Archive for March, 2011

  • naana-bag3

    March 16: Naana B., designer of Vixen Handbags

     

    A self-confessed dream chaser and globetrotter, the designer began her artistic journey creating steel sculpture and paintings at Columbia University, later inspiring a long lasting love affair with clothing and accessories.

    After crafting and learning the elements of design, the line Naana B was conceived! A woman designing for women, Naana B takes the uniqueness and artistry of handbags and clothing seriously. The line reflects the free nature of the designer’s life and adventures.

    Handmade and produced by women artisans in Ghana (http://rcempowerment.org/), proceeds from all sales go to the Rural Communities Empowerment Centre in Ghana.

    Find her at:

    http://naanab.com

    Full Story

  • nkwo

    March 15: Nkwo Onwuka, fashion designer

    Nkwo Onwuka is a bit free spirited, a bit nomadic, and totally African inspired. She is also by the bohemian era of the 60s and 70s in America and the beautiful wearable art found across Africa. Her UK-based collection debuted in 2007 and she volunteers to encourage self-sufficiency among African families living in poverty.

    Full Story

  • March 14: Joyce Chimanye: talented Zimbabwean fashion designer

    March 14: Joyce Chimanye: talented Zimbabwean fashion designer

    by Atim Annette Oton

    BDNN selects Joyce Chimanye as a talented Zimbabwean fashion designer

    Joyce Chimanye is a talented Zimbabwean  fashion designer. Zuvva is a quasi-rustic clothing line that was established in 2001 by Joyce Chimanye. She studied fashion at the South African Academy of Fashion Design in Cape Town.  Zuvva has participated include:-

    • Kora All Africa Music Awards- Sun City South Africa 2001
    Fashion Extravaganza by some of Africa’s top designers
    • Ubuntu, The African Heritage Afro-Australian Fashion Evening – Sydney, Australia 2003
    Afro-Australian fashion evening in support of HIV/AIDS orphans in Africa.
    • Fading Cultures Emerging Innovations – Washington D.C, USA 2003
    Art and Craft showcase and workshop
    • Miss World 2002, 2003.
    Dressed the Zimbabwean representatives to the Miss World.
    • Tribal Fusion Show-Santa Fe New Mexico 2005

     

    Full Story

  • 13-christie brown

    March 13: Fashion Designer Aisha Obuobi of Christie Brown

    by Atim Annette Oton

    BDNN selects Aisha Obubi as Ghana’s Emerging Fashion Designer.

    Designer, Aiha Obuobi

    Aisha Obuobi – creative director and founding partner of Christie Brown Ltd – began her love affair with fashion at an early age. Her grandmother, who the brand is named after, was a seamstress so she grew up watching Ms. Christie Brown, stooped over a sewing machine, creating beautiful clothes…like pieces of art – out of rich, vibrant materials. As a little girl, she reveled in playing with shreds of African print material and designed mini collections for her favourite dolls.

    Aisha started this label whilst in her final year at the University of Ghana, Legon, where she majored in Psychology and she is driven by the desire to create beautiful pieces that will enhance the natural beauty in Christie Brown’s clients. In 2009, Aisha won the highly coveted “Emerging Designer of the Year” award at the inaugural Arise Fashion Week, in South Africa. She was invited to sit on a panel at the African Economic Forum, which took place at Columbia University, New York, and Marie Claire (international) featured Aisha as one of twenty-one “Daring Women of 2010″, noting the “the energy, the courage, the creativity,” and “the drive” behind her work.

    Website:

    http://christiebrownonline.com/

     

    Full Story

  • kendra

    March 12: Kendra Francis of FRANKE

    by Atim Annette Oton

    Kendra began her career at the age of 13 and was self-taught by the time she began her studies in Fashion Design at Ryerson University in Toronto. Kendra Francis launched her Atelier under the label FRANKE and her SS04 collection, during Toronto’s LFW, consolidated her reputation as one of Toronto’s hottest and respected designers.

    Very much a woman’s woman, Francis’ philosophy is based in the belief that Fashion should enhance one’s personality, not detract from it”. Her collection is focused on the female form and the balance of fluidity, clean lines and refined silhouettes. Francis has since partnered with mass-market retailers to design exclusive collection and in 2010 Franke grew to include accessories.  Kendra currently works and lives in Toronto, Canada.

    Website:

    http://www.iamfranke.com

    Web Trails:

    http://toronto-style.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-with-kendra-francis-one-of_07.html

    http://concreteloop.com/2011/03/designer-spotlight-kendra-francis

    Full Story

  • tosha

    March 11: Towana Phillip, designer of To’Sha Knits as Emerging Handbag designer

    by Atim Annette Oton

    BDNN selects Towana Phillip, designer of To’Sha Knits as Up and Coming Emerging Handbag designer

     

    Towana Phillip, the designer of To’Sha Knits, an eclectic line of handbags and t-shirts, a Brooklyn-based handbag company.

    Website:

    http://www.toshaknits.com/

    Web Trails:

    http://www.textileglobal.com/2011/01/fashion-group-internationals-rising-star-awards.html

    Full Story

  • tennile

    March 10: Tennille McMillan of Nakimuli, for Funky Fashion Dresses

    by Atim Annette Oton

    BDNN selects Tennille McMillan of Nakimuli, for Funky Fashion Dresses

    Brooklyn urbanista Tenille McMillan’s naKIMuli line offers a series of electric looks for summer. ‘Lock U Up In Luv For Days’ is a hybrid of exotic, animalistic and geometric prints in playful and sexy silhouettes. naKIMuli’s “Dookie Chain” has been on our list for some time, now followers of Tenille’s brilliance can see why we’re locked up in love for the entire collection! We fancy the Aztec-esque print against the season’s must-have strong shoulder on the collection’s black and white “it” bodycon dress. Source: http://clutchmagonline.com/newsgossipinfo/nakimulis-lock-u-up-in-luv-for-days-springsummer-10-collection/

    Website:

    http://www.nakimuli.bigcartel.com/

    Full Story

  • Korto Momolu Fall 300

    March 9: Korto Momolu for being a Triple threat – fashion, jewelry and bags

    by Atim Annette Oton

    BDNN selects Korto Momolu for being a Triple threat – fashion, jewelry and bags.

    Korto Momolu (pronounced Cut • Toe – Mo • Mo • Lu) is a popular fashion designer and stylist.  Born in Liberia, West Africa, Korto left the country in 1990 due to a civil war, and settled in Canada where she pursued her passion, and studied fashion design at the L’Academies des Couturiers Design Institute in Ottawa, Ontario. After graduation, she moved to Arkansas with her husband to live and raise their daughter. Influenced by her African roots and inspired by rich fabrics, Korto began producing chic womenÕs wear and accessories.In 2010, Korto Momolu formed a partnership with Dillard’s Incorporated to design an eye-catching collection of handbags and jewelry that is currently in more than 70 stores nationwide. Additionally, she teamed up with Madera Exotic Woods to design “The Saba Collection”, an exclusive line of fashionable eco-friendly wood jewelry and handbags, and “Korto Momolu for SanLori”, which is a new line of stationery and gift products with Korto’s personal imprint of nature inspired colors and themes. Coming soon is “Korto Momolu for JHS”, which is a collection of fine jewelry to accent everyday wear. Highlighted as the “fashion designer to watch” by New York magazine, Korto has been featured by major international and national media outlets, including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, People Magazine, Soap Opera Digest, Women’s Wear Daily, Sprit magazine, TV Guide, The Mo’Nique Show, African Premiere Television, The Wendy Williams Show, Essence, and many more.

    Website:

    http://www.kortomomolu.com

    Web Trails:

    http://www.chocolatecity.cc/2011/02/18/korto-momolu-brings-ny-fashion-week-collection-to-columbus/

    Full Story

  • amanda

    March 8: Amanda George for creating the innovative blog, The Audacity of Color

    by Atim Annette Oton

    BDNN selects Amanda George for creating the innovative blog, The Audacity of Color – a simple BIG Idea: Color

    Amanda George has a love of all things colorful.  This love of color paired with a passion for design, fashion, art and nature inspired her to create this blog as a visual catalog of this beauty.   Amanda works in the field of advertising and studies Communication Design at FIT.  She currently resides in Brooklyn, NY.

    Website:

    http://theaudacityofcolor.com

    Full Story

  • Candra-Palmer

    March 7: Candra Palmer of Artyce Footwear, Shoe Designer for custom, special occasion footwear

    by Atim Annette Oton

    BDNN selects Candra Palmer of Artyce Footwear as a Shoe Designer for custom, special occasion footwear.

    Candra Palmer was just a child when she started helping her mother, a seamstress, sew dresses and shop for fabrics. Many years later, in 2004 Palmer began using some of the sewing skills she learned from her mom, in the business she founded called Artyce Custom Footwear. Artyce is a shoe company that mainly focuses on custom bridal footwear.

    The Chicago native never planned on entering the world of fashion. Instead she attended Xavier University in New Orleans majoring in computer information systems with a minor in business. (Source: http://www.ourweekly.com/los-angeles/artyce-custom-footwear).

    After graduation, Palmer ended up on the West Coast and landed a well-paid job as a marketing manager at chipmaker Intel in Oregon. However, life once again took a twist in Palmer’s future when her job flew her 900 miles down to Los Angeles, Calif.  to work at home.

     

     

    Website:

    http://www.artycedesigns.com

     

    Web Trails:

    http://www.blackenterprise.com/2009/10/01/step-it-up/

    http://atlantapost.com/2010/11/15/meet-the-shoe-designer-and-entrepreneur-behind-artyce-custom-footwear/

    http://www.ebonyglam.com/index.php/people/designer/candra-palmer-artyce/

    Full Story