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
MAC Cosmetic’s was the featured beauty brand for the runway show where makeup artists gave girls glossy eyes, lips with a dewy shimmery skin finish.
Top model Chanel Iman was all smiles joking around backstage as she got her hair and makeup done.
Super male model Tyson Beeckford talks to press about being a part of the ARISE runway show for the second time.
“You can’t find a show better than this during Fashion Week,” says model Nana backstage, who has been featured in the pages of ESSENCE magazine.
Backstage dresses prepare to outfit the models for the show.
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.
Taking a cue from sassy, stylish New York women-think Sarah Jessica Parker- the summer collection sees snippy shorts, slim leg pants, mini cocktail frocks and leather-mix biker jackets in a cacophony of color off-set-with batik-inspired silk prints.
Model Tao wears a batik silk blouse paired with a pink circle print mini skirt.
Working the runway this model sports a red and mustard Martian print coat dress with beaded detail.
Model Iris dons a multi-colored circle print beaded long dress.
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.
The collection takes a cue from Diana Ross in the 1974 Motown hit, Mahogany, where dress sleeves billow and skirts are voluminous.
Model Millen looks stunning wearing a purple jumpsuit with turquoise woven detail.
Model CoCo oozes of springtime sporting this aquamarine and orange silk chiffon halter with cubed necklace.
This metallic weave mini dress with batwing sleeves is the prefect little number for a night on the town.
Eric Raisina’s creative flair is rooted in his homeland of Madagascar and is infused by influences from Europe and Asia.
Based in Cambodia since the late 90’s, Raisina mastered the techniques of Cambodian silk weaving and dyeing, which has helped him bring a new couture style to his design construction.
For spring 2010, women will want to cover themselves in layers of silk set in sunset hues.
Dress up your pants wearing this crochet necklace adorned a silk top.
Model Chanel Iman dazzled wearing this red fringed silk halter dress with studded belt.
South African designer David Tlale drew inspiration for his spring 2010 collection from the South African Ndebele tribes and the San aboriginal people of Southern Africa.
Fusing these two very different cultural aesthetics into a cohesive embodiment of Africa’s diverse heritage resulted in designs that were elaborate and spectacular, but lacked the adornments and use of accessories one would associate with the artistic identity of these tribes.
Model Tyson Beckford sent the females in the audience into a frenzy wearing this olive green organza suit with black shirt.
Model Oluchi wears a cowl neck fringed short cream dress down the runway.
Model Ger makes pick pop in a manly way in this crushed silk organza suit.
