Brooklyn & Queens, NYC

Exchange is a video production that celebrates and bridges the gap between Afro-American and West African culture. In this unique production, we transition from present day to the late 1960s. We chose this era because it represents a period of heightened cultural awareness within the diaspora, both in North America and West Africa.

Chisom.

Creative Producer

Jalese Ayana

Director

Danny Fong

Director, Photography

Nyla Stanford

Wardrobe Supervisor

Favour Obasiolu

Wardrobe Stylist

Exchange was filmed in two NYC studios. Present Day scenes were shot in a vintage Brownstone apartment in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn, NYC. 1960s period scenes were shot in Astoria, Queens, NYC, on a vintage 16mm film camera.

We aim to illustrate how West Africans and African Americans have inspired each other through fashion. We also aim to pay homage to two legendary photographers who captured the Afrocentric energy of the late 60s - Malick Sidibe of Mali (top), and Kwame Brathwaite of Harlem (bottom).

Muddaland is a lifestyle brand that specializes in creating wearable art pieces. Many of these pieces are 1 of 1s handmade by Muddaland Ant & his small team in Brooklyn, NYC.

Muddaland draws inspiration from all over the African diaspora to engineer pieces that are specially designed to empower whoever puts them on. There is love in every stitch and intention in every detail. We hope you enjoy these pieces as much as we enjoyed creating them.