Tag Archives: african fashion

05Jun/17
Glamourina

Glamourina Announces New Collection of Athleisure Wear

Local Washington, DC designers Kia Renee and Nekol Choo are thrilled to announce the premier of their Glamourina Kente Athleisure line. Glamourina is an online athleisure apparel store. Co-founders Kia and Nekol are working mothers who have always had a passion for fashion and desire to encourage women and uplift women. “Our mission is to provide affordable, comfortable, and quality athleisure apparel to average, and above average working women and girls in efforts to promote self-esteem through beauty, health and fitness.”

Glamourina

Why Kente? Kente is a traditional tribal fabric originating from Africa.  Africa is a strong and powerful continent.  They are here to motivate and encourage women to be strong, powerful and confident. “We are especially excited about our Kente line of athleisure apparel,” said Kia and Nekol. “Our followers are in for a treat this year.  When we premier the new line in April, everyone will finally get a glimpse of a very special design we’ve been working on for the past two years.”

Glamourina’s Kente Athleisure line will be available for purchase online exclusively at www.Glamourina.com before expanding to other retailers. Follow them on all social networks @shopglamourina!

Glamorina

27Mar/17
Shangani

Shangani Fashion’s, Where African Fashion Meets the Stylish Traveler

ShanganiShangani Fashion’s debut presentation during New York Fashion Week conveys contemporary cuts that are accented with vintage accessories. Shangani Fashion Designs are a juxtaposition of culture and style. Shangani is an African tribe who dwelled near the Shangani River in Zimbabwe, Africa. The tribe was named after its founder; and the name “Shoshangani” means traveler. Shangani Fashion is a brand inspired by the experience of travel and the exposure of different cultures. Creations by Shangani’s Designers merge their travel experiences with colorful ethnic prints, and contemporary shapes to create a high fashion, ready-to-wear look. Traditional African fabrics with a modern mix, is the passion behind Shangani Fashions.

The design duo collaborating on the aesthetics is Fashion Designers Mary Moore and Elesia Peterman. Moore is a graduate of the University of Zimbabwe and a world traveler.  “My inspirations are fusions of my cultural, travel experiences and my Zimbabwean heritage and styles. Shoppers will find diverse influences from the Caribbean, European and Middle-Eastern expressions in my fashions. I enjoy mixing various African influences with a contemporary cut and shape for a modernized look. And the result is a ready-to-wear brand that is suitable for all occasions” explains Mary Moore.

 ShanganiMy creative inspiration comes from a fusion of time, epoch periods and cultures, while remaining Afrocentric. States Elesia Peterman. “I want our line to show that African print transcends. The looks can be worn strictly as traditional wear, but the looks can also be incorporated in business and everyday casual use. What makes our line unique is that it isn’t just an African meets Western cohesion. Our goal is to reach and inspire a much bigger market. Our line is an international fusion. Also, being a millennial, I feel I can relate with the style trends my peers are excited about. I want to use clothing design as my voice and demonstration of creativity.”

Shangani offers looks for both men and women, and intends to expand the menswear line for upcoming seasons. The garments are wearable for business casual or as formal wear. Depending on the type of garment design, the brand uses one-hundred percent cotton, applied with Dutch Wax print, Denim and other uniquely blended materials of the finest quality. Completing the Afro-inspired look, the Shangani brand also features handcrafted travel handbags and clutch bags. Accessories such as earrings, bracelets, and shoes add a hint of sophistication to an individual’s look.

Website | Instagram | Etsy

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Shangani Shangani

02Feb/17
cloudy visions

Taji Artist Lounge: Cloudy Visions

Cloudy VisionsCloudy Visions, born Danai Graham, is a painter based in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Taji Mag: How did you discovered my craft:
Cloudy Visions: I discovered art at a young age. I remember really trying hard to copy cartoon characters and finally getting that “S” with the the lines down packed. I used to not want to go out and hang out and lay with the other kids. I would rather draw cartoons and make up characters. I’ve always drawn, but never really did anything with it, it was a hidden talent that nobody really knew about. After taking school trips to museums and then later in life doing lots of research on dope artists such as Michael Jean Basquait, Miya Bailey, Justin Bua, Funny Tummy, Kaws and others helped me fall in love with art. I moved to Denver in 2015 for work, didn’t know anybody there. That’s where I painted my first canvas out of boredom and loneliness. It was pretty bad, lol, but I enjoyed the process and I’ve been doing it ever since. I have now been painting seriously for 2 years, started my Instagram page on 1/2/16, and did my first shows and events all in 2016.
Taji: What inspires your work?
CV: The inspirations for my art work are usually from conversations, real life occurrences, a lot from music, and my family.
Music: Music is big influence on my work. I listen to A LOT of music, it tells the stories that I’m not able to tell verbally. While painting, I am usually listening to instrumentals with a jazzy soulful vibe. This then allows me to make the words or the emotion that I would put on the track through my painting. In my art, it really is the thing that puts me in a creative space. Painting without music probably won’t ever happen. I am that guy who finds random artists from all over the world and digs for music. Its a passion of mine; I can’t live without my music.
Real Life and having my own style: I’ve gone through some stuff. Being an only child has made me a “loner” so being able to say it without saying anything is a big help for me. I really try to put something personal on every canvas I do, even if it’s just the color that I paint a character or a random place, that color will be an emotion I felt or feel. My style is different. Growing up in London, England exposed me to different cultures and lifestyles so you will see that in my art. Sometimes I will paint someone Black, other times the person will be blue but you can still see that it’s a Black person. To me that’s just saying we are all the same in ways even when we are different in color. I love being labeled a Black artist but I don’t want to be boxed in. I can do a bunch of everything. Just like in life, we all want to grow, don’t box me into anything, I’m a  free spirit. I am also a grown man with real world  issues like everyone, a husband, a father, etc., my aim is to let you know that.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

cloudy visions cloudy visions cloudy visions

cloudy visions

 

13Jan/17
Natoya

Taji Artist Lounge: Natoya P

Natoya PNatoya P created a collection of work that embodies her daily experiences as a woman. This body of work takes us through the present stages of life. She seeks to evoke emotions of heartbreak, love, bliss self-realization, and self-acceptance. She states that “many times society overlooks the inner evolution a woman goes through to attain self-actualization and become enough. We don’t take time to reflect on the journey we take to get to the point of self-love and acceptance. This collection takes us through that personal journey of a woman painting the pictures of the pages of a diary.” This is Natoya’s first formal collection and introduction to the world of art. Her work highlights the use of colors to depict the story on a canvas. Her dynamic pieces are multifaceted, showcasing various walks of life.

Natoya can be contacted by emailing natoyap@gmail.com for showings, interviews and inquires. | Natoya P Instagram

Natoya Natoya Natoya Natoya Natoya Natoya Natoya

07Oct/16
WrapCentury®

Black Royal: Welcome To The WrapCentury®

Welcome To The WrapCentury®

WrapCentury®

Centering around the idea of an Ancient Future while embodying the aura of Emperor Haile Selassie I & Empress Menen Asfaw. They’re showcasing the presence of our luxurious Regal lineage as Afrikans, and amplifying the importance of balance & unity between a wombman & a man.

Photographed by T.O.K.Y.O. Photography (@tizzy_tokyo)
Creative Team (Models, Headwraps, Wardrobe, Stylist): Nise (@EsinbyNise) & SA-RA (@YawSARA)
Follow them on IG at @WrapCentury
11Sep/16

Barkers-Woode x Wild Moon are Reshaping African Fashion

Generally, Taji Mag pays homage to traditional African fashion so Westerners can connect their roots, but we’d be a hendering one way road if we did not view the other direction. l’âme inconnue, a creative management firm, is an advent believer that Africa has some of the greatest talent to date. Their motto is to redefine African designers into a modern aesthetic and to help them integrate into the Western market.  A new addition they’ve added to their roster is Ghanaian designer, Nina Barkers – Woode of Barkers-Woode and her collaboration with jewelry designer Asia Clarke of Wild Moon, thus Barkers-Woode x Wild Moon.

Barkers-Woode x Wild Moon

The Barkers – Woode brand embodies a minimalist aesthetic. Each garment is made up of clean lines and an essence of timelessness. It is inspired by world history and generations of women. Androgynous artworks play on the mixture of masculinity and femininity.

The Wild Moon’s jewelry collection lies on the border of fine jewelry and nature-inspired and industrial aesthetic of everyday jewelry. Elegance and tribal sensibility in her design are achieved through the incorporation of 100% recycled and eco-friendly Fine Silver with Brass, Semi-precious stones and 14k gold nuggets.

All of this inspiration has sparked their campaign of “New Africa” – an interpretation of the shift of stereotypical ideology of African fashion to a modern day look. The fashion presentation takes place on September 23, 2016 in Toronto, ON, Canada with stagnant models in Barkers-Woode and Wild Moon jewelery. The room covered in muslin and canvases will depict the street art of their movement.

Various creative and African descentdant influencers are photographed and filmed, in both designers recent collections, a series of questions that speak specifically to the Black youth of today. Each influencer plays a big role in our community honing the title as an activist.

Be social and give them your support! @bakerswoode @wild_moon

Barkers-Woode x Wild Moon  Barkers-Woode x Wild Moon

 

10Sep/16
Fifty Shades of Duku

“Fifty Shades of Duku” is a Must Have for Headwrap Lovers

Ofentse “Princess Ofee” Maluleke is the CEO of Taji Holdings and author of Fifty Shades of Duku. Taji is a Swahili word for CROWN. The company is focused on manufacturing and distributing natural hair and skin products while teaching Queens how to take care of their crowns. She also has a relentless love affair with head wraps and began teaching others how to wrap in 2013 on her Youtube channel.

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Ofee was born and raised in Empangeni  (Kwa-Zulu Natal), South Africa, ensuring that she got an all-round South African experience and that she could speak at least 5 languages. Her love for entrepreneurship began in high school where she was nicknamed “the popcorn lady” as she sold popcorn during break times for pocket money. She continued to sell other items such as beaded jewelery and muffins all the way through to university.

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The way that African women wear their duku’s is significantly different to the way other ethnicities wear theirs.  Instead of tying the fabric below the chin or at the nape of the neck African women tie it on the crown of the head or on the sides and tuck in the fabric in the wrap leaving the face and neck exposed. This ensures the head is puled upwards and the features of the face  are highlighted. In other words, an African woman wears her duku as she would a crown.

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“My life purpose is to inspire, heal and help African Queens to look and feel beautiful and be their authentic selves for God’s glory through my products, seminars, blogging and vlogging online.”

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In this book, Ofee will showcase 50 different ways to tie a Duku step-by-step.

Headwraps (Duku) hold a significant role in the history of African women all over the continent and the diaspora. The tradition has been passed through the generations and has never gone out of fashion. Duku’s have been historically worn by both men and women of all races but, in recent times it has become associated almost solely with women of African decent.

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Among other incredible works, she also sells locally produced organic body, lip and hair products.

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Many thanks to:

 @FlashingLitesPhotography

@TajiShop

@Marabouess

@papi9525

09Sep/16
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Lindi Roaming the Streets in Celebration of Our “Imbokodos”

In this edition of Lindi Roaming the Streets, Lindi celebrates our “Imbokodos” (Rocks/Women)!                                                                   

“Take a girl to the dance Campaign”

                                                           Agwata-Girls-Education-Initiative-mtg-early-apr2014-web  

Because every girl is a princess, they deserve that one night to celebrate their hard earned work. Rapunzel is a bit more relatable than the other princesses, especially because she doesn’t even know that she’s a princess until the very end. I like to think of her as the bohemian princess, as she’s barefoot and living in a tower. She paints and reads… She’s a Renaissance woman.

We are earnestly persuading all of our loving Queens out there to donate their matric dresses, and make someone’s prom night one they never imagined. This initiative gives education a meaning in rural and underprivileged communities, as they can only dream of nights like this.

This campaign runs from  01 August 2016 to 01 August 2017, in honour of all the hard working princesses that never gave up despite the obstacles that barred them from all angles, for they are our future QUEENS.

Imbokodos

                                                                  “Let’s take a girl to the dance, shall we?”

Please contact details below for more details and assistance.

Your donations are highly appreciated, and many thanks in advance.

IG:@muhlez

FB: Lindiwe Lee Tshitlho

Email: lindi@tajimag.com