Sunday, September 25, 2016

Ankara Bazaar

Studio Arte, in Manhattan's garment district was the setting for The Ankara Bazaar Saturday September 17th. The shopping mixer was part of a 2 day event hosted by Afropolitan Insights an organization committed to highlighting positive images and narratives of Africa and Africans living in the diaspora.

Upon arrival you were met with a pink carpet where event goers stopped to pose for pics.
Pink Carpet
Pink Carpet
Tees in the trap T-shirt
Zara leather pencil skirt
lace up peep toe booties
The event space was literally transformed into an ankara bazaar with wearable fashions from wall to wall.
Rahyma


A'maze Africa


















The DJ played the latest Afrobeats, the henna artist adorned hands with decorative designs

while patrons shopped & sipped...YUP!! there were adult bevy's and delicious eats by Grace Specialty.


The energy in the room was explosive reminiscent of a market place in "Anywheresville", Africa, minus the persistent, borderline pushy vendors. Men and women ran to and from the fitting room making sure they got the right fit before finalizing their purchases.
Forever Audacious

Beriqisu

Midget Giraffe

Rahyma


In the midst of it all, organizers pulled off a fashion show featuring creations from the very designers showcasing at the bazaar! Models set the runway on fire with their fierce walk while their frocks dazzled the eyes.








































































Not only were there fab fashions for grown ups, but  you could dress baby too...AND your home!! There were gorgeous throw pillows and art work to beautify your home.

 Yacine

African Prints in Fashion
Alana Ladson Art

 There was an array of accessories to chose from like hand bags, shoes, bracelets and head wraps that will enhance any look!
Elvira Clayton Accessories
Ma'am

African Prints in Fashion

Rebellerie

Nishkami
Forever Audacious

In all it was a shoppers paradise. For more deets on any of the items or vendors seen on this post or to view some of the vendors who participated but did not appear in this post please see the links below.


NaY


Saturday, September 17, 2016

New York Fashion Week: Today's Look


As New York Fashion Week comes to a close, here are a couple of looks I rocked during this week long celebration of fashion. Though I only made it to two events I still managed to make my on air looks very fashion week chic. 


On Saturday Morning, like all other Saturday mornings, I had to work. Most days I enjoy dressing up for work and I try to get creative with some of my looks. I'm lucky enough to work for a station with a fairly lenient dress code. I always try to keep it as professional as possible, or try to at least make it appear professional on air. My Saturday Morning look comprised of my fab find from the June Ambrose closet cleanse I attended a few weeks ago. The lime colored BCBG Max Azria blouse  complemented the faux leather fringe skirt from H & M. I wouldn't advise anyone to EVER wear a skirt this short to work...EVER!!! the beauty of my job is I get to choose my camera shot, and on that morning I chose a tight shot so all you can see was the top portion of my skirt and my upper body(like in this picture) and you can't tell the length of the skirt. BTS secret...I came into work that morning in workout stretch pants and I kept them on underneath my skirt the entire morning...mainly because its always freezing in the studio...lol



Here is a more work friendly version of the same outfit. Instead of the rocker chic short fringe skirt, I paired the blouse with this knee length faux pencil skirt from Zara. I finished the look with suede black pumps from Aldo. 


On Saturday evening I attended the Adirée Concept store in Soho. I rocked this yellow mini dress from Zara with nude sandals embellished with large faux diamonds. 

Sunday Afternoon I found myself smack in the middle of fashion week action, covering the Jenny Packham runway show for NY1 News! For that event I went 60's mod chic with this orange A-line mini from Zara and my fashion week signature tight top knot. Shoes are nude black and gold peep- toe sandal from France: Studio Pour André.


On Monday I was semi back to business, I went a bit more casual than normal in this handmade denim button down from H& M paired with a yellow and navy ankara fabric skirt and navy strap sandals...don't forget my trusty team natural top knot. 

It was a fun weekend and I enjoyed dressing up...but what else is new?! Stayed tuned, next week I'm taking you inside the the ankara bazaar happening here in NYC September 17th & 18th at Studio Arte 265 W 37th St 17th Floor, NY NY 10018. Click here for tickets

NaY


New York Fashion Week: Jenny Packham




Here are some BTS pics
Jenny Packham pre-show

finishing touches
Spring Summer 2017 

Make-up Maven Bobbi Brown
Jenny Packham pre-show interviews






NaY


Thursday, September 15, 2016

New York Fashion Week: Adirée Concept Store


In between my real life duties and my days off, I managed to pop in on a couple of New York Fashion Week events!

My first stop was the Adirée Concept Store, an event hosted by Adirée and Africa Fashion Week founder Adiat Disu. Adirée normally hosts a fashion show featuring African designers from around the world. This year the brand chose to promote the designers and their merchandise in a different way. Instead of walking the runway designers set up shop in a SoHo studio and put their goods on display for purchase. The idea is to get consumers to actually support these business owners by purchasing their merchandise, promoting sustainability.

Check out some of the vendors who participated...

Tegaa
www.tegaa.com

Tegaa
www.tegaa.com

Sareptha Rose
www.sareptharose.com

Sareptha Rose
www.sareptharose.com

Shangani
www.shanganifashion.com

Shangani
www.shanganifashion.com
You could have put together an entire outfit in this showroom!! Vendors had on hand, dresses, suits for men and women, bustiers and skirts! To complete the look there was a wide range of accessories including purses, handbags, clutches bracelets, necklaces and earnings. Pieces were made from vibrant ankara fabrics as well as silk and genuine leather. Many of the products are handmade by artisans across Africa and prices range from as low as $18 to $400+, depending on the product. For more information on vendors and merchandise check out the links below.

Tegaa / Sareptha Rose / Shangani


NaY