telegram (telegram_) wrote in blackcigarette,
2009-09-05 05:55:00

Don't Sleep On Africa

Stockholm. Paris. London. New York. Helsinki. Milan. Tokyo.

These seem to be to go-to places when it comes to "street-style" and what's hot in general on most fashion blogs, but I just wanted to share some of the street-style you'll find on the African continent. Most of these were taken by Chris Saunders, a South African based photographer whose made it a point to capture the emerging style of South African youth. South African street style is rarely sleek and chic - it's irreverent, vibrant and daring. It mixes patterns and textures, with echoes of mid 70s style (and just a splash of "geek chic").
















































The following black and white photos are by Malik Sidibe. I love them because they so remind me of old photos of my mother and her friends when she was her twenties (in the 70s).














And of course we're not just dressing stylishly. We're also creating. Here are some African designs that don't involve tribal print leggings.

Shoes from Kenyan (if I remember correctly :\) designer Estelle Yomeda:







Suno - another Kenyan company:




Sika, a Ghanaian company, makes cute 50s inspired dresses:



And Vlisco, a company actually based in Holland but synonymous with traditional West African (especially in Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Senegal and Cote d' Voire) wax print fabric is all about tha drama~:











I myself have a couple pieces using Vlisco fabric (and Woodin, which is another popular manufacturer in my country, Ghana):




yes i look preggers shut up

Sorry this was so long, I just really wanted to share all of this with other people! Thanks.
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telegram_

September 5 2009, 19:45:25 UTC 3 years ago

gracias :]

sobota

September 5 2009, 13:00:36 UTC 3 years ago

wow!! you look spectacular, and so do these pictures. i would so dig a street fashion blog from south africa or from algeria or morocco (which is my home country).

showroomeyes

September 5 2009, 13:02:30 UTC 3 years ago

I love the Urkle-esqe feel :D

moonymadness

September 5 2009, 13:49:53 UTC 3 years ago

Aw, I noticed it too :)

I really like this post and I have to say that you are gorgeous.

laudanumb

September 5 2009, 13:07:05 UTC 3 years ago

Best post in ages.

youbeforei

September 5 2009, 14:05:46 UTC 3 years ago

i completely agree.

stevie_chik

3 years ago

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mommadona

3 years ago

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paristomoscou

September 5 2009, 13:08:09 UTC 3 years ago

Absolutely fantastic post, I love it. I'd really love to see any kind of African street blog.

ps: you are gorgeous!

telegram_

September 5 2009, 19:45:03 UTC 3 years ago

thank you!

basta_tragedy

September 5 2009, 13:08:29 UTC 3 years ago

great post!
this girl is imply precious^^
and I looove your hair in your 2nd pic!

bitch_please

September 5 2009, 13:10:01 UTC 3 years ago

This post is incredible!!

aquarienfisch

September 5 2009, 13:11:57 UTC 3 years ago

Thank you so much for posting these pictures! I love them :) The colours are wonderful and so are the people :) It doesn't feel like it these were taken so far away, you know?

& http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3579/3562100940_442c3e83b1.jpg - AWESOME! you're extremely pretty!

vintageturtle

September 5 2009, 18:10:11 UTC 3 years ago

Ia :D

oldtactics

September 5 2009, 13:15:11 UTC 3 years ago

Oh my goodness, I am in love with everything in this post. I'm posting the link to this post everywhere I can! Thanks so much, these looks are incredible.

queenoffantasy

September 5 2009, 13:26:54 UTC 3 years ago

what a great post!

om_shakti

September 5 2009, 13:31:58 UTC 3 years ago

These are awesome! Lovelovelove seeing Africa represented! These clothes are great!

9t9

September 5 2009, 13:32:45 UTC 3 years ago

Love this post! Great photos, and epic style.

pinkykinz

September 5 2009, 13:50:19 UTC 3 years ago

this is so refreshing to see fashion that isnt from a "fashion capital." gorgeous post!

toiletdog

September 5 2009, 23:14:03 UTC 3 years ago

I agree! This was an incredibly lovely post. ♥ ♥ ♥

smileysweetie

3 years ago

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toiletdog

3 years ago

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ogr7

September 5 2009, 13:50:34 UTC 3 years ago

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/8139/lolo7.jpg
LOVE THIS.

Excellent post, I've always wondered what street-style was like in african countries.

abauche

September 5 2009, 13:59:14 UTC 3 years ago

Great post!

deereyed

September 5 2009, 14:10:40 UTC 3 years ago

the colors here are amazing. & I adore that second piece you made!

jemstarr

September 5 2009, 14:29:05 UTC 3 years ago

Very nice (and necessary) post. I was getting so tired of seeing the same crap I stopped looking at all the posts in this community. Thank you for posting these photos. I'm definitely going to look more in the first photographer and check out the work he's done.

jemstarr

September 5 2009, 14:31:52 UTC 3 years ago

oh, and I'm adding you.

blackbirdblues

September 5 2009, 14:33:53 UTC 3 years ago

We need to be friends, omg. Thanks for this post!

blackbirdblues

September 5 2009, 14:50:03 UTC 3 years ago

Now that I'm not freaking out, let me explain myself :)

I love African fabric and prints and I've been looking for styles and designers who use African fabrics forever. I haven't been able to find any serious designers here in the U.S. (Chicago specifically) but I'm still looking.

Also, the street style pics you posted were amazing. It's interesting to see that compared to the emerging styles of American black youth. I guess the prime example I can find is this video. The song is annoying (but catchy), just to warn you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv9VKKXwVxU

It's a weird mixture of hipster + hood. But honestly, I love it compared to previous black American styles. I'm a fan of bright colors against darker complexions :)



telegram_

3 years ago

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hellololla

3 years ago

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anizka

September 5 2009, 14:50:48 UTC 3 years ago

this post was superb!

akai_crunch

September 5 2009, 14:52:31 UTC 3 years ago

wow ! the street style there is amazing, daring, so creative ! i lovelovelove it !

xxwithlove

September 5 2009, 15:01:15 UTC 3 years ago

You are beautiful!

telegram_

September 5 2009, 19:44:40 UTC 3 years ago

thanks :]

sionimuiri

September 5 2009, 15:05:47 UTC 3 years ago

Awesome post, I love the retro feel of all of this :)

laurelleaf

September 5 2009, 15:21:54 UTC 3 years ago

This post ROCKS and I hope you keep contributing.

its_something

September 5 2009, 15:27:52 UTC 3 years ago

You don't look pregnant and OH MY GOD, THESE ARE ALL AMAZING. Bookmarking this.
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