Revamped & Reloaded: Mataano Website

[A silk chiffon romper from Mataano's S/S '11 collection. Available here, courtesy of The W.]

We believe that websites should be living, breathing entities, not static pages that say 'coming soon' for yonks. Ahem. That said, we really like Mataano's new and improved website: straight to the point, fresh, uncluttered and not unlike the brand in those ways. While their e-store is missing in action (a feature we fondly remember from the first version of the website), you can shop two pieces from their S/S collection online, courtesy of The W -- yes, the hotel chain. Pretty big deal, no? The W has a range called Global Glam, and while a Duro Olowu piece featured in their first collection, the spotlight is now on the Mataano girls.

Enjoy their new website (and recent Arise Magazine Fashion Week collection) here and shop here.

- SLiq

Photo courtesy of The W

African Designers Online: Odio Mimonet

For a continent that's experiencing quite the fashion boom, it gives us much concern that many brands still haven't crossed the digital divide. Shocking, really, and a severe underestimation of portals that continue to shape fashion and keep other brands elsewhere ahead. With free tools like Facebook, Twitter, and Blogger, do African Designers really have any excuses?

We said all that to say this: Odio Mimonet's website has undergone quite the overhaul. It's not where it needs to be but at least it's not where it was -- which wasn't anywhere near befitting, to be honest. See what you make of the new Odio Mimonet e-experience here and let us know what you think!

XO

African Designers Online: Christie Brown

A few months ago, we sent the powers that be at Christie Brown an e-mail literally begging them step it up re: their website. Today, we're glad to report that steps have been taken in the direction of our request and christiebrownonline.com is now live! Visit to refresh your memories of collections gone by and to get a closer look at a brand that's poised to make Africa and the rest of the world pay close attention. Ready to shop? MyAsho has you covered.

XO

Image courtesy of the Christie Brown Lookbook

African Designers Online: Boudoir D'huitres

We've  only just discovered Boudoir D'huitres and we know it's only May and there are 7 months left in 2010...but we're pretty certain this brand is one of our greatest "discoveries" yet. Between the magical, insane, larger-than-life, dream-like website which we're planning on moving into (seriously), and the frighteningly amazing clothes in each collection, and the unbelievable (almost humiliating) talent of the head designer, Mimi Plange, we really have nothing to say, other than: visit this website. Please. And we dare you to want to leave.

XO

Spotlight: Maki Oh F/W 2010

MAKI OH PRESENTS "EVERYTHING IN PROPORTION"

ABOUT MAKI OH [By Amaka Osakwe]: "Aroused by a strong sense of identity and African culture, the brand creates alluring conversational pieces that fuse traditional techniques with detailed construction."

- - -

There's hardly a day that goes by that we don't make a new Africa-related discovery. Our latest "find" comes from a word-of-mouth recommendation - a good friend attended a fashion presentation in Lagos recently and wouldn't stop gushing. So we decided to pay attention.

- - -

[photo courtesy of flickr user versartile]

Maki Oh's F/W 2010 12-piece debut collection draws its strength from a fusion of art and tradition, resulting in bold, crafted pieces that are a unique and refreshing take on traditional fabrics like indigo cloth [popularly called "aaro" <ah-row>] common among the Yoruba people of western Nigeria. Modern design elements are infused with cultural undertones - draping, silk and sheer detailing co-exist alongside aso-oke [woven cloth], adire [traditional tie-and-dye] without the slightest hint that they don't belong together.

[photo courtesy of flickr use versartile]

According to Maki Oh, the collection successfully captures the concept of "coming of age" because it captures "self-discovery through a gradual systematic cloaking and adornment in the ornamental sensuality of womanhood, as seen in the rites of passage around the continent...[including] the progressive rituals of the dipo ceremony of rural Ghana..." This is a collection that's bound to engage those among us with a penchant for history and even those among us who simply have an abiding love for all things beautiful.


Here's a closer look at the pieces:

- - -

a. Loose harem-style pants [aso-oke in the first look and indigo cloth in the second] with tapered cuffs. The indigo pants are particularly charming paired with a top fashioned from "hand-cut and stitched calabash pieces."

b. Indigo and other shades of blue vie with sheer tops for attention. The circle motifs seen extensively throughout this collection speak to "the partial nudity of the initiates throughout the dipo ceremony."

c. Dresses feature the predominant colors in this collection - beige and blue. The sheer panels and motifs that adorn the beige dresses are extraordinary.

d. Jumpsuits with clinched waists and varying necklines. The piece on the extreme right is to-die-for.

Absolutely brilliant and definitely on our list of out-of-Africa/Nigeria brands to watch. How impressed are you on a scale of 1-10?

o o o

Connect with Maki Oh:

Website: maki-oh.com

Mobile: +234 704 267 6744

E-mail: info@maki-oh.com

XO

African Designers Online: ASCHOBI//www.aschobi.com

[From Aschobi's Bubble Pop Debul Collection]

o o o

We're always on the prowl for out-of-Africa brands with websites because, let's call a spade a spade - that's not too much to ask in 2010. Thus, it was with joy and the utmost delight that we found out about out-of-Sierra Leone brand Aschobi's new website! Adama Kai of Aschobi is certainly one of the most talented African designers we've come across and we continue to be wowed by her work season after season. The website's design is simple and uncluttered and includes pertinent information about the brand's ethos, past collections, and the opportunity to sign up for a newsletter. Visit Aschobi's new e-home here now and let us know what you think!

Also, this isn't the first time we've featured Aschobi. Re-visit their latest collection here and their Arise Africa Fashion Week showing here.

o o o

CONNECT WITH ASCHOBI

Website: aschobi.com

New Facebook Fan Page: Aschobi

Twitter: twitter.com/aschobi

XO

fyi: deolasagoedesign.com relaunches as deolasagoe.net!

deola sagoe has a brand new website! her deolasagoedesign.com e-home is still up but we've also just discovered a new and revamped deolasagoe.net! be sure to check it out. clearly, deola sagoe and her team are NOT playing. NY fashion week here we come!

catch up on our past deola sagoe @ NYFW posts here.

xo

spotlight: korto momolu's statement necklaces

we're biiiiig suckers for statement necklaces, so it was with copious amounts of joy that we looked through korto momolu's e-store and found some of the most beautiful necklaces...of all-time!

about the collection//in korto's words:

"I use a lot of African beads as well as a lot of things made out of resin because my necklaces tend to be chunky and bulky, so I try to use materials that are not as heavy as using the actual stones and metals. A lot of glass beads. Some of the beads are from Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania. I love texture, there’s a lot of texture, my variation of textures, in all the pieces. I love turquoise. I also used feathers in some of the designs, I’ve always loved feathers and there are many different variations of feather earrings, so I thought “How can I make mine different?” I like the chains and the feathers. It has a soft and a hard feel to it. They’re made out of silver." [source]

to purchase, visit korto momolu's e-store, where she also has tees and purses for sale.

xo

spotlight: GREY by obi obi and ruki ladoja

first, the back story: we were in Lagos a while ago and "Grey" kept popping up - in idle chatter, in magazines, online, etc. we paid attention. we LOVED. and the price tags? nothing pretentious or stuffy. we'll say it again: NOTHING PRETENTIOUS OR STUFFY. how often do we see that with out-of-africa brands? nowhere near often enough. with that, our love affair with Grey started. now, to the main story:

in their words: so listen! this is not couture. it's not even high fashion. it's just clothes. great wearable clothes, designed and made by the 'boy and girl of Grey.'

why we love 'grey': because it's a collaboration between a boy (obi obi) and girl (ruki ladoja) who clearly understand the art of fabulous pieces with price points that don't break the bank. because anyone who's looking to invigorate her work wardrobe finally has somewhere to turn, and because, let's face it, there's absolutely NOTHING grey about grey :-) grey is a surefire recipe for instant fabulousness and it's in your best interest to jump on the bandwagon while there's space.

oh, and good news! GREY's hosting an event this sunday, dec 20th. get ready to shop, folks!:

more info here.

***

connect with GREY:

blog

xo

african designers online: ituen basi

goodness, we've discovered quite a few exciting new websites this week. up next, we have the fabulously talented ituen basi! her 2009 ankara and beads collection has been spotted at several events and we can't wait to get a piece of the action. her Arise Award for Innovation in Craftsmanship is certainly well-deserved and we eagerly anticipate her future collections.

happy exploring!

website: ituen basi

facebook: ituen basi

e-mail: ask@ituenbasi.co.uk

shop online: myasho

xo

african designers online: phunkafrique by funke ogunde

...yet another fabulous site for your perusal! funke ogunde of phunkafrique is the latest african designer to make her way to the grand center stage that is the worldwide web and we love what she has done with her little corner. her phunkstars section (featuring fashionistas wearing phunkafrique) is a charming touch but her version of shopping online is a creative approach to catering to the made-to-measure market. see what we mean here.

enjoy exploring www.phunkafrique.net!

xo

p.s. see previous posts on phunkafrique here, including her easter 2009 collection.

ShopAfrica: kua designs by ruby buah

[photo courtesy of mimi magazine]

she's SO good we had to blog about her twice. we introduced ruby buah's delightful ghana-inspired straw clutches to you a little while ago...now, thanks to a notification on her facebook page, we present one of the most well-thought out and beautifully executed websites we've seen. the photos are amazing, her new online store is deliciously well-stocked, and her pieces absolutely must make their way into our closets very, very soon.

how can one brand be so darn fabulous????? we blog for moments like this.

while you're at it, explore her second brand, stringz attached, featuring gorgeous pieces of jewelry.

jump on the bandwagon while there's still space. don't say we didn't warn you :-)

***

connect with ruby buah/kua designs/stringz attached:

website: kua designs

facebook: KUA

SHOP ONLINE: kua designs + etsy + stringz attached

blog: my kua

twitter: kua designs

e-mail: ruby@rubybuah.com

xo

african designers online: zebra living by ugoma ebilah

we're always super excited whenever we discover african/africa-inspired designers who realize the value of showcasing their talent online. today, we're especially excited it's ugoma ebilah's zebra living that has taken the plunge. discover zebra living's collections, latest pieces, and much, much more HERE!

***

for more information on Zebra Living:

website: zebra living

facebook: living zebra

blog: zebra loves

e-mail: info@zebraliving.com

be sure to spread the word!

xo

african designers online: lanre da-silva ajayi

we pride ourselves on stalking african designers because stalking usually yields very exciting results. today, we found out that lanre da silva-ajayi has a website...we're assuming this is a recent development because we've never bumped into it before.

check on it!

we love her even more now!!

xo

lanre da silva-ajayi

website: www.lanredasilvaajayi.com

showroom: 

1B lanre da silva close

off hannat balogun dolphin extension 

ikoyi, lagos

nigeria

phone: +234-802-394-1463

e-mail: info@lanredasilvaajayi.com

xo

p.s. all photos used in this post are from lanredasilvaajayi.com.