Sneak Peek: Chichia London Fall 2010

Au Courant Daily recently posted an exclusive sneak preview of Chichia London's Fall/Winter 2010 collection, Insomnia. Many of you are probably already familiar with Christine Mhando's (head designer of Chichia London) soft spot for kanga print but what's most fascinating about her work is her ability to re-invent and modernize a staple print season after season, making it a highly sought-after must-buy. If the preview is anything to go by, we're going to be exceedingly broke come Fall 2010, but with kanga print and the possibility of a collection chock-full of dazzling embellishments, we're not sure there's anything to complain about.

Truly can't wait to see the magnificence that is Chichia London unfold! More images as soon as we have them.

XO

ShopAfrica: Chichia London @ Laden

What a fun and unusual romper from the super stylish Tanzanian/British designer Christine Mhando of Chichia London. Print with pops of color? Yes, please! Shop this and other CL pieces @ the brand's latest online stockist, Laden. Need more Chichia in your life? Also shop @ thelookboutique and notjustalabel!

XO

Pieces of Africa: Tinga Tinga

That Africa abounds with treasures isn't anything we haven't heard before. It's the process of discovering and uncovering the individual treasure chests that gives us the ultimate thrill. Our latest obsession is Tinga Tinga, an art form that originated in Tanzania.

Tinga Tinga is named after its founder, Edward S. Tingtinga, who created paintings depicting animals and humans in spectacular splashes of color and with such verve that his paintings and the work they've inspired since pulsate with life and energy.

As Africa continues to inspire, we hope more artists and designers explore this art form to create pieces that capture part of Africa's essence so brilliantly. Enjoy:

XO

Photos from tingatinga.org

Countdown to the Arise Magazine African Collective III: 3 days to go!

[Tanzanian designer Anisa Mpungwe of Loin Cloth and Ashes]

We were snooping around trying to bring you the inside scoop of what to expect from Anisa Mpungwe's Loin Cloth and Ashes show @ NYFW this Saturday when we stumbled on her moodboard:

o o o

Let's see what we can make it of it:

- A subdued palette of browns and taupes with a dash of gray

- A touch of black to keep things edgy

- An emphasis on texture [knits, perhaps?]

- Defined, structured shapes [a la corsets, helped by belting]

- Vintage femininity and romance rooted in modernity

o o o

We'll know if we were right or wrong on Saturday :-)

What do you make of the moodboard?

Oh, before we forget, we also stumbled on the official invite to the event:

Nice and simple! But more than that, we know several people who would kill to have one in their hands right now, lol. Anyway, hope these little "inside scoops" make you as happy and excited as they make us :-)

XO

Africans in the news: Rachel Roy collaborates with Fairwinds

  While Africa has inspired and continues to inspire many designers, Africa seldom benefits directly. It's part of why we created this blog - to highlight designers and entrepreneurs of African descent and to link you with them directly. Those amongst them who manufacture their products in Africa are particular favorites of ours because it's a win-win situation - designed by an African and Made in Africa by Africans! Everybody wins. Last year, we featured Macy's' initiative in Rwanda. Recently, we were especially pleased to read about Rachel Roy's initiative with Fairwinds to produce a collection of handmade accessories in Tanzania and Rwanda and in turn support their local artisans.

We hope this is a trend that catches on as long as the artisans are treated fairly, paid decently, and are given their due recognition.

Read the press release here and shop here.

XO

blog/link lovin': bella naija, ituen basi, chichia london, nike akinola

[model wears a piece from chichia london's spring/summer 2010 collection, 'made in dar']

***

links worth clicking...

a. fashion africa unveils chichia london's spring 2010 collection

b. ladybrille interviews uche eze (bella naija)

c. elan interviews ituen basi

d. nike + chris okesola of nike akinola as entrepreneurs

***

blogs worth visiting (our new favorites)...

a. the skinny (forever 21's blog)

b. lipstick boudoir

c. olivia palermo daily

d. where did you get that

happy reading :-)

xo

spotlight: chichia london by christine mhando

once in a while, a designer comes along that makes us sit up and pay attention. we're a bit jaded by the many, MANY fashion labels that creep up daily (western and african alike) and find that if our faithful, trusty tailor can imitate your entire collection for a HUGE fraction of the cost, we'd much likely give her our money. no offense -- we just won't pay up for anything that's not original or interesting or fairly reasonably-priced. which is why we celebrate brands such as zebra, akpos okudu, and now, chichia london. her new collection is every print and bead-lover's dream AND her prices won't make you keel over or sell your soul. chichia london is a celebration of color, ultra femme pieces, and simple but charming embellishments for the everyday on-the-go lady who makes you ask, "where did you get that?"

o o o

more info on the chichia london brand here. while she's practically sold out @ thelookboutique, we hope she'll send new stock their way soon.

xo

ShopAfrica: thelookboutique.com

[black and white dress by samantha cole, available here]

we stumbled on this neat little site by accident and found some stunning pieces from african designers including emmy collins, samantha cole, and chichia london. as always, we encourage you to ShopAfrica if/when you can...or at least spread the word. please and thank you :-)

click the links above to explore each designer and many more.

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