And the Africa Fashion Week continues in Jo'burg with more great pieces on display. I am a day late on reporting but don't fret as I'll endeavour to bring to you all the key pieces!
Yesterday, I promised you David Tlale and I can't say how enormously proud of him I am. This guy has got IT and there is no doubt that he is one of the very best African designers of our generation.
When you look at his pieces, you clearly see someone passionate, creative, artistic, an innovator who sets and pushes his own boundaries. By looking at his pieces you see that he is unafraid to express himself and he clearly knows how to think outside the box without committing to any restraints within his art or background. He has a flair for fashion and I’d call his work a masterpiece. An outstanding masterpiece of creativity and confidence.
For his spring summer 2010 collection, David has added a bit of edginess to his girlie look with bold colours and lots of ruffles.
Bunmi Koko another designer on display who although is fresh on the fashion scene has the potential to attain great heights. With a famous ex spice girl as a muse, why wouldn't she?!
What caught my eye on LaQuan Smith's pieces were the playfulness yet sensuality of his designs.
Check out the pictures below...enjoy!
DAVID TLALE
David Tlale is a home grown label that stands out from the crowds, thanks to a design elegance that challenges the clichéd and predictable. Couture that embodies beauty without pretence and shuns harshness for poise, answering the call today’s men and women for design that is young, bold, and elegant. David Tlale is undoubtedly one of Johannesburg’s most interesting clothing labels.
Dynamic in its response to local and global trends and influences, David Tlale prioritizes style coupled to expert use of fabrics. Garments of impeccable quality are born guaranteed from craftsmanship of exquisite materials, conceived from meticulous stylistic research.
David Tlale's commitment to its environment is mirrored in its vision for business and community empowerment. The immediate plan is to on local acclaim to become a top couture house in South Africa before taking on a (waiting) global market. The label has been well received since its inception on 2002 and is building a brand has a strong sense of style and individuality as its signature.
CONTACT AND STUDIO:
Sanesh
M:+ 27 (0)76 980 9463
T: + 27 (0)11 214 2700
BUNMI KOKO
Bunmi Koko, the luxury lifestyle brand of choice, a fusion of fashion and art, and the union of Nigerian and Scottish heritage; was founded in March 2009. The name 'Bunmi Koko' is inspired by the designer's first name, "Bunmi" (meaning 'God gave me' in Yoruba, a Nigerian dialect) and the affectionate nickname given by her partner, "Koko" (meaning 'my other half' in Efik, another Nigerian dialect). Hence, Bunmi Koko meaning "God gave me my other half".
Bunmi Koko specialises in couture womenswear and ready-to-wear fashion with contemporary elegance and sophisticated edginess, whilst having a sister side to the company in artistic illustration services. This mix of art and fashion is key to the brands philosophy and all products and services aim to have the company slogan ingrained in them; 'Luxuria, Art, Elegans' (luxury, art, elegance).
The brands unique design approach has resulted in innovative, structured designs which to date has resulted in being one of three companies shortlisted as a ‘2010 Finalist for The Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise - Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year', proposal from Marie Claire-South Africa, as the designer of the month May/June 2010, features in; 'Look', 'Glamour.com', 'In - Style', 'Pride - Designer of the month (April 2010)' , 'Star', 'Black Hair' and 'The Sun'; a full feature in one of Africa's number one fashion and entertainment websites - 'Bella Naija', a commission from Mel B to design a couture dress for the 2010 Brit Awards, which she wore to receive the prestigious 'The BRITs Hits 30' Award - "Best Performance of the Past 30 years" and as to present the award for "Best International Male" to Jay Z and caught the attention of numerous celebrities including Michelle Obama, Sadie Frost and Alex Curran, Alesha Dixon and Kate Middleton.
To date the brand has produced three full collections, The 'Intro' Collection, 2009; The Geisha Reform Collection, February 2010; and the Matriarchy Collection.
To date the brand has produced three full collections, The 'Intro' Collection, 2009; The Geisha Reform Collection, February 2010; and the Matriarchy Collection.
For all press inquiries please contact our PR representatives.
Natalie Whorms
Natalie Whorms
The Outside Organisation
Butler House
177-178 Tottenham Court Road
London, EnglandW1T 7NY
Tel : +44 (0) 207 436 3633
Tel : +44 (0) 207 436 3633
Fax: +44 (0) 207 436 3632
Email: info@outside-org.co.uk
At the age of only 21, Laquan Smith (LQS) has a passion for fashion that in seven years has only gotten stronger. After a battle with cancer, Laquan was able to regroup and refocus on his passion. In 2007, after graduating from high school, Laquan began working as an intern at prominent magazine Blackbook. Yet, realising his fashion thirst was not quenched Laquan soon began exploring his design talents.
Experience and ambition have opened doors for laquan allowing him to work with some of the industry’s top models and photographers. As an array of celebrities line up for his creative services Laquan has designed custom pieces for artists including lady Gaga, Rihanna, Beyonce, Alexa Chung, Coutrney Love, Amber Rose, Sessilee Lopez, and Jaslene Gonzalez (ANTM), fashion personality Andre J, and the list goes on.
Laquan Smith’s New York Fashion Week debut was a huge success when it was held on February 15, 2010 at the Society of Illustrators. The audience for the LaQuan Smith ‘Water Goddess’ Fashion Show was 75 exclusive attendees including top fashion press, buyers and celebrities. Notable attendees included Vogue Editor at Large, Andre Leon Talley, Vogue Style Director, Alexandra Kotur, Janice Combs, Misa Hylton, Semi=Precious Weapons, and Londell McMillan. LaQuan has received a tremendous amount of press for this work from New York Times, NY Daily News, Daily Candy, and many more.
The Laquan Smith woman is the personification of modernity, sensuality, and liberation in feminity. These characteristics are the inspiration for each one of his collections. Laquan states ‘Women have always been inspired me to create. When it comes to women I understand their essence and my designs allow her to make history”.
Contact:
The Fashion Art GalleryDirector
Kelly L Mills
Mobile: +1 917 379 2459
Email: info@faag.us
Stockists:
Workshop in NY, 107 East 59th Street, Between Park and Madison, NY 10022
Laquan Smith Online – http://www.laquansmith.com/
Fashion Art Gallery online – http://www.faag.us/.
Tel: +1 917 379 2459
Email: info@faag.us
All photographs from Simon Deiner.
Designer bios from http://www.africanfashioninternational.com/
See you later!
Stay Fashion-ABLE!
Fahschyonysta
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