Home

Vogue Africa- The Dream

By Bridget Barrett

9th August 2010 | 0 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

Considering that Africa is a huge continent it’s quite surprising that there is no Vogue dedicated to the mainly black socialite/fashionista culture.

Mario Epanya is a 35 year old Cameroonian and has worked in hair and make-up before becoming a photographer of high fashion. He shot several covers for the blueprint magazine; but sadly the “Fashion Bible” to all fashionistas was rejected by Conde Nast (a worldwide publishing company) in mid July 2010.

Black culture has set the trends for many mainstream fashions and influences both here in the Western World and in the ever growing socialite culture of Africa and South Africa. African style and fashions is different to the UK’s, I would like to be educated about their culture/ fashion via a Vogue Africa.

The population of Afro Caribbean and Africans that live outside the country like; in Italy, Spain, England, France, Germany and America will actually support and encourage a new way forward for this prestigious fashion magazine.

It would be nice for once to see Africa and African culture in a more positive light instead of being highlighted in world news with famine pictures and pleas for aids for the poor stricken regions, gang violence, rape and poverty. But some of these issues exist in many western countries; we have political and current affairs issues to deal with right here in the UK and we also have wealth and prosperity just like Africa does.

I wonder if Conde Nast feel that there are not enough mainstream black people in high profile careers that warrant a Vogue Africa to be launched. When Italian Vogue took the plunge in 2008, to launch a Vogue Black it flew of the shelves in the UK alone. So isn’t that proof alone that all high fashion models of colour sell magazines! Or is it that was just not commercial enough because of our skin colour to be awarded a Vogue Africa.

African people need and should have good role models to look up to and they should be displayed in such magazines as Vogue Africa, and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t sell as currently the sales for international Vogue globally is at the 1 billion mark.

So What Exactly Is The Problem?

There’s not enough of us that are educated to degree and beyond standard, that aspire to have a successful life and that live in affluent areas of a country, city or town. That we want to see diversity across the sections and get rid of the last taboo that black is not beautiful. And if they want to get rid of this stereo typical attitude then why have they created publications via the Vogue Italian website for Vogue Black and Vogue Curvy where you have the lovely Beth Ditto in this online publication, but not issued any print version for the mainstream public to buy.

Is it because the size zero mainly European, largely white models is still the thing that sells magazines in affluent societies. And why hide the diversity of our society, culture in an online magazine? We all come in different shapes, sizes and colour we want escapsim as well.

Black People have an array of skin colouring, hair styles, music taste and fashions that as and will continue to influence many cultures and countries. The continent is full of interesting writers, princesses and princes, people from the world of sports, a diversity of designers and a whole lot more.

Black hair is extremely versatile with styles such as; braiding to weaves, afros, dreadlocks to the new Rihanna edgy punk look, curly hair to going natural the 21^st century way. Our skin needs bolder make-up and we want to have a Vogue that not only represents the wonderful country of Africa but informs us of the overseas sisters and brothers; Fashion Trends, Celebrity News, Beauty Products, Couture Fashion, Avant Garde Designer Collections, African Cuisines, Creative Directors, Fashion Editors, Feature Writers, Film-Makers that show and explore the diaspora of the continent, need I go on!

There is a market for this Vogue but Conde Nast have yet to state why it was turned down.

Draw your own conclusions.
Runway Fashion: who actually wears it?

By Shabana Adam

19th April 2010 | 3 comments | 1 person likes this

How many of you have watched a runway fashion show and thought, will anyone actually wear that? I do it all the time. 2010 has, so far, given a new and extreme meaning to over the top fashion. We’ve all seen them on the catwalk this year. Designer’s choosing to use lace, cut-outs, slits, mesh, leather, and peculiar bits and pieces placed wherever there seems to be room. These bizzare-looking designs are flaunted at fashion week in Milan , New York, Paris and London to name a few, yet most of them look like they couldn’t possibly be comfortable for more than a few minutes.

I know we’ve just seen a number 2010 Autumn/Winter designs, but the fashion line that prompted me to write this post is by the designer who inspired many of Lady Gaga’s strange ensembles – Ara Jo. Her 2010 Spring/Summer line was based on the mermaid theme. If like me you expected flowy, colourful, ultra-feminine garments, because of the mermaid concept, then you’ll be surprised. These designs will burst your bubble of imagination that you previously had about mermaids. Yes there’s colour – but with the way some of these dresses are cut and the amount of flesh on show, I think it’s safe to say that you can’t see ordinary folk parading the streets in this eccentric, to say the least, dress (or whatever you want to call it).

I understand that some fashion designers look at fashion as an art form and like to push boundaries, but seriously, is this look ever going to be commercially plausible? I think not. A number of fashion designers produce couture wear strictly for celebrities, while the fashionistas amongst us are left to talk about them in shock (just like I am). Is this a way of getting us interested in their work with the hope of selling the more mundane end of their collections to us? Most probably yes.

You have to admit, apart from Lady Gaga (who has been draped in every material available in the fabric store), there is no other person on the planet who could pull off this look on an ordinary day. With that said, Ara Jo definitely has an odd and unique talent – it’s just not my cup of tea!
Timmy in Wonderland

By Stephen Bain

8th March 2010 | 0 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

I have to admit am not overly familiar with the original Alice in Wonderland literature, and it has been quite a while since watching the original 1951 Disney cartoon, so my canvas was pretty much blank when entering the cinema to watch Tim Burton’s latest tale. With a screenplay written by Linda Woolverton, whose previous credentials include Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King (the latter possibly being Disney’s finest achievement in recent years), Alice is in more than capable hands.

The familiar gothic style associated with Burton is once again present. Once Alice falls down that infamous rabbit hole we are, unsurprisingly, transported to a visually rich world containing all the classic characters: the grinning Cheshire cat (voiced by Stephen Fry), the mad hatter (Johnny Depp in his umpteenth collaboration with Burton), the Red Queen (Helena Bonnam Carter in her umpteenth collaboration with husband Burton), the White Rabbit (voiced by Martin Sheen) and Tweedledum and Tweedledee (who are hilariously modelled to resemble Matt Lucas).

Visually Alice is certainly a treat. The ‘wonderland’ in question is a place that alternates brilliantly between a colour enriched kingdom and a gothically dreamlike universe. This is all backed up by Burton-regular Danny Elfman in a brilliantly appropriate score. However this time round the 3D ‘experience’ does not (arguably) add much to the events onscreen, unlike Ferngully-with-Smurfs hit Avatar. I am more than confident that this adventure could be enjoyed just as much in good old fashioned 2D.

Newcomer Mia Wasikowska does a fine job as Alice, a girl trapped in a bourgeoisie family and soon to be engaged to a comically upper-class idiot. Her innocence and girl-next door image make her an instantly likeable onscreen presence. Johnny Depp is his usual quirky self as the Mad Hatter (complete with a slightly questionable Scottish-sounding accent). However Helena Bonham Carter steals most of the scenes as the wicked, unremorseful Red Queen. She, without a doubt, swipes the film from right under Mr Johnny Depp’s nose. Clearly an act of revenge following the conclusion of their last film together Sweeney Todd!

Some voices are a little surprising on the ears, those who are fans of Eastenders may be shocked to hear Peggy Mitchell (sorry…Barbara Windsor) as a dormouse.

Whilst Alice may not have the originality of Edward Scissorhands or The Nightmare before Christmas, it still shows considerable flare and creativity. Certainly an experience that adults are bound to appreciate just as much as children.
What’s It Like To Be A Fashion Designer? Sana Sabini Lets Us Know…

By Priyanka Kara

21st January 2010 | 0 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

Lebanese fashion designer Sana Sabini has established a directional presence in the Middle East with her eclectic, original style. Her participation at fashion shows across Paris, Germany and Italy determines an unmistakable charisma that she brings to the fashion industry. I had the opportunity to speak to her and see how the fashion industry had been treating her. Read more »
How Do I look?

By Neandra Etienne

22nd December 2009 | 0 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

CHECKYOUdaily is a fashion site with a difference, because it’s more like a community where you can share details about your outfit, by tagging what you’re wearing. Astride Howell, the founder explains how a love of sharing fashion tips and outfit ideas, lead to the creation of CHECKYOUdaily. Read more »
A decade of body image

By Karla Evans

21st December 2009 | 2 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

Top Uruguayan model Luisel Ramos swanned down the catwalk in August of 2006 to applause and approval from the fashion elite who sat staring from the rows below her. Yet, minutes after stepping from the catwalk, she complained of feeling unwell and, suddenly and instantaneously died from heart failure. Read more »
‘Trekstock Loves’ – Fashion and fundraising

By Matt Fricker

9th December 2009 | 0 comments | 2 people like this

For the past four years, Trekstock has been growing as one of the coolest charities out there on the music scene. Their cause is simple; raise as much money for Teenage Cancer Trust as possible. It’s with this aim in mind that they’ve announced the launch of ‘Trekstock Loves’ the charity’s first foray into the fashion world. Read more »
Nail it with ASOS

By Neandra Etienne

1st December 2009 | 2 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

Asos, who are the leaders when it comes to online celebrity shopping, have now added a new nail polish range to their beauty department.

Victoria Beckham, Pixie, Gwen and Katy are just a few of the celebrity names given to the nail polishes created by Ciaté.

If you like your nails dark go for Alexa’s deep navy or Daisy’s charcoal black. If bights your thing, then go for Paris’s hot fuchsia pink or Cheryl’s coral shade.

So why not treat yourself and give your nails the celebrity treatment they deserve.

£6, www.asos.com
My Heart was Broken by a Man Called Lancome…

By Nadirah

20th November 2009 | 4 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

I was 15 when I discovered liquid liner; Lancome Art Liner, 1.4 ml, £15.50. Only for special occasions though, or one special occasion: my cousin’s wedding. I’d spent the last two years watching my mum apply it, with a shaky right hand, resulting in a rather uneven line. I was determined to be better at it. For weeks before the wedding I’d sneak the liner from my mom’s make up case, waiting until she was busy with the ironing, engrossed in neighbours or best of all, at work. Then I’d creep into the bathroom armed with her eye make up remover and practice. It took weeks. But I did it. A straight line. Read more »
Sindy in the Sixties

By Neandra Etienne

18th November 2009 | 4 comments | 1 person likes this

Helen Carter has turned her love of collecting Sindy dolls into an exhibition, which is being displayed at the Museum of Childhood. Sindy was launched by Pedigree in 1963 along with her friends ‘The Sindy Set’ that also included her boyfriend Paul, named after the famous Beatle.
Here she talks about setting up her exhibition and why Sindy isn’t the girl she used to be.

What made you start collecting Sindy dolls, don’t you like Barbie, or Tressy?
I think that somewhere in my subconscious there is something about Sindy that fired a spark that Tressy or Barbie failed to do. I had Barbie as a child, only one, and one Tressy, but Sindy was my first doll in 1964. I love Barbie as a fashion model; she has the right proportions and looks great in clothes (her proportions height-wise are similar to how fashion drawings are constructed, not human at all, but fabulous as a visual). Barbie’s early fashions are wonderful as a look at American fashion culture at that time – they looked very much towards Paris couture, but Sindy had her own very British look, especially as the 1960’s progressed (a London look which was copied by Mattel for “MOD” Barbie) and for that reason I prefer to collect Sindy dolls.

Why did you decide to do the exhibition and how did it come about?
I began researching as an academic in the archives at the V&A Museum of Childhood, the curators are very supportive and there are some interesting things in the British Toy Making Archive. My academic research is tied up with Sindy and teenage fashion dolls in general.
In my exhibition I wanted to show how underestimated her influence as a fashion trend maker was.
I have always wanted to do something more with my dolls than just collect them, and when it was suggested to me that I could put on a display, this was my opportunity to demonstrate my theory.

How did you come up with the concept of doing the 60s theme, and why did you chose that decade?
I chose the 1960’s because that was when Sindy was released (1963) and the decade that spawned the teenager as we know it, alongside a lot of the popular culture that shaped the end of the 20th century and beyond.

Who helped you design and put together the exhibition?
I designed it, came up with the concept, did all the research and the graphics, got all the dolls together – basically it is a one woman show! Esther Lutman, the curator that I was working with, suggested something visual from the 60s decade using the dolls, and I took it from there. I had help from a friend to actually set it up, the graphics are printed on huge sheets of card and had to be handled carefully.

How long did it take to put together?
The whole process took months of work, the picture research was very time consuming and I had to get copyright permission for all the images that didn’t belong to the V&A. I travelled around researching and collecting things that I did not have in my collection, from other people . I researched using 1960’s catalogues like Freemans and Grattan and because they proved to be such a fantastic resource, I included some of their images in my display.

Are the Sindy’s from your own personal collection?
Most of them, I had to borrow 3 Sindy dolls, 4 Paul dolls, and some of the accessories

Do you have a favourite?
My favourite dolls are definitely the early ones, the Made in England with the Weekenders outfit, and I also love the 1968 Side parts.

Have you designed any outfits for Sindy?
Only OOAK (one of a kind) commissions for people. I have had ideas but time is limited, I work full time in my teaching job as a Programme Leader of the Fashion Design programmes at the University of East London. I would love to create iconic vintage pieces on OOAK Sindy dolls, maybe one day!

How has she changed today?
Today she doesn’t exist as far as I’m concerned, in fact I don’t think that Pedigree are making Sindy at all. She was changed so much in the late 1980’s that to most collectors she became a different doll, they might as well have renamed her. They gave her the smaller head and California smile of Barbie, instead of sticking to their USP (unique selling point) which was her side glancing eyes, more human proportions and very British style. They could have taken so much from our changing culture at that time, the way that fashion, music and street style was being fused and influenced by all the multi-cultural influences around us.

Vintage Sindy or New Sindy?
Vintage hands down!

www.museumofchildhood.org.uk

www.sindy-repro.com