Photo Credit: Azede Jean-Pierre

 

If you’re looking for some bold ideas to spice up your abode you may want to check out the February 2013 issue of House and Garden UK..  

House & Garden UK  features a design editorial inspired by African craft and design. Co-ordinated by decoration editor, Gaby Deeming, bold bright colours, graphic prints, textures and handicrafts are combined for a modern take on African interior style. Products used to pull the looks together include leading African designers and producers; beaded cushions from Soboye; Eva Sonaike’s distinctive, signature fabrics in the form of pouffes, cushions, notebooks, upholstered armchairs, as well as lining walls; woven telephone wire bowls in contrasting graphic swirling patterns from Zenzulu; striped black and white beaded animals from Monkeybiz; and a wax cloth umbrella from Babatunde.  Read more and see more photos of African Inspired interior design at AfricanDaydreams.com

Be Inspired

 

Source: AfricanDaydreams.com

Yes hunty Christmas will come early for those over in London, December 15th to be exact that is the date that Mr. Tsemaye Binitie will be hosting a sample sale at Fin Showroom from 12-6pm

The Fin Showroom  2A CORSHAM STREET  N1 6DP LONDON

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Where is Rihanna when you need her? If you had the chance to view the vapid-ness that was the American Music Awards 2012 red carpet last night you were surely as disappointed and uninspired as I was.  I’m not sure if it’s the stylist or the designers that need an intervention but whatever the case we managed to put together some photos of the “best” looks of the night.  What do you think?

 

 

 

 

 

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

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

 

“Elbaz gently reinvented the idea of a tracksuit that could be easy enough for day and glamorous enough for a gala evening, creating pants and lazy T-shirt tops in washed silk in vivid colors—ultramarine, grass green, poppy red. A “sweatshirt” might be formed from a swirling cloud of hot-pink parachute silk, and pants from the silver foil that resembles the blankets used by exhausted marathon runners to keep warm post-race.”  by Hamish Bowles

Lanvin resort 2013 collection a bit sporty, elegant, & très chic.  I love! View some of my favorite looks below.

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Photo Credit: MillionLooks

 

“My designs are known for being hip, chic, and funky. My clothes are designed for the fashion conscience woman & men who seeks an edgy, trendy, and yet unique look for their wardrobe.” – Mahlet Afework

Mafi by Mahlet Afework, utilizes Ethiopian hand woven fabrics combined with silk, satin, chiffon, lace to create knitwear for both men and women.  The result; flowing, light-as-air fabrics that give way to sexy urban streetwear that feels as good as it looks.

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Photo Credit: Avaloni Studios for AFWNY 2012

Le Tabouret D’Or launches the first e-commerce crowd sourcing feature for African fashion! Le Tabouret D’Or, an online retailer of luxury African fashion, has launched its innovative *You Decide-We Sell* feature, which encourages customer participation in the buying process.  This is the first feature release of its kind within the African fashion industry. Each week, Le Tabouret D’Or will showcase pieces from three designers on their site, and using the ‘Golden’ button, shoppers can vote for their favorites. Whether or not they vote for a piece, customers can leave constructive feedback for designers.

“We are excited about the launch of this feature particularly because it gives us a pipeline to onboard designers our customers love!” said Serwaa Adjei-Pellé, founder of Le Tabouret D’Or.

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Le Tabouret D’Or

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

 

We caught up wih the designers of 54 Kingdoms, Kwaku A. Awuah and Nana Poku.  Read what they had to say in response to our SIMPLY7

1. What inspired you to go into the fashion industry? How did you get started?

Nana: Fashion has steadily become a fascination converted to an obsession of mine. Overtime I sincerely came to admire the idea of fashion being a sign of expression. I didn’t go to school for fashion, but what I did have was a notion of what was missing in what I was wearing. I strongly believe fashion should literately be a physical representation not only of your thoughts or how you feel, but also your culture and ethnic identity that stays abreast with changing times.

Kwaku: I have always been into fashion. Did I ever think of having my own line? No, but when Imet Nana, the idea of creating pieces that addressed the problem of cultural disassociation made perfect sense to me. I was in the music environment when we met; I played a significant role in the marketing and promotional efforts for a few local artists. I explained my capabilities to him, my business intentions and my admiration for community outreach initiatives.  Then in early 2008, he called me and asked, “If I was ready?” I said yes, and now here we are with the 54 Kingdoms brand.

2. Name one celebrity dead or alive that you would like to see wearing 54 Kingdoms.

We don’t know if you would call him a celebrity, but definitely Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who was the first president of Ghana (formerly Gold Coast) after the country gained its independence from the British on March 6, 1957. It was Dr. Nkrumah’s idea to unify the countries in Africa, and at 54 Kingdoms, we are all about unifying the countries in the African Diaspora using fashion as a vehicle. Another person is Marcus Garvey, and then we have to mention W.E.B DuBois, and others. There are so many great people who would appreciate the 54 Kingdoms brand today.

3. Who do you design for? What type of woman/man wears 54 Kingdoms?

Well, we actually design to empower, educate and motivate.   We design for  everyone who believes in and has ties to the African Ancestry, those that admire the Pan-African culture, and anyone who needs diversity in their closet.