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

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

Lookbook: Zed Eye's Tribal Romance Revisited

Three quarter sleeved green George jacket with cropped harem three quarter yellow ankara pants

Love fun fashion? You'll love Zed Eye. If you didn't get enough of the fusion of prints, plains and even feathers in Part I, there's even more in Tribal Romance Revisited. From fabulous Twiggy-style dresses to statement jackets and cropped harem pants styled with highlighter turbans, there's plenty of room to mix, match, and have fun with it. Enjoy:

Who Wore What: Zed Eye's "Tribal Romance" Jacket

[River Island's PR maestro & Stylist Arieta Mujay]

We've kept an eye on Ngozi Pere-Okorotie's Zed Eye since we saw her work in a memorable "Gossip Girl" spread, courtesy of Pride Magazine. We heard some ZE pieces would be on display at a Clothes Show London event a few weeks ago and we requested photos so we could get a closer look at the brand's work. Seems one piece stole the show and became the instant crowd favorite - a colorful African Print jacket with slightly puffed sleeves from Zed Eye's "Tribal Romance" collection. Its simplicity made it quite the versatile piece and several folks found a way to make it their own:

Yes, that's Kelis rocking the same Zed Eye jacket! Turns out Zed Eye's going to be making some of her tour clothes! It's going to be a great summer :-) P.S. That's Zed Eye's head designer Ngozi on the right wearing the same jumpsuit featured in Pride Magazine here.

It's Arieta again! She's totally wearing the heck out of that jacket! Love the entire look. And her hair!

Uber chic with a fedora and oversized clutch. Love the mannequin's Zed Eye pants as well!

Mixing and matching with Zed Eye...and peep the lady in the back as well!

L-R: Ngozi's PA Bumi Thomas and British Fashion Expert and Presenter Caryn Franklin

This jacket sure got around! Zed Eye is definitely one brand to be on the lookout for in the days ahead.

XO

Photos courtesy of Zed Eye

Spread Love: Gossip Girls//Pride Magazine June 2010

'Tis the summer of all tribal any and everything but amidst the flurry of editorials set to the backdrop of  typically Africa-inspired aesthetics, Pride magazine offers something a little different this June - different because:

i) no one's chasing lions

ii) the setting is fun and believable

iii) it features the work of young, upcoming and of-the-moment designers (shoutout to Zed Eye, Tina Atiemo, Ituen Basi and Afromania by Nkwo)

iv) said designers are actually African (...)

v) there's lots of African Print but it doesn't smack you in the face and give you motion sickness :-)

Here's a glimpse into the world of ultra modern vintage-lovin' "Gossip Girls" who wear pieces from some of Africa's hottest designers like they should be worn: pieces that fit right into our everyday lives, not fanciful tribal costumes that don't always translate easily from editorials into real life -

A bloomin' brilliant effort. For information on the Creative Team behind the shoot and the pieces featured, visit Pride Magazine online.

XO