Coincidence or Faith?

So here I go running off to a tailor in Matonge to get my new Nigerian boubou sawn to my exact size ;-) My sister in law brought to for me all the way from Nigeria and I want to show her how much I enjoy the present. As I walk up to the shop, I get distracted by some beautiful dresses in a new display just across the street. I decide to cross and peep inside. I see people unpacking and find out that a new designer is settling in!! Youpie. Turns out the designer is Russel Ndengoué, originally from Cameroun. We start chatting away and before I know he is the one re-sizing the boubou. I can't wait to see it tomorrow, in the mean time enjoy his work and visit his new shop: you will not regret it! russeln.skynetblogs.be

Desperate!!

I need a pair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I missed the Gazelle African prints (still crying about those) and now I am about to miss out on these too. Tomorrow I will call Colette in Paris and ask them if they still have a pair -highly unlikely that they still have any and that they take phone orders- anywhere between 38 and 41 will do ;-) I am in Paris on 12/4 so I could pick them up then... how much would they cost? I am going to dream about these... ahh if only I had the right connections to create my own :-( So many good ideas, so little craftsmanship and not enough time to develop any of it!

http://k1x.com/sierra-leone-dcac-limited-edition/

To Wax or Not To Wax

Reminds me I have to cancel my appointment at the spa tomorrow... In between all the exciting traveling and new consulting contract in Switzerland, I stumbled upon some work of a designer called Ituen Basi from Nigeria. While my African dress (post will follow as soon as ready) is on its way by designer Catherine Alhinc in Paris, Ituen does exactly what we are trying to achieve for my own dress: lift the wax prints to European standards, with beautiful, wearable dresses in vibrant colours. Take a look and enjoy. More and more I would like to open a shop dedicated to these beautiful pieces from all over Africa. I just think that Belgium isn't the right place to do this, as the people might not be ready for this? Which location should I consider for my business case?

Ituen Basi Official Website

Wax, wax & Art

In my fascination for fabrics and more specifically African (Dutch) Wax, second angle today: Art and Wax! As explored by this great artist who grew up between London and Lagos: Yinka Shonibare. Just click onto the website, and under "Artworks" you will find some stuff that really inspires me! Vive les couleurs, vive les tissus, vive l'Afrique...

Yinka Shonibarembe