Showcasing AKABI=Love at LOVELounge for the "Love Fashion Show"

AKABI design showcasing at LOVE LOUNGE with performances on the night from

►GUVNA B
►COCO DUPRE
►DARLEEN
► GREENJADE
► MATSHIDISO
and Host none other than Queen of Blessed Souls: Adelaide Mackenzie

AKabi Design showcases at Love Lounge's 1st fashion show entitled
“ LOVE FASHION SHOW” in support and partnership with Dynasty PR★ In conjunction with London Fashion Week 2010

HELD AT “DAHLAK” 256-258 Brixton Road Sw9 6AQ
http://thedahlaklounge.co.uk/
:: DOORS OPEN: 8:15PM
:: SHOWCASE STARTS AT 9:15PM TILL 12:00AM
:: 12:00AM TILL 2:30AM EXCLUSIVE AFTERPARTY

★ADMISSION: £5 BEFORE 9:15 £8 AFTER
★║●•●DRESS CODE: STYLISH AND FASHIONABLE●•●║
✦✧PHOTOGRAPHY::: CREATIVE PIECE
✦✧➾DJ-KELECHI ON THE ONES AND TWOS PLAYING ONLY THE BEST ➾NIGHT WILL BE FILMED BY "GOSPEL DAILY"***FOOD AND DRINKS ON SALE ON THE NIGHT***

✧✦✧✦✧DIRECTIONS✧✦✧✦✧
Nearest station Brixton underground (Victoria line)
Bus: 133, 333, 159, 2, 595min drive from Brixton underground.
Venue is situated on the main road.>>>>>>>>GOOD FREE PARKING<<<<<<<
or more information: Email: ✉lovelounge@hotmail.co.uk✉ ☎ 

The Hub Fashion Week - Addis Ababa

From September 23-25th 2010 see such a great event happening in east africa called the Hub Fashion Week and conference titled UNITING THE INDUSTRY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

A friend from the Ethical Fashion Forum will be helping out. We both have very similar desires to build a bridge between Africa and Europe through the medium of fashion and I see us connecting together on this passion very shortly :)

We at Akabi feel that great things are emerging from Africa and are always excited to see events happening there especially in the sustainable and ethical fashion and textile arena.

They set up this event as they noticed a growing need for an annual event that focuses on sustainable development in society as well as focusing on education through job development, and so along with fashion shows will have workshops by industry people such as Nicola Thornley a good friend of us here at Akabi. There will be various people from the textile industry such as designers, buyers/sellers and various fashion institutes. The idea is to bring in leading fashion designers and industry players in order to mentor up-coming designers through these workshops.

Uniting the industry through fashion and promoting sustainable development is the way to go. We look forward to hearing reviews and feedback from this week.

Article from Agent Magazine

AKABI design is getting out there even more on the blogosphere and onto online mags too.

Here are the recent uploads in the last week.

Firstly Agent2Magazine

They say "...THE BLISTERING SUMMER ISN’T THE ONLY THING BRINGING A HEAT WAVE TO LONDON. SUSTAINABLE AFRICAN WOMENSWEAR BRAND AKABI SHOWCASED ITS GOOD-NATURED, PRETTY PRINTED COLLECTION IN JULY... INSPIRED BY THE STRENGTHS AND ATTITUDES OF THE CONTEMPORARY FEMALE ‘URBANITE’.... GET IT WHILE YOU CAN AS THIS ETHICAL BRAND ONLY PRODUCES ONE COLLECTION A YEAR...".

Great piece guys!

Then one of my new favourite African fashion blogs is Shop Liquorice

They say "...what makes Akabi Design different, given that several other brands have the same selling points? Their pieces tell quite the story and it is clear an abundance of thought has gone into every aspect of production...Certainly very refreshing!"

Love the write up and promotions of great African made/based fashion brands and glad to be noted as one of them!

AKABI Looking 'Devine'

Check out the latest pics from the Untitled show

This was a very interesting night filled with fashion and dance and music and singers. Well done to the young team who organised it. We had a great time and was great to see the responses from those viewing the collection for the first time.

Here are pics from the night (courtesy of the Devi niche team)

Shingai Shoniwa - covered in PRIDE

Shingai Shoniwa who along with Janelle Monae are two of my favourite fashion muses and this month see Shingai on the cover of Pride magazine.


I hold my reservations towards Pride (bad previous experience) BUT i do respect their position in the marketplace for black consumers, professionals and interests.


Shingai looks stunning though and this proves to be one of my favourite Pride mag covershoots :)

Vogue Africa dies before its birth :(

It is BIG news on blogoville that talented photographer and  make-up artist Mario Epanya fantastic and beautiul campaign for an African edition of Vogue has unfortunately come to an end.

The Vogue Africa’s facebook page last week read “DEAR ALL, this is the last cover of Vogue Africa, Condé Nast said no for (a) license. Thank you for all your support.  It’s a beginning of something.”

There are different views on this, that it doesnt and cant represent the whole of Africa which is always so diverse from east to west north to south, then there are thoughts that Africa on a whole has wider issues to deal with then a cosmopolitan fashion industry, then there was hype and fury over and not to mention financial success of the special issue of the all Black Vogue Italia in 2008 which caused such a fury that it prompted a re-printing. 
 I am still upset that even though i was in Venice the month it launched yet still couldnt get a copy...go figure! - sold out OR lack of availability in Italy????

Either way as  black woman myself in a black community of women, it is apparent that Black people are women in particular are interested in seeing modern, sexy, quality, high fashion images which represents us in a global publication such as Vogue.  For now Arise,

SHE Caribbean Magazine,

New African Woman magazine | Facebook

and Canoe continue to represent - but then if i get on to these and IF they actually do represent black women of today...mmmh we could start a WHOLE new debate

in the meantime say goodbye to what could have been a beautiful magazine

2 fashion shows featuring AKABI this week!

ITS ALL LIVE THIS WEEK WITH 2 FASHION SHOWS featuring AKABI!

Beautiful people Akabi invite you to another fashion showcase in collaboration with BlessedSoulsUk

This Wed 21st July at Corks Wine Bar, Binney Street off Oxford Street, nearest tube Bond street station
free b4 8pm, £5 thereafter

NOTE people for those who have been asking about how to buy goods, styles and accessories will be available to purchase on the night!!

AKABI also invite you to another fashion showcase this time at the UNTITLED fashion and music extravaganza held by the Deviniche team see http://untitled.me.uk/

Taking place at the Regent Banqueting Suite, 331 Regents Park Road, NW1 nearest tube Finchley Central and sponsored by Sweet Tooth Cakes, L'Oreal and Ben TV and choreographered by D'relle aka Prince Xavier this is looking to be a night not to be missed.

Doors open at 6pm, champagne reception from 6.30pm

see you there!

Cancellation :(

Unfortunately the Christian Aid Power Dressing show has been cancelled due to reasons unforeseen....

A disappointment but they have hopes and plans to reschedule it to another date.

Christian Aid apologises to everyone directly affected.

j'Quita
AKABI=Love

FASHIONCH4NGE - Changing Lives through Fashion

At AKABI we are supporting Fashion4Change  a great organisation set up by Abigail Okunlola - a lovely lady with a vision to see fashion change lives.

Check out the blog http://www.fashion4change.org.uk/ and the facebook group too for info on the last swishing event which was a great event to attend.

Above all look out for developments in the future and the work the F4C will be doing in Kenya.

Power Dressing Fashion Event

People AKABI will be participating in a fashion event sponsored by Christian Aid and will be showcasing along with other designers. Its looking to be a very very good night out and personal invite you all to come and enjoy!

See below for details :)

Power Dressing is fashion show and Live music event like no other.

Christian Aid and Platform 2 have encapsulated the theme of africa and its vibrant lifestyle to put together a night of african fashion with the aim of spreading the word of empowerment.

Hosted by Simply Andy, the acts include The Thirst, Alim Kamara, Plus more surprise acts on the night

Fashion designers showcasing their elegant pieces include: AKABI as well as Oheme Ohene, Chichia London, Kiko Romeo,Mia Nisbit & Ruweyda Dool.


DATE: June 27th 2010

TIME: 6.30PM - 10.30PM - SHOW STARTS 7PM
                                               AFTERPARTY 10PM - 3AM

ADDRESS: Bar Music Hall, 134 Curtain road London
EC2A 3AR

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

PRICE: £6 advance tickets available at http://tinyurl.com/powerdressing
£10 on the door all night

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Dresscode: Casual Normal/No tracksuits

NEAREST STATIONS: Old Street and Liverpool

See you there!!-

SUNO - keep it coming!

I have loved this brand from I first set eyes on it (wow I sound like a love story right now!) and every season they just get better and better. In my eyes they (as well as Chichia - love ya girl) have best represented the use of East African fabrics.

Probably due to logistics, sourcing and not keeping yourself locked down - the need for growth and expansion they do have plans to source fabrics from other global regions not just Kenya but their business does support Kenya manufacturing and fabrics in various ways.

Keep it up Suno...love ya BIG TIME!

(pics courtesy of Ciaafrique blog)

LOVE FROM AFRICA tee supporting Africa in World Cup 2010

In alignment with the SA World Cup Akabi are selling the Akabi Love From Africa Tee.

This will be for sale on the Akabi website (launch just days away people!) but if interested now then email your interest to info@akabidesign.com 

Akabi Love From Africa Tee - Green

* 100% GOTS Certified Organic Ring-spun Combed Cotton Sheer Jersey - 120gm

* Regular-fit tee made from East African organic cotton

* Made in Tanzania

* 'Love From Africa' chest graphic in contrast - printed with environmentally friendly dyes

Size Small
        Medium

Webprice = £18 A STEAL!!

Remember 10% of all sales is donated to Seed of Hope charity part of Vision Africa in Kenya which works to bring hope for a brighter future to orphaned, destitute and disadvantaged teenage girls in Kenya.

New photos in from launch party

hey!

here are a few extra pics to whet your appetites!

Note that this 2010 is all LIMITED EDITION. If there are pieces you are interested in then take note and contact me at info@akabidesign.com.

The Akabi Etsy shop will be open mid June for the wax print fabric jewellery pieces and the website is due to launch over the next week where you can view and purchase pieces. Including new pieces coming in June....

Akabi will also be attending various events over the next few summer months where you can also buy pieces at so keep an eye out for the facebook updates for where and when to purchase.

(pics courtesy of Zavlue Photography 2010 - copyright designs Akabi 2010 - all rights reserved)

Remember every piece of clothing is LIMITED EDITION. Only a few pieces of each style made per colour and so once they are gone....they are gone...dont miss out.

j'Quita
AKABI=Love

Canoe delicious MOCHA front cover

Canoe Magazine / Canoe Africa latest edition has an absolutely gorgoeous front cover piece...i love the colours, the photo the whole composition...simple but v. effective.

No copies available in UK though...will have to get my boyfr to send one to me from Ghana....

i just love this!
pics c/o http://canoeafrica.com/index.html

Akabi prelaunch fashion event - pics are in!

People here are a few snapshots of the show last night.

It was an awesome affair and I appreciate all who turned up to view the collection.

Photos are care of Frances Akinde and more can be viewed on the launch of the website Bank Holiday monday.

Well done to all models, photographers, creative team and all the supporters.

Fellow Followers...your thoughts please

hey all...

I am appreciative of all who are following this blog and would like your thoughts and suggestions.

How do you feel about the blog on a whole?

What learnings have you got from my journey of developing my brand?

How do you feel about the info on African designers, Art, Music, Fashion etc etc?

Would you be interested in following a blog purely devoted to these things?

What else would you like to see?

Post your comments share your thoughts, on here and/or on my facebook.com/akabidesign

I am considering developing this website, have a few ideas but would appreciate your thoughts

have a blessed one!

Dont forget to make your way down to the prelaunch party! Dont miss out !
j'Quita

Pre Launch party...Wed 26th May!

Be there or miss out!

See pieces before web launch too!

How beautiful does Alek Wek look!

Fantastic photography and work by Andrew Yee for Financial Times magazine.

She looks amazing! I dont care about the old hype about this girl being a model - she is beautiful and what legs! my days...if only i could have half of her leg length...mmmmmmh

Pre Launch party...its coming!

Make your way down to the party of the season! Akabi prelaunch party is happening May 26th
See flyer for more info!

The Conservatives manifesto for businesses:

‘Our goal is simple: to make Britain the easiest and the best place in the world to set up and grow a business.
We will:

• Stop Labour's jobs tax that will kill the recovery;
• Cut Corporation Tax rates. We will cut the main rate from 28p to 25p and the small companies' rate from 22p to 20p, funded by reducing complex reliefs;
• Exempt all new businesses starting in the first two years of a Conservative Government from Employers' National Insurance on the first ten employees they hire in the first year;
• Reduce the burden of red tape on business with a 'one in one out' rule for new regulation and regulatory budgets for departments so that new regulations cannot be introduced unless the burden is reduced elsewhere. And we will give the public the opportunity to force the worst regulations to be repealed;
• Reduce the number of forms needed to register a new business – moving towards a 'one-click' registration model – with the aim of making Britain the fastest place in the world to start a business. We will also end restrictions on people starting a business in social housing to enable social tenants to become entrepreneurs;
• Simplify business taxes. In our first Budget, we will set out a five year road map for the direction of business tax reform, providing greater certainty and stability to businesses. We will create an independent Office of Tax Simplification to review and suggest reforms to the tax system and its effect on small business, including IR35;
• Extend government procurement to small and medium-sized businesses by cutting administrative requirements, with the aim of seeing 25 per cent of government contracts go to SMEs;
• Make Britain Europe’s leading hi-tech exporter of manufactured goods by implementing Sir James Dyson’s recommendations to boost science and engineering.
• Make small business rate relief automatic; and
• Create more diverse sources of available credit for SMEs building on our proposals for a big, bold and simple National Loan Guarantee Scheme.

To create a new generation of small businesses, our Work for Yourself programme will help move people into self-employment. We will build a network of business mentors and offer substantial loans to would-be entrepreneurs, supporting self-employment and franchising as a route back into work. We will work with specialist organisations that already have a proven track record in this area, like the Prince’s Trust and the Bright Ideas Trust, to offer the best support.
We understand that enterprise will generate a sustainable recovery, not the state - that's why we need to make Britain open for business again.’

this makes a big impact on how i develop things ... mmmmmhhh
(info from fashioncapital.co.uk website) 

Pre-launch Party!

This month Akabi design will be celebrating the launch of our website with a pre-launch party.

Details will follow shortly.....

excited?
i sure am!
J'Quita

The Rape of Africa

Evening Standard talked about the work of this creative extraordinare and mentioned his latest exhibition
taking place in London at Robilant and Voena from 27th April to 25th May 2010...just a few weeks to go so better get down there too!

The Rape of Africa 

(http://www.fadwebsite.com/wp-content/uploads/David-LaChapelle-Rape-of-Africa.jpg)

This photo below is based on the notorious artist Botticelli's painting of Venus and Mars. (i love Botticellis work!) and will be on show with other work by Lachapelle with a vast range to showcase his skill and talent.

Western consumerism
Much of his work including that featured in the Rape of Africa exhibition looks at the nature of western consumerism and the direct effects it has on Africa and its people. Previous series such as Deluge and Jesus is My Homeboy, both of which were exhibited at Robilant and Voena back in 2008, contain similar themes. This critique of the western world versus the continent of Africa is made explicit by his use of significant details and symbols throughout the photos.

The event is set to be open to the general public
Time: Monday – Friday (10am – 6pm) each day from the 27th of April – 25th of May 2010.
Restrictions: No age restrictions
Venue: Robilant and Voena
1st floor, 38 Dover Street,
London, W1S 4NL

You can hear David LaChapelle's latest interview about the show on the BBC World Service http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/news/2010/04/100427_lachapelle_rapeofafrica.shtml

Have you heard yet?

We are on facebook at www.facebook.com/akabidesign - join up, add us and join our group too akabidesign

also follow us on twitter.com/akabidesign

stay connected!

Welcome!

I am seeing you new followers and welcome you along this journey with me.

Akabi design has come a long way over the last year and we are nearly at the end of stage one. We will celebrate the launch with a fashion show maybe 2!! over june and july and hope you are able to attend.

keep on reading, make your comments, give your thoughts suggestions and above all your support.

Love = Akabi
x

Pop Africana out now!

Love the blog love the concept ... mag is out im gettting it now! i suggest you do too

http://www.popafricana.com/

Its a semi annual mag with a blog and a large following. I see this first edition below being on the levels of Another mag.

Its def one to invest in!

:)

Next steps

The production from Kenya is on its way!

Production from Ghana is being done now....a few weeks and it will be completed.

Hangtags received for clothing and accessories!

Website is on its way to completion

Aiming for an end May launch with fashion show in June....ssssooo exciting!

Newspaper dress!!

I love this students work.

based at the London College of Fashion it kind of has an ethical bridal and evening feel to it!

Positive use of newspaper and witty shoot too!

Very Gary Harvey too :)

(All photos and designs - Jack Hoe - http://londoncollegeoffashion.net/photo/paper-12?context=latest)

Ethical Fashion Forum Social Networking Event

The Ethical Fashion Forums' FASHION SOCIAL NETWORK EVENT is on this Thursday 29th April, 7 - 9pm at the Environmental Justice Foundation Pop Up Shop (57 Carnaby Street, London) in partnership with Environmental Justice Foundation, Forum for the Future and Think Act Vote

There will be a talk to question what does the future hold in ethical fashion alongside presentations too  including Forum for the Future's Fashion Futures 2025 this event promises to give you a vision of the future of fashion.

Think Act Vote's founder Amisha Ghadiali will be asking you 'What future do you choose?' and promoting her campaign to inspire us to think positively about our future and the votes we cast, today, tomorrow and forever.

This event is free to attend but the charities involved encourage attendees to contribute to their worthy causes by donating. The Pop Up Shop stocks a selection of some of the most interesting ethical and sustainable brands including Goodone, Katharine Hamnet, From Somewhere, Pants To Poverty as well as EJF's and Think Act Vote's campaign t-shirts.

Will be getting myself down there and look forward to seeing you there!

Darkroom Concept Store

Im making my way down to the Darkroom  concept store on Lambs Conduit Street this week to check out the cool pieces of 'wearable art' they present and also to check out their 'into Africa' exhibition.

Word on the street says its looking to be a goodone to visit but as always i wanna check it out for myself :)

interesting pieces including some jewellery styles in fabric by Michelle Lowe-Holder below...
(pics courtesy of Style Bubble)