The epic finale of African Fashion International Week 2011 in South Africa dished out consistent style – perfect for the upcoming Spring/Summer 2012 season! If you’re looking for a perfect evening look or something jazzy to wear for Memorial Day weekend next year, AFI SA ’11 has that and much more.
Before we collectively oooh and ahh over the latest African fashion designs, let’s reflect on the coveted award ceremony held to recognize the designers. African Fashion International Week 2011 honored top and emerging designers within the design community. Jewel By Lisa of Nigeria picked up the Designer of the Year award. Ghana’s Ozwald Boateng snagged the Designer of the Year, International Award. Nigeria’s Maki Oh won Emerging Designer of the Year, Africa. Ghana’s rising star Mimi Plange won Emerging Designer of the Year, International. Maya Antoun picked up the Accessories Designer of the Year. Munaluchi Bridal Magazine salutes all the winners, nominees and designers who supported the African Fashion International Week 2011 event!
Are you ready to be amazed by the finale? Here’s a quick look back at my favorite looks.
Johannesburg’s well-respected designer David Tlale continues to push style boundaries with hip avant-garde, voluminous looks in dazzling hues of mustard yellow, cobalt blue and burnt orange. Sticking with the season’s hottest trend to try – sheer, Tlale’s cutting-edge designs combined sass with bold that can easily take you from day to night. My favorite look from the collection is the Grecian-inspired orange number.
With the stunning collection of swimwear Lalesso’s design duo Olivia Kennaway and Alice Heusser dished out, you can easily forget the cold winter season. Beachwear cover-ups have never looked more chic! Lalesso, formerly known as La Kanga, not only created vibrant, tribal-Eastern African-inspired prints but each clothing piece in their resort Summer collection is specifically handmade in Kenya. Effortlessly mixing custom-made Kanga prints and promoting positive pro-Made in Africa garments paid off when Lalesso won Glamour’s Designer of the Year Award last year. Judging by the winning formula Lalesso produced for AFI ’11, more accolades are to come!
Mary-Ann Kaikai emerged into the design scene in 2009 to provide stylish and affordable looks for her fellow Sierra Leoneans! For AFI 2011, Madam Wokie provided elegant, tastefully done looks for a night out on the town. Madam Wokie brilliantly stuck with peplum dress, keyhole blouses, fitted skirts, strapless, bandage cuts and wax prints. Madam Wokie even made a business suit look date night-worthy! This collection targets women who appreciates fun, flirty looks on the go. If you’re looking for a great statement-making look to wear to an upcoming wedding date, Madam Wokie has a look for you. My favorite look from Madam Wokie’s new collection is the lime green and blue skirt and blouse combo.
Oversized beach wax-print handbags stuck true to Intisaar Mukadam’s rich Zimbabwe heritage. Her beach/summer-ready collection mixed bold colors with textures and prints. Hues of purple and lime green were dominant as well as voluminous wax print silkiness.
The self-taught Zimbabwean-born fashion designer Maita Marimo not only redesigned but revamped the classic trench coat and the little black dress with waist-defining emphasis. Sticking with the stunning combination of taffeta and tapestry, Maita provided elegant red carpet looks for the sophisticated woman!
British Council Prize 2011 winner Colin Ratisai created an exquisite palette of bright, funky colors for his Spring-ready collection from jerseys to floor-sweeping lengths. Not one looked demure nor safe but bold, daring and sophisticated.
photo credits: Simon Deiner for AFI
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