Meet Khristina Godfrey! She is the brains and creator of HeavyMannaz, a brand of bags that is unique in design, let’s call them stylish cultural artifacts. These bags are all handcrafted by Khristina in Jamaica, with each collection presenting different facts about Jamaica from as early as the 1960’s. She offers backpacks, clutches, totes and duffel bags. You have experienced social narratives in songs and plays but have you seen the expression on accessories? Get to know Khristina Godfrey and her works of art, HeavyMannaz.
What inspired the name HeavyMannaz for your brand?
HeavyMannaz is actually from “under heavy manners” which has a strong historical background from the 1970’s. The term was actually a reggae album by Prince Far I, it was also used to illustrate a period in our Jamaican history that Michael Manley used when the country was under state of emergency – among his campaigns. So that’s the back history, fast forward to 2015 a young Khristina Godfrey at Edna Manley trying to rediscover the narratives of the 1970’s and 1980’s it was only fitting to re-contextualize a term that may have titled the visual metaphor of the time.
Why did you decide to make this brand?
This brand was the evolution of my thesis work at Edna Manley, my work really were paintings, a response to the research I had theorized. I had all these preliminary work that I began and experimented, using them to make my own unique bag. I really was looking for something that was urban and edgy and could not find what I was looking. The moment propelled me to create and wear it at my final year show where I gained such positive response on this “experiment”. The following year was the birth of a collection of HeavyMannaz bags.
What year did you start the business?
HeavyMannaz was conceived in 2016, we sent out our first batch for feedback In 2016.
What inspired the designs for your bags?
I find my main inspiration to be very bizarre, I am actually inspired by the research, the information, text inspires me the most which makes an interesting process. I also get inspired by documentaries and movies from the era and of course our people.
You went to the Edna Manley College and got your BFA in Painting, how does this help you in creating new designs for your bags and for your brand overall?
Yes, Class of 2015 B.F.A – Painting! It’s interesting, a lot of people think I buy the fabric and assemble the bags as is but no, what I do with these bags is actually my thesis project on steroids. Edna Manley really was the basis of my understanding of colours, experimenting and researching. Though people label what I do as creating “bags” in my studio I create art objects. Art objects that are pushing the realm of what art represents, how art functions. The institution was integral in helping us to bring various ideas through different points, experimentation and exploration that helps with my designs and curating a “collection” as a painter.
Would you ever open a physical store for your bags?
Yes, I would love to open a store. Not a traditional store though.
Your designs have an edge to them, the name HeavyMannaz is very fitting to me, in what way would you experiment with the designs on your bags?
Thank you very much, I really try to create something that is a little unconventional. I would love to play a little more with negative and positive space, shapes and dimensions. Push the shapes, textures a little more, hopefully keep up with the crazy ideas in my mind.
Tell us a little about your photography background?
Wow, my photography. I started way back, maybe in early high school, it was my first creative outlet. I would always walk around with my little point and shoot where I realized how to manipulate light in an interesting way. It wasn’t until 5th form where I really started experimenting with people and editorial photography and LOVED IT. I still try and flex a little when I can with HeavyMannaz but it’s not as serious as a couple years ago when I was doing shoots as often as I can.
Where can we purchase a HeavyMannaz bag? Do you offer worldwide shipping?
HeavyMannaz can be purchased on our website shopHeavyMannaz.com and shipped worldwide. HeavyMannaz pieces can also be copped from Artstock on Edna Manley School of the Visual and Performing arts campus, National Gallery of Jamaica and GabiGirlJamaica.
Thank you so much Khristina, leave a parting word to someone who is thinking of starting the entrepreneurial journey?
Be as innovative as possible, you can create big things out of nothing or no money. Sometimes some of the most simple ideas are the biggest game changers in our world.
