FAH-SCHYON & STYLE: KENDRA'S NIGHT OUT CHALLENGE...

Kendra Thornton is a TV personality and travel advocate, PR businesswoman and wife and mother of 3 who has been featured on television shows like Tyra Banks and Nate Berkus.  She regularly shares her tips on planning, packing, and numerous other aspects of travel, and she is thrilled to be starting a new project on fashion as related to travel. 'Kendra's Night Out' challenge requires participants to create a style board of their choice with top fashion picks for one of her nights in the city that never sleeps - New York, New York.

Here is what Kendra had to say...

New York City is one of the most exciting places in the world to visit. In just a few short weeks, I will be meeting a group of friends for a vacation in the city. I am so excited that I began planning months ago. There is one thing that I did forget to plan and that is what to wear. With 3 kids, I have more of a mom wardrobe than a big city wardrobe. I know that I need a little update before leaving, so I created the Kendra Fashion Challenge. I am sure to find some expert fashion advice, so I will turn heads on my trip.

While visiting the city, my friends and I decided to spend a special evening out on the town at the Standard High Line Hotel. We will be enjoying a magical Sunset Service at the Top of the Standard. This classy supper club offers superb views of the city that practically glow as the sun sets over the city. While sipping specialty cocktails, we will enjoy some live jazz music and wonderful conversation. Their menu includes small plate meals that turn this into one of the city’s most glamorous supper clubs. I will need a snazzy new outfit for our evening out, since cocktail wear is required at this club.

Planning a trip to New York City can be overwhelming with so many things to do and see. However, it was a breeze with gogobot.com. On this website, I found reviews written by recent travelers to the locations I was interested in seeing and got their honest opinions. While strolling along the city streets and visiting luxurious hotels like the Standard High Line Hotel, I want to turn heads for my trendy outfits that make me look like a native New Yorker not for my mom jeans. 

So that was it...here is what I came up with...my focus has been to merge/pair emerging design brands from the African fashion industry who have been on the spotlight but not on mainstream lips with luxury high end brands such as the black Givenchy envelope clutch, the Oscar de la Renta red satin box clutch and the Bottega Veneta knot satin clutch to complete the looks. For hair, I have gone with the swept back bun look with make up that can be as minimal or as daring as Kendra feels. When my Style board was sent to Kendra, she was very pleased on my choices and was appreciative of the thought process behind them. Here are the looks...

And there she has it...the choice of 3 simple but elegant key looks that will meet her objective of turning heads in New York City! What do you all think? Which would you personally go for? Leave your comments.

Follow Kendra @KendraThornton

Follow me: @Brownschuga

Fahschyonysta!

BRAND CRUSH: DIDI

Brand name: DIDI

Creative founder: Tina Ndidi Ugo

Location: London, UK

This caught our attention today...slick on point styling and elegant, very haute model poses. DIDI is a luxury fashion brand which caters to the bold and fashionable providing them with clothing, accessories and bags.

Tina believes in quality and finishing and this can be seen in all her creations. The bags on show are made from the finest polished calf leather and batik prints.

For more info: www.didicreations.co.uk

Photographer: Michael Stuart Daley

Fahschonysta!

LONDONAIROBI DOT COM - THE MEDIA LAUNCH

Hello dear readers, I apologise for the few number of posts on the blog. On my side behind the scenes, it is absolutely hectic! I am juggling life with overseeing a PR agency I recently launched as well as also trying to blog and keep up with the social media platforms.

Here is a little grand something I did today...

LONDONAIROBI is set to become the online destination for unique accessories by independent African designers. Put together by London designer Hannah and Nairobi stylist Wambui, they both scour the continent looking for designers creating unique and original pieces using materials from Africa's rich natural resources.

The online shop which is already running will allow you the shopper to explore the creativity of the continent, read the stories of the designers and to own a little piece from the continent.

The media launch I attended today in London was organised and managed by the brand's PR agency African Creative Collective, a newly launched agency led by award winning fashion dahling and former River Island PR manager - Arieta Mujay.

The launch featured an array of accessory items - neckpieces, rings, bangles, scarves and purses carefully arranged and creatively tucked around at the Loft Lounge of the Hospital Club on Covent Garden as guests sipped on drinks and munched on light canapés as well as got their nails done by the manicurists. Those present included designer reps, Terence Sambo of One Nigeria Boy, 2/3 of the CEO Dancers - Ezinne and Nqobile, Ms Arieta herself...some images below

Arieta modelling a few pieces!

Hannah and Nqobile

Hannah with Ezinne and Nqobile

Wambui wearing a Mina Evans beaded print skirt

So there you have it!
Shop LONDONAIROBI pieces here: www.londonairobi.com
Contact Arieta here: www.africancreativecollective.com

Keep up with me below...
Instagram: modemaisonpr
Twitter: @Brownschuga and @ModeMaisonPR
Website: www.modemaisonpr.com

Fahschonysta!

BRAND INTRODUCTION: MAISON D'AFIE PRESENTS "MAMI NYANGA"

Hello all, Happy Sunday to you and I hope that whatever your plans are for today that they will be fulfilled.

As the African continent is fast unveiling some major talent in the fashion and design sector, every day we come across a new brand from aspiring creative with a focus on creating luxurious, highly essential pieces for the fast growing fashion lovers. Cameroon is no different. Talents in the country are also working their socks off to catch up with this growing trend/demand.

We introduce you to Maison D’Afie a womenswear brand launched a few years back in the UK by Sarah Divine-Garba a young Cameroonian accountant who gave it up to follow her fashion dream. After a small short hiatus which allowed her to “live” a little and from her new base of Geneva in Switzerland, the lady is back with a whole new look and a different collection dubbed “Mami Nyanga”. 

Their new collection is a subtle romance between “street couture” and tropical flavours giving rise to a few essential classic items.  The collection is made of 8 interchangeable pieces suitable for any occasion. The idea here is to achieve much with less.

She surely remained true to her brand by infusing tribal accents into the designs with the use of colour and embroidery of tribal art. Most of the work is artisanal with a lot of attention put into the cut.

Quality and practicality were the key drivers in her thought process. The collection features customised prints in silks, and polyester and there is indeed a pick for every lady.

Check out the pieces below...

The look book is also available on: www.maisondafie.com

Contact: Sarah.divine@maisondafie.com

Follow us on Twitter: @Brownschuga

Fahschyonysta!

PRINT FOR A WEEK SPONSORED BY MY ASHO MARKET - FRIDAY LOOK

So I have come to the end of the #Print4AWeek challenge. Incase you didn't know, the #Print4AWeek challenge was set up when renowned online boutique My Asho twitted me on Twitter and asked if I would wear print as a challenge. As if!!

Yes of course I replied back in a shot and asked if they were kidding and they said they were serious and after a few DMs  and emails to and fro, we settled everything and I picked up a few pieces which included items from Toju Foyeh, YouMeWe, Bestow Elan, Kiki Clothing, Mina Evans and Christie Brown.

So what was the aim of the challenge? To show how effective and appropriate print can be even in the strictest and most conservative of office environments. Here is how I incorporated mine...

Monday Look - Toju Foyeh embroidered peplum top

Tuesday Look - YouMeWe print wrap skirt

Wednesday Look - Bestow Elan Metropolis peplum

Thursday Look - Kiki Clothing Tunic print dress

And my Friday Look consisted of the Button Bib Necklace by Ghanaian brand Christie Brown. Images below...

So there you have it!! 5 days wearing 5 different print items in my conservative insurance City girl life!!

So I am sad to say bye bye to the #Print4AWeek challenge all sponsored by My Asho Market, your online destination for affordable African brands. 

You can shop here: http://market.myasho.com/

Many thanks to Dolapo and Dolapo at My Asho. Many thanks to my photographer friend Valeria Arseni.

Follow me on Twitter: @Brownschuga

Follow My Asho: @My_Asho

Fahschyonysta!

PRINT FOR A WEEK SPONSORED BY MY ASHO MARKET - THURSDAY LOOK

We are nearly at the end of the #Print4AWeek challenge sponsored by My Asho Market...how sad!! So to recap, the challenge was to show how print can be effective and appropriate even for the strictest and most conservative of office environment.

So for 5 days, I incorporated an element of print into my style and these pieces were sponsored by renowned online boutique My Asho. The Market section of My Asho is where you can easily purchase affordable premium African brands.

Okay so on Thursday, this is what I wore...

Tunic dress by Kiki Clothing sold at My Asho Market
Suit blazer by Topshop
Red shoes by Dorothy Perkins
Accessories from Zara

In pictures here it is...

Did you know it was absolutely freezing that day?! I had a keep it all together for the camera but inside I was shaking like a wet dog lol!!

See you tomorrow!

Shop shop shop here: http://market.myasho.com/

Many thanks to my photographer and great friend Valeria Arseni, she was so fab giving up her lunch time to take pics of me around the City of London. We had fun though :)

Follow me on Twitter: @Brownschuga
Follow My Asho: @My_Asho

Fahschyonysta!

PRINT FOR A WEEK SPONSORED BY MY ASHO MARKET - WEDNESDAY LOOK

So here goes the midweek look with my print sponsored by My Asho Market...what was I wearing?

Metropolis Peplum Top by Bestow Elan
Black Fitted Jeans
Pink shoes by New Look

In pictures, here goes...

  

 

Oh yes, time to strut down the City catwalk lol!! It was a fab shape shaping top I must say!! I loved wearing it ;)

You too can shop affordable African brands by clicking here: http://market.myasho.com/

Follow me on Twitter: @Brownschuga
Follow My Asho on Twitter: @My_Asho

Many thanks to my wonderful photographer Valeria Arseni. See you tomorrow!!

Fahschyonysta!