Kemi Telford blue large tote bag

The vivid print of Kemi Telford’s blue patterned large tote bag is designed exclusively for Tate – so you won’t find it anywhere else.

Inspired by works and artists in Tate’s collection, the bag is made from organic cotton, with handles long enough to carry in the crook of your arm or sling over a shoulder. Its print tells a story of womanhood, inspired by the lives and works of Sonia Delauney, Sophie Taeuber-Arp and Anni Albers.

Boxes, zig-zags and circles weave together to form a bold geometric pattern symbolic of the obstacles, challenges and prejudices that women face, creating an overall 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.

There's a 20 x 20 cm pocket inside the bag, to help organise the contents.

To keep your bag looking at its vibrant best, 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.

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.

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 45.5 x 48 cm
• Material 100% organic cotton
• Designer Kemi Telford
• ISBN 5032495379021