A Box Cut

"The Khaki Army" by Micah G., Stylist/Blogger from Melbourne

A box hair cut and a great ensemble made up of individually standout pieces. How wonderful! Image taken from LOOKBOOK.nu.

Fashion Star Alert: @Fatbellybella is a-Comin.

What I Wore

"The Upstairs", The Launch

November 16

Image courtesy of Generali Njogu

I am still obsessed with this striped skirt that I bought months ago from Mr. Price (Ksh 1,800). This skirt literally goes with everything. Mixed prints were born to go with stripes. I've paired it with a leopard print before, even more stripes, pink, and neon. Here for the first time I wore it with a crop top and boots. I'm not typically a fan of exposed navel, but once in a while...

Fashion for Peace Gala 2012

November 17

Image courtesy of Generali Njogu

Black velvet. Certainly a first for me but the suit worked out because I had it tailored to fit exactly. I bought it at the last minute, since menswear is my classic fall-back for events, especially one as important to me as FAFA. It's not the most slimming look in the world, but that's always the downside of textured fabrics. One great advantage is that I stayed warm the entire night and didn't have to wear towering heels to make it work.

TRIBE HOTEL Pop-Up Design Store, Cocktail Launch

November 20

Image courtesy of Lydia Kim

Pictured here with my new fashionable friend and photographer Lydia Kim, I wore this cut-out blouse with my trusty leather leggings and clogs. I was a tad under-dressed for cocktails but my week didn't allow me the mental strength to do more. Lydia on the other hand looked superb in her graphic print blazer. Her hair is some of the best hair in Nairobi, so this post is really about her.

Some Music and a Little DRESSUPNATION

Lately, far more than usual has been happening with DRESSUPNATION on the music front. First, we collaborated with Kenyan superband SAUTI SOL, alongside luxury menswear retailers Barton Melablooms and Teddy Mitchener's House of Photografy to shoot the band's new promo poster. It was a crazy, long, hectic day full of laughs and a lot of dapperness. Tricia Wanjala did the makeup and Mashariki Mix captured it all for posterity, to be aired on Christmas day. Can't wait to share the final product!

Wardrobe fitting at BARTON, Village Market

THEN, we had the privilege of styling singer Sanaipei Tande's (Winner, Pop Stars 2009) new vid, a collaboration with notorious Swahili rapper Jua Kali. The good-girl-gone-ghetto vibe suits Sanaipei like a glove. Here, some behind the scenes:

Jua & Sana pose with young fans

TRIBE HOTEL: Celebrating A New Designer Pop-Up Store

Zawadi Nyongo, Isis Nyongo, & Shamim Ehsani of TRIBE

TRIBE's Sunny Dolat peddles sweet treats

Ambient beats by DJ Cortega

Designers Ambica Shah (Kapoeta) & Rohini Das (Unbound Ether Silks)

TRIBE is always on the side of the artist, and that's what makes that place more than just a really beautiful hotel. Thanks Sunny and Shamim. Designers at the pop-up store this time around are Kaveke menswear, Kapoeta feathered accessories, Unbound Ether Silks, Ruth Abade kitenge designs, and Jewels of Loyangalani.

Classic. FAFA 2012

Image courtesy of FRANCOIS AUSSEILL

FAFA 2012: It Finally Happened

Ok, so I haven't blogged in fully a week. It's been a blur of a work week, which all culminated in the fashion madness of **drum roll** FAFA 2012! I write about the Festival for African Fashion & Art (Fashion for Peace) all the time so you should already know what it is and how important it is on the Nairobi fashion calendar.

Here's a snippet of what went on:

On arrival. This is the face of eager anticipation. Great seats, right?

The stage is set.

The first collection is by FAFA Insight Emerging Designer winner Jamil Walji (Kenya).

Designer: Azra Walji (Kenya)

Designer: Galina Tatarinova (Russia)

Designer: Gloria Wavamunno (Uganda)

The press line

Designer: Anna Adero (Kenya)

Designer: KOOROO (Ethiopia)

Designer: Nike Kondakis (Denmark, Kenya)

Designer: Zekaryas Solomon (UK)

Designer: Kiko Romeo (Kenya)

FAFA Founder and Kiko Romeo Designer Ann McCreath with daughter Iona

Designer: MUDI Africa (Nigeria)

Designer: Deepa Dosaja (Kenya)

Feathered accessories by Kapoeta

Designer: Monica Kanari (Kenya)

Designer: John Kaveke (Kenya)

Designer: B'Exotiq (Ghana)

Designer B'Exotiq with the dapper Marek Fuchs

DJ Zelalem

...his music was half the show

Designer Wambui Mukenyi & Fashion Blogger Nancie Mwai 

FAFA Founder Ann Mcreath, Presenter Martin Keino, & Muthoni the Drummer Queen 

My friend, Designer Nike Kondakis

Big, big thanks to Marek Fuchs for being my private photographer (all images are courtesy of him and his patiently putting up with my barking orders); I was a little too frenzied to take my own (obviously). It was literally like having all my friends under one roof (tent in this case). Plus there were a few too many drinks...
I just had a really good time, because as a fashion person this is just the kind of moment you wait for. You wait to be presented beautiful things, to eat something yummy, and hang out with a bunch of people just like you.

Many other thank-yous are in order: Valerie Coulibaly (Africasens), Arnolda Shiundu along with the rest of the vast FAFA team, and of course my friend Ann McCreath who created this whole thing and always just gets the job done. We do it all again next year I hope.

See more pics and read the full story at Kenyabuzz.