CIAAFRIQUE ™ | AFRICAN FASHION-BEAUTY-STYLE: African designer in the news

Showing posts with label African designer in the news. Show all posts

Friday, October 26, 2012

DURO OLOWU TO COLLABORATE WITH RETAIL GIANT JCPENNEY

This is a very exciting news indeed. According to Fashionista JCPenney just announced a “seasonal collaboration” with London-based Nigerian designer Duro Olowu.The line will be available in JCP stores and online from March through May 2013 and includes women’s clothing and accessories, as well as a home line–think dinnerware, stationery, and decor.

Apparently the prices will range from $10 to $100 which is so freaking affordable to us girls on a budget. I expect the collection to be full of Duro's signature prints and plenty of color .You can believe that I will be stalking JCpenney's website like a hawk when the collection comes out. I which we had a store in Toronto. Oh Well ! You can check out Duro's previous collection here and check out Michelle Obama rocking this dress on Oprah a couple of years ago

You can also follow me via Twitter @ciaafrique

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Labo Ethnik Paris 2011: Ndiaga Diaw

MORE PICS AFTER THE JUMP

Friday, May 13, 2011

AFRICAN FASHION DESIGNER IN GERMANY: Malaika

Malaika Designs was born in spring of 2010 through the creative effort of Adwoa Ode-Dombrowe and Rosemary Dede. The name Malaika, means „Angel“ or „Good Spirit“ in Swahili.

Here is what they had to say about their label

MORE PICS AFTER THE JUMP

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Press Release: Asakeoge wins Best Female Fashion Designer and Launches Online Shop

FASHION DESIGNER WINS AWARD AND LAUNCHES ONLINE SHOP AND BLOG

The BEFFTA Awards (Black Entertainment Film, Fashion & TV Awards) was founded by award winning entrepreneur Pauline Long to celebrate the achievements of black and ethnic people in the industry. Winning the BEFFTA Award under the Best Female Fashion Designer category meant AsakeOge’s focus on creating individuality through contemporary customized clothing has been recognized.

Since its launch in March 2009, AsakeOge has styled artists and personalities for events and went on to be runner up for the African Tourism Awards and also got a special recognition for entrepreneurial and business achievements. AsakeOge was also nominated and subsequently won the Best Female Fashion Designer for the BEFFTA Awards 2010.

The inspiration behind the designs come from her roots and the 2010 couture collection features exotic African animals and scenery hand painted with swarovski and jewel embellishments. The ready to wear collection features cutting edge designs in bold prints and tailored silhouettes with the ethnic influence apparent. The ready to wear draws from her couture roots with exaggerated shoulders, cinched waists and sharp silhouettes. It celebrates the classic feminine hourglass shape with a hint of the tribal. The limited edition range is available in exciting vibrant colours and tick all the trend boxes. They have the military cut dresses, the jumpsuit, the maxi, and lots more. They also offer these stunning designs on a made to order basis with a choice from their stock of exotic prints..

First seen on catwalks in 2009; the reappearance of wild animal prints and colorful African graphics in the London Fashion week and Paris Fashion week 2010 shows us that tribal prints are here to stay. What was once considered ethnic and merely afrocentric is now avant-garde and luxe. Everyone is now keener than ever to embrace the rich and vibrant culture that emanates so effortlessly from Africa, from the textures of the natural cloths to the prints and colors that appear so boldly and combine effortlessly.

The garments are handmade by Asake or manufactured under Fair Trade using mostly silk, cotton and linen which are natural fabrics. The limited edition ready to wear is a solution to the fashion victim who finds it easier to follow high street trends as AsakeOge instead designs and produces original, contemporary pieces that set the trend. As well as being available online, bespoke services are also offered for that one-off outfit you need to stand out in the crowd

AsakeOge Couture was founded by Asake Agoro from

Nigeria

. The intro collection was showcased in March 2009 at the London Metropolitan Fashion and Dance.Charity Show when she was invited to come up with a collection for the fundraiser. The Couture collection was subsequently showcased March 2010 at the Fashion Fusion Expo and received rave reviews for its bold statement pieces.
A 3rd generation seamstress, growing up around the creative energy in a couture household enabled her to design and make garments for herself from the age of 15. She honed an innate skill by working with local tailors to produce one-off pieces that soon drew the attention of those around her who requested to have garments made for them

Asake herself says, “My passion for individuality is apparent in every work I create, for me the wow-factor is non negotiable in my hand made garments. I love to enter a room and make heads turn. I am inspired by designs from Vivienne Westwood, Alexander Mcqueen and would one day like to dress Michelle Obama and .”
The garments are now available to buy from the website www.asakeoge.com. The blog currently features the top picks from their line to wear for the party season. There is also a made to order service available by contacting sales@asakeoge.com

Media Contacts
Karine Laudort
Kay Flawless UK
07964209601
press@asakeoge.com
www.asakeoge.com

Friday, April 2, 2010

Press Release: Iconic Nigerian Fashion House Tiffany Amber featured on CNN

I got this in my Mailbox t yesterday and very Proud of Folake Folarin-Coker.

After 12 years in the fashion business, Tiffany Amber keeps reaching new exciting heights. Nigeria’s beloved fashion house, Tiffany Amber was recently featured on CNN International’s new show “Marketplace Africa”.
CNN visited both the Tiffany Amber flagship store and Tiffany Amber workshop in Lagos, Nigeria and discussed the “Tiffany Amber journey” as well as the growing relevance and influence of African fashion globally.

During the chat with CNN’s Christian Purefoy, Folake Folarin-Coker, the designer behind the label explained that “Ethnicity made globally friendly is what makes Nigerian designs stand out”. That is indeed true as Tiffany Amber pieces have dazzled all over the world from the ramps in Johannesburg to the New York Fashion Week runway and most recently, the brand’s successful showing during the Prêt-à-Porter Fall 2010/2011 Paris Fashion Week.
The CNN feature gives viewers a rare intimate behind-the-scenes experience of Tiffany Amber. From the making of a couture garment for the Face of Africa competition to a meeting with the Tiffany Amber design team.

Tiffany Amber was founded by Folake Folarin-Coker in 1998 and since then has built an influential brand and loyal following from women all over the world. The brand continues to be one of the most commercially and critically successful fashion labels in Africa. However, for the label, the greatest reward is that Tiffany Amber clothes make women feel beautiful. In 2009, Tiffany Amber was honored with the ARISE Africa Award for Designer of the Year (2009/2010) and also became the first African designer to ever show twice at New York Fashion Week. Both New York Fashion Week collections were extremely well received and lauded by publications including Women’s Wear Daily, the New York Post, style.com and essence.com
2010 is already a thrilling and successful year for Tiffany Amber. The label created a couture dress for the Face of Africa 2010 finale held in February 2010 and showed at the Paris Fashion Week in March 2010. As mentioned in the CNN feature, Tiffany Amber will be launching its highly anticipated diffusion line, TAN during the Lagos Fashion Week later in the year.
Link to CNN Video

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