The brand was launched in 2008 and is based in Addis?Ababa, Ethiopia. Co?founders Sammy Abdella and Holly Hikido’s main goal when creating the brand was to provide employment and a solid market for the many artisans in Abdella’s home country. Since it’s introduction, Sammy Ethiopia’s workforce has grown from 50 employees to close to 400 today.

They produces specialty textile items handmade by the Ethiopian employees that showcase their artisan skills through vibrant, environmentally friendly scarves and leather goods.  Not only are the products made with the environment in mind but also t represent the beauty of Ethiopia and the young, talented artisans.

Brooklyn-based Parlá is known for his distinctive style that blends calligraphy, collage, textures, and color in paintings that tackle politics, urbanization, current events and a slew of other complex topics.

To grace the special pairs of Converse, Parlá chose his painting “Ephemeral Pitches, and Notes, Rhythm and Phonetics,” which — inspired by abstract noises, music, rhythms, languages and sounds of cities — explores the constant changes to urban life. Those themes are particularly resonant for Parla, who grew up wearing Chucks as a kid.

To date, RED, (PRODUCT)RED and its partners, which include Gap, Apple, Hallmark, Starbucks and Nike, has raised nearly $180 million for The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. And starting this Thursday, you can do your part to help — and get a fly pair of kicks in the process. The José Parlá for Converse (PRODUCT)RED Chuck Taylor All Stars — in both men’s and women’s sizes – can be yours for $100 at Converse First String retailers.

Fashion gone wild with Isabel Lucas in Africa from Vogue Australia on Vimeo.

Cover girl Lucas plays the fair-haired, fair-skinned outsider, finding sophistication in the wilderness with looks from Bottega Veneta, Marni, Tommy Hilfiger, Miu Miu, Chanel and Louis Vuitton. Meanwhile Fogarty is immersed in tribal prints and the occasional headwrap from the runways of Burberry, Balenciaga, Pucci, Diane von Furstenberg, Giorgio Armani and Maison Martin Margiela.

Photos: Image Amplified and Fashion Gone Rogue

FREEWATERS

Problem: Over 3,000,000 people die every year from unsafe water, most under the age of 5. That’s more than die from war annually.

Mission: Your new expertly innovated flip flops = one year of clean drinking water for an individual in a poverty stricken rural community.

WARBY PARKER

Problem: 1. Glasses are way too expensive. 2. One billion people don’t have access to glasses. That means 15% of the world is unable to work and learn effectively because they cannot see clearly.

Mission: Buy a pair of vintage inspired glasses for $95, they give a pair to someone in need.

TOMS

Problem: Hundreds of millions of children are at risk of contracting STDs (soil transmitted diseases) from volcanic and chemically contaminated soil. These diseases are 100% preventable by wearing shoes.

Mission: For every pair of shoes you buy, they give a pair to a child in need. And they don’t stop giving after that child outgrows them.

SUR EVOLUTION

Problem: Artisans across the world do not have a proper marketplace for their work, and thus are living in poverty.

Mission: Empower artisans by selling their products at fair trade prices, using sustainable materials and, respecting nature and cultures.

ORGANIC SURGE

Problem: 1. Our toiletries contain a staggering amount of harsh chemicals. 2. There are a staggering number of children in Africa living in poverty.

Mission: Proceeds from range of chemical-free beauty products goes to providing emotional and financial aid to vulnerable children in Africa.

- Teen blogger Tavi Gevinson might be getting disillusioned with fashion. I remember when I first got disillusioned about something…breast feeding was never the same. [Fashionista]

- It seems no matter what Madonna tries to do in, around, or for Malawi, she just can’t get a break. Following the controversy surrounding the perhaps not-so-legal adoption of son, David Banda — and she apparently picked up another African baby, daughter Mercy James along the way — Madge tried to open up a school for girls. Well, that fell through and now 8 former employees of the superstar’s Raising Malawi charity are suing her over the loss of their jobs. Madge, just leave helping out Africa to the pros: Oprah and Angelina Jolie. [Guardian]

FashionIndie Technique – Quite possibly the simplest way to tie a chic turban:

Wrapping your head from the back also allows you to contain your hair entirely within the turban. Tie or pin back a bun ever so loosely so it’s easy to flatten, and let the fabric cup the hair.

Indian Sikh (male) - the most basic traditionally male method:

Though this is a masculine turban, it can also look fabulous on a woman. The trick seems to be wrapping diagonally to perfect that starburst in the center front.

Indian Sikh (female) – seemingly the most time and fabric intensive feminine method:

White turbans like this often note a higher rank in society. Perhaps that’s why they’ve made it so particularly difficult to achieve.

Indian Rajasthani – less complicated, more colorful method:

How to tie a Turban from Morgan's Ride on Vimeo.

This may be less particular about the folding, but you might need a buddy to get you started.

African Aso Oke – stunning damask, cross and tie method:

Easy to achieve statement piece that looks like a budding rose.

Jamaican Rasta Wrap - the best method to wrap up dreadlocks:

So, our instructor might not be authentically Jamaican, but by the length of his dreads, he seems highly dedicated. Perhaps an old Rasta Man taught him how to tie this proper turban.

Will you be trying a turban this coming Spring? It’ll keep your head fresh and cool if you do it right.

Photo from StreetPeeper

You started out making bracelets for your family as a child and decided to design when you found a bag of your great grandmother’s vintage buttons. Before that discovery, did you always want to design jewelry or did you have something else in mind?
I always made string and friendship bracelets, and I would go to flea markets and find old vintage pieces and recreate them. After my mom found the bags of buttons and gave them to me, I started making the bracelets. People were literally buying them off my wrists. That’s what started everything. I said ‘I need to be doing something that makes me happy, something I enjoy,’ and this was it.

You work with gorgeous vintage buttons. Do you take inspiration from other vintage pieces such as clothing or furniture? What makes the buttons so enjoyable to work with?
Yes, antique furniture and vintage clothing are definitely of interest. Button designs are endless, and that makes them exciting to work with. I always find buttons I’ve never seen before, and it really allows me to be creative. That is what makes each piece unique. I don’t recreate a bracelet twice, and I think that’s why they’ve been so well received – no one is going to have the same design.

Do you only use vintage buttons or do you shop for new ones as well? Where do you find them?
I started with vintage and then began going to the fashion district and buying new ones. But I realized pretty immediately the new buttons were taking away from the product appeal, so I stopped buying new and am focusing on vintage again. I find the buttons I design with on clothing, from antique stores and flea markets, Etsy and people I know who give or sell them to me.

Old jewelry manufacturers and factories that have shut down are great places to find them too. They have old vintage jewelry, everything from beads and buttons to chains. You can find some cool pieces, but you must commit to digging because it’s the most unorganized thing in the world. There are pieces that have been sitting on the shelf since the 50s.

Also, if someone has special buttons they want me to use, I will design a piece for her or him out of them and incorporate some of my own. There is a story behind every item because the buttons could mean something special to the person.

What aides in your design process? Do you draw your intricate bracelets out first or lay out all of the buttons before assembling? What time of the day are you most inspired to design?
I have a huge coffee table on which I lay out thousands of buttons. I arrange them on a board and create from there. I do have some secrets on how I string them so they lay correctly on each other. If you put all the same type and shape of button together, they’re just going to lay flat and you wont be able to see the entire piece. But I end up having to re-string most bracelets about three times, either because I calculated the size wrong or they aren’t sitting correctly on each other. I start designing around 10:30 am and work all day. I don’t watch TV, but I do listen to music while I’m creating.

Do you have certain days you go on shopping trips and other days you reserve for designing? Or do you just go as the wind takes you?
I’m not really structured on when I do what because I work around the clock. Even when I get home from my regular job, I will work. My days are split between designing, making the pieces, shopping for the buttons, photographing the merchandise and maintaining the website. I’m really doing everything.

The E-commerce site launched in November, right in time for Christmas, and that has been so helpful. The site automatically updates when someone makes a purchase, so it saves me time.

It’s so amazing you taught in Africa and a portion of your proceeds is donated to “Make a Difference NOW.” How has your experience working and living in a different culture influenced your designs? Has it changed who you are as an American consumer?
Whatever I’m doing has to be beneficial to someone else other than me. When I got out of school, I had an itch to go abroad because your chances grow fewer as you get older. Africa really changed me, so I realized I needed to work it into my life back here. I figuring making a donation from the business would be the best way, and they have been very supportive. Make a Difference NOW is so close to my heart. No matter how big the check I am writing each quarter, it doesn’t pain me because it’s the best feeling in the world. Hopefully some of the packaging for Kates Design will eventually come from there.

I am more conscious of the things I purchase now; I’m always aware if the company I’m buying from gives back in any way.

Right now you are selling Kates Design merchandise in New Jersey. What is the next state(s) you would like to conquer? Any New York prospects we can look forward to?
The New Jersey store has been very profitable for me. It’s actually a really high-end jewelry store, and my stuff is more moderately priced. It’s different from everything else in the store, so it’s been doing really well. At first I was hesitant to even be in stores because all of my pieces are one of a kind, and the business must be willing to carry something that isn’t reorder-able. I have a handful of places that are in the works. My goal for the year is to work on getting in more boutiques. I have been eyeing some stores on the Lower East Side.

What is in the future for your designs? Do you think you’ll ever go beyond designing bracelets and earrings? How about other types of jewelry?
The earrings category is the newest edition and has been doing really well. I am still trying to perfect the button necklace, but I haven’t figured out how to make a longer design look nice. I always have people requesting cuff links, so those will probably be next. And you never know, I could always start something else. Right now I want to grow the business, get more press and get into more stores. Those are my goals for the year and then we’ll see.

You can learn more about Kates Design and shop for her jewelry on her website.

I wonder what took KFC so long. God knows if their chicken would be popular anywhere, it would be Africa.

Anyone?

LINK LOVE: Gawker

• One of Facebook’s founders, Chris Hughes, is starting an online community to benefit charities, Jumo.com. The site will connect users to non-profits and charities, as well as centering on topics ranging from building schools in Africa to broader issues like gay rights. ? ( NYT ) &bull… more

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]]> http://fashionindie.com/fashion-tech-facebook-founder-starts-charity-site-jumo-groupon-makes-buy-in-spite-of-google/feed/ 0 http://fashionindie.com/wal-mart-one-step-closer-to-world-domination/ http://fashionindie.com/wal-mart-one-step-closer-to-world-domination/#comments Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:10:20 +0000 Josh Linam http://fashionindie.com/?p=174476 Wal-Mart just took over Africa.

And it only cost $2.36 billion.

Wal-Mart announced that it is buying MassMart, the African-based retail chain that is scary similar to its own chain store.

The buy lends the discount behemoth 288 new stores in 14 countries. And, it gives Wal-Mart a foothold in its newest country to take over – Africa.

Looking to the future, Wal-Mart will most likely dominate Antarctica and then the moon. From there it’s possible it will move to adjacent planet regions of Mars and Jupiter. Pluto is just on the horizon.

Model: Milan
Marie Claire South Africa
September 2010
Photographer: Steven Tanchel

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Taken as a whole they help explain the complexities of his South African identity. On view from August 27th through October 31 the exhibit will hold its opening reception on Friday, August 27 from 6-9 with a related VMFA exhibition Darkroom: Photography and New Media in South Africa Since 1950 going on the same night at the Visual Arts Center. That night a shuttle will be provided between the 2 exhibits so you don’t have to miss anything. via

LINK LOVE:Identity of South Africa

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LINK LOVE:Destination Pretty: Sky Beach Club – Eleuthera, Bahamas

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More interesting fashion & race controversy brought to you this time by Mario Epanya (I'm on a roll two posts in a row).  Mario Epanya is a Cameroon born and Paris based fashion photographer. He did a series of photoshoots in order to pitch Vogue Africa magazine to Conde Nast. Conde Nast is the publisher of Vogue and many many other publications (including the New Yorker and Wired).

Until then,

Chay$ 

LINK LOVE:Vogue Africa REJECTED

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Earlier this year, photographer and makeup artist Mario Epanya imagined several covers for what would be a future African edition of Vogue. Though there’s a Vogue Nippon, Vogue India, and even a Vogue Australia, there isn’t a Vogue Africa–and Mario was dedicated to changing that.

The last we talked to him, he was pursuing ways to purchase the license to Vogue Africa from Conde Nast International.

Imagine our disappointment when Mario posted the following message on Vogue Africa’s facebook page this past Friday (the post has since been deleted): “DEAR ALL. The Wait is over. Condé Nast said NO to an African license of VOGUE. So this is the last cover. Thanks for all your support. Enjoy, but it’s a beginning of something.”

I had to call Mario up to clarify.

Mario, who is based in Paris, said, “I have a friend who is friends with the head of Conde Nast France.”

“…About a month ago I sent the director of Conde Nast France a message, via my friend, asking how I would go about getting a license for Vogue Africa. He replied that no, it would not be possible to do the project.”

He continued, “It’s ok. Now I feel more free to work on my own projects and concentrate on good, original ideas.”

Interesting.

Conde Nast France is itself a license of Conde Nast International, the originator and creator of the Vogue brand. Does Conde Nast France have the authority to reject Vogue Africa? And shouldn’t Vogue Africa have been discussed in a business meeting instead of via e-mails shuttled between friends?

It sounds to me like the idea hasn’t been given the push it deserves in front of the right people. But maybe people really don’t want a Vogue Africa.

Or do they?

LINK LOVE:Did Conde Nast Reject Vogue Africa?

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I left on vacation single and I came back from vacation ENGAGED.  The Don likes it so much he put a ring on it!  I'm blessed to be able to tell the story that I was engaged in Egypt in front of the pyramids after riding a camel through the Sahara Desert to get there.  Truly memorable. 

LINK LOVE:Guess Who's Back?

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The Gossip Girl star is looking fabulous on this month’s cover of Marie Claire South Africa.

She seems to be supporting the USA and South Africa (minus a few colors) with her red, white and blue shirt- HA.

Either way, Blake Lively is looking flawless and radiant.

Keep it up, bb!

LINK LOVE:Blake Lively Covers Marie Claire

Top: H&M

Pants: H&M

Oxfords: H&M

Yes. I’m aware that I’m a walking advertisement for H&M. I saw the top in an ad while I was on the subway and before I knew what I was doing, I found myself getting off infront of the H&M. I love the harem pants with the crop. Something about the hot weather makes me wish that I was on an African Safari, alas, it’s another day at the office for me…

Link Love: The Voguette

K’naan and will.i.am

Juanes

Alicia Keys

Desmund Tutu

John Legend showing off his moves

BEP

South African band The Parletones

I had to share the fly outfits, love it.

NOW ON TO THE ODDS

Spain 4/1

Brazil 4/1

Argentina 6/1
WOOOO ARGENTINA

England 8/1

Netherlands 9/1
ultimate underdogs, i feel like they could take this whole thing

Italy 14/1

Germany 16/1

OK JK JK HERE YOU GO

France 20/1

Portugal 28/1

Chile 40/1
Ivory Coast 50/1
USA 50/1
Mexico 66/1
Serbia 66/1
Ghana 66/1
Paraguay 80/1
Cameroon 100/1
Nigeria 100/1
Uruguay 125/1
South Africa 150/1
Denmark 150/1
Australia 150/1
Greece 150/1
Switzerland 200/1
Slovenia 200/1
Slovakia 250/1
Japan 300/1
South Korea 300/1
Algeria 500/1
Honduras 1000/1
New Zealand 1000/1
North Korea 2000/1

pics & odds

LINK LOVE:FUTBOL POST PT. 1

Everybody tries to make the best of this World Cup event. If I don’t expect the Vuitton case to show up anytime soon on a store near you, I do expect the new Mango tees flooding the streets. Especially in the concerned countries. Waka Waka This time for Africa are also the chorus lines of Shakira’s World Cup hymn. Pretty wild for my taste. What say you? (photos via)

Shakira Designed Collection For Mango

LINK LOVE:Shakira Designed Collection For Mango

Peter Beard’s images of Africa inspired Max and Lubov Azria’s travel-themed Resort collection. It’s a reference that can easily feel clichéd, but to the designers’ credit, their interpretation was fresh. Colorful batik-printed caftans and billowy silk dresses in a rainbow of greens—chartreuse, lime, asparagus—popped against neutral separates, including great slouchy khaki shorts and lightweight cotton utility-style jackets. To complete the luxe global-nomad look: a series of white cotton shirts and tank dresses featuring tie fronts and draped skirts.

(WWD)

This collection is at once, clean, fresh, colorful and downright pretty. Whatever the theme, each look is instantly appealing. Max Azria is one of those designers who can always be counted on for a collection of perfect pieces. The draping and asymmetric touches add just the right amount of “flavor.” While I love EACH and EVERY look, I’m particularly drawn to the brown strapless dress….the details and the color make it such a versatile piece. Definitely great for summer wear, but would also be great for spring and fall with the addition of a cardigan and flats. I’m also loving the high-waisted, cuff shorts…the wider legs are so flattering.

LINK LOVE:Max Azria Resort 2011

Banksy, the clever and brilliant street artist is definitely one of my favorites.  His work was recently spotted in Mali, Africa. Ever been blessed enough to see a Banksy work?

SOURCE: Status Mag

Yes this sounds bad, but at least it’s for a good cause. Following it’s launch in December of the Emporio Armani (Product) Red bracelet, which bore Roberts’ tree of life design, on Thursday the Emporio Armani online store introduced matching men’s and women’s T-shirts featuring Roberts’ design in three colors: red, black and gray.

“Julia has helped to create beautiful and unique designs for both women and men, which will be a visible reminder of the part that we can all play in fighting AIDS in Africa,” Armani said. This latest (Product) Red offering from Emporio Armani, set to hit stores in September, costs $125 for both men’s and women’s models, with 40 percent of the gross profit margin going to The Global Fund, which finances AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria programs in Africa. In a further gesture of solidarity, the actress requested the Ts be made exclusively in Africa.

Thanks WWD

Phil Oh of StreetPeeper.com caught this look on the streets of New York. The African Shirt Dress is one I hadn’t seen on the beat for some time, but I’m loving how it’s pulled off. Simple, light and easy to wear, plus the print keeps it authentic. 

Do any of you indies know where to find this?

African Shirt Dress

African Shirt Dress