<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Orijin Culture &#187; Fashion &amp; Style</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.orijinculture.com/community/category/fashion-style/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community</link>
	<description>A unique &#34;Brand&#34; connecting all African descendants together through culture; Fashion, Music &#38; Lifestyle. Keep the culture Alive.</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:35:28 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1</generator>
		<item>
		<title>Introducing Orijin Boutique &amp; VERNA Kyulah, the New Collection.</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/orijin-boutique/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=orijin-boutique</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/orijin-boutique/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:42:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>NoelleBonner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fashion & Style]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=5186</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Since it&#8217;s inception, Orijin Culture has been dedicated to connecting all African descendants together through culture, and breaking the negative perceptions that plague Africa and the African Diaspora. Creating a unique voice of great writers over the years with enlightened perspectives to bring the “Unspoken” and the “Unheard” information to our intellectual curious audience, Orijin is taking its mission to the fashion world by re-branding its fashion line and launching &#8216;Orijin Boutique&#8216; ; An African influence fashion store designed to show the beauty of our culture and identity.
“Culture is not limited to one space. It lives through people, places and things. It creates a trend and a lifestyle.”-Archyn Orijin
&#160;
VERNA Kyulah, the New Collection&#8230;


“VERNA Kyulah”(Vernacular) literally means a mother tongue or native language of a group of people. The idea behind this line came about from acknowledging the history of “silencing” many people of African descent have endured by loosing their native language and identity through the force of  speaking the language of their colonizers (usually English, Portuguese or French).  But “VERNA Kyulah,” the trendy “urban” voice  is here, speaking its native tongue. A language that the modern diverse world understands.
The &#8220;VERNA Kyulah&#8221; Collection with bold type T-shirts such as &#8220;99% of the image portrayed about Africa is Bull$h*t&#8221; and &#8220;Give me 1% of your mind and I will occupy it with the True Image of Africa&#8230;I&#8217;m the 99%.&#8221;, is designed to grab people’s attention, creating an awareness to inspire others to inquire about the multitude of meanings behind the simple declarations.  Africa and its different cultures are so much richer than the negative perception certain medias perpetuate. It is time we changed THAT voice. We are the people with the new voice. VERNA Kyulah
The Pidgin language is here. The Slang is here. The Cockney is here. The Creole is here. The Patois is here. We have RECLAIMED our VOICE. VERNA Kyulah.

Visit Our Boutique today:  http://www.orijinstore.com!!
Get Discount codes on our Fanpage: http://facebook.com.com/orijinculture


&#160;

Bullshit:- A blatant lie, a fragrant untruth, an obvious falicy (Urban Dictionary)
&#160;





FASHION&#8230; HUMANITY&#8230; CULTURE&#8230; DIVERSITY&#8230; STYLE&#8230; IDENTITY&#8230; LOVE.
]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/orijin-boutique/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments></slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Next BIG Shoe Designer: OBI CYMATICA</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/big-shoe-designer-obi-cymatica/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=big-shoe-designer-obi-cymatica</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/big-shoe-designer-obi-cymatica/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:19:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>NoelleBonner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fashion & Style]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian Louboutin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fashion history]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jimmy Choo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mr. John Galliano]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[OBI CYMATICA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shoe Designer]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=5207</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Many people don&#8217;t know that behind luxury designer powerhouses like &#8220;Jimmy Choo&#8221; and &#8220;Christian Louboutin&#8221; there are actually armies of talented designers. Each furiously working to make their shoe illustrations stand out among the rest, so they are picked to go into production and ultimately decorate the feet of the consumer. In the fashion industry, it&#8217;s part of any designers right of passage to lend their creative genius to household names before striking out on their own. Using their time working for brands to learn the business and build contacts so they are equipped with everything they will need to make their individual mark in fashion history. And with the industry already incredibly cut throat, it only allows the truly gifted and driven to survive.
(the following illustrations were drawn by Obi Cymatica)



&#160;
OBI CYMATICA is one of those truly &#8220;gifted and driven&#8221; designers. Growing up in Nigeria, and moving to New York at the age of 16 with his family; it was in a high school art class that a teacher recognized his sketching ability and recommended that Obi visit FIT&#8217;s museum to gain an understanding of what fashion illustrations were all about. A true art form themselves alone, Obi was taken up in the magical designs and sketches by the uber talented Mr. John Galliano. Falling in love with the artistic grace of Galliano&#8217;s work, he knew that he had found his calling.
&#160;
After graduating from high school, Obi went to school in Hungary for four years to hone his sketching talent, and learn the skills and techniques he would need to make them come to life. Upon returning to New York, he quickly got an internship at the Patricia Fields store, and then went on to illustrate clothes for Kai Milla (Stevie Wonder&#8217;s wife). Though a talented clothing illustrator, he wanted to get back in to designing shoes. So next he moved into sketching designs for Bon Chic Bon Genre, otherwise known around the world as BCBG. His next job was a major one&#8230; working for the king of couture Mr. Oscar de la Renta. His first truly high fashion job, it was an exciting achievement for Obi when he landed the position. Currently working for Jimmy Choo- known for its diversity in style, but always maintaining a classiness not always achieved by other shoe brands-his creativity is encouraged, and he is given the freedom to explore his shoe fantasies.
(shoe illustrations by Obi Cymatica)


 


Being a fellow African trying to forge my path in the fashion industry, I asked him what it has been like being a shoe designer of African descent. And he described that his major challenge has been in interviews with potential employers. With them often &#8220;expecting to see someone else&#8221; and &#8220;surprised&#8221; that he is the individual that shows up for the interview. He said &#8220;They are unable to connect with how an African male will be able to design women&#8217;s shoes with mass appeal.&#8221; This narrow ideology has made finding work hard for Obi, causing [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/big-shoe-designer-obi-cymatica/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments></slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>African Fashion &#8220;Game Changers&#8221;</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/african-fashion-game-changers/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=african-fashion-game-changers</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/african-fashion-game-changers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:44:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>NoelleBonner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fashion & Style]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bruno Pieter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[changing the game]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dries Van Noten]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dutch fashion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fashion in Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ghanaian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joshua Kissi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nigerian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pholoso]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Street Etiquette]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[style]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travis Gumbs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vogue Black]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=5109</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I think it&#8217;s incredibly important to take the time to recognize people in the fashion industry that are using their talents to influence and affect real change in how African fashion is regarded in the industry. So from time to time, I have decided to feature a &#8220;Game Changers&#8221; article; that will bring awareness to those individuals that are truly making strides either by their persistent and proactive efforts, or by simply being themselves (it&#8217;s amazing how once you fearlessly accept to you are, and do what you are meant to do in life, people respond and follow your lead). For my very first article I&#8217;m shining the light on some of my favorite bloggers, Joshua Kissi and Travis Gumbs of &#8220;Street Etiquette&#8221; and Pholoso Selebogo of &#8220;The Singing Stylist.&#8221;
The men of &#8220;Street Etiquette&#8221; Joshua Kissi and Travis Gumbs have been documenting their unique style since 2008 and subsequently have elevated the standards of menswear fashion. It&#8217;s no longer OK for men to wear ill-fitting pants with baggy shirts and sneakers, and we have these guys to thank. Say hello to tailored jackets, structured clothes, clean lines, leather jackets, vintage and thrifted clothes, unique jewelry, prints and whole lot more. With an incredible understanding of fashion history and cultural influences within fashion; Joshua and Travis have tapped into the undertones of multiple cultures and found ways of blending them with contemporary styles. The final product? A polished and refined fashion forward look&#8230;that is&#8230;dare I say it?!?&#8230;SEXY!

In one of my favorite posts by them, &#8220;Print Etiquette: African Tribal Print&#8221; the boys looked at Ghanaian and Nigerian fashion influences from the 1970&#8242;s and incorporated those elements into contemporary styling. Pairing a bright fitted print shirt, with cuffed khaki pants, a solid brown leather belt, white penny loafers and African beads on the wrists and neck. The look was bold, African inspired yet preppy. Meshing the very different styles together beautifully.

*All images by Cleon Grey of The Aveder Outfit
Featured in a multitude of fashion magazines, including menswear powerhouses like GQ and Complex, and news outlets like the Huffington post and New York Times; these men are truly re-defining ALL of menswear fashion.
 
&#160;
*Images courtesy of google images
&#160;
Pholoso Selebogo &#8220;The Singing Stylist&#8221; has become the sweetheart of the Dutch fashion circuit. Hailing from South Africa but living in Antwerp Belgium, she has used her daring fashion choices to position herself in the middle of fashion elite. If her outfits weren&#8217;t enough to peak the interest of fashion heavy hitters, the silver dots she sports on her face from time to time definitely do the trick. With a style entirely of her own, and each look more daring than the one before, Pholoso&#8217;s style cant be defined

 
Interviewed for Vogue Black, styling shows for Bruno Pieters and Dries Van Noten (both Dutch fashion royalty), and eleven shows during the 2011 Lagos fashion week; Pholoso is well on her way to becoming one of the most influential stylists of our time. It&#8217;s bloggers turned stylists like Pholoso that [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/african-fashion-game-changers/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments></slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Is British designer Vivienne Westwood, Kenya&#8217;s friend or foe?</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/british-designer-vivienne-westwood-kenyas-friend-foe/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=british-designer-vivienne-westwood-kenyas-friend-foe</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/british-designer-vivienne-westwood-kenyas-friend-foe/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:41:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>NoelleBonner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fashion & Style]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA["I am not a terrorist]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA["THIS IS NOT CHARITY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[british designer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gianni Versace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[habeas corpus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[International Trade Center's Ethical fashion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kenyan women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oscar de la Renta]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[please don't arrest me"]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[punk-fashion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ralph Lauren]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[THIS IS WORK"]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Valentino]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vivienne Westwood]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=4979</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
When famous designers pair with charity organizations with the hopes of using their brand power to bring more attention to an issue or cause; often the feedback is mixed. People either choose to support and accept the designer for their interest, or they attack them for being disingenuous and having ulterior motives. So when Vivienne Westwood chose to pair with the International Trade Center&#8217;s Ethical fashion program to create a handbag line made by poor &#8220;marginalized&#8221; Kenyan women, the debate began. Was the iconic British designer participating in the continued disenfranchisement of Kenyan women? Or was she truly lending her brand power to make real change? I think its important to consider who Vivienne Westwood is, and has been to the fashion industry to begin to answer this question.


&#160;
Starting her iconic fashion brand in 1981, Vivienne Westwood has proudly been the face of the outsiders, &#8220;others&#8221; and outcasts in society since the foundation of her brand. The mother of punk fashion-bringing its unique and quirky elements to the forefront at a time when people like Gianni Versace were sending mega bombshells down the runway and other designers like Oscar de la Renta, Valentino and Ralph Lauren had settled into their iconic styles-she was one of the first designers to draw 100% of their inspiration from the street. Plugging into a sub-cultural phenomenon to &#8220;feed&#8221; her art. Finding beauty and value in the style of rockers, bikers, provocateurs, and even prostitutes, her persistence in bringing punk fashion to the mainstream paid off in droves. Giving a voice to a culture previously ignored by society, and making her an incredible force within the industry.



Also known for her political activism, Vivienne Westwood is notorious for taking a strong and vocal position on many issues. Campaigning in freezing temperatures for Nuclear Disarmament at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in 2008 (http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2008/03/25/westwoods-easter-march). Using her platform as a designer to pair with the British civil rights group Liberty to launch exclusive t-shirts and baby clothing stating &#8220;I am not a terrorist, please don&#8217;t arrest me&#8221; to defend habeas corpus. A right that invokes the spirit of democracy. Writing a manifesto called &#8220;Active Resistance Manifesto&#8221;, in which she analyzes arts relation to the human predicament. Claiming &#8220;We have the choice to become more cultivated and therefore more human – or by muddling along as usual we shall remain the destructive and self-destroying animal, the victim of our own cleverness (To be or not to be)&#8221; (Westwood, Active Resistance Manifesto, pg.1). She has even gone so far as to denounce our mainstream culture for its hyper consumerism. Remedying her position as a fashion designer by telling those that can afford her designs to buy them but not buy too much (wikipedia).

&#160;
Vivienne Westwood is not a flighty designer, disconnected from the world that has chosen to partner with The International Trade Center&#8217;s Ethical Fashion to gain financially from putting poor Kenyan women to work. In fact she is an incredibly aware, cause conscious individual; that has historically used her position [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/british-designer-vivienne-westwood-kenyas-friend-foe/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments></slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Finding Fashion &#8211; 2011 Afro Rock Event, Accra Ghana</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/finding-fashion-2011-afro-rock-event-accra-ghana/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=finding-fashion-2011-afro-rock-event-accra-ghana</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/finding-fashion-2011-afro-rock-event-accra-ghana/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:14:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>AJwaa</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fashion & Style]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[African fashin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Afro Rock]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ajePomaa gallery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[and Chocolate clothing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aya Morrison]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bliss Creatives]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chic Accessories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christiana Parker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christie Brown]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fashion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ghana. Accra]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Heel the World shoes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[K’Naf couture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[L’ane organics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mina Evans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nameless couture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peachy Purr]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PISTIS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rash Beads & accessories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Renee Q]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Row Von]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[S@4a]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sepha]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[She by Bena]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tebazile]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=4917</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Ghana, like many African nations, is seeing a gradual yet undeniable metamorphosis of how the arts are being perceived; and fashion is one of the fore runners.  A new dogma on how the fashion industry is portrayed and leveraged is central to idea of change. We have been slow to the game in realizing the potential of fashion as a form of revenue, tourism, international fame and more importantly a very lucrative business and avenue for job creation; nevertheless, this has not kept us from moving mountains to catch up! In recent times, African designers have reunited with their muses; which in the long run is great news for you, me and all other fashion lovers!  Finding ones muses is definitely a step in the right direction but what’s most important is showcasing the resulting masterpieces to the world.
Bliss Creatives (www.blisscreatives.com) , a new full service premier consulting boutique is among the few of its kind in Accra, the designated fashion capital of Ghana, that is helping to redefine fashion’s position in the ever growing entertainment industry; one event after the other. This time around, their formula for success included a glamorizes space convening the most outstanding, up and coming fashion designers, amidst great entertainment, creativity, fashion and talent all rolled up in a one-day affair.
The date: October 15, 2011. The place: Golden Tulip Hotel, Accra Ghana. The event: The Premiere Afro Rock Fashion event!
Fashion lovers, supporters, professionals and trendsetters witnessed the making of fashion history as Afro Rock commenced with a Trunk Show Exhibition of various well-known and up and coming brands and designs. The Golden Tulip hotel exhibition hall was transformed into a space of expressive art forms, creative flair and explosive talents that had two main things in common – impeccable genius and a taste of Ghanaian culture. Displayed art forms included clothing, jewelry,  footwear, swim wear, accessories, makeup  from designers like Aya Morrison, Renee Q, Christie Brown, Mina Evans, K’Naf couture, Pistis, ajePomaa gallery, Christiana Parker, Row Von, She by Bena, Peachy Purr, Nameless couture, Tebazile, Chic Accessories, Heel the World shoes, L’ane organics, Sepha, S@4a, Rash Beads &#38; accessories, and Chocolate clothing. It was definitely a treasure chest for the fashion visionary looking for that ultimate find or purchase.
Check out scenes from the Afro Rock trunk show:

The day’s events concluded with a grown and sexy Red Carpet event amidst delightful cocktails, enlightening conversation and relaxing music, which conveniently ushered in an exclusive invitation-only high fashion runway event.
The runway was electric as the blazing collections of Aya Morrison swim wear and the sultry blend of ajePomaa gallery tore down the runway. Patrons were at the edge of their seats as masterpiece after masterpiece satisfied their eager curiosity.

This event definitely lived up to its purpose as a premiere event introducing talented Ghanaian designers who use the Ghanaian culture and fabric to create beauty. This event among many to come is a stepping stone to help the Ghanaian fashion industry blossom from youth to maturity.
Success was definitely in [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/finding-fashion-2011-afro-rock-event-accra-ghana/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments></slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Remember Me: AFI&#8217;s Africa Fashion Week&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/afis-africa-fashion-week/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=afis-africa-fashion-week</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/afis-africa-fashion-week/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:57:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>NoelleBonner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fashion & Style]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Adama Paris]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AFI's Africa Fashion Week]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alexander Koutny]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[and South Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Avant]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bunmi Koko]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christie Brown]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David Tiale]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Duaba Serwa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Egypt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fast Track Collections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Foschini]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ghana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gloria Wavoumo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Johannesburg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kenya]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kiki Clothing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kluk CGdt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Laquan Smith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maki Oh]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marriane Fassler]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mozambique]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nigeria]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Senegal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sierra Leone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Simon Diener]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Soucha]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tanzania]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uganda]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[United States]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zimbabwe]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=4798</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Africa Fashion Week in Johannesburg, South Africa organized by African Fashion International (AFI) is one of the most important fashion events in Africa. With the aim of highlighting some of the best in African fashion and creative design, AFI has done a phenomenal job giving designers a platform to showcase and market their designs. Including a unique competition for up and coming designers through their collaboration with Foschini (a popular international women&#8217;s brand).  The Foschini/AFI FASTRACK competition launched in 2011 creates a platform for young designers to kick-start their careers in the fashion retail industry. After showing at Johannesburg Fashion Week and Cape Town Fashion week in front of a panel of judges; the winners are taken through a supply chain internship at Foschini where they are taught the &#8220;in&#8217;s and out&#8217;s&#8221; of the retail industry. All culminating in a collection from the designers thats sold in flagship Foschini stores. AFI is an important and  truly progressive company to be aware of that is intimately involved in the international support and promotion of African fashion.
Held at the Sandton Convention Centre from October 20th to October 23rd, designers from the United States, Zimbabwe, Kenya, London, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Egypt, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, and South Africa presented their Spring 2012 collections. Not all of the designers are featured below, but I believe the strongest and most relevant looks are shown. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the diversity in style and design of all the collections at this years Africa Fashion Week.
  In my post last week &#8220;The Larger Implications Behind Burberry&#8217;s Use of African Fabric&#8220;, I talked about seeking out African designers until the industry responds to the consumers demands. So take this opportunity to pay attention to the names, styles and designs of the designers below. Remember them, seek out more information about their brands and most importantly buy their designs!
&#160;
Adama Paris


Alexander Koutny 




&#160;
&#160;
Avant

&#160;


&#160;
&#160;
Bunmi Koko




&#160;
&#160;
&#160;
Christie Brown





&#160;
&#160;
David Tiale




&#160;
&#160;
&#160;
Duaba Serwa





Gloria Wavoumo



&#160;
&#160;
&#160;
Fast Track Collections




&#160;
Maki Oh


&#160;
&#160;
Marriane Fassler

&#160;
Kiki Clothing



&#160;
Kluk CGdt

&#160;

&#160;

&#160;



Laquan Smith






Soucha


Photos by: Simon Diener
]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/afis-africa-fashion-week/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments></slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Larger Implications behind Burberry&#8217;s use of African fabric</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/larger-implications-burberrys-african-fabric/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=larger-implications-burberrys-african-fabric</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/larger-implications-burberrys-african-fabric/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:06:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>NoelleBonner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fashion & Style]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[African fabric]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[aldo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BCBG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Burberry']]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christie Brown]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fashion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joyce Ababio]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Julian Louie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kente Cloth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Korto Momulu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LAMB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mali]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mud cloth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PISTIS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TRIBAL]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=4698</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
As always, Burberry Porsum S/S 12 was one of the highlights of London Fashion Week. Knotted, draped and wrapped; skirts and dresses in African fabric and African inspired fabric, were juxtaposed with classic &#8220;Burberry brit chic&#8221; military jackets and structured cargo coats. Even some outerwear was done in the classic styles to add dimension to their less patterned counterparts. The new look was executed famously.

&#160;

But, in all the styled perfection of the beautiful African inspired designs of Christopher Bailey&#8230;I was left a bit frustrated. I have found that African inspired designs, jewelry, and fabric only become relevant when non-Africans deem them to be. Which perpetuates the disenfranchisement of African designers that use elements of their cultures to influence their contemporary fashion designs. And gives non-African designers who seek out elements of African culture for a dose of &#8220;exotic&#8221; inspiration, more license to continually do so.
&#160;
&#160;
Though Christopher Bailey did a phenomenal job using African fabric to create his designs, was his use of the fabric any better than the African designs of Christie Brown, Pistis or Korto Momulu shown above? &#8230;It&#8217;s hard to say. But what cant be refuted is that HIS skirt, or dress, or jacket; has a much higher chance of being sold in Barney&#8217;s, Bloomingdales, and Sak&#8217;s than his African peers. Herein lies my major issue. There is not an equal chance given to African designers when they are working with their native fabrics, yet when non-Africans make the decision to incorporate it into their collections; that is when the fashion industry responds unabashedly&#8230;Even ushering in a whole season of &#8220;Tribal&#8221; to get consumers to respond. This to me just doesn&#8217;t seem right.
&#160;
&#160;
These designers go to African countries and take pieces of the culture and use it as inspiration for their latest collections. Like Mali where Mud cloth is a symbol of national identity, delineating a regions cultural history or even as personal as an individual&#8217;s life transitions. Or Ghana, where the Kente cloth birthed from the Akan people, can be an incredibly important symbol of wealth, power and status. Kente is not used by western cultures as often because of how expensive it is, but African wax print cloth from the Western African region is (see LAMB designs above). African wax print cloth often can have the same symbolism as Kente, only the beautiful patterns, designs and colors are printed and not weaved. So when these cloths are lifted from their native cultures and used to add an element of exoticism to a westernized collection (like BCBG&#8217;s use of Mali&#8217;s Mud cloth), it cheapens its significance and value. So though the BCBG and Burberry designs are indeed stylish, wearable and beautiful; there is an element of inauthenticity that can&#8217;t be ignored. Beauty without depth is much less interesting than beauty with depth. 
So what can be done to rectify this situation?&#8230;I don&#8217;t believe it&#8217;s that complicated.
African&#8217;s don&#8217;t consider their fashions to be trendy or as superficial as what&#8217;s &#8220;popular&#8221; for a particular season&#8230;And neither should the rest [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/larger-implications-burberrys-african-fabric/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments></slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>A Brand to Watch&#8230;Adjoa Osei</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/brand-watchadjoa-osei/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=brand-watchadjoa-osei</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/brand-watchadjoa-osei/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:56:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>NoelleBonner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fashion & Style]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA['adapt collection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Adjoa Osei]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[African Fashion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[African prints]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fashion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[J-Crew]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=4534</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Adjoa Osei, a new brand with its debut collection titled Adapt is definitely one to watch. The collection small but concise, shows expert editing and a keen attention to the creation of cohesive looks. The pieces fit seamlessly together but they also can stand on their own and can be easily mixed with other contemporary styles. As stated on the Adjoa Osei website, the focus of Adapt &#8220;&#8230;is clean lines and classic shapes with injections of print, colour and detail. As a prelude to the winter collection, Adapt explores the different ways that smart/casual wear can be enhanced by African print.&#8221;

&#8220;Simple yet chic&#8221;&#8230;The pieces are un-complicated, well made and have accents of expertly placed detail. The white shirt with the short sleeved African print cuffs and the thick strip of print down the back of the shirt, is an awesome piece that can be dressed up or down. The long maxi skirts in bright colors with African print detailing on the pockets, is an unassuming way to incorporate the ornate print onto a simple design. The symmetrical print detailing on some of the bangles, mixed with other monochromatic ones, is a dynamite combination. While the large necklaces, some chunky and gaudy, others with a multitude of chains, perfectly accessorizes the looks.
&#160;
&#160;
What I truly love about this collection is that it shows the evolving nature of contemporary African fashion. The Adjoa Osei brand is still using the African print, and traditional African jewelry like bangles; but infusing it with a more modern, clean and understated aesthetic. An African infused J-Crew is what comes to mind when I think about the Adapt collection. And though this is only the first collection under the brand and may not define its look collection after collection; its refreshing to see its unique use of African print.
Take a look at more of the designs, and find out where to buy the clothes below!


Get more information at www.adjoaosei.com.
Author, Noelle Bonner, Owner and  fashion blogger of  www.fashionfixxation.com.  &#8220;Challenge the status quo, cover the truly inspiring &#38; aim to make an impact. Live&#8230;Fashion. Beauty. Style.&#8221;
A talented writer, with a love of all things fashion, she has signed on to write for Orijin Culture to bring awareness to the artistic talent, beauty and history of those in the African Fashion industry.
]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/brand-watchadjoa-osei/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments></slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Ger: To be Separate&#8230;The Journey of Ger Duany</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/ger-separatethe-journey-ger-duany/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=ger-separatethe-journey-ger-duany</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/ger-separatethe-journey-ger-duany/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Oct 2011 14:54:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>NoelleBonner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fashion & Style]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fresh Off the Boat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Actor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[child soldier]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ger Duany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lost boys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[model]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sudan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wanuri Kahiu]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=4435</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[

Ger Duany an actor, model and film maker started his life far from the &#8220;bright lights&#8221; of New York. Born and raised in Sudan, he was forced to be a child soldier when the conflict between North and South Sudan erupted. Many have characterized it as a war between the Arabs in the north and Africans in the south but more technically the government in the north was trying to expand and exercise dominant control over the entire country. Causing the people in the South- without a voice in the government, due to the bias redistribution of power after the colonialist British left the country &#8211; to be brutally attacked and displaced. The horrors of this war were vast.  Two million people were killed and another four million southerners were displaced from their homes. For many of the children, it left them wandering the desert looking for their families or in Ger&#8217;s case, some were picked up by Northern regimes to serve as a child soldiers against his fellow southern brethren.

Ger was lucky enough to escape being a child soldier and came to the United States where he enrolled in school. The colloquial term for Ger and many other boys like him is &#8220;Lost Boys.&#8221; These boys were allowed to come to the United States as refugees and were given access to resources like education, medical assistance, housing, etc (wikipedia).
While Ger was getting his education, he was discovered by David R. Russell and given the opportunity to take part in the film &#8220;I &#60;3 Huckebees.&#8221; From there he was discovered by fashion photographer Norman Watson, launching his career in the modeling world.


Ger is now using his platform as a recognized actor and model to help those in Sudan still affected by the war. In January 2011, he went back to vote for the independence of South Sudan and to find the family he had not seen in 18 years. To tell his story, the award winning Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu filmed his trip to create the documentary &#8220;Ger: To be Separate&#8221;  which documents  his personal journey from escaping the life of a child soldier in Sudan, to finding is way back to Sudan again many years later.
The documentary is currently in post production and needs additional funding to be completed. Take a few minutes to view the video below to learn more about Ger, his journey and what this enlightening documentary will be about if it has the chance to be finished.

Remember that through listening to others stories we often gain clarity on parts of our own lives. Ger definitely has a story to tell. Let&#8217;s give him that chance!
Open your minds, Open your hearts and Open your wallets! Anything helps!
To donate to &#8220;Ger: To be Separate&#8221; CLICK HERE
]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/ger-separatethe-journey-ger-duany/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments></slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>FALL FOR CULTURE : &#8220;Be Bold, Be Radiant, and Shine this Fall Season&#8221;</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/fall-culture-bold-radiant-shine-fall-season/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=fall-culture-bold-radiant-shine-fall-season</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/fall-culture-bold-radiant-shine-fall-season/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:11:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>luce</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fashion & Style]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[African Fashion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FALL FOR CULTURE]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=4273</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
The traditional vibrant African colors and patterns are still among us. Dare to preserve the culture while fiercely owning your personal style and spice. This is all the more reason to embrace these marriages of colors this fall season; wouldn’t you agree?  Let your fashion inspired pieces tell your story with each suffused pattern.
I am really excited for all of the vibrant colors making their debut this season such as rich reds, blues, yellows and oranges. I am not sure about you but this has just added so much more excitement to my wardrobe and not to mention that it will add some inspiration on those dark and cloudy days. So ladies, do not be afraid to be bold, leaving a colorful mark everywhere you go!
As the seasons change so should what we decide to store away and keep in our closets. But before you go all the way wild about cleaning out your summer wardrobe to make way for the fall fashion, here is what I would suggest: take close inventory and you’d be surprised on how many of your summer pieces can transition into fall.
My favorite summer pieces are those maxi dresses, super comfortable and flattering on any body type. Don’t we just adore them? I wouldn’t part ways with them just yet; you can still get a good wear for the next month or so. Paired with the perfect sweater and or cardigan and ankle boots with a thick necklace, this look is guaranteed to turn a few heads.
As for the shoe game, wedges always makes a comeback and this season it’s all about colors that pop, I recently purchased a pair of orange suede wedges that are not only comfortable but will help to liven those lazy days when you simply do not want to jazz it up. We all have those days and this may be just the savior. I found my pair at Express for a whopping $59 and they’re flying off the shelves.
My favorite for this fall is an oversized, relaxed sweater that can be incorporated to your weekend and workday.  You can have this look with your favorite pair of jeans or spoof it up with a skirt or dress for those classy office days. You can achieve comfort while looking fabulous.
For those chillier days, the  absolute must-have this season is the leather MOTO jacket and feel free to go wild again with colors and let your true personality shine.  Remember to keep it light and chic, whether running errands or a flirty night out on the town.
I love the femininity that this season brings with its African and animal prints, floral patterns and my all-time favorite polka dots.  Polka dots are truly a timeless trend that keeps making an appearance just when we think ‘time to get rid of these polka dots’ that never seems to want to leave.  Although I am personally excited those African prints that have never really gone anywhere in the first place, exemplifying the beauty of [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/fall-culture-bold-radiant-shine-fall-season/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments></slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

