The worldwide luxury brand Gucci teamed with outstanding Congolese artist Cinthia Mulanga to commemorate the evolution of their ‘Diana’ bag. The digital project invites artists to design their own versions of a new line of Gucci bags in order to promote creativity and self-expression. Cinthia Mulanga’s artworks are included in the Alessandro Michele-designed Diana tote bag campaign. Two Black women are seen in the piece, one of whom is holding the reinvented Diana tote bag, which was first introduced in 1991 and is known for its bamboo handle.
Cinthia’s mixed-media pieces are known for their vibrant colors and intimate settings. She examines the psychological and physical manifestations of African women’s beauty constructions, focusing on her own lived experience. Cinthia’s work is relatable, and women, particularly young Black women, can see themselves in her work and the settings described in it. It’s no wonder, then, that a major company like Gucci used Cinthia’s magic to create a digital rendition of Alessandro Michele’s design.
Cinthia’s art has been shown in Paris and London, as well as at the Batho Projects booth at the Investec Cape Town Art Fair this year. She also collaborated with other African artists on a collection of silk scarves called “Made the Life raft” for L’MAD Collection, which was created in collaboration with the Latitudes online art platform.
