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.

Congratulations: Uzuri Couture wins again!

Right when we thought that Uzuri Coutoure had won an amazing price by winning the Music and fashion battle (MAFB) ending of last year. We were wrong. She actually won herself a place in the finals. The MAFB finals, which took place in Amsterdam the Netherlands on the 22th of January la Femme chic, Deveney, Nawal and Uzuri Couture as their finalists. Guess who took the 1^st price home? Our dear Uzuri Couture by Audrey NM did!  

Under the mag: Marazetti

There is so much enjoyment to discovering more designers who are using African prints, fabrics, jewelry, colors and so much more into their fashion designs and collection. The designer who is under the mag this time is: Marazetti.  Marazetti is a fashion collection of clothing and accessories, such as slippers, sandals, pumps and bags made of Ankara (also known as African wax) and Kente for men and women. A lot of other designers have this type of collection; however their craft doesn’t look as professional as this one. You can see that this is great handwork. And the price ranges from $30 and up. Perfect!

Under the mag: African style market Soko Stingo

I ran into an interesting article about African style market Soko Stingo. Street markets used to be known as places where you can find life essentials, but these markets are globally changing into platforms that also sell clothing for designers, socialites and entrepreneurs. Such has the arrival of pop-style market Soko Stingo (which means style market in Swahili), which took place in Accra, Ghana on the 9^th of October. This style market attracted more than 300 visitors. Wanna know more?

Under the mag: the Fall 2011 Boxing Kitten clothing line

 Boxing Kitten never ceases to amaze us with their fashion collections. This fall, they published their Fall collection, which surprisingly looks different. The former collections were so impressive that it seemed as if it could not go any more fabulous, because it reached such a height. Celebrities such as Alicia Keys, Solange, Fergie were wearing the African printed collection, which is sometimes referred to as Afro chique. This fall collection is for the ones that love.

Splendid: African inspired nail prints by the Illustrated Nail

Illustrated nails provided nail arts services for Fashion brand Ohema Ohene during one of their events. No need for much to be said. This is fabulous!
The ILLUSTRATED NAIL is founded by a freelance nailartist in London, United Kingdom, who is specialised in creating Nail art with the most graphic and colourful designs. From designs of traffic boardsigns, to smiley's, you name it. The designs which caught our eyes the most, are nail art this nailartist made for Ohema Ohene.

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.

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. 

Under the Mag: Somalian designer Omar Munie

In 2008 he was appointed as the best entrepreneur in the Netherlands. He is responsible for designing key hangers and bags for Samsung, of which over 18,000 were sold. None other than 25-year old Somalian clothing designer Omar Munie enjoys a success that every entrepreneur dreams of. This designer is full of energy and motivation. It is time for a talk with Omar Munie.

"I always wanted to create beautiful things”

Under the Mag: Flybird

Abina Mag is all about highlighting Africa and Fashion, this includes African designers. I was warmly welcomed by Flybird’s young, Ghanaian and talented designer, Franky Boateng at his working place in Bink 36 in The Hague, the Netherlands. The designer, Franky Boateng and his team have poured their passion for bags into his own accessories line called FlyBird.

Why bags?

“I love making bags, there is where my passion lies, and therefore I choose to make bags. Flybird did not come overnight,

Under the Mag: Uzuri by Audrey N.M

A fresh, new and young designer happened to appear under Abina’s radar. Her name is: Audrey N.M and her clothing line is called: Uzuri. This young and talented designer exposed her chique and creative work at the celebration of Cameroon’s Independence Day in The Hague, the Netherlands. The audience was marvelled by her creations and so were we. She showed the kind of goods that convinced the young and the older generation of great sense of style combined with African fabrique. Her chique and colourful style, as she describes it herself, we believe has a great future. We are one of the first to have an exclusive interview with her show you picture of her first fashion show.

Fashion news: Louis V goes black!

Louis Vuitton has chosen a fresh-faced Zimbabwean model to be the face of their 2011 fall/winter ad campaign. The sixteen-year-old Nayasha Matonhodze is her name and she is making us so proud. She is represented by Elite Model Management in London and has made her debut by walking for Louise Gray, Robert Ribeiro and more. I don’t think LV has ever gone black. And you know what they say: afterwards, you can’t go back.

Under the Mag: Poema Jones

As we enter the cosy cafe with Soul Music playing in the background, there we see this beautiful woman with a Rasta hat and earrings which have the shape of Africa. Her afro centric look tells it all. Poema Jones, a designer, residing in Amsterdam, the Netherlands is specialised in clothing and handmade accessories with an African feel. Not an African feel, it’s all African, Reggae, Afro centric, soulful, you name it. Poema Jones has the goods to make me share with you her work.

Under the mag: Christie Brown

Being so much into fashion, allows U to run into collections of various designers every day, but not all stand out. I mean, In terms of creativity and style. But this brand caught my attention. Christie Brown has a definite chique, elegant an edgy style that I know will have you convinced. Christie Brown is a young brand, which was founded in 2008, and she has enough goods to be under our mag.

Christie Brown is a Ghanaian based brand, which works with African wax combined with silks, chiffons, denims and more.

Definately Hot: Tom Ford's line for women revealed, finally

World famous fashion designer, Tom Ford held a fashion show during NY fashion show. It was such an exclusive fashion show. Only limited people could be at the fashion show, and no pictures were to be released. So, we all got excited about this line, but we couldn’t see anything. This line is inspired by the Everyday Woman, the woman with curves, you know, real looks. This made it more interesting. Finally, pics have come out.

Under the mag: Swahili fashion Week

Swahili Fashion Week makes me wonder what is behind that name. This event caught my attention and I didn’t hesitate to let you know. The Swahili fashion week, this year on the 4^th -6^th November, is regarded as the platform for designers from Swahili speaking countries. This fashion week is a combination of expressing creativity in fashion and accessories, Swahili cuisine, arts & crafts, music performance, entertainment and more. This year, many designers from East Africa gathered to make this event a successful one in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

Many designers showed their fined creativity at the event. Chichia London, Koroo and Asia Idarous are a few of the designers that participated in the Swahili Fashion Week. Abina is familiar with Chichia London, her style and designs.

I love the distinctive style of East Africa. Compared to the Central and West African style, they use more dark colors in their designs.

Lanvin for H&M revealed!

More Glimpses of the Lanvin
for H&M-collection and it is looking more and more FAB! Now this will have a fashionista at H&M’s gate on the 23^rd of November.

Don't mind them weard puppets. That's what we call fashion.

Lanvin for H&M! Update!

Well, I promised to keep you posted on Lanvin for H&M. Here is a glimpse of what is yet to come on the 2^nd of November. The collection is with full Lanvin style: The one shoulder puff dress, the ruffled skirt, tuxedo tops, textured coats; this is a cohesive and chique line. The full line consists of 30 pieces and 15 accessories for women and 25 pieces and 10 accessories for men. What do you think? Does it make you go crazy like Cavalli did?

Note: The full line will be revealed on the 2nd of November. It will be in stores on the 23rd of November.

Under the Mag: Ozwald Boateng designing for women?

It seems as designer Ozwald Boateng is going to branch into a new market by designing for women. The Ghanaian-British designer, who is known for his Couture design line, has been making fit suits since 1990 for stars such as Chris Tucker, Will Smith, Mick Jagger, Samuel L. Jackson, just to name a few. It seems that our sexy, chocolate-looking designer will soon be creating a fit line for women.