The Monrovia African Pop-Up Shop has become a regular on the holiday shopping scene in Monrovia. Wilhelmina Myeonway Cooper of Myeonway Designs, started the twice-a-year fair to allow creatives and entrepreneurs to showcase their products. For every iteration, the pop-up shop changes locations.
Liberia Pure’s stand had a display of its honey and coconut oil. The company produces cold pressed virgin coconut oil and honey harvested by local beekeepers. In October, Liberia Pure’s honey won a first place prize at the National Honey Show in England.
Varsay Sirleaf showcases his selection of Uhai brand of hair care products. The company offers conditioner, shampoo, scalp cream, styling cream, hair oil, and edge gel. The Liberian-owned company retails its products in a variety of hair salons and supermarkets in Liberia and Ghana.
Modest Afrik’s Thelma Ahamba shows off her framed fabric artwork. The company also creates African-inspired backpacks from scratch, in addition to bracelets.
The Kids Educational Engagement Project showcased used books at the fair. KEEP provides reading rooms for children ranging from preschool to sixth grade. KEEP also does some women’s and girls’ empowerment programs, in addition to programs promoting access to justice and the promotion of rights in schools.
Jungle Juice bottles were flying off the table. The drink is a cocktail of the local cane juice mixed with fruit juice. It can be found in many supermarkets, bars, and restaurants across Monrovia.
MiMuse by El designs t-shirts with witty sayings, some of which may not be appropriate for all audiences. Besides frequenting trade shows like the Monrovia African Pop-up Shop, MiMuse also sells online via its Instagram page.
Shop Meskora sold t-shirts emblazoned with unique artwork designed by its owner, Meskora. Known for her artsy nude photographs, Meskora often turns a lot of those works into somewhat abstract art that depicts those nude figures in surreal settings.
Creamy Crunchy Delight, a startup bakery that specializes in cupcakes, brownies, pies, cakes, and cookies, sold out all its supplies at the fair. For now, customers usually place their orders by calling or via Facebook.
Myeonway Designs prides itself on “intricate handcrafted one-of-a-kind pieces.†Products are made in Liberia but are often infused with elements of products and designs from other cultures and places on the continent.
All photos by Jefferson Krua
