Stylish Return to our African Roots (2)!

About 2 months ago I wrote a topic where I spoke about african prints and stole gathered pictures across different websites to aid budding stylista get the perfect designs for that Aso ebi! Today, I have decided to do a part 2 of the post (permit my tardiness in posting this). For the first part, click here.

The Aso oke Oleku dress by Alter Ego (It's a faux wrapper; so you still get the traditional look without the headache of a possibility of the wrapper going loose. You can get the dress here

Will Crop Tops Ever Become a Trend In Nigeria?

Each time I pick up one of these top fashion mags in Nigeria to read, I am appalled when I read fashion write ups ranting about the 'crop top' as an emerging fashion trend in Nigeria. The magazines talk about the summer and how the crop top is the perfect outfit to remain stylish and comfortable for the season.  It's understandable, that we are going global and so is our fashion drive but the crop top becoming a trend??? That's pushing overboard, in my opinion.

First and foremost, it will be important to note that this post isn't coming from a religious angle, so don't get me wrong, infact, I sometimes admire crop tops on celebs who rock it for concert performances.

The crop top is one fashion trend that will probably never trend on our streets in Nigeria. It may be feasible amongst those with  rides to attend events and all they have to do is to get into their teensy weensy piece, step into their posh rides, drive down, alight at the venue and go enjoy the event or

Ghanian Fashion label, Love April, releases it's Lookbook

Love April, an emerging African Fashion label from Ghana has released its lookbook titled 'Over-sized Tribalism'. The design label which is headed by Nina Barkers-Woode, has this to say about the collection:

"Our motive was to not only harness the Barkers-Woode woman’s natural female form through dramatic tribal prints but to also uniquely contemporize the look and feel of each piece. Inspired by the world history generations of women and androgyny artworks, the Oversized Tribalism collection plays on the mixture of minimalism and femininity.

Our exaggerated seam-lines emphasis our cling to modern culture. Our true, bare, chic necklines keep us in the realm of ancients. Our abstracted textured prints will ultimately immortalize the classic style and feel of a woman."

I completely love all the pants in this collection but my fave is definitely the graphic jumpsuit; I love the form, the design and from the little I can see from the image, it looks well tailored. I would have preferred it in a brighter colour tho'.

 See more from the collection after the cut...

Congolese Fashion Label Modahnik presents its Fall/Winter 2013 Collection

                            

Be Unique, be Modhanik in custom made prints of bright hues and bold prints! 

According to the designer; “The inspiration for this collection came from henna tattoo I received at my brother’s wedding in Mali, West Africa. I wanted to create a vibrant collection that was not only unique but also very bold. This is clearly seen in each look throughout the collection“.

View the collection after the cut..

Designers Lanre DaSilva Ajayi & Mai Atafo are the mentors on The Fashion Protégé

As celebrated leaders in the African Fashion Industry, Lanre DaSilva Ajayi & Mai Atafo have taken African Fashion beyond borders. They have paved the way for the younger generation of creatives and inspired many of them to take that leap of faith to pursue their dream in fashion.

Ohimai Atafo of MAI Inspired is renowned designer in Bridal, Menswear & Women’s occasion wear. Favoured immensely by a long list of celebrity clientele, Mai Atafo’s designs have been worn by Stephanie Okereke, Mercy Johnson, Ramsey Nouah, Banky W, D’banj, 2Face, M.I and many others. As a fashion artist, Mai Atafo continues to create and inspire through his lifestyle brand.

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi (LDA) is the founder of the eponymous design label that is a fashion favorite among the media, celebrities and fashion lovers. LDA has been featured in various African and international media including L’Uomo Vogue and is currently stocked at the Dolce & Gabbana Spiga2 Concept Store located in Milan, Italy.

Renowned for their efforts to participate in the growth of the African Fashion Industry, these iconic designers are ready to impart knowledge and make a Fashion Star out of you!

About MultiChoice presents the Fashion Protégé
As MultiChoice celebrates its 20th anniversary, the show has been created to nurture and promote the next generation of Nigerian creative talent. The Fashion Protégé is a 5-episode Nigerian reality television series that will air on DSTV’s AfricaMagic.

The Prize
• N1,000,000 (1 Million)
• Mentorship by a renowned Nigerian designer
• International Fashion Trip
• Cover feature for DSTV Magazine
• Special Feature Interview on BellaNaija
• Feature in a Top Fashion Magazine
• Lookbook by a Top Photographer

For more information, please visit www.dstv.com or www.facebook.com/DStvNg

APPLY TODAY!
How to Enter
• Read all there is to know about MultiChoice Nigeria
• Design a piece inspired by MultiChoice Nigeria
• Create your masterpiece (you can enlist a tailor if you don’t have sewing skills)
• Take a photo of your piece, write a short note on the MultiChoice inspiration and submit via any of the 3 entry methods.
• Spread the word! (Twitter, Facebook, BBM, Instagram)

Entry Methods
There are 3 ways to enter. You can choose ANY of the methods. You do not need to apply via multiple ways.
1. Via email – entries@ng.multichoice.com | Photo must be accompanied by a short explanation of how design is inspired by MultiChoice Nigeria.
2. Via DSTV website –http://www.dstv.com/News/Are-you-Nigeria-s-next-big-fashion-star-/34565
3. Via DStv Nigeria’s

Facebook page (Voters’ Choice) – fashionprotege.pgtb.me/SwZFSb

Strategic Partners: BellaNaija.com, Touch of Glamour, MUD Cosmetics Nigeria, Spice TV
Online Media Partners: 360Nobs, ThirdWorldProfashional, OneNigerianBoy, OloriSuperGal, ForStyleSake

Photo Credit: Style Mania Magazine | Mai Atafo PR

GTBank Lagos Fashion & Design Week 2013: Alter Ego

 This is probably quite old but as the saying goes: 'Better late...' y'all know the rest. lol

 I remember sitting in the audience and promising that I was never going to do a critique of Alter Ego's collections(not breaking my promises completely, anyway). I'm a big fan of Alter Ego because she designs for the contemporary African woman and her fabric designs are always just out of this world. The first time her visited her showroom in Dolphin Estate, there was one particular piece that struck me and it was the Lagos Traffic Shirt! The shirt made me marvel at how a person could just manage to incorporate the daily struggles in Lagos state to fashion;. The style of the shirt; howbeit bland, the prints was enough statement.

So I definitely knew that it was no coincidence that her prints ruled at the Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2013. I was awed by her fabrics. I like how she played with different colours of thesame fabric to bringing a whole new dimension to an outfit; I'm a sucker for mixing and matching of fabrics. My favourites from this collection are her pants; they look so comfortable, provide good fit and yet are very stylish and are attention grabbers!

Sit back and check out their SS14 collection after the cut.

Exodus Stores: Contemporary African Fashion At Your Doorstep

Looking for where to shop for awesome designs by African designers??? Look no further as exodus online store is now officially open for purchases.
According to them, Exodus stores will be a platform where you can meet the African designer of your dream through their awesome designs and get to buy your favourite pieces without having to leave the comfort of your home/office.
Here's an excerpt from the company's "about us" page below: