Kemi Telford blue jacket

A lightweight, organic cotton jacket with a statement, art-inspired print designed exclusively for Tate by Kemi Telford. In a cool palette of blues, greens and greys, the story behind its geometric pattern design is as affecting as the print itself.

Through boxes, zig-zags, circles and colour, Nigerian-British designer Yvonne Modupe Telford tells a story of art, womanhood, and sacrifice.

When we asked Yvonne to create a design inspired by works in Tate’s collection, she was particularly drawn to the works of Sonia Delaunay, Sophie Taeuber-Arp, and Anni Albers. Yvonne saw their works as evocative of not only their own artistic journeys, but of the challenges faced by womanhood as a whole. Yvonne’s pattern created in response is symbolic of the obstacles and prejudices that women face, creating a bold print as vibrant as the lives that inspired it.

’These are stories that modern-day women still relate to. Stories that I relate to as a woman, a wife, and a mother. Stories of the ups and downs, in the lifetime of a woman.' - Yvonne Modupe Telford.

African wax print fabrics are integral to Kemi Telford’s practice; care has been taken to reproduce the texture and quality of these fabrics in her designs for Tate. To this end, the patterns are applied using a Batik screen printing method on 100% organic cotton.

The jacket can be worn open, or cinched closed at the waist using the matching belt.

Size Guide

Chest: 50 inches/127 cm
Length: 35 inches/89 cm
Sleeve length: 18 inches/46 cm
Shoulder: 17 inches/43 cm

For reference, our model Natalie is 167 cm (5 foot 5 inches) tall. Her chest measures 34 inches, waist 28 inches and hips 38 inches.

To keep your jacket looking at its vibrant best, make sure to cold hand wash only, and don’t bleach, tumble dry, dry clean or soak in water.

About the designer

Kemi Telford is the creation of Yvonne Modupe Telford, a designer without formal training, who set out to make clothes that would encourage women to take up their space; everyday wearable clothes that spoke for women even before they spoke for themselves. Kemi Telford makes clothes that make their wearers feel great about themselves, the realisation of Yvonne’s childhood dream.

That people are respected and valued is vital to Kemi Telford, from customers, to employees, to suppliers. They work very closely with their manufacturers to ensure that everyone involved in the making of their garments is paid well, and work no more than eight hours a day.

• Artist Kemi Telford
• Dimensions Chest: 50 inches/127 cm, Length: 35 inches/89 cm, Sleeve length: 18 inches/46 cm, Shoulder: 17 inches/43 cm
• Material 100% organic cotton
• Designer Kemi Telford
• ISBN 5032495379083