Shop For Less: Chichia London

Visit Chichia London's Big Cartel store here.

- SLiq

Who Wore What: Vanessa Mdee @ the MTV Mamas

Great to see Tanzanian MTV VJ Vanessa Mdee wearing one of Tanzania's finest exports, Chichia London, at the MTV MAMAs. Vanessa wears a custom majesty dress from Chichia London's Insomnia Luxe collection. Love it? Buy it here from Agnes and Lola.

XO

Photo on the left courtesy of Twitter (@MTVbaseAfrica)

Spotlight: Chichia London//Insomnia Luxe

Not long ago, we brought you a sneak peek of Chichia London's upcoming mini collection, "Insomnia Luxe". The lookbook was released last week in its entirety & the outfit above pretty much encapsulates Chichia London's F/W '10 direction: a fusion of prints and embellishments in modern silhouettes, which, let's face it, is what Chichia London continues to re-invent season after season, much to our delight.

While some shapes didn't necessarily push the envelope (puff sleeved dresses especially), rich embellishments stole the show and resulted in pieces like the one above - feminine, mature, new, striking & clever all in one. This is how we'll remember this collection and we're certainly on the edge of our seats waiting to see where she'll take it next. Bravo, Chichia London!

See the entire collection here.

Shop Chichia London here and here.

XO

Sneak Peek: Chichia London Fall 2010

Au Courant Daily recently posted an exclusive sneak preview of Chichia London's Fall/Winter 2010 collection, Insomnia. Many of you are probably already familiar with Christine Mhando's (head designer of Chichia London) soft spot for kanga print but what's most fascinating about her work is her ability to re-invent and modernize a staple print season after season, making it a highly sought-after must-buy. If the preview is anything to go by, we're going to be exceedingly broke come Fall 2010, but with kanga print and the possibility of a collection chock-full of dazzling embellishments, we're not sure there's anything to complain about.

Truly can't wait to see the magnificence that is Chichia London unfold! More images as soon as we have them.

XO

ShopAfrica: Chichia London @ Laden

What a fun and unusual romper from the super stylish Tanzanian/British designer Christine Mhando of Chichia London. Print with pops of color? Yes, please! Shop this and other CL pieces @ the brand's latest online stockist, Laden. Need more Chichia in your life? Also shop @ thelookboutique and notjustalabel!

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

blog/link lovin': bella naija, ituen basi, chichia london, nike akinola

[model wears a piece from chichia london's spring/summer 2010 collection, 'made in dar']

***

links worth clicking...

a. fashion africa unveils chichia london's spring 2010 collection

b. ladybrille interviews uche eze (bella naija)

c. elan interviews ituen basi

d. nike + chris okesola of nike akinola as entrepreneurs

***

blogs worth visiting (our new favorites)...

a. the skinny (forever 21's blog)

b. lipstick boudoir

c. olivia palermo daily

d. where did you get that

happy reading :-)

xo

spotlight: chichia london by christine mhando

once in a while, a designer comes along that makes us sit up and pay attention. we're a bit jaded by the many, MANY fashion labels that creep up daily (western and african alike) and find that if our faithful, trusty tailor can imitate your entire collection for a HUGE fraction of the cost, we'd much likely give her our money. no offense -- we just won't pay up for anything that's not original or interesting or fairly reasonably-priced. which is why we celebrate brands such as zebra, akpos okudu, and now, chichia london. her new collection is every print and bead-lover's dream AND her prices won't make you keel over or sell your soul. chichia london is a celebration of color, ultra femme pieces, and simple but charming embellishments for the everyday on-the-go lady who makes you ask, "where did you get that?"

o o o

more info on the chichia london brand here. while she's practically sold out @ thelookboutique, we hope she'll send new stock their way soon.

xo

ShopAfrica: thelookboutique.com

[black and white dress by samantha cole, available here]

we stumbled on this neat little site by accident and found some stunning pieces from african designers including emmy collins, samantha cole, and chichia london. as always, we encourage you to ShopAfrica if/when you can...or at least spread the word. please and thank you :-)

click the links above to explore each designer and many more.

xo