First Look: Sika Designs Unveils 'Blossom'

Shop Liquorice paid Sika Designs a visit at their boutique in Greenwich Market, London to experience the brand up close and personal. What we discovered was a well-thought out and executed plan to create a ready-to-wear label ethically infused with Africa as an alternative to high street offerings. 

Founder Phyllis Taylor adopts a very hands-on approach to sourcing textiles and supervising production in Ghana. Each collection is ethically made locally and held to very high standards for design, fit and finish, resulting in simple and charming pieces that can be worn off the rack.

Sika Designs's latest collection, Blossom, follows in the tradition of previous collections, mixing prints in a variety of silhouettes (our favourites being the one-shoulder pieces) fit for casual and formals excursions.

 

With attention from Vogue.com, Vogue Japan, Grazia and FADER, Sika Designs (see more Sika Designs Press here) is certainly one to keep watching, and as they prepare to move to a bigger store space in the coming weeks, Shop Liquorice wishes this stunning example of an African-owned retail brand continued success.

Shop Blossom and past collection online here.

- SLiq

Spotlight: Ghubar Magazine's Blackbird Editorial

It's a little odd - for folks who live in mostly black, we feel little cartwheels in our brains when we see rich displays of colour. These images from Ghubar Magazine's June 2011 music issue are currently the backdrops for our good moods. Stunning model (Fadoum Kane), brilliant photography (Sarah Diouf, Editor-in-Chief of Ghubar) and the most outstanding sunglasses by Mercura NYC which we find ourselves wanting all of a sudden. We'll even have the feathers, too.

Read the June 2011 edition of Ghubar Magazine online here.

- SLiq

Images: Ghubar Magazine

Spotlight: Suno NY Resort 2012

Suno's Resort 2012 mood board [via Refinery 29]

Suno's Max Osterweis and Erin Beatty have said a number of times that they're not bound to Kenya's kanga print as the revolving point for their aesthetic, so we weren't expecting much in that regard. The thing with Suno, though, is that it's almost impossible to predict where they'll take print next, so, without further ado, here's what we couldn't have predicted.

Suno's Resort '12 takes a dizzying (the good kind) journey through bursts of Hawaiian inspired print, plaid and floral combi/clashinations, touches of sophistication via silk prints, embellishments (see the last set of photos for proof) and all-round amazingness, really. The charm-like accessories brought another dose of the bold, all suitably offset with plimsolls in a way that's very Suno through and through. 

We hear Soko Kenya will be partly responsible for production of some Suno pieces -- it's always heart-warming to know that while Suno has come a long way since it's kanga-filled days, it hasn't veered much from the original vision of supporting Africa(ns) through trade and economic empowerment. For that, the reasons above, and many more, we'll probably always have an eye out for Suno's unpredictable wonderfulness.

Does this collection do it for you, too?

- SLiq

Images: Style

Spotlight: Omer Asim Spring/Summer 2011

When we saw Omer Asim's spring/summer 2011 collection, we gasped and then gasped some more. Read a summary of his influences above and feed your eyes on his execution below.

We're certainly keeping tabs and this brand and all going according to plan, we'll be able to lay our paws on an Omer Asim original soon.

Enjoy!

XO

Photos courtesy of Omer Asim PR

Spotlight: William Okpo Spring/Summer 2011

Seems like just yesterday we introduced WilliamOkpo to you in the first installment of our Discover Series. And now, they're back with a Spring/Summer 2011 collection that's light, sheer, two-tone, easy and has us longing for warmer days. Here are our five top picks:

a) This look reminds us a little of Alexander Wang's once ubiquitous leather/denim jackets. We love the contrast between heavy and light and we especially love that the sleeves are sheer.

b) Same as above but this look is particularly unpretentious, unfussy and good-to-go.

c) We've been obsessed with sleeveless collared shirts for a minute. Love the effect.

d)  The perfect maxi dress. Well, almost perfect -- we'd like one with long sleeves too, please. GORGEOUS.

e) We're digging this boho chic dress. Very modern flower child.

f) BONUS: Okay, we know we said 5, but we just couldn't leave this one out. What's Spring without a trench, and this particular trench for that matter?

See the entire collection here and shop their first collection at Opening Ceremony here (ongoing sale!).

XO

Spotlight: Boxing Kitten S/S 2011

We've always been fans of the Boxing Kitten aesthetic. Print on print done in a way that's instantly recognizable is what most thrills us about them and their latest collection tows the same line but shakes things up a little. For spring 2011, there's an assortment of cutout pieces, leopard trims, rompers, dresses...heck, even pedal pushers make the cut! What most stands out, however, is their incorporation of kente & the way it works so well side-by-side ankara -- definitely unique and charming.

See the entire collection here. Any guesses which one Solange'll wear first?

XO

Spotlight: Lola Faturoti Spring/Summer 2011

Lola Faturoti's S/S 2011 is endlessly stunning. Vibrant leaf motif prints on silk transform simple, unfussy silhouettes alongside a flurry of colour, a distinct touch of Mali by way of mudcloth print and a fluidity and playfulness that makes us long for Spring. Our highlights are African Print re-invented on jersey, silk & chiffon, the scrumptious colours, a fair helping of embellishments and the spectrum of shapes and lengths. Our must-have piece? This intense kimono jacket. 

 One or two of these looks invoke a sense of deja vu from past collections (the use of pleating and African Print on multiple mediums, for instance) -- signature elements, perhaps? If it ain't broke...

Absolutely fantamazing. Visit Lola Faturoti's website here and stay connected via Facebook and Twitter here and here respectively.

XO

Spotlight: Agnes & Lola

[Agnes & Lola model wears Afromania by Nkwo shorts, 35 pounds]

We have lots of happy places on the webternets and we're especially glad to introduce our new one to you. Gone are the days of endless moaning about the dearth of e-stores that cater to Africa's fashion scene. With e-stores like Africhic, Myasho, and now, Agnes & Lola, setting the pace, there's never been a better time to Shop Africa. Agnes & Lola (a combination of the founder's name and her grandmother's) features the work of some of Africa's finest, including Chichia London, Nkwo, Lalesso, and an assortment of ethically produced pieces from independent designers. We're proud to see Africa's fashion scene rise and we're excited about Agnes & Lola's contribution.

Happy shopping!

XO

Thanks to Christine Mhando for the heads-up!

Spotlight: Phunkafrique 2010

[Funke Ogunde of Phunkafrique]

Last weekend saw the unveiling of a new Phunkafrique collection alongside two new lines - Phunk kids (for your favourite little people!) and Alionet, which Funke describes as a more "avant garde", "mature" and "sophisticated" line. Since its debut in 2007, Phunkafrique has steadily worked its way into many-a-closet, with its mixture of custom made and ready-to-wear pieces. Nowadays, the brand has definitely matured and seems poised for a total closet takeover. Their new collection includes tops, dresses and separates and it won't be long now before Phunkafrique evolves into a bona fide lifestyle brand. Here are some photos from the event:

***

The knockout piece! Swaths of multi-colored fabric create quite the statement dress. So fab! Gimme gimme:

Funky, fresh tops:

Delightful separates! We especially like the layered ruffle sleeves:

Cocktail dresses:

The Phunkafrique spread:

More pieces:

Phunk kids! TOOOOO cute:

***

Love the delicious bright colors and shapes! Definitely looking forward to more from this promising brand. TO ORDER:

Phone (lagos, nigeria): 0803 306 9807

E-mail: phunkafrique(at)yahoo.co.uk

XO

Photos courtesy of Funke Ogunde.