Here’s something to look forward to in 2012. Stoned Cherrie is adding a new dimension to their lifestyle brand by adding home decor, wedding dresses, leather goods, fragrances and accessories to their line of product offerings. Excited yet? Well, Stoned Cherrie will also be launching an e-commerce platform in 2012!!!!
Remy Raitt of VISI recently spoke to founder and creative director, Nkhensani to find out more about her hand painted ceramics; recently added to the home decor line:
What is the inspiration behind the designs?
Over the past couple of years, I’ve been intrigued by the concept of creation. I’ve been equally fascinated by the idea that there’s a matrix or sacred geometry, which is the basic DNA of all creation. I came across the concepts of the flower of life, the egg of life and the tree of life and have been amazed at how these concepts can be found in all major religions of the world.
The range is an expression of the oneness of spirit, commonality or unity that’s expressed in the various tribes of the world through geometric patterns and shapes. Central to the shapes used in the range, is the heart – the universal symbol of love. It’s an expression of my fundamental belief that, at the core of our DNA, is love.
Can you explain your colour and pattern choices?
The first range is black and white with various accent colours (browns, ochres and aqua). I chose black and white because, when you buy into the philosophy that only love is real and that love is the basic truth of our spiritual being, then everything becomes black and white – it becomes clearer. Love is a basic human condition and the use of black and white for me is a return to basics.
Are all the ceramics hand painted?
There is a range of bespoke hand-painted ceramics, but we’re looking to also have a more commercial range under the Stoned Cherrie brand.
How does this home collection embrace Stoned Cherrie’s Afro-chic aesthetic?
I think the Afro-chic aesthetic is not only about form, print, colour and all the other visual attributes that have often been used to define it. I believe it’s more about the intent, philosophy and DNA of a product or style. Therefore everything we do will always be African in soul.
Do you have plans to expand further into homeware?
This is new territory for us, but as we grow further as a lifestyle brand, we will expand our offering.
Where will these items be sold?
We’re targeting trade shows in the coming months and hope to sell in various specialty stores internationally. We’ll also be selling on our e-commerce platform from February 2012. And we’re also looking at collaborations with companies who are already in the homeware space. This will hopefully translate into greater accessibility of our products.
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Photo Credit: Stoned Cherrie, VISI
Nyasha Matonhodze at the age of 16 is already reaching for supermodel status. She has walked a total of 67 shows in 2011; strutting her fierce runway walk in the fashion capitals of New York, London, Milan and Paris. She has also appeared on the pages of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and W Magazine among others.
However, Nyasha caught much of our attention when she became the face of the Louis Vuitton campaign earlier this year. In an interview with the Telegraph Nyasha decribes that experience stating: “My eyes filled up with tears and I thought ‘Lord you are lucky!’ It didn’t actually hit me until I was sat in a Rolls Royce sitting eye-to-eye with [famed fashion photographer Stephen] Meisel.”
I can’t wait to see what this bombshell has in store for us in 2012..
“Nyasha is not only very beautiful she has the little extra thing you can’t quite put your finger on,” a spokesperson for Elite said, “She is intelligent, graceful and people who meet and work with her instantly fall in love with her. I have no doubt she has the potential to go all the way.”
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- Louis Vuitton
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- Louis Vuitton
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- Costello Tagliapietra
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- Lela Rose
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- Sass & Bide
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- numero magazine
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Photo Credit: Getty Images, Numero Magazine Source: BeautyisDiverse.com
One of the most dynamic fashion designers of our time and living icon, Stephen Burrows, is famous for using the most comfortable and luxurious materials to make a women feel sexy and feminine while at the same time inspiring a mood of playfulness. The Ready-To-Wear spring 2012 collection does just that; the colorful stripes, asymmetrical designs, make this collection a women’s delight
The Fashion Informer had a chance to sit down with Burrows before his fashion week presentation to discuss the inspiration behind the RTW Spring 2012 collection, music, and pre-show rituals:
What inspired you for Spring 2012?
Modern urban women around the world. Our world is global—that’s how we approached this season.
How does this inspiration play out in terms of colors, materials and shapes?
Stretch fabrics, knit lacy eyelet, American stripes. The new fresh color is navy. I hope the fabrics I have selected are able to be worn in London, Paris, Los Angeles (global, lightweight, trans-seasonal fabrics).
How do you relax/recharge after Fashion Week?
A few nice dinners with friends and lots of Cristal.
J’adore Stephen Burrows!! Read the rest of the interview HERE
Photo Credit: Elle.com, Style.com
Make sure you visit ApplauseAfrica.com to find out who made the list also follow @ApplauseAfrica and tweet #HolidayGiftGuide for your chance to win some hot items from the 2011 Holiday Gift Guide.
On Monday our friends at H&M shared their Menswear Spring/Summer2012 lookbook with us. I just had a chance to take a look and here it is..
H&M’s runway inspired looks focused on all the latest trends we’ve seen from our favorite menswear designers. The colored suits as seen on the runway at Gucci, double breasted suits as seen at Zegna, the Marc Jacobs color blocking and Hermès neons all appear in this collection. The fun thing about these looks is that they can be worn many different ways. A few items from this collection, paired with great style sense can totally update your existing wardrobe and have you looking like a million bucks for a fraction of the cost.
Photo Credit: H&M
A huge pearl once worn by European royalty and last owned by Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor sold for a record $11.84 million at an auction in New York on Tuesday, Dec 13th. “La Peregrina,” depicted in art works over the centuries and coveted by kings and queens, was bought for Taylor by her actor/husband Richard Burton. He paid $37,000 at auction in 1969, outbidding a member of the Spanish royal family.
Fastforward to 2011, now suspended from a Cartier necklace, the pearl had been estimated to sell by Christie’s for $2-3 million, however, the figure shot up in fierce bidding, reaching the highest price for any pearl jewelry at auction. Apart from its remarkable size, (203 grains, the equivalent to 50 carats), it is the beauty and history of “La Peregrina” that makes it such a coveted jewel. View some of Taylor’s jaw dropping jewelry at auction in the video below:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZsflrowpE4&feature=player_embedded
The sale of Taylor’s belongings titled “Crown Jewels of Hollywood” follows a public viewing that attracted thousands to the New York auction rooms. Live sales were held through Friday. Running concurrently was an Internet-only sale of nearly 1,000 items such as jewelry and accessories like designer handbags. Hundreds of Taylor’s haute couture dresses from Chanel, Christian Dior, Givenchy, Valentino, Versace or Yves Saint Laurent, jackets, caftans, handbags and other accessories were on sale and they tell both the story of the star and also the changes in fashion during her eventful career.
Source: AFP
“Sa mode est extrêmement technique, réfléchie et mise énormément sur l’efficacité des détails… ces vêtements combinant élégance, audace et sensualité.” P. Zolanski
Bridget Awosika is no longer the fashion industry’s best kept secret. Above is a quote from one of my favorite fashion bloggers from TheZolanskisreview descibing Awosika’s Spring Summer 2012 collection. This collection also caught the attention of Vogue Italia editor Robb Young who likened it to “the very cool arrival of a serene but invigorating glacial breeze.” How delightful!! He goes on to compliment the “fluid asymetric lines” and their international appeal. No doubt Awosika is a rising star.
In Vogue Italia Awosika shares her inspirations and addresses the frustrations (or lack thereof) that come with being labeled an”African designer”. Read more HERE
Photo Credit: TheZolanskisReview
Here is exclusive behind-the-scence footage from the photo shoot of the H&M Dragon Tattoo Collection by celebrity stylist and costume designer Trish Summerville!
If you’re not familiar with the name you’re familiar with her work as Trish has styled everyone from Cypress Hill to Janet Jackson, she was also the costume designer for the hit TV show “The Game”. Her recent collab with H&M titled The Dragon Tattoo Collection debuted on Dec 14th worldwide in H&M / Divided departments, as well as online. The collection is inspired by Lisbeth Salander, the leading character of the film “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, directed by David Fincher.
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- H&M Dragon Tattoo Collection
While I am still drooling over the Labour of Love Collection Lanre DaSilva-Ajayi releases yet another dazzling treat using fabrics from VLisco’s Delicate Shades collection. Below are some of our favorites, you can view the full collection here
Photo Credit: BellaNaija
The entire January 2012 issue of Vogue France is devoted to music. In the pages you will find Janelle Monae, Kanye West, Lenny Kravitz and Ciara striking a pose..
