By Cyd Eva, Shaemara and photographer Costa Besta
@pattern.nation

We are all in search of our most authentic self, that inner you that shines with pure Electric Elevation. This shoot reflects that search and was an exploration in cosmic connection and divine timing. PatternNation’s co-curators/designers Cydney Eva and Costa Besta connected with artists Shaemara of Nubian City, Chuck of Soft Honey poetry and David Rinaldo one afternoon in their home city of Toronto, Canada. PatternNation is an international fashion, art and culture platform promoting colour and pattern, collaboration and inclusivity ran between Vancouver, Canada and Durban, South Africa. 

Combining the colourful designs of Pattern Nation’s ungendered, one-of-a-kind clothing pieces with Nubian City’s regal head pieces and statement jewelry, the editorial shoot Electric Elevation was born.

Nubian City is a Toronto brand by multi-media artist Shaemara, who creates regal accessories and apparel. Nubian City aims to remind us that we are all royalty. For this shoot, Shaemara designed a custom Nefertiti Crown and neckpiece, and accessories. To complement Shaemara’s pieces, PatternNation designed a one-of-a-kind pattern jumpsuit and hand-dyed hoodies for the models.

David Rinaldo’s Artisan Workshop Bags Studio set the stage for this collaborative shoot. Incorporating his wonderful antique collection of pillars and original wallpaper created a magical ambiance for Electric Elevation.

Celebrating African identity in all the diverse forms it takes is a major part of both Nubian City and Pattern Nation’s designs, shoots and collaborations. Both brands want to see positive and creative representation of people of colour in media.

Team Credits
Photographer: Costa Besta @costabesta
Editor: Cydney Eva Pattern @cydeva
Models: Shaemara @shaemara_ ; Chuck @softhoney.poetry
Chokers, earrings, crowns & collars: Nubian City @nubiancity
Clothing, fringe earrings & rope necklaces: PattternNation @pattern.nation
Projections: Brianna Klassen @brianna.klassen
Location: David Rinaldo’s Artisan Workshop Studio Toronto 

About PatternNation: PatternNation is a collaborative and inclusive platform aimed at connecting artists who embrace bold colour and pattern globally. PatternNation was founded by Vancouver-based artist and fashion designer Cydney Eva. She is of settler colonial UK decent and was raised on Unceded Coast Salish Territories. Cyd Eva, is a visual artist, painter, muralist, fabric sculpture artist and clothing/jewelry designer. She studied Visual Art and First Nations Studies at Simon Fraser University and now lives part time in Durban, South Africa where she co-directs PatternNation with her partner CostaBesta. CostaBesta is a South African Zulu artist of many talents, based in Durban. As a recording artist and performer, CostaBesta is an influential face in the Durban Hip Hop and alternative music scenes. His ability to design clothes and thrift the best garments in town, and fuse them with an old-school feel creates his one of a kind aesthetic. He is the co-creative director at PatternNation, where he is a photographer, DJ, installs blobs, paints walls, sneakers and garments.

About Nubian City: NUBIAN CITY is a place to escape, it can be anywhere you want; it is a state of mind. The Nubian City Collection features original designs by multimedia artist, Shaemara, handmade at her Palace Studio. Emerging on the Toronto scene as a singer, songwriter, music has guided Shaemara to discover her love for creative directing, video and music production, plus apparel, costume, and set design. Shaemara’s sound can be described as electro, soul, RnB, featuring ethereal melodies, and intriguing stories, creating an ambient captivating atmosphere. Visually stimulating, while on stage or at an event, Shaemara often wears sustainable fashion looks, styled back to pieces from her private Nubian City Collection including floral headpieces, and goddess and Nefertiti crowns. As a result, Shaemara’s creative worlds began to merge, giving birth to the Nubian City. Shaemara’s designs such as her moon jackets, Nefertiti crowns/chokers, and one of a kind jewelry pieces, often incorporate re imagined, pre loved, and dead stock materials, semi-precious crystals, vivid colours, patterns and the right amount of sparkle and metallic. In fact, as an avid thrifter Shaemara recently launched “Phoenix Ice”, with Soft Honey, to showcase their full thrift collection; and through both platforms Shaemara extends her styling and creative direction within the artist community. “Nubian City is a brand that promotes imagination and manifestation, and ultimately freedom. We are born to be creative beings, use your powers for good and create something beautiful today.” – Shaemara