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

Yomi Casual's defines the 'Redefined Man' through his New Collection

Yomi Casual creatively portrays the trans-generational appeal of his new collection by the fashionable men that modeled his stylish new outfits. Desmond Elliot, Zack Orji, Alex Ekubo, Ali Baba, Sammie Okposo, Uti Nwachukwu, IK Ogbonna, BBA Melvin Oduah model the designer's latest collection which he calls "The Redefined Man'.

Yomi casual explains
"My latest designs are more than another set of elegant collections that redefines the look of men with taste, they are also a foretaste of what redefined style would be for metropolitan men in the coming year 2014.".

View the rest of the collection after the cut...

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..

Xclamations to Unveil It's latest collection- Silks, Frankincense and Myrrh

Mrs Tomi Rotimi; Creative Director of Xclamations.

One of the finest designers in the fashion industry will be unveiling it's yuletide collection tagged "Silks, Frankincense and Myrrh"; capturing the spirit of the season in garments fit for royalty!!!

The event will be taking place on the 22nd and 23rd of November 2013 at Adeola Hopewell, Victoria Island between 10am and 7pm daily.

Be the first to pick from the unique pieces strutted on the runway at the day 1 of the Lagos Fashion and Design Week!!!

To view the off the runway looks of the collection, click here

Lui Clothing Debut Collection

Lui Clothing is a contemporary African inspired female label. Their debut collection ranges from skirts,pants,shorts to gowns and blouses. According to designer;

'Our E.N.C.O.R.E collection is aimed to shows the different characteristics of an African woman, the Energetic, Natural,Creative,Outstanding,Raw Endearing features that we posses as African women and a lot more. It portrays the Elegance of our today’s African Woman, though contemporary but with a twist of its nature'

More from the collection after the break...

Genevieve in Iconic Invanity at Peter Okoye and Lola Omotayo's Wedding

 

Yes, this stale, but since no one blogged about the designer, I decided I will write about it. No kissing of a**es, but this dress was made by one of my favorite designers in Nigeria (If not my fave sef)! Yup! You guessed right, it was designed by the ever iconic Iconic Invanity.

The dress would have been all right, no wrong, if Ms Genie hadn't wrecked the design with that neckpiece of hers; absoultely unnecessary (especially with the long hair), she totally took away from the gorgeous design of the dress!

A similar design was worn by Rita Dominic to the Nollywood Movie Awards, where she was a winner in all ramifications, see below and on the right hand side is the exact version of the dress Genevieve wore on a model.

Orange Culture's Spring/Summer 2014 Collection Lookbook: 'I AM A TREE'

Shortly after an interesting performance at the LFDW 2013 and a follow up positive acclaim from elle.com as one of the 7 designer to watch out for, Orange Culture has released a lookbook for its Spring/Summer 2014 collection. Note I said 'Interesting', that's because his pieces were creative and a complete deviation from the norm, not particularly wearable pieces in my opinion but very creative.

His choice of fabrics, design and styling couldn't definitely go unnoticed by a lot of fashion aficionados. The the choice of colours and the tree accessories say it all... 'I AM A TREE'; the collection name. 

Most of his pieces seem andragynous to me, the partial peplum details, the cleavage jersey tops, the sheer organza pieces, the skinny skinnies, the print treggings, the maxi kilt etc all give a redolence of a feminine closet. Well, what can I say, I'm just a freaking blogger, only God can read a designer's mind.lol

Seat back and relish the collection.

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

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi (LDA) covers the November 2013 Fashion issue of TW Magazine!!!

Decked in one of her collections, the Creative Director of the eponymous label, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi stuns on the cover of the fashion issue of TW magazine. To see her collection at the Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2013, click here

Noticeable Features at the LFDW 2013- Custom-Made Prints

Designers in Nigeria are doing everything humanly possible to notch up their game to meet and possibly surpass world fashion standards.

Gone are the days when designers relied solely on Daviva, Vlisco, High Target and the rest of the makers of African prints popularly called Ankara to make outfits, these days beautiful pieces of customised prints are daily churned out by various designers, making it possible to have both an exclusive design in a exclusive print too! isn't that good news??? To me it is!
I remember vividly a jacket made from Ankara by one of the top designers in Nigeria (lipssealed on the name of the designer)  in a particular African print, the print was as ubiquitous as mosquitoes in water logged area in an under developed country and to top it all, the boyfriend blazer was about N30,000!!!
At this year's Lagos Fashion and Design Week, I was impressed the large quantity of custom-made prints in all types of Fabrics.

JEWEL BY LISA
 



To see more click here

MAKI OH





To see the rest of Maki Oh's collection, click here

Noticeable Features at the LFDW 2013- SHEER PERFECTION!!!

WEIZDHURM

LANRE DA SILVA AJAYI

Men, except those not sexually attracted to women of course *lips sealed*, found this feature of the LFDW delightful as there were lots of sheer fabrics (mesh, lace, flimsy chiffon etc); hence nipples. butt cheeks and slim hot thighs  et al, were also on the display. 

View more pictures of from the 'Sheer Perfection Collection' across various designers after the cut...

Noticeable Features at the LFDW 2013- JUMPSUITS!!!

GREY

I was able to make just 2 days of the 4days of the Lagos Fashion and Design Week which took place in Ocean View, Victoria Island from the 23rd to 26th October, 2013 and I must confess that I enjoyed  every bit of the show, although, my anti-social self couldn't blend in initially, but as the show proceeded, I just got in the mood. 

It was an exhilarating experience as I sat down enthralled by the various designers collections, the model, the guests and yes... the music too.

I saw all sorts; the good, the bad, the ugly, the fugly and the raunchy pieces were all on display. 

Yeah, I know this wrapped up over the weekend, but I've been too busy with my day work to focus on my blog a lot of times... apologies.

This year's LFDW had some noticeable features across all designers from the jumpsuits to the sheer mesh dresses, to shoe-removal incidents et al... Over the next 7 days, I'll be blogging about it... so stay tuned.

Today we'll be taking a look at jumpsuits across various designers.

It's no news that the jumpsuit trend has been around for a while now from the everyday street chic to celebs on the red carpet, everyone cant seem to have enough of the one piece comfortable clothing item and this also ruled the runway as almost all the designers had atleast a piece of it to showcase and tho there were lots of wide leg jumpsuits the skinny fits were not lacking neither.

Enough of stories already, sit back and check out different jumpsuits from various designers. 

LANRE DA SILVA AJAYI

See more pictures after the cut...

GTB Lagos Fashion & Design Week 2013: Xclamations!

 Xclamations blew me off at the day 1 of the LFDW2013. I sat there and I totally forgot that I was meant to put down notes for my blog on each designer. These designs inspired me and straight away I was able to come up with a few designs of my own.

Xclamations brought her A-game; couldn't have expected less anyway. She designed well tailored pieces that could easily become your wardrobe favourite, nothing ridiculous but still with desired cutting edge. She worked with all sorts of fabrics from silk to lace to cotton etc that has left me covetous since that day.lol

My love for Xclamations isn't just about the designs but also designer-Mrs Tomi Rotimi. She's such an affable, pretty, ever smiling woman and my God! She's so humble.

View photos from the runway after the cut... 

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.

“Naked” – Presenting the Wana Sambo 2013 Spring/Summer Ready To Wear Collection Lookbook

Presenting the Spring/Summer collection lookbook for Nigerian design label Wana Sambo – “Naked”. The design label premiered the collection at the 2012 Lagos Fashion & Design Week and now as they prepare to unveil their SS14 collection, here’s the lookbook for the Naked collection.

According to the design label
The collection is a cross between vintage work wear and modern daywear borrowing its influence from the 90s. I imagined what the love child of a Kurt Cobain and Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s music would be like if it were clothing.
The title, “Naked” is a juxtaposition based on the reality of these two men’s lives. Naturally, Fela was almost always near naked and Kurt Cobain, who most speculates died loveless & committed suicide. Looking at the depth of the reality of their lives, I came to a conclusion that they both were naked. According to the dictionary, one of the various definitions of the word ‘Naked’ means ‘without clothes or protection’. Fela was more the former and Kurt the latter.

The WS SS13 collection is a struggle for the placement of an identity on these two legendary musician’s love child. I used a lot of reds, blacks, off-whites, peach, gold and abstract fabric patterns, textures and colors. I also played with the idea of being both legends personal stylist and transferring their creativity, art and personality unto their female offspring, whose first name would be ‘Naked’ and last name, ‘Kuti-Cobain’.

Check out the Wana Sambo collection lookbook for 2013 Spring/Summer Ready to Wear afret the cut.

African Fashion Icon Deola Sagoe and MAI named Official Clothiers for The Future Awards Africa 2013

Prior to the official announcement of the date and venue for The Future Awards Africa (TFAA) 2013, the project’s Central Working Committee (CWC) has announced the official clothiers for the event, headlined by one of Africa’s most respected designers and fashion brands, Deola Sagoe.

“As a proudly African brand, we are inspired by the work that The Future Awards Africa is doing across the continent, empowering a generation of young Africans in both the private and public sector,” said Deola Sagoe, owner of the eponymous label, and who will also be presenting The Future Awards Africa prize in Fashion & Style. “We are glad to partner with this event, and are proud of the uplifting stories of African innovation, entrepreneurship and achievement that it brings to the fore.”

Christine & Christophe presents its Spring/Summer 2014 Collection – The “Playfulness of Leather”

Presenting the 2014 collection for Christine & Christophe -the “Playfulness of Leather”.

The designer behind the label Yemi Phillips worked in fashion buying for a few years when she realized she’d rather be on the other side; owning her own label.

Her debut SS14 collection is all about showcasing her love for leather. It also shows her creativeness, using leather with other fabrics such as cotton, leather lamb nappa, perforated leather & silk organza.

The designer aims at showing the softer & feminine side of leather as well as playing with different textures, fabrics and silhouettes.
Check out the pieces.

It's "Shakara" time as Nollywood Star Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha becomes the new face of Shakara Couture

A sneak peek of what's to come

Get ready  for some serious fashion partnership as Nigerian movie star Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha becomes the new face of Nigerian design label Shakara Couture.
Although more details of the gig hasn’t been released, Chioma is expected to star in campaigns as well as appear on the cover of Nubian Magazine’s December issue.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some red hot red carpet moments from the sizzling actress.

Eki Orleans London releases its Spring/Summer 2014 collection

 EkiOrleans London releases its Spring/Summer 2014 collection titled: A Slice of Africa. With this collection the designer presents a sublime visual discourse on the African continent and its relationship with China. The collection has been described as the labels reaction to the growing Chinese investment in Africa; a symbolic representation of the harmonious fusion between the two cultures.

Fusing inspiration from both China and Africa, the collections pieces have prints inspired by African cultural imagery and the other prints with Chinese design elements.