Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri: A Woman with No Country

By Ivy Chibanda

Multi award winning handbag designer Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri launched her first self-published book, A Woman with No Country on the 16th of July 2016.

The book which was sold out the eve before the launch is a quirky, innovative, storytelling coffee table book that explores historical, cultural and social themes using fashion as a medium. She writes about her life experiences in conversational essays and commentary.

She echoes issues faced by women globally by challenging and highlighting societal ideologies which she states are idiotic. Being a journalist for over 16 years, her journalistic past comes out to play with her new found creative world of fashion design.

She inspires through authenticity by beautifully articulating the possibilities and heights human beings can reach through exploration of self.

As a handbag designer, Samasuwo-Nyawiri applies her core values in designing to the distribution of the book were she believes in quality over quantity.

“I duplicate the practices used in my handbag design by keeping in line with my core values where quality over quantity comes to play,” she says.

Because of the rise of over consumption of products globally, she exclusively makes only 50 handbags a year thus the same concept follows with her book.

“A limited edition, A Woman with No Country will only ever have 150 numbered copies, each one signed by myself.

“I always encourage responsible buying of products made with integrity,” she says.

In a world where people believe women face more challenges in achieving most things in life, Samasuwo-Nyawiri says she faced no challenges at all from writing the book to publishing it.

“I faced no challenges to be honest; I do not ever think myself differently from a male writer. This book was on my own terms, I paid for it, I edited it and it was just how I wanted it to be,” Samasuwo-Nyawiri says.

The author urges women not to allow influences that may make them change their stories and to believe in themselves as no one has the power to change their story.

“You do not need to be defined by anyone, your story is yours so do not allow anyone to dictate, influence or determine the course of your narrative.

“Love plenty, have passion and be very intentional about everything you do. This is not just for writers, I do not consider myself one, but for every woman, regardless of what industry they are in,” she said. Nehanda Radio