Africa-Inspired/Etsy Love: blackmarketbaby

[The Cape Dress, blackmarketbaby by Audrey Catwell]

A few months ago, we posted photos from Alexander McQueen's Fall/Winter 2000 collection, rich with inspiration from Yoruba culture, legend and tradition. Africa-inspired collections often draw from the color and vibrancy of the continent, with African Print being the preferred medium and the darling of the fashion world. Yet, some others step over to the dark side and explore the underbelly of magic realism and voodoo. Audrey Cantwell's latest collection, Mysterium, takes the road less-travelled and offers inspired and wearable pieces that tow the line between light, dark, and the unseen. Great visuals, great pieces, see the entire collection here & shop here.

--

We're curious to know what you think! Is the nod to "black magic" distracting or does it make the pieces more fascinating? 

XO

Who Wore What: Alicia Keys//Christian Louboutin

        Yes, we're still fixated on stills from the Alicia Keys/Beyonce photoshoot. Notice Alicia Keys' FABULOUS print pumps? She's wearing this pair of Louboutins:

But that's not all. These pumps are not just any pumps - absolutely not! They have elements from the design aesthetic of a South African tribe called the South Ndebele all over them:

Notice the correlation with their distinct geometric art [usually painted on the interior and exterior of their homes]? In fact, the gold adornments on the pumps could also be said to pay homage to the elaborate neck and ankle pieces the South Ndebele often wear:

Very clever Mr. Louboutin :-) Repeat offender much?

Ha! We love. That's all for today, folks! Please tune in for more tomorrow. We literally have piles of posts we need to share before we implode!

XO