Since “Suakoko” means place of new beginnings in Kpelle, a West African dialect, it’s only fitting that designer Charlene Bendu Dunbar is constantly reinventing her brand and expanding into many new projects.  Since taking part in AFWNY 2011, the designer has had an influx of requests for a menswear line and even accessories.  Charlene told us, “I’m ready to dress the fashion forward, progressive man!”

Aside from her menswear collection, which will be available on her online boutique in February 2012, Charlene would love to start sourcing more garments from West Africa to help grow the local economy, and leveraging local African artisans more in the design process.  “I’m always amazed with the prints and design details that come from home and I’d want to partner with a collective of artists on the ground and bring more of their ideas and craftsmanship to the forefront,” she said.

As for her own plans, the fashion-forward designer plans to ring in the New Year in with skinny pants, a sparkly, off the shoulder top, and confidence…not necessarily in that order.

Photo Credit: Ladyee Boutique

Fikirte Addis is an Ethiopian fashion designer known for many things.  She is known for competing and winning her spot to showcase her fashion during AFWNY 2011, she is known for her light flowing designs and airy Ethiopian fabrics, and as of late she is known for her Eco-friendly/ethical fashion work dealing with natural dyes, indigenous knowledge, and recycling.  Straight form the designer’s own wardrobe, her favorite piece right now is the long flowing top (pictured above) with intricate striped design that just screams African heat.

While most of Fikirte’s designs would appear to fit only under the hot African sun, you still need to keep warm during the winter months, so her winter must-have style tip is a big layered scarf with vibrant patterns.  Take a tip from the designer herself to stay stylish and warm this winter while enjoying the one thing, besides fashion, that she cannot live without: music.

AsakeOge, one of the many talented designers from AFWNY 2011 has got you covered for every party or event you’ll have to attend this holiday season.  Their Spring/Summer 2012 collection named Timeless Heritage has a striking red and black color pallette, and is filled with gorgeous sequined cocktail dresses and floor length gowns.  Open backs and shimmering bodices give the elegant, timeless touch any girl needs to create a fashionable and memorable holiday.  AsakeOge’s fashion is described as “a statement that describes the energy and spirit of Africa,” and with this collection it is impossible not to be filled with spirit.

Last July, the MO SAÏQUE brand, one of the shoe sponsors for AFWNY 2011 made sure that every model who stepped onto the runway in a pair of MO SAÏQUE heels started off “on the right foot.”  Afua Dabanka, the Ghanian born Londoner behind the elegant creativity that is MO SAÏQUE was recently interviewed by Essence Magazine.  She talks about the MO SAÏQUE woman, who is defined by her style and her confidence rather than her age, and the creative process that goes into designing a collection.  All MO SAÏQUE shoes are hand-crafted in Italy using only the highest quality materials to add that extra bit of luxury into every step.

Source: Essence Magazine

AFWNY designer Gloria Wavamunno’s fashion has always used a unique combination of vibrant textures and colors from Africa to create a new eccentric type of fashion.  Her Spring/Summer 2012 collection named Mensch/Unmensch has gotten the attention of fashion publications and bloggers with her exciting pieces and a new, stylish sunglasses collection.  With a boutique in Kampala, Uganda that is flourishing and a growing brand, Wavamunno’s name is being seen around the globe.  Recently, in conjunction with the release of her newest collection, she sat down for interviews with bloggers from Fashionaire 256 and African Prints in Fashion.  Read the full interviews and find out what’s going on inside the creative mind of Gloria Wavamunno.

Funlayo Deri wowed audiences at AFWNY 2011 with  her elegant womanly designs that said ‘here I am’ in a big way.  Her fashion celebrates the female form while emphasizing curves and gives just a hint of skin, but never too much.  We are excited that she has finally revealed her Spring/Summer 2012 line which is adding a lot more color to her repertoire and channels more of the sweet, girly, but still sophisticated side of the designer.

Funlayo, who is originally from Nigeria, got her inspiration from contemporary architectural structures. She combined rigid edges and created a softer more fluid line so as to compliment and highlight the female form.  Her use of silks, taffeta, organza, and embroidered lace keep it feminine to the very last detail in flowing floor length gowns, shorts, jackets, and trousers.  This collection is going to be an absolute must-have as soon as the weather warms up.  I’ll be sure to put some of these pieces on my holiday wish list!

Source: Ciaafrique

AFWNY designer KikoRomeo recently launched her new store on the first floor of the Yaya Centre in Kilimani, Nairobi, Kenya.  The store is a sea filled with vibrant colors and fashion for everyone: men, women, and even children.  The great thing is, it’s not just clothing, they have shoes, belts, handbags, jewelry, everything.  The store is just as artfully designed as her fashion and there’s no debating that entering the new shop is an entire visual experience.  We love seeing our designers expanding their businesses and promoting African culture and sustainability through their design and head designer of KikoRomeo, Ann McCreath does exactly that!

Photo Credit: Nancie Mwai

54 Kingdoms has officially relaunched, reinvented, and renewed their image.  The powerhouse fashion empire has introduced their Genesis Collection and launched their newly designed 54 Kingdoms website.  The company was launched 2 years ago by Nana Poku (CEO) and Kwaku Awuah (President) and have been garnering media attention, and attention from the fashion community ever since.  Their new slogan, “It’s a Kulture, not a Brand” aims to design for a pan-African culture, breaking down boundaries and uniting people through fashion as a way of life.  Currently, the company operates mainly through the internet, but there is talk of a boutique coming to Abuja, Nigeria in the near future.  The Genesis collection includes more than just fierce and edgy clothing, this time around the brand branches out into the realm of jewelry and handbags.  The growth we’ve seen already from 54 Kingdoms is enormous and the are only picking up more and more momentum.

Source: ATAC Magazine

AFWNY designer Korto Momolu is always on the go.  After shocking the crowd at AFWNY 2011 with not only a wedding gown she designed herself, but a full blown wedding that took place right on the runway she has not stopped showing the world exactly what she can do.  Right now she is helping judge a fashion competition on BET called “Lens on Talent” where young fashion hopefuls compete to win a cash prize, a bit of a change from her days on Project Runway where she was the one whose work was being judged.  She is also giving back and hosting a charity fashion show in Washington D.C. to raise money and awareness for sickle cell anemia in “Colours of Sickle Cell.” She will also be in Dallas tomorrow for the Designers Choice Fashion Preview.  When this woman sleeps we have no idea!  We love seeing when our designers do amazing things and continue to make progress and we will be watching Korto the whole way!

AFWNY designer, Nadir Tati, has been traveling the globe promoting the increased investment into the business of fashion. After participating in the USAID and Corporate Council on Africa : 8th U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Washington D.C. she headed over to her native country of Angola. Tati spoke at the second annual Fashion Business Angola which was born out of a partnership between the Luanda International Fair and the Ministry of Geology, Mining and Industry. More than 40 international designers got the chance to participate and share their views on investing in the fashion industry in Angola, focusing on the training aspect of the industry, and fashion development. Tati is an accomplished designer and businesswoman having won awards such as the “Moda Luanda” trophy and “Best Designer of the year 2010.″

Source: Angola Press
Photo: Robert Cooper