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

How did you start in the Music industry ?
Growing up I saw the power of music at work among my family members and within my South African community. The elders would play music night and day and I observed what it could do to a people, but did not understand how. There were songs of struggle that seemed to give words to what people were feeling but could not articulate. It seemed to comfort those who could not express their pain. It seemed to give people an escape from their undesired reality. I was intrigued by this and wanted to be able to do the same - - make people feel that they could express their emotions when my music played. By the age of 18 I had my first demo.

Starting off I was signed to be the new face of R&B and Soul in a Kwaito label. I put out my first album All My Love in 2003. In 2006, I signed with Sony Africa to re-launch myself and further grow into the industry - I went on to release albums like Soul in Mind, Feel Good, Return to Love and Rise Again.

I really enjoy interviewing  the creative minds of Africa, so to I would like to introduce to you for the first time on Ciaafrique Akebehi Kpolo designer of the fab jewerly line Ohiri Kréation. Ohiri Kréation,  is a jewelry  brand inspired by the Akan‘s world and the African cultural diversity. Created recently, the brand offers hand-made jewels allying Modernity and Tradition. A wide choice of necklaces, bracelets, earrings  available on limited edition or made at the request.  These creations creations can be worn  all the time, at any occasions. Let's get to know a bit about Akebehi and her line.  

What is the name of your fashion label and its designer? 
Anna Luks is the design label and my name is Anna Lukindo

When was it established? 
I started the launch of Anna Luks towards the end of 2010

Where are you based? 
London

Tell us about your fashion background, how you got started, why you got into fashion and the type of designs you do.
 I guess I got into fashion from my mum and older sisters but it was always in my nature to create. Apart from my architectural back ground, I also was very much into performing arts and into design and won first prize in a design competition too back home in Tanzania. After I had my family, I got back into clothes designing and drawing. As I always loved working with a variety of textiles a lot of my work in Anna Luks uses recyclable materials such as ropes, cords, and yarn. My clothing designs and accessories are at present mainly for women.

How hard was it to get started? 
As anyone who runs their business can tell you it’s not easy to set out on your own, especially in the fiercely competitive world of fashion. You just have to be determined and have great support networks in place.


What has been your greatest success to date within the fashion industry? 
Launching Anna Luks, receiving positive feedback and from within the industry (creative peers, photographers, models) and general public supporters.

What is the future vision and aim for your label?
More collections from Anna Luks, expansion and international recognition. Check out 

http://www.annaluks.com/ for the rest of the collection.

I was recently invited to the presentation of the new collection of chinedesign but unfortunately I could not make it , but the designer Chinedu was kind enough to grant Ciaafrique an interview. check it out


Tell us a bit about yourself 

What is the name of your fashion label and its designer ?
Label; Grey
Partners ; Rukky Ladoja, Tola Ayanwale, Obi Obi

When was it established? 
 2009


Where are you based? 
Grey Projects @ Flat 1, Block 25 Shomolu Ave, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos Nigeria

Tell us about your fashion background, how you got started, why you got into fashion and the type of designs you do? 
Rukky Ladoja has been designing for over 5 years.She has attended fashion courses at a number of design schools in the UK.The team decided to start Grey as we saw an absence in the provision of quality, yet affordable womenswear made and retailed in Nigeria.We design Ready To Wear clothing for work, weekends, and a small offering for formal events.

What is the name of your fashion label and its designer ?
The name of our brand is DRC ApeParel, LTD and we use a collective of designers all headed up by our Brand Director Roderick Vakala and our Creative Director Eric B. Ndelo. 


When was it established?
We officially printed our first line of t-shirts in 2004 and completed our first cut-&-sew hoodies in 2007.  


Where are you based?
We are currently based between our two offices. Our corporate office is in Raleigh, North Carolina and our creative office is in Charlotte, North Carolina.

My  name is Orire Omatsola. I'm  Currently in my final year at the university of manchester, studying art history. Officially started my label last year summer. My mother and I make up the Re-bahia team.

If you ever wondered who was the designer behind Autumn Adeigbo check out my interview with her . 


Ciaa :Tell us a little bit about yourself
 My name is Autumn Adeigbo and I am currently chasing my dream in the place where dreams can be made into reality- New York.



Ciaa : How did you first get interested in becoming a fashion designer? What is your background?
Autumn: Fashion was always the reason I woke up in the morning. I never really enjoyed school because I never really fit in socially. Especially in college. I'm not sure when but somehow I became very socially awkward- especially in school. So the only reason I got up in the morning was to explore the creative depths of my closet. So even if the girls didn't like me in school they could never say I didn't look fly. In terms of my background I have Nigerian parents and we have lived in many places around the United States. I went to Spelman College and then studied Fashion Design at Parsons in NYC.

Abbiee Oyewole  The designer of Quetura  just finished  working on her latest collection. Ciaafrique  got the honor to get a glimpse at the collection and also learn a bit about the designer's inspiration and background.


Ciaa: Please introduce yourself to our readers.


Abbiee: Hi Ciaafrique readers, my name is Abbiee Oyewole, the creative mind and brain behind Qétura. Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria.  Moved to Texas 8 years ago and have lived there since.

I've recently had a pleasure of interviewing the British  fashion designer Abenaa from Ohema ohene, who is Taking the  British and African  fashion world by storm with her cutting-edge,  flirty  clothing and shoes line . The first time I got a look at her collection  Saying that I was blown away is an understatement.   I introduced  her work here on ciaafrique at least twice for the last 3 months. Please check out my Interview with her below.


Ciaa: Hello Abenaa and thank you for taking some time to do this interview can you tell us a little bit about yourself?


Abenaa: London College of Fashion Design Graduate, Born and bread in South East London, 1 of four siblings.  I Have always loved my roots and my culture and being British!

Ciaafrique was able to catch up with the Duo ,Ola and Deena of DEENOLA  right before they unveiled  their debut  collection at the African fashion weekend in Dublin last Saturday.

Ciaa: Merci d'avoir pris le temps de répondre a quelques questions, veillez vous présentez à nos lecteurs.

Janice  Morrison is the founder and creative director of Afro-chique. Afro-chique which needs no introduction   on ciaafrique  is a ready-to-wear women's clothing & accessories brand that combines the cultural identity of African prints with the stylish influence of contemporary London.


Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi Ciaafrique readers, my name is Janice and I’m the Founder and Creative director Afro-Chique. 


Any background in Fashion, what made you feel you could choose this career path?

Doreen:I was born and raised in Tanzania and form a growing part of a homeward bound African diaspora. I studied and worked in the Financial Industry in Switzerland in the division of Luxury Goods Fund Management. I am now based in Tanzania in the Zanzibari capital, Stone Town.
Doreen:I have always been a follower of fashion, and worked in the industry part-time while I was a student. Then later, working in the finance sector in the division of luxury goods, I was exposed to the creative processes of the World’s top designers – Tods, Gucci, Burberrys – and gained a behind-the-scene appreciation of what drives the luxury
goods market, the essence of its global allure and its cultural power
of influence. Coming back home to Tanzania, having time away from familiarity and everything I’d previously taken for granted, I realized just how much wealth Africa possesses in terms of inspiration and materials.

Créatrice de mode, confectionneuse pour femme, Nathalie KONAN vous propose de découvrir NK Style alliant modernité et tradition. Née à San Pédro en Côte d’Ivoire ou à l’âge de douze ans elle fait ses premiers pas chez ELDA Super Confection - Académie de Coupe & Couture. Elle poursuit sa formation dans la couture en entrant au Collège de “Notre Dame” des Deux-Plateaux à Abidjan ou elle apprend les bases du métier. Après quelques années de travail, Elle s’envole ensuite pour Paris pour reprendre le chemin de la formation à FORMAMODE. Par la suite elle décidera de créer une marque représentative de sa vision de la mode féminine : NK Style (Nathalie KONAN Style).