Spread Love: Gossip Girls//Pride Magazine June 2010

'Tis the summer of all tribal any and everything but amidst the flurry of editorials set to the backdrop of  typically Africa-inspired aesthetics, Pride magazine offers something a little different this June - different because:

i) no one's chasing lions

ii) the setting is fun and believable

iii) it features the work of young, upcoming and of-the-moment designers (shoutout to Zed Eye, Tina Atiemo, Ituen Basi and Afromania by Nkwo)

iv) said designers are actually African (...)

v) there's lots of African Print but it doesn't smack you in the face and give you motion sickness :-)

Here's a glimpse into the world of ultra modern vintage-lovin' "Gossip Girls" who wear pieces from some of Africa's hottest designers like they should be worn: pieces that fit right into our everyday lives, not fanciful tribal costumes that don't always translate easily from editorials into real life -

A bloomin' brilliant effort. For information on the Creative Team behind the shoot and the pieces featured, visit Pride Magazine online.

XO

Spotlight: Aya Morrison @ Howard University's ASA Fashion Show

Shop Liquorice favorite Aya Morrison showed at Howard's annual African Students' Association fashion show this past weekend, revealing a brand spankin' new collection just in time for spring. Head designer Helena Aidoo-Morrison sent the most delectable one-pieces and two-pieces down the runway and her gorgeous models were flanked by dudes in print shorts! What's not to love? Here are some of our favorite pieces:

We absolutely LOVE!

See more here and see photos from other designers at the show here.

o o o

CONNECT WITH AYA MORRISON -

Website - Aya Morrison 

Facebook - Group + Fan Page

Twitter - www.twitter.com/ayamorrison

SHOP ONLINE - Aya Morrison (via her website); Aya Morrison (via her etsy)

E-mail - info@ayamorrison.com

XO

SLiq EXCLUSIVE: Nike Akinola Spring 2010 (Preview)

a few days ago, we caught wind of new developments at Nike Akinola London, including a brand spankin' new collection for spring 2010. we're very excited to bring you an exclusive sneak preview of said collection, including a new range of tees called "blossom". according to Chris Okesola, managing director of Nike Akinola London: "each individual shirt is cut and hand sewn from individual wax prints and finished with the finest swarovski crystals." the tees come in six versions and three will be released this spring, with a release date of summer 2010 scheduled for the remaining three. here's a taster of what to expect from Nike Akinola London this spring:

very exciting! it's no secret that we love Nike Akinola and are positive big things are in the works for this   brilliant brand. in the meantime, shop Nike Akinola London online here and here and stay tuned to ShopLiquorice for the full collection.

xo

fyi: deola sagoe press release

this just in! here's what to expect from deola sagoe's upcoming show at New York Fashion Week next month. exciting is an understatement. many thanks to Hauwa Mukan, Deola's Online PR agent, for contacting us and for doing an excellent job in keeping us informed. other brands can certainly learn from this.

***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

                     CONTACT: Hauwa R. Mukan                                                

                        PHONE: +234 706-227-9223

                                                    +234 1-7918383

                           EMAIL: hmukan@yahoo.co.uk

             

DEOLA SAGOE SET TO UNVEIL FALL 2010 COLLECTION AT NEW YORK FASHION WEEK

LAGOS, Nigeria,  January 13, 2010-- Deola Sagoe will give the fashion world a unique and breathtaking spin on military attire at the much anticipated showcase of her Fall 2010 collection at the ARISE Magazine African Collective. The show is a part of Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week and will be held February 13, 2010 under the tents at Bryant Park. The collection is a seamless fusion of elements found within the African and Western militias, fashionably remixed with a blend of ethnocentric accents and military silhouettes.

“I have always been fascinated by military gear and wanted to create something that would look like African body paint, but not tattoos, an elegant, chic and somewhat formal representation of what this body paint tends to look like,” explains the designer.

The collection features signature scissorwork, resulting in clean stripped, sliced, shredded detailing. The stripes are a take on geometric body markings found on the bodies of Maasai warriors within Eastern Africa.

The collection is titled “Above the Fray,” a play on a phrase culled from classic military jargon, often used to depict kings and generals peering down from mountain tops overseeing fighting soldiers. The phrase, “Above the Fray” connotes a person or entity, standing a cut above the rest, a testament to the Deola Sagoe the person and the brand with 21 years of design under her belt. Fashionistas, afficionados, buyers, and spectators are all invited to witness ethnofusion at its best, as Deola Sagoe keeps her fashion flag flying above the fray this February.

***

we'd rather be in lagos: the U.M.i-1 exhibition

[click to enlarge]

about the brand:

"The U.Mi-1 brand embodies the similarities between two cultures; Japanese and Nigerian, and is her homage to the country she believes is akin to her home Nigeria...through U.Mi-1, Gozi aims to bridge the gap between the two nations. Live! U.Mi-1, the philanthropic arm of the brand is an exchange program aimed at bringing cultural awareness to orphaned kids in Nigeria and Japan through artistic workshops. Encouraging dialogue through art and giving the children a stimulating experience is at the heart of this project. In collaboration with an invited artist, Gozi educates the children in Japan about Nigeria and vise versa." [source]

even more here.

xo

ShopAfrica brick + mortar: The Zebra Store

[photo from Zebra Living]

in verrrry exciting news, Zebra Living has just announced the opening of its flagship store in Lagos :-) we're glad to see Zebra join the ranks of brands like Jewel by Lisa, PhunkAfrique, and Tae. YAY for more shopping!!!!!

o o o

here's what you need to know:

address: The Life House, 33 Sinari Daranijo Street, off Younis Bashorun Street, off Ajose Adeogun Street, VI, Lagos, Nigeria (opposite Suzy Q club, the red building)

store hours:

monday - closed

tuesday - 9:30am - 6:30pm

wednesday - 9:30am - 6:30pm

thursday - 9:30am - 6:30pm

friday - 9:30am - 9pm (late night shopping)

saturday - 10am - 9pm (late night shopping)

sunday - 12pm - 6pm

spread the word and happy shopping!!!!

xo

africans in the news: Deola Sagoe to show at New York Fashion Week??

for a while, the name on everyone's lips and at the forefront of africa's fashion scene was deola sagoe. curiously, while we've stumbled on a few deola sagoe-centered editorials here and there, the brand has been noticeably absent from all Arise Africa's fashion shows from inception till date. however, according to the NYT article we posted below (see paragraph 16), "the afrocentric tunics...of Deola Sagoe...will be unveiled in New York during fashion week in February."

we absolutely CANNOT wait!!!!!!! THIS IS SUCH A BIG DEAL and we're very excited to pass this information along :-)

xo

african designers online: ituen basi

goodness, we've discovered quite a few exciting new websites this week. up next, we have the fabulously talented ituen basi! her 2009 ankara and beads collection has been spotted at several events and we can't wait to get a piece of the action. her Arise Award for Innovation in Craftsmanship is certainly well-deserved and we eagerly anticipate her future collections.

happy exploring!

website: ituen basi

facebook: ituen basi

e-mail: ask@ituenbasi.co.uk

shop online: myasho

xo

ARISE AFRICA FASHION WEEK: DAY 7 - - KLûK CGDT (SOUTH AFRICA)

if you're looking for a show where virtually every piece dazzles you and sends you into a tizzy where you grab your credit card and scream "i'll take that for $2,000" at two second intervals, malcom KLûK and christian gabriel du toit (CDGT) are your men. what an oustanding collection, featuring the best in craftasmanship, design, and execution. this collection reminds us of an endless pandora's box of surprises -- the colors thrill you, the dramatic elements positively overwhelm you, and the understated flamboyance makes you aspire to a life of 24/7 glamor. you're impossibly fabulous -- everyone knows and you wear KLûK CGDT to make sure everyone always remembers:

be even more amazed here.

xo

ARISE AFRICA FASHION WEEK PHOTO UPDATES: JEWEL BY LISA and TIFFANY AMBER

[a model wearing tiffany amber @ arise africa fashion week 2009]

we've just uploaded 27 previously unseen photos from jewel by lisa's collection here and 17 from tiffany amber's here. if you liked their collections before, you'll absolutely LOVE them now.



[a model wearing jewel by lisa @ arise fashion week 2009]

xo

P.S. apparently, the vest above was fought over @ fashion week. yes, folks...FOUGHT OVER:

An item was actually fought for after the show as a number of people wanted to buy it. It was a simple, loosely styled ankara waist coat - the difference being that the entire surface of the garment had been beaded over in the original colours and patterns of the fabric, and jewels adorned the neckline. Priced at just over R2000 [about $250 USD] it almost seemed a steal for something so special.

INSANE :-)

more here.

xo

ARISE AFRICA FASHION WEEK: DAY 3 - - MUSTAFA HASSANALI (TANZANIA)

for us, the beauty of mustafa hassalani's collection was the clever incorporation of african print as accessories (belting, print-lined umbrellas) and his fluid, draped dresses that dripped effortless, timeless glamor. his collection also featured several one-handed pieces that capture the spirit of many spring/summer '09 collections as well basic print dresses, skirts, and pants that are fast becoming ubiquitous at Arise Africa Fashion Week. all in all, a remarkable designer with an admirable range of pieces.

see the entire collection via our flickr page here.

xo

ARISE AFRICA FASHION WEEK: DAY 1 - - CHRISTIE BROWN (GHANA)

IN BRIEF:

we expected simplicity and on-the-go wearability from Christie Brown. in other words, nothing terribly out of the ordinary...at least judging from the overall vibe of her debut collection. which is why we're especially dazzled by her pieces at Arise Africa Fashion Week. Christie Brown introduced us to a surprisingly strong direction for her brand, with each of her 14* looks paying homage to the motherland, its rich culture of print fabric, and a strong contemporary spin on traditional, everyday ankara. 13 of her 14 lools use ankara mainly in collaboration with other fabrics and we applaud Christie Brown for pushing herself creatively and for presenting pieces that show thought and technique. there's lots to choose from on this delightful platter - from ruffles, to separates, to organzas, jersey, and silk - and we predict that her brand is set for even greater commercial success after this showing, as her pieces speak to the everyday woman who wants to stand out without being overly obnoxious.

o o o

plain and/or assymetric tops and skirts





simple, solid dresses + cowl necks





the statement dresses




cocktail dresses




separates




misc

IMPROVEMENTS/FINAL THOUGHTS:

a clear direction or theme other than "african print" and "contemporary wear" may have made her collection even more striking. while there's lots of variety here, this is a collection that seems to be trying to throw it all in without a particular focus.

nonetheless, a strong showing with many pieces we'd snatch up straight off the runway.

thoughts?

xo

*numbers could change as more photos become available

photos:

ladybrille via Simon Deiner/SDR photo

ARISE AFRICA FASHION WEEK: the countdown - - CHRISTIE BROWN (ghana)

fans of unfussy, good-to-go pieces, get to know christie brown by aisha obuobi:




with this out-of-ghana brand, we're expecting simple, everyday pieces -- tops, dresses and skirts that'll take you from work to hanging with the girls after.



[aisha obuobi]

see more of her pieces here.

xo

source of main photo:

iFashion