Save the Date: FAFA 2012

... and the fashion continues, FAFA is back, this November 17th and looking at the lineup this year I am super excited for the show. I love  Gloria Wavamuno from Uganda and cant wait to see what she showcases and FAFA insight emerging designers competition designer Jamil Walji.
Here is a line up of the Kenyan Designers showing:

Anna Adero

Blackbird Jeans

Deepa Dosaja

Embody Accessories

Jamhuri Wear

John Kaveke

KikoRomeo

Kondakis

Kooroo

Monica Kanari

Riri Jewelery

And a few designers from the continent:

B’ExotiQ (Ghana)

Gloria Wavamunno (Uganda)

Mudi Africa (Nigeria)

Zekaryus Solomon (Eritrea/UK)

I know, I mean amazing right... though, (cough, cough) if I went for this i'd be set back a few thousands, WHY!! #helplessness but we will be blogging about this through pictures from other sources. Life of a recessionist.

-Annie

Lagos Fashion Week- Menswear Focus

Where European, American fashion weeks reign supreme in the fashion world, underrated fashion weeks in the world go on with spectacular shows rarely reported on internationally, specifically in Africa.
If you are within the international community, you may not know that this is Africa's (unofficial) fashion season; from Nigeria to first timers, Ghana and the obviously well known Mercedes Benz South Africa Fashion Week.
Yes, its a lovely time.

Though I decided to do things differently, I really love men's fashion I do and I applaud the revolution its going through at the moment (in case you don't know the Revolution sounds something along the lines of, "LIVE A LITTLE!") So as a strong unrelenting supporter of that cause, I've decided to round up my favourite Menswear line from Lagos fashion and design week (Nigeria)



Kelechi Odu- This line is basically saying relax and I love it, inspired by resort life and Spain (there were *subtle hints of some tassles somewhere) it was one of the more successful Menswear collections of the Lagos season.

African Fashion- Print-topia...NOT!

Katungulu Mwendwa- NY fashion Week

Khanga, Leso and Ankara, these prints are now the identifying factor in the fashion game quite especially on the runways of Kenya; multitudes of designers are coming up with designs which feature in what is becoming a seemingly cliche tactic, stereotypical African prints on an over commercialized western trend eg. a peplum dress.

Is this the way Kenyans view African/Kenyan fashion? I think it is quite disappointing for anyone to think that that is simply what African Fashion constitutes of, a collection of loud, bold prints on a specific fabric and   hey presto! You've got an African design. Consequently, people who have realized the popularity and insatiable demand for an African print (which was looked down upon not too long ago) here in Kenya, are creating what seems like a mass distribution of the product which results in a over saturated and over commercialized  fashion market of literally the same item.

Nairobi Fashion Market- Finally!

Having delayed my older sister leaving the house to go to the fashion market because of a fixation on  watching Jimmy Kimmel Experiments on YouTube that involved breaking kids hearts, yeah i'm just that kind of person, I finally got ready and left the house with a pissed off sister, whose friend by the way was waiting on her.

After a series of unfortunate and hilarious events (including being a blogger whose camera pulled a disappearing stunt and coming to the sad conclusion that I would have to use my very unprofessional phone for pictures) we ended up at Impala with my little sister who was forced to attend it with us when my parents picked us up in the blistering heat waiting on a jav...
I must say from the entrance I was a bit discouraged thinking that we would be 5 people at the event,  it was nearly empty despite the numerous cars parked outside, however once inside, I realized that the tents enclosed everyone inside, therefore explaining the apocalyptic feel of the entrance.

Nairobi Fashion Market- October Edition

Nairobi Fashion Market Poster

I wanted to write "we are going for this" in large dominating and fearful capitals but I didn't want to seem like I was shouting at you guys. This event is seeing more and more people jumping on board and I think its good exposure for local designers and boutique owners and for bloggers too, so that we can have more content to blog on and there's gonna be an Arcade!!! I'm such a child. Praying to my lucky stars for BARGAINS.

WE ARE GOING FOR THIS!!!!!! 

Ha ha ha ha ha!!!

See you guys there, damn, it feels good to be back :)

-Annie

East African Designer's Fair

Hellowall!

 Today is UP MAGAZINE article day, ah the free press... here is what we were up to at the East African Designers Fair.

Aug02

Freaks at the Fair

1 Comment

Chilli Mango T-shirts

Read It Here only on, Up Mag

-Annie

Zambarau Spring Lookbook 2012

Habari!

Here are the just released pictures from a shoot styled by... THIS BLOG of course and it was surreal so tell a friend dude that we really are just that awesome, no need for applause, really :)

The client was jewelry house Zambarau (call 0721954235 to place an order) and they make handmade couture accessories. Zambarau's work is like an unexpected cinematic twist in a movie and a welcome one at that; Nairobi everyday fashion is serious and black especially in the spring when its so cold which at times can be boring but, these items add that explosive twist into your spring wardobe. Spring fashion has really embraced colour and rightly so, I cannot walk anywhere without bright flowers and butterflies decorating the streets, it really is a beautiful season. I am already making orders.

Working with Maria (Creative Director, Zambarau) made us realize that Zambarau really is statement fashion at its best!

Freaks at The Fashion Show...Too legit

The Eastland Hotel

So yeah, i was tech challenged and a bit lazy so the last post emulated exactly what was in my uninspired mind so i will redo this post for my peace of mind. The first was a wreck dudes. So what exactly inspired me? My Picasa just updated and it's so fun... Oh, the trivial things that make me happy, especially since i think my mind is stuck in another era that does not have internet, C'mon what other explanation do you have apart from insinuating that i should have probably paid more attention in Computer Classes? I know there are some of you out there with this exact problem.

Blah Blah, here is the Fashion Show i attended for the Mcensal Grad students/ Kiini, and as i said before, it was so awesome and fun and that really should be the essence of fashion.

 Backstage: The Calm The Chaos

Designer Diaries: Kiini 8

Kiini 8 by Thandiwe Muriu

New designers, big designers, what's in and what's out that's the name of the fashion game... basically. However, how is it all determined? I mean, no one just wakes up one day and decides Peplum is in right? Well today on our Designer Diaries series, I have a backstage exclusive (well kinda...)for those dying to know... HOW DO THEY DO IT?
 
I want to introduce you guys to a bunch of lovely fashion students from Mcensal Fashion School here at home(that's Kenya outside world) who have allowed us to be part of the intricate process of making a collection. How many of you have been to a fashion studio, and i'm talking inside the studio itself with the designers and all? For those who have not, brace yourselves for a Fashion aneurysm!!