Category Archives: New York Fashion Week
Thandie Newton Supports Jewel By Lisa
Thandie Newton was spotted wearing a Jewel By Lisa Spring/Summer 2012 jumpsuit and chrome Jimmy Choo “Anouk” heels at the Hope Rising Benefit concert in Toronto. Another red carpet superstar wearing JBL is always a breath of fresh air. Congrats to the JBL brand and its founder Lisa Folawiyo on this achievement. This is yet another step in JBL global red carpet take over.
In fact Thandie and her Half of A Yellow Sun co-star Anika Noni Rose paid a visit to Lisa Folawiyo’s showroom in Lagos. What a great moment for African fashion, isn’t it? This particular print that Thandie wore has also been seen on red carpet style stars Eku Edewor, Lola Ogunnaike, Catt Sadler, and June Ambrose.
The JBL Print That They All Have in Common
In related news, Thandie filmed Half Of A Yellow Sun and here she is with her co-stars Anika Noni Rose, Genevieve Nnaji and Chiwetel Ejiofor. A couple of years ago I made a dream cast for the film adaption of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s best-selling novel and I’m glad to see that my dream cast became reality. I’m eager to see this film when it gets its theatrical release in 2013.
image credits: tumblr & getty images
Cultural Presence looks at how celebrities and everyday people wear African fashion straight from the runway.
Washington Roberts Spring 2013
Despite the relevant staying power trend of using African-inspired wax prints in the global fashion industry*, Washington Roberts doesn’t sink into that ubiquitous look. Instead Washington Roberts created 8 chic looks for the modern woman who wants to look her best for a fun night out.
I applaud Washington for not using African prints as sometimes quite frankly it can be repetitive. *African fashion doesn’t have to mean batik, Ankara, or traditional lace. Granted that wax prints has gotten critically acclaim reviews from the international fashion world and it has also open endless opportunities for many designers but it is NOT the state of African fashion. There’s so much more to African fashion than wax prints. We’ve seen what African fashion is without the use of wax prints thanks to labels like Tsemaye Binitie, Christiane King, Mimi Plange, Virgos Lounge, Mataano, Maki Oh, Grey, Re Bahia and many more.
With that said, I hope Washington Roberts will lead the pack of boldface African fashion designers straying away for a while that is from using wax prints in their womenswear and menswear collection. I loved the pastel colors, the peplum color block look and the blue panel sequin tuxedo dress from the Washington Roberts Spring 2013 line.
Stay tuned to see which piece is Washington’s favorite in my interview with him posted soon!
image credits – WWD & Getty Images
Cultural Runway is a style feature focusing on runway looks inspired by African aesthetics & designed by African fashion designers presented at various international Fashion Week events.
African fashion designers at New York Fashion Week Spring 2013
Spring 2013 saw creativity pouring in from African fashion designers from the iconic ARISE magazine runway show to Mimi Plange’s Manolo Blahnik shoe collaboration. Spring 2013 was truly a celebration of the brilliancy African fashion designers pour into their womenswear and menswear lines. Here’s a brief rundown on favorite looks seen on the catwalk.
Arise African Icons – Tiffany Amber, Tsemaye Binitie, Gavin Rajah, Ozwald Boateng
“I have a special place in my heart for the ARISE shows. It felt surreal to walk down the runway again. It was like we were at a party thrown by the world. I loved it and can’t wait to do it again…”
Tsemaye Binitie
“From the backstage production and calibre of models, to working with world-class stylists and make-up artists – and being at the Lincoln Center… It was all wow!”
Gavin Rajah
“My US clients appreciate my craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail. By showing my luxe pret-a-porter collection last night, it was great to fly the flag for South Africa.”
Ozwald Boateng
“I wanted to support the important work ARISE is doing for African fashion. It’s good to help bring the stylistic messages of the AMFW experience of Lagos to New York. I have a good following in the States and have showed solo at NYFW three times…If you’re interested in the American consumer. NYFW is where it’s at.”
Maki Oh
“I have put my ‘AMFW Designer of the Year’ Award on my dining table, beside an amethyst candle holder and other awards I’ve won. I was excited about the whole line-up ARISE had chosen. Great times ahead…”
BCBG Max Azria Spring 2013
Suno
Washington Roberts
Mataano
Duro Olowu
Complete runway reviews coming up!
image credits – imaxtree, wwd.com & style.com
Maya Samuelsson & Manolo Blahnik for Mimi Plange Spring 2013
Manolo Blahnik continues its collaboration with Ghanaian-American fashion designer Mimi Plange who recently unveiled her Spring/Summer “Tea With Mother” 2013 collection during New York Fashion Week with model Maya Samuelsson featured in her new AD campaign. Maya Samuelsson, wife to world renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson of Harlem’s Red Rooster restaurant, worked IT in a Mimi Plange Spring/Summer 2013 custom printed lambskin leather combo pencil skirt. “Tea With Mother”, Mimi Plange’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection was inspired by the refined elegance of aspirational adult style, and the fragile beauty of modern porcelain art.
Simply gorgeous!
image credits – Mimi Plange Facebook, WWD & Getty Images
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
Millen Magese, George Badiel & Aminat for Tiffany Amber ARISE African Icons Spring 2013 Runway Show
Millen Magese of Tanzania, Georgie Badiel of Burkina Faso and Nigerian-American model Aminat Ayinde of America’s Top Model fame walked the Tiffany Amber ARISE African Icons Spring 2013 runway show. These three definitely represented for fellow African female models working at Lincoln Center during New York Fashion Week. Georgie Badiel held it down for Burkina Faso and Nigeria’s Aminat is best known for her America’s Top Model appearance. All in all these three definitely SHUT IT DOWN for African female models at Lincoln Center. In fact the Tanzania model Millen Magese was Tiffany Amber’s finale!
Last year Georgie Badiel and Aminat Ayinde attended the show as special red carpet guests. In fact what they wore to the ARISE Made in Africa Spring 2012 event was definitely from the African fashion industry. Georgie Badiel arrived in a futuristic Pierre- Antoine Vettorello number while Aminat went for a colorful colorblock satin silk ensemble.
Georgie Badiel has always supported the ARISE magazine brand. In fact here her noteworthy photo shoot (Georgie Badiel by Sheila Okonkwo for Arise Magazine #13) was a blog favorite! (Georgie wore stunning designs by Laquan Smith, Tiffany Amber, Lanre Da-Silva Ajayi, Re bahia, Eki Orleans, Black Coffee, Madame Wokie, Lola Fatuorti, Kluk CGDT, and Iteun Basi!)
From Twitter, the ladies shared their excitement for being apart of ARISE magazine’s fashion show.
@aminat_model: Its that time of the year and my 1st official FW show is;
#AriseMagazine NYFW SS2013 show!@ladivamillen: Millen Magese for
@ARISEmagazine Fashion show…. pic.twitter.com/0kKOMjiW
Exciting times indeed for the African female model!
image credits – Bennett Raglin x Chioma for CulturalToast.com
Folake Folarin-Coker of Tiffany Amber Wears Yellow African Ladies Dancing Print Shirt to Her ARISE African Icons NYFW SS 2013 Show
Nigerian designer Folake Folarin-Coker of the successful womenswear brand Tiffany Amber wore a colorful print of African Ladies Dancing from her newly released collection shown at ARISE African Icons NYFW SS 2013 runway presentation at Lincoln Center. (African models Georgie Badiel and Aminat Ayinde walked the runway show.) I predict that this print will be one to watch for in 2013! (I also predict Eku Edewor will be all over this collection in the near future!) Much of Tiffany Amber’s collection stayed true to her signature soft femimine prints cut in classic silhouettes. Tiffany Amber expertly worked her magic using bright hues of yellow and blue.
image credits – Getty Images, mbfashionweek.com x Chioma for CulturalToast.com
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
