We expected to see contemprary Savile Row tailoring during Ozwald Boateng’s Spring/Summer 2013 presentation, but we didn’t expect to see African wax prints included in his line of sharply tailored blazers; something this Ghanian designer had never done before.  The audience was in agreement that Boateng instantly elevated the cultural aesthetic of the fabric to a whole new level.  What more can I say?

 

#nyfw Chronicles! Oswald Botang was celebrated @ the Arise Show today! Bold & Brilliantinstagr.am/p/PQH6cMtogl/

— juneambrose (@juneAmbrose) September 6, 2012

Ozwald Boateng Takes NY Fashion Week With 2013 Collection

— NYC Fashion Week (@NYCFW) September 8, 2012

Ozwald Boateng blew me away at Arise just now. I swear it wasn’t just the boys ^.^ #NYFW

— Shontelle Layne (@Shontelle_Layne) September 6, 2012

Ozwald Boateng at #nyfw damn africa you got style twitter.com/goodglobalciti…

— Jenny M. Buccos (@goodglobalcitiz) September 6, 2012

 

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Photo Credit: Ozwald Boateng, Chelsea/Getty, Haute Fashion Africa

Stripes seem to be a favored trend on the runway as of late, we have seen them in the recent collections of Aquilano e Rimondia, Prada, Clements Ribeiro and others. However, Suakoko Betty’s use of brightly colored stripes with African prints made the collection witty, modern & absolutely delightful.  Every piece was wearable and could be layered or mixed and matched.  This was obviously the crowd favorite, the standing ovation was well deserved.

Photo Credit: Kyle MacDonnell

The Asakeoge Couture collection features tailored silhouettes exotic animal prints and hand painted scenery with jewel embellishments.  It’s all about the details when it comes to these designs.

Pantsuits, skirts, blouses, & sexy dresses..  I could not get enough of the Washington Roberts Autumn Winter 2011 collection shown at African Fashion Week New York .  The collection took us from day to evening, starting with a jewel tone color palette of wearable pieces and ending with a parade of little black dresses!  Mr. Roberts definitely knows what a women wants and he delivered!

Photo Credit: Kyle MacDonnell

Korto Momolu was born in Liberia but immigrated with her family to Canada in 1990 to escape the African nation’s brutal civil war. She studied fashion in Ontario before moving to Arkansas, where she still lives with her husband and daughter.

In 2008, Momolu was selected as a contestant on the 5th season of  “Project Runway”, where she came in 2nd place and won the title of ‘Fan Favorite’.  Since then Korto Momolu has had considerable success, both nationally and internationally.  In 2009 she partnered with Dillard’s, one of the nation’s leading department stores, to design a line of handbags and accessories.  She recently partnered with SanLori to design a line of stationary and appeared on the runway at Arise Magazine’s Fashion Week in Lagos.

When she’s not sewing, designing, or signing major business deals, she is traveling across the globe in support of various charitable organizations.  We were lucky enough to catch up with her after her recent trip to Liberia to discuss the rise of Afropolitan fashion, how she gives back to her community, and the success of the Korto Momolu brand among other things.  Please join us on RadioLib tonight, July12th @9:30pm

VIDEOS

Korto Momolu Visits Liberia (Arrival)

Korto Momolu Returns Home to Liberia (Visits Orphanage)

Korto Momolu Returns Home To Liberia (Made In Liberia Factory)

 

 

“Exhibitions

Sheer intelligence and creativity depicted by some of the designers exhibiting for day two was one of the items served at the weeklong Arise Magazine Fashion Show.

Maki Oh, a young emerging designer had a peaceful tone to her collections from the angelic Grecian sandals and the short white loose dresses to the choice of music and the nude look her models portrayed.

Her artistic approach towards her collection was brilliant.

Other designers that depicted such genius are the Okunoren twins  who literally kept the crowd aloft with excitement at the drama displayed on the stage in which they had two hooded men lead the way as the models displayed their collections and their dramatic pose for the camera as they ended.

Their collections were bespoke; the Moroccan Amine Bendriouich Couture & BS pulled the sunglasses look fairly well with his collection. His use of tuxedo fabric and jersey were exceptional as well as Liberian Korto Momolu (pronounced cut-toe mo-mo-lu) in her carefree-themed collections consisting of flowing gowns with sequined knits and floral patterns.

Buki Akib brought back the Fela era in her collection as the male models paraded in the juju maestro inspired outfits.

The other item being the ability to surprise the throngs that came to watch the show with something totally different from what these fashion thirsty guests would have expected to see. ”  Read more reviews of the show here

Photo Credit: FashizBlack Magazine, 

Review courtesy of ThisDayLive.com:

Gavin Rajah just released a gorgeous editorial.  Enjoy view more photos here

 

 

Photo credit: gavinrajah.com 

 

Alber Elbaz  collections are a  celebration of movement, and form.. Since Alber Elbaz  emerged from Morocco onto the New York fashion scene he has been at the top of his game, creating the finest garments for labels  such as the iconic Yves Saint Laurent  he can do no wrong . Currently residing  in Paris as the head designer for Lanvin Women he continues to astound, (have you seen the brown calfskin and crystal sandals from the summer 2011 collection?!!? click here ).

View below pics of my favorite designs from his Spring/ Summer 2011 Collection.

Stoned Cherrie is currently one of the hottest South African labels, it  is “an African lifestyle brand that is expressive of urban culture in South Africa. The brand was started in an effort to represent afro-urban culture by creating a platform for self expression.” It’s bold yet feminine.  Stylish yet wearable. Old, new and futuristic simultaneously,  it is a amass of pleasantly creative contradictions.  

Stoned Cherrie recently partnered with Fochini to create The Love Movement, an affordable and easily accessible clothing line that consist of signature t-shirts, dresses and other accessories.  However, the label is still primarily only sold in Johannesburg, and Cape Town so if your looking for designs like the ones featured below you better start racking up on your frequent flyer miles.  Here are some designs from the Spring Summer 2011 collection

Chunky knits, arm warmers, suede, faux fur and lace oh my!!  Tracy Reese ‘s ready-to-wear collection drapes Fall2010 in layers, layers, and more layers. The splashes of color and patterned girly frocks compliment this fun flirty collection and makes these looks perfect for the holiday season. Go ahead, bundle up in these beautiful designs.

Photos: Style.com