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Two African inspired fashion brands, Zazaii and Zuvaa learn to pop-shop together

Two African inspired fashion brands, Zazaii and Zuvaa learn to pop-shop together

The word on the blogsphere is that experience Zazaii and Zuvaa are two leading intermediaries for African fashion and great brands to collaborate with to gain exposure for your African Fashion Brand. ZAZAII (zazaii.com) is a leader in contemporary specialty retail renowned for having the most discerning style from emerging and established brands in African fashion, beauty and lifestyle. The Zuvaa…

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How OXOSI is shining a light on African Fashion?

How OXOSI is shining a light on African Fashion?

We are back. Pardon our ISR’s absence. There was an new addition to the family, a little boy born earlier this year, hence the silence. No worries, we remain committed to fashion and style from Africa. First up, let me introduce you to a new online platform that seeks to shine a light on African Fashion. Their name OXOSI. Their mission: To champion Africa’s most exciting young designers. (more…)

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3 reasons why an online business is important for success with African Fashion

3 reasons why an online business is important for success with African Fashion

I read on CNN a interesting interview on Zuvaa, one of the reigning platform on African Fashion. Zuvaa noted that they were poised to make about $2 million dollars in 2016. This figure is the reason why an online business is important for success with African Fashion. Granted our up and coming brands are not are notable as Gucci or Prada, but we make quality clothes that are inspired by the…

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How to nourish your skin with African Kalahari Desert Salts

How to nourish your skin with African Kalahari Desert Salts

The Kalahari Desert is known for its magnificent salt. It is harvested from an area that has never been inhabited or used for industry. In the pristine Kalahari Desert of South Africa, three underground streams converge on a layer of pure salt deposits untouched by man. The pure water dissolves the salt and creates a brine solution that is then gently dried by the desert Sun. What remains are the…

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The power of positive thinking with African Fashion

The power of positive thinking with African Fashion

Most people have a pessimistic outlook on what African Fashion entails. I hope I can convince you about the importance of positive thinking with African Fashion. To be clear, African Fashion is diverse. We are not a monolithic group and different opinions, perceptions, and even cultural viewpoints combine to form what many know as fashion from the continent of Africa. Of course there are areas in…

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With 2017, Expect More from African Fashion

With 2017, Expect More from African Fashion

It’s the 3rd day of 2017. Happy New Year. 2016 was one heck of a year. I must admit, I checked out of the year before it ended. One evidence, very minimal post since September. But it is well. They say with a new year, starts new beginnings. I pray and hope that 2017 will be the best year for everyone in love with African Fashion. For me personally, I look forward to it with great expectations. I…

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Restoring the dignity of Nigerian Fashion

Restoring the dignity of Nigerian Fashion

I am truly blessed. No, it’s because I now live in the land of opportunities, but because I was born and raised in Nigeria. The Nigeria I grew up in, is and will always remain a land of dignity. Sure, we are not as blessed as some other countries, but we are blessed in other ways, like in our cultural values and our sense of style. I grew up valuing my heritage, my language, my food, and most…

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Starting Something that Matters with African Fashion

Starting Something that Matters with African Fashion

Welcome to the second half of 2016. I pray that you have a blessed year, one where God will enlarge your territory, whatever it maybe. I took a break from everything, because I simply needed it. For far too long, I have been very automated, thinking that I needed to do so much to be successful. I am finally learning that it’s the little things that matter, particularly the things we love, like…

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State of Undress and Fashion from Africa I have been away for awhile. My sincere apologies as I was preoccupied with my day job.

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Quote of the day: "With African Fashion, there are no shortcuts"

Quote of the day: “With African Fashion, there are no shortcuts”

“We are all born thinking like entrepreneurs. Families and friends often encourage us not to be. But true entrepreneurs keep figuring it out. In business, particularly for any African brand out there, there are no shortcuts. That’s it. You cannot expect to be in business and be successful if you are not determined to put in the hard work. Furthermore, unless, you have goals set, you truly do not…

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African Fashion Does Not Need Aid.

African Fashion Does Not Need Aid.

Quote of the Day by Deola Sagoe: “We don’t need aid, we need partnerships. We cannot continue to be a beggar nation. I have always believed you shouldn’t give the man the fish, but teach the man how to fish and he will be able to take care of himself and others.”

(more…)

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Day 18: Why African Fashion needs Fela's originality

Day 18: Why African Fashion needs Fela’s originality

“If you call her a woman, African woman no go gree, she go say, she go say I be lady oh.” These are the lines of one of Fela Kuti’s hits titled “Lady.” I am  a die hard fan of Fela and his music. Although he passed away a long time ago, like other great legends in music (i.e Bob Marley, Michael Jackson etc), his music continues to live on past his death and it remains a great example of what…

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This beast called fashion with implications for African Fashion

This beast called fashion with implications for African Fashion

Have you seen the Disney movie “Beauty and the Beast.” In it, Gaston, once wonderfully handsome and muscled, is made utterly ridiculous in the beginning as he examines himself in every mirror he passes. Beast in the end, wins beauty’s love not through his looks, but his gentle awkwardness, his eagerness to please her and his distaste for violence. This movie draws attention to how people’s values…

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Day 16: Why African Fashion needs “Sparks” and “Flow”?” I recently read that engaging in satisfying and optimally challenging interest-driven activities i.e. "sparks," can provide an enhanced sense of well-being and happiness.

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Day 15: Curiosity and African Fashion.

Day 15: Curiosity and African Fashion.

Have you ever seen a toddler in action? They are constantly relentless in their urge to pick up something they see, to play with it, to touch and feel, to master it if you will. When things are difficult, they never give up. They may cry and cry or try to get the attention of an adult to help them out. No matter what, they simply do not give up until they have gotten what they want. This type of…

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Day 14:Making African Fashion More Resilient

Day 14:Making African Fashion More Resilient

Happy International Women’s Day and here is to all the women out there, you days be memorable, your nights be pleasurable and your dreams be attainable always…

In honor of this grand day, my hope for the future of African Fashion is resilience.

Resilience, they say is when a person, a thing, or even an object defies the odds and show positive outcomes, despite enduring adversity. It is a measure…

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Let me freely speak about African Fashion Today, Because chances are, no one, is speaking for us, Not the mainstream media, be it the exclusive print ones you know, or the small scale media, be it the many blogs or sites you visit. So let me freely speak about African Fashion Today, Because chances are, no one is speaking to us, By us, I am referring to daughters and even sons, of that great continent that some have falsely  described as “the heart of darkness.” Africa, the place I call home, is more than that, And our fashion has no match, not in Paris or New York, Milan or London African Fashion is as individual as it is collective with the plethora of aso-ebis you see worn by women and men, particularly those in Nigeria-my frame of reference.

No two woman is ever dressed alike despite the use of the same fabric. Visit a Nigerian wedding next time to see what I mean. Our fashion is as individual as it is collective and we are proud, oh so proud of it. We may not be featured in the next Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar, but we are on the streets every single day  in our own unique style in a country 178 million strong, a continent with over 1 billion people. So let me freely speak about African Fashion Today, because chances are no one is speaking for it’s 1 billion people or the over 1 billion other scattered everywhere else in love with that which we call African Fashion.

I grew up in Nigeria, in a home where our clothes were ours, down to the size and fabric used, be it Adire print, custom-made to your color specification, or Ankara bought at Aswani or Balogun market, two markets that hold a dear place in my heart, not only for mastering the art of bargaining, but for the sea of fabrics everywhere. This is where our fashion begins, in the hands of the ever trusted Adire maker or the marketplace. From there, you go on to meet your favorite tailor, not seamstress (as described often in the West), but a tailor, one that can be described as the person that knows every curve or fold of your body. Our tailors, especially when you meet the right one that understands your style, is a thing of joy on itself.

You will never, ever, ever experience this feeling in an Western country, not in America or Europe, except of course if you have the money that is required to land an appointment with the famous designers there. But in Africa, Nigeria to be specific, the tailor is yours, all yours, for 10, 30, 60 minutes, or longer if required. They are attentive too. Do you want pockets on the side? No problem. What about a tapered waist with sleeves that are billowy? Not a problem as well. This is fashion as we know it. Attention to detail=African Fashion, Personalized service=African Fashion, Your unique sense of style=African Fashion, and use of your own unique fabrics=African fashion.

There is more to African Fashion that few media outlets will ever portray, than I can ever share, but it is important that we begin to speak about it, describe it and share stories about it that no one is sharing or discussing, in an intelligent manner, in a sustainable manner. So let me freely speak about that which I love today, African Fashion Because chances are, no one is speaking for us, to us, or about us. But I hope and pray that the critical discussions and thoughts and perceptions about African Fashion can begin Today!!!

Image credit: Zuvaa

    Day 13: Let me freely speak about African Fashion Let me freely speak about African Fashion Today, Because chances are, no one, is speaking for us,