One Nigerian Boy: FashionMist: African Fashion coming out of the Mist 2011 Event, London

FashionMist is bringing together various designers who are of African (specifically Ghanaian) origin and reflect this in their work and who have found success in the Diaspora as well as on the continent itself.

The event aims to highlight that African-influenced designs can be enjoyed in any number of contexts, western or non-western. In doing so, the event is creating a network of designers who can draw on each other for support and inspiration. Designers who are confirmed to participate include Sheila Boateng (N’kya Designs), Sandi Owusu (Diva Delicious), Mina Evans-Anfom (Mina Evans), Anita Quansah (Anita Quansah London) and Helena Aidoo-Morrison (Aya Morrison) Kwabena Boateng (Kayobi) Antoinette Amuzu (Ayikai Couture) Josephine Wiafeh (Yaa Ataa couture bags). Hazel Mak and Adynkra will provide entertainment.

FashionMist will take place in two parts. During the day there will be an exhibition of 20 stalls, where the clothing and accessory ranges of participating designers will be available for purchase by the public. This part of the event is open to anybody and admission will be free. During the evening, FashionMist will host a ticketed fashion showcase, where a selection of designers will present exclusive collections. Part of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to Global Mamas, an organization which aims at empowering women through art and crafts.

The event will take place on Saturday 26th March 2011. The Exhibition will be open to the public from 12pm – 5pm and admission is free. Doors for the Showcase will open at 6pm and this is a ticket-only event. Tickets cost £15 and can be purchased Here. The event will take place at the Hotel Russell 1-8 Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 5BE. The exhibition during the day is free and open to the public.

Many of the designers taking part seek to ensure that the inspiration drawn from the African continent has a number of positive outcomes, including the creation of sustainable incomes and fair trade for those involved in production, the guarantee of quality and authenticity in materials as well as the promotion of African identity and pride, outcomes which FashionMist seeks to promote.

Please contact:

Sheila Boateng (079404 70323)

Emmanuel Osei (07931921232)

FashionMist@gmail.com

More information can be found at http://fashionmist2011.blogspot.com/

Anita Quansah is an African UK based designer and a textile graduate from Chelsea College of Art and Design London who produces eclectic stylish handmade and expressive one-off pieces of textiles, clothing and neckpieces that fuse together timeless sophistication with great originality using recycled and vintage materials.