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 :-))) 

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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!

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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!

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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

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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.

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

XO

cover girl: shingai shoniwa on the cover of New African Woman

we've just caught wind of a magazine called "New African Woman" and those who know it best describe it as "the magazine for the discerning women of substance." issue 4 comes out on Jan 27, 2010 in the UK [due out Feb 1 worldwide] and this edition's cover girl is none other than shingai shoniwa, lead singer of the noisettes. shingai, as some of you may already know, has zimbabwean origins and has cited this as an influence on her style. shingai wears a dress by nigerian designer nkwo onwuka of nkwo designs [seen at Arise Africa Fashion Week last June] and a leather belt by ndamus london. see a full runway photo of the nkwo piece below:

absolutely gorgeous.

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connect with New African Woman:

facebook group: New African Woman magazine

see past issues and subscribe to the digital edition for 18 GBP/year here: IC Publications

xo

**EDIT** we totally forgot to include these excerpts from the magazine when we posted this yesterday. our apologies!

ROCK ON, AFRICA!!!

ARISE AFRICA FASHION WEEK: DAY 1 - - NKWO DESIGNS (NIGERIA)

IN BRIEF:

nigeria's nkwo onwuka showed 9 dresses* fit for summer. the first set shows simple print dresses with features like ruffles, bubble hems, sequins, and ribbon (click photos to enlarge and see details). however, her second set of dresses are the most striking -- ankara is used as an embellishment or embroidery for light, airy dresses in a way we haven't quite seen before. for accessories, she uses fabric-covered hats, gold lame ankle cuffs possibly meant to mimic metal bangles, and even feathers, creating an authentic tribal/out-of-africa vibe.

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african print dresses

ankara as embroidery/embellishment on bodice

neckline ankara embellishments

IMPROVEMENTS/FINAL THOUGHTS:

we're not too sure about the hats -- they're a bit of a distraction for some of these looks. also, her african print dresses don't push the envelope far enough. that said, we're in all types of love with her second set of looks and admire this exciting direction in the use of african print.

thoughts?

xo

*numbers may change as more photos become available
P.S. 3 pieces from nkwo's previous collections are available online @ asos here.

photos:

ladybrille via Simon Deiner/SDR photo