I reported back in October the very exciting news about the collaboration of Nigerian designer Duro Olowu and American retail giant JCpenney. Now we can all take a glance at what is waiting for us next March. The collection includes shoes, handbags, clothes and a few home items which will be available both in store and online. Almost nothing is over $50 but one thing I am not sure about is the size of the garments . What is the biggest size for these pieces ? Anyways Check out entire lookbook below and tell me what is your fave look.

 Actress Kat Graham mostly known for her role in TV series The Vampire Diaries,  was spotted spotted out and about in LA rocking this  oversize african print blazer or maybe its a dress. ( I can't figure it  out) . What do you guys think about the look?

Miss universe 2011 Leila Lopes, walked on the stage last night during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant in a custom made yellow gown with black accents by Liberian designer and ciaafrique's fave Korto Momolu. She looked absolutely stunning. What do you say ?

 This Imane Ayassi collection was one of the best collection I have ever posted on ciaafrique. He is such an amazing designer. In case you missed it  a year and half ago you can check it out again.


Cameroun Designer  Imane Ayissi  recently  showcased his  summer 2012 collection in Paris. Born in Cameroon, Imane Ayissi arrived in France in 1990. This lover of fabrics has tailored for himself a strong reputation in the Afro-Caribbean community. In September 2002, he presented his eight collection Vogue Africa in the Daniel Buren Circus in Paris.Imane Ayissi draws his inspiration from the pre-colonial Black continent to create a global fashion which goes beyond the ethnic label. He works his fabrics in a soft and pure way in order to reveal harmony and magnify the elegance of women, elegance being the key-word of this creator. Chic, distinction and a touch of aristocracy are features of his dresses. Innate respect of women that reveals without undressing and suggests the body rather than shows it, is characteristic of this designer who resorts to some daring to help those he dresses with their seductive power.Entire collection after the jump.

As some of you may know Australian based label SheKudo started in 2010 between two friends Shetu Simone and Amy Iheakanwa who go back to cake stalls and car washing for cash. A label infusing elements of African culture into everyday wearable styles with a hint of vintage and street attitude interwoven into the mix.

In the near future, SheKudo aims to be a staple in the wardrobe of fierce fashion lovers as well as a recognized name on the streets locally and internationally.

The pair have launched a funding platform on INDIEGOGO to assist them in the creation of their next collection. Anyone can pledge funds to the cause and receive personal gifts from team SheKudo themselves. Gifts range from personalised postcards to items from their actual collection (including customized denim, bow ties, or your choice of any 3 pieces from their collection). The duo have even offered the chance for the highest pledgers to contribute to their next collection (which is set for release in 2013)and even have the designed piece/s named after them.
Both designers have backgrounds in other fields (Amy pursuing health and Shetu Media communications) although they both eat and breathe fashion standing firm in the belief that fashion is an extension of a person’s character, where one must always thrive to transcend the trend.

Head to their campaign here (www.indiegogo.com/shekudo1) and assist the duo in their plight.

Keep an eye out also for their anticipated 2013 collection which is set to push boundaries that little bit further, and continue to help brigde the gap between African Australian fashion and the rest of the world.

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Beatrace Angut Oola is the Founder & Director of Africa Fashion Day Berlin.Through “Africa Fashion Day Berlin” she invisions to create a network for fashion designers of the African Diaspora globally.“Africa Fashion Day Berlin” connects the fashion industries in Germany/Europe and Africa but also other nations. It is an event of African flair, esprit and glamour.  I was given the opportunity to interview her about few weeks ago and I was delighted learn more about this fab event which is going to take place in January 2012. Read full interview Below

Ugandan-American human rights advocate and home decor/accessory designer  Nasozi is currently based in Brooklyn, NY  and makes some beautiful decors for the home. OSxN, short for Origins Style by Nasozi, specializes in integrating African designs into contemporary home decor. Their goods range from throw pillows to window curtains and wall decor. They also carry a custom furniture line, and collaborate with Brooklyn- and African-based designers on exclusive designs. I am planning on moving into a bigger house soon and can't wait to  decorate part of my house with items like these.You can check out more  Here and  more photos below....

R&B Singer Alicia Keys was spotted at the KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball 2012 in LA wearing this African print top from the Burberry Prorsum’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection. We've seen celebrities  like Anna Wintour , Lady Gaga, Diggy Simmons, Solange Knowles and Kate Bosworth rocking pieces from the same collection before. Are you feeling Alicia's look ? 

 I always get extra excited  when I get  to post about African designers based in Canada because we don't have many around here. Meet  Emefa Kuadey a Ghanaian fashion designer based in Ottawa. She describes her line Israella|Kobla| as the ultimate fashion label for the trendsetter that always looks on point and  for the edgy girl that has her own style. Check out the photos of the lookbook ...

Eugenia Osei-Asante is a Ghanaian-born American designer and an entrepreneur. Asante is the designer of Bucolic (www.bucolicbombshells.com) and the founder of "The Bucolic Foundation" (Sow a stitch, Save a child), a Non- profit organization in Ghana that supports underpriviledged children. Asante discovered her passion for designing very early when she was only four years old. Her mother had bought her a small sewing machine and Asante was hooked. Instead of playing with the other children or even with dolls, she would usually be home playing with her mini sewing machine and try sewing cloths together.

Tribalwest is a jewerly line based in Nigeria . They make necklaces,earrings, bangles, bracelets,  slippers with Ankara and other types of Fabrics. You can check them out here 

 Morrocan designer Jamila Lafquir presented her new collection during the Annual Vlisco Fashion show in Cotonou Benin.  I am not a big fan of using Ankara  to make caftans but take a look at the full collection below.

My urban African touch a cute  and fun line that Stumbled upon a couple of days. The line is designed by Aurélie AFRAN. Its seems like the line is very young so I don't have much info right now but you can check out their Facebook page  here  and more Pictures below

“The Fun, Flirty and Girly Collective by April By Kunbi presents a wide range of highly versatile and wearable pieces. The collective features beautifully crafted dresses, peplum jackets, skirts and pants using prints and fabrics such as chiffon, raw silk and lots of shiny sequined fabric the brand is well known for. April By Kunbi will be unveiling a new and exciting collection at the 2012 edition of Music Meets Runway (MMR 2012).

Full collection below ....

Model/reality star Eva Marcille looks beautiful in this editorial  for Koshie O. Remember I reported earlier that Koshie O. collaborated with Eva , Mya and Michelle Williams to design 3 pieces for koshie O. 's latest collection. This is Eva's piece. You can check out Mya's piece here.

 

 Iconicity Fashion designs unique clothing, hand stitched and created especially for you. It is important to us to emphasis exclusivity; we create limited numbers of our designs. Our garments are a celebration of individuality and loving production that we want all our customers to share.

                       

                                           http://www.mycurvesandcurls.com/


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 My peeps over at Fashizblack just launched their online store with With 3 limited-edition collections.Diver-City par FASHIZBLACK which is all about promoting great African cities ( #2,3 shown above).FASHIZ' a few fun mottos also shown above (#1,4) and last but not least FASHIZBLACK par Isaac Bonan which is an exclusive collaboration with a rising star among french illustrators coming soon. What  do you think ?

Summer is over but it does not mean that we cannot still dream about beaches. This Stella Jean African print swimwear collection came out earlier this year and  all i can say is "perfecto". Its very vintage like and definitely  caters to my curvy body. So what do you say which one do you like?


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Ataui Deng and Marihenny Rivera photographed by Simon Burstall for Elle France November 2012. Loving the blonde hair.

Thandie Newton was spotted at the Hope Rising Benefit Concert in Toronto wearing this jumpsuit from the Jewel by lisa Spring 2012 collection. She paired the look with these Jimmy Choo ‘Anouk’ metallic silver pumps and a metallic box clutch.What do you think ?

The beautiful Soul singer Elle Varner hits the carpet last night wearing this printed Peplum Dress by Ciaafrique's fave Autumn Adeigbo. I love Elle for all the support she's been showing African designers. To refresh your memory you can check out all her previous looks here.This was a lucky dress for her as she also won best new artist.  What do you think? Do you like the dress?

Boxing Kitten released its Spring/Summer collection a couple of days ago. Althougn I am not a big fan of this lookbook ,Ciaafrique's fave designer delivered again a beautiful collection of mixed ankara prints and vintage cuts. I have already seen pictures of Condola Rashad wearing a few pieces from this collection . Forget  about the lookbook what do you guys think about the collection?

Introducing  Kokomina a label based in Germany. As soon as I saw the picture of this model I just wanted the to know who the designed this cute sweater. So a after a few minutes of searching I found them. They make accessories and clothing.Here is what their facebook page says:

                                        http://mycurvesandcurls.blogspot.ca/
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 Demestiks NY is my new ish. How cute are these peplum wrap jackets ? I introduced this designer  last month here you can buy the jackets here

There is a little change happening around here. You can now follow my PS on my new blog here . I hope you enjoy and follow me via GFC. Everything else will still be the same. Stay tuned for a new designer spotlight.

I am currently loving Manoir Coloré, which is a French based label by Bayi de Souza. I found them Via Tumblr however I could not find much about the designer. Here is how they describe the line on their Pinterest page:

" NO MELANIN FREE, French handmade refined and tribal fashion design". Designer, artistic, Manoir Coloré reinvented fashion defying its conventions, creating a refined tribal fashion. Manoir Coloré followed no rules, epitomising the very modern values of cultures mixity and passion. 

Do we ever get enough of Vlisco campaigns ?