Stella Jean and L'Oréal Lipstick Preview

*speechless*

Image: Stella Jean on Instagram

Nadia Dafri: Statements that make a STATEMENT reloaded!

Not so long ago, we put the ankara spotlight on Nadia Dafri, an overly talented Parisian fabric jewellery designer, specialising in statemement neck pieces.

And just when we thought there was no way her designs could get any better...her latest work has gone and exceeded ALL expectations!

Check out the rainbow coloured, tribal infusion, in pieces from this new Nadia Dafri collection:

The pieces are so multi-versatile, you can wear them where you please!

These colourful renditions are sure to bring that winter wardrobe straight into spring. Pick your favourite and make that statement!

Image credits:

Photography: JP LACUBE

Model: LEONORE MASSON

Make up : Christelle RIBERO

Stylist: Marie REVELUT

Designer: Nadia DAFRI

Denkyi African Sole: The Sole of the Motherland

No one can say that there's no soul in the motherland when Africa is the home of all things SOLE. Every now and then at ILA we come across designers that blow our fashion chops off. In this case Denkyi has taken us to a whole new shoe and accessory heaven. Still basking in the rays of Fashion Week, we thought it only appropriate to showcase the best of the best, the up and coming and the ones to watch. We have no doubt 2013 holds big things for Denkyi African Sole.

With spring upon us its only right we get started with a spring clean and update, bringing in a new blend of rich colours and vibrant textures to put a spring in your step. Remember, the bold are always the beautiful. Never shy away from colour embrace it and make it a lifestyle. Check out a few more of our favourites from Denkyi:

For Him:

For Her: 

ILA Tuesday Thought: "Age shouldn't affect you. It's like the size of your shoes, they don't determine how you live your life! You're either marvelous or you're boring. Regardless of your age."

                                                                                                                           - Steven Morrissey

ILA Tuesday Inspiration: Take yourself shopping and buy a pair of shoes in a new colour that you don't have in your closet. Attach an emotion to this pair of shoes and every time you wear the shoes, embody this emotion and let it reflect in the way you walk because who said life has to be boring?

What will your footprint say about you....?

To get more sole in your step shop Denkyi African Sole and follow and like them on Facebook.

Anita Quansah: The curator of Afro-Opulence

We just love the beginning of the fashion year - with it comes fashion weeks worldwide, new seasons, new talent and new designs. It also means brand new ILA fashion finds and updates on featured designers who have made it through to another season.

First on the ILA update line up is Anita Quansah. A few months ago, we documented a work-in-progress African Print bib necklace by the curator - the first of it's kind from the designer.

Painstakingly created over days, weeks and sometimes even months, each Anita Quansah piece demands a premium price...and quite rightly so.

Take a look at the detail on these beautiful Ankara creations:

Beautiful beading on the finished piece

Each piece features intricate beading produced by hand!

Embellished collar neck piece

Coupled with another piece from
the Anita Quansah collection

Victorian style neck piece with African print fringing 

Close up

Work-in-progess updates made by Anita herself have been posted on the Anita Quansah Facebook fan page. Here's what she had to say about her latest work:

"Inside designers work process

For the latest neck pieces and collars, I've played with lots of embellishments and colours. Contrasting intricate beading with prints to create that ultimate statement collar. I have carefully picked out colours that compliment the neck piece...Styling Tip: Wear over t-shirts, dresses and even jackets and coats."
- Anita Quansah

We can't wait for more of what the Anita Quansah line has to offer in 2013!

Af-Ccessory of the week

Valentine's day has just come and gone and unfortunately, so have the romantic meals, roses and chocolates!

However, imagine flowers that never died and were available in your favourite shade of Ankara?!

Well thanks to these ankara roses from africanimports.com, that need no longer be a thing of the imagination:

African Print flowers, available from africanimports.com

They may not smell as good as that bouquet of handpicked flowers you may have had delivered, but at least they'll last all year round!

Ladies, would you accept these from that special somebody?

ILA In The SpotLight - Ankara does Vintage ft. Dee Vintage

"I literally live & breathe fashion its my passion that's what i do,born with it & will take it to my grave... i am a vintage shopper/ interior designer "

- Dee Vintage The Vintagepoint

Welcome to our very first ILA In The SpotLight. Each week we will showcase designers that have impressed us, that we think will do big things this year, in the spotlight.

This week ladies and gents, we proudly put Dee Vintage into the spotlight. As you may have already gathered from her name, she is a lover of everything Vintage and lives vintage trends.

Feast your eyes on a sneak peek of  Dee Vintage's latest project which we like to call Ankara Vintage:

Wax on/Wax off: Ankara Style

Don't you just hate it when your favourite African print accessory starts to fade? Either the fabric of your Ankara clad bag skims the wrong part of the floor or some questionable wall OR you touch your face smudging the Mac studio fix which you so artistically painted on just hours before, and end up staining your beloved print earrings! (Ok, slightly melodramatic, we know...but it happens!)

Although most don't come with care instructions, we all know not to put our print accessories in the wash. So then where does that leave your favourite piece? Neglected at the bottom of your jewellery box? Well, not anymore...

Let's introduce you to the accessory heavy weights who protect the ankara in their designs, so that you don't have to!

JOANSU

Joansu Cuff

Tribal Colour Monster - Asaad Mousner

Amanda Assad Mounser is a New York based designer whose eye for colour and design is revolutionary. She draws inspiration from the likes of David Bowie and Bianca Jagger and we can all stand testament to the fact that Bowie and Bianca Jagger are fashion giants...beg your pardon...fashion MONSTERS!

Before launching her debut Winter/Fall Collection in 2009, Asaad was very much involved in the fashion industry in New York for Moschino and Alejandro Ingelmo.

Her collections have received critical acclaim and editorials from leading international publications such as Vogue (Japan, Italy, UK, Australia and China!) Harper's Bazaar, Elle, The New York Times, i-D, Purple Magazine, Numero, Rush, Lucky, Nylon, and W Magazine.

Duro Olowu / jcpenney collabo - Accessories spotlight

 In October 2012, jcpenney announced their first ever designer collaboration - and their designer of choice is none other than one of the Kings of premium African fashion, Duro Olowu. 

Duro Olowu for jcpenney

Available to buy at reasonable prices (averaging around $50/£32), the Limited edition Spring 2013 collection Lookbook has been released and will be available both in store and online via jcpenney from March to May 2013. 

Duro Olowu and jcpenney Spring 2013 Lookbook

We were so taken by the accessories in the Lookbook that we had to highlight them in all their tribal print beauty! We especially love how the collection uses the Tribal African influence across fashion, accessories and home decor. Now even your crockery and house-ware can be afrocentrically stylish!

From House to Home ft. Eva Sonaike

This year, we're taking the addiction to new heights by moving it out of your wardrobes to the entire house. There is nothing worse than a man or woman who looks good, but is crawling out of a bat cave! This is more than an addiction...it's a lifestyle!

Presenting the queen of lifestyle ankara style Eva Sonaike, who puts the ow in wow! 

"Using colourful African and African-inspired fabrics and combining them with delicate materials is the core of the Eva Sonaike brand. It is important for me to show that African-inspired products can be very high-end, with a luxurious finish and appeal to a design-conscious customer"

                                                                                           - Eva Sonaike

'Eva Sonaike is a London-based designer producing luxurious home décor, fashion accessories textiles and interior design solutions that deliver colour and vibrancy to peoples homes and wardrobes.'

Born in Germany, she is of Nigerian decent and uses both influences of having grown up in Germany with her African roots to inspire her beautiful designs.

ILA TIP:  All accessories in your home are a representation of who you are, just as the accessories you choose to wear make a statement on an outfit.

What is your home saying about you??

Af-Ccessory of the day: L'Oreal and Jewel by Lisa!

Pucker up because there's a new ankara heavyweight in town!

Jewel by Lisa ended 2012 on a high by releasing its Spring/Summer 2013 collection and a preview of this:

Jewel by Lisa for L'Oreal 

That's right, it's a double wammy with not just one but two treats - a neutral lip colour and nail polish in the most perfect shade of 'goes with everything' red that a girl could wish for. Shame it's only available in Italy! Still, it's good to see Italia embracing the African influence in the most unique form that we've seen yet. 

Bellissima!

Ankara beauty...because you're worth it!!!

It's 2013 baby!

Save and share if you love!

We're back with a vengeance with more fabulous finds, ankara trinkets, accessories tips and more planned for 2013! 

Keep it locked to iLoveAnkara :)

Lots of New Year Love
#TeamILA xXx