SLiq Talks: The J Label

News of a more affordable offshoot from the Jewel by Lisa brand reached us through Twitter about a week ago, and once the euphoria simmered down (not really), we immediately wanted to know everything and anything about it. In this interview with the Jewel by Lisa team, Shop Liquorice brings you an inside look into the world of The J Label - Nigeria's newest, most exciting affordable ready-to-wear line:

Gone Global: Jewel by Lisa on The Ones To Watch

We love when our seemingly aimless midnight trawls pay off, and the only thing that's better than that is seeing some of our favourites make their way to international appreciation. Seeing this exquisite jersey, print and beaded offering from Jewel by Lisa in an editorial on The Ones To Watch made us as giddy as a kid who's overdosed on liquorice -- yes, that giddy. Shouldn't be too long now before Jewel by Lisa is a major force to reckon with on the international stage. And you don't even need to be clairvoyant to see that. Absolutely adore. Do you?

- SLiq

Who Wore What: Lisa Folawiyo in Jewel by Lisa

Between collections and look books, the most discerning brands have the important job of keeping their fans and customers interested and loyal. We love Jewel by Lisa's most recent approach - Lisa Folawiyo (Creative Director of Jewel by Lisa) packed a case full of JBL pieces for her New York trip and will showcase 10 of them over the next 10 days. For DAY 1 (yesterday), Lisa went to her most recent collection (A/W 2011 - Africa's Definition of Global Luxury) and picked a graphic shirt dress and gilet. We can't not mention the Chanel boots - JBL has always oozed luxury, so it's only fitting to see their pieces alongside the world's finest. In a nutshell? Very chic, very creative modern working woman.

DAY 2

For Day 2, Lisa went to her S/S '11 Global Minimalism collection and chose a gorgeous pleated mini skirt in a custom JBL print paired with a belted Fulster Mac, LNA shirt and gold strappy sandals. A delightful summer day look from head-to-toe. We're inspired!

Which look is your favourite so far? Stay tuned for 8 more looks over the next 8 days!

- SLiq

Photos of Lisa courtesy of Zara Okpara/Jewel by Lisa PR

Sweet Tooth: Silky Smooth

[l-r: Duro Olowu, Orleans Designs, Jewel by Lisa]

Our latest Sweet Tooth craving? Silk. This season, patterns are transferred to this new medium, resulting in a slinky vibe infused with all the ingredients that make for instant, understated glamor. Also, while "tribal" motifs are typically printed on cotton, more and more designers are exploring the place where print and silk mesh with magnificent results. Here are our picks up close and personal:

COLLAGE 1

a) Duro Olowu struck gold several years ago with his kimono-style silk printed dresses and the love affair with silk continues. We love this floral maxi-dress and the mixture of vivid print with a more subdued vintage-like print.

b) This scarf from Orleans Designs (*edit* now Eki Orleans) features an Africa-inspired pattern on silk, quite like several of the dresses from this design house. If you're looking for an accessory that pays homage to a vibrant continent or just an accessory that's bound to make things pop, you've come to the right place. [Buy here]

C) Jewel by Lisa is famous for exploring new mediums and elevating African Print from something commonplace to something beyond. This silk top is absolute perfection and the richly embellished neckline just might make us hunt it down.

[l-r: Nasty Gal, Tiffany Amber, Maki Oh]

COLLAGE 2

d) The love affair with silk started with a major crush on basic silk tanks with breast pockets and this tank from Nasty Gal is the perfect encapsulation of our craving. Basic and ultra glam in the same breath and very high on our wish lists this summer. [Buy here]

e) The Tiffany Amber brand has found its way into yet another Sweet Tooth spread with this beauty. The design house collaborated with renowned artist Kolade Oshinowo and printed one of his masterpieces on silk. We recently saw this piece at one of Tiffany Amber's stores in Lagos and were in awe.

f) Leave it to Maki Oh to create a jumpsuit that features African print of the sort that's not quite mainstream just yet. Maki Oh dips into the ancient world of western Nigeria's tie-and-dye/batik procedures with this one, creating a piece that's a perfect fit for the cultured and stylish. [To order, e-mail info@maki-oh.com]

Hope you enjoyed :-) Anyone out there craving silk as much as we are?

XO

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

Who Wore What: Jewel by Lisa spotted @ Leila Fowler

A few weekends ago, ultra lush Lagos hotspot Leila Fowler boutique hosted a big sale to make room for spring. We spotted a guest wearing a Jewel By Lisa shirt we've been wanting long time from her Arise Africa Fashion Week show last June. This gorgeous piece strikes the perfect balance between bright and subdued, with turquoise highlights and JBL's signature bling. We like how JBL's model's wearing it, but we love how this lady pairs hers with jeans, jewelry, and the highly coveted Chanel 2.55 Caviar Jumbo purse. Perfecto.

Shop JBL here.

XO

SLiq TV: tiffany amber + jewel by lisa

to make up for not sharing any of our favorite videos with you recently, we're hitting you with two very good ones! the first one's a glimpse into the tiffany amber luxury brand, complete with an interview with the designer, while the second is video footage from jewel by lisa's showing at Arise Africa Fashion Week last june [see additional photos here]. happy viewing :-)

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TIFFANY AMBER

unfortunately, we can't embed the video due to restrictions on youtube. please click here to watch it.

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JEWEL BY LISA

xo

ShopAfrica brick + mortar: the Jewel by Lisa studio is now open!

[lisa folawiyo, creative director of 'jewel by lisa', wearing a JBL piece from her spring 2010 collection]

regulars on this blog know how much we love Jewel by Lisa...so it shouldn't surprise you that we're extra excited about the opening of her studio in Lagos, Nigeria! we're definitely swinging by as soon as we can. here's where to go:

11, Ribadu Street

Off Awolowo Road

Lagos, Nigeria

happy shopping/exploring :-)

xo

source:

JBL's homepage!

who wore what: lisa folawiyo on the cover of genevieve//november 2009

this month's cover of genevieve magazine features the fabulously talented lisa folawiyo of jewel by lisa, wearing a piece we first spotted in her spring 2010 collection:

LOVE.

subscribing to or buying this month's genevieve online version will make you eligible to win the dress below. more information here:

this embellished ankara dress with leather discs is from JBL's spring 2010 collection and was first spotted @ NY fashion week:

rock on, JBL! 

remember, you can shop several JBL pieces online here, courtesy of myasho.com, and you can also explore JBL's website here.

xo

style notes: jewel by lisa spring 2010

the queen of bling (as we affectionately call her) showed a 12-piece fusion of ankara, embellishments and printed silk. while her collection @ arise africa fashion week met with rave reviews, this one was perhaps less ambitious, featuring simple ready-to-wear pieces and separates that need minimal work...which may be just what the western market needs. here's a closer look at each piece:

a. while she employed contrasting techniques for some pieces, these featured one pattern throughout and were also the only pieces that featured pants.



b. mini dresses with a spring flair, duly blinged out for maximum effect.



c. we love these separates - wear them as is or mix-and-match them with other pieces you own. the neon polka dot shorts are a particular favorite.



d. JBL has recently introduced outerwear into her collections, re-interpreting the spring jacket africa-style.



e. dresses with fringe benefits/details also made a debut, upping the ante on simple shapes.



f. last but not the least, signature contrast dresses that look dipped in bling and ready to dazzle.

all in all, a great first showing in NY for the JBL brand. we do miss some of the spunk from her last collection but JBL can do no wrong in our eyes, so we congratulate this fashion house on yet another hit.

xo

photos:
zimbio

ARISE AFRICA FASHION WEEK PHOTO UPDATES: JEWEL BY LISA and TIFFANY AMBER

[a model wearing tiffany amber @ arise africa fashion week 2009]

we've just uploaded 27 previously unseen photos from jewel by lisa's collection here and 17 from tiffany amber's here. if you liked their collections before, you'll absolutely LOVE them now.



[a model wearing jewel by lisa @ arise fashion week 2009]

xo

P.S. apparently, the vest above was fought over @ fashion week. yes, folks...FOUGHT OVER:

An item was actually fought for after the show as a number of people wanted to buy it. It was a simple, loosely styled ankara waist coat - the difference being that the entire surface of the garment had been beaded over in the original colours and patterns of the fabric, and jewels adorned the neckline. Priced at just over R2000 [about $250 USD] it almost seemed a steal for something so special.

INSANE :-)

more here.

xo

new collection: jewel by lisa spring '09

if anything is clear to us at this point, it's that jewel by lisa's trying to make us bankrupt. sigh. here's her spring 2009 collection in all its glory:

no words. except that you can now shop JBL online here and here, courtesy of myasho.com, which we blogged about here.

xo

source

african fashion online: jewel by lisa

we're SUPER excited to announce the arrival of Jewel by Lisa brand spankin' new website! click here to see lots and lots of amazing pieces, featuring JBL's penchant for exquisite beading and bling bling. get in on the action here and spread the word!

xo

ARISE AFRICA FASHION WEEK: DAY 2 - - JEWEL BY LISA (NIGERIA)

[courtesy of niyi tabiti]

IN BRIEF:

we present to you queen of bling and firm team liquorice favorite, jewel by lisa (JBL). this collection is by no means your standard JBL showing i.e. simple embellished african print dresses. here's a practical lesson in having a signature style but being creative and confident enough to step outside the box. from dabbling into a rich array of colors, patterns and fabrics, to the ubiquitous and refreshing use of bling and beading, here's a collection that's bound to work its way into many-a-closet.

the staple blinged out dress



patterns - floral and paisley

contrast: highlighter solids + bling bling print

separates

look 1 - the blinged out print shirt
look 2 - the blinged out collar and waist

the blinged out waist maxi

(notice the detailing on the waist is identical to two looks in the two preceding categories above)



draped beads

beading as embellishment

fluid brights with print and/or solid cutout shapes

IMPROVEMENTS/FINAL THOUGHTS:

several of the looks above fit into multiple categories, which is proof of the fluidity and cohesiveness of this collection. it's the ultimately sophisticated girly girl showing with looks at the ready for whatever it is you're into. we spotted several neon brights, traditional african print with signature JBL embellishments, a new focus on blinged out waists, and the inclusion of the always-chic pocketing. what more can we say? if we could dole out gold stars, we would.

thoughts?

xo

p.s. we haven't seen all the pieces from this collection yet judging from this niyi tabiti photo...so we'll update this if/when we find more photos.

photos:

ladybrille via Simon Deiner/SDR photo