Sons of The Rift
Throughout African history, beadwork has consistently played an integral role in how different communities express their unique concepts of beauty and social hierarchy.
In a deliberate effort to expand the boundaries of historical representation, SONS OF THE RIFT emerges as part of an ongoing Afrofuturistic portrait series –reimagining young men as generals and decorated war heroes.
This series envisions the Great Rift Valley without borders and how a beadwork expressive tribe emerges from the engagement of different communities residing in this geological marvel, which spans from Eritrea to Mozambique.
Credits
Creative Director and Photography: Osborne Macharia
Photography Assistant:
Victor Ndalo
Emmanuel Thuo
Eric Kabuthia
Teddy Gichanga
Digital Tech: Joseph Kyule
Producer and Body Artist: Sinitta Akello
Body Artist Assistant:
Sally Shadeya
Nicole Wamaitha
c/o Nebya Artistry
Hair Stylist: Richard Kinyua
Corrine Muthoni
Hair Stylist Assistant: Elizabeth Oriaro
SFX Artist: Grace Murema
SFX Artist Assistant: Sandra Gidoiu
Talent: Ajuong Maluk
Chuol Kiir
Agulet Malek
John Olima
Daniel Odhiambo
Talent Agent: Paynette Nyawara c/o Velour Models
Production Manager: Evelyn Waitherero
Creative production: The Visual
Studio Space: Black Eye Production
VISUAL CONSULTANT AND STRATEGIST
My name is Sinitta Akello and I am a Visual Consultant and Strategist.
With over a decade of experience in the fashion, beauty, music, and creative industries as a makeup artist, I have established myself as a highly innovative and ambitious Visual Consultant and Strategist. I specialize in leading dynamic creative teams in marketing campaigns, digitally curated experiences, and digital art media. My career is marked by a passion for pushing boundaries and crafting innovative concepts that resonate deeply with audiences.
Throughout my journey, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with some of the most iconic brands, including Vogue Italia, Vogue.com, Marvel’s Black Panther, Disney, Spotify, Fashion Scout, Nataal Media, Schwarzkopf, Black Opal, Emirates, and many more. My work has been featured globally, a testament to my commitment to excellence and my ability to translate business strategies into creative visions that drive brand growth and elevate visibility.
In my current role as a Visual Consultant and Strategist, I lead cross-functional teams through every stage of the creative process, from concept development, to execution, to campaign strategies and content roll out. My background in visual communication, combined with over 10 years of hands-on experience, allows me to seamlessly align brand aesthetics with target audience preferences, resulting in compelling and impactful visual narratives.
What sets me apart is my unique ability to blend strategic thinking with creative execution. I am passionate about mentoring and inspiring teams to push creative boundaries, and I thrive in dynamic environments where innovation is at the forefront. Whether working with emerging brands or established industry leaders, my goal is to help you stand out in a competitive market by crafting unique, engaging, and brand-defining visuals that truly represent who you are at heart.
As the African creative industry continues to grow, I am particularly driven by the opportunity to collaborate with African brands to develop their visual aesthetics and representation on the global stage. My dream is to contribute to the continued success of brands that are ahead of the curve, and committed to excellence in brand storytelling and visual communication.
Based in Nairobi, Kenya, I am eager to collaborate with forward-thinking brands worldwide. I am open to travel as needed to bring my passion and expertise to those who value creativity, innovation, and impact. Let’s work together to bring your creative vision to life and make a lasting impact.
My Service Offering
Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are the new storefronts. Just like you’d want your physical storefront to reflect your brand identity, your social media profiles must do the same.
The result?
A strong, cohesive visual identity that your teams moving forward can consistently refer to for implementation, setting the foundation for lasting brand recognition.
Visual Brand Development
I’m here to help you craft a compelling visual identity for your social media and digital presence that resonates with your core audience and captures the essence of your brand. Together, we’ll closely collaborate to define your brand’s vision, ensuring it authentically reflects who you are.
Creative Production
Turning ideas into reality is no small task. If you already have a concept and a mood board but need help with execution, my extensive network of creative collaborators is at your disposal. I’ll match you with the perfect team whose work aligns with your vision. Once the team is approved, I’ll lead them through every step—from pre-production to post-production—ensuring everything is executed seamlessly and delivered on schedule.
Creative Direction and Concept Generation (Makeup and Product styling)
This is my forte—if I do say so myself! My mind is a wellspring of innovative ideas tailored to your target market and brand aesthetic. I’ll help you create digital media concepts that captivate your audience and make them stop scrolling the moment they see your visuals, whether for an individual campaign or ongoing content use. Plus, I bring along a couple of skills from my previous experience—if you need makeup and product styling for your shoot, I offer that as an extra service.
Creative Visual Campaigns
Launching a new product or service? You need an impactful campaign that cuts through All the digital noise. Whether digital or print, I’ll utilize your visual brand voice and create a campaign that not only stands out in today’s competitive market but also holds true to your brand identity, ensuring real value and impact.
Creative and Visual Strategy
In this crowded digital landscape, it’s crucial for brands to consistently generate creative and unique ideas to build and maintain engaged communities. I’ll align your visual strategy with your business objectives to ensure that your brand’s goals and targets are met effectively.
Visual Brand Reviews
Not everyone thinks visually, but it’s crucial that your visuals effectively convey your core message. Poorly executed visuals can harm your brand’s growth rather than support it. That’s where I come in—I analyze how your core target audience perceives your visuals and pinpoint those that resonate most to ensure maximum impact.
Market Research
I take pride in my seamless ability to bridge the gap between analytical data and creative expression by transforming insights and strategy into impactful visuals. This is where real value lies—understanding your target market at a deep level to create content that resonates emotionally and drives results.
