Sarah Nsikak is a Nigerian-American living in Brooklyn, New York. Her love of textiles led her to working in the fashion industry for several years after completing a Masters Degree in Art Therapy. The exorbitant amount of waste generated in the fashion industry inspired a re-routing back to her art practice.

Using recycled material sourced from fashion designers based in New York and textiles sourced through vintage stores Nsikak creates one of a kind patchwork dresses. Her brand, La Réunion, is named after the island off the coast of Madagascar. The dresses are influenced by the vibrant stories of African culture, post colonial African countries, ideas surrounding reclaimed beauty, togetherness, color, joy, and inviting ones self back to what was always there all along. Each of the dresses are wearable art pieces meant to empower, embolden, and inspire all while telling the stories of Africa.

We are so excited to carry La Réunion at Idun. We had the chance to ask Sarah Nsikak a few quick questions to get to know her better... 

Current book you’re reading?
I've been slowly reading a publication called Anaise, and it's been giving me so much motivation to refine my work and take a step back and maybe to pair down too. 

Favorite recipe you go back to over and over?
Lately, my partner and I have been making fried tofu, rice and veggie bowls! But a favorite always and forever is fried plantains with jollof rice. My mom makes it every time I'm home and nothing compares. 

Product you can’t live without?
I'm not very into products, but lately I've been using Saie's foundation that has spf. It feels like I'm not wearing anything on my face and gives a bit of a glow. In actuality, I don't think I could live without Native the natural deodorant! 

Where is your favorite place to pass the time, or take a break?
The park by my house has been a constant for me, even in the years when I didn't live in this part of Brooklyn. I also really love being in any used book store with a good variety of art books.

Have you let anything go recently- an object, belief, goal, way of thinking or doing that has made you a better or happier person?
I've let go of the idea that anything, whether it's a project, friendship, routine, etc, is meant to last forever. Allowing space for healthy endings has been so freeing. It's making me think about my work in entirely new ways as well. I've been thinking about how devastated I was when so many doors were closed to me in the past, and now I have the perspective to have gratitude for the endings.

Shop La Réunion HERE.

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

Tropical Fruit Salad
2 mangoes cut into ¾ inch cubes
1 papaya peeled seeded and cut into ¾ inch cubes
1 pineapple cut into ¾ inch cubes
1 starfruit, sliced
5 passion fruits halved

Lemon Cake
1 ¼ cup all purpose flour
1 packet active dry yeast
¼ tsp salt
7 tablespoons butter at room temperature
3 eggs
Juice and grated zest of 1 lemon
3 tbsp & 1 tsp milk

Make Tropical Fruit Salad
In a large bowl, combine the mangoes, papaya, pineapple and starfruit. Scoop out the passion fruit pulp and strain. Discarding the seed add to the bowl and mix to combine.

Make Lemon Cake
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 inch round baking pan dust with flour. In a medium bowl sift together the flour, yeast and salt set aside.
In a medium bowl, mix together the butter, sugar, eggs, and lemon juice and zest with a whisk until combined. Add the flour mixture and mix. Add the milk and mix until combined. Transfer to the prepared pan and bake until a wooden pick or tip of knife comes out dry, about 45 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar. Slowly add one fourth of the hot milk. Transfer the saucepan and heat to 181 degree F. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl and set in a larger bowl of ice and water to cool down quickly. Cover and refrigerate.

To Serve:
Place a slice of the lemon cake on each plate. Top with the fruit salad and the vanilla cream, and garnish with 2 cape gooseberries.

NOTE: Save the egg whites to make meringues. You can use any fruit you have on hand for the fruit salad.

Discover more of Massimo Bottura's recipes via Bread Is Gold HERE.

"My niece talks a lot about girl girls. They wear nail polish, they chew gum, and of course they have a full make-up set with lip gloss and the likes. Maybe it’s because I’m pregnant with my second boy and know my future is going to be chuck full of trucks and dinosaurs but I wanted to take a moment to relish in the absolute delightfulness of the girl girl essence. Laughter, flowers, the color pink, rom-coms, chewing gum. A playlist with a hop in its step, spicy with lots of sensitive feelings. Being a girl girl is not flippant. It’s lively, full of emotion. It’s vulnerable. Here’s to the wit, tenderness, amusement, and pleasure of being a girl girl. Enjoy!"

- Rachel

LISTEN HERE.

The 7115 by Szeki Quilted Coat is a versatile design that can be utilized as a lounge-coat when indoors, an early spring overcoat, or as a layering piece for brisk winter days outdoors. Its elegant structure and creamy color paired with its soft material allow for it to mold into whatever the wearer needs. From an elevated modern jacket to a cozy blanket-like coat; something you can cozy up in by the fire. This multi-functional design can help carry you from one situation to the next.  

Look 1: Winter whites. Berit pairs the Quilted Coat with the Rodebjer Orion Top and Studio Nicholson Dordini Pants in cream along with the Rodebjer Sendina Hat in a chalky white. An elegant, monochromatic look that offers flattering silhouettes with comfort and ease. 

Look 2: When taking a winter walk this Quilted Coat pairs perfectly underneath the 7115 by Szeki Faux Suede Long Coat. The perfect "under-coat" insulating you even on the coldest of days. 

Look 3: For the everyday! Here, Berit pairs the Quilted Coat with the 7115 by Szeki Fine Knit Mockneck in olive and the Shaina Mote Utility Pant . A practical yet dynamic look for when you're running out to the grocery store or taking zoom meetings indoors. A uniform look that feels put together without trying too hard. 

Look 4: A perfect compromise for dressing up during quarantine. Berit pairs the beautiful Marimekko Maininta Jåårouva Dress with the Quilted Coat. For when you can't leave the house, you want to feel special, yet there is still a winter chill in the air. This combination allows for beauty, comfort, and warmth in one fell swoop.

Andi

1. 7115 Poet Cardigan:

"I love how cozy this is. It reminds me of Kurt Cobain’s Unplugged cardigan." 

2. Suzanne Rae Lady Pump:

"It’s impossible to not feel sumptuous in these."