Who Wore What: Estelle in Mimi Plange Fall 2011

Estelle turned up at BET's Black Girls Rock! event yesterday looking resplendent in red - one of the songstress' most stunning looks yet, following a recent style shift and interest in more ultra femme elegance.

A fitted silhouette, a pleated, ruffled neckline, and a labyrinth of gems pay homage to the ancient art of scarification, and transform Estelle into quite the bombshell. Easily Mimi Plange's most memorable red carpet appearance -- wouldn't you agree?

Visit: Mimi Plange

- SLiq

Photos: The YBF, Zimbio, Beauty is Diverse, Taletela

NYFW Spring 2012 - Mimi Plange's 'A Flower In The Desert'

Image: The House of Fabulous

Last season, it was the ancient practice of tribal scarification in parts of Africa as a reference point; for Spring, Mimi Plange turned to Namibia's Herero (their Victorian style of dress is very much in tune with Mimi Plange's most consistent source of inspiration) Nimba's nomadic desert people (steeped in culture but transitioning to modern ways of life) and the far East (cheongasms and robes received an update).

In Mimi Plange's still life presentation, floral silks found a place beside beaded and embroidered dresses in an array of shapes - sheath and chic, angular sleeves, some belted, others floor-length and red-carpet ready - in a palette ranging from neon fuschias to aqua greens and a more muted palette of soft greys. Sophisticated separates showed up as blouses (we loved the buttoned-up, structured feel), a particularly chic paneled midi skirt and embellished pants.

The Mimi Plange Spring 2012 woman is evidently confident and self-assured, and while we don't have a strong sense of a Mimi Plange signature style, there's every sense that she's versatile, a strong talent and knows a thing or two about putting on a cohesive, memorable show.

Image: The House of Fabulous

Image: The House of Fabulous

Image: Chalya Shagaya

Image: Chalya Shagaya

Image: Chalya Shagaya

Image: Chalya Shagaya

In the News: Manolo Blahnik collaborates with Mimi Plange

Manolo Blahnik for Mimi Plange

Our earlier Mimi Plange post this week hinted at a collaboration with Manolo Blahnik for New York Fashion Week this fall. According to WWD, two pairs of shows have been created for the show and they bear traces of designer Mimi Plange's African heritage. What to expect? A celebration of 'the traditional craftsmanship of Namibia', 'African leatherwork', and 'South African pattern bead work', with elements of quintessential Blahnik. 

Formerly called Boudoir d'Huitres, Mimi Plange has steadily grown in popularity in recent years, resulting in attention from industry greats like Vogue Editor-at-Large Andre Leon Talley and Nigerian-born Duro Olowu. With a name change came a re-branding of the Mimi Plange aesthetic from a flair for Victorian sensibilities to a more conscious inclusion of the designer's African roots. Mimi Plange's Fall/Winter 2011 collection paid homage to traditional tribal scarification, while her Spring/Summer 2012 collection will use Namibia's Herero tribe as one of its points of reference.

Mimi Plange will show at New York Fashion Week on September 7 and at Mali Fashion Week this December.

- SLiq

Image and quotes: WWD, via Mimi Plange

SLiq Spotting: Duro Olowu, Thelma Golden, Oroma Elewa & Mimi Plange's September Issues Appearances

Three Monday SLiq treats for our readers to get your weeks off on the right note. The first (above) is a press clipping for Duro Olowu and Thelma Golden's feature in Ebony Magazine's September issue. A truly stylish and endearing couple. Happy reading.

Next, we have Oroma Elewa's second Vogue US appearance - her first being six months ago in the March issue. Happy dreaming (and doing).

Finally, we have Mimi Plange's Ebony Magazine feature. Here it is reproduced below. Happy chasing!

MIMI PLANGE

Sitting in front of the TV, eyes glued to the screen, a young Mimi Plange always knew how to dream big. "As a child I'd watch Fashion TV and fantasize about a career in design, I didn't know how I would get there, but I knew I would. Plange honed her skills at Cali's UC Berkeley and Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Then, at 22, she took off for the Big Apple with $400 and those same big dreams. "I thought, I'm gonna meet Tom Ford or Oscar de la Renta and he'll say, "Come work for me," she says, laughing. Plange paid her dues for nine years with merchandising gigs and design stints before launching her namesake collection. Now, at 33, it's this sister's time. Stylish songstresses Rihanna and Janelle Monae are fans, and legendary Vogue editor Andre Leon Talley edited her fall/winter 2011 line. Next up, a spring 2012 collaboration with Manolo Blahnik.

The Inspiration

I took textural elements from the ancient practice of tribal scarification, says the Ghanaian born Plange of her fall line.

Remember their names, remember their faces, and keep learning and working hard.

- SLiq

Photos:

Johnson Publishing

Oroma Elewa

Mimi Plange

STYLE NOTES: Boudoir D'Huitres//Ghana + US [Day 4, Africa Fashion Week 2010]

We expected quite a bit of drama from Boudoir D'Huitres (and we got it with her use of faux fur and heavy fringing) but after all was said and done, it was her combination of playful and sophisticated we found most memorable. She kept her "Queen of the Night" collection within the boundaries of a black/white/red palette done up with lace, draping and the closest attention to proportions. We love that her collection was accessible without being oversimplified. We also couldn't shake off a keen sense of a very clear thought process and hidden gems tucked away in virtually every piece. We're sure a guided tour through the designer's mood board would help those details bubble to the surface. In any case, if you're looking for chic ready-to-wear that takes itself seriously but not too seriously, try Mimi Plange's Boudoir D'Huitres:

Also, is it just us or is there something very Thandie Newton about this collection?

XO

African Designers Online: Boudoir D'huitres

We've  only just discovered Boudoir D'huitres and we know it's only May and there are 7 months left in 2010...but we're pretty certain this brand is one of our greatest "discoveries" yet. Between the magical, insane, larger-than-life, dream-like website which we're planning on moving into (seriously), and the frighteningly amazing clothes in each collection, and the unbelievable (almost humiliating) talent of the head designer, Mimi Plange, we really have nothing to say, other than: visit this website. Please. And we dare you to want to leave.

XO