Shop Africa: Afromania by Nkwo

Yes, folks...a light-hearted Friday invitation to Shop Africa, by way of Nkwo's Afromania collection. Good prices, great variety. Do it, do it (here. now.) It'll make you happy. Promise.

- SLiq

Spread Love: Gossip Girls//Pride Magazine June 2010

'Tis the summer of all tribal any and everything but amidst the flurry of editorials set to the backdrop of  typically Africa-inspired aesthetics, Pride magazine offers something a little different this June - different because:

i) no one's chasing lions

ii) the setting is fun and believable

iii) it features the work of young, upcoming and of-the-moment designers (shoutout to Zed Eye, Tina Atiemo, Ituen Basi and Afromania by Nkwo)

iv) said designers are actually African (...)

v) there's lots of African Print but it doesn't smack you in the face and give you motion sickness :-)

Here's a glimpse into the world of ultra modern vintage-lovin' "Gossip Girls" who wear pieces from some of Africa's hottest designers like they should be worn: pieces that fit right into our everyday lives, not fanciful tribal costumes that don't always translate easily from editorials into real life -

A bloomin' brilliant effort. For information on the Creative Team behind the shoot and the pieces featured, visit Pride Magazine online.

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! 

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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