Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Runway Africa

Runway Africa: I movement dedicated to showcasing, promoting and exposing African designers to the masses. According to their site,

“Runway Africa believes strongly that by exposing African designers to the global market, Africa (as a whole) will begin to see a change in each country's economic and social agendas. By stimulating growth in the textile and garment industries, Africa can begin to see some economic stability in those areas. In essence, this kind of mass exposure puts the continent's talent and creativity in global markets and increases the ability to manufacture apparel deriving from Africa.”

Sounds good so far but how do they plan on doing it? Well, they hold a series of events, mainly on the east coast, to highlight specific designers and raise money for a cause. Their next event is being held tonight at Posh in DC and presents Harreit’s Alter Ego designer and creator, Ngozi Odita. The event is in celebration of African Women’s Day and the money raised will go towards Keep A Child Alive.

The main event takes place this September. Runway Africa 2007 will be held in D.C. at the Embassy of France. Designers Ruby (South Africa), Sika Designs (Ghana), Bezeymailan (Togo), Blokes ‘n’ Divas (Nigeria) and Harriet’s Alter Ego (Nigeria) will all showcase their “Africhic” lines at what will be one of the events of the year. Visit http://www.runwayafrica.com/ for more details.

Photos from past Runway Africa Events.

Monday, July 30, 2007

The Evolution of the Shirt Dress...

Amerie spotted in London on July 23rd, 2007 while checking into her hotel to promote her new single 'Gotta Work' in London, UK.
Cassie poses at the press conference for the NFL Opening Kickoff 2006 at the Loews Hotel on September 6, 2006 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Wanita "D. Woods" Woodgett, member of R&B girl group Danity Kane, attends XXL magazine's Hip-Hop Soul Issue Release Party at Tenjune on December 11, 2006 in New York City.
Tracee Ellis Ross, in a Thakoon for the Gap shirt, at Vogue's Gap/CFDA Party in April, 2007.

This is not your conventional shirt dress. This breed is inspired by what you’d find in your man’s closet. Remember that episode of Sex and the City where Carrie and Big fall into the lake? Carrie heads back to Big’s apartment to change and ends up walking home in one of his shirts. That’s what this look is all about. Looking like you’ve casually thrown on your man’s shirt and you look better in it than he does. Now these shirt dresses do have a feminine edge with cinched in waists and frills despite their masculine undertones. See below for My Picks!

My Picks!

Left to right: Striped Ruffled Shirt Dress, $69.50, www.gap.com; Solid Ruffled Shirt Dress, $69.50, www.gap.com; Solid French Cuff Shirt Dress, $69.50, www.gap.com; Frill Skirt Shirt Dress, $50, www.asos.com
Left to right: Vince Shirt Dress, $195, www.shopbop.com; Bailey 44 Shirt Dress in Grey, $171, www.reveolveclothing.com; Shirtdress in Solids, $49, www.victoriassecret.com; Shit Hot Shirtmaker by Antipodium, $130, www.my-wardrobe.com

The Gap has this look on lock. Three of the eight dresses I picked are from The Gap including Amerie’s ruffled dress. The shirt/dress Tracee Ellis Ross is wearing is from Thakoon's limited edition line also from The Gap. Alternatively, you can steal borrow your boyfriend, brother or dad’s shirt, throw on a chunky belt, roll-up the sleeves and call it a day. Oh, and skinny jeans are optional with this look but heels are a must.
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