Mama Africa: AFWNY Day 2

Article by : Shantoel McLeod

Mama Africa: AFWNY

From vibrant prints and stand-out colors to rhythm-like patterns, the young talents at African Fashion Week 2012 fused their beloved culture into innovate pieces that will made us earn to visit the mother land.

Farai Simoyi

 

Farai Simoyi, rises to the occasion by connecting her African roots with Chinese culture through a variety of mix matching patterns and luxe fabric that perfectly balance a modern, retro feel in structure jackets and color-me-bad bold juicy shades flare dresses. A trade route was the inspiration for her chic, causal yet demand -attention line. "The collection is call the “Silk Road”, it was a trade route between China and parts of Africa, something a lot of people don't know about.” This route guided the talent designer to intertwine the two distinct cultures to one dynamic line.

Gustavo Garcia

Like his fellow designer, Gustavo Garcia used his Afro-Bolivian background to channel a contemporary line of eye-catching checkered pattern earth tone poncho, sheer blouses and a color blocking royal blue, black and white jumpsuit. One of my fave piece of Garcia’s line is his mellow-yellow blazer with a middle zipper and frontal pockets (love love LOVE it). 

Agama Label

The Friday event of AFWNY also host three male designers with an urban, Tommy Hilfiger-like appeal, consisting of all American logo collared shirts and button downs—fashion with a good cause, the designers promote self confidence through their pieces.

Ill-la-la

“Ill-la-la” may be the most creative yet best describe name for the edgy and bold unisex line, consisting of floral and Aztec pattern designs complete with causal bottom downs for men and fun flirty dresses. Where simplicity meets luxury!