April Griffiths

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

Show Love To Show Love

“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




Saw the team going ard @ Fashion Runway

C. Grand

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 and K Kandi Clothing

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

Kimale of DK Darlington

I'm back to the fashion designers involved in ACS Kings and Queens 2009

“Mandem flick one, two logos on a t-shirt and call dem themselves, some ting”.

In 2009 only a hermit or would entertain this fallacy...

Does the creativity of African Caribbean male designers’ stop at Brick Lane with Wale Adeyemi and Saville Row with Mr. Boateng? Dabi (Twi for no).

Not as far as Kimale of DK Darlington is concerned. The gentleman has been a baptism of creativity a host of fashion shows and pageants. If you were at London Fashion week earlier in the year then you would why it was a must that we got Kimale involved in ACS Kings and Queens 2009

DK Darlington all work with the same philosophy towards one goal: to bring you quality clothing with the absolute highest standard of unique cuts and designs.

Kimale of DK Darlington shall be working with Hertfordshire ACS King Nas Bana & Queen Raisa Gindi

Ones Couture

ONES COUTURE was founded in 2004 by Alexander ‘Sketch’ Olayiwola and Jeniene 'JustJen' Scott. It is an innovative lifestyle brand consisting of a modelling agency, events and media team. The fashion label focuses on designing, customising and producing bespoke garments for unique individuals. The aim is to make a difference in the fashion industry- moving away from commercial, mundane fashion through the creation and redevelopment of style!

O As people of the earth we are original in ways we don’t even know how

N So we are here to emphasise the novelty of London culture though our fashion label making a visible sound



E Through striking images but not through negative exclamations, through it may seem challenging



S But that’s cool because our clothes and events say it all you don’t need to bother with the swagger



C Leave that to the conceited including the boring and join our revolutionary movement of creativity



O Don’t be surprised to see us go overboard because we are here to make a statement, it’s an absolute necessity!

United in our visions of individuality, we express each every one of your different personalities,



T It’s plain to see that we take pride in the timeless beauty and funk of our great designs.



U We shall remain undefeated and simply the best in turning heads and changing minds



R Solely by relinquishing the act of conforming to the norms of fashion



E And so by combining the positive energy of each and every London culture is truly our passion!


Written by Belinda Brown (big up Belinda she needs to hook me up with a poem like that)

Former creative writer of Ones Media

Check Out http://www.onescouture.co.uk the site is serious

Their business acumen compliments their talented designs and they plan on being pioneers in UK fashion for decades to come so remember where you saw them 1st!!!


Ones Couture shall be working with Kingston ACS King Alemu Jack & Queen Candice Lemonius

Meet The Fashion Designers

THIS WEEK YOU WILL GET TO MEET THE FASHION DESIGNERS WORKING WITH OUR POTENTIAL ACS KINGS AND QUEENS - DAY 1 We start with Linda

LINDA POPAT - The youngest entrant in our event
Linda Popat is beyond her years and eats, sleeps, walks and talks fashion. She is currently a fashion student and works 2 part time jobs, one being at a fashion boutique.

When I initially meet her, I deemed her as being rather shy but then I realised she lets her clothes do the talking. She is allergic to conventional and is looking to push boundaries on Saturday 27^th June 2009.

A few words from Madame Popat:

‘My inspiration in fashion is drawn from being fascinated with fashion shows and magazines like Vogue at a very early age. The elegant clothes worn by the models and designers featured, eventually aspired me to take a serious interest in order to study fashion at College.

My ultimate dream after graduation is to work for a top fashion House or Designer and be creative enough in the process to eventually launch my own label’.

Linda shall be working with Greenwich's ACS King (Fola Orilonishe) and Queen (Daphine Tony)