Purple Rain

Photo Credit: Marek Fuchs

Behind-the-Scenes at Mashariki Mix

Presenter Nic Wangundu in Kiko Romeo

Presenter Sarah Hassan in Kiko Romeo

These kids are crazier than they look; dressing them is a joy and a nightmare at once. Watch Mashariki Mix weeknights on AfricaMagic (M-NET) channels 127 & 128. Oh, and this was shot at the quite elegant Osinkirri Restaurant in Nairobi.

Look Who's Come to Town

Spotted at the Kitenge Festival

One Degree of Separation

My tiny world has finally collided with the legend that is The Sartorialist. Yesterday the photog (famed for his street-style depictions) tweeted that he was in Joburg, which sent alarm bells ringing in my head. Today I see he's photographed Kenyan model Elsie Njeri backstage at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Africa. This is epic. And the photo is wonderful.

"On the Street... Backstage Mercedes Benz Africa Fashion Week, Johannesburg"
Image courtesy of www.TheSartorialist.com

Behind-the-Scenes at Mashariki Mix

Presenter Sarah Hassan wears Angelsmile (Designer, Wambui Kibue)

Watch Mashariki Mix weeknights on channels 127 & 128 AfricaMagic (M-NET). Shot at the ever impressive TRIBE HOTEL.

Behind-the-Scenes at Mashariki Mix

Presenter Sarah Hassan in Angelsmile (Designer, Wambui Kibue)

Presenter Nic Wangundu in Armario Collection

Watch Mashariki Mix weeknights on channels 127 & 128 AfricaMagic (M-NET).

Designer LookBook: Wambui Mukenyi

I have a soft spot in my heart for Kenyan design studio Wambui Mukenyi. The designer (of the same name) is innovative and clever about her designer moves, and at the same time very practical about what she presents. Here, a sampling from her latest collection:

See the full collection at WambuiMukenyi.com.

Fashion Africa Seminar 2012

AfricaFashionGuide (in partnership with online retailers Closet49) hosted a Nairobi conference on October 17th, and invited me to be a panelist, which was super nice of them.

Up for discussion were questions about the business of fashion, ethical considerations around fashion production in Africa, as well as how viable the continent is as a source for cotton and textiles.

Myself, designer Ziki of Afrofanatic, & Jaffar Jackson

Maureen Gathoni of Imagine Pictures, Susan Wong, & Linda Mureithi

AFG founder Jacqueline Shaw (right)

Mark Stephenson of Sandstorm Kenya & Prama Bhardwaj of Mantisworld

Designer Ann McCreath for Kiko Romeo

Abagi and Franklyn of Closet49

On the panel

Big thanks to AfricaFashionGuide founder Jacqueline Shaw for including me in this convening, such a treat to take part in an ongoing conversation about the direction of fashion and retail on the continent. Follow her @AfricaFashGuide.

All images courtesy of Closet49.

Quintessential Annabel and Marek

Today was the Czech National Day party at this really gorg place here in Nairobi. I'm an honourary Czech, so makes sense that I was there ;-) I wish I could've taken some blog pics of all the different characters, but it's not really appropriate at these diplomatic things... As for Marek and I, we were typically ourselves. 

Marek is suited, takes a break from the skinny tie

Venue, Lord Errol

Czech friends everywhere!

I wore this green on green combo, but what makes it interesting is that it was entirely sourced from the flea market, including the shoes and jewellery.

blouse - 100 shillings 

skirt - 50 shillings (tailored for 100 shillings)

necklaces x3 - 250 shillings each

sunglasses - 300 shillings

shoes (blue patent leather pumps not pictured here, but they were gooood) - 1500 shillings

TOTAL Ksh2800 ($33!)

The moral of the story is that you can't beat a great market bargain, no matter how fancy the crowd.

Please Indulge My Usual Obsession

This is for real the perfect cover.