AfroCcentric Fashion Blogs

Unveiling Systemic Racism in the Police Force My Fight for Justice Chant...

2023-12-06T05:50:00.000+00:00

A Caribbean Affair At Tommy Hilfiger

2016-04-21T14:00:00.000+01:00

Look Of The Day : Nebele Inspired by Sun Goddess

2016-04-20T14:22:00.000+01:00

Sun Goddess
Spring Summer 2016

Ndebele's Influence On Fashion

Look Of The Day : Prada

2016-04-19T10:18:00.000+01:00

Prada
Spring Summer 2016

Look Of The Day : Michael Kors

2016-04-18T21:00:00.000+01:00

Michael Kors
Pre Spring Summer 2016

Look Of The Day : Manish Arora

2016-04-17T15:46:00.000+01:00

Manish Arora
SPRING SUMMER 2016
PHOTO CREDIT InDigital

Novis and Sacai Designs Inspired by Uganda's Kikoy fabrics

2016-04-16T10:00:00.000+01:00

Novis
Pre Spring Summer 2016

Sacai Spring Summer 2016

Sacai
Spring Summer 2016

Sacai Spring Summer 2016

Kikoy- the versatile multi coloured striped fabric from Uganda, has been experiencing a renaissance for a while, mainly attributed to its versatility. You will find it on clothes with a global appeal and also used as an underlying fabric on dresses, shirts and even handbags. A fashion statement in its own right, major designers from Paris Fashion Week to Tokyo Fashion week are taking inspiration from a fabric once limited to traditional ceremonies and Traditional dance troupes. Take a look at these designs by Novis and Japanese brand Sacai.

Novis
Pre Spring Summer 2016

Kikoy fabric dates back to the first century AD, originally worn by Arab traders. Kikoy is weaved from long strand organic cotton sourced from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. In western Uganda, Kikoy replaced animal skins that were part of traditional wear. Traditionally it was worn with a short dress or as a wrap or *shuuka in Ankole. It was also worn underneath the *gomesi.

Eva Rogo-Leveniz NYC

Eve Rogo-Levenez
Le-ligisa

Kikoy Fabric

Modern Day Uganda Traditional Attire

Look Of The Day : House Of Holland

2016-04-15T21:40:00.000+01:00

House Of Holland
SPRING SUMMER 2016

George Styler Spring Summer 2016

2016-04-14T20:21:00.000+01:00

Look Of The Day: Edeline Lee

2016-04-13T00:49:00.001+01:00

Edeline Lee Spring Summer 2012
PHOTO CREDIT: Theresa Marx

Look Of The Day: Cynthia Steffe

Look Of The Day: Valentino

Edeline Lee

Paint the Town in Style with Colour by Delia Alleyne

2015-12-15T23:51:00.000+00:00

The “Let’s Paint” women’s fashion collection created for spring summer 2016 offers a splash of colourful contrast against black silhouettes. Fashion Designer, Delia Alleyne introduced the collection during the September 2015 market week in New York City. The looks include rompers, jackets, funky trousers and that classic little black dress.

The “Let’s Paint” collection is splashy, bold and is styled with a retro artist’s cap that makes the collection reminiscent of the psychedelic sixties. The applied fabrics range from nets to denim, to brocades as the paint splatter and appliqueing adds detail and an interesting design element to the collection.

“Painting is like a metaphor for life...”, explains Delia “We are born as blank canvases waiting to be. Then moment by moment, stroke by stroke... We create life’s memories by applying one colourful moment in our life at a time.”

Delia, with her distinguished pink hairstyle, has a passion for colourful fashions. Residing in Trinidad and Tobago, Delia creates fashions tailored towards confident women. Her personal clients are bold about making a grand appearance during special occasions, nightlife hot spots and red carpet showcases. Delia is inspired by the many crafty artists who surround her Caribbean nation. She began her career designing fashion gowns for pageantry. Delia’s tenure at Trinidad’s Caribbean Academy of Fashion and Design school prepared her for a mentor ship working on costume design projects with the famed Caribbean couturier es Meiling Esau. Delia strives to bring an avant-garde genre of fashion design into ready-to-wear by applying unique design details, and using finer fabrics. Delia’s goal is for the “Let’s Paint” collection to become a luxuriant lifestyle brand that is recognised throughout the Caribbean.

Delia Alleyne
PHOTO CREDITS: MR MELVERN ISAAC

"Becoming Everything" Bello Edu Collection

2015-11-03T18:05:00.000+00:00

Bello Edu unveiled their latest collection to a rousing standing ovation at this year’s Ghana Fashion and Design Week. It was the climax of the show as most of the guests got up to leave after the show. They believe that a woman chooses clothes that speak about her. Every dress communicates how she sees herself to the world.

The brand has blossomed through their debut collection (the Bloom). Since then, it has been a “functional” and “exciting” process for head designer Alima Bello; restructuring the organisation after buying out her former partner Kemi Edu and being nominated as ‘The Emerging Fashion Brand of the Year’ at the upcoming Ghana Fashion Awards.

She took inspiration from these experiences to create a collection to motivate the 21st century woman to become everything she can be. Any woman no matter her career or lifestyle can express herself style-wise with pieces from this collection hence, “Become Everything” (B|E).

The Head Designer expresses ‘Becoming Everything' through their minimalist design philosophy, flirting with figure hugging color blocked crop tops, blush pink hued dresses with long lines, comfortable wide leg crepe pants, Vlisco ankara blending seamlessly with lace and bold cut pleated dresses. They also named their pieces after different roles and actions of women in society. e.g. Lady Kaftan, Nun Dress and Swinger Dress.

The B|E Collection is available for purchase on e-commerce WEBSITE www.belloedu.com.

Other stockists include

Elle Lokko (Luxury Boutique in Accra, Ghana)

Untamed Empire (Concept Store in Accra, Ghana)

Luxoca (Fashion E-Commerce Platform)

Shop Dōku (Fashion E-Commerce Platform)

Tayamika Collection at Liverpool Fashion Week 2015

2015-10-22T17:13:00.001+01:00

Madam Ambassador upholds African Fashions from Liberia

2015-10-07T07:29:00.000+01:00

Throughout the developed world African nationals are racing to build sustainable marketplaces for independent designers of Afro-centric inspired fashions. Numerous African inspired Fashion Week events have emerged throughout three major continents. North America, Western Europe and West Africa. Setting the pulse for this movement is the World Fashion Organization‘s agenda to develop wealth creation and eventually free African societies from a dependency on world aid.

Designer Kimma Wreh celebrates her Liberian Heritage by waving the Liberian flag during Fashion Week Press gathering
PHOTO CREDIT: Danny Gbawar, Christina Brown

The ambitions of WFO is to foster fashion as a vocation; and further the development of 'World Fashion' by helping developing nations improve intercontinental trade. Overall, WFO aims to create a global market place for emerging fashion brands under the theme “We Fashion All”. According to the WFO apparel is the chosen market for economic development in Africa because of the high degree of influence African aesthetics has had in the western markets.

“Rather than receiving financial aid from the international community, African nations need help developing commercially viable creative industries. The fashion industry has multiplying chains of vocation, which can create wealth. For example, the clothing industry creates jobs for Apparel Designers, Accessory Designers, Tailors, Weavers, Textile Designers, Pattern Makers, Wardrobe Stylists, Models, Fashion Photographers and Writers etc."

The plan for staging an international trading platform is to span events across three continents. The intention is to establish annual events in Paris, Montreal and Nigeria to form the largest African market place for “Made In Africa“ garments, textiles and lifestyle products. Each participating country in Canada, Paris and Nigeria events will be given an exhibition pavilion where they can promote not only their apparel and accessories products, but also culture and tourism potentials. Each participating country will be represented by a nominated Apparel Designer to introduce their country's tourism, trade and apparel manufacturing resources.

The African Fashion Reception event is in association with the World Fashion Organization. Mr. Lexy Mojo-Eyes is a member on the Board of Governors at WFO and he heads the annual Africa Fashion Reception event in collaboration with the African Union Summit; and the Nigerian Embassy in France. “We wanted to take advantage of some of WFO’s platforms for producing fashion events”. States Lexy. “Africa needs to build its own platform. We Africans have never been able to get into the mainstream of the global fashion networks and events. If Africa’s governing leaders decide to create a level play ground for Africa’s apparel manufacturers through heavy investments in the apparel sector like China did. The garment and textile industry can help Africa to eradicate poverty; if only our leaders realize the potentials in the fashion sector. Since we all wear clothes, this shows the economic viability of the garment industry. After the 2nd World War, the apparel sector brought Europe back to wealth creation through industrialization. The apparel market is doing the same for Asian countries. Fashion is the highest creator of jobs around the world.” Explains Lexy.

The Africa Fashion Reception is a Pan African initiative that will bring together fashion designers, dignitaries and media from over thirty African countries in a celebration of the proud theme ‘Africa is the new inspiration of global fashion’. There are currently thirty African nations being represented by a Designer. Unfortunately, logistical obstacles such as language barriers, political conflicts and under developed infrastructure are cause for hindrance to some of the 54 African nations participation. Preparations are being made for designers to present in Paris this November 21st. After this 2015 Paris event, the next African Reception event will be hosted in January 2016, at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Africa Fashion Reception event is aimed at attracting global attention to Africa’s garment and textile industries. With the AFR event positioned during the African Union Summit the coordinators will work to engage the governing leaders to help improve intercontinental trading conditions for better collaboration amongst fashion practitioners throughout the African continent. The ultimate goal is to promote self-reliance as the initiative for economic stability for citizens of Africa.

Designer Kimma Wreh of TeKay Designs is an award wining coutouress who has recently been recognized by the Vice President of Liberia, the Honorable Joseph Boakai; as Liberia’s Fashion Ambassador to represent the nation of Liberia on November 21st. As Liberia’s official Fashion Ambassador, Kimma will promote the nations design talent and manufacturing capabilities during the African Fashion Reception event in Paris. Kimma is an African National who resides in the United States, and creates ethnic inspired gowns and jewelry for special occasions. Tekay Designs has a distinguished couture collection that is currently produced in the West-African country of Ghana with a manufacturing expansion to Liberia.

Ambassador Bisa Williams (US State Department) met Liberia's Fashion Ambassador Kimma Wreh at the US Liberia Trade and Investment forum in New York
PHOTO CREDIT: Danny Gbawar, Christina Brown

“I am very proud to share my success in fashion with the people of Liberia.” explains Kimma Wreh. “I’ve donated clothing to needy women and children of Liberia because I want to help the people. I am honored to be nominated and represent my home country of Liberia during this prestigious event. My dream of being a fashion designer extends beyond myself. I wish to expand the production of my product line in Monrovia, Liberia. Apparel production can offer viable opportunities for employment and a better way of life for the people of Liberia, as well as many of the other developing nations that are represented at the African Fashion Reception event.

I fled Liberia during the civil war in the 1980's. Since then I've earned a bachelor's degree from Howard University, and a masters in business administration from LeTourneau University in Houston, Texas. My venture in fashion has been long and not without struggles. However, I've begun to see my hard work pay off. The opportunity to introduce Liberia's industrial capabilities to the western markets is another proud moment of success for me. And I want to collaborate with other fashion designers who wish to expand apparel production in Liberia as well.“ explains Wreh.

Partnering with the Liberia National Tailors, Textiles, Garment and Allied Workers Union (LNTTGAWU). Ambassador Wreh will lead a delegation of over fifteen Liberian professional tailors to participate in the Africa Fashion Reception event. The group will present a portfolio of sample merchandise produced at the Liberian Tailors Union’s production and training facilities. The presentation will include a live demonstration by a textile weaver producing Liberia’s official country cloth on the premises. Working on behalf of the Liberian government, the garment workers produce official uniforms for Hospitals, Police, Military, Immigration officials, school uniforms for students, as well as request for custom made garments. The union offers Liberian citizens fundamental training courses in tailoring, weaving, creating Tie and Dye cloths, home fashions for interior decoration, business and finance management courses. The union provides advanced courses for professional tailoring, such as pattern making, advanced garment design and construction. Advanced business management and strategic financial planning is also a part of the curriculum. As the established western apparel markets continue to look to African culture for style trends and creative inspiration. The tailors union sees opportunity for small enterprises in Liberia who are professionally savvy about the business of fashion. The future holds potential benefits with preparing Liberian professionals for the attention and buzz about the African fashion industry. According to the tailors union, Liberia’s educated workforce is invaluable for Liberia’s participation in a market place that promotes the African culture; it’s history and traditions.

ABOUT TEKAY DESIGNS INC

TeKay Designs is an award winning international fashion label, based in Houston Texas, that offers custom designs and couture bridal gowns, formal attire and statement fashion jewelry. Founded in 1998, TeKay Designs features handcrafted pieces that appeal to those who appreciate elegance with a contemporary twist. The designer brand is most noted for providing unique ethnic attire and non traditional pieces for customers in the U.S.A and international. The company facilitates production in Ghana, Africa and Houston, Texas.

Look Of The Day: Bhibhu Mohapatra

2015-09-18T01:00:00.000+01:00

Look Of The Day: Proenza Schouler Spring Summer 2016

2015-09-17T08:15:00.000+01:00

Proenza Schouler Spring Summer 2016

Look Of The Day : Jonathan Simkhai

2015-09-14T12:53:00.000+01:00

Jonathan Simkhai
Spring Summer 2016

Look Of The Day Valentino

2015-08-24T22:44:00.000+01:00

Valentino Resort 2016

Look Of The Day: Balenciaga

2015-08-03T19:27:00.000+01:00

Balenciaga Pre Spring Summer 2016

Look Of The Day : L.A.M.B by Gwen Steffani

2015-07-27T08:45:00.000+01:00

L.A.M.B by Gwen Steffani
Spring 2015

Look Of The Day Model Amilna Estevão For Gucci Resort 2016

2015-07-08T22:13:00.000+01:00

Model Amilna Estevão
Gucci Resort 2016

Model Spotlight On Leila Nda

2015-07-07T22:42:00.000+01:00

Dior Resort 2016

Michael Kors SS2015

Emanuel Ungaro Resort 2016

2015-07-07T21:03:00.001+01:00

Our favourite looks from Emanuel Ungaro's Resort 2016 Collection

Bibhu Mohapatra Resort 2015

2015-06-05T21:54:00.000+01:00

Look Of The Day : Grace Mahery For Gucci Resort 2016

2015-05-07T20:22:00.000+01:00

Grace Mahery Gucci Resort 2016