MASHULU in the Swahili language means "stitches" or "backstitches". Besides the obvious reasons, the name was chosen because in sewing the backstitch is acheived by sewing backwards to add strength to the beginning and end of a seam. This concept parrallels life in that setbacks seemingly keep you one step from your goals when in actuality they serve to provide strength and foundation for things to come.
MASHULU bags and accessories are individually hand made for you in limited runs, many items are one of a kind. Simple bag shapes and practical details allow the use of fabrics and various embellishment techniques to take center stage. These elements together result in the feeling of the customer owning a functional,
exclusive piece of art.
Artina Slaughter was born and raised in Hampton, VA. Her creative future was written in the stars, being born to a crochet enthusiast mother and a father who demonstrated extraordinary drawing and creative abilities at an early age. She was purposefully named Artina in the hopes that she would follow in his creative footsteps.
Artina, a primarily self-taught seamstress, started sewing at the age of ten, creating clothing for her fashion dolls from old clothing. Her bagmaking journey began while persuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. As a Fashion Design major, she often found herself with scraps of fabric too small to make garments with but too large to throw out. She began to create small handbags and totes. Her roomate would wear them and soon orders started coming in. Unfortunately, Artina did not take advantage of the situation and business fizzled. A few years and MANY drafted and re-drafted patterns, along with the STRONG encouragement of friends, family and satisfied customers, MASHULU was finally born.
Artina is currently persuing her Master of Fine Arts Degree in Visual Studies at Norfolk State University. She resides in Hampton, Virginia with her sixteen-year-old daughter. When she's not sewing she is thinking about what she will be sewing next.
MASHULU Copyright 2009
Site, merchandise, and graphics
designed and maintained by Artina M. Slaughter
unless otherwise noted.
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