Looking Back, Going Forward: Jewel by Lisa S/S '13

It's like a forgotten crush - if there's anything like that - but sure it's stronger than mere thoughts.

Somehow, it feels I missed out on a part of my life; it happened during the MTN LFDW 2012 

precisely the day Jewel by Lisa showcased. I must have been teleported to 

another world or sort because sincerely I didn't understand how I could've

missed out an essential detail of an entire week, an essential detail as the magnificent 

collection and show of fashion label Jewel by Lisa.

The Spring/Summer collection is beyond remarkable; it encapsulates 

African beauty to perfection. 

TREND FORECAST: For the Love of Fashion - Come 2013

2012 has been a very lovely and fulfilling year, with lots of good news, achievements, and discoveries, blessings within and outside the fashion industry.

In 2012 we saw different fashion trends revealed by various designers on the runway and in their look books but the question is what trends will be carried on into 2013. From the long list of trends that reigned through 2012, from sheer, lace, high slits, shorts, etc which ones will trend in 2013?

It’s obvious some of the 2012 trends will come along into the New Year but it’s apparent also that new ones will be discovered. I took up a challenge of looking through the past and most recent collections – Spring/Summer, Pre Fall, Fall/Winter, Ready-to-Wear to examine what trends so far within the last couple months, say three months will extend into the New Year. And yes, there are new trends, beautiful and safer ones too.

Some of these trends include; leather, stripes thanks to Marc Jacobs and Rebahia, lace …more lace, African print, folds & wraps, flares, capes and lines, holographic details and more.

My favourite pick of trends to watch in 2013 are highlighted below….

"Luxury Sweet Candy" - ICONIC INVANITY MTN LFDW 2012 Collection

To fully appreciate the skills and effort involved in making a garment and an entire collection, you would have to see it up close and personal preferably before the fashion week starts or backstage minutes before the designers’ show, simply because it’s the visual impact that really matters. 

Few weeks, days before the LFDW started I visited few designers at their atelier and merging the experience gathered pre and during the show really gave me a totally different and definite understanding into the individual collections. Iconic Invanity’s “Luxury Sweet Candy” collection was one of few I previewed before the event proper. The interesting thing about such visits is that it helps sort out initial impressions, it then gives a clear view of the collection based on the designer’s aesthetics. For example, I discovered that the title of the collection couldn’t have been better to describe such an amazing collection of colourful and deliciously designed pieces. 

The sincere attention to details often revealed by the intricate beading style places Iconic Invanity on another platform from her peers. From tops, skirts, dresses and immaculate gowns, every piece from this collection have more structure and beauty than can be realized on the runway.

Photos: Lazailounge.com 

Fifteen & Fabulous! Matthew Williamson Celebrates Fifteen Years With Exclusive 'Party Girl' Collection

My special interest in Matthew Williamson recently increased after reading an interview he did with a blogger recently. I don’t quite follow controversial fashion stories but somehow I have found unusual impulse to study a lot about this man and his brand – basically, he’s like my new MJ (Marc Jacobs). The concern took a rather drastic increase after he didn’t show up for the recently concluded MTN LFDW where he was supposed to close the entire event – well, Matthew himself didn’t show up but he was represented by his Business Partner and CEO, Joseph Valosa and a selection of elegant pieces from his recent collection was showcased around 11:09pm(yes! past 11pm) on Saturday, 27^th of October at the Conventional Hall of Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Truly, I enjoyed the show and loved every piece showcased – I wanted it all. But again, I was very disappointed when informed of Matthew’s absence – gist of him being busy and all.

All good, I continued my stalk search on him and discovered this exclusive interview he did with Net-a-Porter.com celebrating his 15years in the industry. In celebration, Matthew created an exclusive collection the ‘Party Girl’. In the interview, Matthew speaks of his work and life.

British designer, Matthew Williamson speaks with net-a-porter.com…

Congratulations, Matthew – 15 years is a huge achievement. How have you managed to stay on top?

It really does seem like only yesterday when we created our first collection. I'm so lucky to still love my job after all these years – time really does fly when you're having fun, as they say! I guess I try to remain true to my brand's DNA with every collection. I think we have a strong identity, so now it's about building, expanding and adding freshness each season.

What is it about your aesthetic that is so enduring?

I try not to just make clothes, but to add something extra special to each piece and to tell a story with each collection. It's more about creating a lifestyle. I'm drawn to elements of nature, interesting countries, cultures and modern art. When you combine all these elements with handcraftsmanship, a rich palette and relaxed silhouettes, you have a bohemian undercurrent running through my work.

 Read full interview here - http://www.net-a-porter.com/magazine/167/20

All Cut Up - Runway Review of Bridget Awosika's Collection At Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2012

Few designers I anticipated at the show didn’t quite disappoint me, for example Bridget Awosika and Omer Asim couldn’t have anticipated what happened. It was one thing both shows followed each other accordingly it was another thing – not good of course – considering the two designers share the same design aesthetics which was clearly revealed in their collection. I think this was a big miss on the organizers side – or not. But for future reasons some shows should just not follow each other e.g. Bridget Awosika and Omer Asim same way Celine will not be before or after Stella McCartney. 

Aside from this misses, both designers’ collection were remarkable; while Bridget Awosika inculcated lots of clean, easy wraps, precise layering and slits that again confirmed the brand’s versatility and sexiness.

High Fashion, High Drama - LDA "Butterflies"Spring/Summer Collection At The MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2012

On another level at the LFDW 2012 is the exquisite and nostalgically demure lace dresses at LDA which were elevated via cut, proportion and fabrication, as well as her keen and sincere eye for detail. According to the designer, the collection takes inspiration from Butterflies one that the brand for the last two seasons have come to adopt in its collections.

For this collection, LDA has specially designed Butterfly prints in various textures of silk fabrics. The choice of Butterflies for the designer basically symbolises many things from the hope of resurrection, to the reminder of the ephemerality of life which is also a main inspiration for the collection. Each piece in this “Butterflies” collection is best viewed as a symbol of beauty, femininity, and the ability to be ever changing. Lanre Da Silva has never come short of her standard any day and with this collection which remains one of my best styled during the Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2012 – she surpassed any arguments of her being a frontier in the Nigerian fashion industry.

"Bicycle Thieves" - The Vlisco Jenz Collection by Kinabuti

Loosely Japanese shapes are an undercurrent to the season that recurred at the LFDW shows. Kinabuti’s ‘Bicycle Thieves’, a collection inspired by the simplicity of the countryside, rustic landscapes, rainbows, lushness of green vegetation, les beaux jours and nature in all its unbridled splendor featured lots of wrap-overs, high-crow necklines, waist-clinging shirts and fluid kimono pants that is the signature of the brand returns in darkly monochrome shades and influential Vlisco fabrics.

The collection is a melting pot of vibrant colours and choice fabrics, ranging from the deluxe Vlisco range, with a fuse of jerseys, soft linens, and a climax of denim. The pieces in this collection can easily fit into the wardrobe of the upwardly mobile, fashionable, yet suitable for easy going clients as it is a collection built around the versatility of personalities with a charming mix of softness and a blend of edginess. 

Photos: Lazailounge

Oriental Influences - Ituen Basi at Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2012

Ituen Basi returns to the scene with a big bang. At first glance at this collection my thoughts instantly travelled back to a particular scene in one of my favourite seasonal movies – Sex and the City (SATC) featuring my favourite fashion icon and actress, SJP – Sarah Jessica Parker where she wore the famous Dolce & Gabbana body fitting dress that made incredible impact on the media because of its fabric which was a cut out of top fashion stories on D & G from way back 80’s. While that isn’t exactly the case with Ituen Basi it was a bit similar as Ituen’s choice of fabrics related not just with her stories but other top fashion stories in Nigeria. The strict patterns and cuts on the dresses, skirts and pants created with silk fabrics and laces perfectly matched the tops thus elongating the figure and giving the appearance of precision posture.  The entire collection by Ituen Basi which seemed very practical, bourgeois and very relevant answered my question of how fashion influences art and vice versa. I discovered art definitely relates with the world in general – the accurate way to explore the world, philosophy, politics and even fashion simply through creativity.

LFDW2012 Runway Report - Beatrice Black Atari

Fabrics speak for BBA – she’s definitely all about the diffusion of fabrics that probably don’t appear to mix. While some quite look sweet, playful and wearable others aren’t practical enough for the everyday woman, if I may put it that way. It seemed a bit of trying too many fabrics and patterns with accessory. Didn't quite fit into my style of classy, perhaps low street.

Photos from Lazailounge

Top Tweets From Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2012

Below is a compilation of few of my top tweets during the recently concluded Lagos Fashion & Design Week 2012 - 

LFDW ‏@LFDW2012

"@HarareMbama: Sneaky coffee from Il Solito and catching up on#MBFWAFRICA and @LFDW2012 #LFDW2012 news #inspired"

Expand 

Terence Sambo ‏@OneNigerianBoy

Omotola Jolade Ekeinde Stunning in Iconic Invanity at The #LFDWhttp://goo.gl/fb/obDOm  #design #featured #lfdw2012

Bar Baric ‏@Bar_Baric

Ruth Odutola wins the award of #LFDW2012 YOUNG MODEL OF THE YEAR

Bar Baric ‏@Bar_Baric

#LFDW2012 "@BarBaricSTYLE: @LDACOUTURE LANRE DA SILVA AJAYI just came out on the runway dancing Azonto. lovely collection.

Bar Baric ‏@Bar_Baric

Cc: @JoshSamuels_ "@centjerry: RT @Bar_Baric: The winner of the#LFDW2012 Young Designer Of The Year is Josh Sanuels!"

Adeola Ojedokun ‏@DeBuzz4U

#TiffanyAmber @LFDW2012 is like orgasm with an old lover, easy, smooth, almost same ole but with d most sensational feeling!#LFDW2012

LFDW ‏@LFDW2012

RT "@Selfridges: Basecamp for Lagos fashion week. At the EKO hotel. #LFDW http://yfrog.com/od9edcfpj " #LFDW2012

Adeola Ojedokun ‏@DeBuzz4U

Top trends spotted @LFDW2012 Sheer panels, mesh overlays, stripes, floral prints, sequins, peplums, lowbacks, graphic patterns#LFDW2012

LFDW ‏@LFDW2012

Thank you."@taradurotoye: @LFDW2012 One of the many times I love being Nigerian #LFDW2012"

Bar Baric ‏@Bar_Baric

"@BarBaricSTYLE: RETWEET if you want this design by ISI ATAGAMEN to win the #LFDW2012 Young Designer of the Year.pic.twitter.com/HF5jOoRd"

Selfridges.com ‏@Selfridges

Suzy Menkes frontrow at Lagos fashion week. Its officially on the map#lfdw http://yfrog.com/es3n3ypyj 

LFDW ‏@LFDW2012

"@zandile: p.s @suzymenkes front row @LFDW2012 in Lagos#werq." #LFDW2012

Iconic Invanity ‏@iconicinvanity

Dear Lord, thank you for a productive stress free day. ICONIC INVANITY count down for #LFDW2012

10 Things You Should Do Before MTNLFDW 2012 Starts

It's no gist how super excited everyone (concerned) is about the upcoming event - MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2012 being organised by Stylehousefiles - www.stylehousefiles.com and sponsored by MTN. The show which is set to start on the 24th of October will run till 27th of October at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island...and I personally cannot wait, while there's a very long list of to-do for me during the event the fun somehow overwhelms it. 

In anticipation of the fun and work that will go into this new week I have put together a list of things to do before the event starts; Below is my list of ten important things to do before MTN LFDW 2012 starts....Enjoy!


Sort your wardrobe- pick the outfits for the days to come.We wouldn't want any wardrobe/red carpet mal function.

Gain good amount of strength - I mean get enough rest at least two days before the event starts on the 24th of this month.

Be familiar with the event. Here's a link to the official website www.http://lagosfashionanddesignweek.com/w/ it's important you get to know the contestants, the designers set to showcase and the organizers .

Get a copy of StylaMania magazine October Issue - you will get all the scoop about MTNLFDW 2012

Bookmark this blog - www.debuzzviews.blogspot.com on your phone and laptop to receive constant update on happenings during the event.

Also add 2A126A94 to your BlackBerry contacts for update on the event.

Follow me on Twitter - @DeBuzz4U  for short and precise update and Instagram - @debuzz4u for street style and runway photos.

This might sound silly but yeah it's important to secure a good look/pose for yourself before the event because you just can't tell when paparazzi will come calling.

Get your favourite nibblings. Because I don't eat much I tend to nibble on snacks that I like - Haribo, crackers, etc So considering it's going to be four long days of work(for some) and fun for others it's essential to acquire those things that give inner strength cos personally I hate been tired...lol

Get your social grip on - am talking about your networking skills, complimentary cards, etc Because this is a four-day event where there'll be lots of people from different sectors within the entertainment and lifestyle industry it is the perfect opportunity to mingle, network and meet potential clients. So, are your social skills horned yet?