MY Fair Lady

While we are at first ladies may I have the honour to introduce to you, our Indomitable fashion Lioness, Chantal Biya ...

Chantal came into the scene some years back (1996) and wasted no time getting her wardrobe set for the role. Being married to a head of state means spending time in the spotlight and Mrs Biya makes quite an impression with her extravagant hairstyles and exotic wardrobes.

Weather calculated or not, Chantal is a fashion risk taker and steals the show where ever she goes. While her sense of style is Hit or Miss, Chantal has got the confidence of a peacock and does not subdue to all the gibberish fashion rules from so called makeup artists. She stays true to herself. This is what we call style! No wonder the Cameroonian beauty pageant winner won the heart of the president too.

I must say her joyful and sparkle looks make me believe she'd be so much fun to hang out with. Chantal's got it all, gigantic hair, bright clothes, and some attitude. This Opera Diva wouldn't trade her life for anything less.

Try peeling your eyes off her hair for a second and focus on her clothes, don't they look really tasteful? Chantal on several occasions has been called the most glamorous First Lady in Africa, to which I totally agree.

Really, you’ve got to give it to Chantal, for bravery, if nothing else. I do love a bit of OTT (Over The Top) , and this lady’s got it in spades.

What we wear

In recent times bold prints, riotous colours, sleek Safari and chunky African inspired jewellery have been seen from haute couture to high street fashion chains. Undoubtedly each piece of African fabric from across the continent has a story to tell. For example the lavish waistcoats of Tunisia are decorated with fish, birds, flowers and crescent patterns to bring luck to a bride and groom and ensure fertility.

The Kente in Ghana is a sacred and royal silk woven clothe worn in times of extreme importance.

The Asoke (pronounce Ashoke) cloth which is crafted by the Yoruba ethnic group of Nigeria is very sturdy and is mostly reserved for religious rituals, funerals, and very formal occasions.

The Isidwaba is a pleated skirt made of cowhide and softened by hand for Zulu women.

The Toghu by the North Western people of Cameroon is material with different hand woven motifs usually telling a story about the particular tribe in the area. The traditional colours include black and patterns woven in orange, red and yellow. It is symbolically worn on special occasions by very important personalities such as a chief. Nowadays however it is accessible to all.

The batik (called wax in Nigeria, cicam in Cameroon and Ankara by some other West Africans) is a wax resist dyeing technique used on textile. Its meanings are rooted to the Javanese idea of the universe and it is predominantly made in indigo, dark brown and white with certain patterns reserved for royals. These fabrics are found in Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria, Mali, the Caribbean Islands and Cameroon to name a few.

the silk thread decoration on the stunning 'Asherah Nahuak' which is worn on the third day of wedding celebrations in Egypt, and is said to represent the colours of ripening dates which in turn are presented as gifts to ensure the fertility of the bride and groom.

So next time you buy a piece of clothe, stop to think about its origin, the signifance of the prints and the texture before you release your cash :-).

Style! The White House Perspective.

This blog will not be worthwhile without an acknowledgement to the style icon of this age, Mrs O.

The first lady of fashion and of the USA, Michelle Obama graces the covers of major style magazines as well as political headlines with her no nonsense style and whether you like it or not, she’s boldly leaving her mark as the 44th first lady of the United States of America.

The fashion community is keeping a close watch on Mrs Obama’s fashion choices and she is well aware of the scrutiny and makes no apologies for her cutting edge fashion choices. Even the council of fashion designers is impressed with her wardrobe collection and have given her tribute for her impact on the fashion industry.

Mrs O is a mix and match master and tends to go for bright hues of purple, yellow, red and blue which make her stand out from other female political counterparts. Her style is sophisticated yet accessible as she chooses never to be in a costume for her role but dresses like a Harvard educated young professional mother. She has the confidence to wear inexpensive clothes and rocks them. Traditionally first ladies have been expected to look appropriate with fashion choices aimed at sending a reassuring message that everything was as it ought to be. Undoubtedly Mrs Obama’s sense of style is a reflection of change in the White House.

Style means more than merely cladding a fashionable dress but it is the accessories that make the outfit. This is what puts Mrs O as one of the most stylish women of our times. We have all noticed her numerous belts and jewellery pieces and one piece which was already falling out of fashion was the brooch which Michelle has done an excellent job in redefining.

Michelle’s love for funky bead jewellery extends into pieces such as necklaces, bracelets and earrings. She has been seen in over the top glitzy pieces and dangling earrings which are not usual for a First Lady, where the trends in most years has been to stay with simple pearls, smaller gold pieces and a little bit of silver from time to time.

Michelle clearly goes beyond her call of duty, she is not just brilliant, eloquent, accomplished, down to earth, and charismatic, she is classy and stylish. This First Lady is well on her way to leaving a stylish legacy on par with those other White House arbiters, Jacqueline Kennedy and Nancy Reagan and we will be following her all the way.

Shifting Trends!

Fashion designers, fashionistas, and those involved in the fashion industry at large will agree the only constant thing in this dynamic industry is CHANGE, Changing trends and designs is definitely the way forward for 21st century designer.
It is an undeniable fact that there has been an upsurge and an increase in demand for African fashions all over the world and African designers through their designs reach across borders of national origins and engage bi- and multicultural individuals who have a desire to stay connected to their African roots or be a part of the African experience! So these days it is all about African designs with an attitude – ‘The Afritude’
From the hinterlands to the coast, the villages to the major cities it is hard to come by young people who are not interested in fashion.
Very often they look to the West, for inspiration, be it from the fashion houses in Paris to the streets of Hollywood.
However, there has been a shift in trends… from ‘western contemporary’ to chic and bold African!

From the glorious prints to the intricate designs it seems even A List Celebrities cannot wait to showcase the beauty of Africa inspired clothing & accessory designs. Fergie, Estelle and Ashley Judd are some of the celebrities who have made headlines with their outfits…this makes me wonder if this isn’t a sign of what glam trends in Hollywood will be a couple of years from now?