MAASAI LODGE
call it fate, serendipity, predestination or pamoja [unity in swahili], but the universe has a divine way of aligning souls — putting you right where you need to be exactly when you’re supposed to be there
on a recent stay at maasai lodge — our home away from home in tanzania; an authentic boma [little village] located at the foot of mount kilimanjaro, adjacent to a 494-acre nature reserve — my main man lesse held my hand and said, ‘dada [sister], we need to make the lodge shine bright for our special guests.’ say no more, friend. we got you
this would be a pro bono, no-questions-asked styling gig + photoshoot [honored, truly]. after all, it’s not every day that you get asked to coif mudhuts by a maasai moran [warrior] with a spear. plus, all of the proceeds from maasai lodge [africa amini life] support sustainable tourism and africa amini alama’s life-changing social projects — a natural-healing health center, schools, and a community of support for indigenous women and children.
PROjECT. was given full access to an abundance of hand-dyed textiles, beadwork + baskets made by the maasai tribeswomen to give the lodge a proper glow up. from the fire pit, outdoor pool + bio-sauna to the new family huts and a communal dining space, we zhuzhed + added organic texture from the great rift valley — leaning into the color red [a maasai power color symbolizing bravery] for pillows + upholstery made from traditional shukas [colorful cloths worn by the maasai people of east africa]
our peace house shorties — bryson and namnyaki — pitched in, too. now, if you listen closely, beyond the jingling of silver anklets, the singsong revelry beside the bonfire, and the nocturnal noises of the wildlife echoing across the valley, you might just hear a faint whisper on the wind that says MAKE DESIGN MATTER
