Meet the Designers Transforming Africa’s Retail Scene, Part Three: KoshieO
Earlier this year, our reporter, Zandile Blay, traveled through West Africa to meet some of the talented young designers who are changing Africa’s retail landscape with their chic African-inspired, Western-influenced wears. So far, we’ve covered Jewel by Lisa’s Lisa Folawiyo and Loza Maleombho. Next up: Nina Baksmaty of KoshieO, who hales from Ghana.
When Franca Sozanni and Roberto Cavalli waltzed through West Africa in search of notable brands, KoshieO caught their eye. The label, founded by Nina Baksmaty, was one of several seen by Sozanni and Cavalli. This led to the opportunity to showcase her pieces during an invite-only event held by Italian Vogue in New York City in February. The resulting press has served to attract more clients drawn to Baksmaty’s vibrant and highly wearable wares. Read on to see how she’s leveraged it to help her quickly expanding brand.
Zandile: Why did it feel necessary to launch your workshop?
Nina: I am originally from Ghana myself and launching a workshop is a project I am very passionate about. Even though it is relatively more convenient (cheaper etc.) to solely produce in more established countries, I felt a strong need to invest in building a workshop in Ghana. This is a small way KoshieO could help the economy by employing and providing a regular income for people.
Katy Perry in Dolce and Gabbana at her film premiere
Lucy Kenny writes…
We’ve been waiting, bubbled up with anticipation for Katy Perry’s sure-to-be-a-box-office-hit movie Part of Me for some time now, and last night at the Hollywood Boulevard premiere, she threw us a slice of what we can expect from the film..
Rocking out on her own specially made bright pink carpet, Perry wowed in head-to-toe, rouge velvet Dolce & Gabbana prom dress and courts keeping in theme with her gothic, yet girly vibe of purple locks and dark eyes. Unsurprisingly, in true KP style, the playful songstress accessorised with an adorable Judith Leiber crystal cake slice clutch. One things for sure, Ol’Rusty’s probably kicking himself.
If Judith Leiber and D&G are perhaps a little out of your price range, and as much as you’d love to be a clone of Miss Perry you’re not so up for selling your organs to look like her, then don’t sweat, we’ve pulled out the best high street pieces to copy the look and keep your purse from crying.
Dsquared² Menswear Spring 2013
Déjà vu? Nothing new to see here. I would describe this collection as monochrome with denim touches. I wish Dean & Dan reached for a new feel. I actually thought I was seeing a prior season’s images over again. I guess the twins do what they do so very well.
#aintbrokedontfixit?
Incoming search terms:
- menswear 2013
Runway Looks for Less: Alice + Olivia Spring 2012 RTW
Alice + Olivia Spring 2012 RTW | ELLE
Known for flirty and feminine, yet modern and trendy looks, Alice + Olivia is the go-to line for all things quirky and cute. Their garden party-inspired collection for Spring 2012 was filled with season-appropriate brights and pastels, mix-and-match separates and — of course — plenty of girly, fashion-forward looks.
Want to snag that quirky cute look for just a fraction of the price? Simply scroll on down to check out three budget-friendly interpretations of looks from Alice + Olivia Spring 2012:
Vogue China Chops Off Doutzen Kroes’s Leg
Photo: Photoshop Disasters
We all know that magazines like to photoshop out any model’s flaws (or pores, or freckles, or thigh bulge)–but did someone at Vogue China really take such offense to Doutzen Kroes‘s leg that they had to completely erase it from the picture? Apparently so, as this is what happened in the magazine’s June 2012 editorial, lensed by Sølve Sundsbø, which Photoshop Disasters points out features a one-legged Kroes in the above photo.
Photoshop Gone Good: Nina Ricci’s La Rue Bag Fall 2012 Campaign
I like it when, every now and then, Photoshop polishes off its bad name and unveils a wonderful aesthetic result to the world! Nina Ricci’s Fall Winter 2012 2013 ad campaign as photographed by Inez and Vinoodh shows an ecstatic Kati Nescher holding tight to her alligator skin bag.
The bag in question, Nina Ricci’s new La Rue bag, is the new arm candy focus of the maison and, to mark how special it really is for them (and consequently for us too), illustrator Jo Ratcliffe was reportedly contacted to adorn the much too dark imagery. And what a wonderful job he did! Those flowers are divine! I’d like that on my wall. Regardless of it being just an advertising campaign after all!
Dolce & Gabbana stay with Monica Bellucci for Autumn 2012
The whole big Italian family theme continues with Dolce & Gabbana’s new Autumn/Winter 2012-13 campaign. The designer duo have stuck with Monica Bellucci and Bianca Balti for their latest ads, with the added bonus of the very beautiful Bianca Brandolini D’Adda. Total Italian gorgeousness!
I love the warmth, humour and sense of closeness in these ads that depict a boisterous family get-together full of great music, food and style. Featuring festive family shots, the campaign was photographed by Giampaolo Sgura with the trio of ladies cavorted around bringing lots of liveliness to the images.
Of course it isn’t the first time that Bellucci has modelled for Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. The stunning actress also starred in the duo’s Spring/Summer 2012 campaign. She also launched a collection of lipsticks for the Italian fashion house, each featuring “Monica” in the name.
Would You Wear… a Photo Print?
Photo Credits: ASOS dress, Dries Van Noten Fall 2012 via Elle, and Zara top
Gone are the days of rocking your prized tee with Britney Spears’s face printed on it, but lo and behold: photo print shirts are coming back around in a big way. Direct prints from photographs are everywhere this season, from dresses to pants and tops, and in bright colors, black & white, and sepia tones.
Dries Van Noten and Carven sent photo prints strutting down the runway in various forms for Fall 2012, and now they’re beginning to appear in stores.