I just got back from Joburg Fashion Week, there are so much fresh and innovative fashion designers out there. Its just a shame not more of them are allowed to display at the major events but hey, such is life!!
ACS KINGS AND QUEENS 2010 IS LOOKING STRONG THIS YEAR AND THE FOLLOWING ARE BIDDING TO MAKE THE FINAL 8:
ACS KINGS AND QUEENS FASHION DESIGNER AWARD GOES TO....
It has taken me nearly a week to recover from the biggest event of the summer. Both the Haringey Independent and Hackney Gazette had warned me.
Thou shall not lie, first and foremost I would like to apologise to my wife but my eyes could not help but creep. Reminded me of when I was in a field full of daffodils in summer; I have hay fever I could not help but sneeze.
All jokes aside my phone stayed in my pocket and my mouth remained closed. The only time it remained wide open like Shyne on his first day out of jail is when I witnessed the majestic performance of the university entrants.
I struggled to comprehend how 16 random individuals came together to ignite the stage and execute choreographed moves as if they where natural.
My favourite has to be between the 3 ladies (Queen Kingston, Queen Brunel and Queen Roehampton) illustrating that chairs are not for only for sitting on and the four gentleman (King Greenwich, King London Southbank, King Brunel and King Bedfordshire). But the true highlight of night was the fashion designer round, which was a burst of innovation. I could lament you with adjectives but in all honesty not even the pics can do justice to these creative geniuses (pics in my next blog).
The winner of this exciting round would get to feature 6 pieces in the Untold Production that takes place during London Fashion Week. www.un-told.co.uk The comp was close but the judges choose OnesCouture and here is a quick recap on their story:
OnesCouture symbolizes creativity, style, originality, and exclusivity. We express ourselves through innovative and unique design creation, and promote a lifestyle which is all about individuality and not being afraid to express ONE'S self.
OnesCouture is a label that showcases and escalates an individual’s unique sense of style through designing, customising and producing distinctive and exclusive garments to meet individual needs, as well as customising we also create original clothing collections for all seasons for a universal audience. CHECK US OUT ON http://www.onesattire.com/
Check Out just why she won:
I had to find out what inspired this masterpiece, including the customized shoes. Mum is rocking them in VIP this Saturday with her friends because on a scale of 1 to 10 Mum gets 10 (anyone who knows how this So Solid lyric ends inbox me on ceo_group@hotmail.co.uk and win a prize).
Any who back to OnesCouture and what inspired their fab design
INSPIRATION FOR CONTESTANTS CLOTHING
Being African-Caribbean is an identity, an unquantifiable part of ONES's individuality so we have played on the masculinity and feminity of strong, powerful youth today in an attempt to portray a our identity as African-Caribbean’s in a more positive light for our up and coming Kings and Queens tomorrow.
My next question was can a sister hook a brother up with some fly threads but for some reason the only thing I saw was palm in my face…
LIFE IS FASHION STATEMENT AND DIDN’T THE 8 AFRICAN CARIBBEAN FASHION DESIGNERS PROVE IT
It was a sunday evening and thus far I was vibsing to the sounds of Hayley C and Swiss liasing with fashionista's, entrepreneurs, professionals, students, grads, kings and beautiful queens.Yet the most memorable part of the evening was bumping into the talented fashion designer L'Akot. Her originality sandwiched in between her vibrant, picturesque designs leave an imprint on the mind. Her work ethic combine with talent is an evident sign that its only a matter of time before she is on the fashion industries frontline.
Addicted to sweets and born in Uganda, My name is Brenda Akot, I’m 23, I live in Surrey, and I’m a Fashion Designer.
I have a Degree in Fashion Design Technology; Designer Pattern Cutter; Womenswear, from The University of Arts, London.
My label is ‘L’ AKOT’, which means ‘Luck’ in my country of origin, Uganda.
I would describe my art as I would describe my personality; I’m Traditional, with a twist of Avant-Garde. I am Luminous, Unconventional, Meticulous and Attainable. These are the very few words I can use to describe me as a whole.
From the very young age of 12, I have always been very ambitious, having the understanding of who I wanted to be in the future. I wanted to be an artist, but didn’t know I would specialise in fashion. I enjoy anything that involves art, whether that is music from N.E.R.D to Funky House, photography, modeling at London Fashion Week or Just Fashion!
I am a creative individual with ‘RAW’ talent waiting for ‘THAT’ opportunity. So watch this space!!
Last but by no means least our final fashion designer is April Griffiths. April to many cultures is the beginning of the year (including the financial year in this one). April is Spring is new life, is beautiful, a breath of fresh air and burst of energy. Does Ms Griffiths embody her first name. A picture says a thousand words
April Griffiths in her own words:
My name is April; I’m a 20 year old Fashion Designer from North London.
My lust for designing blossomed when I was 12. My passion took me to Brooke House College to do art and design for two years and then I ventured to Ravensbourne University for a year to do fashion.
I am currently on my gap year and I specialise in making party dresses for girls. I also make jumpers, cardigans, and t-shirts for both male and female.
My favourite designer would have to be Chanel because the designs are very classy.
My style is bright, loud, in your face, crazy but classy at the same time.
I draw my inspiration from the music that I listen to mainly Funky House, but I like other types of music to.
I love Kanye West, Katy Perry, Lady Ga Ga, and Beyonce, I think their style is HARD!!!!!
In the future I would like to own my own everything from clothes to shoes to cars to bags, trainers EVERYTHING!!!
Love April xx
April Griffiths shall collaborate with Sussex African Caribbean King Fernand Frimpong and Queen Christana Akinremi
“Uncle Kwabena, I know them” my little niece Yetunde mentioned repeatedly as she pointed at the heart signs on my leather jacket.
“They came to my school in Black History month.”
So show love to Show Love because they showed love to the industry and now the industry is showing LOVE BACK.
I say this because at a time when negativity sells it is refreshing to see an African Caribbean business that also gives back to their community and encourages people to spread love.
Besides the fact they provide a positive example to the next generation of being a successful business and not forgetting their community, they are also talented designers. Simple yet poignant at times thus it’s no surprise that across the UK you can catch people adorned in Show Love attire.
Who better to tell you about Show Love than Show Love:
Show Love is a unique lifestyle brand, with a strong and innovative focus of London’s fashion conscious culture.
We achieve this through our eco-conscious clothing label, which utilises the timeless feature of the heart to promote its simple philosophy, as well as educational forums and lifestyle social events.
We have been active for the past four years in and around London, marketing our events and strengthening our target market through the development of the clothing brand and lifestyle seminars which aim to detail exactly what London is thinking, feeling as well as how it wishes to be represented.
We have recently established a presence in Miami, Los Angeles and New York in terms of our fashion and plan to take the lifestyle element to these areas.
For More Check Out www.show-love.com
Show Love shall be working with Roehampton ACS King Jean Paul Okafor & Queen Shana St Louis
On a beautiful sunny sunday that one wishes would never come to an end , I am more than happy to introduce you to C. Grand.
Interesting when you meet people that are humble and down to earth, there is a reason why they do not need to be brass or loud. Reason being is that their character tends to speak volumes.
When she attended our Meet N Greet, I looked at my colleague and we both knew we were in thepresence of a fashionista before she could even introduce herself. Every step that graces the floor personifies fashion and leaves observors curious to see more. From clothes to accessories Madame Grandison does all. In relation to fashion she knows no boundary as they two step to the timeless rhythm of life. One of the few fashion sheppard's that sheep will struggle to follow because in essence their is no dividing Charlene Grandison from her artform.
C. Grand
My ever constant challenging & questioning of dress & Identity inspires, ignites and drives my fascination with fashion. My interest in particular, lies in the way we choose to adorn our selves in order to express who we are, e.g. Hoodies, Leather jackets, suiting material, symbolic fabric prints (tartan/ African).
How we choose to style our selves, can be read like signs that express who you are as a person, revealing or concealing your identity. My concepts and style of designing are the products of experimentations and in depth observations of culture and fashion, which I feel, makes my work unique.
In the near future I look forward to seeing my work sold in many different boutique outlets across trendy London, e.g. large stores, like Selfridges or Harrods and smaller trendier shops within Brick lane & Portobello. I also hope to be selling to a wide internet audience from either my own web site, or ASOS.
Eventually I’d like hold fashion shows in during London, Paris and New York’s fashion week, my own boutique shop in west end & countless A-list celebrity endorsement.
Charlene Grandison shall be working with Brunel ACS King Fizzie Fisayo Olajide & Queen Toni Adenle
Kharise Francis permits for her feminine creative nature to try build a bridge which stands timeless, thus is relevant to generations a new and old. When you look at her work in many respects you she a life story. Its dynamic and I personally feel she shows various aspects of her self via her artform therefore making her designs transparent.
She acknowledges that fashion is more than clothes. It is art it is a way of life...
Less from me and more from Kharise in her own words
As an avid fashion lover Kharise Francis has left university to start her own line. Although some believed it wouldn’t be a good move she has since showcased at comedy shows and designed custom made clothing for artists such as black the ripper and has up and coming shows throughout the year. Specialising in womenswear kharise Francis has a holistic approach to fashion and caters to different needs she offers a custom made one off service and has two sections to her label. They are Kharise Francis and K kandi is for the sophisticated and sleek dresser focusing on femininity and glamour. Whilst K Kandi is a mash up of new rave and retro prep for the fashion forward. Her inspiration is taken from the world around her influenced by nature and culture, she has an eclectic view on life and hopes to translate that through her clothing. Check out K KANDI on face book for contact purchase enquiries and updates. There is a waiting list so contact her as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Kharise Francis And K Kandi clothing Tel: 07827325453
Kharisecross@live.co.uk
Facebook group: K Kandi
Kharise Francis And K Kandi clothing shall working with Bedforshire ACS King Michael Ajih & Queen Amber Nduka
ACS Kings and Queens 2009 exhibiting the cultural beauty of the African-Caribbean society both mentally and physically in all its diversity, without diluting its essence @ Oceans Music Arena, E8 1HE 27th June 2009
