pureDKNY
Whiling away time in House of Fraser, a leading UK department store that got their byline 'temptation on every level' bang on, I found myself wandering the perfume aisles and came across, pureDKNY, a perfume with a purpose that was launched by the  quintessential New York fashion label last year. Designed to make a difference the first pureDKNY fragrance entitled ‘A Drop of Vanilla’ comprises as the name suggests a drop of vanilla in water as the main ingredients. The vanilla used comes from Uganda, sourced with the aim of working towards sustainable long-term vanilla production in partnership with local vanilla producers, most of whom are women.

pureDKNY A Drop of Vanilla is a fresh, clean scent packaged in recycled and recyclable materials; and is ideal for summer. pureDKNY was created to instill a sense of calm and pureness, a a concept carried through to the simplicity in the design of the bottles which remind me of water bottle and give of the feeling of a refreshing and cleansing product. I, however didn't smell much of the vanilla notes; I don't like sweet smells staying on my skin as they start to get a bit sickly making me feel slightly nauseous as the day wears on, however I feel the fragrance could have done with just a touch more of the vanilla notes. pureDKNY A Drop of Vanilla is ideal for those seeking simplicity in their fragrances, if you like CKOne you will love this. Joining A Drop of Vanilla is the latest release, pureDKNY Verbena, in what the company hopes will become a growing collection of fragrances designed to give back to the communities they work with. A zesty citrus and floral fragrance, pureDKNY Verbena uses the Verbena Basil a sits main ingredient, a plant sourced from farmers in Togo, and is one that has a citrus lemon like quality that give the fragrance its signature scent. The Verbena Basil is a plant that has been used in creating fragrances and infusions for centuries.

Proceeds from pureDKNY go towards funding initiatives by the humanitarian organisation; CARE. Based in Uganda's Mukono district in the south west of the country one of CARE’s projects includes working with Ugandan vanilla bean producers, and sees DKNY’s involvement in a project supporting approximately 900 producers who are part of the Ugandan Vanilla Association. Also in partnership with CARE DKNY ‘s involvement in Togo will go towards supporting Verbena Basil farmers in the country. 

...As we approach the season of giving for every pureDKNY gift set bought, DKNY will donate £1 to CARE

Vlisco
Having struggled with it in the beginning I soon grew to love the life drawing classes that were a fundamental part of my design course; and began increasingly looking forward to a whole day of losing myself in interpreting the contours and shadows of the model's body onto paper. Starting out shading with pencils, pastels quickly became my medium of choice, rendering the figure in simple black lines and then going 'crazy' with the bright colours to pick out the pattern and texture in clothing and accessories, this gave my work the feeling of a layered effect. I haven't done an observation drawing in ages, and keep promising myself I'll take up some life drawing classes soon, but its finding the time, which when it comes down to it is partly an excuse as it has been way too long since I picked up a pencil or pastel to simply draw and I know I would have to learn the skill all over again, because although I had the basic skills, figure drawing didn't come as naturally to me as it does to some requiring some serious concentration...one of these days though... I couldn't, however help being transported back to my art college days when I saw the latest campaign from Dutch textile company, Vlisco that features illustrations of an elegant, graceful African woman rendered in what looks like pencil or charcoal and then layered with the vibrant Dutch wax cloth prints that Vlisco is renowned for.

Entitled 'Delicate Shades' the campaign is a collaboration with fashion illustrator, Sabine Pieper and advertises Vlisco's latest fabric collection; one which places a even greater focus on the design aspect and drawing techniques that come into play when devising the company’s fabric collections. Vlisco’s designers looked at ways to create two designs in one and the resulting multiple layers of the patterns give the designs a three dimensional quality and a different appearance when viewed from different angles, and when offset against the figure in the illustrations give depth suggesting free flowing movement. The fabrics also display a transparency effect that is enhanced by Vlisco's signature vibrant complementary colours. I love the depth and life the fabrics bring to the illustrations; just think how gorgeous they would look framed and hung in an ultra feminine bedroom, dressing room or in a studio for inspiration. Taking your cue and using this as inspiration you could create your own using colours that appeal to you and your mood… And not just for creating stylish clothing collections, the fabrics would also make for some stunning interior furnishings, think elegantly upholstered patio furniture in the bright geometric honeycomb patterns or giving a new lease of life to the tired seating of your favourite dining room or lounge chairs.

Producing fabrics since 1846 and catering to markets predominately in West and Central Africa, when it comes to pushing the envelop on defining African elegance Vlisco has positioned itself as one of the forerunners, giving a firm African favourite; Dutch Wax cloth, sultry and seductive makeovers with each collection released. Creating fabrics and imagery that depict the elegant, glamorous side of Africa Vlisco’s collections are a visual feast showcasing the possibilities of wax cloth, working to entice a new generation of the modern African woman and beyond. Tapping into the must-have feeling it makes you want to go off and create your own wardrobe of showstopping ensembles and in anticipating this desire a new themed collection, inspired by international trends is launched every quarter catering to a sophisticated and loyal clientele (of mainly women) who constantly seek ‘something a little bit different’ with each new design without compromising on quality.

In addition to its headquarters in The Netherlands, there are five Vlisco's boutiques in Africa: Benin, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

...imaginative, colourful and captivating; a reflection of the growing recognition of just how glamorous, sophisticated and luxurious African style and creativity can be

Kossi Aguessy
You many not be familiar with the name Kossi Aguessy, but many will be familiar with his award winning work in the form of a perfume bottle for Stella McCartney, which just so happens to be one of my favourite perfumes.

Born in Lomé, Togo to a mother of African Brazilian descent and a father of Togolese Yoruba descent; and having lived in New York City, London, Brazil, eventually settling in Paris and Rotterdam; Kossi describes himself as a “child of Africa, that pays no attention to the boundaries being then the son of a global education with deep multicultural roots” and this philosophy is reflected in his work. 

Flowing seamlessly across cultures, Kossi’s design aesthetic is inspired by antique cultures, drawing on the past to create the future and giving traditional objects a contemporary makeover if you will. I love the sleek sculptural quality but also picked up on a sense of precious fragility; so was not surprised to read that nature especially the human body is also a source of inspiration. 

As a child Kossi was forever creating things with his hands and remembers entertaining himself by reproducing the Egyptian pyramids, I guess sowing the seeds for his future career. When reading some of the interviews he has done, Kossi comes across a quite a philosophical person, with a natural curiosity for life and someone who is reflective on the things that happen to us everyday. Through collaborations with many of the world’s leading companies his work encompasses amongst other things furniture, jewellery, lighting and objects. 

One recent project, entitled Masque ZOO has seen Kossi collaborate with French lighting company Kostka to create a range of masks based on the iconic ancient African masks - designs that have stood the test of time and are still relevant today as they were in the past. Available in ten different colours, the designs are meant as an imagining of the evolution of the mask and what they would have looked like in the 21st century.


Information sourced from:
www.madblog.org
www.yatzer.com