CIAAFRIQUE ™ | AFRICAN FASHION-BEAUTY-STYLE

REAL LIFE: "AFRICANS ARE LAZY" IF YOU ARE OUTRAGED THEN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT

2012-01-27T15:58:00.000-05:00

Image for illustration only.

What you are about to read might offend you or make you get up and do something with your life and help others in your country achieve their goals. Yes, today we are just going to cut the crap with all the racism excuses and take what this man said and work hard. I lot of the comments made by this white man really hits home.Trust me this is worth every minutes. So I am going to let you read and I will make a separate post for my response.

They call the Third World the lazy man’s purview; the sluggishly slothful and languorous prefecture. In this realm people are sleepy, dreamy, torpid, lethargic, and therefore indigent—totally penniless, needy, destitute, poverty-stricken, disfavored, and impoverished. In this demesne, as they call it, there are hardly any discoveries, inventions, and innovations. Africa is the trailblazer. Some still call it “the dark continent” for the light that flickers under the tunnel is not that of hope, but an approaching train. And because countless keep waiting in the way of the train, millions die and many more remain decapitated by the day.

“It’s amazing how you all sit there and watch yourselves die,” the man next to me said. “Get up and do something about it.”

Brawny, fully bald-headed, with intense, steely eyes, he was as cold as they come. When I first discovered I was going to spend my New Year’s Eve next to him on a non-stop JetBlue flight from Los Angeles to Boston I was angst-ridden. I associate marble-shaven Caucasians with iconoclastic skin-heads, most of who are racist.

“My name is Walter,” he extended his hand as soon as I settled in my seat.

I told him mine with a precautious smile.

“Where are you from?” he asked.

“Zambia.”

“Zambia!” he exclaimed, “Kaunda’s country.”

“Yes,” I said, “Now Sata’s.”

“But of course,” he responded. “You just elected King Cobra as your president.”

My face lit up at the mention of Sata’s moniker. Walter smiled, and in those cold eyes I saw an amenable fellow, one of those American highbrows who shuttle between Africa and the U.S.

“I spent three years in Zambia in the 1980s,” he continued. “I wined and dined with Luke Mwananshiku, Willa Mungomba, Dr. Siteke Mwale, and many other highly intelligent Zambians.” He lowered his voice. “I was part of the IMF group that came to rip you guys off.” He smirked. “Your government put me in a million dollar mansion overlooking a shanty called Kalingalinga. From my patio I saw it all—the rich and the poor, the ailing, the dead, and the healthy.”

“Are you still with the IMF?” I asked.

“I have since moved to yet another group with similar intentions. In the next few months my colleagues and I will be in Lusaka to hypnotize the cobra. I work for the broker that has acquired a chunk of your debt. Your government owes not the World Bank, but us millions of dollars. We’ll be in Lusaka to offer your president a couple of millions and fly back with a check twenty times greater.”

“No, you won’t,” I said. “King Cobra is incorruptible. He is …”

He was laughing. “Says who? Give me an African president, just one, who has not fallen for the carrot and stick.”

Quett Masire’s name popped up.

“Oh, him, well, we never got to him because he turned down the IMF and the World Bank. It was perhaps the smartest thing for him to do.”

At midnight we were airborne. The captain wished us a happy 2012 and urged us to watch the fireworks across Los Angeles.

“Isn’t that beautiful,” Walter said looking down.

From my middle seat, I took a glance and nodded admirably.

“That’s white man’s country,” he said. “We came here on Mayflower and turned Indian land into a paradise and now the most powerful nation on earth. We discovered the bulb, and built this aircraft to fly us to pleasure resorts like Lake Zambia.”

I grinned. “There is no Lake Zambia.”

He curled his lips into a smug smile. “That’s what we call your country. You guys are as stagnant as the water in the lake. We come in with our large boats and fish your minerals and your wildlife and leave morsels—crumbs. That’s your staple food, crumbs. That corn-meal you eat, that’s crumbs, the small Tilapia fish you call Kapenta is crumbs. We the Bwanas (whites) take the cat fish. I am the Bwana and you are the Muntu. I get what I want and you get what you deserve, crumbs. That’s what lazy people get—Zambians, Africans, the entire Third World.”

The smile vanished from my face.

“I see you are getting pissed off,” Walter said and lowered his voice. “You are thinking this Bwana is a racist. That’s how most Zambians respond when I tell them the truth. They go ballistic. Okay. Let’s for a moment put our skin pigmentations, this black and white crap, aside. Tell me, my friend, what is the difference between you and me?”

“There’s no difference.”

“Absolutely none,” he exclaimed. “Scientists in the Human Genome Project have proved that. It took them thirteen years to determine the complete sequence of the three billion DNA subunits. After they

were all done it was clear that 99.9% nucleotide bases were exactly the same in you and me. We are the same people. All white, Asian, Latino, and black people on this aircraft are the same.”

I gladly nodded.

“And yet I feel superior,” he smiled fatalistically. “Every white person on this plane feels superior to a black person. The white guy who picks up garbage, the homeless white trash on drugs, feels superior to you no matter his status or education. I can pick up a nincompoop from the New York streets, clean him up, and take him to Lusaka and you all be crowding around him chanting muzungu, muzungu and yet he’s a riffraff. Tell me why my angry friend.”

For a moment I was wordless.

“Please don’t blame it on slavery like the African Americans do, or colonialism, or some psychological impact or some kind of stigmatization. And don’t give me the brainwash poppycock. Give me a better answer.”

I was thinking.

He continued. “Excuse what I am about to say. Please do not take offense.”

I felt a slap of blood rush to my head and prepared for the worst.

“You my friend flying with me and all your kind are lazy,” he said. “When you rest your head on the pillow you don’t dream big. You and other so-called African intellectuals are damn lazy, each one of you. It is you, and not those poor starving people, who is the reason Africa is in such a deplorable state.”

“That’s not a nice thing to say,” I protested.

He was implacable. “Oh yes it is and I will say it again, you are lazy. Poor and uneducated Africans are the most hardworking people on earth. I saw them in the Lusaka markets and on the street selling merchandise. I saw them in villages toiling away. I saw women on Kafue Road crushing stones for sell and I wept. I said to myself where are the Zambian intellectuals? Are the Zambian engineers so imperceptive they cannot invent a simple stone crusher, or a simple water filter to purify well water for those poor villagers? Are you telling me that after thirty-seven years of independence your university school of engineering has not produced a scientist or an engineer who can make simple small machines for mass use? What is the school there for?”

I held my breath.

“Do you know where I found your intellectuals? They were in bars quaffing. They were at the Lusaka Golf Club, Lusaka Central Club, Lusaka Playhouse, and Lusaka Flying Club. I saw with my own eyes a bunch of alcoholic graduates. Zambian intellectuals work from eight to five and spend the evening drinking. We don’t. We reserve the evening for brainstorming.”

He looked me in the eye.

“And you flying to Boston and all of you Zambians in the Diaspora are just as lazy and apathetic to your country. You don’t care about your country and yet your very own parents, brothers and sisters are in Mtendere, Chawama, and in villages, all of them living in squalor. Many have died or are dying of neglect by you. They are dying of AIDS because you cannot come up with your own cure. You are here calling yourselves graduates, researchers and scientists and are fast at articulating your credentials once asked—oh, I have a PhD in this and that—PhD my foot!”

I was deflated.

“Wake up you all!” he exclaimed, attracting the attention of nearby passengers. “You should be busy lifting ideas, formulae, recipes, and diagrams from American manufacturing factories and sending them to your own factories. All those research findings and dissertation papers you compile should be your country’s treasure. Why do you think the Asians are a force to reckon with? They stole our ideas and turned them into their own. Look at Japan, China, India, just look at them.”

He paused. “The Bwana has spoken,” he said and grinned. “As long as you are dependent on my plane, I shall feel superior and you my friend shall remain inferior, how about that? The Chinese, Japanese, Indians, even Latinos are a notch better. You Africans are at the bottom of the totem pole.”

He tempered his voice. “Get over this white skin syndrome and begin to feel confident. Become innovative and make your own stuff for god’s sake.”

At 8 a.m. the plane touched down at Boston’s Logan International Airport. Walter reached for my hand.

“I know I was too strong, but I don’t give it a damn. I have been to Zambia and have seen too much poverty.” He pulled out a piece of paper and scribbled something. “Here, read this. It was written by a friend.”

He had written only the title: “Lords of Poverty.”

Thunderstruck, I had a sinking feeling. I watched Walter walk through the airport doors to a waiting car. He had left a huge dust devil twirling in my mind, stirring up sad memories of home. I could see Zambia’s literati—the cognoscente, intelligentsia, academics, highbrows, and scholars in the places he had mentioned guzzling and talking irrelevancies. I remembered some who have since passed—how they got the highest grades in mathematics and the sciences and attained the highest education on the planet. They had been to Harvard, Oxford, Yale, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), only to leave us with not a single invention or discovery. I knew some by name and drunk with them at the Lusaka Playhouse and Central Sports.

Walter is right. It is true that since independence we have failed to nurture creativity and collective orientations. We as a nation lack a workhorse mentality and behave like 13 million civil servants dependent on a government pay cheque. We believe that development is generated 8-to-5 behind a desk wearing a tie with our degrees hanging on the wall. Such a working environment does not offer the opportunity for fellowship, the excitement of competition, and the spectacle of innovative rituals.

But the intelligentsia is not solely, or even mainly, to blame. The larger failure is due to political circumstances over which they have had little control. The past governments failed to create an environment of possibility that fosters camaraderie, rewards innovative ideas and encourages resilience. KK, Chiluba, Mwanawasa, and Banda embraced orthodox ideas and therefore failed to offer many opportunities for drawing outside the line.

I believe King Cobra’s reset has been cast in the same faculties as those of his predecessors. If today I told him that we can build our own car, he would throw me out.

“Naupena? Fuma apa.” (Are you mad? Get out of here)

Knowing well that King Cobra will not embody innovation at Walter’s level let’s begin to look for a technologically active-positive leader who can succeed him after a term or two. That way we can make our own stone crushers, water filters, water pumps, razor blades, and harvesters. Let’s dream big and make tractors, cars, and planes, or, like Walter said, forever remain inferior.

A fundamental transformation of our country from what is essentially non-innovative to a strategic superior African country requires a bold risk-taking educated leader with a triumphalist attitude and we have one in YOU. Don’t be highly strung and feel insulted by Walter. Take a moment and think about our country. Our journey from 1964 has been marked by tears. It has been an emotionally overwhelming experience. Each one of us has lost a loved one to poverty, hunger, and disease. The number of graves is catching up with the population. It’s time to change our political culture. It’s time for Zambian intellectuals to cultivate an active-positive progressive movement that will change our lives forever. Don’t be afraid or dispirited, rise to the challenge and salvage the remaining few of your beloved ones.

Field Ruwe is a US-based Zambian media practitioner and author. He is a PhD candidate with a B.A. in Mass Communication and Journalism, and an M.A. in History.
SOURCE

INSPIRED BY DOLCE AND GABBANA 2012 S/S COLLECTION

2012-01-27T11:11:00.002-05:00

Salut tout le monde,
You may or may not know that Dolce and Gabbana presented their very last AFFORDABLE collection during Milan fashion week. They presented a beautiful collection using prints that are usually used for scarves. This is how I came up with this look. I turned my everyday scarf into a little top and accessorize it with a little belt which will be great to wear during summer. I bought this scarf from H&M but you can find many vintage like scarves at your local thrift store. There are many different ways to make the scarf look sassy.

EDITORIAL: BELLEVILLE- BAMAKO

2012-01-26T14:28:00.001-05:00

Beautiful Editorial in the February 2012 edition of l'officiel Paris Mag. I guess they are paying tribute to my beautiful city BAMAKO. I can see some Burberry pieces here I also hope that they use a few African designers for this editorial. Me like it a lot

More under the cut

Photographer: Marcin Tyszka

Styling: Alexandra Elbim

Model:Egle tvirbutaite
Source

RUE 114 A PLACE EVERY CURVY GIRL SHOULD CHECK OUT

2012-01-24T18:23:00.001-05:00

My prayers have finally been answered. I and many other curvy girls have been complaining about the fact that many of our designers do not cater to the size 14+ body type. I mean you see a dress that you really like and the price is reasonable but no sizes yikes!!! This happened to me a lot to the point that I just gave up looking at certain sites. I talked about it on twitter the other day and a designer told me that they can customize for me. I said I want to be like everyone just walk in, pick up and move on. I don't want to wait weeks for one dress. Well guess what ? someone was already working their magic behind the scenes. Meet Serwah Asante the Creative Director and Founder of Rue 114. The line was launched back in 2010 as a platform upon which to celebrate beauty and style at all sizes.

According to their website

Rue 114 is inspired by and created for women who believe that every shape and size should be celebrated as beautiful. This season, Rue 114 is proud to present its Intro 2012 Capsule Collection, “Et Dieu Créa La Femme” (And God Created Woman). The collection is an homage to and celebration of the female form at all its sizes. Beauty is too mysterious, too coy, too “Saturday night” to be confined into a size 6. The Rue 114 design aesthetic is deeply informed by what it means to be a modern woman of the world, and as such, the inspiration for each collection is limitless. This season, bold African prints in sexy and feminine silhouettes serve as the palette for the Rue 114 introductory collection.

I have not been excited for a collection like this in a while. This line can potentially compete with lines like Monif C and other plus sizes designer lines out there. The sizes start from Small to 2x , and they do have online shopping available. There are not a lot of peices at this point but I honestly think that they did good for debut collection. Good Lookbook, good website and fab models. The only thing I would recommend is to put out themselves out there a little bit more. I had not heard of this site up until today. I can't wait to see more from Rue 114. In the meantime check out their site.

So what do you think of Rue 114 debut collection ? Is it one of your favorite African fashion houses? designers? would you like to see more from them? Please comment and subscribe to Ciaafrique.com

NEW OUTFIT POST: WINTER WHITE

2012-01-24T13:00:00.000-05:00

It is getting a bit cold around here guys. I always make sure my hair is protected during winter with either braids or weaves. I chopped a bit of my hair the other day because the edges where getting a bit thin and fuzzy. I talk a lot about my hair here but many have yet to see what it looks like. I snapped these pics before I go back to my lovely weaves and wigs. I was wearing

Sweater/Bag: H&M

Legging: Costa Blanca

Shoes: Aldo

Earrings: Beauty store

So what do you think of this winter look? Make sure you comment and subscribe to Ciaafrique.com to get you daily fashion and beauty fix.

HOW TO HELP YOUR MAN UNDERSTAND YOUR NATURAL HAIR TEXTURE

2012-01-24T08:48:00.000-05:00

For someone like myself who had relaxed hair almost all my life transitioning to your natural state can be very difficult not only for you but also for your significant other. When I decided to go natural I did not want to go trough a transition process I just completely shaved my head. My husband did it for me and to this day he still cannot believe I went bold for some time before my hair started to grow. To tell you the truth if you continue to use your wigs and weaves here and there then most people might not even notice the state of your hair. Men sometimes act like they don't really care about our hair but trust me they do. At the end of the day the person that sees you without your big wigs and weave is him so if he wants to know what's up then tell him about your hair. I found this hilarious and very informative video on youtube that could really help you start that conversation with your man about your hair. This guy knows more about hair than I do lol . Check out the cool video below.

So what do you think of this Video? Do you ever talk to your man about your hair (whether you are natural or relaxed)?

A CUTE LITTLE AFRICAN PRINT SHORTS ANYONE ?

2012-01-24T00:15:00.000-05:00

I found these cute little shorts on Etsy a few days ago and wanted to share it with you. Obviously this is not the time to wear shorts especially if you live in Canada but summer is just 5 months away. These are made by BombeSurprise and they cost about $85. I think these shorts are really good to have in your wardrobe. Check out more options below

SOLANGE KNOWLES FOR INSTYLE MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2012

2012-01-23T15:33:00.000-05:00

You all know by now anything Solange knowles will be posted in this site. My doll rocked the pages of Instyle Magazine February 2012. Love love her unique sense of style. More pictures below.

Source

PEARL 11 30 PRESENTS "LE VOYAGE" LOOKBOOK

2012-01-22T02:18:00.002-05:00

Pearl 11 30 is a fashion Brand known for its functional ready-to-wear and tailored pieces that are produced to the highest quality standard. Inspired by her recent trip to Cotonou in Benin republic, the designer, Ade Yusuf decided to create a collection of workable separates that makes up the perfect day and night look using the Local Cotonou wax print fabric. Minimalism, Youth and Femininity are three words that can adequately sum up the new collection,”Le Voyage” It can be described as a perfect juxtaposition of modern fashion with an afrocentric flavor which can either be worn together or individually.

The designer showcased her love for playing with texture by mixing wax print fabric with Chantilly lace, raw silk and chiffon. There’s also an element of vintage vibe to fit the taste of the ideal Pearl 11 30 woman.

So what do you think of this collection? any favorite pieces? You can check out their previous collection here

TOP 10 AFRICAN FASHIONISTA TO FOLLOW ON TWITTER VIA AFRICAN STYLE DAILY

2012-01-22T01:42:00.002-05:00

I have been named by Africa Style daily as one of the top 10 people to follow on twitter. I was really excited to see my name among some women that I admire so much ( style pantry , Naturalbelle, J'adore fashion). So in case you do not follow me on twitter yet please do @CIAAFRIQUE. I talk about everything Gossip, fashion, style , (rant from time to time)and more....

OUTFIT POST: PRINTS IN THE COLD

2012-01-20T08:40:00.000-05:00

Its the end of the week and I am so ready for the weekend , well not because I have some to do but anyways. So when I wore my clothes this particular day I thought that it was not that cold outside but OH BOY....IT WAS FREEZING. After a few pics I could not take it anymore so I threw on my cardigan. Here is what I am wearing:

Glasses: Aldo

Top: Tailored in Ivory coast

Shoes: The shoe company

Jeans: Guess

Clutch: Forever 21
Cardigan: H&M

So ladies you no more excuses not to wear your prints during winter , just make sure you throw a cardigan on top.What do you think?

REAL LIFE FRIDAY: " I LIE, I STEAL, I SELL DRUG , I DON'T FOLLOW THE LAW"

2012-01-20T00:31:00.000-05:00

Yes, those are the words an Indiana mother had her son writes on a cardboard and have him stand on the side of a busy street for 2 hours. This story is making headlines accross the US. We know sometimes people are sentenced by the judge to hold signs as part of their punishment but to see a mother do something like this is a first for me . I guess this mother is tired of her son's ways and took matter in her own hands.

ABC News reports

“I’ve done therapy with my son. I’ve done positive reinforcement. I’ve done negative reinforcement. I’ve done mommy-and-me days. I’ve even called the police on him,” Lax said. “But everything seems to be taken lightly. Nobody is taking seriously that these are serious offenses.”

She said he has been acting up since a young age and that while none of her responses have worked, she refused to give up. “He’s already lying, stealing, trying to sell drugs. We’ve got three-and-a-half years until I don’t have control anymore,” Lax said. “I’m not going to let the streets have my son.”

Lax also has a 16-year-old son with a 3.9 GPA who plays football, basketball and runs track. She said he has never been in trouble or even to the principal’s office.

“Those are hard shoes to fill but we went through so much to let him know he doesn’t have to be the same,” Lax said. “But he has to follow the rules and follow the law.”

When Lax sent her son from the family’s Fort Wayne, Ind., home to spend a few hours wearing the sign outside, someone called the police. When they arrived, she said, they told her that although her tactic was unconventional, it was not illegal.

“It was meant to be a simple punishment. It was done on our own property,” Lax said. “I’m really disappointed that people would think I’m a bad mom for what I’ve done.”

Her son showed no emotion or remorse while standing roadside with the sign strapped on, Lax said, but has told her that he’s going to try harder to change.

“One of the main things that today’s teens are doing is they’re trying to fit in socially,” Lax said. “Maybe he’s doing this to impress other kids because he’s not doing this to impress anyone at home. I figured if I knock him off his high horse, it would give him a reality check.”

I hope this child will change his ways in the future to become a productive citizen.I have two sons and I am not sure if I will be able to humiliate them this way. But sometimes you got to take extreme measures to educate your children. Here is my question

Image Credit: ABC News

LOOKBOOK:VIRGOS LOUNGE NEW COLLECTION "GLAM GRUNGE"

2012-01-19T12:57:00.002-05:00

There is nothing better than to start your day looking through the fabulous lookbook of Virgos Lounge. Virgos lounge is one consistent brand that has been coming up with new collections almost every season and leave us wanting more. The leggings (or pants) in the picture above are just screaming my name. All of the pieces from this collection will be available for sale tomorrow Friday the 20th of January 2012 at 2pm (UK time) at www.virgoslounge.com.

Photography: Sophie Pycroft
Model: Donnika Anderson
Styling: The Virgos Lounge Team
Jewellery courtesy of Astrid and Miyu (http://www.astridandmiyu.com/)

So what do you think of this collection ? Is it one of your favorite collection from Virgos lounge?

Check out previous collections here

ARISE MAGAZINE FASHION WEEK RETURNS TO AFRICA IN 2012

2012-01-19T12:03:00.000-05:00

THE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER!
ARISE MAGAZINE FASHION WEEK
RETURNS TO AFRICA

“Africa's up-and-coming fashion designers put on a dazzling show in a three-day runway event in an unconventional city.” CBS News

"[KlûK CGDT] Drama, emotional, traditional but fresh - each look had its own story and moment." Vogue Italia Black

"The London fashion world has descended on Lagos to parade the latest collection to put Nigeria on the fashion map." ITV News

"The gala event was the climax of ARISE Magazine Fashion Week - the largest event of its kind ever seen on the continent." Telegraph

Due to the phenomenal success of the inaugural ARISE Magazine Fashion Week 2011, where 5,000 guests, 51 designers, 81 models, 5 musical acts performed over three days - ARISE is once again proud to announce that it will return to Lagos in March 2012.

The ARISE Magazine Fashion Week 2012 fashion extravaganza will run for an extended period of SIX days from Tuesday 6th to Sunday 11th March 2012.

Once again, ARISE will invite 50 designers to participate in its 2012 Fashion Week show. The much anticipated finale will host the spectacular ARISE Magazine Fashion Awards. The very best of the designers will be invited to participate in the annual ARISE Magazine Fashion Gala at the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week in September 2012.

At last year’s AMFW 2011 fashion event SEVEN designers: Lanre Da Silva-Ajayi, Jewel by Lisa, Asibelua, Bunmi Koko, Tsemaye Binitie, Pierre-Antoine Vettorello and KlûK CGDT were given a golden ticket invitation to showcase their designs in September 2011, as part of the Made in Africa by ARISE Magazine Collective at the Avery Fisher Hall, New York.

ARISE Magazine founder Nduka Obaigbena says: “There is a side of Lagos that chimes well with the international fashion scene. We at ARISE Magazine recognise that the city has much to offer in the way of vibrancy and extraordinary talent in abundance making it the cultural capital of Africa. Once more we are proud to be associated with nurturing new designers from the vast continent - and continuing our support of those who are more well-known in Nigeria and in the diaspora.”

Previously, ARISE had a successful run of THREE seasons (in 2009, 2010 and 2011) of the ARISE AFRICA FASHION COLLECTIVES at New York Fashion Week's Bryant Park, New York, and the successful sponsorship of the inaugural ARISE AFRICA FASHION WEEK at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Johannesburg and Cape Town in 2009.

ORANGE CULTURE LAUNCHES "ELUSIVE STRENGH"

2012-01-18T02:53:00.000-05:00

Orange Culture presents Two Capsule Collections: Elusive strength Summer's quirk. Both capsules were created in December 2011; both ready-to-wear collections were created as capsules for Fab Night out for vlisco and Beth Male Model search 2011 with Martini. This is the creative director Adebayo oke-lawal's second release since the labels launch in April 2011. Check out the collection below
The elusive strength collection was created for the fab night out inconjunction with vlisco. Fabrics include Vlisco, leather, lace and chiffon. The collection is about a misunderstood type of feminine
strength, a strength empowered by a woman's sexuality. It celebrates a woman who understands and owns her beauty and the power that it possesses, thus why the pieces are sexy, strong, but still very feminine.
This is my first time introducing Orange culture on Ciaafrique.com. I hope to learn more about the designer in the future. My favorite pieces from the collection are the trousers.They look very elegant. The Men's collection is called Summer's Quirk is available on the Ciaafrique facebook page. To be honest with you I am more in love with the men's collection. Its very chic. Check it out here.

Photographed by Benjamina (@vanitychaser)
Model : Kachi
Styled by BUBAAI

So what do you think of Orange Culture ? Is it one of your favorite African fashion houses? designers? would you like to see more from them ? Please comment and Subscribe to Ciaafrique

MINA EVANS PRESENTS NEW 2012 COLLECTION “TERRA FIRMA”

2012-01-17T17:08:00.003-05:00

I was pleasantly surprised to receive one of my fave Ghanaian designers collection this morning.According to the press release the collection was inspired by Earth with dominant base tones of orange, beige,mustard and brown. Splashes of teal and white are added for softness through the use
of raw silks and chiffons. See pics and read the rest of the press release below
PRESS RELEASE

Following the successful launch of the “Jewels & Tulle” collection, luxury fashion brand
Mina Evans is back with a Spring/Summer collection to kick start the New Year.

Dubbed “Terra Firma” a Latin word meaning “firm or solid ground”, the collection
intricately incorporates the tie dye technique creating a luxurious marble effect
accentuated with beads imported from the Czech Republic.

The collection is inspired by the Earth with dominant base tones of orange, beige,
mustard and brown. Splashes of teal and white are added for softness throught the use
of raw silks and chiffons.

Pieces in the collection include elegant form fitting dresses and separates with
impeccable detailing using handpicked embellishments; a signature of the brand.
The collection has been carefully designed to ensure a beautiful marriage of elegance
and simplicity without compromising on style and glamour; another signature of Mina
Evans.
“Terra Firma” marks another milestone for the luxury brand which is steadily building a
reputation as a brand to be reckoned with within the African fashion milieu.

Mina Evans-Anfom, creative director and founder of the brand states “we have worked
very hard; from intricately tie dyeing on luxury cotton to achieve our desired colour
tones, to handpicking embellishments that add another dimension to our pieces. With
“Terra Firma”, we wanted to be influenced by natural Earth and also wanted to show
that we are solidly building our foundation.”

The collection will certainly appeal to women who ooze elegance and glamour but yet
are not afraid to be simple and stylish

For orders and general information, please email info@minaevansonline.com
So what do you think of this collection ? Make sure you comment and also check out ciaafrique's facebook page for the entire collection

HOW TO USE SCARVES AS A NATURAL HAIR ACCESSORY

2012-01-17T08:29:00.000-05:00

Scarves are great fashion accessories to have. I use them all the time whether my hair is done or not. I am also always in the quest to find cool videos to help with with my turban obsession. I found this videos from Manemoves.com. The two ladies show you different ways to use your scarves as a hair accessories. I loved it and I am sure you love it too.

So what do you think of this video?

AFRICAN INSPIRED AFROCENTRIC JEWELRY BY ORESE

2012-01-16T00:33:00.000-05:00

I have been eying a few items from Sase's shop on Etsy for a while now. Sade is the creative mind behind the lovely Afrocentric jewelry line you are about to discover. Sase who is originally from Nigeria but based in Edmonton Canada started her line back in 2010 after getting requests from a few prospective buyers.

Orese currently offers many forms of earrings made of authentic African fabrics, gold, wood, copper wire, feathers and also has a few printed bangles.

I personally love this Africa shaped earrings. These would particularly work with my natural hair. These come in different sizes.

As Sase describes it ''make a huge statement this spring/summer with these unique Ankara fabric earrings! Bursting with life and color, these Ankara earrings are show-stopping, attention-grabbing, conversation-starting, compliment-receiving gems! They are not for the wallflowers (sorry!). These Ankara fabric earrings are bright, they are beautiful, and they are bold-- just like you.''

These items are currently available here and prices range between $39 and $10.

So what do you think of Orese? Is it one of your favorite African inspired jewelry lines ?

SOLANGE KNOWLES DURING MILAN MEN'S FASHION WEEK

2012-01-15T17:08:00.001-05:00

Sorry guys I know I talk about Solange a lot or maybe not enough. I saw these pics of hers on Naturalbelle today and I just had to post it. These were taken in Italy during Milan fashion week. What do you think ? fierce right ?

Photos: Naturalbelle Valentine Avoh

SHT RELAXED GIRLS SAY TO NATURAL GIRLS AND SHT NATURAL GIRLS SAY

2012-01-13T09:47:00.003-05:00

If you have not seen videos of sh*t ...... say to..... Its time to catch up. Those videos are so funny. There are quite a few on YouTube and I love quite of them actually. I thought I will share this one with you guys. If you have natural hair you will so relate to some of the things she saying. Thoughts?

OUTFIT POST: THE COAT I CAN'T LET GO

2012-01-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

I am absolutely in love with this coat. I bought this my last year of college in 2006 and I rarely wear it. It was on sale at JCpenney I think at only 40 bucks. Its getting a bit small now, because I put on a few pounds over the years lol. I just have a hard time letting go of some of my fave items. I guess that is why my closet is out of this world. Today I made sure that my shoes appear in the photos. I snapped both the bag and the shoes from H&M. I call this bag the Mummy bag and it was on sale for only 15 dollars. I can fit my son's change of clothes, diapers , and more in this bag and still look chic. The picture does not do justice to this bag at all but I still like it. I am pretty much jewelry free beside my earrings and wedding ring. What would my life look like without H&M? can't imagine. I am wearing

Coat:Nicole Miller JCpenney

Dress: Suzy Shier

Shoes/bag: H&M

ALLEN & FIFTH NEW TEES COLLECTION

2012-01-11T21:54:00.000-05:00

Its been a minute since I have posted anything about Allen and Fifth. I first introduced them back in 2009 when I was doing a special on African tees designers. You can read the about the designer here and check out the collection below. Note that these tees come in different colors.

So what do you think of ? Is it one of your favorite African fashion houses? designers? would you like to see more from them . Always let me know if there are any other African designers you’d like to see spotlighted on Ciaafrique in the future .

THE WEIRDEST LOOKING HANDBAG EVER THE "BAG ON BAG" TWINSET

2012-01-11T16:48:00.000-05:00

I have never seen anything like the 'Bag on Bag" twinset before. When I saw this I was like what the F*** is this . To tell you the truth I don't know whether to like this or hate it. Its cute in his own little way but just weird. I saw this on the Blonde Salad 's blog and she is working it alright. Is this a new trend ? I am not sure ,we have to wait and see . All I know is if you wear this to the market in Mali you will come back with nothing lol. So here is the question for you all

THE LIPSTICK THAT POPS

2012-01-10T02:07:00.000-05:00

After my last outfit post a few of you were asking about the red lipstick I was wearing but before I get into that let me tell you about a little story about my lipsticks. Until a year or so ago I never ever in my life wore any type of colored lipsticks. I always wore my black lipstick and that was all. Without even trying I was under the impression that red, pink, orange will never work for me because of my skin color. I even used to tell my mother how I hated her red lips. Then one day I went to Walmart and tried just for the sake of it a red lipstick and it looked really good on me. Anyone that knows me will really be surprised the first time they see my red lips lol. I learned to love my colored lips and now I am unstoppable. I have a few different brands and slightly different colors but the 2 that I swear by are the following:

The Lancôme Absolute rouge is just perfect. It smells really yummy but its kind of expensive for a lipstick so I use this one only on special occasions. The Absolute rouge retail for about $35 CAD at Lancôme.ca

This is the one I use most of the time . This is the Revlon Super Lustrous Cream Lipstick, Certainly Red #740. Its available at Walmart or any other drugstore. I still use my black lipstick from time to time but now you will most like see me in red or pink.

What kind of lipsticks do you guys use ? and do you sometimes take risks?

EDITORIAL: BETTY ADEWOLE FOR VOLT CAFE MAGAZINE

2012-01-10T01:06:00.000-05:00

Loving this editorial for Volt cafe magazine featuring Nigerian model Betty Adewole. What to you think of the concept. More pics below

Photos from Beauty is diverse
Photography: Sean Gleason
Styling : Siobhan Lyons
Make up: Anna Gibson
Hair :Yumi Nakada-Dingle