Link Worth Bookmarking: My Africanista

Ever found yourself pouring hours online looking for traditional wear inspiration? Ever found yourself looking for a hip wax print bow tie and pocket squares to rock to special occasion? Ever wondering what tasty African restaurant you should check out next? Ever wonder where you can get tasty African cultural food recipes? If you said yes to these questions, My Africanista is your online destination spot for all things African fashion with soul. (Visit My Africanista today.)

There you’ll discover handcrafted wax print Ankara bow ties that’s already been a hit with young Africanistas within the Tri-State region and with fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogger Kloudya. While browsing My Africanista, readers can groove to the latest tunes straight from the motherland. Good style inspirations, influential Africans, tasty recommendations are all locked in one hip destination spot – My Africanista!

Launched October 4^th, My Africanista also highlights influential Africans Making It in America. So far My Africanista has highlighted three – Dr. Lesile Nwoke of The Ruby Project, the Tri-State’s hottest African male DJ – DJ Universe, Feyisola Ogunfemi of Statueque Events and Edmond Mbiaka of Quotes for the Mind. My Africanista is a promising business initiative drawn upon Chikara Iwuagwu, R.N. based out of Northern New Jersey. She says four is her lucky number and I think she beautifully struck out on gold with My Africanista. This business is full of win. It has already been highlighted on Fashion’s Night Out 2012 and at this year’s Nigerian Independence Parade celebration in New York. Cultural Toast wishes My Africanista continued success! My Africanista has got that Cultural Look locked in for sure!

Behind the Scenes of My Africanista Premiere Photo Shoot by Bola Okoya of Triibe Natiion

>>>>Visit My Africanista: Website. Shop. Facebook. <<<

Photo credits: Bola Okoya of Triibe Natiion for My Africanista

Cultural Mark is a feature highlighting influential Africans leaving their impeccable mark on the global community for a positive image of Africans outside of the Diaspora.

Joy Adaeze & Enyinne Owunwanne’s ARISE African Icons Front Row Style

Heritage 1960′s Founder and Creative Director Enyinne Owunwanne and stylist/fashion writer of Joy Loves Fashion Joy Adaeze’s front row style at ARISE African Icons Spring 2013 show was inspiring from hair to accessories! I love Joy’s funky gold Noir “Keith Haring” necklace, custom sunglasses by Mercura and white leather pleated vintage dress. I also enjoyed the flying birds printed flowy top Enyinne won with a chic tiny blue belt and her gold Fulani earrings! Is the printed shirt the trend of the season?

image credits – Chioma for CulturalToast.com

Cultural Style is a feature focusing on real style on and off the red carpet.

Munaluchi Bride Magazine’s Co-Founder Jacqueline Nwobu & Creative Director Eronmwon Balogun at ARISE African Icons Spring 2013 Runway Show

The stylish duo from Munaluchi Bride Magazine attended the ARISE African Icons Spring 2013 runway show. CulturalToast.com was on the scene to capture a candid street style photo of Munaluchi Bride‘s Co-Founder Jacqueline Nwobu & Creative Director Eronmwon Balogun! (Don’t they look fierce?!)

This past July Munaluchi Bride magazine released its second digital issue with a delectable cake from Cupcake Couture cover feature shot by Elizabeth Messina. (Read the issue online here!) For the bride who appreciates culture, bridal inspiration, destination weddings, travel resort finds and fashion, Munaluchi Bride is the perfect fit for you. (Munaluchi Bride magazine’s third issue is expected this Fall with more lovely bouquets and real wedding features!)

Follow these fashionable dressed women on Twitter:  @MunaluchiBride, @jackienwobu,@Eronmown_MBM

photo by Chioma for CulturalToast.com & Elizabeth Messina for Munaluchi Bride.

Cultural Style is a feature focusing on real style on and off the red carpet.

Angela Simmons Dazzles in Jewel By Lisa & Kanayo Ebi rocks Virgos Lounge Clutch at ARISE African Icons NYFW SS 2013 Runway Show!

What Angela Simmons wore to the event caught my eye instantly. Angela Simmons continues her love for Jewel By Lisa. She was spotted at front row with her stylist Kanayo Ebi rocking the embellished jacket from Lisa Folawiyo’s critically-acclaimed  Jewel By Lisa Autumn/Winter 2012 collection.

Angela’s Jewel By Lisa jacket is a style favorite! Who else wore Angela’s JBL jacket:  African models Millen Magese and Ediomi Utuk wore this jacket for a photo session with Jewel By Lisa Autumn/Winter 2012 lookbook and Munaluchi Bride Magazine respectively.  In Style National Style Correspondent Tai Beauchamp’s Jewel By Lisa Autumn/Winter 2011 jeweled jacket was amazing at the 2012 pre-Grammys event! Model Georgie Badiel walked down the runway for ARISE magazine Autumn 2012 runway show in Lagos last March.

Just imagine it was during NYFW Autumn/Winter 2012 shows this past September that Angela was seen rocking Jewel By Lisa designs. Great to see Angela continue to show love to JBL. Stylist Kanayo Ebi also donned a yummy yellow and black Virgos Lounge BEE clutch for her ARISE African Icons front row appearance. Kanayo and Angela are definitely great supporters of the African fashion initiative!

image credits – Chioma for CulturalToast.com, Kanayo Ebi, Jewel By Lisa, AdoreAngela.Tumblr.com, Virgos Lounge x Getty Images

Solange Knowles Mixing at DVF for Fashion’s Night Out 2012

Solange Knowles (model, blogger, style icon and singer) was the celebrity DJ at Diane von Furstenberg’s Meatpacking District Fashion’s Night Out in-store celebration on Thursday September 6th. The stylish Texas-native, Brooklyn resident got the crowd hyped playing classic hip-hop and R&B tunes including Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston and Jay-Z. Before her DJ duties, Solange pose for photos with DVF and Girls‘ star Allison Williams in her luxe Washington Street store. (Also in attendance were Olympic Gold Medalist Champion Allyson Felix, Steven Kolb, CEO, Council of Fashion Designers of America and Mayor Michael Bloomberg.) Must say that I love Solange’s printed wrap dress, bold red lip color, hair , jewelry, and swag!

The in-store public event went was definitely a great way to energize New York Fashion Week! Drinks and desserts were given out. There’s a MAC Cosmetics make-up consultation, palm readings, and a fun photo flip-book workshop session. DVF worked the store interacting with attendees. Billboard magazine’s Gregory Dellicarpini, Jr. of The Hook interviewed the celebrity attendees. The vibe there was upbeat! Solange captured photos of the crowd in between her DJ gigs with her totally, cool, vintage camera. (Will her photography moments show up on her amazing blog, mydamnblog.com, anytime soon?)

Fun times all around! I’m eager to see what print Solange will become obsessed with next. 

Follow Solange and DVF on Twitter for more Fashion’s Night Out scoop: @solangeknowles x @DVF !

image credits – Chioma exclusively for CulturalToast.com

Fatima Siad for Herve Leger Spring/Summer 2012 print AD campaign

Shortly after her historic runway apperances for Dries Van Noten and Hermes during last year’s Paris Fashion Week, America’s Next Top Model alum and Somali-Ethiopian model Fatima Siad has secured a lucrative campaign gig for Herve Leger by Max Azria Spring 2012 collection. For the first released Camilla Akrans-shot photo session, the ANTM Cycle 10 star wore this cora braided bandage dress from the Spring 2012 collection. She also reappeared at this year’s Paris Fashion Week for the Alexandre Vauthier Spring 2012 runway presentation.

What an impressive move made by Fatima Siad!

image credit – Herve Leger. Style.

Cultural Look examines fashion’s latest lookbooks and looks lifted from the runway!

Naana B’s New Spring/Summer 2012 Lookbook

Shot by Melinda DiMauro Photography, rising Ghanaian fashion designer Naana B unveiled her bright, colorful Spring/Summer 2012 collection that she handcrafted using rich Ghanaian Kente fabric accents. Yes CulturalToast.com readers, the wait is finally over! For those who fell in love with Naana B’s collection when it appeared in Teen Vogue or when Oluchi wore her designs for a Nigerian high-fashion shoot, Naana B is back with a huge bang…and it’s just in time for the festive holiday season!

This collection provides much of the same aesethic that Naana is known for – fitted silhouttees, vibrant prints, and glamourous womenswear that take the ideal Naana B customer from day to night. The collection offers something chic and classic for every woman. Celebrities also shares CulturalToast.com’s enthusiam for Naana B!  R&B singer Mya was also seen rocking a Naana B python clutch from the Vixen Collection at the  2010 International Dance Music Awards! Supermodel Oluchi wore a Naana B Prine of the Valley Cocktail dress for a FLARE Magazine cover and editorial shoot!

Georgia NY welcomed Naana B last year for her sample sale as CulturalToast.com reported on. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for another swanky sample sale in the city from Naana! Check out the new lookbook featuring model Shirley Tan which also features the famous python snakeskin leather clutch from the Vixen Collection. What’s your favorite style pick from Naana B’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection?

>>>LookBook: Naana B Spring/Summer 2012<<< 

Connect with Naana B Online: Facebook + Twitter + Official Website

images courtesy of Melinda DiMauro Photography

Cultural Look examines fashion’s latest lookbooks and looks lifted from the runway!

Eku Edewor’s African Fashion Rundown Featuring Bridget Awosika & The J Label

It’s no secret that CulturalToast.com loves Nigerian former model Eku Edewor’s style on and off the red carpet. Eku is a huge supporter of African Fashion. The 53 Xtra TV show host is regularly photographed in designs straight off the runway and look-books by Republic of Foreigner, Jewel By Lisa, Deola Sagoe, and Bridget Awosika.

Republic of Foreigner Resort 2012// Anita Quansah London neckpiece // Jewel By Lisa SS 2011

hosting the 2011 Elite Model Nigeria competition in a Deola Sagoe Ori Oke Fall 2011

For her editorial shoot with Mania Magazine (Issue 3), Eku Edewor wore a printed top and shorts from Jewel By Lisa’s new diffusion line, The J Label. Styled by Dimenji Alara, Eku showcases affordable luxury for the contemporary woman. This marks the first time The J Label has appeared in a major editorial fashion spread. Gotta love it!

Eku Edewor on her J Label look: The short is fun, sexy and easy to wear. The cut on the shoulder makes it very central. They can appeal to quite a number of girls. You can wear them with flip-flops or heels. However you feel comfortable.

Eku Edewor on her second J Label look: This is very easy to wear. I like the detail and the print. I could wear this to lunch with my friends.

For her hosting duties at the 2011 Elite Model Nigeria competition, Eku wore a one shoulder Bridget Awosika Autumn/Winter 2011 black silk jersey Grecian-inspired dress. We love that dress started as a sheer button-up collar long-sleeved shirt but worked its way into a stunning draped one-shoulder look.

If you’re curious about which African fashion label will Eku wear next, follow her on Twitter for the scoop at @eku_g_edewor! What were your favorite African fashion looks on Eku Edewor? Vote…

Mania. The J Label. Twitter. Fab Mag.

Cultural Presence looks at how celebrities and everyday people wear African fashion straight from the runway.

Virgos Lounge Resort 2012 Lookbook

The London-based, Nigerian-run fashion label, Virgos Lounge, has deliver supreme style prowness yet again thanks in part to their newly launch Resort 2012 Lookbook.

From the press release: “Inspired by the tropics, The Resort collection consists of flowy floral print and bright colored maxi dresses as well as colorful beaded statement party dresses that will take you from day till night. This collection combines the simplicity of classic pieces from past eras armed with exotic yet playful colors, prints and embellishments. This collection pushes the boundaries of vintage inspired clothing by developing fashion forward statement pieces that would add excitement to any wardrobe.”

Each look from the 7-dress collection has a chic, unique name: Citrine, Jade, Opal, Aqua, Onyx, Dahlia, and Carnelia. Our favorite look is the green dress – Jade. For the lookbook, Virgos Lounge used their favorite model, Omowunmi Gbadamosi. Omowunmi shares the lookbook spotlight with fellow model, Fatima Babagana.

Behind the scenes on Virgos Lounge Resort 2012 Look book shoot

<Connect with Virgos Lounge: @virgoslounge, virgoslounge.blogspot.com, virgoslounge.com, Facebook>

Sophie Pycroft for virgos lounge.

Cultural Look examines fashion’s latest lookbooks and looks lifted from the runway!