Liya Kebede & African-Inspired Prints at Balenciaga Spring 2013 Paris Fashion Week

Ethiopian model Liya Kebede (and current Donna Karan Woman fragrance brand face) walked the Spring 2013 runway at Paris Fashion Week for Balenciaga. I couldn’t help but notice that two of the runway looks at the show was heavily influenced by Dutch wax prints, ankara, and African fashion.

Fab! View the full collection here.

image credits – imaxtree

Cultural Model Runway is a style feature focusing on black models represented at various international Fashion Week events.

Solange – Losing You Video

The long-awaited world premiere for Solange’s Losing You music video is over! You’ve seen the on-set photos. You’ve been the teaser trailer. Now here’s the video in all of Solange’s signature prints style galore! Solange truly nails down being the queen of prints. There’s so many great style moments from the video. There’s far too many things to choose which style moment that I loved from the well-dressed men in their suits to Solange’s quick wardrobe changes.  I also enjoyed the fact that the video was shot on location in South Africa! While you watch the Melina Matsoukas-directed video I’m adding it to my iTunes.

Solange explains to V Magazine the concept behind Losing You:

“When Melina [Matsoukas, director] and I decided to film ‘Losing You’ in South Africa, we really didn’t have a real firm concept in place. It was sort of a grab a camera and let’s go moment. I knew I wanted to capture a couple things: the vibe of our friendship and all of the crazy escapades we’ve gotten ourselves into all over the world and the abstract and elegant Le Sape society (Society for the Advancement of People of Elegance) formed in The Congo which was documented by Daniele Tamagni in his Gentleman of Bacongo book. We called Daniele to guide us, and some of my friends from New York came down to Cape Town and we all had a very damn good time.”

This song is giving me vintage 80s Janet Jackson vibes! I love that Solange is going back to that era of music. (Things on the radio can be repetitive right now. This is a breath of fresh air!) Here’s the info on the fashion credits and all who made Losing You flawless:

From an upcoming single on Terrible Records, out digitally 10-2
Song by Solange and Dev Hynes, produced by Blood Orange.

Director – Alan Del Rio Ortiz
Producers – Imogene Strauss & Jassine Chrisphonte
Director of Photography – Mike Simpson
Camera Assistant – Kyle Sather
Gaffer – Casey Wooden
Grip – Walter Egan
Editor – Victoria Chalk
Colorist – Seth Ricart
Production Assistant – Davey Jewell
Hair – Nikki Nelms
Makeup – Munemi Imai

Set Design & Art provided by:
Mickalene Thomas

Cast:
Solange Knowles
Cherie Camacho
Saada Ahmed
Lizzie Okpo
Darlene Okpo
Devonté Hynes
Jean Jersey klan
Jonathan Zeizel
Eliot Glass

Clothing provided by:
Kenzo
Opening Ceremony
DVF
J Crew
Suno

image credits – Terrible Records

Cultural Music is an eclectic playlist highlighting noteworthy music with soul!