Who Wore What: The NYFW Edition [Jewel by Lisa, Duro Olowu, Suno NY, Virgos Lounge]

We spy with our little eyes quite a few folks wearing pieces from Shop Liquorice favourites (Jewel by Lisa, Duro Olowu, Suno NY and Virgos Lounge) out and about at New York Fashion Week. First up, we have blogger Joy Adaeze in a Jewel by Lisa dress accentuated with a gorgeous array of accessories. We especially like her chunky floral pumps. Read Joy's NYFW highlights here.

We spotted this photo of Essence Magazine's Janelle Hickman flying from one Tumblr to another, and we're not sure if it's from this round of shows or not, but we love to see a Jewel by Lisa piece out and about.

Bethann Hardison chose a floral Duro Olowu dress for the designer's Spring 2012 collection. There's a Duro Olowu dress for everyone, it seems, and Ms. Hardison wears this one well. Couture Lab has a similar piece here. [Photo via thestyleandbeautydoctor]

It's very blink-and miss, but we love how Thelma Golden wears her support for her husband, Duro Olowu. She is pictured at Duro Olowu's S/S '12 show in one of our favourites from Fall 2011 (now available at Barneys). [Photo on right via HauteFashionAfrica]

NYFW Spring 2012 - Suno NY RTW Runway Review

Backstage photos courtesy of Now Fashion

When Suno presents its direction for prints, it's never straightforward. Floral comes as a black and white print on a kanga jacket, kanga comes blanched, devoid of its usual colourful punch - but nonetheless compelling - and a skirt with a thigh high slit comes in a tweed-like morse code print. It's that head-on collision with print that sets Suno apart - the mixing of cotton eyelet with bold stripes and gold metallic florals with red metallic shorts.

The shape was very relaxed meets structured, as buttoned up shirts and high-collared blouses met sleeveless, sometimes loose, other times fitted dresses in silk and chiffon, with Suno's penchant for layering juxtaposing the various elements. The mood was playful yet mature (or 'grown-up', as the designers put it) - even their spring shorts were kept dressy and their hemlines below the knee (although a few did rise above). Pleated peplums met pleated check skirts, bare shoulders captured the spirit of spring, and while the colours weren't your typical cheery spring palette, the mix of cream, black, and white and the dominance of print struck the right balance, with a particular custard yellow print dress being a memorable distraction.

Once again, the real joy is in the mixing and matching, and Suno presented a range up for juggling and multi-tasking, with the right measure of spirit to prompt the question: How much longer till spring?

Runway photos courtesy of Milk Studios. More to come.

- SLiq

This Just In: Suno nominated for CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund

Erin Beatty and Max Osterweis of Suno. Courtesy of Zimbio.

Suno arrived on the scene early 2009 with vibrant vintage kanga pieces and a compelling 'Made in Kenya' story. A few years and several remarkably varied and well-received collections later, Suno has joined the ranks of CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund nominees.

Founded in 2003, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund "provides financial support and business mentorship for emerging designers", and three designers of this year's ten (including Altazurra and Pamela Love who were nominated last year, as well as Ohne Titel, and Cushnie et Ochs) stand to win one grand prize of $300,000 and two smaller prizes of $100,000.

According to the CFDA's stipulations, "the ten (10) Finalists are interviewed by and make a presentation of five (5) looks from past, present and upcoming collections to the Selection Committee", which includes Anna Wintour and Diane Von Furstenberg.

The Award Ceremony is scheduled to take place in November and past recepients include Proenza Schouler (2004), South African born hat designer Albertus Swanpoel of Albertus Quartus (2008) and Prabal Gurung (2010).

- SLiq

Quotes courtesy of the CFDA [here and here]

Shop For Less: SUNO Sale

Drawcord wrap dress, available here.

We brought news of Suno's foray into e-commerce in April and we've been stalking their website relentlessly ever since, waiting (not so) patiently for even the slightest sign of a sale. The things we do for you :-) Finally, we spotted some pretty good price drops a little while ago and couldn't wait to share. In even better news, there are a gazillion places to buy Suno online and we spotted several price reductions across the board. Without further ado, happy shopping!

Barneys

Browns

Matches

Maryam Nassir Zadeh

Creatures of Comfort

My Catwalk

Opening Ceremony

Otte NY

Saks

Shopbop

SUNO

- SLiq

Spotlight: Suno NY Resort 2012

Suno's Resort 2012 mood board [via Refinery 29]

Suno's Max Osterweis and Erin Beatty have said a number of times that they're not bound to Kenya's kanga print as the revolving point for their aesthetic, so we weren't expecting much in that regard. The thing with Suno, though, is that it's almost impossible to predict where they'll take print next, so, without further ado, here's what we couldn't have predicted.

Suno's Resort '12 takes a dizzying (the good kind) journey through bursts of Hawaiian inspired print, plaid and floral combi/clashinations, touches of sophistication via silk prints, embellishments (see the last set of photos for proof) and all-round amazingness, really. The charm-like accessories brought another dose of the bold, all suitably offset with plimsolls in a way that's very Suno through and through. 

We hear Soko Kenya will be partly responsible for production of some Suno pieces -- it's always heart-warming to know that while Suno has come a long way since it's kanga-filled days, it hasn't veered much from the original vision of supporting Africa(ns) through trade and economic empowerment. For that, the reasons above, and many more, we'll probably always have an eye out for Suno's unpredictable wonderfulness.

Does this collection do it for you, too?

- SLiq

Images: Style

Who Wore What: Suno & Duro Olowu @ Ikram Boutique's 10th Anniv. Celebration

Ikram Boutique (probably most famously known as Michelle Obama's favourite style hunt) recently celebrated ten years of being in business. Being a well-known stockist of Duro Olowu and Suno, we expected to see one or two looks from them -- we got FOUR.

***  

We love the look above from Duro Olowu's Spring 2011 collection - an exquisite silk floral dress with voluminous sleeves for effect.

The second look we spotted (below) took it way back to Suno's debut collection in 2009 when kanga print was all we knew the brand for.

Below, Suno co-designer Erin Beatty wears an adapted S/S 2011 look, featuring a beaded bodice and a ruffled printed skirt.

And, finally, here's Thelma Golden wearing a see-through printed dress from Duro Olowu's Spring 2010 collection. You may remember seeing a similar look on Caroline Issa about a year ago ago.

As for our favourite piece, we'll go with the white and floral maxi - two of Spring 2011's biggest trends very elegantly tackled in one look. Which look most appeals to you? Any you would've worn differently?

- SLiq

Collection photos courtesy of Style and Suno

Party photos courtesy of Paper Mag

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.

Paying Attention: The Telegraph//Into Africa

[Suno. The new face of "Made in Africa"?]

Much has been made of Africamania by everyone from CNN to the New York Times and your friendly neighbourhood low-budget "Afrocentric" editorials (complete with tribal feathers and body paint, naturally). These days, the big conversation is less about an "African aesthetic" and more about the "Made in Africa" phenom (which we're major suckers for at Shop Liquorice. That and e-commerce.) and brands like Suno and Vivienne Westwood who are leaving pockets of economic footprints around Africa. The Telegraph takes you "Into Africa" and through the ins and outs of this potentially unprecedented new movement here. For Shop Liquorice's version of events, catch up on all our Made in Africa posts here.

XO

Shop For Less: William Okpo + Suno NY

The definition of "African Fashion" continues to expand to incorporate many, many definitions - from "tribal" and "ethnic" print to a more global all-encompassing aesthetic, to "Made in Africa" as a brand and movement in itself (e.g. Suno NY, Asos Africa), to the conscious incorporation of culture and tradition, and African designers in Diaspora who continue to upturn strict definitions, "African Fashion" is having quite a field day. Not convinced? Opening Ceremony has pieces from Suno NY and William Okpo, the former being predominantly made in Kenya and the latter being the brainchild of two sisters born to Nigerian immigrants and inspired by an "interplay" between "American cultural sensibilities" and an "immigrant's sense of style". Whatever you make of this diversity, we're certain it points to a new trend that will continue to sustain and re-invent itself for a while to come. While you ponder what "African Fashion" means to you, you may want to consider buying one or two Suno and William Okpo pieces from Opening Ceremony's ongoing sale.

Shop here and here.

XO

Shop For Less: Suno NY sale!

[Silk vest: Was $205, Now $62]

Thought you might like to know there's a v. a worthwhile Suno NY sale going on at Opening Ceremony. We could all use brightly coloured vests, dresses and pants every now and again, no?

Happy shopping :-)

XO

Photo courtesy of Suno NY.

LOOKBOOK: Suno Resort 2011

Made in Kenya brand Suno NY warmed all our hearts with their kanga-filled debut collection. Nowadays, they're mixing and matching and creating the most unfussy clothes in the most show-stopping colours and combinations. We don't know how Suno does it season after season but here they are again causing quite the scene. The splattered paint motif, graphic prints and stripes done in varied lengths and shapes are pure fun and joy. We're sure we'll be loving Suno long time.

Interestingly, they've used head wraps in all their collections to date and we quite like their inclusion here and their new hair adornments. Oh, and cute model!

Catch up on past posts here.

XO

Photos courtesy of Style

Who Wore What: Rihanna in Suno Fall 2009

We spotted Rihanna rocking another Suno piece! First it was her custom romper, now it's a kanga skirt from Suno's Fall 2009 collection:

Looks like Boxing Kitten is to Solange what Suno is to Rihanna! We're definitely in love with Suno - not just because of their creative use of print, but because the production of their pieces takes place in Kenya! Nothing feels as good as "Made in Africa" feels!

XO

Who Wore What: Rihanna in Suno Spring/Summer 2010

This photo of Rihanna came to us in the form of a reader inquiry. How did we miss it?! Rihanna was spotted out and about in Madrid wearing a super cute romper and our SLiq reader Sarah asked: "This is definitely African Print but who is she wearing?" We're almost 100% sure she's wearing Suno because:

i) As far as Africa-inspired brands and exposure go, Suno NY and Boxing Kitten are stealing the spotlight right now and we're certain this isn't a Boxing Kitten piece.

ii) The photos below from Suno's Spring/Summer 2010 collection seal the deal:

Rihanna's romper has design elements from the look above and shares the same print as the looks below:

Spotlight: Suno Fall 2010

SUNO NY FALL 2010

We've been loving SUNO NY long time and their latest collection has only made us fall deeper. Some of you will recall our first encounter with the brand and the stunning kanga pieces in their debut collection. More recently, however, the brand seems to be favoring more of a mixture of influences. In this collection, the fusion of elements including color, metallics, layering, patterns, print, velvet, and range [lots of wonderful separates, dresses, and jackets] might make it seem like utter chaos on paper. However, this collection is a delightful melting-pot and alchemy of sorts, injecting a dose of joy to winter and sustaining it well into spring. Of particular interest to us was their use of glorious prints and patterns to create a collection that's already nudging our wallets and tugging at our heartstrings. The sheer brilliance of this collection is that it does so much but doesn't lose itself to disorderliness in the process. Here's a closer look at the prints and patterns that stood out for us:

o o o

GEOMETRIC PRINT: Africa-inspired without being too obvious. Several African wax prints bear similar geometric patterns, but the use of neon colors made this stand out especially well.

ZIG-ZAG PATTERNS: Featuring a blend of orange and blue and trimmed with floral patterns.

IKAT PRINT: Suno borrows inspiration from Indonesia's famous ikat print, combining it with metallic pieces.

MORE ZIG-ZAG PRINT: Easily some of our favorite pieces worn separately or as is.

EVEN MORE PRINT

With so much to choose from, what's not to love?

o o o

Watch the collection come to life:

INSANE.

o o o

See the entire collection here, see photos from Suno NY's past collections here and shop Suno here.

XO

Photos courtesy of elle and fashionista.

paying attention: the NY Times//designing to an afro beat

[l-r: SUNO NY spring/summer 2009; rodarte spring 2010; na'vi, a character from the movie AVATAR]

in october 2009, we blogged about an article from the New York Times titled "putting african style on the page." once again, the NYT focuses on africa's influence on mainstream culture in a recent piece titled "designing to an afro beat." we're glad africa is slowly but surely getting its due recognition.

read the article here and view its accompanying slideshow, "the in continent", here.

xo

spotlight: SUNO spring/summer 2010

suno's spring/summer 2010 is the stuff dreams are made of. it has the right balance of afro-chic and summer brights all set in a charming, faraway place of your choosing. a particular favorite is suno's use of obi-style african print belts coupled with skinny leather belts (see picture 3 below). absolutely charming.

see the entire collection here.

see our previous posts on suno ny here, including our last post on suno ny's resort 2010 collection.

xo

spotlight: suno ny resort 2010

suno ny's latest offerings have a relaxed fluidity about them, complete with brights, plaid, and checkered print. while suno's first collection was decidedly africa-inspired through and through, subsequent collections have paid silent homage to africa through styling and accessories, including the use of stacked bangles and head wraps. that said, there seems to be a thread of continuity running through the 3 collections we've seen so far especially where accessories are concerned...however, the strong africa influence isn't as apparent as when suno first reared its head. in any case, we're keeping one eye on the suno ny brand and the other on those gorgeous african print wedges ;-)

see the entire resort collection here and here.

xo

spotlight: suno fall 2009

our first encounter with Suno NY by Max Osterweis was several weeks ago and we blogged about his use of kangas and african print here. this fall, Suno takes a walk on the wild side - lots of mixing and matching, clashing and more clashing, and some african print thrown in for good measure. as we've said before, many designers are looking at africa much less literally (i.e. they're not simply making ankara skirts) and are now incorporating it with a mish mash of other influences. here's a closer look at Suno's fall '09 collection:








more photos here.

thoughts?

xo