Written By: MIM!—Zainab “Zain” Balogun is hard to miss with her shortly cropped hair that exaggerates her strikingly beautiful features. The aspiring model who is a law student shares about herself “I am simply an unconventional being. I don't try to be like anybody else or to fit into anyone's preconceptions. I am not perfect but I am special.” MIMI Muse: Zainab Balogun
Written By: MIM!—Zainab “Zain” Balogun is hard to miss with her shortly cropped hair that exaggerates her strikingly beautiful features. The aspiring model who is a law student shares about herself “I am simply an unconventional being. I don't try to be like anybody else or to fit into anyone's preconceptions. I am not perfect but I am special.” 
MIMI Muse: Mania
Written By: MIM!—With her unique stunning beauty and gorgeous fly hair, Mania is easily one of our favorite models (look out for her in our upcoming Summer 2010 issue). German, Nigerian and Polish, Mania says about her heritage “I think every little thing of me is special ... I am proud of it.”
A. Sauvage launch at Matches, Marylebone
Adrien Sauvage
For more info go to:http://asauvage.com/
http://www.matchesfashion.com/
Thanks to all at Starworks
Photo's taken on Casio EXILIM Camera
Behind The Scenes-Asos
Stylist: Candice BaileyModel: Connie Martin at Storm
Make-up & Hair: Anna Gibson
Clothing: Asos
See: http://www.asos.com/
Photo's taken on Casio EXILIM Camera by my assistant Luke Freeman
Behind The Scenes-Elle UK
Model: Cassy at I.M.G.Clothing: N/A
Photo's taken on Casio EXILIM Camera by my assistant Luke Freeman
The Girl Behind The Blog....Tala
Sitting down over afternoon tea with Tala (gorgeous little lemon tarts, in case you are interested) in her London apartment, is like sitting down with any other beautiful, talented, fashion-loving 19 year old student. Um, except when she lets slip that her mama is the face of Nina Ricci for the Middle East (cue squeaks of delight from me! I met Lina Samman briefly outside the Christian Dior show in Paris in March when I first photographed Tala), she has interned at Grazia, Tom Ford (positively swooning now), freelanced for the Dubai-based online magazine Savoir Flair, she has been featured in Harper's Bazaar Arabia earlier this year, she lives between London and Dubai, and she blogs daily at MyFashDiary no matter where she is in the world (current location: Tuscany).Oh, and she is a full-time student at London College of Fashion studying fashion promotion. And she is impossible not to like (she gets extra scooby snacks for those lemon tarts :))
So where does she get her beauty and style from? Her parents are Syrian but Tala was born in the US, and moved to Dubai when she was just a littlie. After a few more squeaks of encouragement from me, I discovered that Tala's mama, apart from being the Nina Ricci brand ambassador, is one of the most stylish women in Dubai. Which would explain Tala's London wardrobe: peppered amongst the American Apparel, Zara, Topshop, Office, Reiss, H&M, Acne purchases are pieces by Alexander Wang (handbag), YSL (trib pumps and handbag), Balenciaga (handbag and sunglasses), Fendi (handbag), Chanel (handbag), Hermes (Birkin), Mulberry (Alexa),most of which she "shares" with Lina (sort of like a timeshare scheme for handbags and accessories!)
After oohing and ahhing over Tala's jewellery, make-up and sunglasses collection (as well as the little mood wall where she keeps all her invites, thank you notes etc), we went outside to take some photographs. And despite the attentions of passing motorists (I am still recovering from the lascivious stares of one particularly creepy older gent who crawled past us in his car), Tala was a dream to shoot. I think the second photograph from the top captures Tala the best: warm, caring, down-to-earth and with an utterly infectious smile :)
Tala's denim shirt is from Topshop, hat from Sonia Rykiel, black wedge boots from Office and cocktail ring from YSL. In the photographs below her skirt is from American Apparel and her shoes are the sublime YSL pumps. I can't remember where her lace top is from- I will find out for y'all.
p.s. You can click on the collages to make them bigger.
Amsterdam Fashion Week....Sheer+Denim
It wasn't just models who were wearing heels in Amsterdam: I saw so many girls riding bikes wearing sky-high heels! I wonder if it will catch on in London as our new cycle hire scheme launches tomorrow morning at 6am.
Amsterdam Street Style....At the Cafe
It was my first afternoon in Amsterdam and I was sheltering from the rain in a really cute little cafe (no, not a coffeeshop*;) near my hotel (the brilliant College Hotel) when I spied this girl having an espresso with her boyfriend. As she got up to leave I asked if I could take her photograph. Unfortunately it had started to rain more heavily so in order to keep her dry (nothing worse than asking a person you have just met to stand in the rain so you can take their photograph), I kind of accidentally stood in the dedicated bike lane (well, one leg was in it anyway!). Now, if any of you have been to Amsterdam you will know this is a very, very, VERY bad idea. Almost everyone in Amsterdam rides a bike, and they ride pretty fast (I know, cos I tried to catch up with a few girls on bikes to take their photograph and failed miserably). And those bike lanes, I came to realise, aren't just for your treadly: they are for scooters, mopeds and I even saw a little motorised "car" puttering along one! So after getting yelled at by an irate woman on a scooter (quite rightly- I did a bad), I took this photo. It is a bit blurry but that was a combo of the rain, my shock at realising I was in the middle of peak-hour biking traffic, and that I had nearly ended up squished on my first afternoon in Amsterdam!
*if you are looking for places to go for fab espresso in Amsterdam, best to google espresso rather than coffee shops otherwise you will end up with a list of places to go for something rather a touch stronger than the coffee bean :) I can recommend Stumptown Coffee Roasters who are from the US but have a super cool pop-up cafe on Albert Cuypstrat, home of the oldest street market in Amsterdam. Apparently a deal was struck with the owners of the space (a creative agency) whereby the Stumptown crew would make coffee for them, in return for use of the space for 3 months. Brilliant!
A Nü Revolution By Les Nubians
Written By: MIM!—R&B Grammy-nominated duo composed of sisters Hélène and Célia Faussart are slated to release their highly anticipated third studio album, Nü Revolution this Fall. The album, which is inspired by President Barack Obama’s inauguration, represents evolution of dream (“rêve” in French) and of women (Eve). We *cannot* wait.
Lemar Releases His Greatest Hits
Written By: Nani Hapa—Last month, soul and R&B singer-songwriter Lemar Obika released his best-of compilation, titled The Hits, which includes most of his big singles, including the brand new The Way Love Goes, as well as two other new songs. This one is definitely on heavy rotation. Hot!
Jameela Jamil in Look Magazine
Thanks to Jameela Jamil, Henry Holland, Ivana Giachino at Starworks. Clothing by Lacoste and photographic assistant Luke Freeman.
Travis J. Wyche
While in Chicago I got the opportunity to visit Wyche's graduate studio at SAIC. Mind blowing. Check out the rest of his work HERE.
New Music: Inna Modja
Written By: Nani Hapa—Malian born model turned singer/songwriter, Inna Modja is an open book. Through her music she shares everything about her “cute little crazy life”—her good and bad days, her joys and heartaches. Reuters Africa summed her up best when they wrote: “The 25-year-old Malian is a rising star on France’s music scene with titles like Let’s Go to Bamako, that might be nostalgic tunes celebrating Mali’s capital, but that sound more like Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera than the music of Modja’s compatriots Salif Keita and Rokia Traore.” Check out her debut album Everyday Is A New Day if you're looking to fill summer's sunny days with a little bit of pop, a little bit of folk, and a touch of soul.(Photo Credits: CD Cover Art)
Indian Dreams
Hello Lovelies!
I'm so sorry it's been so long since my last post!
I promise I'm alright, I haven't died...
I've actually been quite the busy bee lately. I just started a new job and I've been working on my fall class schedule. I'll be taking a couple of archaeological classes
as well as a class on the history of Indian religion.
There's something so beautiful, exotic and seductive about India.
Everything is so colorful and spectacular with a history that is as complex and rich as it is deep.
I grew up in a town with an extremely large Hare Krishna population, the largest in the world, actually...so Indian culture has always been (somewhat) a part of my life. It is, to me, beautiful in every way.
Krishna and Radha
Bringing me to the topic of today's post...My sister and I have both
been on a bit of a Indian-themed kick lately. Bangles, Sarees, Choli, Mehndi; I just can't get enough!
Traditional Saree
Traditional Mehndi
Chamak by Priya Kakkar
Luckily, hints of Indian style are popping up on the runways and in department stores across the globe.
Saree-esque draping, jewels and embellishments...I do believe I'm in heaven.
(Dress by Tibi)
Top Akiko
I'm a little pressed for time, so I can't upload all of the Indian inspired items
that I found, but I hope you enjoy these pictures.
Go out, buy yourself some embellished caftans, harem pants and bangles...
I don't think this trend can EVER go out of style.
I promise I'm alright, I haven't died...
I've actually been quite the busy bee lately. I just started a new job and I've been working on my fall class schedule. I'll be taking a couple of archaeological classes
as well as a class on the history of Indian religion.
There's something so beautiful, exotic and seductive about India.
Everything is so colorful and spectacular with a history that is as complex and rich as it is deep.
I grew up in a town with an extremely large Hare Krishna population, the largest in the world, actually...so Indian culture has always been (somewhat) a part of my life. It is, to me, beautiful in every way.
Krishna and RadhaBringing me to the topic of today's post...My sister and I have both
been on a bit of a Indian-themed kick lately. Bangles, Sarees, Choli, Mehndi; I just can't get enough!
Traditional Saree
Traditional Mehndi
Chamak by Priya KakkarLuckily, hints of Indian style are popping up on the runways and in department stores across the globe.
Saree-esque draping, jewels and embellishments...I do believe I'm in heaven.
(Dress by Tibi)
Top AkikoI'm a little pressed for time, so I can't upload all of the Indian inspired items
that I found, but I hope you enjoy these pictures.
Go out, buy yourself some embellished caftans, harem pants and bangles...
I don't think this trend can EVER go out of style.
Artist: Simen Johan
The SVA graduate and Norway native is bringing glitter and glamour to the white wolves of the wilderness. Be prepared.
CARVEN F/W 2010
I hope that 15 years from now when I'm in my early thirties and feeling professional that I'll be digging through a wardrobe that is comparably refined, architectural and straight up classy as the Carven fall 2010 collection.
Duro Olowu Autumn/Winter 2010
Written By: MIM!—We may be full swing into the summer, but designers are already releasing their Autumn/Winter collections, and Duro Olowu is no exception. Here is a first look at the Autumn/Winter 2010 collection from "the King of Prints":
(Photo Credits: www.DuroOlowu.com)
Sweet Somethings From MIMI
Written By: Staff Writer—We are working on the final touches of our Summer 2010 issue featuring Stella Mwangi (photographed by Halat Sophie Askari) on the cover, and here's a preview of what's to come for the issue, aptly themed Sweet Somethings: (1) Ten Essential Tips For Natural Hair, (2) Fashioning The Continent: Your All Access Pass To Africa Fashion Week, (3) My Hair Story, (4) MIMI's African Inspired Guide To The UK ... and so much more!
We'll make an announcement on Facebook, Twitter, and of course this space when our Summer 2010 issue is published!
(Photo Credits: Halat Sophie Askeri)
Africa Is In Style: Jewels Of The Kalahari
Written By: Nani Hapa—
Name: Jewels Of The Kalahari
Head Designers: Anna Haber, global director of marketing for emerald producer Gemfields, and jeweler, Sabine Roemer in collaboration with Bushmen women in Ghanzi, Botswana.
Style Notes: ingenuity, ostrich eggshell, handmade.
Background: For generations the Bushmen of the Kalahari have created one–of-a-kind intricate pieces of jewelry using wild seeds, sticks, bone, tortoiseshell, and most importantly of all, beads painstakingly hand made from shards of ostrich eggshell. Anna Haber and Sabine Roemer collaborated with the largely isolated Bushmen of the Kalahari to create a unique 19-piece collection of jewelry comprised of necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
Why You Should Know Jewels Of The Kalahari: Beyond creating beautiful jewelry, the Jewels of the Kalahari collaboration is aimed at creating awareness of the Bushmen’s plight, who are among the are among the poorest and most disenfranchised in southern Africa. Jewelry making is an important source of income, particularly for the women, and the collaboration seeks to create a sustainable business for the Bushmen.
Online Stockist: brownsfashion.com
More Information: onefinethread.blogspot.com
(Photo Credits: Boo George)
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