Christie Brown [Ghana] [Image credit: Afromatic Daydream Necklace – Chrisite Brown] Make a bold statement this summer with these gorgeous button bib necklaces from Ghanaian fashion label Christie Brown. Getting you noticed is a crop of brown, blue or fuchsia coloured feathers fanning out from a cluster of assorted Ankara fabric-covered buttons. The colourful necklaces are part of Christie Brown’s latest capsule collection called ‘Afromatic Daydream’. To learn more about the Christie Brown label and its creator, Ais-a Obuobi, read an earlier post here. [Image credit: Afromatic Daydream Necklace – Chrisite Brown] When I’ve exhibited my own jewellery creations in the […]
Read MoreArchitecture: A Home Built in Celebration of Love
Joe Osae-Addo [Ghana] [Image credit: dwell/Dook – September 2007] Building your own house is a dream for many and it is always so interesting to see what people come up with, spanning the range of beautifully inspired interiors to what were they thinking. Whilst browsing one of my favourite blogs – alifemorefabulous – I came across the stunning and innovative home of Ghanaian-born architect Joe Osae-Addo and was immediately struck by the abundant use of natural materials and how open, light and airy the space is. Osae-Addo’s home is a showcase of contemporary African architecture at its best.
Read MoreFood & Drink: Dorah Sithole Cooking from Cape to Cairo
Dorah Sithole [South Africa] [Image source: Tafelberg] Whether it’s a steaming plate of sadza ne nyama, a beautifully fragranced lamb tagine, spicy jollof rice or a Sunday roast; our favourite foods done just the way we like it provide a source of comfort, reminding us of Mum’s good home cooking and with Mother’s Day in the UK a week away, on Sunday 3rd April what a good day as any to get together, cook up a feast and honour our Mothers as we make them feel extra, extra special. As the flurry of gift buying gets underway if your Mum […]
Read MoreFashion: Sika Blending London Style with an African Aesthetic
Sika [Ghana] [Image credits: Wonderland Collection – Sika] I was strolling through Greenwich Market Wednesday afternoon trying to while up some time before a meeting and took the opportunity to pop into Cherry Picked Boutique, the home of Sika’s pretty dresses, to see if they had some of the new collection I had seen online. Greenwich Market is one of my favourite places in London and the place where I first came across the Sika label when whilst perusing the stalls a flash of, the now ubiquitous, Wax Cloth fabric caught my eye in one of the boutiques surrounding the perimeter. This […]
Read MoreFashion: Sustainable Underwear
David Adjaye for Pact [Ghana/Kenya] [Image source: Dezeen] More known for adding to a city skyline and working with more rigid materials, reknowned architect David Adjaye teamed up with US clothing manufacturer and retailer, PACT to design a collection of sustainable men’s and women’s underwear to benefit the Green Belt Movement. PACT’s partnership with the Green Belt Movement meant that 20 trees were planted for every pair sold during Earth Week, April 2010, as 100% of each sale was donated to the organisation. Following on from the Earth Week launch, 10% of the sale price for each pair is donated towards the initiative. […]
Read MoreFashion: Coccolily’s Bold, Edgy Silhouettes
Coccolily [Ghana] A belief that every woman deserves to be draped in luxury and have her body enhanced with special clothes is the philosophy of designer, Naana Tennachie Yankey whose bold, edgy designs are softened with feminine touches. Named Coccolily, Naana’s line is daring yet playful designed to draw out the edge and sexuality within every woman. [Image credits: Autumn/Winter 2010 – Coccolily] Coccolily is infused with elements of European flare and Naana’s colourful heritage, a reflection of her diverse background that took her from Ghana to the UK, to the USA and eventually settling in Canada. Naana […]
Read MoreFood & Drink: Irresistible Delectable treats From G Desserts
G Desserts [Image credit: G Desserts] My sister is an avid baker often conjuring up the most delectable treats, so one day a few weeks ago whilst watching her whip up a batch of cupcakes I mused the rise and rise of the cupcake, and where they could possibly go next… so imagine my delight when I came across a Daily Candy London posting on the most exquisite looking cupcakes encased in a glass jar. How simple but ingenious an idea brought to you by Gillian Boateng of G Desserts. [Image credits: G Desserts] The idea was one born out of practicality – […]
Read MoreBeauty: Tamu Luxury Organic Skincare, Beauty with responsibility
Tamu [Ghana] [Image source: MissEcoGlam] ‘Beauty with responsibility’ is the ethos of Tamu, a luxury organic skincare range inspired by traditional African remedies. Using unrefined Shea and Cocoa butter Afriyie Boateng, Tamu’s creator, works in partnership with women from her mother’s village in Goaso, Ghana to produce her handmade products and has a desire to see the traditional skills involved preserved. Tamu is all about indulging the senses; along with mouthwatering scents like Coconut and Lime, Almond Brule and Cocoa Vanilla caress your skin with sensual body oils, handmade soaps and luxurious hand whipped body butters. Containing organic ingredients that have […]
Read MoreFashion: Savile Row Tailoring from Ozwald Boateng
Ozwald Boateng [Ghana] [Image credits: Ozwald Boateng] A well-dressed man in a sharply tailored suit is usually a sight to behold and this area is the forte of Savile Row tailor Ozwald Boateng, who knows all to well the power of sharp tailoring and attention to detail and is widely credited with introducing Savile Row tailoring to a new generation. With Boateng’s designs exuding confidence and individualism, defined by his signature use of colour which brings a contemporary feel to classic tailoring, 2010 sees Ozwald Boateng celebrate 25 years in the fashion business and for a glimpse into the man behind […]
Read MoreFashion: Christie Brown’s Pretty Feminine Style
Christie Brown [Ghana] [Image credits: myasho] Aisha Obuobi’s dresses are so pretty and feminine, combining traditional prints with silks in a ray of gorgeous colours. The dresses below caught my eye whilst browsing myasho an online e-tailer of African designer clothing. For me these gorgeous frocks capture that feeling of impatience and excitement of when I was a child waiting to get dressed up in my party dress and having everyone tell me how pretty I looked. In a flattering style they are perfect for occasions that demand effortless chic and easily take you from day to night with heels or flats, […]
Read MoreFood &Drink: Divine Chocolate Made with Ghanaian Cocoa
Divine Chocolate [Ghana] [Image credits: Divine Chocolate] Fairtrade packaging has often meant a palette of natural earthy colours and utilising materials like hemp, sisal and handmade paper as a way of giving added credibility to the principles of the product, and whilst there is nothing wrong with this products can end up looking samey-samey when vying for our attention on the store shelf. Eliciting comments like ‘It is refreshing to see a fair trade product packaged as beautifully as this’ (Lovely Package, 2009) and ‘…elegant packaging makes them the perfect gift’ (the Guardian Eco Store), Divine Chocolate made with Ghanaian cocoa is a brand […]
Read More
