Shop Africa: Zed Eye Launches E-Commerce

Screen capture of Zed Eye's E-shop

Early this year, we wondered if 2011 might be The Year of E-commerce where African designers are concerned. Five months later, we can't say we've seen giant leaps, but we're certainly excited to see more and more designers catch on.

Zed Eye debuted their shop portal on June 6 with pieces from their Tribal Romance and Tribal Romance Revisited collections. Shop a colorful variety of classic cuts and print infused looks ranging from harem pants to baby doll dresses, and make it a point to do your bit where supporting African designers is concerned. As we like to say at Shop Liquorice - every day is a good day to Shop Africa, and that includes today.

Select Zed Eye pieces are also available at Agnes and Lola.

- SLiq

Who Wore What: Michelle Obama in Duro Olowu & ASOS Africa

Since we've been gone, Michelle Obama has had three notable Africa-related moments, two of which have brought her Duro Olowu count to 8 pieces (5 of which she has worn in 2011 alone). We spotted the first look from Duro Olowu's Spring '11 collection on the set of iCarly (above). Her silk knit shirt is currently available in Net-a-Porter's ongoing sale for $392 (down from $980). See a clip of her appearance on iCarly below:

Next up, Michelle Obama arrived in South Africa (she'll also visit Botswana on this trip) wearing Duro Olowu again, this time a piece from his Fall 2010 collection. Naturally, there had been much speculation about whether or not Michelle Obama would support African designers on this trip, and she turns to a tried and tested favourite to end the speculation.

Today, Michelle Obama supported made-in-Kenya label, ASOS Africa, wearing a piece from their Spring 2011 (available here for a little over $60) collection. Regular readers may recall that SOKO Kenya is responsible for the sourcing and production of the ASOS Africa collection, so we can't imagine how wonderful this must be for them. What makes this especially remarkable for us is that we always harp on about how there are many ways to support Africa and Africans, and Michelle Obama shows us that if we can't go high-end, we can certainly go high street. A wonderful testament to Michelle's versatility, and Africa's.

Of course, now we really can't wait to see what she'll wear next. Perhaps one or two more Duro Olowu looks? Suno NY, maybe? A local South African designer? Time will tell.

Shop Duro Olowu online:

Couture Lab

Barneys

Net-a-Porter

- SLiq

Photos:

Mrs. O

Huffington Post

Collages by Shop Liquorice

This Just In: Ohema Ohene Spring/Summer 2011

Ohema Ohene is probably better known for their fresh print-covered kicks, but they've got clothes covered, too. Our favourites this season are two spring essentials: the little white dress and the must-have trench (hello temperamental weather!). Ohema's take on the LWD involves lace and a contrast print peter pan collar, while their belted reversible trench comes in a gorgeous electric blue highlighted contrasted with print and pops of pink, and being reversible, it's like getting two jackets for the price of one -- what's not to love? Get yours here and here. And if you're in London, pop down to their store for more variety: 63 Atlantic road, Brixton, London, SW9 8PU. Remember, every day is a good day to Shop Africa, and that includes today :-)

- SLiq

Buy-It-Now: Lalesso Flats, £30

Summertime - heck, anytime - is a good time to add some extra pep to your step with colourful ballet flats. These pairs from Kenya-based brand, Lalesso, were produced by SOKO Kenya (also responsible for the Asos Africa phenom) and retail for 30 pounds online. Shop here for a variety of colours. 

Would you wear print on your feet?

- SLiq

Shop Liquorice's "Buy-it-Now" series takes our obsession with "Shopping Africa" a little further. Need chic and cheap pieces and not sure where to look? Eager to include Africa on your shopping list but don't have lots to spare? Shop Liquorice's "Buy-it-Now" presents the most fabulous finds on the web, so all you have to do is click and wait for your piece of Africa to make its way to you.

Revamped & Reloaded: Mataano Website

[A silk chiffon romper from Mataano's S/S '11 collection. Available here, courtesy of The W.]

We believe that websites should be living, breathing entities, not static pages that say 'coming soon' for yonks. Ahem. That said, we really like Mataano's new and improved website: straight to the point, fresh, uncluttered and not unlike the brand in those ways. While their e-store is missing in action (a feature we fondly remember from the first version of the website), you can shop two pieces from their S/S collection online, courtesy of The W -- yes, the hotel chain. Pretty big deal, no? The W has a range called Global Glam, and while a Duro Olowu piece featured in their first collection, the spotlight is now on the Mataano girls.

Enjoy their new website (and recent Arise Magazine Fashion Week collection) here and shop here.

- SLiq

Photo courtesy of The W

Shop Africa: Suno NY Launches E-commerce

Suno NY enthusiasts may have already satisfied their occasional cravings through frontline e-tailers like Barneys and Shopbop, but what could be better than a one-stop Suno e-shop? From the relatively pocket-friendly (prices start at $115 and end at $2,100) to the exquisitely beaded and the all-round postively dizzying print-on-print fest, it won't be too long now until full-on Suno mania re-commences -- then again, when was it ever not in session? Oh, and folks looking into e-commerce may learn a thing or two from them, such as: keep it simple and to the point. Chaos and over-the-topness optional (read: unnecessary). [SHOP SUNO]

- SLiq

*Originally posted yesterday when the Suno NY website officially launched before it was re-launched today, April 5, 2011.

NEW IN: LEM LEM SPRING 2011

Liya Kebede's Lem Lem Spring collection features ponchos, wraps, dresses, skirts and accessories all hand woven in Ethiopia by locals. We love the casual, slouchy mood, Liya's conscious effort to preserve tradition and art, and the global appeal of simultaneously simple and intricate pieces. Discover and shop here.

- SLiq

Shop Africa: Bunmi Koko

We wondered in January if 2011'll be the year e-commerce finally catches on, and the answer is shaping up to be a resounding yes. While select Bunmi Koko pieces have been available online via Zoomp Clothing, Bunmi Koko recently debuted their very own e-store with pieces from their Geisha's Reform collection. We certainly hope it won't be too long until pieces from Matriarchy make their way online. In the meantime, enjoy these images from their Spring/Summer 2011 Matriarchy Campaign (more images here).

Shop Bunmi Koko online:

Zoomp Clothing (ongoing sale, by the way!)

Bunmi Koko E-Shop

XO

spotlight: korto momolu's statement necklaces

we're biiiiig suckers for statement necklaces, so it was with copious amounts of joy that we looked through korto momolu's e-store and found some of the most beautiful necklaces...of all-time!

about the collection//in korto's words:

"I use a lot of African beads as well as a lot of things made out of resin because my necklaces tend to be chunky and bulky, so I try to use materials that are not as heavy as using the actual stones and metals. A lot of glass beads. Some of the beads are from Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania. I love texture, there’s a lot of texture, my variation of textures, in all the pieces. I love turquoise. I also used feathers in some of the designs, I’ve always loved feathers and there are many different variations of feather earrings, so I thought “How can I make mine different?” I like the chains and the feathers. It has a soft and a hard feel to it. They’re made out of silver." [source]

to purchase, visit korto momolu's e-store, where she also has tees and purses for sale.

xo

ShopAfrica/shop for less: iamAfrica tees

a long, long time ago, we introduced the iamAfrica tee-shirt brand to you. today, we received an e-mail notifying us of special offers in their facebook store and thought we'd pass on the info. while you're at it, pop by their main online store here and see what else they have on offer.

happy shopping + supporting!

xo

spring 2010: african print swimwear by aya morrison

for our readers who are bored with winter and need a little springspiration to kick off the blues, here's a little something to look forward to - african print swimwear by ghana's aya morrisson (founded by helena aidoo-morrison):

african print spices up the most basic swimsuits and turns them into style statements. each piece is guaranteed to make you the life of the beach party...but you already know that. happy looking forward :-)

****

connect with aya morrison:

website
facebook
SHOP ONLINE: etsy store
to order, e-mail: info@ayamorrison.com

xo

p.s. aya morrison also makes gorgeouuuus african print purses. another post for another day ;-)