This Just In: Bunmi Koko

Yes, yes and yes to e-commerce -- especially of the Bunmi Koko variety. Pieces from their Geisha collection have moved from shop floor to sale section, and their Matriarchy collection is making its way to centre stage. We spy a red dress, tops and fringed leggings, and we expect to see accessories (scarves, etc.) soon. You may recall that Bunmi Koko's Matriarchy collection was inspired by masquerades and girl power -- not the typical route one might expect but refreshing and poignant nonetheless. We can't stop looking at the graphic print tops (above and below). Perfection and a half. Now saving.

Happy shopping.

- SLiq

FIRST LOOK: Bunmi Koko Bridal

There are moments and there are moments -- that split second when we laid our eyes on the first looks from Bunmi Koko's new bridal range, especially with the backdrop of the day's breathtaking grand royal wedding, has turned us into piles of mush and desire. We're always beside ourselves when it comes to beauty and everything about these looks is exquisite and everything but ordinary.

Bunmi Olaye and Francis Udom have always had big dreams for their Bunmi Koko label, approaching it as more of a lifestyle brand than a ready-to-wear line alone. With their expansion into bridal territory, evening wear and men's accessories, their dreams are certainly taking shape, and we're charmed by them, to say the least.

Are Bunmi Koko's pieces making you reconsider your go-to designer for your wedding dress?

- SLiq

Photos:

Bunmi Koko

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

Sweet Tooth: Red hot

Lately, we've been seeing red and so have some of our favourite African designers. For this themed collage, we bring you our top picks from Anita Quansah, Sunny Rose by Maureen Okogwu, Bunmi Koko and Eyola. Granted, they come with hefty price tags, but since when did fashion equal affordable? Dream a little...

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a) Opulence, Anita Quansah-style. Her recent trip to the motherland inspired her use of African beads, swarowski crystals and vintage bits and pieces in a new collection that expands the concept of "tribal chic". Luxurious, stunning, Anita-mazing. [POR - info (at) anitaquansah (dot) com; see snippets of the new collection here.]

b) Feathery, fun, bold -- what's not to love? This evening clutch from Sunny Rose is delightful. [835 GBP, Couture Lab, see here.]

c) We literally gasped when we saw this one. More than enough to dazzle, wow and possibly cause a small conniption. Nicely done, Eyola. [1125 GBP, see here.]

d) You'll remember this piece from Bunmi Koko's Matriarchy collection. Strong, structured shoulders, silk, tie-dye -- the perfect statement piece. [POR - sales (at) bunmikoko (dot) com]

e) Yes to tassels, yes to Eyola. Always. [475 GBP, see here.]

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In The News: Michelle Obama to wear Bunmi Koko

[L-R: Francis Udom <Bunmi's partner>, Bunmi Olaye <of Bunmi Koko, wearing Bunmi Koko> & a guest wearing Bunmi Koko at the Africa Fashion Awards in June. Photo courtesy of Simon Deiner.]

We blog for moments like this. 

We've gone on and on about Bunmi Koko's bright star that just keeps shining brighter and brighter. After a string of successes, they have yet another feather to add to their now very, very feathery cap. They sent a "prospectus of [their] designs to the White House", Michelle Obama took a liking to a particular cream coat and, as you do, sent word to Bunmi Koko that she'd like one. Needless to say, Mrs. O will receive her cream Bunmi Koko coat in time for fall & Bunmi Koko's website may very well crash, amongst other things.

Truly epic, truly extraordinary! We're exceedingly excited for this amazing, amazing brand and can't wait to watch more and more of their brilliance unfold.

XO

Source:

This is London

The Independent

P.S. We wonder, could this coat from Bunmi Koko's Geisha's Reform collection be the cream coat in question? Time will tell.

STYLE NOTES: Bunmi Koko//Nigeria + UK [Day 2, Africa Fashion Week 2010]

Fringed leggings, masked models, pom poms, fur and tie-dye like graphic prints found an outlet in Bunmi Koko's astounding Matriarchy collection - a seamless follow-up to her 6-piece showing at Graduate Fashion Week. The high neck lines and draped bodices of the Victorian era met with the pom poms, masks and staffs of an Efik cult of men-only masquerades. At once ironic and a powerful statement on its own, a matriarchy collection inspired in part by airless costumes worn only by men and transformed into pieces with an air of charm, dignity, sophistication and confidence speaks volumes. Is there any use trying to make such a cult more inclusive when Bunmi Koko has created an endlessly superior dress code?

o o o

Her exquisite craftsmanship shone through in intricately draped sleeves, a ruched tuxedo jacket and the closest attention to detail - it's always blindingly obvious when a designer has loved every inch of her pieces to life. Her ability to be inspired without taking her inspiration too literally or allow it to subsume her creative vision was a particular highlight, making this the stunning showcase of a designer who celebrates the joys and complexities of womanhood while being very much her own woman. A rousing and outstanding success. 

See more photos here.

XO

Spotlight: Bunmi Koko @ Graduate Fashion Week [Full Collection Photos]

As promised yesterday, we bring you Bunmi Koko's 6-piece preview collection at Graduate Fashion Week. We don't even know where to begin. Here's a closer look:

Absolutely incredible. From her use of unusual textures to her fluid tie-dyeesque print and tiny details that leave us beside ourselves with awe, this collection is sophistication, edge and art incarnate. We eagerly await seeing the full collection at Africa Fashion Week on July 1, 2010. In the meantime, Bunmi Koko is nominated for 3 awards at the Gala/Wrap-up event for Graduate Fashion Week, including the highly coveted River Island Womenswear Gold Award worth 20,000 pounds.

We wish Bunmi Koko continued success and the very, very best now and always.

XO

Many, many thanks to the following photo sources:

catwalk queen

fashion foie gras

Spotlight: Bunmi Koko's Bunmi Olaye @ Graduate Fashion Week 2010

[Designer Bunmi Olaye, via Mimi Magazine]

[Bunmi Koko's designs at Graduate Fashion Week via Telegraph]

A new fashion darling is slowly but surely being crowned in London's style circuit. Bunmi Koko's Bunmi Olaye is a 28-year-old Nigerian designer who just participated at Graduate Fashion Week today (Sunday) with this year's graduating class of University of East London (UEL), and a woman with an extraordinary point of view who is destined for great things.

[Efik masquerades: Inspiration for the collection]

Her "Matriarchy" collection touched on powerful women who left their mark and as the Telegraph describes it: "Bunmi's collection, inspired by the mysterious men-only Leopard Masquerade cult of the Efik tribe in the Nigerian province of Calabar, mixed with references to the high-collars, tight waists and voluminous sleeves of the Victorian era, was the "star" of (UEL's) catwalk show today."

[Mood board for the "Matriarchy" collection]

In Bunmi's words, the collection evokes "The feeling of a warrior-like woman in power. The look plays with new proportions and the pairing of very different fabrics, precious materials such as cotton raffia, bells and beads, silks, sheep fur and woven wools with unexpected details."

With work experience at Alexander McQueen under her belt and the creative ingenuity to re-invent herself collection after collection, there's no doubt in our minds that Africa's fashion scene has a new rising star and it's just as well that she's debuting at Africa Fashion Week later this month. From the little we've seen, we're completely enamored of the cultural elements that coalesced in this collection to birth magical pieces that usher the bold arrival of an exceptional talent.

Please stay tuned for more photos from her collection.

XO

Spotlight: Bunmi Koko 2010

Sculpted sleeves and bodices characterize Bunmi Koko's latest ready-to-wear collection Geisha's Reform - a tribute to "Japanese costume, interior deco and old English architecture." The homage to shape and texture is truly extraordinary, while the rich colors and patterned pieces make this collection - and designer - spectacular.

Enjoy:

We suspect several of these pieces will form the backdrop of our daydreams for several days to come. Read more about the inspiration behind the collection here.

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Connect with Bunmi Koko:

Website: Bunmi Koko

Facebook: Bunmi Koko

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