AFROKLECTIC

Moved

2011-11-19T00:07:00.000+11:00

Afroklectic is now live at Afroklectic.com.

If you are searching for old posts going way back, please stick to this site as we are currently trying to move everything over. A task which will take at least 2-3 months.

We hope you enjoy the newly designed space with the existing blog space as well as a fortnightly discussion space, calendar for upcoming events in the African-Australian community, African proverbs of the month, contributors and much more.

Skate

2011-11-11T12:32:00.003+11:00

I have always wanted to rollerskate for some reason. But having a Mum like the one I have who acted like I would die on skates, prevented me from ever getting a pair when I was young. I always say to myself that I am just going buy a pair and start learning, but I never do. After watching the video below, my goal is by this time next year, I will be skating, so I can go to Ghana and join these guys from the Unity Skate Club in Labadi Town, Accra (Ghana).

SOURCE: KoKOFIFI

Fashion gone wild

2011-11-05T22:45:00.004+11:00

Vogue Australia goes to Africa for the launch of their new iPad app and December 2011 'Fashion Gone Wild' issue. The Vogue Australia team travelled to Botswana to shoot a range of material, which includes video footage, sound bites, fashion shoots photographed by Max Doyle, interviews with covergirl Australian actor Isabel Lucas and interviews with the Vogue editors.

Inspired by the tribal motifs in the recent international resort collections, fashion director Naomi Smith wanted to capture the true heart of Africa.

- VOGUE

The footage from the trip has been compiled into unique bundle which is now available on the new Vogue Australia iPad app now available for free download. The app was designed in partnership with with Belvedere Vodka, who are raising awareness for The Global Fund. An initiative it supports to help fight AIDS in Africa.

The material is great and the spreads are fabulous. I really like the cover, but as a whole, I am not totally feeling it. The concept seems a bit redundant to me. Like I have seen this kind of concept over and over again to the point that it's lost it's meaning and visual appeal for me.

I am going to buy the December issue and have a good read of it. Maybe my opinion will change! I highly doubt it though.

SOURCE: VOGUE AUSTRALIA, VOGUE AUSTRALIA TUMBLR, STYLE PANTRY, FASHION GONE ROGUE, ORACLE FOX

Delicate Shades

2011-11-02T10:53:00.000+11:00

Once again, Vlisco has given us something fresh to drool over! For their new collection 'Delicate Shades', they have collaborated with fashion illustrator Sabine Peiper.

The illustrations are beautifully detailed and capture the essence of the collection!

Vlisco has done a great job presenting their new collection in a fresh new light!

Delicate Shades fabric collection, design plays a starring role, even more so than usual. Vlisco has reviewed its own craftsmanship, rediscovering its uniqueness and creativity, and experiencing its drawing technique in a completely different light. This technique makes it possible to create two designs in one, uncovering a double layer with a subtle transparency effect. A number of designs take on a different appearance when viewed from the left or right, resulting in infinite ways to wear it. A range of bold blue shades and overpowering earthy tones are highlighted by bright accents of yellow and pink. The colourful graphic designs play with your mind, transforming into three-dimensional illustrations with outlined shadows, as the elusive waves of colour appear to set the illustrated woman into motion, seemingly revived in your imagination. Explore your own creativity and enjoy the ultimate Vlisco designs as part of the Delicate Shades fashion & accessories collection, now available in Vlisco Boutiques.

- VLISCO

"I was inspired by the Vlisco fabrics themselves, with all their wonderful colours and different patterns. I tried to create images to ‘fit’ the shapes of the dresses and match the particular fabrics. For example, I repeated the dress forms, the outlines or the shapes within the patterns themselves, the black lines, and the coloured stripes that are repeated in the fabrics of Delicate Shades".

- SABINE PEIPER

SOURCE: FANCYHUB & CIAAFRIQUE

revamp update

2011-10-31T23:09:00.001+11:00

Just letting you know that Afroklectic.com will be up and running shortly (hopefully). Just putting the finishing touches together and trying to make the transition from blogspot to the new space as smooth as possible!!!

black volta

2011-10-27T14:00:00.006+11:00

With the likes of Adrien Sauvage and Ozwald Boateng around, I think now it is the perfect time to be a guy!!!

The collection by 2011 Spring/Summer collection Black Volta by Adrien Sauvage has had me drooling for a while. A very sophisticated collection presenting the modern gentlemen aware of his heritage.

Black Volta was inspired by a trip Sauvage made to Ghana after an 11-year absence. In an interview with DazedDigital, he states that he wanted the collection's 'DNA to have an honest heritage'. A reflection of his background as an African raised in the UK. The result, is a stylish fusion of European influences with traditional Kente cloth.

Sauvage takes an interesting visual approach the lookbook by photographing family, friends and strangers in his pieces. 'Capturing a carefree spirit and assertive independence of Ghanaian society building on the core principle of perfecting cut, as well as examining the construction of identity.

- A. SUAVAGE JOURNAL

To compliment Black Volta, Sauvage directed a short film titled 'This is Not a Suit'. 'An instructional guide to the art of dressing which explores the creative quandaries of the mind'.

To fully grasp the basis of the collection, you and I would have had to be at the launch of the film. Or what would have been amazing is if Sauvage documented his experience in Ghana along with his his visualization and production process for the collection as a video, then we would have a better understanding of all the visual elements coming together.
The collection is heavy. It's the reconnection of roots and a reconnection of tailoring basics.
I think articles and press releases don't carry the weight of this collection properly.
I feel as if there is so much more to it!!!

SOURCE: ADRIEN SUAVAGE, STYLE SALVAGE, DAZED DIGITAL & APE TO GENTLEMAN

Afro-creative: Adjoa Opoku

2011-10-25T11:00:00.002+11:00

ADJOA OPOKU / GRAPHIC DESIGNER / BFA FROM SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY / NOW A GRAD STUDENT AT THE SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS / SEES DESIGN AS A POWERFUL TOOL OF COMMUNICATION & SELF EXPRESSION

SOURCE: ADJOA OPOKU

Winning Day

2011-10-24T21:34:00.002+11:00

I have been obsessed with the Sass & Bide Spring/Summer 2012 Collection 'Winning Day'. Sass & Bide identifies the collection as 'a collective fusion of influences, being sport, the Eastern world, Kandinsky and a play on opposition and scale. And referenced elements of traditional Japanese dressing'.

I have been very drawn to certain pieces in the collection; The Mr Moustache Skirt, The Travellers Muse Jacket, The Destination Dress, and the Artists Soul Pants. The reason why I have been drawn, is because they remind me of Kente cloth. The linear pattern and bright colours used for the pieces are similar elements for what is used for Kente. I bet you could go to an African party with one of these pieces and someone would actually think you are wearing Kente as an Ankara print!

The pieces can be purchased at Sass&Bide.com

SOURCE: SASS & BIDE

SBS: African - Young People's stories

2011-10-23T23:29:00.001+11:00

I mentioned about three weeks ago how I got the opportunity to talk by experience as an African-Australian at National Conference for International Year of People of African Descent (IYFPOAD) along with 4 others - Effie Nkrumah, Helen Keteku, Sylvia Fobi and Nick Mbogua.

We were each given 5 minutes and in that time I spoke about my experience growing up, people forgetting that we go through an identity battle, being a creative studying at a tertiary level, starting Afroklectic, my experience in the UK and The Afroklectic Project with a snippet of the introduction video. I hope I am given the opportunity at a later date to discuss the full details of my experience and practice.

The talk has been posted on SBS: African - Young People's Stories.

PETROU/MAN SS 2012

2011-10-22T23:54:00.001+11:00

I was liking the PETROUMAN Spring/Summer 2012 collection I posted about a sneak peak of the collection in School Boy (01/09/2011). After seeing the complete collection, I now think it is an odd mix of the scrub uniform with the tailored suit and the explorer crisp khaki look with a sprinkle of ivy 'preppyness' (Yes, I just made that word up! But you get the drift). Quite experimental, somehow it works, but doesn't at the same time. I am a bit unsure about the whole collection, but the more I look at it, the more it grows on me.

SOURCE: PETROU/MAN

Expansion

2011-10-21T01:20:00.000+11:00

As part of the Afroklectic revamp from blog to creative hub, new mediums have been added. Afroklectic is now on Tumblr and Vimeo. A YouTube channel is also on the cards.

The Tumblr will serve as a visual library and audio library. Bits and pieces which inspire the concept of Afroklectic. The Vimeo channel will host all our video projects and collaborations.

If you are on either mediums follow us so we too can follow you and be inspired!!!

In my Possession

2011-10-19T12:17:00.000+11:00

The New African Fashion book by Helen Jennings is now in my possession. Like most of the other books I have purchased this year, this book will go into the 'To read when I finish Major Project' which is in about 1 month time! I have glimpsed through and I am in LOVE with the layout and photography!!!

Fashion. Thought. Revolution

2011-10-18T11:56:00.001+11:00

I have been seeing the cover of Issue #4 of the Pigeon and Peacocks magazine for a while now. When I first saw it I thought 'WOW. I will never get my hands on that magazine in Sydney'. So I got over it.

I walked into a random newsagency last week when I was on was on the hunt for lunch around Uni and I found the magazine. In a heartbeat I picked it up and walked over the counter. The nice old lady said to me 'Oh I didn't know where to put that magazine. It's very different to all the other magazines. Do you think I put it in a good spot?' I said 'Well I found it. So it seems to be in a good spot!'.

I walked out quite proud of my purchase but then something dawned on me. Why did she say that the magazine was different? Was it the fact that there were black people on the cover?

I flicked through the magazine to figure out what the lady was talking about. To me, the visual content looked similar to i-D, Wonderland or Frankie magazine. Magazines which are all stocked at this newsagency, so I couldn't understand why she thought Pigeon and Peacocks was 'different'?

My thoughts reminded me of a talk by Dr. Virgina Mapendzahama (University of Sydney, NSW, Australia) and Prof. Kwamena Ansah-Aidoo (Swinburne University, VIC, Australia) titled The Burden of Blackness: The White gaze, everyday racism and the black African experience in Australia (Listen). I heard at the National Conference IYFPOAD last month. One example made was when a black person goes to a shop and the salesperson is rude to them for no apparent reason and then the person leaves thinking 'Why was that person so rude to me? Is it because I am black?'

I generally don't have those kind of thoughts, but after I left the newsagency I started to think like that!

Besides that, the magazine's main feature for Issue #4 is 'Black Sploitation? Opening the debate' is great. The feature comprises of a series of articles covering African fashion and art accompanied by an electric spread titled Babes of Benin. An interesting read!

Witnessed

2011-10-17T12:34:00.000+11:00

When I went to London on exchange, one of my house mates was German and a mixed-race guy was interested in her. Initially she didn't know how to deal with the situation. We all though what is wrong with this girl, Boy likes you, Girl likes boy, simple! She thought of it slightly differently. He was black. It wasn't that she had anything again people, she just didn't know how to relate to black people. She admitted that never really interacted with black people before. She grew up in an area where there weren't any black people. Now I kind of understood where she was coming from but I didn't at the same time. I became quite curious about the experiences of black people in Germany.

Witnessed is now feeding my curiosity. Witnessed is a book series written by black authors, who live or have lived in Germany. This engaging concept was created by Sharon Dodua Otoo, who realised that people outside of Germany don't know about the experiences of black people in Germany. She writes "It is also incredible how little voice Black people within Germany have, despite decades of activism, academic research, creative publications and performances. So I thought - fine! If we don't find recognition within Germany, we surely can on an international stage".

SOURCE: AFRO-EUROPE

African Barbies

2011-10-13T21:55:00.001+11:00

I found these adorable images of African Babies on Tumblr. I just had to share!

Nigerian Babie

Kenyan Barbie

Ghanaian Barbie

Moroccan Barbie

African Goddess

SOURCE: RAW LIKE SUSHI

no one knows tomorrow

2011-10-10T12:00:00.003+11:00

Africa's tree lady

2011-10-08T09:00:00.000+11:00

"We’re constantly being bombarded by problems that we face and sometimes we can get completely overwhelmed. [But] we should always feel like a hummingbird. I may feel insignificant, but I don’t want to be like the other animals watching the planet go down the drain. I’ll be a hummingbird, I’ll do the best I can."

- WANGARI MAATHAI (1940 - 2011)

Founder of the Green Belt Movement. Environmental & political activist.

The first African woman to win the Nobel peace prize. A visionary.

Africa's tree lady.

May her soul rest in peace.

_____________________________________________________

Wangari Maathai will be remembered as a committed champion of the environment, sustainable development, women’s rights, and democracy.

Her energy and life-long dedication to improve the lives and livelihoods of people will continue to inspire generations of young people around the world.

- KOFI ANNAN (FORMER SECRETARY OF THE UN, NOBEL PEACE PRIZE LAUREATE, 2001)

the Vickie Remoe show

2011-10-07T16:39:00.001+11:00

I found this video on my Tumblr roll a month ago or so and I was intrigued by this lady. I don't remember what Tumblr, but you can check it out at This is Africa). Her name is Vickie Remoe. She was born Sierra Leone, Remoe fled her homeland to the US with her family in 1994 during the civil war. With a political science major under her belt, returned to Sierra Leone in 2007 to help rebuild her country. She started a blog prior to her return as a platform to share photos from a 2005 Centre for Peace and Global Citizenship sponsored trop to Sierra Leone. The blog turned into a hub for conversation for Sierra Leoneans abroad, and from that streamed the Vickie Remoe Show. A lifestyle program covering everything from fashion, the arts, entertainment and politics in Sierra Leone and other parts of Africa.

“The show for me was a way to kind of break into Sierra Leonean society because after a year of being here I still felt like I was [not] inside, like I was on holiday somewhere and not really integrating into the society,” Remoe said. “So I wanted to do something that would bring me closer to every day Sierra Leoneans who were not my family members.”

- VICKIE REMOE

I have seen a few snippets of the show and I think the show is a fresh conversation for the country.

As of August 2011, Vickie moved back to the US and details her experience in the video below.
"This is a personal video reflection on some issues from the time I spent in Sierra Leone. My thoughts range from daily frustrations, relationships with men and women, lack of opportunities for the youth, the expatriate and Lebanese communities, dating, NGOs, entrepreneurship and more. For all those of you thinking of moving back to Sierra Leone here are some things you need to know before you go".

- VICKIE REMOE

I admire Vickie in so many ways. The experience of going back home to do something different is something I aspire to. Although, I am not from Sierra Leone, I feel what Vickie is saying. Even though she praises Ghana, some of the issues she discusses in the video are the same as Ghana.

I made a promise to myself this year that I wouldn't go to Ghana for another four years or so. I was so disappointed with the country when I went back this year, that I couldn't bare going anytime soon, because I was scared it would just be worse. The Ghana I went to this year, didn't feel like the progressive Ghana I left two years ago. It felt as if the country had taken a step back.
I even left Ghana early than planned because I was that frustrated with the whole situation.

However, after watching this video about 10 billion times, my mind has shifted - only slightly. I am considering moving to Ghana for a year or two in the next four years. You can count on me doing a web series if I go through with it, because I will have plenty to say and plenty of things to show, whether good or bad!!!

SOURCES: SWEET SIERRA LEONE, SWIT SALONE, HOW WE MADE IN AFRICA, FACEBOOK & YOUTUBE

The Afroklectic Project: Experiential Research

2011-10-05T22:58:00.002+11:00

A few days ago I posted about The Afroklectic Project, a sneak peak at what I have been working on for my Major Project. I have mentioned previously that I have been interviewing young African-Australians. The video below gives insight to their creative practice, experiences as a creative within the African culture and their views of an African creative culture emerging in Australia.

National Conference: IYFPOAD

2011-10-03T18:00:00.002+11:00

On Friday, I was privileged enough to attend the National Conference celebrating the International Year of People of African Descent () hosted by the African Women Australia Inc. I also got the opportunity to share my experience growing up as a Ghanaian-Australian (I cover this in Identity battle 23/07/2011), being confused which side of the fence I was on, how I have used creativity to find myself and my Major Project (The Afroklectic Project).

I mentioned in one of the workshops focusing on youth that it's all well and good that Government and Council bodies are supporting the refugees, but people seem forget those of us born here. Everyone assumes we are fine because we are born here. However, we too have a different kind of struggle.

Now I have conquered and I have found myself, but if these issues are not addressed, if there is no support, then how is the wider community going to deal with the new generation of children born to refugee parents in Australia.

People were shocked. Shocked because they had never heard of this, but they also understood where I was coming from. We also discussed the divide between those of us born here and those who came to Australia. It's such a touchy subject in so many ways.

What can be done to address these matters? If you hold workshops, young people are not going to come. No one talks about it. We laugh about it all the time, but we don't actually talk about it.

People in the workshop, mentioned using the internet to start the conversation. That's the first thing I thought as well, hence Afroklectic. However, I don't think the internet should be the only way.

I went home and I told my parents my experience at the conference, what was discussed at the forum and I what I spoke about. They couldn't comprehend this whole identity issue, which I found quite frustrating so I gave up explaining. That's even another issue. Our parents don't understand our battle and we don't understand theirs. How do we find common ground?

So many questions are spinning through my head! I hope we can organize a youth conference in some way mirroring what occurred at National Conference celebrating the International Year of People of African Descent to discuss these matters further.

the afroklectic project

2011-10-01T07:30:00.004+10:00

This is just a sneak peak at what I have been working on for my major project.

For more you can check out my tumblr.

24 hours in Africa

2011-09-30T11:00:00.000+10:00

Here are some cute images '24 Hours.....' designed by Fernando Volken Togni, posted by Creative Roots. I would like to see 24 Hours in other African cities like Lagos or Accra or Nairobi. I wonder how Fernando Volken Togni visualize places like that! All I can think of Accra and Lagos is dust and haze.

The images took me back to the first time I went to Ghana. In 24 hours I saw a lot in Accra. Actually within 5 mins of landing I saw a lot. A few days after my arrival, I sent this email to my friends 'Dust on my glasses. smell of burning rubbish and diesel. Overcrowded trot-trots. Weird heat sensation. 50 billion people in a 2m diameter. Yep I have safely arrived in Ghana by the grace of God. I am truly feeling it. Only been here like 4 days or something, and feels like I have been here for like a month already'.

That email was a quarter of what I experienced. Not to mentioned the roads with pot holes the size of a football, open drains, bad driving the list goes on, however that is my beloved Ghana!!!

Visualize that!!!

SOURCE: CREATIVE ROOTS

growing up Naija

2011-09-29T10:30:00.002+10:00

Growing up Naika is a hilarious concept. I can just imagine these experiences, even though I didn't grow up in Africa.
I know if my friends and I got together and did this, we would have plenty to say about growing up African in Australia. Going to the shops and having people touching your braids, rocking up to school with rice & stew, classmates telling you that you smell like chocolate and OMGOSH you look like chocolate so they might as well eat you, when it's actually your Palmers or Evasheen CocoButter cream.

SOURCE: JUNGLE LOVE

feeling fela

2011-09-28T14:00:00.000+10:00

There must be Fela fever going around. There was the Swizz Beatz vs. Fela Kuti Pt. 1 featuring songs by of course Swizz Beatz, Beyoncé, Eve and T.I. Now there is Fela Soul by Gummy Soul, a mixtape of Fela classic tunes merged the tunes of De La Soul.

I am digging Fela Soul soul so much more than Swizz Beatz vs. Fela Kuti Pt. 1. I think Fela Soul sounds more in tuned and has an amazing chill out soulful sound. I would expect nothing less than that when you are mixing a legend of Afro-soul with legends of hip-hop. It is the correct level of fusion! Both are available for free download.

Fela Soul is a musical tapestry created by Gummy Soul artist Amerigo Gazaway. More than just a clever title, Fela Soul is an 8-track, 33 minute journey into the world of afrobeat rhythms, funky horn riffs, and classic hip-hop gems. Using dozens of hand-picked samples from the Nigerian instrumentalist and political figure Fela Kuti, and 8 carefully-chosen acapellas from the Native Tongue rap trio De La Soul, Amerigo seamlessly intertwines the two into something completely new and original.

- GUMMY SOUL

Swizz Beatz uses his skills as a top-notch producer in putting out a mix which can be seen as a tribute to one of the Legends of African music, Fela Kuti. The multi-talented producer teamed up with DJ Runna to mash-up nine-tracks made up of vocals from some tracks produced by Swizz Beatz such as; Touch It by Busta Rhymes, Get Bodied by Beyoncé and Tambourine by Eve, whilst their tune remained afrobeat as done by Fela.

- DJ MIGHT MIKE

African fever

2011-09-27T11:58:00.001+10:00

I have already made mention previously that I am not fussed about this whole Ankara debate surrounding Burberry. A few days ago I posted about a collection I wasn't really feeling. I just couldn't imagine myself in it. As for the Burberry 2012 Spring Ready-to-Wear collection, I can imagine myself virtually everything even the menswear! I love how every detail is considered. It's not just about the clothing, but the complete look and how it works well with accessories and so forth.

Christopher Bailey has concocted a mix of crochet, beading, carving, weaving, braiding, printing with a lot of colour to create an amazing collection of pieces. According to Style.com, Bailey was inspired by British artist Henry Moore, but we all know the core of this collection. I think Bailey has African fever at the moment and I like it!

SOURCE: COUTE QUE COUTE & STYLE.COM