Anthropologie Shoes
Just stopped by Anthropolgie online and came across these African print covered platform espadrilles. Called ‘Reaching For Light’ the strappy shoes were designed by New York native Bettye Muller…

…and these equally gorgeous platform clogs with a silk upper depicting crimson leaves called ‘Fiery Foliates Espadrilles’ (it doesn’t say who they are by). 

Whilst the espadrilles are definitely African inspired, the silk print on the clogs, although not explicitly attributed to African print, still reminded me of wax cloth print. It is not the first time Bettye Muller has used African print, followers of African fashion may be familiar with the wedges below from a previous collection a few years back.

...love, love, love!!!

Joe Osae-Addo
Building your own house is a dream for many and it is always so interesting to see what people come up with, spanning the range of beautifully inspired interiors to what were they thinking. Whilst browsing one of my favourite blogs - alifemorefabulous - I came across the stunning and innovative home of Ghanaian-born architect Joe Osae-Addo and was immediately struck by the abundant use of natural materials and how open, light and airy the space is.

I just had to dig a little deeper and found out that this was ultimately a home built in celebration of love and a testimony to a couple building a life together. Having trained in London, Joe practised in the UK, Finland and USA; and it was whilst living in Los Angeles that on a visit to Ghana in 2000 he first met his now wife, Sara Asafu-Adjaye who was living in London at the time. After embarking on a long distance relationship Joe suggested they build a house together on a piece of land given to him by his mother in Accra, and wanted to do so as a way of cementing their relationship.

The couple initially designed the house long distance; sending ideas, sketches and comments back and forth before beginning construction in 2003 and eventually completing the house in Autumn 2004, by which point they had made the move back to Ghana. In designing their home Joe was inspired by the design aesthetics of Finland’s Alvar Aalto, Australia’s Glenn Murcutt, and L.A.’s Ray Kappe and sought to apply their lessons to Ghana and overcome the local urban norm for concrete blockhouses first introduced by the English. Inspired by the natural surroundings Joe also sought to harness the natural elements: trees, wind, sun, and water to create a harmonious environment. 

Inspired by both colonial English bungalows and the courtyard plans of rural Ghanaian houses, the ensuing one-story, 2,500-square-foot house makes use of timber and adobe mud blocks and is arranged in an L-shape with a balcony wrapping round it. To allow for the free flow of light and air there are no internal corridors and a main feature of the house is no air-conditioning; instead the structure is raised three feet of the ground on a wooden deck to enable the house to benefit from the cooling under-floor breezes; and inside sliding slatted-wood screens allow for cross ventilation. The naturalness is contrasted with the modern interior, as when moving back home the couple brought back a slice of California with them in the form of all their belongings, including the rather impressive Bulthaup kitchen. Now working in Ghana, Joe Osae-Addo has set about applying his design aesthetic to condo projects and low-cost housing developments across Ghana.

This is a truly inspired free flowing home.

Clutch Culture
In the words of TLC ‘CrazySexyCool’ are words that come to mind when seeing Zimbabwean designer, Mo Handahu’s stylish creations. Her label Clutch Culture is a cornucopia of vibrant prints in the form of gorgeous batiks, colourful wax cloth, clashing colours and blooming florals all displayed across a trendsetting collection of clutch bags.

Launched in 2009, Clutch Culture is about self-expression and with an evident love for fabric, texture and colour; North American-based Mo describes Clutch Culture as the 'lovechild of diverse colours and rich prints'. Designed and handmade by Mo the versatile clutches take you from day to night, with each style available as a limited edition to allow for exclusivity. 

Mo says ‘Never be apologetic for your sense of self and style’ and these clutches are about fun and embracing colour. Looking at the photoshoots one gets a sense that a good time was had by all, capturing the spirit of the creations perfectly. 

...for fab fashionistas everywhere!

ASOS Africa/SOKO Kenya
The Green Room is fashion retail giant ASOS’s platform for brands with a story to tell - those with a social or environmental ethos and includes ASOS Africa, ASOS.com own brand creations, People Tree, Swedish Hasbeens and designer collaborations.

Now in its third season the latest collection from ASOS Africa defines laidback sophistication in a softer palette of neutral tones and warm rich colours, and is a departure from the signature bold prints and colours used in previous collections. Made from linens and hand-woven fabrics with flashes of Kitenge fabric from Tanzania, the collection is produced exclusively for ASOS in Kenya by clothing production workshop, SOKO.

SOKO Kenya produces fashion driven garments for the international fashion industry, aimed at the high-end and mainstream export market. In addition to ASOS Africa collections SOKO also produces clothing for brands such as Lalesso and the Jessica Ogden for ASOS collection which is currently available online. Set-up in 2009, SOKO recruits from the local community with the aim of providing training and sustainable employment, also working with local cooperatives and artisans to source components and trimmings like crochet and beading. The SOKO workshop is based within the grounds of the Ukunda Youth Polytechnic, a community-owned and run institution that offers training to local people. SOKO works closely with the polytechnic; donating equipment, offering apprenticeship to tailoring graduates and sponsoring orphaned students.

With increasing demand for its services the SOKO workshop is expanding, and for every purchase from the online ASOS Africa and Jessica Odgen for ASOS collections £5 will be donated to help SOKO build a new workshop, with ASOS matching each donation with an additional £5.

La Maison Rouge
The BBC recently did an 8 part series entitled Human Planet, exploring man’s relationship with nature in the world today. Beautifully shot, the series looked at diverse environments such as: cities, rainforests and mountains. Unfortunately I caught it near the end of its run, but managed to see the episode featuring deserts. This episode looked in part at the annual re-plastering of the Great Mosque in Djenne, Mali - a day-long festival involving the community. Re-plastering annually is necessary as heavy seasonal rains can 'melt' the fragile structures.

The largest adobe (mud-brick) building in the world and a stunning example of the local architecture, the mosque is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s most famous landmarks drawing visitors from around the world. 

It was a combination of the programme and the recent post I did on malene b’s carpet’s that got me searching what Mali has to offer, eventually ending up at several beautiful places including La Maison Rouge (The Red House) in Mopti, named for the red clay found locally which gives the buildings their distinctive colour.

La Maison Rouge is a stunning boutique hotel comprising 14 uniquely styled rooms that offer guests a contemporary take on Dogon culture, two of which are 'open to the stars'. Tucked away in a backstreet, the hotel is inspired by local architecture but also laid out like a riad, with serene courtyards and gardens that allow you to relax in style. The hotel has been described as a haven for those looking for quiet after a busy day of sightseeing, and to take advantage of this head upstairs to the Moroccan Lounge where you can relax on the terrace overlooking the garden, or cozy up by the fireside and indulge in some tea and pastries.

You can choose to dine in the vast vaulted restaurant, on the patio or in the garden, sampling gourmet Malian and French cuisine freshly prepared for you and includes produce straight from the garden.

Bongiwe Walaza
Bongiwe Walaza grew up in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa and as the daughter of a home dressmaker, was inevitably surrounded by fabrics and learnt to make clothes. Initially however, instead of following a career into fashion Bongiwe ended up studying Electrical Engineering, but kept on designing and making clothes for herself and thus began to build up a loyal client base in the process. In order to improve her skills Bongiwe made the decision to return to school in 1997 and retrain in the field.

Over a decade on Bongiwe Walaza is a staple of the South African fashion scene, has showcased her designs all over the world and has won several accolades for her work. Her recent collection for 2011 sees pretty dress silhouettes with details such as voluminous skirts and high collars that gives a nod to the characteristics of Elizabethan fashion without being overwhelming. Waists are cinched in giving definition and delicate detailing around necklines, sleeves and hems rounds of a look that is feminine and easy to wear. Designs make use of signature prints that have characterised previous collections.

...designs that go straight from catwalk to closet

malene b
I have a love/hate relationship with carpets; love carpets but am such a stickler when it comes to shoes on carpets and cannot bear the thought of people coming in from outside and trampling dirt all over them… I hear you laugh but I get completely stressed out... is that irrational or what??? My previous home had vanilla ice cream coloured carpets and no one; and I mean no one wore shoes on them! So I can only imagine how high my stress levels would shoot up to if I owned one of malene b’s exquisite carpets… They are truly gorgeous and if you are a follower of blogs on African inspired creativity you will no doubt have come across the Wolof design which has proved a favourite with many writers out there.

Summed up in the opening lines on the intro page, Malene Barnett the designer behind the eponymous label, describes herself as ‘one who brings a cultural perspective to each design through a narrative from her world travels’. Based in Brooklyn, New York malene b’s designs span the globe delving into the ancient cultures that have left their mark on her and I am truly amazed at the detail in the textures and construction; and how a simple carpet can capture the spirit and essence of a place perfectly. 

Having worked with industry professionals and private label brands for over a decade, malene b’s carpets grace residential, commercial and hospitality environments; and are custom-designed to suit your specific project requirements, then handmade by artisans in Nepal, Thailand and India. Taking around 12-16 weeks for hand knotted and 8-12 weeks for hand tufted, the carpets are constructed out of materials such as: Tibetan Wool, New Zealand Wool, Pashmina Wool, Chinese Silk, Mohair, Banana Fiber, Hemp, Nettle and Bamboo Silk. A socially conscious company malene b is a member of the Goodweave Foundation and supports Aid to Artisans.

Although custom made, if you do want to buy one immediately an exclusive collection is available at allmodern and do check out the website for designs inspired by India, the Caribbean, Thailand, Tahiti and Aboriginal culture. 

…truly culturally inspired creations.

Dorah Sithole
Whether it’s a steaming plate of sadza ne nyama, a beautifully fragranced lamb tagine, spicy jollof rice or a Sunday roast; our favourite foods done just the way we like it provide a source of comfort, reminding us of Mum’s good home cooking and with Mother’s Day in the UK a week away, on Sunday 3rd April what a good day as any to get together, cook up a feast and honour our Mothers as we make them feel extra, extra special. As the flurry of gift buying gets under way if your Mum is a foodie and loves cooking why not get her a copy of ‘Cooking from Cape to Cairo’ - a culinary tour of 17 African destinations, by former TrueLove Magazine food editor and food writer Dorah Sithole in conjunction with Truelove Magazine.

I first came across the book in 1999 when it first came out in South Africa courtesy of my copy of TrueLove magazine and thinking at the time I would like to buy the book, but never got round to it. A winner of the 2009 Gourmand World Cookbook Award for Best African Cuisine, ‘Cooking from Cape to Cairo’ takes you through the dishes of: Nigeria, Morocco, Ethiopia, Malawi, Egypt, Mozambique, Kenya, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Zanzibar, Swaziland, Zambia, Senegal, Lesotho, Botswana, and four diverse South African regions: KwaZulu-Natal, Venda, Transkei and the Western Cape. Let local prominent chefs, cooks and ordinary people introduce you to the mouthwatering culinary delights of their countries by sharing their recipes. The book was reissued in 2009, with a second edition published in 2010 and can be found on Amazon and at Waterstones.

Beautiful photos means it doubles up as a coffee table book, making it a lovely gift for yourself, or anyone interested in exploring the diverse range in African cuisine.

Vivienne Westwood/ International Trade Centre
…I know I’m rather late with this one, even though I’ve had it on my radar for a while. Anyhoo, if you're looking for some glamour when it comes to your eco friendly shopper then check out Vivienne Westwood’s designs for Gold Label Spring/Summer 2011. In collaboration with the United Nations International Trade Centre’s Ethical Fashion Programme the bags are handmade in Kenya and make use of recycled materials. Originally available in three designs - a quick check of the web shows you’ll be lucky to still have your pick as they’ve been snapped up fast having already launched in February. The ‘Get a Life’ shopper is made from roadside advertising banners and discarded safari tents, finished with leather straps. The ‘Quilted Orb’ shopper is made from canvas and has a patchwork fabric orb image and tassels. The ‘Heart Gaia’ shopper is also made from recycled canvas and has hand embroidery detailing. All bag styles have a patchwork lining made from recycled clothing.

The International Trade Centre's work is based on the philosophy of 'aid for trade', helping developing countries around the world to build upon trade related skills and create sustainable livelihoods. The organisation works with over 7000 women, who often live in areas of extreme poverty to help provide jobs and skills training, all of which goes towards providing for their families and improving their lives. Information on some of the community groups involved in the programme can be found here. The Ethical Fashion Programme has in the past expressed an interest in hearing from African fashion designers who are keen on exploring the possibilities of collaborations, for details contact their website directly.
Because of the fabrics used each bag will be different, making them one-of-a-kind.

Zara Home
I adore the Zara Home Store, it is a veritable treasure trove of beautiful things and passing by the window display in Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent, this past Sunday I was greeted with a showcase of classic African home décor - think safari style in various shades of brown, sand, ebony and ivory. Whilst I tend to prefer a more vibrant look incorporating brightly coloured accents, there were some elements that appealed, however on entering the store to have a closer look I was greeted instead with distinct sections of fuchsia, peacock blue and purple - much more up my street – in addition to the subtler brown palette.

This is all part of Zara Home’s new season collections which include: ‘Chic’ – a collection which the website says takes its inspiration from the warmth and intensity found on the island of Madagascar, this sees elements appearing in the form of natural linens, raffia, and rattan all combined with silk, leather, cord or cork; however it then gets mixed up somewhat with a strong generic African influence; I guess the trickle down effect from what is currently happening on the catwalks with regards to African inspired prints. So you will find there are also strong geometric shapes in the form of Central African inspired Kuba/Mudcloth and animal prints in accessories such as cushions and throws. I am not very familiar with Madagascar’s cultural style but judging from the designers and products I have already featured on African Daydreams, aside from flashes of yellow and the natural textures I don’t feel I’m getting the true Madagascan spirit.

The other collection called ‘Ethnic’ takes its inspiration from Asia mainly India and Uzbekistan and features strong Ikat touches, a complicated process of dyeing fabric, which can also be found in parts of North Africa. I was more excited by this collection truth be told.

Overall I think for those who are looking to incorporate a bit of ‘Africa’ into their living space the collections described above provide a good starting base as pieces from the Chic collection co-ordinate well and then if you want to take the look from subtle to a bit more exciting simply pick a few contrasting pieces from the Ethnic collection like a rug, runner or cushions. 

Just think how stunning the earth tones mixed with a bit of purple, fuchsia or blue would look.