat more about his style, what he most enjoys about creating and what’s coming up next.

When did you first start illustrating?

I’ve always had an interest in drawing. Since high school, I would always be doodling in my books. I then studied graphic design in 2012 and fell in love with illustration. That’s pretty much how it all started.

How would you describe your style?

The main goal of my work is to always showcase a visual language that’s unique to me. My style is pretty much influenced by flat graphic movements that came before me. I’ve definitely put a contemporary spin on this. My work also has some sort of childlike wonder to it. I think this is due to the content and themes that I usually play with. 

What do you love most about creating?

When it comes to client work, I really enjoy solving their problems through illustration. With regards to personal work, I think the most inspiring moments come from collaboration. There’s something really special when creating with a friend or peer. 

Tell us more about your new collaboration with MRP.

Yeah, this was pretty cool! So, I was asked to create a T-shirt design for MRP. I pretty much had full control of the creative process and went completely wild. It’s a really fun/funky design that has been received very well. It’s been pretty crazy seeing people wearing the T-shirt.

Which project have you most enjoyed working on, and why?

This is kind of a tough one. I think the projects I’m working on now are the ones I’m really enjoying. 

Any cool projects coming up that we should know about?

I can’t really speak too much about them now. But there’s two projects that I’m excited about. The first one involves me painting a mural up in JHB. For the next project, I’ve been art directing an animation video, which is turning out really cool. Can’t wait to share the new work.

Follow YAY ABE on Instagram to keep up to date with his work.

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