KIKO ROMEO Dresses Lupita's Mom

As #Lupitafever runs into fever pitch, her mom (who by the way is my Auntie Dot, shameless plug) is now officially in on the action. Sunday's BAFTA red carpet introduced the world to the woman behind the child-wonder Lupita Nyong'o. Graceful, beautiful, and every inch as poised as her now world-famous offspring, Mrs. Dorothy Nyong'o wore none other than Kenyan fashion brand KIKO ROMEO. Yes, Kenya!

Dorothy Nyong'o alongside BAFTA-nominated Lupita Nyongo.

Oh - Lupita wore Dior Couture and Anna Khouri accessories. Her supporting role in 12 Years a Slave was honoured with an overall Best Picture win. The Oscars follow in two short weeks.

GUINNESS Shines a Light on Les Sapeurs

I mean, La Sape is one of the dopest fashion sub-cultures I know of. It declares that less-than-ideal circumstances don't have to stop you from living your full life. There's a great deal of dignity in being stylish.

Posted on the blog a couple of weeks ago, here's the GUINNESS ad that condenses this whole story.

"In life you can always choose who you are."

In Case You Had Any Doubts About Spring Florals

Image courtesy of Fashion Bomb Daily

New York Magazine and Lupita Nyong'o confirm what we already suspected: Spring florals ARE IN. Very in.

Check out the story here.

Best Foot Forward: Fashion High Tea 2014

Every year at about this time, Zen Garden in Nairobi hosts it's annual Fashion High Tea. Yes, it's a pretty fancy affair. There's Moët on tap, a sushi bar on ice, a cheese corner, cater waiters, lots of little boutique stands, cupcakes, beer, a deejay playing somewhere, preening ladies, cute little sandwiches with the crusts cut off, strawberries, fresh-cut flowers, models, people-watching, and LOTS AND LOTS of fashion. No other public event in this town (that I've seen anyway) inspires people to really make a civilized effort.

I've been to this thing every year since its inception, and every year I'm even more keen. There's a certain anticipation. For one thing, you have to plan what to wear. It's not a "Oh I'll just see what I have in the closet" sort of occasion. There's a lot to coordinate: dress, shoes, bag, hat. And if you have a partner or a friend, you have to plan what they'll wear too! It all has to work. And that... is exactly the kind of thing I live for.

This year did not disappoint. Literally the first thing I saw when we got there was Franklin Saiyalel's cane! Yes, a cane. Metallic handle. Fashion twins Wambui Kibue and Wambui Thimba wore the same designer (Angelsmile) with entirely different results: one in trendy mixed prints and a flash of navel, the other in a classic to-the-knee red cocktail look with a matching fascinator. Both looked perfect. The handsome Heineken administration showed a united front in matching blue seersucker suits. Sauti Sol, who've been looking really grown and clean lately all wore jackets in that expertly "broken" style they've perfected. Fashion PR Strategist Diana Opoti and I (clearly of the same mind) chose a riot of floral print and colour: hers, a high-skirt creation by David Tlale; me - a custom suit by Ankara Vintage. Even the snake-tongued MC Fareed Khimani rode the masculine version of the floral wave with a black brocade blazer that fit him like a glove.

We sipped, nibbled, air-kissed, preened, gossiped, laughed, posed, enjoyed a runway show, won a raffle (a Samsung printer), and drank some more.

On a less shallow note, after all the canapées are eaten and the last of the Prosecco is drunk, a portion of the ticket proceeds go to a charitable cause. A little tipsy and with hurting feet, we all go home reluctantly, and wait to do it all over again next year. Special thanks to Shivani Radia Patel of Zen Garden for being an ever-graceful host, and the rest of the Fashion High Tea producers, designers, and sponsors, who really know how to throw down.

I live for summer florals. Here, a custom-made suit by Ankara Vintage. Marek in blue summer linen. Image: Mi-Fone

That plastic skirt on the left! Image: Nick Klaus.

Larry Jakanoi. Image: Nick Klaus

Wambui Thimba in Angelsmile

Wambui Kibue, Designer at Angelsmile

Blaze of Mi-Fone (centre) with Vandana Hart (right) and friend.

Franklin Saiyalel, cane, & Suzie Wokabi of SuzieBeauty.

Marek Fuchs of Africacentric, Floris Dekampenaer of Heineken.

Chimano (Sauti Sol), Edward Ngera, Max Richiedei. Image: Nick Klaus.

Models wear whatever they damn want.

Image: Nick Klaus

Sarah Hassan & Nick Mutuma of Mashariki Mix

Makeup artist Steve Koby (right) and friend.

Diana Opoti of Designing Africa

Shivani Radia Patel & Payal Radia of Zen Garden & Fashion High Tea

Designers that showcased at the Fashion High Tea runway show included Njema Helena, KOOROO, Masaba, Shenu Hooda, & Neha.


Images courtesy of Eye-Con Photography, Nick Klaus, and Mi-Fone. Thank-you!

DAVID TLALE for NYFW

South African fashion export David Tlale has shown his first solo collection at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. We love Tlale not just because he's an African designer climbing the ranks at an international level, but also for his sense of overstated elegance. Soon, even people like me will drop the "African" from the description and just call him a "designer".

Veteran model and Africa's Next Top Model host Oluchi closes the show:

Oluchi Orlandi of Africa's Next Top Model fame

Images courtesy of Destiny Connect.

Isn't This the Best Outfit EVER?

"Darkness" by Jelena K., singer from Belgrade, Serbia.

Image courtesy of Lookbook.nu.

And So It Continues... Lupita for VOGUE ITALIA

Surprisingly, some very attainable styling here from VOGUE Italia. All images courtesy of TheYBF.

Gaddam!

Vanity Fair 20th Annual Hollywood Issue, photographed by Annie Leibovitz.

"To celebrate Vanity Fair's 20th Annual Hollywood Issue, the magazine celebrates a year of spectacular film with distinguished actors. The cover is a three-panel foldout by photographer Annie Leibovitz. It features Oscar nominees Lupita Nyong'o, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jared Leto, Julia Roberts, Idris Elba, Michael B Jordan, Naomie Harris, Brie Larson, Chadwick Boseman among many others!"


At this point, I no longer have any words regarding Lupita Nyong'o, her fame, her fabulousness, and her most remarkable Stylist. We wait for the Academy Awards in March.

Here's the actual VANITY FAIR cover:

It's That Time of Year Again: FASHION HIGH TEA

Get event and ticket details here.

Introducing: The SWAADY Collection by Adele Dejak

"Hold on to your bag straps because you're about to be introduced to a new, dynamic side to Adele Dejak.

This year, we're launching our AD LUX range of products and the first collection, Swaady, is here! 

Swaady encompasses the African luxury movement – celebrating a rich African heritage while welcoming the African Renaissance.

We've taken to the next level, what we already do well. Working, as always, with the best artisans in Uganda and Kenya, Swaady comprises of handmade bags and jewellery, made from horn, recycled aluminium and recycled brass. "

Bahati bangle

Furaha Kuba Bag

Swaady Kitenge Bag

Swaady Hide Bag

Furaha Kitenge Bag

Swaady bags and jewellery launch at the Tribal Chic show in Nairobi at the end of 2013.

Find out more about and order Adele Dejak products here.

#MadeinKenya