Spring 2012: A romantic feel

 The spring collections of the clothing stores were staring me in the face, as I was looking for the best sale items to add to my wardrobe. As it stared at me, I felt as if I was being lifted into this romantic and sophisticated feel. When I ran into L’Officiel magazine with Chanel Iman on the cover, that’s when it hit me: the coming spring is going to be romantic! The trend of coming spring is going to embrace us with a romantic feel. I know it. This means: soft colors, like white, pink, blue, flowered prints, chiffon dresses, high-waist skirts and more. Opposing to the stop blocking colors of last summer and the snake prints of the winter season, fashion is doing a flip and is appearing to be less raw. The 90's, the leather, and the stop blocking colors swag is still worth keeping, though. It’s just now that the trend is inspired by the fashion style of the Pan Am woman and the lady of the 60’s. Below is an idea of how to go with this romantic flow and yet keep the African accents in your style. 

Under the mag: MO SAЇQUE hits London Fashion week

It’s just today that we received the news that a MO SAЇQUE shoe debuts at the London Fashion week. Such exciting news! You might be wondering why we are rejoicing. Well, MO SAIQE luxury shoes is shoe brand which is does not only have an elegant, sophisticated, good-quality collection, but is founded by a young Ghanaian woman, Afua Dabanka. Arise Magazine’s editor in-chief even stated that MO SAIQUE shoes has a chance of becoming the next Christian Louboutin. Feelin’ proud already?

Under the Mag: Mina Evans

Fashion designer Mina Evans-Anfom at her fashion show launch in 2010

African fashion and African designers are rising. This refreshing movement, that critics call ‘just a trend’ is taking over the world, with its bright colors, African wax, animal prints and tribal accessories. Under the mag this time is Ghanaian fashion designer Mina Evans-Anfom. Mina Evans-Anfom, who is the brain behind luxury brand Mina Evans, recently launched her new summer/spring collection called Terra Ferma. Mina Evans fashion is just launched as a brand for 14 months and it’s such a success already. Having styled artists as TuFace en Becca and having a success after her first collection was launched in 2010, Mina Evans is at it and it’s definitely someone we should keep an eye on.

Definately hot: 2011 color recap

There is no denying in it. Stop blocking colors are the hottest thing now.  It seemed as it would change in the fall, but the bright colors stuck around with yet a more smooth and soft approach. Still no more worries about combining yellow and pink. Craziness is all allowed. As a matter of fact it looks fabulous. Since colors is not an unfamiliar thing to African women, this is absolutely a trend we can make use of and even combine it with tribal accessories. Since 2012 is just around the corner, let’s have a look at 2011’s trend we can take with us into the new year. 

Under the mag: new, young African designer: Uzuri Couture

 A young, female Cameroonian creative mind has added her self to the list of fashion designers. 23 year old Audrey NM has launched her own clothing-line called Uzuri Couture. Her first collection, launched in summer 2011, called “Beautiful Beginnings” is a combination of African wax and European styles, also known as Afro chic. With not even a year from her exposure of her first collection at Cameroon’s Independence celebration, this Dutch based International business graduate has won the Dutch Music & Fashion battle in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and her collection is yet to be launched in Paris, France. Time for a chat with the mind behind Uzuri.

Definately hot: Lips on colour Dark!

Just when the fury red lip is no longer a taboo, but a fashion do, there is another trend on make-up that has changed with the season. That is the dark lip. I saw it on African-American shoe designer Vanessa Simmons, who rocked the purple dark lip with a fab look. And to bring some shock value to what you think is hot: bright lip is fantastic, but dark lip is hot for this season.

Of course Mac has a high range of colours, but buying a dark coloured pencil will also do the magic. The dark skin lip looks good on the dark and the light skinned ladies. Give it a try!

View pictures of Chanel Iman, Jessica White and Vanessa Simmons with the dark coloured lips.

Definitely Hot: Patricia Field’s Teacup dress

Absolutely fabulous, African, hip, it’s Afro chique! Have you seen J. Cole’s latest video? The lady in the video is wearing a dress, which is a combination of African wax and Kente. To find out this dress is a Patricia Field Dress. Yup, it is from the crazy read-headed, yet fabulous Sex and the City stylist. And it is available online. Peek for more colours. 

Definately Hot this fall

Bright red lipstick, bald heads, pointed heels, stop blocking colours aaaand Snake prints! Yes, it’s back. Just when you though it could not go more extreme. This fall will embrace us with animal printed bags and belts. Though it might look extreme, the right combination can make your look fabulous. So before some of us give up on today’s trend. Let us look at what we can do. View a full look under the cut and some highlights of this season.

Definitely hot this season:

The high waist jeans. Especially for the women with curves, high waist jeans give a finishing touch most of the time.

Mad about Stop blocking colours

We are through spring season. The Spring season has not gone by without giving us catchy impressions with its bright colours. The bright red, green, pink and yellow has found its way back in fashion. Wearing a combination of these loud colours is no problem at all. It seems as if spring won’t be the only season, which will go all bright. Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourself for another bright coloured season. The hottest bright colours of this moment are displayed below.

90's Swag is Back

Look at the high waist and washed jeans, the crazy t-shirts, the colourful make up, the golden bungles, the sneakers, the heels, the furr. This reminds me of something: the 90’s! I did a little research here and there and my conclusion is: 90’s swag is back!

Take a look at the old pictures of hip hip-group Salt n Pepa, for example. Lots of the swag has come back. I personally love it. Here are more fashion items that have come back to 2011.

More, under the cut.

It is All in the Natural

Is this really happening? Black women are cutting off their relaxed, weaved, straightened hair and it for the pure Afro natural look? I think that it is happening. It seems as if we are embracing our natural look and more women taking the leap of ‘going natural.’ What has made us take this step and how can we rock what we have best? which is our Afro.

90's Swag is Back

Who would have thought that the 90’s swag would be coming back? Can you remember pleading with your parents to get the leather backpack, because you absolutely loved it? What I see is the backpack and satchel trend of the 90’s has found its way back into fashion. See the way Rihanna rocks the leather backpack. Spring has started and I’ve found some for you to buy online. More under the cut.

Definately hot: The head turban

I will admit this: I was not a fan when I saw SATC’s fashionable Carrie Underwood with a head turban. I thought it looked strange. You know, the head turban is tied differently from our traditional African head wear. Fan or no Fan, the head turban is in Fashion! And there are ways to rock it fab!

Patricia Field is responsible for the turban in SATC. But celebrity stylist June Ambrose also owns this look. Her fantastic work can also be viewed in Chrisette Michele’s video- Imma star. This is a trend. The turban Trend! Coloured women, lets follow. We can use our African printed fabric.

Definately hot: the Maxi dress

Some say it makes them look fat; some say there is no sexiness to it at all. In spite all objections, the Maxi Dress is back! The long skirt and the Maxi dress might not be what everyone likes to wear. But you can make it work. Simplicity and right combination will have the Maxi dress work for you.

Combine the long skirt or dress with matching shoes and jacket and look fab. The real Fashionistas know how to rock it with boots. And for those that still refuse to ride along with this fashion do, here are some examples to convince you otherwise.

October Chocloate Sensation

Michelle Williams showed up to the Mobo Awards with a nice surprise. This surprise is called Ricky Whitlle. I am sure he is mixed raced, but Google keep telling me he is British. Let’s call him British for now and crown him to Chocolate Sensation of this month.

Want to know more about our Chocolate Sensation? Visit, http://www.rickywhittle.com for more sexiness

Definately Hot: Metallic!

Last summer, it was all about having a bright coloured coat on your nails. In a fall/winter season we are more likely to apply dark-coloured nail polish, like black, grey and dark-brown. But this season, the nail polish trend is going metallic. Metallic all the way. But how do they get their
nails that shiny?

I first noted this fantastic mirror-looking coat in the movie Sex and the City 2. Kim Catrall, as Amanda matched a gold metallic nail polish with a cute white outfit. More and more celebrities are following this and it is likely to become a trend. Sex and the City stylist, Patricia Field did a fantastic job on this one, because I am loving it.

Definately Hot: Sheepskin is in!

It is new season, so it is time to change our coat. This very coat was already seen on the catwalk, but you never experience a new trend until you reach that new season. I am talking about the leather jacket with sheepskin. Yup, fur is a NoNo, Sheepskin is in!

The sheepskin jacket is no newbie. I remember that it was in fashion about 8 years ago. Burberry Prorsum has introduced a pilot jacket with sheepskin and it is absolutely fabulous. Yet the price, worth of 2000 GBP is not affordable for the average woman and definitely not something the average woman would consider buying. Don’t worry; I have searched for some affordable trendy sheepskin jackets which are fabulous as Burberry’s. Also, I have searched for regular leather jackets. Enjoy.

For more, visit:

www.shopbop.com

www.shopstyle.com

www.asos.com

www.topshop.com

www.zara.com

Definately Hot: Knee high or low ankle

Let’s face it; summer is over for most of us. This might take away our sun-enjoyment, but it doesn’t take away our creativity and certainly not when it comes to our footwear. This is a fall and winter season, so it is a boots season!

Definitely hot this season is the knee-high-boot or the ankle boot. I absolutely love them, whether heeled or non-heeled, I have them both. The knee high boots completes a look with sophistication, BUT only when its suede and the right colour. That is: black, brown or grey. Even if you wear jeans with a simple top, the knee-high boot can give it something extra.

The ankle boot has different types that can give your look an edge, especially the shoe-laced ankle boot. Make sure you rock these boots with a skinny jean, or these wonderful statements I am making will not amount to you.

These styles might be new to you, but don’t hesitate to wear them. Underneath I found some excellent ones you can buy. Enjoy!

Under the Mag: Lanvin for H&M

It is time for a new high-fashion designer to create a clothing line for H&M and the brand is Lanvin! The clothing line will arrive in stores on the 23rd of November.

The noted womenswear designer: Alber Elbaz comments: ‘I have said in the past that I will never do a mass-market collection, but what intrigued me was the idea of H&M going luxury, rather than Lanvin going public’. Well let’s wait and see if Lanvin can have us going crazy like Cavalli did.

Source:www.trendstop.com

I can’t give you a glimpse of the new collection yet. Preview happens on 2nd of November. I can show you what Lanvin is about. Three words: c’est très chique!

www.lanvin.com

Definately Hot: Rock a T-shirt

Even though we are preparing for a new season, and some of us have already entered one. Summer is not officially over. We can still rock a T-shirt. There is nothing nicer to wear as casual wear than a t-shirt and the right jeans. Just to fill your t-shirt appetite, underneath are lovely t-shirts that are available online.