Behind the Scenes: Fall 2010 Collection from OneMangoTree on Vimeo.
MIMI Related Links: Dream Under One Mango Tree; Mar Y Sol: Packing Sunshine In A Bag
Behind The Scenes-Reading Music Festival
During filming for new series 'Push' on the London fashion scene to be aired on 8th September...Photo's taken on Casio EXILIM Camera by my assistant Luke Freeman
We Are "Maki Oh" So Excited About Amaka Osakwe's Promising New Label!
Written By: MIM!—Amaka Osakwe debuted her Autumn/Winter 2010 collection from her newly launched label, Maki Oh, to much fanfare. That's no surprise considering that the her refreshingly original Autumn/Winter 2010 collection brought something different to African fashion: texture, layers and a three dimensional aesthetic.
As the label explains, "Maki Oh design ethos is to challenge prevailing notions of beauty. It aspires to initiate a continuous recognition and appreciation for self and individuality through fashion. Aroused by a strong sense of identity and African culture, the brand creates alluring conversational pieces that fuse traditional techniques with detailed construction."
We are looking forward to seeing more from this promising young label. Take a look at the Autumn/Winter collection, Everything In Proportion, by visiting: www.maki-oh.com.
(Photo Credits: Maki Oh)
Dreamy Vibrant Colors Come To Style With Clutch Culture
Written By: MIM!—Clutch Culture is the lovechild of diverse colours and rich prints that come together to create a very unique collection of clutch purses. Designed and hand-made by Mo Handahu, these awe-inspiring prints combined with vibrant colors make for a unique collection.
For more information, visit www.clutchculture.com.
(Photo Credits: Clutch Culture)
Indie Inspiration: Funky Dada
Written By: MIM!—Funky Dada's home decor collection is anything but ordinary. Inspired by bold and beautiful patterns, prints, and textures from around the globe, Funky Dada aims to infuse a bit of vibrancy, color and whimsy into our lives. Shop Funky Dada by visiting their Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/FunkyDada and learn more about the label by visiting www.funkydada.com. And as Funky Dada shares, "Dada means sister in Swahili, and we hope our creations encourage and inspire funky sisters (and brothers) everywhere! "
(Photo Credits: Funky Dada)
Style Notes From Swagger Clothing
Written By: Nani Hapa—Made up of a team who is passionate about the continent, Swagger is a lifestyle label looking to add a little ... well, swagger, to your wardrobe. MIMI caught up with Swagger's Kwame Ado to find out more about the label that is marrying swagger with style.
- In three words, Swagger is ... Fun, Unique, Classic.
- The African celebrity with the most Swagger is ...Djimon Hounsou.
- The best way to accessorize your Swagger is ... to check our website for new exciting products.
- The worst African Swagger jacker is ... every African has their own swagger.
- To get Swagger like us...WEAR SWAGGER, our brand.
For more from Swagger, visit the official site at www.swaggerswagger.com.
(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy Of Swagger)
Arielle de Pinto
De Pinto's background in fiber and textile arts clearly shows through in each of her carefully woven pieces. You can visit the Canadian jewelry designer's website by clicking HERE.
From The Archives: Close Call (A Short Story)
Written By: Chichi Aneke—I’m part of the demographic! Why didn’t I think of that until after the fact? It wasn’t until last week that it hit me, and I realized what I may have gotten myself into. Dear God, what will my family think? Okay I have to focus; I can’t just make such an unprofessional diagnosis on the fly. Besides don't they say that we should watch what we say because confession brings possession? How do I begin? I can't go to the family doctor; it will get out, especially when the bill comes. I have to do some research but as discreetly as possible. I made an appointment at a clinic on the other side of town. It’s far enough that no one would recognize me and their rates are pretty inexpensive. Look how paranoid I've become.Where is my Cece Winans CD? Today is my appointment, why is time passing so slowly? If only people knew what torture it is to just smile at them, they’d let me be. I didn’t feel like coming into work, but I skipped class. I just want to crawl into bed and overdose on sleeping pills. The only problem with that is I don’t have a prescription, no one I’m close to does either.
Very brilliant plan though. I finally got to the clinic; I was so close to tears, the nurses assured me everything would be fine. All the CIA interrogation questions they asked me, I know it's nothing personal, but having to say them aloud, has made me seriously consider my lifestyle. It's a Close Call.
(Photo Credits: © Corbis) (Model Used Solely For Illustrative Purposes)
She Defines Soul.Substance.Style (No. 017): Luam
Written By: Staff Writer—Choreographer. Dancer. Dreamer. Musician. That’s Eritrean born, New York based Luam Kiflezghi (who simply goes by “Luam”) to a tee in four words. Luam began dancing with African Rhythms Dance Company at the University of Pennsylvania and Ballet Shango in Philadelphia before moving to New York. In New York, she continued her dance training while working in corporate America on creative technology projects with the likes of Fortune, People, and Entertainment Weekly. Her passion for teaching and choreography only grew as she continued to train, which led Luam to teach her own classes at the Djoniba Dance Center and NY Sports Clubs. But it wasn’t until 2002 when Luam pursued her love for dance full time. Read more about this woman of Soul.Substance.Style.
She Defines Soul.Substance.Style (No. 016): Celia Faussart
Written By: Staff Writer—Célia Faussart was born in France to a Cameroonian mother and a French father. Her love for music began as a young girl growing up in Chad. At age 15, she began singing professionally with her older sister Hélène in France, later forming the internationally renowned Grammy-nominated singing duo Les Nubians. The band has intrigued audiences for more than a decade with their inventive and glamorous “Afropean” style. Read more about this woman of Soul.Substance.Style.
She Defines Soul.Substance.Style (No. 015): Inna Modja
Written By: Staff Writer—25-year-old Malian singer, Inna Modja is a newcomer to France’s musical scene, but her star is quickly rising. Although she is inspired by Malian artists such as the legendary Salif Keita (who she met at fifteen by literally knocking on his door seeking guidance, which led to Inna singing back-up for his Bamako Rail Band until she decided to pursue music as a solo artist), Inna’s music is a departure from the Malian sound of artists such as Keita and Rokia Traore. The former model who calls herself a “Motown girl” labels her music “rock ’n love” rather than “rock ’n roll” because she is a clean cut artist with no dramatic antics up her sleeve. Read more about this woman of Soul.Substance.Style.
(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy of Camus Production)
New Drawrings
School has started and I'm bizzy, but this is what I've been up to as far as art goes. Lots of drawing. As of lately I've been taking a lot of inspiration from playing and tarot cards.
Extra! Extra! Beauty Notes
Written By: Staff Writer—Find out which African beauties are taking A Short Cut To Beauty and discover why we ♥ Goapele's Style.
Shades Of Blackness
Written By: Nicole Parker-Jones—I have been labeled as not being “black enough”—not white, just not “black enough”—more times than I would like to remember. It is insulting, irritating, and offensive to the core. Paradoxically, it is not other black people who have alleged that I am not black enough, rather, it is non-blacks who find that my brand of black—well educated, well spoken, well mannered, well raised—does not comport with their stereotypical notions of what it means to be “black.” Either I was being mocked at a party for not knowing how to dance well like "other black people" or I was being paid a backhanded compliment for blending into corporate America unlike "other black people" or my contributions in the classroom were being discounted because I couldn't really represent diversity when my opinions were not like those of “other black people.” Whether cloaked as mockery, a compliment, or simply an off-handed observation, there is no denying it is racist, and it is palpable. Read the rest in Shades Of Blackness.
(Photo Credits: © Fuse / PunchStock) (Models Used Solely For Illustrative Purposes)
Fashion Week by Berns...Dorothea
When I am photographing at fashion weeks, I often wonder what models are really like. I think most seem incredibly nice (and patient!) especially with all the photographers around. Anyway, I got to have a little chat with Dorothea Barth Jorgensen after the Lagom show in Stockholm and I can confirm that she is super, super sweet, and her feet have remained firmly planted on the ground despite all her success. You can check out her blog, Displaced Bones, here.
After Filippa K:
Stockholm Street Style....Malin
Malin (a student) in Zara hooded gilet that she bought in Spain when she was on holidays.
Fashion Week by Berns (Stockholm)
Love the mix of fabrics here: shiny for day but made subtle with the layered long-sleeved tee's.
Fashion Week by Berns (Stockholm)....Cardi Comfiness
The way to squeeze every last ounce out of summer (and denim shorty shorts)? Add a long, comfy cardigan.
Excuse Me Jay-Z, I Don't Apologize For Liking Fufu
Written By: Kemi Ebun—When I first moved to the United States, I was part of a small community of children of Nigerian-American immigrants living in an urban jungle (read: ghetto) who, like me, were proudly Nigerian (only when it was considered cool to be from the “motherland”) but sought to assimilate into what we understood to be American culture; from our vantage point—a poor rough and tumble neighborhood—youth culture was defined by urban pop culture: hip-hop. Biggie Smalls and 2Pac reigned as kings and Lauryn Hill was our supreme queen. My traditional Nigerian mother wanted no part of hip-hop, but that did not stop me from being first to buy my bootleg CDs with the pocket change I could spare. One CD, Jay-Z’s The Blueprint, released in 2001, I will never forget. The album, which has been hailed as “ground-breaking” was just that to me, but for reasons entirely disconnected from the artistry of the album. For me, I can remember as clear as day when I was gathered with some friends listening to the album. When the track, Girls, Girls, Girls started playing, I remember shrieking to my friends, “He said ‘Miss Fufu!’” To which they responded, “That’s you, Miss Fufu!” That much I knew, but what exactly was Jay-Z saying about “African Chicks?” Find out in Excuse Me Jay-Z, I Don't Apologize For Liking Fufu.
(Photo Credits: FritzPhoto / iStockPhoto) (Model Used Solely For Illustrative Purposes)
Cut! Censoring Sex In Ghanaian Movies
Written By: Nana Bonsu—In an effort to appeal to African moviegoers, and distinguish their films in a crowded market flooded by Nigeria’s giant film industry, Nollywood (some reports claim Nollywood releases as many as forty films per week), Ghanaian moviemakers are pushing the boundaries when it comes to film by including steamy sex scenes in their movies. Last year, debate ensued when Raj Films and Heroes Productions’ trailer for Heart of Men, featured, among other things, a shot of actor Majid Michel’s grinding buttocks during a sex scene. Yet, ultimately, the film snagged five African Movie Academy Award nominations. This year, Ghanaian production company Venus Films sparked controversy when it released the trailer for 4Play, which among other things, alluded to a love triangle involving a married couple and the bisexual husband’s male lover. Although public outcry led to some of the sex scenes being edited out of the final movie, when 4Play leaked on YouTube, the combination of soft-porn sex scenes and dialogue laced with f-bombs and n-words to rival a rap song, led viewers to criticize Ghana’s film industry as producing nothing more than just that—profane soft-porn. Drawing comparisons to Nollywood films, commentators on 4Play’s YouTube page remarked, “Sex is being overrated in Ghana movies. We Nigerians don't do such!” and “No disrespect … but seriously … African movies [are] suppose[d] to be respectful [and] real.” Read more about the Nollywood versus Gollywood debate in Cut! Censoring Sex In Ghanaian Movies.
(Photo Credits: © Stockbyte / PunchStock) (Models Used Solely For Illustrative Purposes)
Marketing Beauty To African Women
Written By: Nani Hapa—There is no denying the global pervasiveness and stickiness of western pop culture. Beyoncé means “music phenom” in English, Swahili, Yoruba, and Zulu, but Miriam Makeba does not translate to the same across cultures, even though there is no serious question that Makeba has defined that space in Africa. Although African countries have local celebrities—Omotola Jalade Ekeinde (Nigeria), Lira (South Africa), Jackie Appiah (Ghana), Angelique Kidjo (Benin) to name a few—as a general matter, Africans have imported and correspondingly celebrated western pop culture en masse without critical regard to who or what we are celebrating. As a result, western celebrities have been elevated in Africa—translating directly into dollars and cents with respect to everything from album sales to endorsement deals—at the expense of African celebrities. This is most apparent in the fashion industry where marketing campaigns targeting African women are littered with western celebrities: Scarlett Johansen for Dolce & Gabbana, Kate Moss for Yves Saint Laurent, and Halle Berry for Revlon, to name a few.
Increasingly, however, the fashion industry is becoming hip to the star power of African celebrities, and it is paying off for African celebrities who are ever more scoring endorsement deals as brand ambassadors, not just because of their beauty (as has been the case with African models such as Liya Kebede for Louis Vuitton) but because of their celebrity status. Read about Marketing Beauty To African Women.
(Photo Credits: L'Oreal)
The AiRis Project
Written By: Nani Hapa—AiRis’ highly-anticipated debut full-length album The AiRis Project is set to be released later this year, and to mark the release of the album, I went on a research project to uncover 8 facts about music’s newest sensation; for example, did you know AiRis has a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering? Discover more fun facts about the woman who is credited for bringing a unique soul-meets-pop sound to Africa’s music scene in The AiRis Project.To hear more from AiRis, watch her music video for the lead single from her upcoming debut album The AiRis Project, Without You, and visit AiRis' recently launched official website www.AiRisMusic.com to hear even more of her music.
(Photo Credits: Icy PR)
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