Tag: Adama Paris

African Stylists Designing for the Greats of this World

On By Dr. Y.In Great Moments2 Comments
Rihanna rocking a Stella Jean's creation
Rihanna rocking a Stella Jean’s creation (allthingsankara.com)

I couldn’t help but notice the African influence seeping its way through the wardrobe of some of the world’s celebrities. Last fall, Rihanna stunned the world by wearing Ankara fabric at the White House. She was sporting Haitian designer Stella Jean‘s creation, and she was stunning.

Wax Hollandais
Wax Hollandais

I also recently heard about Zimbabwean designer Farai Simoyi, the one behind Nicki Minaj‘s fashion line. Before that Farai Simoyi was a Senior designer at the House of Dereon, the clothing house by mega-artist Beyoncé and her mother Tina Knowles.

So watch out: next time you shop, you may be unconsciously buying some African designs. Enjoy this video about some of the up and coming African designers on the international scene.

Black Fashion Week in Paris, 2013

On By Dr. Y.In Great ArtLeave a comment
Designs by Martial Tapolo at BFW 2013 (Source: Pierre Rene-Worms - RFI)
Designs by Martial Tapolo at BFW 2013 (Source: Pierre Rene-Worms – RFI)
Designs by Sidy Counda at BFW 2013 (Source: Pierre Rene-Worms - RFI)
Designs by Sidy Counda at BFW 2013 (Source: Pierre Rene-Worms – RFI)

Last week was the second edition of ‘Black Fashion week in Paris’, a fashion show where African stylists and designers, and those of the African diaspora expose their work.  The Fashion show was held a few meters from the Chanel and Ritz houses, and was organized by the Senegalese stylist Adama Paris who perpetuated the work done by Alphadi with the FIMA (Festival International de la Mode Africaine).  16 stylists of African descent presented their work, ranging from the maestro himself, Alphadi, to Adama Paris, to the Cameroonian Martial Tapolo, to the Haitian Zacometi (who specializes in men’s fashion only), to the Malian Mariah Bocoum, or to the Malagasy Eric Raisina, etc.  This was a golden opportunity to discover new talents, and introduce their styles to the global scene, from Dakar to Antananarivo, and hopefully to shops in Los Angeles, and Paris.  It was pure beauty, and I wanted you to check out the RFI diaporama on Black Fashion Week 2013.   Don’t forget to check out the website of Black Fashion Week Paris.  Enjoy the new era of African stylists who are introducing styles just as hip as Chanel and Dior.  Below is a video of the first edition: Black Fashion Week 2012.