African Designers Online: Christie Brown

A few months ago, we sent the powers that be at Christie Brown an e-mail literally begging them step it up re: their website. Today, we're glad to report that steps have been taken in the direction of our request and christiebrownonline.com is now live! Visit to refresh your memories of collections gone by and to get a closer look at a brand that's poised to make Africa and the rest of the world pay close attention. Ready to shop? MyAsho has you covered.

XO

Image courtesy of the Christie Brown Lookbook

STYLE NOTES: Christie Brown//Ghana [DAY 1, Africa Fashion Week, 2010]

We gasped increasingly  loudly as we saw look after look from Christie Brown's collection. There's no doubt in our minds that she's one of Africa's foremost wunderkids, blurring the lines between the traditional African aesthetic and the silhouettes that now define the world as we know it.  The look above and those below are what made this collection one of the highlights of Africa Fashion Week so far.

[LOOK ABOVE] African print covered buttons act as the talking point in what would otherwise be a cute but simple sleeveless puff dress above. The colors are exhilarating and the thought and time that went into this winning look makes it one of our favorites.

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We mentioned gasping earlier. We're not ashamed to say this one made us get out of our seats. It is everything a funky, fresh suit should be, from the button embellishments on the puff sleeves to the print bandeau, the neckline and the proportions of the jacket and skirt, this is a combination and a look we haven't quite seen before.

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The embellished cuff of this billowy jumpsuit and the embellished necklace are gorgeous.

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It's the buttons again - but not just the buttons. Look at those pants!! Here's a look we'd snatch right off the runway and wear as is - no ifs, no buts, no maybes.

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The strings of Ankara that adorn this raw silk skirt and the trench and jacket below make these pieces what they are. Easily one of the most excellent uses of ankara and somewhat reminiscent of Ituen Basi's work. [P.S. We think the trench could've done without the additional print lining and buttons and the cropped pants could've done without the buttons as well.]

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There's nothing like a chic black dress and with a necklace like that, there's nothing more comforting than solid black with tasteful pops of color.

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Puff sleeves show up often in this collection and we love their re-appearance here. The print on the dress is a beautiful contrast.

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Last but not the least, this dress is simple, sophisticated and beautiful in the same breath. Would love to see this in a floor-length version.

See the entire collection here.

XO

ARISE L’Afrique-À-Porter: The full list of designers!

[Model wears a look from Eric Raisina at Arise Promise of Africa collective last summer]

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Thanks to ifashion, we now have the full list of designers showing at ARISE L'Afrique-A-Porter this Friday. We've brought you press releases from Tiffany Amber [Nigeria], Jewel by Lisa [Nigeria], and MOMO [Nigeria], and in this post, we added Kluk CGDT [South Africa], Lunar [South Africa] and Clive Rundle [South Africa] to the list. ifashion.com tells us that the following designers will also be making appearances:

David Tlale [South Africa; our guess was right!]

Eyola [Nigeria]

Eric Raisina [Madagascar] and

Christie Brown [Ghana]

So there you have it! 10 designers, 5 pieces each and 50 looks we can't wait to see! Which designer's work are you most looking forward to seeing?

XO 

ARISE AFRICA FASHION AWARDS: THE WINNERS

[kenya's ajuma, winner of the ARISE FASHION WEEK model award]

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ARISE AFRICA FASHION WEEK ended on a rewarding note at the ARISE AFRICA FASHION AWARDS show last night, celebrating winners in the following categories:

1. ARISE Designer of the Year - tiffany amber (nigeria), david tlale (south africa)
2. ARISE Emerging Designer of the Year - christie brown (ghana)
3. ARISE Award for Innovation in Design - ituen basi (nigeria)
4. ARISE Red Carpet Award - KLûK CGDT (south africa)
5. ARISE Fashion Business Award - maponya mall of soweto, south africa
6. ARISE Award for Fashion Creative - anglo gold, susan hayes (south africa)
7. ARISE Model of the Year - oluchi onweagba (nigeria)
8. ARISE Fashion Week Model Award - ajuma (kenya)
9. ARISE Most Promising Designer Award - heni (south africa), eyola (nigeria)

a huge congratulations to all the winners, and a special congratulations to tiffany amber and david tlale (ARISE designers of the year 2009) who will be showing at New York Fashion Week this fall!

xo

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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.

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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