After the devastating Tsunami and earthquake that took place last week there have been various fundraisers and fundraising attempts to try and help and support the people of Japan as much as possible. At my university fundraisers sold Krispy Kreme doughnuts for £7.00 a box of 12 delicious doughnuts... I must say they tasted real good!!! All donations were sent to those of Japan. I remember hearing the news on that day, the next morning in my daily shower prayers I just had to thank God for my life, the people I have and the house that I'm living under, a sense of appreciation over whelmed
d me and just made me realise that no one should take life for granted, no matter the struggles that are taking place, breath is a precious thing.During this week it was so exciting to see the beautiful Salonge Knowles bring forward an idea to help Japan through fashion.

Yesterday the long awaited Culture Shock show took place, the stress, headache, panic, r u s h, runabouts, e r r o n s, pick ups.. WOWWW the list could go on forever, these feelings and the changes of moods all took place yesterday. However, i must say it was all worth it!! the turnout of the show was rather disappointing, on the other hand the show was defiantly and undoubtebly a learning curve and an enjoyable experience.

I learnt the importance of team work, the frustration that came along with trying to get things done with only a minimum amount of people showed the relevance of a strong group/team as well as organisation and, unarguably the importance of preparation. I saw so much potential in the show, with having been a part of this I really hope to develop and bring together ideas for a show such as Culture shock.

One big craze to look out for this season is BEAUTIFUL, BOLD , COLOURS. Mix and match of the finer shades of yellows, oranges and pinks should definitely be in your wardrobe this spring. I used to always be weary of experimenting with colour, i love my black, I have a little thing for black, I've always found it s e x y, however a bit of colour can never go a miss. This month the beautiful Liya Kebede featured in In Style editorial spread and it was titled 'Mad about Colour' and of course i fell in love with it! it became my inspiration for this post, which I have dedicated to COLOUR.







I was instantly drawn to this unique Gucci dress pictured on the left. I love the tassel panels on each side it creates a Safari resort feel to it and really does look gorgeous. I fell in love with the symmetrical look to it all.
On the right is a clear example of the contrast of bold colours which is very apparent throughout the SS11 collection, the clean cut blazers and detailed cut trousers are a 'watch out' for this season.


So Rihanna is one top gal that is definitely not scared to experiment with colour, and somehow it works. From her fiery RED hair to her ORANGE trousers, she really rocked it!!! Here some items that could be essential to your wardrobe this season. A bold bright blazer, would work well with some ankle cut chinos and perhaps a pair of brogues, for a sexier look a closed toe heel would work perfectly.
60's styled dress such as the one from River Island really compliments the bold bright theme to these looks, create contrasts and rock a bold dress like this with vibrant wedged heels or some large c ol o u r f u l accessories. Use that confidence and don't be scared of colour this season!!!

I've been looking forward to this post all week, I've come up with "Style Watch of the week" where i will focus on someone whose hot, unique and just simply full of style, MY sort of style. So, drum roll for this week's feature goes to the talented Jessie J.

Get the Look: Check out Topshop for some gorgeous Knitwear and H&M for some more shades for those HOT denim shorts.


Rihanna, Ciara, Angela Simmons and Frankie from The Saturdays are all rocking Knitwear, Rihanna brought her look forward in more casual way whereas Angela threw on a pair of casual open toe heels.

Pieces from a Suno Collection


Rachel Bilson also caught wearing a Suno dress from Resort 2011 collection, effortlessly worn and looks gorgeous.
Rihanna wore an African print designed piece from a designer named Suno, and she wore it very well. Suno has been inspired by Kenya, once again fashion designers have been inspired by African styles. Suno fashion : fantastic! Really my sort of style, here are a few pieces that have really caught my eye. These pieces are from SPRING 2011 ready-to-wear

Sometime last year it became ever so popular seeing African printed pieces being sold in high street shops, I remember walking into Topshop and thinking.. ' hey my auntie gave me a piece of that when i was in Uganda', I was simply amazed that these items were being sold, I looked at the prices and was even more amazed, the items prices ranged between £32 to up to £50, yes that's right £50!! I also became aware of Africa ASOS, which I will talk about in more depth throughout this post. I was instantly in two minds about it, i thought and was unconsciously hoping that it was not just a cheeky shot of making money really easily, more or less exploitation, especially with the popularity that ASOS had at the very time. I felt recognition and appreciation was essential to the roots and background of these fantastic prints, and the hard work of it all, its more than 'pieces of cloth' its living culture and somehow, however done, positive goodness should go back to where it has stemmed from, and that is from its country itself, even though in fashion this is rarely done. Perhaps it is because it is more or less home I felt as passionate as I did which is why i was joyful when i begun to understand the cause and background to it all.

Check it Out:

Last year February ASOS teamed out with SOKO KENYA and created ASOS Africa, they brought forward the bright bold designs to their very popular online shop. Although this collection was brought out almost a year ago there are still various items sold at ASOS africa, keep posted on the asos website as SOKO and asos have been working on their Spring Summer collection in preparation to be released on March 21st. Check out SOKO's website to find out more about their positive aims and its company as a whole.

http://www.soko-kenya.com/

My parents are originally from Uganda so it was so apparent to me and I could easily identify with it, as you read further and see more photographs you will see the sort of difference that these prints have to those of which previously shown in BOXING KITTY's collection, which sterns mostly from Western Africa, that includes countries such as Nigeria and Ghana. Whereas Eastern Africa includes Uganda and Kenya.

Have a look at some BARGAIN BUYS i came across on the ASOS website, items up to half price from its very own ASOS Africa:

ASOS AFRICA Beaded Collar Jacket £80.00NOW £40.00

Africa Woven Mix Twist Back Maxi Dress Was £60.00 Now £30.00

My previous post about the cultural shock show has an evident cultural theme, going back to my own African roots, I decided to feature a fashion designer that I stumbled across some time last year named Maya Lake, she is the designer of a fashion line, BoxingKitty! The line holds a vintage inspiration full of colour and a vibrant theme. In her collections she has brought together her p a s s i o n in capturing women of today with the passion she holds of what could be described as a representation of a woman in today's world.

Boxing Kitty pieces have been worn by celebrities such as Rihanna, Beyonce, Eryka Badu and especially by Salonge Knowles who seems to be a big fan of her Maya Lake pieces. It also plays a big part in the wardrobe of Beyonce and Alicia Keys in 'Put it in a Love Song' music video.

When I first saw this collection it just brought it all home for me, the beautiful African waxed materials are those of which my mum would wear EVERYDAY in the house while she would fry that good, tasty Saturday dinner, and relax in the living room watching weekend television!!! It just brought it all home. Seeing these gorgeous prints and patterns brought forward to catwalk shows, music videos and everyday appearances by celebrities was some what inspiring. It is so invigorating to see it embraced in today's fashion shows and collections by well known designers such as Marc Jacobs and Givenchy. Gwen Stefani has also used African inspiration in her own fashion line L.A.M.B, a few pieces are featured in her Spring 2011 collection.

Some more pieces from Maya Lake's collections, I spotted a familiar face..any guesess??... Naima from Americas next top model not sure what cycle but she is working this look very nicely.

Solonge and Beyonce here wearing Maya Lake pieces both in their own individual way, Salonge looks lovely, naturally wearing this vibrant dress. Of course Beyonce brought it sexy, mini shorts exagerrating those die for curves, imbracing that African heritance indeed. LOVE IT!

Being a sucker for playsuits i fell in love with this little number Fergie ( from the Black eyed Peas) was pictured wearing. The Safari feel actually works really well with her, she made it a nice casual look, hair slick back and some dark stunners, once again .. LOVE IT!

Shoot of Beyonce and Alicia Keys 'Put it in A Love Song'

ISSEY Miyake, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Givency, Eley Kish, Moto, Suno

Gwen Stefani Lamb

Many people are unaware of the wonderful, unique, head turning outfits that are worn traditionally to events such as African Independence Day's, Christenings and birthdays all in the heart of this very London, day in day out, everyone would be amazed at what the African fashion culture holds.
I feel very PROUD to have the culture I do, although hardly recognized and seen it is absolutely beautiful. It is slowly and surely coming forward for the rest of the world to see. One day i hope to bring the passion i have for both, fashion and my culture, together and show what I yearn to express through designs and photography. Watch this space ;)