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.

Wax Print Moments: Solange’s Wax Print Dottman + Vlisco’s Funky Grooves Collection

These are just a few fashion worthy wax print obsessions that caught my attention. Inspired by Bola Obileye’s self-proclaimation Ankaranista, here are a few of my favorite things that I’m loving right now.

1. Solange Knowles’ wax print ottoman, napkins + matching pillows

Solange’s personal style is very much own and it reflected in her home decor as well. She invited Elle magazine into her Brooklyn home where I fell in love with her wax print napkins, pillows, and equally, irresistable ottoman. Her lastest modeling for Madewell Fall 2012 catalog is very chic and very much HER! #Obsessed! (See Solange’s Brooklyn style home over at ELLE!)

2. Vlisco Funky Grooves Collection

There is a reason why Vlisco continues to be the leader in wax print craftsmanship. Their recently released Funky Grooves collection oozes style, class and versatility! #Obsessed (See the full collection over at Munaluchi Bride magazine!)

Honorable mentions goes to …

Dannijo “Cocoki Bleu”

Have. Want. Need. Wishlist. Piggy Bank Worthy!

Zoe Saldana’s Jonathan Saunder dress!

Zoe Saldana’s Jonathan Saunders dress at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards
Everything about this look is win, win, win from head to toe! Love the prints!

Liya Kebede for Donna Karan Woman

The stunning Ethiopian model & LemLem founder is one of Donna Karan’s newly release fragrance – Woman brand spokes-models. She shares the gig with Christy Turlington & Karoliina Kurkova. #Obsessed

Liya Kebede brings traditional Ethiopian weavers and her brand LemLem to New York’s hottest boutiques!

Liya in her own words describes bringing traditional Ethiopian craftsmanship to New York. Great video. #Obsessed

Check out this LemLem suit (pictured on the left) featured in a Harper’s Bazaar September 2012 editorial.

image credits – Getty Images, Vlisco, Dannijo, Donna Karan, Madewell, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, & Fashionista

Cultural Wax Print Moments is a feature focus on ankara, wax print fashionable items that I’m currently obsessed with!

Best of 2011: 12 Fashion-Forward Designer Labels To Watch

2011 is over and done with but let’s look back at what a great year in fashion it has been for several notable African-run labels. Bridget Awosika, Suno, Jewel By Lisa, Anita Quansah London, Virgos Lounge, Burberry, Bunmi Koko, Mimi Plange, LemLem, Kiki Clothing, Suno and Thakoon ruled the red carpet with classy innovative sleek designs. A winning factor for each designer was of course the loyal support of their high-profile clients.

Jewel By Lisa

Lisa Folawiyo, creative director and founder of Jewel By Lisa, has solidified her fashion stance. From her well accepted approval at Arise Made in Africa New York Fashion Week presentation to her newly launched diffusion line, The J Label, Lisa’s JBL has proved she’s truly a houshold name in fashion. Her biggest milestone in 2011 came courtesy of E News Correspondent Catt Sadler wearing her designs three times on air. JBL has gone Hollywood! Jewel By Lisa went on to become a red carpet fan favorite as seen on Eku Edewor, Solange Knowles, Kendall Jenner, Genevieve Nnaji, and many more. Currently Lisa has announced plans to release a coffee table book which CulturalToast.com previewed at NYFW SS 2012 and it’s definitely worth the wait! We’re eager to see what Lisa has planned for 2012!

Anita Quansah London

2011 was Anita Quansah London’s year of success! Public admiration for Anita Quansah London’s handcrafted jewelry collection ignited when Keisha Buchanan stepped out in a neckpiece at Naomi Campbell’s Fashion for Relief launch. Nigerian singing sensation Tiwa Savage was obsessed with Anita Quansah London designs whenever she had a red carpet event to attend. Shortly after Anita Quansah London announced her collaboration with fellow Nigerian fashion label Jewel By Lisa for their new diffusion line, The J Label. Currently Anita Quansah London is working on a new diffusion line due to launch soon!

Kiki Clothing

When actress Nicole Ari Parker visited her husband’s paternal home of Ghana, she fell in love with Ghanaian, Nigerian fashion house Kiki Clothing. Nicole wore not one but two dresses from Kiki Clothing to major high-profile red carpet events this past year. Back in October, Kiki Clothing presented their latest collection at Africa Fashion International Week in Cape Town, South Africa. Kiki Clothing’s founder Titi Ademola is sure to bring IT in 2012!

Bridget Awosika


A well deserved recognition from Vogue Italia was just a perfect way to sum up rising Nigerian fashion label Bridget Awosika’s 2011. Nigerian TV personality Eku Edewor became Bridget Awosika’s most vocal, loyal supporter. Beloved by top Nigerian red carpet beauty queens like Funmi Iyanda, Tiwa Savage, Eku Edewor, EMLN 2011 winner EMLN 2011 winner Chika Chinwe, Nigerian model Makida Moda, and Adora Oleh. Bridget Awosika has bloosom to a high ranking contemporary womenswear line. 2012 will of course bring the Bridget Awosika name to red carpet fever heights!

Virgos Lounge

When Nigerian stylist Kanayo Ebi pick out a silver sequin one-shoulder jumpsuit for her client Angela Simmons, all wanted to know who design it Nigerian, London-based label Virgos Lounge has provided women with contemporary, vintage-inspired designs since its 2008 launch. Currently the label just release their Party Collection featuring their favorite model Omowunmi Gbadamosi. Angela has since bought the glamour of Virgos Lounge to Betsey Johnson’s runway presentation at New York Fashion Week.

Suno

First Lady Michelle Obama, Esperanza Spalding, Solange Knowles, Heidi Klum and Tai Beauchamp all wore the bold prints from the New York-based fashion label in 2011. Whether it’ll be Tai’s Suno x Loefller Randall canvas printed wedges or Michelle’s s silk pleated skirt, Suno produced classy design that will make every fashion-forward girl splurge a little! Suno currently re-launched their e-commerce site, where fashionistas can either window shop or shop ’til they drop!

Thakoon

Two Kardashian sisters (Kim & Khloe), Solange Knowles, First Lady Michelle Obama, and supermodel Iman sworn by Thakoon in 2011. Thakoon also created a limited edition Massai print scarf that sends all proceeds to famine-torn countries within the Horn of Africa – Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti. Although Thakoon’s pre-Fall 2012 collection is a slight departure from their print heavy, Kenya-inspired Fall 2011 collection, we’re eager to see what else they have in store for 2012!

Burberry

Burberry was definitely inspired by rich African textiles for their 2012’s Resort and Spring collections. Lady Gaga, Anna Wintour, Solange Knowles, Kate Bosworth and Transformers star Rosie Huntington-Whiteley were faithful to Burberry’s prints in 2011. The hoopla on all things African fashion intensified, hasn’t it?

Mimi Plange

2011 produced Mimi Plange’s biggest accomplishment thanks to her collaboration with Manolo Blahnik which she revealed at her A Flower in the Desert Spring/Summer 2012 presentation during New York Fashion Week in front of her fellow fashion supporters Duro Olowu, Bethann Hardison, Rachel Zoe and Andre Leon Talley. Kat Graham, Vanessa Hudgens, Rihanna, Kristen Cavallari, Mary Birdsong, and Estelle were all seen in Mimi Plange designs.

Bunmi Koko

Before Bunmi Koko’s founder Bunmi Olaye stepped down as the lead designer from her label, she provided classy eccentric designs as seen on Omotola, Melanie Brown, Michelle Williams, and Keisha Buchanan in 2011. (FYI: Omotola was the first to wear the lime pleated dress from Bunmi Koko’s Spring/Summer 2012 Allure of The Sirens collection. Currently Bunmi Koko presented a revamped website or a droolworthy e-commerce site. As for any explanation why Bunmi departed her label, she only had the following to offer: I have not giving up on my dream, however the time has come for me to pursue a vision that is entirely my own.

LemLem

LemLem ‘s founder Liya Kebede put her supermodel skills to the test in 2011 when she stepped out on numerous occasions wearing her Ethiopia-based womenswear line. We fell in love with Liya’s handkerchief-styled handwoven tunic when she attended the Tribute to the Models of Versailles 1973 at MET back in January. Who could resist her scarf, too? Liya continued to be her label’s best spokesmodel when she wore Lem Lem to two high-profile New York City film screenings. Currently LemLem has launched a Tumblr and of course a hip new Resort 2012 collection. Liya started LemLem in 2007 “inspire economic independence in her native country and to preserve the art of weaving.” We’re eager to see what else Lem Lem has to offer!

Wrapping up the very best moments in African fashion were Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B collection, Chayla’s Deola Sagoe stunner at New York Fashion Week, Eku Edewor’s Republic of Foreigner embellished top, Teyana Taylor’s Vibe Vixen African-inspired shoot, Jackie Appiah’s Jil F.A.C.E. List Awards dress, Genevieve Nnaji showing loyalty to Zed Eye & Jewel by Lisa time and time again, and Gregory Parkinson’s African-inspired totes. These designer labels are THE ones to watch in 2012 as we predict more groundbreaking milestones to come for each one. Out of the 11, which one has you wanting to know what’s their next move in 2012?

image credits – Getty, Splash, WENN, Wireimage, Twitter, Facebook

Cultural Annual Review takes a look back in the previous year in film, fashion, entertainment and much more!