Summer sarongs at Coco international

I did order 12 items 2 years ago. They are soft and light. All the women in my family own one. It is  wholesale so you must order 12 but at $ 6, it a sweet price for a multifunctional sarong. I always have one on me or in my purse. It can be a skirt, scarf,dress,shawl, headband, and more...Sarongs are my substitutes from Kanga.
Here a few I like from Coco International.

African Fabric online-Aaron International

For spring, here a new website I like. Aaron International, their Gold Wax prints start  $25.00 for 6 yards!!! I am loving it. Headties at $15(2 yards). Duku at  $10 (1yard). They make nice scarfs and turbans. It is affordable with  nice design and colors. Here few I have on my wish list.

Activist of the week: Rokhaya Diallo boycotting Guerlain

 I know that this video is in French and many of you do not understand. However, the intensity of the conversation does not need any translation. Again it  is not about Guerlain in the current  racism controversy. It is is about the disregard, the condescension and that "French Patronizingly superior behavior " toward Africans. I am a negress, and I am proud of it. The word does not offend me but the depreciation, the disdain, and the arrongance are worst that the word. I love this video because it displays the disfunctional relationships we have in France.And Rokhaya Diallo was able to talk trough by fighting back with humor and diplomacy. Inside, it burns , it hurts and it stinks as much as Guerlain nigger bomb. It is almost a catch-22 because you must be an accomplice to act on that stage if you want to be heard. In the same time, the complicity is destroying your soul in both side.Nevertheless, we all must do  what we can.Thank you Rokhaya Diallo!!! You rock! Merci!

African fabric online Hidden Treasures

The website is Welcome to Harlem's Hidden Treasures!!! It is $7.5 the yard.!!I like it!
My wish list, perfect for scarves, sarong or kanga. I might order 1.5 yard for a kanga.

Fair Trade choice of the week: Sakaad Kenya

Sakaad is selling handmade bags by women in Kenya. Artisans with quality product and reasonable prices. And free shipping on orders over $20.00!!!Sakaad has been a member of the Fair Trade Federation(www.fairtradefederation.org) since April 19th 2007.Sakaad has been a member of the Better Business Bureau, since May 17th 2007, and participates in the Better Business Bureau Online Reliability Program, since June 8th Sakaad is a child company of Curio Africana Expo International. Started in Kenya, Curio Africana Expo International has been in business since 1980.

Black Classic Handbag at $40.00
Grey Sisal Duffel at $45.00

Neckties: bent swords in urban jungle

While watching a documentary on wars and civilizations, my friend joked that the suits are modern version of armors, and the neckties are reminders of swords. I was impressed and intrigued.  So I did some research. It has a military origin. In 1630s Croatian mercenaries were enlist to support Louis XIII of France and Cardinal Richelieu against the Duc de Guise and the Queen Mother, Marie de Medici.  Of course Parisians loved it. And in glimpse,  the Croatian word "Hr̀vāt" became "cravat" deriving from the French "cravate," a corrupt French pronunciation of "Croat". It became a trendy must in Europe, and then English  adopted the style in 1660 when Charles II returned to England from exile. The cravats stayed in style but the trend was preserved by “maccaronis”. Funny word but pejorative to fashionable male from “the Italian word maccherone – a boorish fool in Italian – and said that anything that was fashionable or à la mode was 'very macaroni” Cravats, neckties became known as ties only after the battle of Waterloo in 1815. The weird part is that I visited Waterloo as a child. And I was so impressed by the officer uniforms. Maybe that is why I love military jackets so much, they have that perfect combination of style and distinction…In conclusion my friend was right. And I love his analogy of ties as bent swords kept around the neck to stylishly portray the warrior within in this urban jungle.

Same Moonlight for our Dreams.

Vlisco knows Africa, Go Netherlands!

I like Vlisco! I am still wishing that one day the African Fashion will be dictated by local companies!!!
Vlisco is one of the reasons of my support for Netherlands vs Spain  in this soccer world cup. Netherlands has the monopole of the African fashion. Netherlands through Vlisco has been in Africa for the last 160 years!!!  My favorite quote from the website is "They feature craftsmanship second to none, both in look and in quality. From the very beginning, Vlisco has created exciting and expressive textiles, which never use ‘cliché African’ imagery." Okay! They are good and we have been trained to like and desire a "Vlisco Wax Hollandais". I do not own one but they are beautiful... And in 2006 they gained the status of a Fashion Label in Europe. Just saying that Netherlands is African too!
Here some pictures.

Supple delicate armor and anti-violence protest in France

While the anti-violence protest of the Chinese community at Belleville  took place Sunday. Yiqing Yin’s Exile collection was selected by the “ Ministère de la Culture et communication” to be exposed at the Palais Royal. Yiqing Yin was a refugee from China at the age of four. She used her clothes as an anchor: “Returning to my clothes, was like living once more within my body and my emotions; I was at home.”  She describes her garment as a second skin and a supple armor. I love it!! In my opinion, it is a metaphor about the everlasting struggle in balancing new paths and respecting our creativity and identity. That is what I love about France: the open contradiction that requires supple armor and anti-violence protest.  Congratulation to Yiqing Yin !!!!

A weakness for jackets and blazers

Jackets and blazers are perfect accessories. Besides I am always chilly. Here is a selection of my forty minutes window shopping!

Short-sleeve blazer in woven - $14.99 at NewPort News

3-button jacket with balloon sleeves -$17.99 atNewPort News

Oakley Commander In Chief Jacket - $ 49.49 at Dogfunk

Yes over $20 but it is a cool military-inspired jacket...

Well it is Friday! Have a great Day!

Cultural blend: African Kimono by Serge Mouangue

Causes of migrations are divided in two categories: push and pull factors. “Push and pull factors are those factors which either forcefully push people into migration or attract them to an area.” So regardless of  who you are, you will be pushed or pulled into migrations. Civil wars, better educations, global warming and all the rest will make you migrate to some extend. And the beautiful result is multiculturalism, fusion and melting pot. I did found something that perfectly symbolizes fusion. It is a blend of Japanese and African culture and it is beautiful, African kimono!!!. A Tokyo based Kimono retailer Kururi and Serge Mouangue create traditional Japanese kimonos in African prints from Nigeria to Senegal.
Links for more pictures:
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fs20081104a3.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_migration
http://www.wafrica.jp/

Here a video of Mbilia Bel for her classy style !!