First Look: Momo Spring/Summer 2011

After a year of silence from one of Nigeria's most notable brands (last we saw from them was at Arise L'Afrique-A-Porter last March, and they were noticeably absent from the recently concluded Arise Magazine Fashion Week in Lagos), Momo returns with a Spring/Summer 2011 collection as rich in colour, variety and tradition as it is striking and memorable. Momo has always celebrated femininity in their silhouettes, and has always understood what a plausible take on "Africa meets contemporary" might be, so it's no surprise that underlying mood seeps through and sets the direction of this collection. Momo's words offer greater insight:

The backdrop of Momo's Spring/Summer 2011 collection is a graphic black and white canvas explored in plain silks and brocades. Blends of bold, colourful prints add contrast to the stark canvas. Striking prints include the opulent tie-dye on silk gazar, each panel made individually by hand, bringing a popular street technique to the couture level. Additional highlights include a blue and yellow print in silk satin, based on ancient batik techniques developed by the Dutch specifically for the African market, and a batik-like floral print. These pieces add rich, colourful elements to the collection.

A re-working of traditional motifs and techniques has been a strong focus of several Africa-inspired brands (including Lola Faturoti, Eki Orleans, Jewel by Lisa, and Maki Oh) and seems to be one of the most favoured ways to keep the conversation Africa-centred and fresh. Has Momo managed to achieve that and yet not be stifled or restricted by it? Yes -- and with the most gorgeous results.

More photos to come.

XO

ARISE L’Afrique-À-Porter: MOMO//PHOTOS

Alas, Arise L'Afrique-A-Porter has come and gone...but weep not, for we've got some photos! The fabulous folks at MOMO sent these to us a few hours ago. As always, we're really enthralled by the sheer talent that's coming out of Africa and MOMO's certainly one of the frontrunners.

MOMO's five pieces captured the spirit of effortless sophistication and charm with doses of opulence and all things luxe. Fur took its place alongside jacquard as ultra feminine cuts remained the focal point of each piece. Hems were short, floral print, metallics, and black stole the show and the pieces were easy to slip on and wear with minimal fuss or premeditation.

MOMO's latest press release gives an insight into the composition of the pieces, including key details one might miss by simply looking at the photos as opposed to seeing them "in person": 

Fati Asibelua’s capsule collection of sophisticated dresses speaks to the elegant, refined woman who appreciates the finest quality fabrics and finishing.  Staying true to her design aesthetic of mixing African patterns with modern, contemporary shapes, the collection is an eclectic blend of traditional couture brocades and jacquards in black and navy with metallic threading and a splash of pink.  The shapes are bold in graphic drapes with sharp silhouettes.  By contrast, the finishings are delicate sheer organza linings and silk georgette bindings.  “I have always had a passion for opulent fabrics.  For this collection, I have given a modern interpretation of a traditional African print with a very luxe result,” said Asibelua.  Audience favorites for this season’s must have luxe fur trend from Momo were the plush fox fur coat with leopard spots or the mink chubby with grommets.  

There you have it. Here are more photos:

[MOMO's head designer Fati Asebuela with her designs]

We'd wear each and everyone of them in a heartbeat! 

Many thanks to the fabulous super efficient team at MOMO! Which pieces stood out for you?

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]

o o o

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 L’Afrique-À-Porter: Press Release//MOMO

Happy Monday, folks :-) We have another ARISE L'Afrique-A-Porter press release to share with you from out-of-Nigeria/Africa brand, MOMO. The line-up is gearing up to be very exciting indeed!

[MOMO's creative director, Fati Asebuela]

===

Press Release
For Immediate Release

Momo: African Luxe at Paris Fashion Week

Abuja, Nigeria 01 March, 2010.  After showing on the runways in New York and London, Momo takes the stage during the prestigious Paris Fashion week.  Selected as one of Africa’s brightest design talents as part of the Arise L’Afrique, Fati Asibelua, the creative force behind Momo will present her Fall 2010 / 2011 Collection in the form of an artistic fashion installation on Friday, the 5^thof March.  

Fati Asibelua is “one of Africa’s most talked about design talents,” according to Vogue UK, and has become a major force in the Nigerian fashion industry building Momo into one of the continent’s most influential and sought after fashion brands.  Worn on international runways by some of the world’s most renowned models including Alek Wek, Liya Kebede and Chanel Iman, Momo embodies elegant, timeless designs that celebrate the femininity of a woman.

###

[Contestant wears a design by MOMO at the recent MNET Face of Africa finale]

XO

throwback: funmi iyanda in MOMO + frank osodi

african print is virtually as ubiquitous as denim...or at least it's about to be. and photos like these remind us why - it works remarkably well with other fabrics and stands out without drowning them out completely. above, funmi iyanda wears a MOMO by fati asebuela piece constructed from ankara and tulle...

...and below...



...she works a frank osodi creation to perfection. the woman is glamazin' and here she is live and direct in all her glory speaking about her foundation, change a life:



xo

london fashion week: MOMO fall 2009

just last week, we expressed a certain disappointment with Momo's collection at New York Fashion Week. we also said the following:

we're keeping our fingers crossed for an outstanding comeback for momo because we know fati has it in her to be amazing.

well, folks, looks like our prayers got that much closer to being answered. Momo showed again at London Fashion Week today and she definitely shook things up. last week, we saw this dress and didn't think much of it:



this week, we got this dress:



and somehow, between the fancy gele-like headdress, latex leggings, and the shorter hem, we definitely gave this piece a second look. some of her week-old looks (from NY fashion week) received refreshing new updates and several new pieces were thrown into the mix for good measure. here's a closer look -

new pieces:







this time around, there was a clearer point of view. we saw more simple animal print dresses, but we also saw two striking knit dresses and a stunning metallic burnt copper piece. it's amazing the difference a little more variety and new accessories can make.

the old updated:








for these pieces, the new accessories brought them to life. and the geles were a particularly nice touch. we're excited to see yet another staple traditional piece transformed into something spunky and modern. the first three dresses weren't altered at all but they look that much better. the cropped jacket in the 4th look was paired with a dress in New York. this time around, Momo threw pants in and added a dash of pizzazz with the sheer belly. for the 5th look, she simply changed the color of the pieces and altered the jacket slightly. for the 6th, we have another all black look and a dress with a longer hem.

last week, we said:

granted, some of these pieces might look a little more alive with the right accessories but the point of a runway show isn't to give us a blank canvas; it's to tickle our imaginations awake. thus, we absolutely should've seen more accessories on the runway and then we could've taken our cues from there and added our own personal touches. that said, the actual dresses themselves could've used considerably more work. what happened to all the little details?

this week, we're saying:

bravo, Momo. very nicely done.

xo

p.s. will dresses worn with geles catch on? let us know what you think!

photos courtesy of: coutorture

The African Fashion Collective

the first photos from the African Fashion Collective show @ NY fashion week are trickling in and we're a little beside ourselves with awe and admiration. this is such a staggering moment. we'll let the photos do the talking and we'll be back with a more substantial post later this weekend. there was no way we could sit still and keep this to ourselves...

are you gasping yet?






***






***






***






magnificent.

even more here...

xo