Ladybrille Web Snob: The Best Posts of the Week from Some of the Web's Top Fashion Bloggers/Publishers!

It's time for our Ladybrille Weekly Web Snob. Why? Because you shouldn't have to surf the net and waste so much time to stay abreast of all things brilliant in the non-African fashion world! Here are the brilliant posts, for this week, from some of the top online fashion publishers/bloggers. Enjoy and have a brilliant weekend!

1. Stiletto Jungle contemplates Yummie Tummie, the shapewear that's meant to be seen.
2. All About the Pretty is really enjoying her custom Bobbi Brown Palettes.
3. Bag Snob ponders Louis Vuitton: To Louis or not to Louis?
4. Beauty Snob snags an interview with Jose Eber!
5. Calculatus Eliminatus guides you through the scary world of logos on t-shirts.
6. Cheap JAP keeps it classy by showing us The Top Five Things Not to Buy at American Apparel.
7. Coquette gets crafty for the DIY Paper Hermès Kelly Bag.
8. Fashion, Evolved examines the innovative new fashion factory called Catwalk
9. GeniusFashiontribes travels to the Age of Discovery on a sexy Steampunk time bender.
10. I'm Not Obsessed shows you how to get Helena Christensen's entire look for under $125.
11. KRiSTOPHER explores Tokyo.
12. Papierblog looks at the wisdom behind Banana Republic Monogram stores.
13. Quinta Trends finds a Chilean designer in New York: Maria Cornejo.
14. Second City Style asks who wore it better (and why) in our weekly Celebrity Fashion Smackdown.
15. Straight to the Closet or Leave it On the rack? You decide at Shrimpton Couture.
16. Stylehive's Next Big Thing: Cassie Kogler of New York Couture.
17. Stylenotes chats with Jack Mackenroth of Project Runway's Season 4.
18. SugarShock Beautymay never go back to regular shampoo and conditioner again now that she's discovered Wen Cleansing Conditioner.
19. Sxy Fashion Queen loves celebrity coloured jeans trend.
20. The Coveted Shares her tips on How to Buy Vintage Clothing
21. The Shoe Goddess dishes about Christian Louboutin.
22. If you are tired of the same old trendy purses, V-Style has found some fabulous evening bags for you.

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Africa's Opera Divas, Chinwe Enu & Abiodun Koya

Two beautiful African women are traveling the road less traveled by most African musicians. Meet Chinwe Enu and Abiodun Koya.

Chinwe Enu is an attorney and classical singer. A native of Nigeria, Enu began pursuing her passion for music when she migrated to the States at fifteen. She attended Phillips Exeter Academy and was a participant in the reputable Tanglewood Institute Young Artist Vocal program. Enu subsequently received her Bachelor's of Art from Vassar College, where she won the Vassar College Orchestra Concerto competition. She continued her musical studies at the prestigious Oberlin program in Urbania, Italy.

In the summers of 2002 and 2003, Enu traveled to Austria to study with international opera star Grace Bumbry. In 2006, she was selected to attend the American Institute of Musical Studies opera training program in Graz, Austria. While at the institute, she worked with notable names in the opera world including leading dramatic Soprano, Gabriella Lechner of the Vienna Staatsoper. Enu currently studies voice with renowned Metropolitan Opera lyric soprano Carmen Balthrop, and is now pursuing her music studies full-time at the University of Maryland School of Music. She was recently awarded the African Jewel Award at the recently completed African Goodwill Awards held in Los Angeles.Visit http://www.chinweenu.com/ to learn more about her.




Abiodun Koya: A fashionista at heart, Abiodun Koya aka “Abby” is a classical opera singer gaining momentum across the USA and internationally. Koya began her passion for music at age six, playing the violin and singing classical music in church and other venues. Today, all of her work seems to be paying off. Koya has performed at the White House, the World Bank headquarters, the Madison Square Garden in New York city and in front of the Nigeria's Ex and current Presidents.

Koya has a degree in business management and when she is not busy with her music and emerging modeling and acting careers, she runs her foundation, “The Elizabeth Foundation” devoted to women empowerment in Africa, http://www.tef-inc.org/. Koya will be performing on Saturday, May 17th, 2008, at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria located at 3519 International Court, NW Washington, DC 20008. Admission is free and the event starts at 2:30pm.

For more information on Koya, visit http://www.abiodunkoya.com/.

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Discarded to Divine 2008

What do you get when you take unwanted, unusable, torn and/or stained clothes, transform them into one-of-a kind couture and/prêt-a porter pieces, and then auction them to the fashion-forward, with proceeds going to the poor and homeless? You get Discarded to Divine!

Benefiting the St. Vincent de Paul Society and hosted by the Academy of Art University San Francisco [AAU], with sponsors such as Macy’s, the 2008 Discarded to Divine event was compassionate, socially conscious and heart warming. The event held April 26th, 2008, began with a silent auction and cocktail reception. At the cocktail reception, the event’s "green/recycling" theme could be felt, even down to participating food and drink sponsors such as Whole Foods Market, Fiji Water and Alive! Vegetarian Cuisine. At the silent auction, there were over a 100 designs as a room full of guests chatted, drank, nibbled on “green” and not so green foods and bidded on their favorite designs.

Once the silent auction closed, guests made their way to the main event for the fashion show and live auction. The fashion show saw some runway stunners like Rob Curry & Milen Krastev's Fragonard Lady & Fragonard Groom, made mostly with recycled jeans, Jessica McClintock's Un Visage Romantique and AAU's Sawanya Jomthepmala's Nevelson Corset and Skirt, which drew applauses from the audience. The stunner of the stunners, however, had to be the very fierce and sassy Syoryu Dress and Corset by AAU’s Kaiya Tyson. Tyson found inspiration in Aurora by Honda Syoryu. Her design, a very couturish black ball gown and a leather corset made from a used briefcase, was a show stopper that had the audience cheering loudly and bidding competively for it.The 2008 Discarded to Divine event raised $85,000, double the amount raised last year, and attracted twice the amount of people from last year with over 1,000 in attendance.

St. Vincent de Paul Society is one of San Francisco’s oldest non-profit organizations providing assistance at each of its service centers where various programs are available to help the neediest members of the San Francisco community such as the homeless, poor, addicts and domestic violence victims become as self-sufficient as possible. Through its various programs, the organization helps more than 1,000 people every day.

[All photos by Randy Brooke]

Nevelson Corset and Skirt by Sawanya Jomthepmala [AAU]

Elizabeth Dress by Sara Shepherd of Sara Shepherd Inc.

Floral Fusion by Rebecca Howard of FIDM
The Forgotten Uniform jacket by Joe Haller & Ian Hannula of Nice Collective
Shadow Box by Nancy Delos Reyes [AAU]

Fragonard Lady & Fragonard Groom by Rob Curry & Milen Krastev

Syoryu Dress and Corset by Kaiya Tyson [AAU]

Un Visage Romantique by Jessica McClintock of Jessica McClintock Inc.

Flower Power by Colleen Quen of Colleen Quen Couture

Watch the Show here

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Ladybrille Joins Web Snob!

Ladybrille is excited to announce our alliance with Web Snob! Web Snob is an exclusive group of seasoned and highly respected fashion and lifestyle online publishers/bloggers, with a very large national and international reach, who each week publish the best of the week's articles/posts from the Crème de la Crème of fashion and lifestyle online publications &/blogs.

We are honored to affiliate our brand with Web Snob and believe our alliance with the group serves to get the Ladybrille mission and slogan, "Where the West Meets Today's African Fashion Industry" to a much broader audience, giving Africa's fashions & its industry a stronger entrance on the world's fashion map.

Look for Ladybrille's weekly Web Snob featuring the best weekly articles/posts in fashion and lifestyle soon!

Cheers,
Uduak Oduok
Editor-in-Chief

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Zulu Rose, African Tradition Meets Modernity

Alexander Derrick is the lead designer of Zulu Rose, a contemporary high-end men's and women's fashion line. Alex started designing in 2004 during his corporate stint as graphic designer for MTV and Universal. Feeling the necessity to express himself outside of his corporate confines, the Haitian/Bajan/American designer started screen-printing as a hobby and captured his art on t-shirts. With his daughter brainstorming the name Zulu Rose, Alex has expanded his African fusion designs to women's wear and accessories. Based in New York, Zulu Rose has been sold worldwide and sported by celebrities including Keyshia Cole. With his pieces selling in boutiques in New York and off his website, http://www.zulurose.com/, his designs have reached Australia, Japan, France and Jamaica. Ladybrille recently interviewed Alex about his thoughts of African fashion. Are African designers the new "escape" artists?

LADYBRILLE.com: It's a pleasure to chat with you and to [hear] your musings on African fashion. First, can you help us understand who and what is Zulu Rose?
Alex: Well Zulu Rose is basically a men’s and women's fashion line. In 1999, I was graphic designer working for MTV and Universal in L.A. In 2004, I started screenprinting as a hobby and started doing prints on clothing. People started liking my shirts and the things I wore. I started selling initially to friends in L.A. Crazily, somebody entered a store wearing my t-shirt and I started getting requests from stores. I then started the line and started small, getting into stores by word of mouth.

LADYBRILLE.com: That's an interesting evolution, but why create a line and why Africa? What is the inspiration?
Alex: It's actually a funny story. I was working at Universal and I wasn't feeling the corporate environment. I couldn't express myself, maybe only through casual Fridays. The only way I could express myself was on the weekends. When I started printing, I was trying to do something with an African flavor because I couldn't express that African style in corporate settings. I wanted something that was a blend between Western style and African style. My father had spent 10 years in Nigeria and I was inspired by the carvings that he used to bring back. And I just thought there was an absence [in fashion] of the African style of graphics, it was a little too unusual for the market.

LADYBRILLE.com: The name, Zulu Rose is very powerful, what does it mean?
Alex: I started doing different research. I started looking at South African fashion and drew a parallel with my designs. That inspiration blended into Zulu Rose, a modern type of African energy, a fusion of western and traditional styles. The name Zulu Rose reflects that fusion. My daughter actually came up with the name of the line and liked how it sounded; it had a good ring to it.

LADYBRILLE.com: Alex, how old is your daughter? I can't believe a child came up with such a distinct name! I think you may have a child genius in your midst!
Alex: I know, she was four years old at the time, now eight years old. She is very artistic. I was playing around with different names; after listening to me, she just blurted Zulu Rose. I had not been to Johannesburg at the time, but now having been there, the name is even better than what I imagined. In Johannesburg, I spent time with different artists like Zola and kicked it in Soweto. Their response was great.

LADYBRILLE.com:Where do you see yourself in the landscape of African fashion? What direction does African fashion need to go?
Alex: African fashion is coming onto the world stage. For example, the Nigerian fashion designer Duro Oluwo is taking African fashion, fabrics and design to another level- a level that can compete with western craftsmanship and design. Zulu Rose is a line is that is on par with other high end western lines. Generally, I believe that African fashion designers and other people within the industry like photographers, stylists, hair and makeup artists are starting to be more competitive. Think about it, fashion doesn't have any limitations. With people like Barack Obama, a lot of energy is now being focused toward Africa. Now is the time to strike while the iron is hot- if you know what I mean and… captivate the imagination of what people are doing and to go beyond the stereotype that African fashion is sub par.

LADBRILLE.com: I agree, I think people underestimate African fashion because it is still "unknown" and its perceived to lack dimension and dynamic. In that vein, who would you like to see rocking your designs for that global exposure?
Alex: Wow, that's difficult, can I pass? Well actually, I can say this because he is deceased… hmm, I would love to have dressed Fela Kuti and his dancers because of his energy. I don't want to put a limitation of who that would be. Zulu Rose is a type of flavor that, to certain people, has an aggressive type of style. I would say it’s for like anybody who is looking for a type of escapism from everyday fashion. It's about you identifying with you and getting some clothes that takes you to a different place. Hopefully my clothes would open up a certain creative energy.

LADYBRILLE.com: I love that, escapism! Very poignant indeed. Wouldn't we all love to embody the energy of Fela? You hope your designs will open up a creative energy for others, but who are your favorite artists/designers/muses that feed your creative energy?
Alex: That's a good question. [John] Galliano is interesting, Alexander McQueen. I like the wild fashion, over the top pageantry type of imagination. But I also like clean lines of street wear-things from Holland- designers like Cheap Monday. It's simple and straight to the point. Both of those energies are me. Musically, my wife Wumi, is my muse. She is Nigerian, a recording artist. Her music is like Afro-fusion, a type of dance energy. Her style is modern African that is not cliché. Her clothes have an African feel, but not necessarily an African silhouette.But I also like Keziah Jones, I like old rock & roll. I like old audio recordings, the music gives visions in my head and then I start to put graphics together. I also have an interest in ancient Egyptian art. I love all type of art from antiquity.

LADYBRILLE.com: Ahh, we must chat with your wife for an interview! These days, many emerging designers stand behind some kind of movement. There is a lot of blending of political and fashion energies. It makes fashion interesting and transcends the notion that fashion is simply clothes. What is your cause and what next?
Alex: Well… I wanted to create a whole lifestyle in the set of products. I wanted t-shirts for the mainstream market; it's a type of garment that you can get a good price point. Now, we are introducing tunics and what not. We are transferring graphics to show progression from t-shirts and to demonstrate how graphics can translate for an unusual piece. We are exploring with accessories, sunglasses and bags to answer the demand. We are keeping in the Zulu Rose philosophy of making things accessible, scarves, a few limited edition pieces, something funky for fall, ponchos, you know.Lately, the whole organic trend is jumping off, you know- green fashion. Zulu Rose is definitely a green company. But then again, traditional Africa is very organic anyway.

Africa is built on, developed on, organic energy. Most of our t-shirts are from organic cotton. In the fall, some of the heavier fabrics and heathered type of fabrics will be a blend of organic cotton, recycled polyester and rayon. We use environmentally friendly inks for graphics and all chemicals used are recycled.

LADYBRILLE.com: That's fabulous, fashion and the earth. For years and even now, the fashion world has failed to implement policies of inclusion. Your fashion is intriguing because you are inspired by a lot of global innovators like Keziah Jones, Duro Oluwo. I think a lot of people will relate to your design philosophy of drawing into nature, and bringing attention to climate change and global warming.
Alex: Yeah, most definitely, Zulu Rose will continue to be on that particular eco-friendly lifestyle. But its interesting that Europeans can sell everywhere, like Vivian Westwood's Anglomania. With Africans, we can do the same thing. I think it’s all about packaging. I put the best into what I'm doing. Zulu Rose is for everybody. We are all Africans and with the internet, everyone can get something funky.

LADYBRILLE.com: Amen!

For more info. on Zulu Rose, visit the site at http://www.zulurose.com/

~Article by Nana Daanquah Osafo

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Ladybrille African Fashion News #36

A weekly collection of fashion news relating to or about Africa. Some quick highlights from this week's news: a) Ghana prepares for its first ever fashion week with Coca-Cola Accra Fashion Week; b) South Africa forges fashion relationships with Asia, South Africa based Nigerian Designer Fred Eboka hopes to do a show in Nigeria and South Africa's Johannesburg's Fashion Capitol is almost complete! Read the rest of our fashion news to stay informed, Ladybrille style!

1. Jourdan Dunn is the colour of money
2. Sun City rocks for charity
3. Lack of investment in international fashion has left Africans ...
4. GFW opens fantastic opportunities for South African designers
5. Vukani design competition winners to be announced at gala dinner
6. The Fashion Billionaires
7. Fashion houses show interest in Turkish culture
8. MfD: Veba Broumov produces brocade for rich Africans
9. Party, South African style!
10. One of my biggest fantasy is to do a show in Nigeria — Fred Eboka
11. China, S Africa launch friendship association
12. Fashion designer and managing director of Gavin Rajah Couture
13. Coca-Cola Light ACCRA FASHION WEEK 2008
14. Fashion Kapitol almost complete
15. China's Export Economy Is Crumbling

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Sweet Mother I No Go Forget U!

From us to you and your very Ladybrille mothers, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! Words cannot express how phenomenal mothers are and the many hats they seem to wear with ease. In honor of our mothers enjoy three classic throwback videos celebrating mothers. Have a great Mother's Day!

Sweet Mother I No Go Forget U



Tupac Shakur- Dear Mama


Boyz II Men-Mama

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