If you know anything about Anthropologie, you know that print and pattern are at the very heart of, well, pretty much everything we love. So, when we had the chance to collaborate with SIKA – the Ghanaian-inspired label where bold pattern and expressive shapes are second nature – we jumped on the chance.
Founded by London-based designer Phyllis Taylor, SIKA pays homage to her Ghanaian heritage, bringing Batik prints and statement silhouettes – handcrafted by Ghanaian artisans – to everyday wardrobes. As she puts it, it's a hopeful, dignified livelihood, and a way to share the beautiful traditions of Ghanaian culture with others.
To celebrate the launch of the only-at-Anthro capsule, we sat down with our latest collaborator to talk all things inspiration, diversity and hopes for the future.
12 Questions with
SIKA's Phyllis Taylor
We caught up with our latest collaborator to
talk all things inspiration, diversity and the future.
It all started when...
I created SIKA in 2003, after completing a Dress Making and Pattern Cutting course at the London College of Fashion.
SIKA means...
Money or gold. The word derives from the Akan tribe in Ghana, West Africa. It's also my mother's name.
I created SIKA in 2003, after completing a Dress Making and Pattern Cutting course at the London College of Fashion.
SIKA means...
Money or gold. The word derives from the Akan tribe in Ghana, West Africa. It's also my mother's name.
My ethos is...
To bring quality 'made in Africa' garments to the international stage and to prove that fashion production can successfully have social and environmental responsibilities at its core.
I'm drawn to bold colours because...
When you wear something bright, you are immediately establishing your presence, and telling the world that you have a daring and exciting personality.
The Anthropologie x SIKA collaboration started with...
Our Batik prints, using them to create classic SIKA shapes that would interest the Anthropologie customer.
The design process involves...
Spending a lot of time in Ghana and each visit brings new print ideas, colours and shapes. We start with five key ideas, then each print is sewn into a classic shape to see how it sits on the body and flows. From there we make tweaks to the print and look at new shapes for the collection.
To bring quality 'made in Africa' garments to the international stage and to prove that fashion production can successfully have social and environmental responsibilities at its core.
I'm drawn to bold colours because...
When you wear something bright, you are immediately establishing your presence, and telling the world that you have a daring and exciting personality.
The Anthropologie x SIKA collaboration started with...
Our Batik prints, using them to create classic SIKA shapes that would interest the Anthropologie customer.
The design process involves...
Spending a lot of time in Ghana and each visit brings new print ideas, colours and shapes. We start with five key ideas, then each print is sewn into a classic shape to see how it sits on the body and flows. From there we make tweaks to the print and look at new shapes for the collection.
The making process involves...
Very skilled artisans. Our Batik design process includes dying the fabric three times, the colour in the dying process takes a day to complete. The design is hand drawn and carved onto a wooden block to form the design stamp, which is arranged to create each batiks unique SIKA print..
Ghana fills me with the utmost joy because...
Ghana is my home away from home. It's endlessly vibrant, full of rich culture, warm, friendly and welcoming.
Very skilled artisans. Our Batik design process includes dying the fabric three times, the colour in the dying process takes a day to complete. The design is hand drawn and carved onto a wooden block to form the design stamp, which is arranged to create each batiks unique SIKA print..
Ghana fills me with the utmost joy because...
Ghana is my home away from home. It's endlessly vibrant, full of rich culture, warm, friendly and welcoming.
Creating ethical clothing with a conscious mind is important because...
It ensures that all our employees are paid a fair living wage. It is important for SIKA to inject a new stream of employment into the Ghanaian communities through the work we do for the brand. In turn, we are able to make a meaningful difference to our workers' lives.
My hope for the future of fashion is...
That more independent brands get recognised and are able to infiltrate the market and that there's more diversity and variety on the high street.
If I could dress an icon from the past, present and future in a SIKA dress, it would be...
Past – Carrie Bradshaw
Present – Michelle Obama
Future – Zendaya
It ensures that all our employees are paid a fair living wage. It is important for SIKA to inject a new stream of employment into the Ghanaian communities through the work we do for the brand. In turn, we are able to make a meaningful difference to our workers' lives.
My hope for the future of fashion is...
That more independent brands get recognised and are able to infiltrate the market and that there's more diversity and variety on the high street.
If I could dress an icon from the past, present and future in a SIKA dress, it would be...
Past – Carrie Bradshaw
Present – Michelle Obama
Future – Zendaya