London Events for your Fashion Calendar
1. Fashion Mist 2012 (includes catwalk and live music, free exhibition and chance to buy products)
When: 26th May 2012
Where: Hotel Russell, 1-8 Russell Square, Bloomsbury
Attending: Nana Afua Antwi (Befta Best female model and Top Model of colour winner) who will be launching her charity ‘Akosua Odei Foundation’.
Tickets: buy here and check their twitter for more info
2. Africa Fashion Week London (Twitter: #AFWL)
“10,000 guests, 100 models, 50 designers”
Visit the website for info and tickets.
Black on Black Discrimination (Reversed)- Cynthia Chisom Umezulike
I’m 5ft tall… and strangely skinny… Growing up in West Africa, where every young girl is expected to look succulent, endowed, dark-skinned and above all well fed, I didn’t fit this description in any way…
They would ask “Why are you so skinny? Are you anorexic?” The most bizarre comment was, “a typical African woman has meat on her bones, where are your curves?” I was constantly questioned and criticised. It was too much criticism and hate coming from a conglomerate of people who scream racism and discrimination on every single comment about skin tone, race and shape made by other races.
Sustainable Fashion Accessories
Fair trade bracelets produced by Rwandan textile cooperatives Cocoki and Abasangiye. Coming in 3 colours, these bracelets are currently available to buy for under $23.
(FYI: “Indego Africa” is a non-profit social enterprise which partners with women artisans in Rwanda and sells their fair trade products at U.S. retailers, on its online shop.)
LEARN MORE
Website: indegoafrica.org | Shop: shop.indegoafrica.org | Facebook: facebook.com/indegoafrica | Twitter: @indego_africa
Madame Figaro China | April 2012
Here are some of the gorgeous shots from the “Ethnic Origin” editorial by Charlies Guo featuring model Kiki Kang. Her skin appears to have been darkened for the shoot- you won’t hear any complaints from me today. She looks fab!
AFIA- “it is a smart business initiative not a charity project”
We aim to shatter misconceptions about the aesthetics of sustainable fashion (not another silk-screened organic t-shirt), and production in Africa (it is a smart business initiative not a charity project).
I’ve just seen Afia’s Summer 2012 Collection- I am in LOVE! I really like that the colours are BOLD but not too ‘out there’. They’re eye-catching but they can also blend in on a busy street. Designs= on point! The price tags… not so much.
Arise- Get to know
Scouring the magazine stands used to be an easy task- I normally went for Cosmo, Glamour etc. the usual- anything cover with a famous face on it. Now I always hunt for the leading African fashion magazines. If you haven’t been through a copy already- try to get your hands on Arise. I ABSOLUTELY recommend it if you like my blog.
Lagos fashion week: “putting Africa on the fashion map”
Amid the gridlock, the power cuts and the pay rows, African designers and models are making their mark on the fashion world. Eleanor Morgan reports from Lagos fashion week…
You can read the rest of the article here.
My first question is which map? Is there just ONE fashion map we should all be headed for in order to be considered a success? Steer clear of assuming that being “on the map” is what African fashion houses/designers/models SHOULD be aiming for. We are no longer settling for being PUT on any map, thank you very much. We’re creating a new one. Tweet me your thoughts at @VivaLaVinn.
