Another week another CayenneSpeaks post for Because I am Fabulous.

Shot in Cape Town, South Africa and directed by Melina Matsoukas, the video shows Solange Solanges exploring the town with a gang of friends and a crew of ultra-drapper dudes drapped in threads which marry their African flair to that of their former European colonizers. These men are called the Les Sapeurs or in more common vernacular “Congolese dandies”; they are also the muse of Italian photographer Daniele Tamagni who was so enthralled with their ostentatious use of color and commitment to elegance that he made them the subject of his book, “The Importance of Being Elegant”.

In her own words: “When Melina and I decided to film ‘Losing You’ in South Africa, we really didn’t have a real firm concept in place. It was sort of a grab a camera and let’s go moment. I knew I wanted to capture a couple things: the vibe of our friendship and all of the crazy escapades we’ve gotten ourselves into all over the world, and the abstract and elegant Le Sape Society (Society for the Advancement of People of Elegance) formed in the Congo which was documented by Daniele Tamagni in his Gentleman of Bacongo book. We called Daniele to guide us, and some of my friends from New York came down to Cape Town and we all had a very damn good time,” Solange told Pitchfork.com.

The history of the Sapeurs is rooted in French colonization of Congo and the glorification of the Parisian lifestyle; these men stand out in world deeply enmeshed in abject poverty. Clad in suits by Yves Saint Laurent, Jean Paul Gaultier and Armani as well as Japanese labels such Kenzo and Yamamoto they strut the impoverished streets of Brazzaville and Kinshasa with a certain je ne sais quoi. When it comes to shoes, only the exclusive French label Weston and British label Church’s will do. No knock-offs allowed! That is tantamount to blasphemy. These men are style gods and their style has spilled over into female fashions and quite a few runways, i.e. Paul Smith’s Spring 2010 line. Have a look at Solange’s new video and watch these men dazzle the screen.

By Amida Koroma of Cayenne Speaks

The post African Chic: Solange Knowles features Congolese Dandies in her new video: “Losing You” appeared first on Because I Am Fabulous.

When some in the western world think of homes in Africa they certainly do not picture modern buildings with chic layouts and fabulous kitchens. Well Haven Homes has made it their mission to bring you such homes and at affordable rates. With a focus on developing unique, affordable luxury and functional homes, the  completely Nigerian owned real estate subsidiary of  the UK’s Haven Global Resources Ltd has been building fabulous homes in Lagos for over six years.

Haven Homes is set to provide its customers with luxurious homes that offer unique and individual layouts, abundant natural light, mezzanine levels, galleries, bridges, atrium, roof terraces and many more features. The company has set itself apart from many other residential housing developers in Nigeria by not only offering unique structural designs, but also by providing its customers with real value added services such as personalized interior decorating.

The post African Chic: Looking For Affordable Luxury Living? Then Haven Homes In Nigeria May Be The Place For You! appeared first on Because I Am Fabulous.

Meet the man that is responsible for bringing you that transformational All Black Issue of Vogue Italia and Naomi Campbell in lux African print fashions in W magazine.

 Born in Ghana and raised in Britain, Edward Enninful has made it his mission to complicate the accepted aesthetic of high-end fashion.  Fashion is in his blood! Inspired by his mother who worked as a seamstress creating clothing for her British-Ghanaian friends, he developed his own sense of style early on. At the age of 16 he was discovered by famed British stylish Simon Foxton, he modeled only briefly and by the following year he was assisting Beth Summers, then fashion director of i-D magazine. At 18, he was awarded the fashion director position at i-D making him the youngest ever fashion director for an international publication.

 In the late 1990s he became a contributing editor to Italian Vogue working under editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani and photographer Steven Meisel. He broke major ground in protest against high-end fashion’s obsession with skinny white models when he perfectly pulled together  the “Black Issue”  featuring only black models, including Naomi Campbell, Iman, Alek Wek, Alva Chinn, Sessilee Lopez, Ubah, Kiara Kabakubu, Noemie Lenoir, Vernoica Webb, Arlenis Sosa, Liya Kebede, Karen Alexander, Iman, Yasmin Warsame, Jourdan Dunn, Gail O’Neill, Chanel Iman, Toccara Jones and Tyra Banks. As if that was not enough he smashed through glass ceilings again by producing an all plus size issue with featuring  Candice Huffine, Tara Lynn and Robyn Lawley.

 In 2006, he became a contributing fashion editor for American Vogue and moved on to Fashion and Style-Director of W magazine in 2011. At 39 years old he certainly has made his mark in the fashion world. ‘Til date he is still Fashion Editor at Large of Japanese Vogue and i-D magazine. When major fashion houses need an expert for their runway shows and advertising campaigns they call on him. Not too shabby for a man who is usually the lone African in a sea of faces unlike his own.

Here’s a peek into Enninful’s amazing styling capabilities and creative eye.

By Amida Koroma of CayenneSpeaks.com

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So last month the runway at Broad Street Ballroom in the Financial District of New York City was aglow with bright lights and illuminating beauty during the final night of Africa Fashion Week New York. And I was delighting in it all. See that colorful pink and yellow skirt nestled comfortably in the front row, yep that’s me! Imagine my excitement when the models glided down the runway sporting Ani Siyah‘s new collection, ooooo I almost lost my cool. Ankara, ntoma and lace adorned leather, velvet, calf skin clutches ooo my what more can a girl like me ask for? Ooooo not to mention the Kente bags and African cloth inspired bracelets, I was in heaven!

Ghanaian-Canadian designer Ama Sika Asante established her brand Ani Siyah in July 2011. Affectionately named after her Ghanaian mother, Asante aims to produce quality products that represent the beauty of Ghana’s cultural identity. Her signature use of Kente cloths in the designs summons the royal touch of “the Ashanti Kingdom: thus giving each owner a piece of the panache that is associated with Ghana’s revered kings.” In the short time is has been up and running the brand has won over some of the biggest names in the African entertainment world. If you want to add one of her pieces to your collection they are currently available online or through boutique stores based in Ghana, the United Kingdom, Canada and Nigeria.

By Amida Koroma of CayenneSpeaks.com

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In 2009, during New York Design Week high-end designers descended on Soho House to participate in the Design Africa Panel discussion. On the menu, Africa, as in the “new Africa” in terms of fashion innovation and style inspiration. There was lots of talk about how and why Africa is the next fashion frontier  from a design, textile sourcing and garment production vantage point. Africa offers a diverse and uniquely authentic level of craftsmanship that is extremely high and consistent. The decoding of textile motifs and symbolism in each region is an art form unto itself and serves to differentiate local dress and accessorizing customs within specific communities and villages.

On hand at the discussion was design and innovation studio partners Birsel + Seck featuring their Taboo collection, a line of furniture made in Dakar, Senegal, from 75 percent recycled garbage bags and plastic bottles, all designed and produced by Bibi + Seck and their team of local Senegalese artisans. Out of that a new kind of African luxury was defined. Birsel + Seck eventually collaborated with the high-end Italian design house, Moroso (specifically, Patrizia Moroso and Salam Gaye)  to create a colorful line of woven seating designs inspired by and manufactured sustainably in Dakar, Senegal, Bibi Seck’s second home. The project has been so successful that other designers have been commissioned by the Moroso team  and now there is an entire line wonderfully named M’Afrique. Some of the designers include African-American design ingénue Stephen Burks and Senegalese interior designer Dominique Petot.

Each piece of the Petot M’Afrique outdoor furniture collection piece is made in Senegal by local artisans utilizing a specialized technique of bending hand-braided plastic wires traditionally used to make fishing nets. Talk about ingenuity.

By Amida Koroma of Cayenne Speaks

The post African Chic: Summer is winding down but it’s never too late to shop for chic outdoor furniture. Consider Italy’s Moroso’s M’Afrique C’est Chic Collection! appeared first on Because I Am Fabulous.

The Holland based fabric company Vlisco has just released its Funky Grooves collection. The ad campaign features super models Grace Bol and Samira Carvalho, but is it the sexy Brazilian model that steals the spotlight in the “Urban Allure” off shoot. Check out her fierce form, sophisticated angles and feminine grace as she glides through what Vlisco terms as “a collection of contrasts, with edgy street wear influences reinterpreted through a lens of pure glamour.”

For a 165 years, the Dutch company has been supplying the West and Central African market with “high-end and highly desired textiles, which have become part of the vibrant culture.” Currently Vlisco Group has four brands in its portfolio: Vlisco, Woodin, Uniwax and GTP. Design, Fashion, Creativity, Innovation and Quality are the overall brand values, values which are explicitly manifested by Caravlho in this shoot. Enjoy

By Amida Koroma of CayenneSpeaks.com

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This week’s feature is Nigerian based designer Lanre Dasilva Ajayi (LDA). Italian Vogue has penned her as one of “West Africa’s fashion designers of the future.” Earlier this year Italian Vogue Editor-in-Chief Franca Sozzani accompanied by designer Roberto Cavalli and photographer Francesco Carrozzini visited Lagos, Nigeria as part of an effort to forge a relationship with Nigerian designers who could cultivate an audience outside of the continent and take the African fashion industry to the next level.

LDA already has a solid boutique international following with her soft, full of feminine grace silhouettes. So impressed was Vogue Italia by what they saw at Lagos Fashion and Design Week that they formed project “Made in Africa” of which LDA is a contributor. Her pieces are inspired by Forties vintage couture; she combines pattern, print and traditional fabrics to produce day wear, evening wear, gowns and cocktail dresses that are enduring. Her use of bold colors makes each and every one lively and a reflection of a forward moving Africa. The Vogue Italia “Made in Africa” LDA pieces are available exclusively at Yoox.com; prices range between $248 and $1478.

By Amida Koroma of CayenneSpeaks.com

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