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.

Daks from Third World ProFashional Wears Virgos Lounge to London Fashion’s Night Out

Adaku (Daks) From Third World Profashional (better known as one of CulturalToast.com’s favorite Nigerian female blogger) was spotted by the camera lens of Zeldan + Festus in a gorgeous Virgos Lounge outfit!

Here’s the 411 (and yes I had to throw out that MJB old school slang out there): Daks wore this ivory gold pattern beaded Virgos Lounge “Moss” blouse with a blush pink high waist “Holly” skirt with a colorful tribal beaded belt.  She completed her look with a Olivia Pope worthy Prada handbag! (Unfortunately the blouse is sold out BUT the skirt is still up for grabs!)

Love this outfit!

Follow Daks online: Twitter//Website

Image credits – Zeldan + Festus

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

Fall in Love With QuellyRue Designs

CulturalToast.com readers prepare to fall in love with QuellyRue Designs created by New Yorker, self-taught handbag and accessories designer Racquel Dwomoh. I stumbled across QuellyRue Designs via Tumblr and I was instantly amazed by her creativity to showcase natural black beauty on a tote bag. From her Janelle Monae tote to her successful and fan favorite Naturally Tote bag, these tote bags are must for any Ankaranista who appreciates Etsy’s creative African fashion designers! I love the Afro Woman tote for the simple fact that her natural hair is in the shape of Africa. Etsy is a treasure chest for Ankaranista! Oh did I mention that I’m addicted to Etsy? (Shout out to Noah’s Crew!) Priced at an affordable price point between $36 to $40, QuellyRue Designs has something for every Ankaranista on the go!

QuellyRee Designs – Naturally Me Totes

QuellyRae Designs – Tote Bags

Afro Woman

Natural Hair Beauty 

Ode to Grace

J.Monae

I am African 

As you can see QuellyRue Designs incorporates traditional Ghanaian and West African textures and felt to show her appreciation for Africa. Who doesn’t like the tote bag with a wink? How about that trendy Fulani gold earrings?

Learn more about QuellyRue Designs:

QuellyRue Designs is a collection of handmade crafts, art, and accessories that is full of bohemian flare, whimsical, yet refined and reminiscent of a love for Africa. QuellyRue Designs was born out of a passion for handmade crafts and a vision for extracting beauty from objects that are seemingly ordinary, creating beautifully handcrafted merchandise to complement all occasions.

Racquel Dwomoh (pronounced Ju-moh), the self-taught designer behind QuellyRue Designs, prides herself on her chic, quirky, imaginative, super cute accessories bursting with color, texture, print and intricate patterns. These reflect her colorful memories growing up as a child in the buzzing city of Accra, Ghana.

In 2008, QuellyRue Designs was launched producing a spectacular range of handmade tote bags, hair accessories, jewelry, crocheted hats and scarves, brooches, and tech accessories, crafted from the finest fabrics, fibers, and materials from around the world.

For Racquel, the creative direction of QuellyRue Designs is to express all the creative wanderings in her mind, her art, and her personal style through luxurious designs that are artistic, whimsical, and necessary.

“I am a strong believer that the truest expression of love is art. The purest part of you is that which is created, born and nourished in your heart. My hands live to create…so I create.” – Racquel Dwomoh

Shop QuellyRue Designs Only on Etsy: etsy.com/shop/QuellyRueDesigns?page=1

image credits – QuellyRue Designs

Cultural Shop highlights African fashion garments sold via upscale online boutiques.

Angela Simmons Photographed in Virgos Lounge AGAIN thanks to Stylist Kanayo Ebi!

Thanks to hip Nigerian-American fashion stylist Kanayo Ebi, Angela Simmons was photographed out and about in a Virgos Lounge bustier and high-waist floral print skirt! (FYI: Kanayo was with Angela! She’s in the background rocking the haute shades!) I love that Angela continues to show love to the Nigerian/London-based womenswear collection! Angela’s floral print crop top and skirt is sold separately on VirgosLounge.com.

Kudos to Kanayo for continuing to style Angela in Virgos Lounge. I’m eager to see which look she’ll wear next from the collection. Speaking of which this is not the first time Angela has embraced the successful label. Virgos Lounge has expanded their brand to be sold at Topshop. Here’s a brief recap on Angela wearing Virgos Lounge in the past…

At the launch of her new business venture – a hair called Indique, Angela stepped out in a beaded, sequin Virgos Lounge jacket that Nigerian fashion blogger Adaku from Third Word Profashional (aka my Naija fashionista BFF in my head, lol!) was also seen in! According to VirgosLounge.com, the jacket named Aggy is currently sold out! So CulturalToast.com, which lady rocked this jacket the best – Adaku or Angela?

Which Angela Simmons in Virgos Lounge look is your favorite?

image credits – Getty Images

This Or That examines style trends on and off the red carpet. Sometimes it’s a fashion face-off or two looks that’s quite similar.

Solange Knowles, Leelee Sobieski & Oroma Elewa Wears Maki Oh

Nigerian fashion designer Maki Oh’s designs gain a joyous Cultural Presence when fashionistas Solange Knowles, Leelee Sobieski and Oroma Elewa were photographed on the red carpet wearing her designs.

Solange wore Maki Oh twice recently for her two DJ gigs. Solange attended the Ferragamo store re-opening wearing a Maki Oh Autumn/Winter 2012 silk chiffon adire shirt which she paired with her signature curls, a satin purple Ferragamo jacket and red disco cigarette pants.

For her DJ gig at the Splendid store opening, Solange looked regal in a black Maki Oh Autumn Winter 2012 silk velvet and chantilly lace skirt.

Pop’Africana editor Oroma Elewa donned a Maki Oh design for a private dinner hosted by Dom Pérignon.

Actress Leelee Sobieski worked it in Maki Oh Spring/Summer 2012 silk charmeuse adire cutout shirt and skirt at NYC premiere of NYC 22.

Speaking of LeeLee, I love this skirt she wore at the Soho House And Cecconi’s At Frieze New York In Partnership With Bombay Sapphire Gin event.

Learn more about Maki Oh via her social media platforms: website//facebook//pintererst//twitter

image credits- getty, neks2u

Ashley Madekwe Seen at The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Pt. 1 L.A. Premiere with Revenge Co-Stars

Nigerian-British actress Ashley Madekwe, star of ABC primetime juicy soap Revenge, was seen in a fire engine red BCBG dress and her favorite Prada heels with her TV co-stars Gabriel Mann and Christa B. Allen at the LA Premiere of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part. 1. Ashley tweeted her red carpet outfit details to her Twitter followers last night. If you’re in love with Ashley’s red carpet outfit, you need to tune in Wednesday nights to see what her character, event planner Ashley Davenport, wears each episode! It’s to die for!

Earlier Ashley was seen in a black and white bod-con dress with a purple quilted, chain bag at the Ermenegildo Zegna and Vanity Fair Event to Benefit the Art of Elysium’s documentary film project. Love her outfit here? Read her blog for daily style inspirations, Ring My Bell!

In related news, Tyler Shields photographed the cast of Revenge in a hip photo-shoot with an accompanying short trailer. The pillow fight-themed photo shoot features Christa B. Allen, Emily Van Camp, Gabriel Mann, Joshua Bowman, Nick Wechsler and Connor Paulo.

TYLER SHIELDS – REVENGE SHOOT

Follow Ashley on Twitter: @smashleybell. Reads Ashley’s blog: Ring My Bell

wireimage. getty

Cultural Pose is a look at red carpet events!

Fashion Consultant Chalya Wears Deola Sagoe Ori Oke Fall 2011

Wearing African Fashion designs during New York Fashion Week  was a major hit among the fashionable mavens. CulturalToast.com also spotted fashion consultant and blogger Chalya at the Arise Made in Africa show wearing a stunning handcrafted Deola Sagoe wrap dress lifted from the Nigerian fashion label’s newly release Ori Oke Fall 2011 collection! Essence magazine also endorsed Chalya’s style at New York Fashion Week for their street style portfolio!

Deola Sagoe incorporated Japanese and Yoruba dress styles for her new Fall/Winter 2011 collection! The name Ori Oke is combination of two names from the Japanese and Yoruba dialects. “Ori” deprived from “Shibori” – a Japanese word. “Oke” is lifted from “Aso-Oke” – a Yoruba term.  Fader TV caught up with Chalya after the Arise Made in Africa SS 2012 show wrapped up. What’s remarkable about the footage is of course what she wore! Fast forward to 3:01 to revel in Chalya’s Deola Sagoe Ori Oke Fall 2011 dress!

Fader TV at Arise Made in Africa SS 2012

Connect with Chalya online: website // twitter

Twitter. Deola Sagoe

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

This or That Edition: Zara

A black side-slit long-sleeved dress marks CulturalToast.com’s third This or That edition between two established African Fashion bloggers Adaku of Third World Profashional and Abby of Abby’s World.

Adaku Ufere of Third World Profashional first stepped out in a black Zara side-slit, long-sleeved dress for a dinner at Gordon Ramsay restaurant at Claridges with her friends . She completed her look with a bold gold and black rope neckpiece. Love her smoky eye makeup!

Two Days later Abby Omoruyi of The 4 Aces Date & Abby’s World wore the same dress to attend Arise Made in Africa Spring/Summer 2012 show at Lincoln center during New York Fashion Week. She accessorized her look with black Christian Louboutin platform heels and stunning gold jewelry.

If you’re oogling over the classiness of this dress with side slits, shop the look online at zara.com for only $89.90.

photo credits: Third World Profashional. The 4 Aces Date

This Or That examines style trends on and off the red carpet. Sometimes it’s a fashion face-off or two looks that’s quite similar.