Chic Afrique

I see Matthew Williamson has finally gotten bored of pimping India and has now moved onto the tribal chic of Africa. As you might have noticed the deluxe boho hippy urban explorer meets out of Africa is HUGE for summer 08.

Matthew Williamson has created a 'vivid expression of the global fashionista'. 'An English rose who dreams of travel and adventure' as his muse, he's utilised African prints and African detail on his new collection. FYI, he's just had a massive cash injection into his company so maybe he just decided to get on a plane to Africa (the country) instead of using up his airmiles on Air India.....

I poke fun but I actually really like Matthew Williamson. he might not be the most exciting but he's consistent in his 'pretty' collections...and for a girl like me pretty will always trump edgy. And I like this collection. One of the best Chic Afrique I've seen from a mainstream designer. I'd wear A LOT of this stuff. You?


I'm loving that soft cotton tie die scarf. Looks fab with the white blazer. I want one. And FYI yes he did do that 'dip dip dye' dress Thandie wore (http://tigerbites.blogspot.com/2007/12/18-days-and-countingdip-dip-dye.html)


... I like the 2nd and 3rd in this pic. Its the scarf....


I love the skirt in the 3rd image. I wear skirts like that a lot. Love this print...and that bag in the left...nice.


Matty often does great belts and this Masai style belt with the yellow dress....I. Must. Have. And yellow is my new favourite colour. But wait, its the scarf again in the 3rd image....I really want one.



Very Talitha Getty rocking the kasbah in Marrakech...but I so want the 3rd dress. Black and pink are always a hot combo and the little peek of lace makes this damn sexy.

Tiger's Daily Bite - Taste of Africa

No stone is left unturned in the current Africa trend.

Interesting.



Available from www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

Everybody wants a piece of African Style...

Well, well, well...what have we here.

On my usual research mission, I stumbled upon this interesting collection by an Asian designer called Valentine Leung. She's a New York based designer known for her playful and quirky take on timeless shapes and styles.

Valentine Leung is a New York based fashion designer known for her playfully quirky take on classic and wearable silhouettes. As a styling assistant on major titles like Italian Vogue, W, I-D, Dutch, Japanese Vogue and Teen Vogue to name a few, she definitely has the inside track on what is hot now and what will be hot next season. Her firsy collection debuted in Autumn/Winter 2006 and since she's already managed to be featured in magazines as ELLE, HarperÕs Bazaar, Marie Claire, Teen Vogue, Nylon, Lucky and People amongst others. AND she's got a handful of stylish celebs in her clothes...Rachel Bilson, Camille Belle and Isla Fisher to name a few.

In her fourth season as a designer, Valentine is already stocked in 26 stores worldwide such as Barneys Tokyo, Nordstrom, Intermix and Printemps in Paris.


Take a look and let me know what you think.


Valentine Belle Butterfly Dress




Valentine Jewel V Shape Yoke Dress



Valentine Shelly Tank Ruffle Hem Dress
Love this dress! No disrespect intended but I have to say I have something shockingly similar courtesy of my tailor in Lagos. Still can't knock her hustle. I just wish more African designers would get their stuff OUT there properly. There's a lot of talent but for some reason people seem to reluctant/scared to sell abroad...why is that?

Instead behemoths like Old Navy, and designers like Cacherel and now Valentine bite our style. Hmmmm.

www.valentineleung.net