28 DEGREES, the travelling African bazaar, is set to arrive in London this summer, selling African products at various venues and outlets throughout the city.

Working in conjunction with the famous Parisian shop CSAO, Valerie Brown one of the directors of 28 Degrees has been able to fulfil a long awaited dream to introduce to London exceptionally beautiful hand crafted interior furniture and soft furnishing from Mali, Senegal, Ghana, Madagascar and Mauritania. The market incorporates the authentic panache of African design with a fresh creative twist. The wares of the market demonstrate the innovative approach which characterize the African flair, transforming would be rubbish into objects of contemporary design. In 1995 Compagnie du Senegal et de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CSAO) was founded by Valerie Schlumber, with the view to establish a relationship with artisans such as textile designers, potters, painters and designers, from West Africa and exhibit their work in the European market. At the same time Valerie founded a charitable organisation to benefit the street children of Dakar, on the principle of a work ethic- whereby women and children create products (such as bracelets), the profits of which are used for their sustenance. Within two years the CSAO had been moved to the heart of Paris, and the well-established boutique sells home décor products from Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, the Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria. The company encourages the handing down of traditional skills from generation to generation. It was in Paris that Ghanaian born Valerie Brown first encountered Valerie Schlumber and endeavoured to bring the CSAO style to London- and this summer will see the fulfilment of a niche in London’s markets of fashionable design and a climate of fair trade awareness. 28 Degrees aims to bring the exotic and exciting designs of these skilled craftsmen to the European market- distributing not through charity, but working on a principle of fair trade ethics, which will encourage the distribution of authentic West African designs in London and challenge the traditional views of Africa. Each of the pieces are unique, one off West African creations, rarely seen in London before and combine the idea of a collectors item with an eco-friendly design. They will be available at 3 separate markets throughout the summer... 13th-15th June: ‘Cabbages & Frogs’ market at the Marylebone Village Summer Fayre (opposite The Conran Shop on Marylebone High Street, 28th June: Megan’s Deli (571 Kings Road, London. SW6 2EB) 4th-6th July: Momo’s (25 Heddon Street, London. W1B 4BH) For further details, please contact: Jessica Edwards Press Assistant The Outside Organisation Ltd Butler House 177-178 Tottenham Court Road,  London. W1T 7NY Telephone: 020 7436 3633