NOTHING IS MORE POWERFUL THAN AN IDEA, WHOSE TIME HAS COME !

Hello People ! ! !

How you doing ? ? ?

Hope everything is more than well *

The previous posts were more artistic and fashionable !
But  it seems that it's time to show some more serious and in the same time interesting things about Africa's    future . . .
Don't forget , fashion is a way of living . . .a statement to the world. . . 

I was born and raised up in Greece, which is a place where interracial relationships are not common at all!
Since i was a kid my skin colour was always an issue, because it is darker than the rest of Greek people. So since a very young age i learnt  NOT to care and  NOT to judge people from their appearance, i learnt that what matter is people's  inside world than the cover . . . .

One year ago, i was lucky enough to meet in university a Nigerian and we started a relationship.
Through this relationship i had the opportunity to learn more about Africa from an "insider", to come close to African culture, music, habits and finally i fell in love and be inspired  *   <3
I would love to create unique dresses for African women . .
Sometimes it feels like i was born for African prints *

His dream is to reach a very good educational level and then move back and help with his own way his country...
What else does a woman need, than a man with  such a vision and good will for the world . .
My dream is to be happy and make other people happy too..Embrace them with my clothes ! *
{ fingers crossed}


Today's video is about cruel reality combined with inspiration and vision..

I believe that i shouldn't say a lot about it. Sometimes words are unnecessary. It truly worth watching it!
It is a clue that Africa is moving forward . .
That people despite their own problems and issues they look and care about the person next to them and  " next "  to them..
It is a recent movement and it deeply touched me!
Enjoy and bring the tissues now !

P.S.   - JOIN THE MOVEMENT AND
         - KEEP IT AS A SECRET THAT I'VE STARTED POSTING ABOUT HIM..   : P
     

Super Duper Fashion Designers inspired by Africa*

And Here we are , once again...
Today's post is about Western Fashion Designers inspired by Africa, but first of all i feel like explaining  myself.. :)))
The last 2 weeks were frustrating, full of stress but most of all full of creativity..
On the 8th of March i'm going to take part on a mini fashion show and i had to create a denim dress!!

My first, totally handmade dress..

Exciting experience!!
That's why you haven't heard of me lately..


   My dear,classmate Christina, who was the 1st person who wore my dress**..(always, but ALWAYS very                    supportive with my outfits!)Thanks Christinaki!

Later in the day ,we had an appointment with professional models for fitting..

Ladies and Gentlemen, Marina Kamila!!So proud you re going to wear my dress*

After this small presentation of my work [apology ;) ],
Let's get back to the point!!


African culture, music, nature can be a huge inspiration for fashion designers and not only..
There are quite a lot western fashion designers who turned they look to Africa..
The African vibe has seeped all across the fashion world..

Oscar De la Renta and Hermes S/S 2009 collection,

Dries Van Noten, Alexander McQueen, Etro, Anna Sui and Givency S/S 2010 collection,

L.A.M.B., Louis Vuitton, Prada and John Galliano S/S 2011 collection,

Burberry Prorsum, Michael Kors, Lanvin S/S 2012 collection

All of them used African culture and style as inspiration!


BUT MY OWN APPLAUSES GOT TO VIVIENNEN WESTWOOD...

                            "This is not Charity, This is work"

A new collection of Vivienne Westwood bags were handmade in Nairobi, Kenya. The new collection has been produced in collaboration with the Ethical Fashion Programme, using recycled materials from roadside advertisement banners and safari items, each of the three designs have been hand crafted by marginalised communities of women, such as single mothers, widows, HIV/AIDS victims and those living in extreme poverty.


Vivienne Westwood's Ethical Fashion Africa collection was holistic approach, that's 100% dedicated to supporting disadvantaged communities to improve lives.Dame Westwood's involvement in the Ethical Fashion Programme allows thousands of women to support themselves and their families with a life-long trade.

This kind of actions shows that fashion is not only style, aesthetic, a pocket/ wallet with money in it, is NOT  shallow!


Fashion, fashion, fashion, what is fashion?

It's a way of living,
it's a way of thinking ,
it's a statement to the world,
it's "humancentered"( in a good way!),
it's passion for life,
it's love for the person next to you,
it's the tender embrace to people all around the world..

Huhhh...

Before i get too emotional and start crying my eyes out, i ve got to give en "end" to this post..

Thank you guys for your understanding!

Cu veryyy soon*
PROMISE! HA*

Coz fashion is expression, passion, addiction...

During this week, while I was doing my research ,online, about African fashion and fashion in Africa, i was always "stepping" into photo shoots inspired by African clothing. 
My previous post had this theme, but, once again, i couldn't hold myself not to upload some more gorgeous pictures..
:P


These are from a very famous,American magazine named "TIME".
Here it comes!

Take a "bite"..

African fashion/ style is vibrant, complex, textured , colorful, soulful, regal, original, but most of all unapologetic! These are the key words for motivation, as a fashion designer*

And now, let's go straight to "business" ! haaa..

Africa's investing opportunities!

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (born June 13, 1954) was appointed in July 2011 as the new Minister of Finance for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Prior to this appointment, she was the Managing Director of World Bank (October 2007 - July 2011) and has also held the position of Finance Minister and Foreign Minister of Nigeria, between 2003 and 2006. She is notable for being the first woman to hold either of those positions. She served as finance minister from July 2003 until her appointment as foreign minister in June 2006, and as foreign minister until her resignation in August 2006. Okonjo-Iweala was considered as a possible replacement for former World Bank President, Paul Wolfowitz.

In this video she represents,Africa. "There is the will and there are the statistics that prove that Africa is changing, have changed", she says. 

In the end, she gives some examples of African women of how they built their businesses.

A very interesting example is Adenike's Ogunlesi,a Nigerian woman who founded the brilliantly-named children's clothing business, Ruff ‘N' Tumble, in Lagos in 1996. It has become a great success story and exports along the West African coast. 

Intelligent business woman and most of all she has THE perfect target group for her designs..

"40% of Nigeria's population, are children!"

So my dearest, readers/ fashion designers.. In the middle of  West's economy collapse...

Here is the solution!

;)

Stay tuned!!

The next post would we about African fashion designers and their wonderful collections

P.s. Thanks to Elpida P. , for the Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, video..  <3

*FaShiOn In AFriCa..* (welcome back M.V.)

It's been quite long guys..

I'm sorry it's my first time... :P

I had to reorganize my research, my thoughts so the

aim of this blog to be more obvious and in the

same time to make it more interesting as far as the views are "STRIKING"...(ha!)

The previous posts were about Africans fighting for a better future of their countries...

Showing that there is the will and in the future ,step by step, Africa is going to transform

into the best place to live and invest...

As i mentioned before, I am studying as a fashion designer, so i have to have some fashion in my blog...

;)

Africa is a place with gorgeous traditional dresses,but not only ;) The colors, the prints, the accessories,influenced from nature, animals, flowers.. 

THE RIGHT PLACE TO BE INSPIRED!!

LoVaBLe <3

             

A lot of  famous fashion designers were inspired by Africa,  and a lot models are from Africa..

TAKE A LOOK...

.....The African Queen...

Model: Liya Kebede (Ethiopia)

Photographer: Paolo Roversi

Christian Lacroix cotton dress. (on top of a turquoise blouse). 

Vintage Yves Saint Laurent blouse with ruffle collar. Yazbukey hat. Taher Chemirik earrings. Naïla de Monbrison necklace with large pendant.. Jacques Carcanagues prayer-bead .

Hermès silk chiffon bustier dress     (bottom)andsilkcrepe dress over silk chiffon dress, sold as ensemble.Stella Mccartney puff-sleeve dress (under printed dresses). Melet Mercantile fabric (as headdress). Lynn Ban earrings. Dean Harris necklace.t. Giorgio Vigna large bracelet.Jacques Carcanagues silver bracelet. Lydia Courteille ring.

Prada dress.Miu Miu satin dress (underneath).  Kris Ruhs bar necklace.Vicki Turbeville beaded necklace. Jacques Carcanagues bracelets. Lydia Courteille ring. Christian Lacroix bag. 

Ralph Lauren collection linen silk caftan. Donna Karan collection dress. Melet Mercantile head scarves. Yves Saint Laurent necklace. Alexis Bittar colored bangles. Lynn Ban white bracelet (right). Lydia Courteille antique carved ivory bracelet and ring. 

 Chanel cotton tweed jacket.  Pollini Chiffon tunic. Vintage Yves Saint Laurent skirt and vintage beaded belt. Jacques Carcanagues necklace. Dean Harris bracelets. Lydia Courteille ring. 

Emanuel Ungaro silk-and-sequin bolero jacket and silk chiffon dress. Yazbukey mask. Lanvin earrings. 

Dries van Noten embroidered jacket.  Vera Wang paper brocade blouse. Les Touristes mask. Kentshire necklace.

After all these wonderful pictures and the amazing styling, you can imagine that for a fashion designer Africa is one of the best places not only to visit, but to invest.

There is plenty of inspiration, new information from their culture, their music, their nature,their art..

As a fashion designer you have to be creative, innovative and most of all your clothes to be unique and not to be afraid of future's "mystery"...

so so soooo true..

:P

I've got to say "thank you" to my boyfriend, who helped me with the videos and for correcting my silly mistakes....

<3 u

Enough..is Enough*

People's "punch" .

There is the will..there is the action...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCbs7ugvLVs&feature=relmfu

the best are on their way ;)

With a point*

Africans can change their destiny!


Africans have to determine their own fate as Africa is capable of sustaining itself. The relationship between Africa and the West does not benefit Africans. For example, we had slavery, colonialism and now neo-colonialism and Western conspiracy which is the problem of Africa. Without abolishing these two menaces from our motherland Africa, nothing will change.

The world seems to be blind to the true reality of the basic nature of Africans. Our current dilemma and confusion was deliberately and systematically imposed upon us over the past few centuries. Any system of government in Africa that is not based on empowerment of her people will never succeed in creating the mindset that Africans need in order to foster prosperity and independence.

Also, the solution for Africans lies deeply embedded within our psyche and will remain there until the burden of our adopted Western mentality has been lifted off our shoulders by our own innate spiritual development that surfaces from time to time in the abbreviated lives of exemplary Africans. The rulers of this world are not willing to allow us to arise and develop in our own innovative way.

If there is anything that can be done to deal with the African problems, it is to do away with relations with people who only have their interests and nothing more. Africa has enough resources to sustain herself for example, Minerals, oil and water, amongst others. Africans have to speak with one voice on African issues and not on Western platforms. Suitable and sustainable solutions can be found for Africa if they are designed and implemented by Africans. The international community should avoid prescribing a solution based on their foreign culture, economic power and political inclination.

 

The world should stop viewing Africa as one country. The African continent comprises of different nations and just because we are Africans does not mean we all have the same history and philosophy in life. Africa is more diverse than Europe.Such issues as keeping colonial boundaries and self determination as a basic Human right must be resolved.

 

There can be no meaningful progress in Africa till we have visionary leaders who respect humanity and love of country. We must change our unproductive attitudes and begin to see the big picture by exploiting and evenly distributing the resources we have.The continent has abundant resources which unfortunately she is being stripped of. No one should give us crumbs that fall off their table, which only encourages us to sit and beg, instead of taking our place at the table.

 

African governments should attempt to solve their own problems and put policies in place to solve future problems. It seems the leaders' greed and corruption always stand in the way of governing their countries and they need to be guided in doing the right thing rather than being spoon-fed by the West! African leaders should work towards empowering their people to create wealth.

Reforms to improve governance are essential, both for sustainable economic growth, and political stability. The bottom line of good governance is democracy. It is not our role to decide who governs any country, but we will use our influence to encourage governments to let their people make that decision for themselves.

Africa needs access to European Union agricultural and other protected markets by scrapping the Common Agricultural Policy. Given complete freedom from intellectual property rights laws for products sold within their own borders (for a limited period), canceling of Africa's debts, allowing economic migrants from African countries and stopping arms sales are the only ways to revive the continent. Once all this is done, Africa will fully develop in few years and be self sustaining to the envy of the West and East.

By Joseph Mutuku Ngemu
Bsc. (statistics & computer science) honours, PGD.
Lecturer, W.T.T.I, Kenya.

THIS IS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT* Youth with a vision!

Introducing myself.. ;)

This blog was created while studying as a fashion designer in the last year of BA(Hons) at AAS College, partner of University of Central Lancashire. One of the modules is Design Future.The aim of this module is to help us develop research methodologies on how to deal with design necessities in the future.

So, we were asked to consider evolution in certain fields of science, fashion, climate, technology and other areas of studying and be inspired by that, in order create a "future scenario".

I was inspired from my interracial love story. Where different culture, different mother language and different skin color stood as motivation to see things from a totally new perspective. 

The idea of my theme, was born between the collapse of European economy, plantains and the every day question  to myself  "what I'm going to do in the future"…

think forward..

step forward..

AFRICA IS THE FUTURE*