FREEDOM TO MOVE
by Tosin Oshinowo and Chrissa Amuah
Courtesy of Minh T @thismintymoment
Lexus unveils a conceptual design collaboration with architect and designer Tosin Oshinowo and textiles and furniture designer Chrissa Amuah.
In coordination with Design Miami/, ​Freedom to Move ​presents a collection of headpieces that explore the idea of protection and celebration, as well as functionality and ornamentation. Inspired by the changes this year has brought worldwide, the headpieces are conceived as an alternative to the utilitarian face masks that have become ubiquitous, while artistically celebrating the collective desire to move through the world freely and confidently together. ​Freedom to Move ​is a reflection that is timely and culturally significant, aimed to be understood across cultures through its exploration of materials, textures, color and craftsmanship.
In keeping with the Lexus automotive experience and core values, ​Freedom to Move ​reconsiders human movement in this new world, creating a design that is elegant, functional, and luxurious. The headpieces fuse new innovations with lost techniques and bring together cultural references from across the world, including Japanese principles of design, ​omotenashi (exceptional hospitality) and ​takumi ​(expert craftsmanship), which were integral throughout the design process. Collaborating in Lagos, Nigeria, where Oshinowo is based, the designers considered their context in Africa, in addition to the diversity of cultures around the world. With an understanding of today's face mask and its functionality, Oshinowo and Amuah e​xplored global history in which the head has always been a focal point for protection and adornment across cultures. Though rooted in history, the headpieces also nod to the future, signaling an unbounded and unending pursuit of advancement, innovation and discovery.
"As nomadic beings, it is unnatural to stand still, and we wanted to reconfigure how we move in a positive way in spite of the restrictions of motion the world now finds itself in," commented Chrissa Amuah. "Our conceptual design makes a bold stride towards our new human existence and is enraptured in a marriage of ergonomics and spectacle," said Tosin Oshinowo.
As a long term partner of Design Miami/, Lexus approached this year's fair as an opportunity to reflect on the shared global condition, choosing a collaboration that is inspired by the brand's human-centered approach, and reflects on the common desire for comfort, safety, and beauty as we collectively move towards a new future. For more than three decades, Lexus has demonstrated unwavering commitment to bold, uncompromising design, exceptional craftsmanship, and exhilarating performance. In addition to the collaboration with Oshinowo and Amuah, Lexus will be staging an LC 500 Convertible in Miami's design district and will present the fifth installment of the Lexus Art & Innovation series with ​Whitewall​.
Timed to Design Miami/, ​Freedom To Move i​s intended to reach audiences worldwide through a dynamic digital experience. In addition to partnering with a selection of content creators to showcase the headpieces from different global perspectives, Lexus has debuted a compelling three-part docuseries which follows Oshinowo and Amuah on location, bringing to life the personalities behind the collaboration and showcasing the design journey from sketch, concept generation to prototype and final production.
Design Miami/ runs from November 27 through December 6 online and in-person in the Miami Design District.
Lexus presents Freedom to Move by Tosin Oshinowo and Chrissa Amuah
About Tosin Oshinowo
Tosin Oshinowo is a leading architect based in Lagos, Nigeria, as well as a designer, creative entrepreneur, and founder of Ilé-Ilà, an internationally recognized furniture brand that explores bold colors through period-conscious furniture in a contemporary African context. Oshinowo is a registered Architect in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a member of the Royal Institute of the British Architects. Since 2012, she has been the Principal Architect at cmDesign Atelier (cmD+A architecture design consultancy practice known for environmentally-conscious and boundary-pushing contemporary architecture in Nigeria and across the African Continent.
Oshinowo is known for her socially responsive approach to architecture and urbanism and her exploration into the African identity in the modern context, in which she has written articles like "The Reclamation of Public Space in Lagos" for the African Artists Foundations. Oshinowo also has a regular column at Omeka online called "Afromodernist: Identity, Architecture & Sexuality". In addition she has also featured on TEDx, speaking on "The Identity of an African Building". Her work in the public space of Lagos includes bringing art and design installations to the city in addition to co-curating the 2019 Lagos Biennial.
In addition to Oshinowo's many collaborations with creatives, including her project with Victor Ehikhamenor which was documented by Netlix's "Amazing Interiors", she has been nominated for the EbonyLife TV Sisterhood Awards for Entrepreneur of the year and received a recognition from leading Ladies Africa as one of 100 most inspiring women in Nigeria. She also won the 3rd City People Real Estate Awards for Architect of the Year 2017 and in January 2018 she joined the Board for The Lagos Theatre Festival with the British Council. In March 2019, she was awarded the Lord's Achievers Awards for Creativity, in celebration of World Achievers Day. Oshinowo also won an award at Lagos Photo, 2011 amateur photography competition, sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria.
About Chrissa Amuah
Chrissa Amuah is a globally recognised textiles designer based in London, England who draws inspiration from her heritage in Ghana, Togo and Benin. Amuah is the Founder and Creative Director of AMWA Designs, an Adinkra-inspired luxury homeware and interiors textiles brand. In 2017, she established AFRICA BY DESIGN, an online platform and series of traveling exhibitions that showcases talent of sub-Saharan designers both on the continent and living abroad, creating international commercial opportunities for its featured designers.
Amuah's 2015 installation at Milan Design Week gained global attention and she has been recognized as a "Rising Star" by the Black British Business Awards Consumer & Luxury Category in 2017. 2021 will present the launch of her collection with multi award winning, Bernhardt Design – one of America's largest and most highly reputed textile and furniture manufacturers. Subsequently, she will collaborate with renowned architect, Alice Asafu-Adjaye, to represent Ghana for the London Biennale 2021. Just recently, Amuah was announced as a member of the Allgood Collective, as a brand ambassador for sustainable footwear brand, Allbirds.
Amuah is an MA graduate from the world-renowned Chelsea College of Art and Design, University of the Arts London.
Talks/
Creativity in Transition–Lexus & Whitewall Art & Design Innovation Series
A look at the role of creativity in relation to motherhood and family, moderated by Art Mamas Alliance's Katy Donoghue and Helen Toomer. We'll discuss how art and design have historically addressed the maternal and childhood realm. We'll hear from makers on how their creative practices have been impacted by the transition to parenthood.
Moderated by Katy Donoghue and Helen Toomer
Post-Pandemic: What will change for young designers?–Lexus & Whitewall Art & Design Innovation Series
We'll look at what our current and future reality in relation to the ongoing pandemic means for emerging talents just entering the field. How has COVID-19 influenced design practice—from inspiration to distribution? What can young designers learn from this post-pandemic time?
Moderated by Tiana Webb Evans
Finding the Creative Spark in Quarantine—Lexus & Whitewall Art & Design Innovation Series
Moderated by Tamara Warren
Designers & Creatives in a Post-Pandemic World—Lexus & Whitewall Art & Design Innovation Series
Moderated by Katy Donoghue
Art & Design in a Default Digital Era—Lexus & Whitewall Art & Design Innovation Series
Africa at the Forefront of Design Innovation—Lexus & Whitewall Art & Design Innovation Series
About Lexus
Lexus launched in 1989 with a flagship sedan and a guest experience that helped define the premium automotive industry. In 1998, Lexus introduced the luxury crossover category with the launch of the Lexus RX. The luxury hybrid sales leader, Lexus delivered the world's first luxury hybrid and has since sold over 1.5 million hybrid vehicles.
A global luxury automotive brand with an unwavering commitment to bold, uncompromising design, exceptional craftsmanship, and exhilarating performance, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of the next generation of global luxury guests and is currently available in over90 countries worldwide.
Lexus associates/team members across the world are dedicated to crafting amazing experiences that are uniquely Lexus, and that excite and change the world.