Get Up Close with Nigerian Footwear and Accessories Label Qamin

Anwuli Mordi-Anenih is the Creative Director of QAMIN. She initially studied Business Administration, BA (Hons.) at the University of Kent, Canterbury (2001) and went on to work for in various capacities for several of the world’s most respected luxury fashion brands, Cartier & Gucci included. 

While at Cartier, she was accepted at the London College of Fashion where she gained grounding in Fashion Studies, she then went on to study the art of Shoe Making in 2004 when she was appointed Head Designer at Anyi Mordi Shoes – A luxury footwear label launched by siblings, Anyi, Chuka, & Anwuli. 

Whilst in this position, she travelled round Italy extensively and worked with artisans at factories which offered the best hand-made. Anwuli moved to Nigeria in 2006 and following her passion, decided to create her own Footwear & Fashion Accessories line. She has since been working on her collections for QAMIN.

 

I stumbled upon Qamin sometime late last year at Zebra Living boutique on Victoria island, Lagos and I was blown away by the beautiful handcrafted shoes and accessories that bore both culture and heritage in its nucleus whilst remaining modern.

 Most of us know that the quality of certain bench made products in Nigeria are not always of the best standards but when bring together a trained and experienced designer and skilled artisans to create something, it ends up worth treasuring.

 

 

The footwear and accessories once again demonstrate the versatility of the Aso-oke fabric -which is quintessentially Nigerian- and it shows it can be used for just about anything and rival denim. Who knows maybe in a few years from now, if we can all value the fabric and proudly wear it…who knows just how influential the fabric might be, we’ve seen what happened with batik prints.

 

 

 

 

Stockist:

Zebra Boutique, Lagos, 33 Sinari Daranijo Street, Victoria Island.

African Fashion Label ARIABA Showcases its Jewelry, Footwear and Home Accessories.

 

Half Armenian and Nigerian sisters Linda and Caroline run the relatively new fashion label known as ARIABA. Linda is the creative director and does all the handmade jewelry herself whilst Caroline handles the pr, publicity and finance aspect of the business.

The label infuses both Middle Eastern and African vibes in their designs. There’s always a trace of both cultures merging effortlessly and the resultant beauty is so alluring. The bed nest necklace is one of my favorite ARIABA piece ever designed and the way the stones are held with the intricate nest weave gives it an air of exclusivity akin to rare gems.

The label also dabbles into home accessories and footwear which was the brands first product before it went firmly into the accessories game. Most of the precious beads and ornaments are sourced from the orients and northern Nigeria but they are produced in Lagos.

Bird nest necklace above and below. Apologies for poor image quality above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vintage Masai Unisex Bangles for Sale

  I guess the retail bug has eventually caught up with me, but you’re all in luck because I’ve got these cool vintage Masai unisex bangles for sale at a giveaway price of ₦500 for a pack of 4 bangles. Yeah…just ₦500! Can you imagine? Truth be told they are selling out fast. I’m going to be selling them at Lifehouse this Sunday 19^th alongside my sister, Wana Sambo’s Xmas exhibition and sale. You are all invited.

 

  P.S: You can contact me before the day to order. 

Twitter: @OneNigerianBoy  

Email:askterence@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Nigerian Boy Speaks to Fast Rising African Designer Simi Osinubi about her Label Babushka

 

  The prominent jacket in the image above gives me oxygen

Young African designer Simi Osinubi has only been making clothes for a few years now and recently launched her label Babushka, which is 9 months old. She has a keen eye for detail and makes simple chic garments with loads of hand stitching and pin tucking that give her dresses added value and an air of affluence. I got to know about the brand through Le Petit Marche monthly market where she’s a regular and her stand is one where I like to linger and just feel the clothes and give my eyes a dose of beauty. Although she is yet to release a collection, the few pieces we’ve seen so far show a lot of promise and with time Babushka would only get better.

 

  A closer look at the pintucking

What are the Ethos of your label , what do you want Babushka to represent?

  A feature that is common to all of our designs is wearability. To quote one of my favourite designers, Alber Elbaz, ‘…if it’s not edible, it is not food. If it’s not wearable, it is not fashion’. 

 We’re also very particular about the finishing of our clothes and we try to make every garment in such a way that it stands up to international standards. I believe clothes should look as good on the inside as they do on the outside. 

 

  A closer look at the floral detail of the dresses in the middle

What influences your Designs? 

Most times when I get an idea for a design, I make a detailed sketch and make notes as to colour specification and type of fabric and possible alterations that could be made to the design and then I source the fabric and other materials. Other times it works the other way round. I could be fabric shopping and as soon as I see some fabric I immediately know what I want to create with it.  

  Soft flowy fabric with beautiful pleats at the shoulder

I am constantly inspired by the minimalism of Phoebe Philo at Celine, the creativity of Karl Lagerfeld (Chanel, Fendi, Karl Lagerfeld) and Marc Jacobs (Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Marc by Marc Jacobs). Both these men come up with 6 collections each year, Spring/Summer and Fall, not including any ‘Pre’ collections or ‘Resort’ collections and somehow keep their customers wanting more every season. I always say there are only so many ways to make a dress so it takes a certain amount of creative genius to keep people interested.  

 

  J’adore the bow at the back of the green dress and the sequins

Here in Nigeria, I am inspired by Jewel by Lisa. I think she is one who understands the importance of creating a brand. I can identify a JBL design almost instantly. 

 In reference to the details of my clothes, I employ a lot of ruching in my designs and I love sequins. As for fabric, I love chiffon for draping and because it is very practical for our weather here in Nigeria. 

 

  Why the name Babushka? 

Babushka is a Russian name that is used to refer to the little Russian nesting dolls that have a smaller doll on the inside as you open them up. Some of the things/people I am most fascinated by are of Russian origin; Vodka, Miroslava Duma and Fabergé eggs! I think the dolls are absolutely beautiful as is the name. Chanel’s Pre-Fall 2009 Paris-Moscou collection also featured a darling enamel Babushka doll bag. Everyone loves a Babushka! 

 

Who is the Babushka woman? 

The Babushka woman is one who is self-assured. She understands her own style and is never a fashion victim. When asked to describe my label I always say ‘wearable is the new couture’. 

 I like to think our pieces are all very special but at the same time fit into the Babushka woman’s existing wardrobe and she can mix and match our pieces with items she already has in her wardrobe.

 

 

  The designer does all the intricate beading herself

What’s next for the Babushka Label?

A collection of about 10 dresses or a little bit more would be ready soon.

 

 

 

 

  This jackets bears loads of resemblance to the one Rihanna wore in her ‘What’s my name video. Only that its longer, but it’s not a copy guys, she has had this design for long.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Head wraps

  The tiny details that make all the difference

 

The designer Simi, pictured above.