Buy-It-Now: Lalesso Flats, £30

Summertime - heck, anytime - is a good time to add some extra pep to your step with colourful ballet flats. These pairs from Kenya-based brand, Lalesso, were produced by SOKO Kenya (also responsible for the Asos Africa phenom) and retail for 30 pounds online. Shop here for a variety of colours. 

Would you wear print on your feet?

- SLiq

Shop Liquorice's "Buy-it-Now" series takes our obsession with "Shopping Africa" a little further. Need chic and cheap pieces and not sure where to look? Eager to include Africa on your shopping list but don't have lots to spare? Shop Liquorice's "Buy-it-Now" presents the most fabulous finds on the web, so all you have to do is click and wait for your piece of Africa to make its way to you.

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

Love: Kwesi Abbensetts//Those pants!

These pants make us want to take a voyage to a faraway place wearing nothing but loose print bottoms, a roomy tee and sandals. Love the use of contrasting fabric on the high waist and love the relaxed, perfectly-happy-in-my-own skin vibe the model exudes. 

See more photos here, courtesy of the very, very amazing Kwesi Abbensetts, whose photographs never cease to spark conversations and desire.

XO

Who Wore What: Estelle and Solange in Boxing Kitten

[Boxing Kitten designer Maya Lake and Estelle]

What a year it has been for Boxing Kitten! Their emergence as one of the go-to brands for unique African Print couldn't have come at a better time, with Spring/Summer 2010 unofficially called the "All Africa Everything" season. So who's wearing Boxing Kitten this time?

Estelle was spotted several weeks ago at the launch party of Boxing Kitten's latest collection in a BK piece [see photo above]. More recently, she was spotted performing in South Africa after the opening game (South Africa vs. Mexico) and she wore a BK Frida jumpsuit [click to purchase]:

Who Wore What: Rihanna in Suno Spring/Summer 2010

This photo of Rihanna came to us in the form of a reader inquiry. How did we miss it?! Rihanna was spotted out and about in Madrid wearing a super cute romper and our SLiq reader Sarah asked: "This is definitely African Print but who is she wearing?" We're almost 100% sure she's wearing Suno because:

i) As far as Africa-inspired brands and exposure go, Suno NY and Boxing Kitten are stealing the spotlight right now and we're certain this isn't a Boxing Kitten piece.

ii) The photos below from Suno's Spring/Summer 2010 collection seal the deal:

Rihanna's romper has design elements from the look above and shares the same print as the looks below:

First Look: JbyLisa is here!

[The Tribal Safari Dress from JbyLisa]

It's finally here, folks! We're excited to bring you the first look (anywhere on the webternets!) of Jewel by Lisa's diffusion line, JbyLisa. This is Jewel by Lisa's world of print and embellishments toned down and made significantly less expensive and thus more accessible. The pieces are not only versatile, summer-worthy and printastic, they've also been "ethically crafted using local African cotton fabrics and embellished using sequins, beads and leather, which are all carefully hand sewn onto the fabric." [MyAsho Press Release]

The pieces retail from 55-120 pounds and should be available on myasho.com from May 24, 2010. Interested in further discounts? Join the myasho Facebook Fan Page here.

Peep more pieces below:

[Cocoa Bean Shorts]

[Embellished Pom Pom Skirt]

[Jewel Blue Wrap Dress]

[Tribal Nights Romper]

Are you more likely to take the Jewel by Lisa plunge if you haven't already? 

Many, many thanks to our friends at myasho for granting us this exclusive first look :-) You rock!

XO

LOVE: naKIMuli's AFRIKAN SALSA DRESS

'African Print' done right tickles always tickles us pink no matter how often it's done. This piece from the ultra talented naKIMuli is the perfect flurry of fun and fabulousness with its doses of kente, sheer print fabric, animalmania & sequinage. We're in love. Are you?

Get yours here & be sure to feast your eyes on the entire store - you're bound to find something that tickles you pink.

XO

ShopAfrica/Spotlight: Bantu Wax by Yodit Eklund

[Image from Bantu Wax's latest collection]

In September 2008 (gosh, we've been blogging for AGES!), we featured a brand called Bantu Wax. Founded by Yodit Eklund (born to a German father and Ethiopian mother), the brand specializes in ethically-produced African Print swimwear. We didn't hear much about the brand for a while but we were excited to find a number of Bantu Wax pieces for sale online at Net-a-Porter! You know how much we love it when brands take that giant leap! We're especially glad Bantu is spreading the African Print Religion (lol) with their lovely swimwear.

Shop Bantu Wax pieces like the one below at Net-a-Porter here, and visit Bantu Wax online here (super cute website, by the way!)

[Shop this printed bandeau bikini here]

Do we love it?

XO

Spotlight: Aya Morrison @ Howard University's ASA Fashion Show

Shop Liquorice favorite Aya Morrison showed at Howard's annual African Students' Association fashion show this past weekend, revealing a brand spankin' new collection just in time for spring. Head designer Helena Aidoo-Morrison sent the most delectable one-pieces and two-pieces down the runway and her gorgeous models were flanked by dudes in print shorts! What's not to love? Here are some of our favorite pieces:

We absolutely LOVE!

See more here and see photos from other designers at the show here.

o o o

CONNECT WITH AYA MORRISON -

Website - Aya Morrison 

Facebook - Group + Fan Page

Twitter - www.twitter.com/ayamorrison

SHOP ONLINE - Aya Morrison (via her website); Aya Morrison (via her etsy)

E-mail - info@ayamorrison.com

XO

Shop Africa: Afromania by Nkwo, Samantha Cole London, Chichia London, Nike Akinola London

TIME TO SHOP!

:-)

Just yesterday, we were a little wary of ASOS Africa's debut and the possibility that it might become the go-to mainstream brand for out-of-Africa pieces. Well, you can go ahead and scratch that...you can now shop the following collections from London-based African designers online :-))) 

- - -

NKWO + AFROMANIA BY NKWO 

[The Admiral Top by Nkwo, approx $100 here]

Remember reading that pieces from Nkwo's diffusion range Afromania would soon be available at asos.com? Well, you don't have to wait any longer! Several pieces from her two collections [Nkwo and Afromania by Nkwo] are already available thanks to myasho.com. We're loving this fabulous fashion forward statement tee! Shop here now!

o o o

NIKE AKINOLA LONDON

[Nike Akinola's blossom bumble african print + swarovski crystals tee, approx $100 here]

We were granted an exclusive sneak preview into Nike Akinola's Spring/Summer 2010 collection a little while ago [thanks, guys!] and are excited to see those pieces at myasho.com. This tee is certainly a super special piece of fashion art!

Shop more here now!

o o o

SAMANTHA COLE LONDON

[Samantha Cole London's metallic one-shoulder bubble dress, 165 GBP here]

Several pieces from the Samantha Cole London brand [as well as her lower-priced Love Cole brand] are available in three e-stores! We majorly heart this futuristic but modern dress! Shop now:

The Look Boutique

Samantha Cole London

Catwalk Genius

o o o

CHICHIA LONDON

[Chichia London's one frill sleeve palm kanga dress, 95 GBP here]

Chichia London's spring 2010 collection debuted late last year and featured the most gorgeous kanga dresses. This one frill sleeve dress is PERFECTION on crack!

Shop pieces from the collection here now, courtesy of The Look Boutique.

- - -

Don't you just love shopping pieces from your favorite African designers from the comfort of your home?

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

Spread Love: Teen Vogue//March 2010

[Dress by Naana B, $300//Purse by Loaded Trunk]

o o o

The outpouring of love for African Print/the "tribal" trend has been overwhelming...and spring 2010 isn't even underway yet! Here are some photos from a March 2010 Teen Vogue spread called "Global Citizen":

[Shorts by T-bags//$150, Skirt by Loaded Trunk]

o o o

Love that the print pieces are incorporated with other contemporary pieces - don't they work with just about anything? Also love that they're the default focal point by reason of their brightness :-) We're happy that a Ghanaian designer's [Naana B] work was featured and we hope future spreads will include a wide range of designers of African descent.

What say you?

XO

Who Wore What: Alicia Keys + Beyonce in Boxing Kitten

We caught stills from the "Put It On A Love Song" [Alicia Keys ft. Beyonce] shoot and immediately knew the bright african print pieces were Boxing Kitten originals. Kudos to Maya Lake of Boxing Kitten for creating a fabulous, instantly recognizable brand and for getting her name and work out there. Both ladies look FANTASTIC and this can only signal bigger and better things for the brand. Some of you may recall that Solange wore two Boxing Kitten pieces recently. With spring kicking in and african print/tribal being one of the main attractions, will 2010 be Boxing Kitten's biggest moment yet?

Stay tuned.

Shop Boxing Kitten here, read our previous posts on the brand here, and see more photos courtesy of beyonceworld here.

XO

Love: naKIMuli's skirts!

In december, we blogged about this amazing african print hologram dress by SLiq favorite, naKIMuli. Needless to say, her recently released skirts have made us extra giddy for spring and we simply can't wait anymore!

Between the bright pops of color, the just-right length and the snug fit, this is about to be our new all-purpose skirt for every "OPERATION: Fabulous" mission we find ourselves embarking on this spring/summer.

Don't you just love them?

Get yours here!

XO

FYI: Nkwo Onwuka to launch diffusion range, "Afromania"

Will 2010 be the year of the diffusion line? While brands like Jewel by Lisa and Samantha Cole London have set the pace [with their J by Lisa and Love Cole ranges respectively], there's plenty of room for more pocket-friendly pieces from our favorite african designers. Hey, we love to support but simply can't if the price tag is too far left out of budget :-( With that in mind, we were glad to hear about Nkwo Onwuka's diffusion line,"Afromania" and her first collection, "Far From Home" is so-called because Thailand is the farthest she has ever been from home [Nigeria]. Notice the oriental influences?

o o o

We e-caught up with the designer and she had this to say about her upcoming collection:

"This is the diffusion range from award designer, Nkwo Onwuka. The brand draws influences from traveling to new places, learning new cultures, having new experiences...

Afromania by Nkwo is all about reinvention and the ingenious combination of the modern and traditional, the past and the present and giving new life to African fabrics by transforming their traditional uses.

The label has that New African Vibe together with a wide global appeal and is fast developing a cult following among the urbane and the fashion, film and music industries.

Afromania by Nkwo represents an ideology of a global tribe, where there are no boundaries between race and religion, between one country and another, where we are all global nomads and there are no more wars...

...Love, laugh, celebrate life!"

o o o

 Nkwo also revealed to us that ASOS has placed orders for some of the pieces from "Far From Home"!! MAJOR! 

o o o

Here are some teaser images:

Ahhhhh, wonderful! Before we say anything, can we just gush about that black kimono? MAJOR sugar ruuuuush! Love how the very creative Nkwo plays with color, prints, shapes and embellishments. What a joyful celebration cultural meeting points! We're certainly reaaaaally looking forward to the grand unveiling. Are you?

Any pieces in particular stand out for you?

XO