“A Cycle of Togetherness” came from “the relationship between the community that I live in and how Oribe views hair: It’s one big hair community.” In seeking a visual representation, she thought of the unbroken circle that wedding bands represent: “When I think about community, it’s an unbroken circle of love and support,” she says.

Oribe 2024 Holiday Collection in Collaboration with Thandiwe Muriu

For the Holiday 2024 Collection, Oribe is proud to partner with Kenyan fine art photographer Thandiwe Muriu to create the packaging of six limited-edition gift sets. Muriu’s artistic

vision — deeply rooted in her African heritage — embodies the jubilant spirit of community and togetherness with this year’s artwork encapsulates the timeless African proverb: “When your sister does your hair, you do not need a mirror,” Muriu explains that when a woman has her hair done in Kenya, it is a shared experience. “Strangers quickly become friends over the simple act of helping one woman look her best.”

Muriu’s award-winning work is largely inspired by the natural beauty and strength of the women she identifies with. She often photographs her subjects —who wear intricate eyewear that she crafts from upcycled materials in celebration of the Kenyan spirit of creative problem-solving — enveloped in and backdropped by a richly patterned African textile that is diversely utilized from various African cultures and countries, creating a hypnotic and energizing optical illusion.

About the Collaboration and Patterns

For this collaboration, Muriu partnered with talented Oribe hair artists to present a bold expression of beauty. “Hair is a language we all speak,” she says. “It’s been amazing to realize the relationship that Oribe has with its hair stylists, its founder, and the celebration of the life of Oribe Canales. It’s about something more than just the products and what they deliver: It’s coming together to empower people to have this beautiful hair that they always wanted and that deeply connected with me.”

Muriu created two symbolic textile patterns based on traditional African Ankara prints. She explains that the oval shapes in “A Cycle of Togetherness” came from “the relationship between the community that I live in and how Oribe views hair: It’s one big hair community.” In seeking a visual representation, she thought of the unbroken circle that wedding bands represent: “When I think about community, it’s an unbroken circle of love and support,” she says.

Muriu was also inspired by Oribe Canales’ “colorful character” and his vintage hairbrushes and mirror collections. He incorporated references to spiky hairbrushes seen from above and the tight coils, curls, and “O’s” of African hair.

The “Strands of History” pattern was inspired by the shape of the neck of the Curl Gloss Hydration & Hold bottle, which Muriu deconstructed and laid straight to create a wavy pattern. “For the first pattern, I considered the Oribe brand as a family. For the second, it was thinking, ‘What is the product of this family coming together?’ It’s a celebration of what the Oribe family does to help people with self-expression and sense of beauty.”

Muriu also worked with upcycled Oribe packaging from the archives to handcraft brilliant, one-of-a-kind eyewear, which pops from the patterns and echoes the model’s ornately styled hair. These accessories playfully push the boundaries of beauty standards while modernizing traditional architectural hairstyles.

Enrobed in this jubilant packaging — designed in warm colors to express the warm feeling that Muriu experiences when having her hair done — the six covetable gift sets are an expression of community and artistry — and, of course, care and togetherness.

“Holidays can be stressful,” says Muriu. “A big part of my identity as an artist is I want to create happy art. I want to relive warm memories and celebrate the beauty in the moments we forget or don’t see. And I want to pass that on to the people interacting with the products: we wanted these sets to create a moment of joy in the middle of the holidays.”

Q&A WITH ORIBE HAIR CARE

Why does Oribe collaborate with artists on its holiday packaging?

At Oribe, craftsmanship is one of our foundational pillars. As a community of makers, we have a deep appreciation for artists that inspire us. Every holiday season, we actively seek out fellow makers who share our commitment to elevating their craft to an art form. Just as Oribe Canales did with his approach to hair styling, our chosen collaborators infuse their work with passion, personality, and a unique perspective, constantly striving for excellence in elevating their craft and art form.

What artists have Oribe collaborated with in the past?

Since 2018, the Oribe brand has partnered with various artists and makers to design limited-edition packaging for its holiday collections, including:

2018: Aoi Yamaguchi, Japanese Master calligrapher
2019: Blockshop Textiles, a textile, art, and design studio founded by the Los Angeles-based

Stockman sisters

2020: Rowan Harrison, Native American Artisan, focused on coil pottery and hand-drawn art
2021: Antoinette Poisson, Parisian atelier that celebrates the revival and history of domino paper making and decorative applications
2022: Kohei Kyomori, Japanese contemporary artist
2023: Louis Barthélemy, multidisciplinary artist and designer based between Marrakech, Cairo and Paris

Why did Oribe choose to partner with Thandiwe Muriu this year?

A: Oribe embarks on a vibrant and reflective journey this holiday season, celebrating personal empowerment through beauty with award-winning Kenyan fine art photographer Thandiwe Muriu. Oribe was drawn to Thandiwe’s artistic vision, which is deeply rooted in her African heritage and embodies the jubilant spirit of community and togetherness. This year’s artwork encapsulates the timeless African proverb: “When your sister does your hair, you do not need a mirror.” Together, Oribe and Thandiwe present a bold expression of beauty that reaffirms the profound confidence and joyfulness found within the beauty rituals that bring people together.

Did Oribe work with local teams to produce the marketing campaign shoot?

We worked with a locally sourced production team for the shoot and local hair artists, along with Stacey Ciceron – one of our Oribe Brand Ambassadors on set. The hair looks drew inspiration from history and Oribe himself, blending it all with a modern twist.

What was the design process like?

Oribe’s Holiday 2024 collaboration with Thandiwe Muriu marks a new and exciting chapter for Oribe. Thandiwe photographs her subjects in a richly patterned African textile that is diversely utilized in various

African cultures and countries and cultures. In true Oribe style, we joined forces with Thandiwe to develop a unique expression for our collaboration and packaging. Together, we crafted bespoke Oribe prints, blending Thandiwe’s artistic flair with Oribe’s iconic design elements with a meticulous color palette selection. Thandiwe and her team then brought the collaborative designs to life on locally sourced fabrics, complemented by stunning custom-designed gowns and apparel for the models.

Next, Thandiwe intricately hand-made upcycled accessories. These pieces comprise eyewear crafted from Oribe packaging, including Cote d’Azur Fragrance caps, Bright Blonde Radiance and Repair applicators, Cote d’Azur Hand Crème Keys, and Body Care pumps, showcasing Thandiwe’s ingenuity and eye for beauty in unexpected places.

Hair styling emerged as a pivotal aspect of our collaboration, reflecting the importance of identity for Thandiwe and Oribe. Led by our Brand Ambassador, Stacey Ciceron, we conceptualized three extraordinary hairstyles, drawing inspiration from the brand’s history and infusing them with modernity. This fusion of boldness, color, and craftsmanship culminates in a true masterpiece, reflecting Oribe’s commitment to artistry and innovation. Through this collaboration, we honor Thandiwe’s role as an artist, highlighting her journey and the spirit of community, care, and togetherness that binds us together.

Thandiwe was especially excited to work with Oribe, a hair care brand that prides itself on the artistry, craft and the people behind the hair. She strongly resonated with our brand values, philosophy and the passion driving our community of people and relationships. Thandiwe’s attention to detail and commitment to excellence mirrors our own. We continually work to master our craft in hair, design and performance, to support others in their craft, and to strive to be aspirational at every opportunity. We are passionate about teaching, guiding, and helping those around us to elevate their art form.

What do the two custom patterns represent?

When designing the first pattern, Thandiwe was inspired by the curl pattern of type 4C hair- the hair of her community in Kenya. The ovals included in the first pattern were also inspired by the fact that “Oribe” starts with an “O” and was a visual way to infuse Oribe Canales himself into the pattern. Also, the lines extending from the O’s represent strands of hair. Ankara, the cloth worked with for the design, finds its roots in a traditional Indonesian printing process called ‘batik,’ where designs are made on fabric using wax and then immersed in dye. In the 1800s, the Dutch found a new way to manufacture this cloth for mass production, but it left cracks in the wax used to create the patterns on the fabric; the resulting prints were seen as poor craftsmanship. At the time, the only market available to the Dutch for selling this cloth was Africa, whose people looked beyond it as a rejected fabric and embraced its beauty.

For the second pattern, Thandiwe was inspired by the bottle shape of a specific Oribe product, the Curl Gloss Hydration & Hold, and how Oribe products celebrate the beauty of hair and can elevate people’s feelings when using them.

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Q&A With Thandiwe Muriu

Q: How would you characterize your artistic style, and what influences and inspires you?

A: I’ve become slightly obsessed with patterns and optical illusions. I’m always interested in the idea that a static image could move when you look at it. It’s all about tricking the eye, and I love finding prints that do that for a camera. Prints are also a language of their own. They can be aggressive, calming, playful, and quirky, and I always look to build a collection of prints that fascinate the viewer.

Q: Where did you grow up, and where are you based now?

A: I grew up in Nairobi, Kenya, and I’m still based there now.

Oribe Collaboration

Q: What drew you to work with Oribe?

A: I’m very passionate about hair. As an artist, I believe that hair is a platform for self-expression. As a woman, hair is a language that we speak. As Kenyan women, we change the color and style of our hair almost weekly if we wish, so working with Oribe was a very exciting opportunity for me. I also loved that the brand has a deep sense of community, and I see beauty as a community event.

In Kenya, having your hair done is a shared event; other women in the salon are offering their opinions (even if you don’t know them) as contributions to make the individual look as beautiful as they can. I was so impressed with Oribe’s relationships with their stylists, their founders, and each other; it’s about more than just what the products can deliver – it’s about coming together to help people achieve the beautiful hair they’ve always dreamed of having.

Q: Is this the first time you’ve partnered with a beauty brand? How was this partnership different

from your past collaborations?

A: I’ve partnered with a perfume brand in the past, but this is my first ever hair care brand. Oribe has many products, making the sky the limit on what we can do with our hair! It’s also been exciting to go through the archive of products and see what I could transform into eyewear. The main difference about this collaboration (compared to my previous ones) was the inspiration from Oribe himself. He seemed like such a colorful character, and I loved the things he collected. I drew much inspiration from Oribe’s love for his objects, such as his mirror and brush collection.

Inspiration

Q: Tell us about your creative process and inspiration for the Oribe collection.

A: My creative process is fueled by spontaneity and an openness to inspiration from all corners of life. Whether encountering a captivating print or witnessing the ingenuity of everyday objects, I find inspiration in the unexpected. When I encounter a print that speaks to me, I pause to envision the garment that best amplifies its personality. I’m also particularly drawn to the art of creative recycling, finding beauty and innovation in unconventional materials.

Throughout my travels, I observe how familiar objects are repurposed in different cultures, which broadens my perspective and informs my artistic vision. Ultimately, my process celebrates cultural exchange and the endless possibilities of creative exploration. Regarding this collaboration, I drew inspiration from Oribe himself and traditional Kenyan hairstyles, infusing them with a contemporary twist. From a hair styling perspective, I aimed to revive the architectural marvels of historical hairdos, adding a touch of quirkiness to evoke a sense of playful nostalgia.

Q: What do the colors represent?

A: Color is its own language. For the prints, we chose very warm colors. When I think of doing my hair, it’s a warm feeling of being supported by those around me. I wanted to bring that sensation of warmth to life through the lens of my cultural experiences around hair. Color also practically adds to the optical illusion; it creates a mood and feeling – blues are calming, and reds are bold. We wanted amusing and joyful colors as this collaboration is meant to reflect a celebration of hair at a very celebratory time of the year.

Q: What is the significance of the women in the artwork?

A: This collaboration, much like the rest of my work, is deeply rooted in celebrating womanhood and the diverse narratives of all women, as seen through the lens of my cultural heritage. I aim to show the essence of femininity, resilience, and interconnectedness. These women embody strength, grace, and the rich tapestry of experiences that unite us all. The women depicted in the artwork are not just subjects; they are the heart and soul of the piece, each representing a story, a journey, and a triumph. It’s more than a tribute; it’s an ode to their strength and resilience. Through my art, I aim to honor and celebrate these women, their diversity, and their collective beauty.

Q: How do you want people to feel when they see the artwork/what do you want the artwork to communicate?

A: I want them to stop and experience a moment of joy. Holidays can be stressful, but I want people to remember that in their simplest form, holidays and hair are moments for celebration. I want them to feel happy. That is my identity as an artist – I want to create happy art and relive warm memories, and the holidays are a perfect time for this infusion of joy with people close to you.

Q: Beyond Oribe, where can others find your work?

A: You can find my work on my website, thandiwemuriu.com. I also have a book that just recently came out in April (2024) entitled Camo, a series in which I use textiles as a platform for conversation around identity and womanhood.

Additional background on Thandiwe’s Camo book: As the sole woman operating in the male-dominated advertising photography industry in Kenya, Thandiwe Muriu has repeatedly confronted questions about the role of women in society, the place of tradition, and her self-perception. These experiences inspired her project of cultural reflection: the Camo series. Camo catalyzed her to push new boundaries in her photography, leading her into a deeply personal artistic journey.

The Holiday 2024 collection includes six sets:

Gold Lust Collection, $144

Includes Gold Lust Shampoo, Gold Lust Conditioner and Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil Travel

Hair Alchemy Collection, $131

Includes Hair Alchemy Resilience Shampoo, Hair Alchemy Resilience Conditioner and Hair Alchemy

Fortifying Treatment Serum Travel Signature Style Set, $63

Includes Signature Shampoo Travel, Signature Conditioner Travel, and Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray

Travel

Moisture & Control Collection, $94

Includes Shampoo for Moisture & Control and Intense Conditioner for Moisture & Control

Gold Lust Liter Set, $369

Includes Gold Lust Shampoo Liter and Gold Lust Conditioner Liter

Côte d’Azur Fragrance & Body Collection, $219

Includes Côte d’Azur Parfum, Côte d’Azur Body Wash and Côte d’Azur Body Crème

The boxes for all holiday sets were made using FSC-certified, 100% post-consumer fiber papers with soy-based inks. The internal trays were also made from 100% biodegradable and renewable plant fibre, and all the sets are recyclable. Find the gift sets on www.oribe.com.