JUNE 2013
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4
contents Editorial 2 Inspiration 4 Online Finds 8
David Tlale introducing new line of bags! Didi Creations
Black Fashion Week: Adam Paris 12 Black Fashion Week: Rush Couture & 14 Elie Kuame Clove Studi Africa Print Hats 16 Fenix Couture 18 Taibo Bacar 14 Your Feet In Need of a Revival This 17 Summer? Try Missy Ewa! Your Plus size fashion Gets 20 Revamped!
O
ften I will say, we're all Africans after all. No matter where, how, or which way you perceive it. You are an African! As we roll into Issue 4, it couldn't be truer! We continue to see those who have previously thought themselves non-African feel the love of African fashion. The love we are continuing to share with you -- if you haven't caught the bug yet, this issue will lovingly bring you even closer. It's summer, it's bright, and so are the many topics we cover. From David Tlale's new long of strikingly beautiful line of bags (remember him from Issue 2?), to an extensive coverage of Black Fashion Week in Montreal, Canada (O lovely, Adam Paris really shined!) and some new designers lookbook (Fenix Couture, wow!). Let's start the party.
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Inspiration
BANKE KUKU Joining the ranks of Jewel By Lisa (remember her line from a few issues back?), Banke Kuku uses the art of textile production and her degree from Central St. Martins and Chelsea Art College, London to create stunning fashion and interior pieces to beautify both body and home. There, she was given the award ‘Queen of Color.’ Safe to say she’s taking her title very seriously. Kuku’s designs have been featured on catwalks in Milan, New York, and Paris.
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...the joy of African Fashion
Della
Urban Outfitters has teamed up with Della, a Los Angeles-based fashion line that works directly with a community in Hohoe, Ghana to create handcrafted, socially responsible quality products while providing jobs, education and skills training to women in Ghana, West Africa. On May 1st, Urban Outfitters will introduce an exclusive collection of Della apparel and accessories to select Urban Outfitters stores and online.
AYABA Nigerian fashion label AYABA brings its new collection: “AREWA.” The brand stands behind the firm belief of a woman in all her forms: hard working, fearless, smiling in the face of adversity, and breaking boundaries.
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Inspiration
Wale Oyejide Kante Scarf Wale Oyejide is one of the best dressed men out there. I want that Kente scarf so bad.
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...the joy of African Fashion
Get this amazing blouse from Etsy.
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Online finds
10 Years of Fashion
for South African Fashion Designer
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David Tlale
...the joy of African Fashion
Introduces New Line of Bags On Anniversary
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avid Tlale, the talented designer known for pushing fashion boundaries, has launched a new line of handbags inspired by South Africa and the Ndebele artwork. “The art symbolizes a beautiful aspect of our culture as South Africans. We are a diverse nation, coming in all shapes, forms, and sizes. As David Tlale celebrates 10 years in the fashion design industry, he also wants to pay tribute and homage to Mother Africa. He celebrates the country and continent that have nurtured and supported him throughout his journey as a designer. The women of this country have been so helpful. Consider this bag collection as a little token of appreciation to say ‘punctuate your gorgeous DT number with a killer DT bag.’” Via HauteFashionAfrica
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Online finds
Different Bags for DiDi Creations Releases 2013 Lookbook
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he DiDi Creations label has rolled out a lookbook for their bag collection this year.
Designs created by creative director Tina Ndidi Ugo take you away to feel all of the glamour, color, vintage, and retro involved in the creation process of these beautiful bags. All bags in the collection are geared towards different aspects of a woman’s life. There’s a bag for the corporate look, there’s a bag for the grunge look, and even one appropriate enough for the beach. Check out more of the collection on the DiDi Creations website. Via BellaNaija
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...the joy of African Fashion
Different Occasions:
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Fashion Week
Senegelese designer Adama Paris brought Black Fashion week to Montreal and excitement was in the air.
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...the joy of African Fashion
Adama Paris
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’église Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Montreal was the place to be a couple of days ago for all fashion lovers. Senegelese designer Adama Paris brought Black Fashion week to Montreal and excitement was in the air. The first night started with a performance by Nicole Musoni and designers such as Yves Jean Lacasse, Luxyria, Helmer and Adama Paris presented their collections. Models walked the runway in Neon colors, nautical stripes, flawy dresses and a bit of prints. Adama’s summer collection was really a breath of fresh of air.
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Fashion Week
RUSH COUTURE, ELIE KUAME
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...the joy of African Fashion
BLACK FASHION WEEK MONTREAL
DAY 2:
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Online finds
Clove Studio Africa Print
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s a West African inspired clothing line, Clove aims to bridge the Ghanaian culture and aesthetic to Western fashion. Started by a trio of brothers based in London, they are in pursuit of establishing a strong presence in the fashion industry and in doing so, putting Ghana on the radar of fashion lovers everywhere. Their products blend modern apparel with vibrant colors and patterns, usually found in traditional West African fabrics. The trio started out doing this as a personal endeavour, but it quickly escalated to a venture none thought was possible. Founded on the belief of S.T.W. (Sharing The Wealth), Clove hopes to someday produce their products in Ghana. For more information, visit their website. Via UberChicMichi & CIAAfrique
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...the joy of African Fashion
Your Feet In Need of a Revival This Summer? Try Missy Ewa!
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ccessory brand ‘Missy EWA’ is a London-based family fashion business established in 2011 with intentions of providing trendy and oneof-a-kind accessories for the fashion savvy. The name Missy EWA- meaning beauty- reflects the artistic characteristics of each woman. The new line of shoes from Missy Ewa include flats and wedges with Oriental and African inspiration, not to forget the ‘ME’ placed square in the middle of the shoe. Via UberChicMichi
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Online finds
...the joy of African Fashion
Fenix Couture
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osephine Akioyamen founded Canadian based fashion house Fenix Couture in 2009. As a result of increasing demands by her clients, Akioyamen and her brand branched out into making ready-to-wear dresses in hopes to reach out to haute couture lovers at an affordable price. The Ihotu collection, meaning ‘love’ in Idoma, is styled purposely to give the illusion of blooming elegant ladies, similar to the cherry blossoms in Washington DC in springtime. The collection covers lots of styles in eccentric prints and colors designed with the natural beauty of ladies in mind. These beautiful garments are proudly made in Canada, keeping in mind manufacturing and quality ethics. Via Ciaafrique
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Online finds
Gets Revamped!
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a’Bello Clothier (otherwise known as MBC) believes curvy is beautiful. With that, they have launched their latest collection tagged “Chic N Sassy.” The brand was officially launched in Lagos, Nigeria in December 2012 with an exhibition and fashion show to unveil Creative Director Osa Aisien’s brainchild. MBC is a fashion brand that dares to be different from what we normally see here in Nigeria- fashionable
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...the joy of African Fashion
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Size
Fashion clothes made specially for fashionable curvy or plus size women. The plus-size fashion echelon represents the biggest opportunity in retail. With the average woman wearing a UK size 14, it’s the most underserved market. Via LadyBrilleMag
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The production team
Director Bamidele Omotosho Editor-in-Chief Welina R. Farah Design and layout David Jérémy Delonnay
Special thanks We here at gèlè would like to thank the following blogs for their determination, hard work, and dedication to African fashion. Without them, we would not be here. Thank you.
Ladybrille Magazine: www.ladybrillemag.com CiaAfrique: www.ciaafrique.com The Fashion Notebook: www.nanciemwai.com UberChicMichi: www.uberchicmichi.com HauTeFashionAfrica: www.hautefashionafrica.com BellaNaija: www.bellanaija.com COVER PHOTO CREDIT: FENIX COUTURE
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