Kinda deviating from my signature "La Homme" talk to highlight a facet that is becoming the fashion bridal essence of the Bini Kingdom. A fashion sense so routed in culture, that the rich and vibrant originality of its form is endeared in hard work and excellence.
The Edo Beads, an intricately woven coral Bead, born in the Bini Empire centuries back, depicts the fashion sense and style of the Edo People. This phantom and epitome of elegance synonymous with royalty and bourgeoisie is an infatuation and bridal excellence of the bini wedding.
This Edo Beads often reserved as accessories and intricate for the Bini Royals accentuate a regal feature usually in the form of Crowns, Necklaces, Bracelets and other jewelries to depict wealth, authority and elegance of the Obas (Kings) and their Harem.
These beautiful beads often dated back to centuries are incorporated into bridal apparels and accesories for the modern day his and her in the Kingdom and diaspora.
The Bini Kingdom, a vibrant Kingdom, located in the South Western region of Nigeria is synonymous with kraft and artistry. The culturally exquisite Nigeria boost other apparels like the head gears and other Styles from different cultures which often profess the love of Culture and glamour. The aspiration of any modern day Bini is to clad in these beads though not cheap, herald the glamour of royalty for at least one given day in their lives....their wedding day.
The African Couture is come of age and gaining prominence on the Runway. The New York fashion show, the adoption of African prints amongst contemporary high end European Designers, to mention but a few. However, the buzz is on a small group of Africans by the bank of the Congolese River whose style and underling culture for fashion is far becoming a global trend. Solange Knowles, was so hooked, she would travel to Africa to feature these gentlemen in her music video "loosing you". http://youtu.be/Hy9W_mrY_Vk
"The Sapeurs", otherwise known as the Society of elegant persons of the Congo defines a group of refined and distinctive fashion dandy gentlemen of the Congo and their cult of Elegance. An insanely excruciating style that is uniquely profound and elaborate. These gentlemen often referred to as 'Sapologie Au Congo' depict the robust fashion sense and style of a working class, whose robust creativity and magnanimity ooz charisma and elegance.
The Sapeurs who transcend age and creed have catapulted into the world stage by gaining prominence amongst fashion enthusiast, celebrities and "Guinness". The trendy Lads, their tale of perseverance and extreme love of fashion are featured in a recent 2014 Guinness Ad. The ability to cajole admiration and respect with a "joie de vire" attitude despite difficult odds defies all circumstances.
Their trademark: pilgrim's staffs, keychains, rare Colours, prince of wales pants and shirts, oversized blazers, tailor made suits, kilts, multi coloured brogues, hats, foulards and squares. Borrowed coutures of colonialism with a twisted mildest touch depicts their uniqueness and distinctive style.
"La Sape", abbreviated from the french phrase "Societe des Amblanceurs et des Personnes Elegantes" (the society of advancement of elegant people) originated as a resistant movement in the 60s when Mobutu Sese Seko bared Zairean men from wearing western suits to shun colonialism. However, modern day Congolese soukous musicians like Papa Wemba, Koffi Olomide and Fally Ipupa are instrumental in revitalising the trend
The everyday working class Sapeur in their quest to redefine elegance, have turned the streets of Congo into Runways. This culture and trend exported by the gentlemen of Bacongo is vivid on the red carpet, european runways, congolese gigs and weddings across the globe. The Sapeurs are walking mannequins and trendy models bracing the global stage day in, day out.
The Canadian siblings Dean and Dan Caten, originators of international house of fashion "Dsquared2" have adorned the runway with extravagant and essentric "chic" designs since launching their fashion Lebel in Milan. The Duo, known for their signature designs and elaborate fashion shows are synonymous with elegance and luxury. Gone are the days when runways were boring and short of carnival, thanks to Dsquared2
There is no gainsaying the fact that the Caten twins have created a lebel that is elegant and debonaire.
Their quest for excellence and attention to detail is rewarded with a cult-like following and accolades from Golden Needle and GQ.
Hand made beautifully woven moccasins, mid rise skinny pants with cuffed hems, distressed denims with front button fastening, overlapping rear belt loop are unique and synonymous with the brand. No other designer does it like Dean and Dan. The combination of rare shades, (orange, ochre, garnet, coral, lavender) with natural colours for their male collection depict the aura of the brand. The brand's ability to incorporate denim into formal dressing, a brilliant mastery of their act, sets them apart from their Peers.
The theme for the brand's Spring, Summer 2014 men's collection is "Jungle". This is portrayed by the 50s Indigenous style. Raffias, tropical colours and tribal prints. The theme is derived from the storey of a crashed plane in the Jungle and the idea of survival. The runway is littered with jungle fever adorned by a debris of a crashed Aircraft. This depicts the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the duo.
Dsquared2 will introduce "MadLock", the fall winter 2014/2015 men's collection in Millan on the 14th of January. 9.30 CET. Features live and thereafter on demand on http://bit.ly/L5NX1f
Summer is not only synonymous with the Sun, good weather, tanks, tees but, pops, culture and stories of a quest for trends and style. The reason trend hunters comb unconventional places for inspiration.
Summer has a character, loving colors, blistering pictures, some pleasant and compelling, others, daring facades that are better kept "for our eyes only".
The eye, the window of the soul depicts a seamless culture, the SUNGLASSES, A pair of Sunglasses are must have accessories. For some, a pair of Sunglasses are for the obvious, to dim the shine. For others, Sunglasses are fashion statements.
www.trendhunter.com
Designers across the world are embracing this attitude with an unconventional marriage of retro futuristic Flair to accommodate this trend. No gainsaying the fact that Ray Ban has inspired form factors of Aviator Sunglasses but, there are a lot more to Sunglasses than meets the eye.
Though the love for retro vintage Sunglasses are ever insatiable, the super futuristic Hybrids are becoming a Quest among not only Celebrities that fuel and bread the trend but, among the tribe of Fashioniistas
"Some movie stars wear their Sunglasses even in church.They're afraid God might recognize them and ask for autographs"
~ Fred Allen
Maison Martin Margiela, the Belgian fashion designer (my favourite in accessories) is a minimalist master of Icognito. The Visor Pilot Iccognito Sunglasses from Maison Martin Margiela's SS 2009 collection is a must have for Celebs. These limited version hybrids are pricey and very rare. The oversized Hybrid Aviator Sunglasses featured in Margielas SS 2010 depicts Margiela as a master of his Arts.The highly collectible half amber, half brown tint Tortoiseshell or Black acetate arms Sunglasses is a compelling reason Margiela is above his Peers.
www.upscalehype.com
Finding a suiting pair of Sunglasses can be gruesome and painstaking. Keeping one might prove even more challenging. A pair of trendy Sunglasses complements our charisma. What lies beneath the Sunglasses is deep and seldom times taken for granted. Like all accessories, Sunglasses define and enhances our style and personality. For Folks who have been looking a life time for a pair, I hope you find solace in this quote.
"People have more than one pair of Sunglasses now. People are shopping for it as an accessory not a necessity"
No gainsaying the fact I have had a dwell with writer's block since my last brush with the pen. Oftentimes, I have looked for inspiration to jump start my quest for writing. Needless to say, my solace is oriented in no other place than, the Continent of the rising Sun, “Africa” is formidable. My crave to delve into a euphoria that will arouse my insatiable thirst for writing is conceived.
alibaba.com
Africa, a continent more or less known for her troubles than many triumphs is a powerhouse and recipe for aspiring fashion Labels and Designers.
The picture of an African Designer falling off a New York Runway would feel unusual. However, the fact that Africa will be adding Couture to her Resume is an accolade worth embracing. The African Print though not often celebrated, is beginning to brace the global Runway. Kudos to African Designers, faced with the odds of braking new markets, oftentimes find inspiration from the natural colors of the Continent. Centuries of tradition spiced with oriental and caucasian Twist.
While Ivorian designer Pierre-Antoine Vettorello looked to the Sea for his enthusiastic debut at the New York Fashion Show, Nigerian designer Lanre Da Silva Ajayi archieved a global Profile with her inspirational butterfly Print and floral Designs.
The African Prints and Couture are not just favorites in African Boutique but, are slowly becoming must haves with Divas, the rich and famous of the Western World. Luxury Parisian Designers like Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton and Jean Paul Gaultier are trailblazing African Designs and incorporating them into their Couture.
Fashion shows and Runways are gyrating metropolitan african Cities like Lagos and Johannesburg. Though the later is positioning herself as the fashion al la carte of the Continent, we have to acknowledge other vibrant African cities and African diaspora Designers that are tailored to walk the global Runway and clad Mannequins and west closets with the vibrant colors of Africa.
Howbeit, Africa's finest designers like Clive Rundle, Tiffany Amber, Zizi Cardow, Black Coffee and Deola Sagoe have International acclaim, Clive Rundle is in a class of his own. His designs are not only golden in his native South Africa but, world over.
Deola Sogue, is a household name in the global fashion Industry. Her unique approach to detail and wild distinctive coherence of African Fabric and western Silhouette wallowed her Fans at the New York fashion Show. She bagged herself the unofficial title of the "rebel of African Couture" hence, the realism of an African combination of Ann Demeulemeester and Alexander McQueen.
The African fashion Industry will strive for greater heights. It has the resourses and the know how to stay afloat.
No qualms, Raffia textiles and Beads from the African Continent will soon take the center Stage of the fashion Industry.
"I have no problem with whatever the next big look is. Just don't try and tell me that only one look is beautiful."
I like a man who can be a real friend, has a good sense of humor, a good pair of shoes and a healthy gold card.
~Victoria Beckham
Must work my nerves to make any sense off the above quote. Truth is, the pedigree of a man's elegance is somewhat associated to the soles that adorn his feet. The norms linked to the poetry of a man's shoes, is in the loop with his behavioural pattern. Author and Shoeologist Donna Sazio in her book "Never Trust A Man in Alligator Loafers: What his Shoes Really Say About His True Love Potential" personates a man's aspirations and romantic preferences to his pair of shoes. Sazio's school of thoughts is, how a man wears and handles his shoes is a portrait of his romantic predilection. "A man may wear his heart on his sleeve but his shoes will tell you what condition it’s in!"
My candid opinion of that doctrine is vivid, outright irreverent to women. However, Sazio's right to freedom of expressions I utterly uphold and cherish.
Shoes however come in different varieties, shapes and forms. (Leather, Skin, Fabric, Scholl, Clogs etc.)
Though the former (kudos to Gucci) is the most distinctive and prominent, the latter has a history that can be traced back to diverse European countries.
The leather Shoe, oftentimes the formal or, what is referred to as the "church shoes" by us church goers is the ultimate favorite. However, with the emergence of skinny jeans, the good old Converse All Star chucks Taylor canvas shoes are becoming more trendy. This has given rise to all sorts of chucks inspired Teenie Shoes ranging from Prada to Dsquared2. However, Paul Smith Musas are my preference.
Lately, boots of all kinds are becoming cool and very trendy for for all seasons. Remember Lenny Kravitz roaming the streets of New York in wedges Boot. The hype with rubber Boots in Europe is sending designers back to drawing boards. This is insanely trendy in winter.
Suedes and Loafers, are the all time classics. These all weather Slacks are creeping back to our Racks. The good about these Slackers is, you can use them as casual and smart casuals. Again you have got to give the loafers to Gucci. Gucci has got the best designer Loafers out there. British designer Paul Smith, synonymous with Musas is the master Cobbler of Suede.
This summer will possibly herald various kinds of Flip flops and Sandals. Though the plastic Brazilian Flip flops are cheap options to the high end ones, Sandals are hitting the runways big time. High end designers are embracing Sandals and drowning them out. However, they are cheaper models that look just as good.
I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes, I had one thousand and sixty.
Ever tried walking in someone else's shoes, prospects are you might not be able to carry on comfortably, save you are Lenny Kravitz. The trendy Rocker strolls the New York Street wearing a leather pant tucked in a Rick Owen black knee high Wedge Boots. I applaud his courage. Like or hate it, were it not for the courageous visionary fashion sense of Lenny, one would rather drown in the caprice of the fashion world going bizarrely nuts.
You may say the fashion world is grasping at straws, but this should rather not come as an awe in this ever evolving world. The fashion industry is revolutionizing and reinventing itself. If a woman can parade herself in a boyfriend shirt and bowler hat, the need for men devising trends that would feminize their ego should not be called to question.
Designers are jilting the fashion gender divide to portray the feminine debacle concealed in the male chauvinistic character. Male fashion trends are becoming less macho. The Scottish Kilts are no longer trends associated to the Celtic Nations but, are evolving to influence the male trends of our time. Men now portray trends that are skirt cultivated and blouse inspired.
Often times, men that parade themselves in female influenced trends are seen as Pariahs. However, this aura of feminine culture is bracing male Mannequin on our high street shops. The male society oozes with ego hence, the daring desire to spice it up with a touch of femininity.
Floral inspired designs, checks and colors synonymous with women are flocking the runways like locust. This is evident in D&G 2011 Spring and Summer Collection. Back in the day, a man dare not clad rare feminine colors like pink and lavender. Male taboo colors are becoming very trendy. White is the new black, and men are up and about in daring bright colors
Tote clutching men are not just hitting the runways but, are becoming evident sightings on work places and very macho dominated bousousie environments. High Heels and extroverts associated with hype artists like Price Rogers Nelson (Prince) and Terrence Trent D'Arby are trends to look out for.
"The customs and fashions of men change like leaves on bough, some of which go and others come"
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