A Colourful Weekend in Naples by Paboy Bojang
Meet Paboy, a Gambian native and creator of what Vogue called “the Most Joyful Cushions on Instagram”. Here he now inspires us on how to spend a colourful weekend in Naples, the city he now calls home.
‘In Casa by Paboy’ is a social enterprise based in Naples, Italy, founded by craftsman and designer Paboy Bojang, aged 31, during the first Pandemic.
Originally from Gambia, Paboy was taught to sew by his uncle at the age of 13 in his home town of Serrekunda. Living under cruel dictatorship Paboy made the decision to leave home for a better future elsewhere. He arrived in Naples, Italy after two brutal and dangerous years crossing the desert and making two failed attempts to cross the Mediterranean Sea by rubber dinghy, the third successfully getting him to Tripoli.
After two years of living in a refugee camp Paboy found work in the majolica workshop Antica Manifattura di Stingo (their tiles and vases decorate Le Sirenuse in Positano). In 2019 thanks to the slowness of Italian bureaucracy he was left without a permit to work but with a receipt that allowed him to legally stay.
Come Spring 2020, Paboy was lent an old sewing machine and began creating cushion covers using local fabric shops, who cut him deals on their offcuts and excess fabrics. He put his creations on Instagram and the algorithm loved him. Quickly he had an international following, including me!
By Spring 2020, Bojang was frustrated at being in lockdown, so began making cushions covers using fabrics he found and an old sewing machine he was lent. He put his creations on Instagram and his bold signature style quickly garnered a popular international following.
As the business began to grow Bojang was determined to employ his fellow migrants, providing the opportunities that he felt were so lacking. A year later, Bojang still sews each individual cushion by hand but with the much needed support of his talented young team whose origins stretch three continents but who have found a home in Naples.
Moving forward, Bojang hopes to be a torchbearer for migrants in Naples, who no longer need to rely on exploitative (and scarcely existent) employers but can build independent and bright futures using their own skills and the fruits of global technology just at the end of their fingertips.
Friday Night: Dinner
Pizza: Concettina ai Tre Santi (gourmet pizzeria)
Da Michele (one of the oldest pizzerias in Naples)
African restaurants: I frequently go to Garibaldi Square to eat Gambian or Nigerian food. I also go to Unity Club which has a bar, Senegalese-Gambian cuisine, and a space where lunches, aperitifs, dinners, DJ sets, jam sessions take place. These places have such nice vibes and are special to me because they remind me of my roots when I eat there.
Friday Night: Drinks
My favourite drink is a spritz, but I also love wine. Bucopertuso has a wide variety of wines. Perditempo is my favourite place because it always has great music and Peppe Spritz in Piazza Bellini is a great place to meet new people and interact with them.
Bucopertuso
Perditempo
Pepi Vintage Room
Peppe Spritz in Bellini
Saturday Morning: Walk
I sometimes go for a walk along the seafront of Naples, sometimes I stay in my terrace or just walk around the city (Spaccanapoli, Via Toledo, Piazza Dante, Piazza Garibaldi). I always feel home, I feel free to do whatever I want.
Saturday: Shopping
Vintage stores: Pop 21
I Love Vintage
Shops in Via Toledo, Corso Umberto
Saturday Afternoon: Gallery / Museums
Museo Madre (Contemporary Art)
MANN (International Archaeological Museum)
Capodimonte Museum
PAN (a nice museum that hosts temporary exhibitions)
Saturday Night: Dinner
Near Bellini Square there is a Sri Lankan food restaurant, I love that place because the food is very spicy and typical; “Mangi e Bevi” (typical and cheap Neapolitan food)
A Cucina ‘e Mammà
Signora Bettola
Nennella
Sunday Morning: Walk & Ice Cream
I usually exercise at home, and then I go out for a walk around the city, I eat an ice cream in Piazza Dante from “Scimmia Factory” or from “Mennella” which sells homemade ice cream made with buffalo milk
Sunday Afternoon: Lunch
I often have lunch at home with friends.
You - you probably have a flight to catch
Buy Paboys beautiful creations for a colourful home HERE
WHERE TO STAY
A long weekend in Naples is a fun authentic Italian experience, without the crowds of Rome or Florence. Day trips to the island of Ischia or Prodica are easy breezy (one hour by public ferry) and if you want to tick off a UNESCO site, Pompeii is just around the corner.
GOOD
Primo Piano Posillipo, from £100 a night Room Only
BETTER
The Doumo House, from £150 a night B&B
BEST
Romeo Hotel, from £400 a night B&B
Thank you for contributing Paboy, you are a star!