Africa In The News: ASOS to launch ASOS Africa Feb. 21

Last weekend, we were brainstorming new posts [even though we have a backlog of a hundred thousand posts we haven't published yet!] when we found out about a new initiative from online retailer ASOS called ASOS Africa. In connection with SOKO Kenya, ASOS is set to release ASOS Africa  under its new Green Room initiative ["a new online marketplace which brings together and highlights brands that promote people and the planet"]. According to the Green Room blog, the ASOS Africa collection will be produced "in collaboration with artisans and small communities in Kenya and Tanzania."  We've seen a sneak peek of what to expect - there's a mixture of kanga print [which seems to be catching on quite nicely, thanks to brands like Chichia London and Suno], wax print, and some accessories. Here's the full press release...

[click to enlarge or read it here]

...and here are some pieces from the first collection:

They really are very lovely wardrobe staples! However, since they're pretty affordable and accessible, they could very well prove to be a challenge for higher priced out-of-Africa and Africa-inspired brands with similar pieces. That said, ASOS must be commended for bridging the gap between the demand for African print pieces and the less-than-stellar supply structure that sometimes exists.

Excited about ASOS Africa? Why? Why not?

[Blazer - 70 GBP; Shorts - 40 GBP]

See more pieces here and follow the Green Room blog here to stay connected.

XO

paying attention: the NY Times//designing to an afro beat

[l-r: SUNO NY spring/summer 2009; rodarte spring 2010; na'vi, a character from the movie AVATAR]

in october 2009, we blogged about an article from the New York Times titled "putting african style on the page." once again, the NYT focuses on africa's influence on mainstream culture in a recent piece titled "designing to an afro beat." we're glad africa is slowly but surely getting its due recognition.

read the article here and view its accompanying slideshow, "the in continent", here.

xo

in the news: model launches zimbabwe fashion week

earlier this week, we stumbled on an exciting headline via afripopmag announcing the upcoming arrival of "Zimbabwe's first ever fashion week." Zimbabwe Fashion Week (ZFW) is the brainchild of 28-year old international model, Priscilla Chigariro, and is the first of its kind in Zimbabwe.

incidentally, this is the first time on this blog we've mentioned Zimbabwe and fashion in the same sentence. we're anticipating big things at ZWF early next year. stay tuned for details.

more info here and here.

o o o

stay connected with ZFW -

[pictured: priscilla chigariro]

website: zimbabwe fashion week

twitter: zimfashionweek

e-mail: info@zimbabwefashionweek.com

blog

xo

in the news: luella bartley for david tlale

amidst news that british design house, luella bartley, has ceased trading comes news of a collaboration with south africa's david tlale, set to debut in stores just before christmas.

more info. here!

xo

in the news: Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation launches National Dress Brand

we're still processing this news item but we thought we'd share anyway. the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation has decided to create what they're terming a "National Dress Brand" for all nigerians. citing ghana's distinct kente cloth and its recognition such that one can hardly think ghana without thinking kente, Otunba Runsewe, the managing director of NTDC, stated at the unveiling of this movement last week that:

“We have decided to introduce a Nigerian Dress Brand that appeal[s] to the dress sense of all Nigeria[ns], depending on the choice, quality and price.” We found the Ankara textile fabric as one that cuts across every ethnic, cultural and social borders (sic) to bring unity and economic development to our textile mills and the people.

“Though, Ankara is mostly used at social gatherings but we want to encourage it more like the Kente in Ghana which has become the order of the day and you can find it everywhere in the world and the people are very proud of it. Why can’t the Ankara rule the world too? Nigeria is big and [there is] no part of the world that you cannot find Nigeria[ns] so let['s] start to use it anywhere we go to show that we have some things unique [to us] too.”

apparently, brands like jewel by lisa, zizi cardow, and amede are working with the NTDC on this project, and NTDC plans to carry out its objectives in partnership with City People magazine.

more here and here.

thoughts?

xo

paying attention: NY Times

we (and several other people like us) have been tooting africa's fashion scene's horn for a while. now several others are paying attention. read a recent NY Times special report titled "putting african style on the page" here.

xo

in the news: the 2009 TIME 100, CNBC feature on africa

in case you missed it, a few africans made it on Time's list of "the world's most influential people", including zambia's dambisa moyo (author of "dead aid"), paul kagame (president of rwanda), and niger's hadizatou mani (CEO of women for women international).

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also, listen/watch Nike Ogunlesi (CEO of ruff 'n' tumble, nigeria) speak on her experience as an entrepreneur in the fashion industry here:



[from the CNBC feature "dollars and danger: africa, the final investing frontier", also worth watching in its entirety]

xo

in the news: malick sidibé

[by malick sidibé, courtesy of google]

we've gushed before about seydou keita's exquisite black and white photographs here. we're very much in love with this delightful trend and mali's malick sidibé's "prints and the revolution" as seen in the New York Times magazine. his focus here is on modern interpretations of ethnic/tribal/chicafrique style (think marc jacobs + d&g a la time magazine) and its new esteemed place amongst young and upcoming. take this look, for instance:



(Aichata Sylla wears an Oscar de la Renta navy-and-white polka-dot blouse. Miu Miu black-and-white skirt. Marc Jacobs sash. Belt from New York Vintage. Miu Miu bag. Cole Haan shoes. Philip Treacy hat. Louis Vuitton earrings.)

(source: ny times magazine)

it's further evidence that the mix-and-match and throw-it-all-together trend is very much in full swing. unfortunately, not many african designers were showcased. once again, only a duro olowu polka dot jacket made the cut:



you know us -- we're all for more african designers getting their fair share of the spotlight. how much longer do we have to wait? or do we have to make things happen ourselves? food for thought.

in the meantime, enjoy the slideshow here.

xo

fyi: 234next.com

haven't heard of 234next.com?

hmmm. you're only missing out on the best website with news out of nigeria and beyond. and its fabulous columns, columnists, and blogs. and its fashion & style section. AND ITS FASHION AND STYLE SECTION. for effect :-)

so...yeah...you should probably jump up and on the bandwagon, like, yesterday :-)

more here.

xo

in the news: THISDAY launches ARISE @ NY fashion week

if you're anything like us, you probably hoard the free thisday style inserts that come with every thisday sunday newspaper. if you're anything like us, you're MAJORLY looking forward to the unveiling of thisday's ARISE magazine at fashion week this spring. oh, and if you haven't already heard, there's this neat little (more like HUGE) event called "the african fashion collective" happening live and direct at fashion week in less than 2 weeks!!!

we're SO stoked we're this close to changing our middle names to stoked.

more info here.

xo

routing for: adejoke taiwo

[the strapless day dress by adejoke taiwo]

this just in: we africans sure do get around! but you already knew that :-) we know we're not the only ones who get unreasonably excited (yes, breakdancing been known to spontaneously happen) when young, driven africans spice up our favorite reality shows :-) soooo without further ado, expect great things on this season's project runway canada! aside from the fact that iman's (*bows*) the hostess with the mostest, 24-year old adejoke taiwo of alala dreamer is one of the contestants!!!! never heard of her? well, we hadn't until now ourselves...so let's play catch up, shall we?


here's her website
her facebook fan page
her designer profile for project runway
and her audition video

isn't she GREAT? lol. YAAAAAY africa! we especially love that her african heritage is part of her aesthetic...

"My parents’ Nigerian background really influences my design sense. I find the fabrics inspiring and the silhouettes completely different from North American culture. It’s exciting."

...and the inspiration behind alala dreamer:

àlalá is noun in the native Yorùbá language of Nigeria; àlalá is defined as dreamer. The àlalá collection designed for the optimistic woman.

once again, YAAAAAAY africa :-) now that we're all caught up, mark your calendars! season 2 of project runway canada starts TODAY!!! hopefully we'll get in on the action via youtube...

spread the word!!!

xo

in the news: uganda seeking mini skirt ban

look what you went and started, nigeria. the sentiments are the same - 'nakedness' and 'indecency' are the indices of immorality, so take the mini skirt away and modesty shall return to the world!!!!!! it's thing kind of silly, facile thinking that's responsible for...you know what? not gonna go there today. what say you?

more here.

xo

in the news: mtv AFRICA music awards 2008

hello folks! so much to look forward to this year! the latest event on our radar? the first ever MTV africa music awards this november!!!!! GET IT, AFRICA!!! about time! we're on fireeee, no be beans talk*! lol.

more info right here and here.

spread the word!

xo

*for those of you who read that and were like "HUH?!", those are lyrics from 9ice's hit single, gongo aso.