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

First Look: Sika Designs Unveils 'Blossom'

Shop Liquorice paid Sika Designs a visit at their boutique in Greenwich Market, London to experience the brand up close and personal. What we discovered was a well-thought out and executed plan to create a ready-to-wear label ethically infused with Africa as an alternative to high street offerings. 

Founder Phyllis Taylor adopts a very hands-on approach to sourcing textiles and supervising production in Ghana. Each collection is ethically made locally and held to very high standards for design, fit and finish, resulting in simple and charming pieces that can be worn off the rack.

Sika Designs's latest collection, Blossom, follows in the tradition of previous collections, mixing prints in a variety of silhouettes (our favourites being the one-shoulder pieces) fit for casual and formals excursions.

 

With attention from Vogue.com, Vogue Japan, Grazia and FADER, Sika Designs (see more Sika Designs Press here) is certainly one to keep watching, and as they prepare to move to a bigger store space in the coming weeks, Shop Liquorice wishes this stunning example of an African-owned retail brand continued success.

Shop Blossom and past collection online here.

- SLiq

Shop Africa: Jewel by Lisa available at evesapple.com

In addition to the selection at My Asho, a few Jewel by Lisa pieces from their S/S 2011 Global Minimalism collection are now available at Eve's Apple. Take advantage of their summer clearance (romper above was $396, now $277.20) here.

Be on the lookout for Jewel by Lisa's S/S 2012 collection at New York Fashion Week on September 15, courtesy of Arise Magazine's Made in Africa show.

Happy shopping!

- SLiq

What's In A Brand? The Comfort & Samuel Example.

We usually take to our Twitter page (@xoliquoricexo) to air our views on some labels that don't appreciate the link between their price tags and offering a commensurate brand experience. Perhaps it's fitting, then, that we are featuring a budding brand we first discovered on Twitter (@comfortetsamuel). Comfort and Samuel exists to 'provide modern home interiors inspired by heritage African textiles' and 'modern African luxury', from tie dye pillows to aso-oke duvets, but it's not their elevator pitch that caught our eyes; it's their noteworthy approach to situating their pieces in a debut catalogue, introducing potential customers to the Comfort and Samuel lifestyle and experience.

Pieces given a context tell a story better than static, one-dimensional images can. A pillow held up against a white background may work, but a pillow on a bed or sofa (i.e. the context in which it's utilized) works significantly better and can help a customer see a pillow as not just as a piece, but a necessary part of a whole. It can also help inspire your customers, giving them product placement and combination ideas, increasing the likelihood of a purchase or at least giving them a reason to interact with your brand longer. Or, to use a more fashion-specific example, it's the difference seeing a photo of a pair of shoes and seeing the same shoes in an editorial -- situating it in a story helps it come alive and increases desire for the product.

Words can help tell your story, too -- not just product descriptions, but a word or two on the creative process, materials used, cultural anecdotes, if appropriate, etc. Word elevate images from simple photographs to a part of a whole, offering your customer more insight into your brand's DNA and what differentiates you from the competition. That said, words and images can be two sides of the same coin, and no well-crafted sentence can mask a substandard photo. Blurry or grainy images of a poorly executed shoot? Unacceptable.

Now, we are not holding Comfort & Samuel up as a perfect brand, nor are we suggesting every entrepreneur needs to have a catalogue. The long and short of all we've said is this: Presentation is key, and if you want to be taken seriously in a fiercely competitive industry, there has to be evidence that you care about how you're presented - from your shopping bags, to your look books, to your customer service. The difference is always clear when you place brands that go the extra mile beside those that don't, and your brand should strive as much as possible to do what it says on the tin. If you're not living up to or actively working towards your brand goals, it's time to return to the drawing board.

See Comfort and Samuel's entire catalogue here, shop their offerings here, and stay tuned to Shop Liquorice (and our twitter page - twitter.com/xoliquoricexo) for more of our views on these and other matters.

Any other tips and tricks you've observed along the way? Are you inspired by Comfort and Samuel's example? Let us know what works for you as a customer and/or entrepreneur.

- SLiq

Photos with thanks to Comfort and Samuel

Shop For Less: Chichia London

Visit Chichia London's Big Cartel store here.

- SLiq

Shop Africa: Zed Eye, Eki Orleans, Washington Roberts + Obsidian

2011 is certainly shaping up to be the year of e-commerce after all, with four exciting designers taking the plunge in the last few weeks alone. Look books are great, websites are better, but e-commerce is best. Here's a closer look at our top picks from Zed Eye, Eki Orleans, Washington Roberts, and Obsidian.

Zed Eye caught our eyes with this anything but basic African print dress complete with a feathery shoulder. While Zed Eye has its own e-store and select pieces at Agnes & Lola, several more are now available courtesy of ASOS Marketplace. Find your Zed Eye favourite here.

Eki Orleans knows a thing or two about print and silk and this delightfully layered piece hits all the right notes with close to 60 head-turning flaps. Get yours at Eki Orleans' newest stockist, Independent Boutique (pssttt, it's on sale!). You can also shop Eki Orleans at their e-store and Agnes & Lola.

Washington Roberts won us over with this mini that does the most - in a good way. We spy rooster feathers and form-fitting jacquard and we have a feeling you'll be the best dressed in the room. Shop more Washington Roberts pieces here.

Fresh off Music Meets Runway where Obsidian presented their Dux Femina Facti collection, this dress (and several others) is now available via US Trendy. At once chic and relaxed (peep the scooped back), the colourful frayed bottom had us at hello. See more here.

Which piece is your favourite?

- SLiq

This Just In: Lemlem Pre-Fall 2011

Social do-gooder Liya Kebede's Lemlem packs a punch this fall, continuing its tradition of shifting focus back to handwoven Ethiopian fashion art. Colours are anything but typical autumnal hues, with neon threads running through ponchos and scarves as well as a new range of oxford shoes (a collaboration between artisans in Guatemala and Ethiopia; $340). Shop Liquorice's pick?

A sunny disposition for autumn, thanks to the colours and print of the Leli scarf.

Ready? Get in on the action here.

- SLiq

Shop Africa: Zed Eye Launches E-Commerce

Screen capture of Zed Eye's E-shop

Early this year, we wondered if 2011 might be The Year of E-commerce where African designers are concerned. Five months later, we can't say we've seen giant leaps, but we're certainly excited to see more and more designers catch on.

Zed Eye debuted their shop portal on June 6 with pieces from their Tribal Romance and Tribal Romance Revisited collections. Shop a colorful variety of classic cuts and print infused looks ranging from harem pants to baby doll dresses, and make it a point to do your bit where supporting African designers is concerned. As we like to say at Shop Liquorice - every day is a good day to Shop Africa, and that includes today.

Select Zed Eye pieces are also available at Agnes and Lola.

- SLiq

Who Wore What: Michelle Obama in Duro Olowu & ASOS Africa

Since we've been gone, Michelle Obama has had three notable Africa-related moments, two of which have brought her Duro Olowu count to 8 pieces (5 of which she has worn in 2011 alone). We spotted the first look from Duro Olowu's Spring '11 collection on the set of iCarly (above). Her silk knit shirt is currently available in Net-a-Porter's ongoing sale for $392 (down from $980). See a clip of her appearance on iCarly below:

Next up, Michelle Obama arrived in South Africa (she'll also visit Botswana on this trip) wearing Duro Olowu again, this time a piece from his Fall 2010 collection. Naturally, there had been much speculation about whether or not Michelle Obama would support African designers on this trip, and she turns to a tried and tested favourite to end the speculation.

Today, Michelle Obama supported made-in-Kenya label, ASOS Africa, wearing a piece from their Spring 2011 (available here for a little over $60) collection. Regular readers may recall that SOKO Kenya is responsible for the sourcing and production of the ASOS Africa collection, so we can't imagine how wonderful this must be for them. What makes this especially remarkable for us is that we always harp on about how there are many ways to support Africa and Africans, and Michelle Obama shows us that if we can't go high-end, we can certainly go high street. A wonderful testament to Michelle's versatility, and Africa's.

Of course, now we really can't wait to see what she'll wear next. Perhaps one or two more Duro Olowu looks? Suno NY, maybe? A local South African designer? Time will tell.

Shop Duro Olowu online:

Couture Lab

Barneys

Net-a-Porter

- SLiq

Photos:

Mrs. O

Huffington Post

Collages by Shop Liquorice

This Just In: Ohema Ohene Spring/Summer 2011

Ohema Ohene is probably better known for their fresh print-covered kicks, but they've got clothes covered, too. Our favourites this season are two spring essentials: the little white dress and the must-have trench (hello temperamental weather!). Ohema's take on the LWD involves lace and a contrast print peter pan collar, while their belted reversible trench comes in a gorgeous electric blue highlighted contrasted with print and pops of pink, and being reversible, it's like getting two jackets for the price of one -- what's not to love? Get yours here and here. And if you're in London, pop down to their store for more variety: 63 Atlantic road, Brixton, London, SW9 8PU. Remember, every day is a good day to Shop Africa, and that includes today :-)

- SLiq

Buy-It-Now: Lalesso Flats, £30

Summertime - heck, anytime - is a good time to add some extra pep to your step with colourful ballet flats. These pairs from Kenya-based brand, Lalesso, were produced by SOKO Kenya (also responsible for the Asos Africa phenom) and retail for 30 pounds online. Shop here for a variety of colours. 

Would you wear print on your feet?

- SLiq

Shop Liquorice's "Buy-it-Now" series takes our obsession with "Shopping Africa" a little further. Need chic and cheap pieces and not sure where to look? Eager to include Africa on your shopping list but don't have lots to spare? Shop Liquorice's "Buy-it-Now" presents the most fabulous finds on the web, so all you have to do is click and wait for your piece of Africa to make its way to you.

Revamped & Reloaded: Mataano Website

[A silk chiffon romper from Mataano's S/S '11 collection. Available here, courtesy of The W.]

We believe that websites should be living, breathing entities, not static pages that say 'coming soon' for yonks. Ahem. That said, we really like Mataano's new and improved website: straight to the point, fresh, uncluttered and not unlike the brand in those ways. While their e-store is missing in action (a feature we fondly remember from the first version of the website), you can shop two pieces from their S/S collection online, courtesy of The W -- yes, the hotel chain. Pretty big deal, no? The W has a range called Global Glam, and while a Duro Olowu piece featured in their first collection, the spotlight is now on the Mataano girls.

Enjoy their new website (and recent Arise Magazine Fashion Week collection) here and shop here.

- SLiq

Photo courtesy of The W

Shop Africa: Suno NY Launches E-commerce

Suno NY enthusiasts may have already satisfied their occasional cravings through frontline e-tailers like Barneys and Shopbop, but what could be better than a one-stop Suno e-shop? From the relatively pocket-friendly (prices start at $115 and end at $2,100) to the exquisitely beaded and the all-round postively dizzying print-on-print fest, it won't be too long now until full-on Suno mania re-commences -- then again, when was it ever not in session? Oh, and folks looking into e-commerce may learn a thing or two from them, such as: keep it simple and to the point. Chaos and over-the-topness optional (read: unnecessary). [SHOP SUNO]

- SLiq

*Originally posted yesterday when the Suno NY website officially launched before it was re-launched today, April 5, 2011.

NEW IN: LEM LEM SPRING 2011

Liya Kebede's Lem Lem Spring collection features ponchos, wraps, dresses, skirts and accessories all hand woven in Ethiopia by locals. We love the casual, slouchy mood, Liya's conscious effort to preserve tradition and art, and the global appeal of simultaneously simple and intricate pieces. Discover and shop here.

- SLiq

Shop Africa: Bunmi Koko

We wondered in January if 2011'll be the year e-commerce finally catches on, and the answer is shaping up to be a resounding yes. While select Bunmi Koko pieces have been available online via Zoomp Clothing, Bunmi Koko recently debuted their very own e-store with pieces from their Geisha's Reform collection. We certainly hope it won't be too long until pieces from Matriarchy make their way online. In the meantime, enjoy these images from their Spring/Summer 2011 Matriarchy Campaign (more images here).

spotlight: korto momolu's statement necklaces

we're biiiiig suckers for statement necklaces, so it was with copious amounts of joy that we looked through korto momolu's e-store and found some of the most beautiful necklaces...of all-time!

about the collection//in korto's words:

"I use a lot of African beads as well as a lot of things made out of resin because my necklaces tend to be chunky and bulky, so I try to use materials that are not as heavy as using the actual stones and metals. A lot of glass beads. Some of the beads are from Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania. I love texture, there’s a lot of texture, my variation of textures, in all the pieces. I love turquoise. I also used feathers in some of the designs, I’ve always loved feathers and there are many different variations of feather earrings, so I thought “How can I make mine different?” I like the chains and the feathers. It has a soft and a hard feel to it. They’re made out of silver." [source]

to purchase, visit korto momolu's e-store, where she also has tees and purses for sale.

xo

ShopAfrica/shop for less: iamAfrica tees

a long, long time ago, we introduced the iamAfrica tee-shirt brand to you. today, we received an e-mail notifying us of special offers in their facebook store and thought we'd pass on the info. while you're at it, pop by their main online store here and see what else they have on offer.

happy shopping + supporting!

xo

spring 2010: african print swimwear by aya morrison

for our readers who are bored with winter and need a little springspiration to kick off the blues, here's a little something to look forward to - african print swimwear by ghana's aya morrisson (founded by helena aidoo-morrison):

african print spices up the most basic swimsuits and turns them into style statements. each piece is guaranteed to make you the life of the beach party...but you already know that. happy looking forward :-)

****

connect with aya morrison:

website
facebook
SHOP ONLINE: etsy store
to order, e-mail: info@ayamorrison.com

xo

p.s. aya morrison also makes gorgeouuuus african print purses. another post for another day ;-)