This Just In: Bunmi Koko

Yes, yes and yes to e-commerce -- especially of the Bunmi Koko variety. Pieces from their Geisha collection have moved from shop floor to sale section, and their Matriarchy collection is making its way to centre stage. We spy a red dress, tops and fringed leggings, and we expect to see accessories (scarves, etc.) soon. You may recall that Bunmi Koko's Matriarchy collection was inspired by masquerades and girl power -- not the typical route one might expect but refreshing and poignant nonetheless. We can't stop looking at the graphic print tops (above and below). Perfection and a half. Now saving.

Happy shopping.

- SLiq

Love: Eyola Online

We've blogged about this wondrous corner of the web before but we think it bears repeating. We've lived through the eras of the statement necklace and the statement pump at every corner, but if you're serious about sourcing the most expertly-executed couture pieces that don't look much like anything else you've seen before, make a pit stop at Eyola's online boutique and prepare to be blown away by piece after piece of statement luxury. The Merrasuq Octave (above) is our obsession of choice and the very height of perfection.

Happy shopping!

XO

In The News: Michelle Obama to wear Bunmi Koko

[L-R: Francis Udom <Bunmi's partner>, Bunmi Olaye <of Bunmi Koko, wearing Bunmi Koko> & a guest wearing Bunmi Koko at the Africa Fashion Awards in June. Photo courtesy of Simon Deiner.]

We blog for moments like this. 

We've gone on and on about Bunmi Koko's bright star that just keeps shining brighter and brighter. After a string of successes, they have yet another feather to add to their now very, very feathery cap. They sent a "prospectus of [their] designs to the White House", Michelle Obama took a liking to a particular cream coat and, as you do, sent word to Bunmi Koko that she'd like one. Needless to say, Mrs. O will receive her cream Bunmi Koko coat in time for fall & Bunmi Koko's website may very well crash, amongst other things.

Truly epic, truly extraordinary! We're exceedingly excited for this amazing, amazing brand and can't wait to watch more and more of their brilliance unfold.

XO

Source:

This is London

The Independent

P.S. We wonder, could this coat from Bunmi Koko's Geisha's Reform collection be the cream coat in question? Time will tell.

Spotlight: Bunmi Koko @ Graduate Fashion Week [Full Collection Photos]

As promised yesterday, we bring you Bunmi Koko's 6-piece preview collection at Graduate Fashion Week. We don't even know where to begin. Here's a closer look:

Absolutely incredible. From her use of unusual textures to her fluid tie-dyeesque print and tiny details that leave us beside ourselves with awe, this collection is sophistication, edge and art incarnate. We eagerly await seeing the full collection at Africa Fashion Week on July 1, 2010. In the meantime, Bunmi Koko is nominated for 3 awards at the Gala/Wrap-up event for Graduate Fashion Week, including the highly coveted River Island Womenswear Gold Award worth 20,000 pounds.

We wish Bunmi Koko continued success and the very, very best now and always.

XO

Many, many thanks to the following photo sources:

catwalk queen

fashion foie gras

Spotlight: Bunmi Koko's Bunmi Olaye @ Graduate Fashion Week 2010

[Designer Bunmi Olaye, via Mimi Magazine]

[Bunmi Koko's designs at Graduate Fashion Week via Telegraph]

A new fashion darling is slowly but surely being crowned in London's style circuit. Bunmi Koko's Bunmi Olaye is a 28-year-old Nigerian designer who just participated at Graduate Fashion Week today (Sunday) with this year's graduating class of University of East London (UEL), and a woman with an extraordinary point of view who is destined for great things.

[Efik masquerades: Inspiration for the collection]

Her "Matriarchy" collection touched on powerful women who left their mark and as the Telegraph describes it: "Bunmi's collection, inspired by the mysterious men-only Leopard Masquerade cult of the Efik tribe in the Nigerian province of Calabar, mixed with references to the high-collars, tight waists and voluminous sleeves of the Victorian era, was the "star" of (UEL's) catwalk show today."

[Mood board for the "Matriarchy" collection]

In Bunmi's words, the collection evokes "The feeling of a warrior-like woman in power. The look plays with new proportions and the pairing of very different fabrics, precious materials such as cotton raffia, bells and beads, silks, sheep fur and woven wools with unexpected details."

With work experience at Alexander McQueen under her belt and the creative ingenuity to re-invent herself collection after collection, there's no doubt in our minds that Africa's fashion scene has a new rising star and it's just as well that she's debuting at Africa Fashion Week later this month. From the little we've seen, we're completely enamored of the cultural elements that coalesced in this collection to birth magical pieces that usher the bold arrival of an exceptional talent.

Please stay tuned for more photos from her collection.

XO