The making of Love Birds

This collection, like every other, a labour of love. Love birds. Love Brazil. Love fans.

Inspiration and Vision

I don’t know if the seeds of this collection came from new Brazilian friends, or the catchy samba song from my toddler's music class (!) but it didn’t take much research for my interest to be piqued. Brazil has it all! A sun-a-licious climate, sublime tropical beauty, bossanova beats, caipirinha cocktails, hot bikinis and the infamous copacabana beach.

Khu Khu Cockatoo Kisses Hand-fan, from the Love Birds Hand-fan Collection - Brazilian-inspired hand-fans influenced by vintage postcards and stamps

Khu Khu Feel the Love Hand-fan, from the Love Birds Hand-fan Collection - Brazilian-inspired hand-fans influenced by vintage postcards and stamps

My mission was to try and draw in on these beautiful influences in an original, eye-catching design that works particularly well on a hand-fan. The Love Birds theme seemed only natural; beating wings are just the thing for waving. So I started by looking at birds native to Brazil, then onto compositions, colour ways, the elements to include...the fun bit!

Khu Khu Paradise Parrots Hand-fan, from the Love Birds Hand-fan Collection - Brazilian-inspired hand-fans influenced by vintage postcards and stamps

Khu Khu Midnight Macaw Hand-fan, from the Love Birds Hand-fan Collection - Brazilian-inspired hand-fans influenced by vintage postcards and stamps

Designing the Collection

Maria Eduarda van den Berg (Duda), designer of the Khu Khu Love Birds Hand-fan Collection - Brazilian-inspired hand-fans influenced by vintage postcards and stamps

In order to capture the true essence of Brazil in an authentic style, I asked Rio de Janeiro based artist Duda van den Berg to get involved. Her knowledge of Brazilian art styles combined with her unique bright and graphic style was a great fit with Khu Khu.

"Thank you so much for choosing me to create these illustrations and for the creative exchange throughout the process.

The fans turned out super tropical — I loved the final result with your special touch."

Duda graduated from PUC-RIO and has been passionate about drawing since she was a child. Fauna and flora are her greatest sources of inspiration. Through the colours in her drawings she seeks to convey joy and vivacity as well as a message of love for nature and connection with the world around us.

More about Duda

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The Copacabana Promenade

I loved the idea of the hand-fans having a trim which is such a feature of South American clothing, home furnishings and accessories.

We took the actual Copacabana promenade curvy paving pattern, bent it into an arc and then rainbow-upped the colours! This took a few goes, mounting first with paper.

It was a little bit tricky(!) but worth it as it really frames the designs and adds a truly exclusive fan element.

Colourful sticks and Detailing

I wanted these hand-fans to bring true joy through colour. We waited until the prints were ready and the samples printed before choosing the final colour so the match was just right. We use NCS colour system and the colours did not disappoint.

Khu Khu Love Birds Hand-fan Collection - Brazilian-inspired hand-fans influenced by vintage postcards and stamps

Wristlet

More is more, and what better way to mirror a curvy trim than a curvy wristlet! I loved the idea of these hand-fans being accessories of course to use, but also to decorate yourself with!

Instead of having to put away the hand-fan between uses, you can just keep it on you. We looked at a few different material options, but the mega undulating trim just worked...Comfy, bright and curvalicious.