Who Wore What + Shop For Less: Mrs O in Duro Olowu

There must be something pretty special about Duro Olowu's Spring/Summer 2010 collection for Michelle Obama to have worn pieces from it 6 times. She is pictured here wearing a tank (same motif as the sleeves in the photo on the left) at the Washington Nationals vs. Chicago Cubs baseball game Wednesday last week. This brings Michelle Obama's Duro Olowu count to 10 (and one accessory).

Need a piece of Duro in your closet? Quite a few of his pieces are available in the Net-a-Porter and Barneys sales. Shop here and here.

- SLiq

Pictures courtesy of Style and Mrs. O

Collage by Shop Liquorice

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

We speculated yesterday that there could be yet more Duro Olowu appearances in South Africa, courtesy of Mrs. Obama, and here we are again. Mrs. O has clearly taken a liking to Duro Olowu's Spring 2010 collection (notice the blue motif in the look on the right corresponds with Mrs. O's shirt). This is her 5th look from the collection and her 9th Duro Olowu piece. She is pictured here speaking to high school students at the University of Cape Town.

- SLiq

Image credit: The Associated Press

Collage by Shop Liquorice

Look Book: Deola Sagoe F/W 2011 [Ori Oke]

Twenty-two years after the brand's inception in 1989, there's still a thread of inborn elegance and heritage that runs through Deola Sagoe's collections - Deola Sagoe is one of those few, rare brands that invoke a certain aura, mood and feeling, and a very certain, definite longing. The fashion house's Ori Oke F/W '11 collection look book is yet another stunning glimpse into the feverishly glamourous, highly coveted world of one of Africa's most creative, celebrated and consistent brands.

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Deola dreams and executes in a way that's individual and distinct, and Ori Oke is a spectacular study in colour (the most stunning iridescent blue greens), print (she drew inspiration from ancient batiking techniques, not vastly different from the Yoruba approach) and a refreshing juxtaposition of delicate lace with the more sturdy but evidently luxurious and versatile aso-oke. Add to that the fan pleats and origami, scallop-like detailing, and the statement kimono batik wrap coats that invoke old glamour and it's evident that this is quintessential Deola Sagoe, but it still comes with its own fresh batch of butterflies. If you're looking for a melting pot between the contemporary and cultural, Deola Sagoe is certainly among those who've consistently celebrated Africa and remained true to defining and representing that heritage - and the brand is certainly worth celebrating in return.

Is this your favourite Deola Sagoe collection yet?

- SLiq

Photo source:

Interestingly enough, the entire look book first debuted on May 1 via Deola Sagoe's daughter's tumblr account, voguebespoke.

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

Who Wore What: Michelle Obama wears Duro Olowu on the Oprah Show

Just earlier today, we remarked that Michelle Obama's Duro Olowu count was now up to 5, and 3 of those looks were from his Spring 2010 collection. Well, make that 6 total and 4 from Spring '10. Of all the designers she could've chosen for her appearance on Oprah's show (taped today, to air on Monday), Michelle Obama chose Duro Olowu once again. What a phenomenal, breathtaking moment for us at Shop Liquorice and for many of you, no doubt. We're four months into 2011 and it's very, very clear indeed that it's shaping up to be The Year of Duro, and, needless to say, we're exceedingly proud and overjoyed.

Michelle's dress retails for $1,436 at Couture Lab. You can also shop Duro Olowu at Barneys, Net-a-Porter and Yoox.

*edit*

Video footage from The Oprah Show, courtesy of NBC:

View more videos at: http://nbcchicago.com.

- SLiq

Photo:

Huffington Post

Who Wore What: Duro Olowu, 2 Springs Apart

There's a certain woman that wears Duro Olowu convincingly, and Thelma Golden (Director and Chief Curator at the Studio Museum, Harlem, NY and Mr. Olowu's wife of 3 years) ranks pretty high on that list. Here she is at the Art Production's Good & Plenty Benefit (April 11, 2011) wearing a Spring 2008 piece. She almost always wears Duro Olowu, and most certainly wears him well.

A few days earlier (April 7), Michelle Obama wore her 5th Duro Olowu piece and her 3rd from his Spring 2010 collection. Mrs. O is a good lesson on how to approach a Duro Olowu piece if you're colour or pattern shy: contrast with a solid!

- SLiq

Photos:

Billy Farrell Agency
Mrs. O
Style
Vogue

Lookbook: Lola Faturoti A/W 2011 [Ethnic Modernism]

Regular readers may have caught our sneak peek early last month and had their appetites whet in preparation for the main course - which itself makes us wish Lola Faturoti would hurry up and give us e-commerce already. She always brings a distinct sophistication and mastery to her treatment of print and her Fall 2011 Ethnic Modernism collection juggles everything from 60s Op Art to leopard print and polka dots. Silhouettes are at once relaxed and fitted, giving ample room juxtaposition and movement. Other highlights include her toughening it up with leather and fringe (our alter egos would totally wear the Maureen Jacket), the darling bows and pleats, and her use of coral, which we wish we got a little more of.

Thoughts? Any pieces in particular calling out to you?

- SLiq

Photos c/o White Noise Showroom

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

Lookbook: Zed Eye's Tribal Romance Revisited

Three quarter sleeved green George jacket with cropped harem three quarter yellow ankara pants

Love fun fashion? You'll love Zed Eye. If you didn't get enough of the fusion of prints, plains and even feathers in Part I, there's even more in Tribal Romance Revisited. From fabulous Twiggy-style dresses to statement jackets and cropped harem pants styled with highlighter turbans, there's plenty of room to mix, match, and have fun with it. Enjoy:

Caftan dress, striped yellow cotton

 Long sleeved black and gold tailed George jacket with cropped harem three quarter brown ankara pants

 Three quarter sleeved blue  George jacket with cropped harem three quarter yellow ankara pants

One shoulder yellow feather dress

Cotton sleeveless yellow ankara shift dress

Puff sleeved cream cotton dress

Anyone notice the jackets are made from George fabric common in South West Nigeria? Great to see such a usually "dressed up" re-interpreted and completely dressed down. The infusion and modernisation of tradition is a good thing. Or at least it is in this case.

See the entire collection here.

XO