Making a presence at New York Fashion Week for the second straight season is the ARISE African Collective. The four presenting designers included Jewel by Lisa, returning designer Tiffany Amber, Eric Raisina Haute Textures and David Tlale. Pairing Africa’s top design talent with the world’s most wanted models of color makes for one of the most exciting runway events of the week.
By Qianna Smith
Setting the tone for the evening was Jewel by Lisa, who sent 12 models down the runway in bright Ankara prints embellished with hand beaded details, sequins, crystals, glass and fringe. The line, which was founded by Lisa Folawiyo in 2005 stormed onto the Nigerian fashion scene and has quickly become a global sensation.
Inspired by the vibrant kaleidoscopes of Nigerian artist Kolade Oshinowo, Tiffany Amber’s spring/summer 2010 collection was a festive display of flowing silk shapes the moved like a brush of wind on a breezy summery day. The label’s creator, Folake Folarin-Coker, established herself on the Nigerian fashion scene in 1998 after studying in Europe. Folarin-Coker is recognized as a leader of style and elegance both in her country and aboard.