Sunday 13 May 2012

Black But Invisible : Start supporting NOW!



Black But Invisible: 'We see things in colour not just black & white.' 

Black BUT Invisible Campaign


The Black But Invisible campaign is openly challenging the British fashion industry for its failure to use black models within all genres of fashion. The Black But Invisible campaign was launched in 2008 by Mahogany Models Management (MMM). Black But Invisible  has been created to question the industry on the lack of black models used in mainstream fashion and therefore evoke a change.  

The lack of models of colour within fashion campaigns has been recognised worldwide; however the UK fashion industry continues to turn a blind eye to the problem and has made very little effort to address the issue.

Chief Executive of MMM, Sola Oyebade said, 

"We feel now is the time to say 'Black is back' and the fashion industry must start using more models of colour within mainstream fashions shows and advertising campaigns. As a modelling agency that represents models of colour, we have to sweat blood to ensure our models are booked. The UK fashion industry is still living in prehistoric times and lacking behind the rest of the world. It’s fair to say that the UK fashion industry is institutionally racist." 

Help support and make colour stand out!!





Sunday 6 May 2012

ALDO's NEW Culture Clashing shoes!!!



Check out ALDO's new arrivals, unique tribal influenced shoes...Now available online!!





If that wasn't enough check out the matching Culture Clutches!! Also available NOW online.








Tuesday 1 May 2012

The History of Caribbean Fashion & Style


Its how funny Caribbean fashion & style is always taking a back seat, its like doesn't even exist! We have African fashion taking over, its spreading like a disease which I'm loving,not just worn by black people but every race possible! So whats going on with Caribbean fashion, I think its time for change!

France played a Huge role in defining Caribbean Fashion. During 18th the French came to colonize the West Indies. Once the enslaved Africans arrived and the native Arawak, Taino and Carib Indians were either slaved or killed the wealthy bourgeoisie lift France and established their livelihoods in the Caribbean full-time. Along with their wealth came their sense of fashion, which largely consisted of 'Madras' cotton. this fabric was perfect for the southern France and also ideal for the Caribbean. 
















 Caribbean fashion is also influenced by West African Culture, but the male garments did not catch on to the Caribbean. West African head ties (Gele) and blouses (Buba), where a huge hit for Caribbean women.


Creole languages are nearly two hundreds years old. Creole language came during the first slavery era in the Caribbean. Creole is a 'Patois' language that is a varied combination of African syntax and European lexicon or words.This language evolved due to the slaves having to communicate with the plantation owners.

The Creole dress was first worn by freed women also slaves. the creole dress is usually worn on specially occasions, it consist of a long petticoat, floor length skirt  a white cotton chemise, trimmed at the neck and a madras headdress, sleeves and hems were laced with ribbon.

















The beginning of: BLACK BRIT

I think I'm going get addicted to blogging, I have a collection to be working on but here I am typing away, and no I'm not going to stop! So where do I begin with this collection, well I would have to go back to last summer, when I took a trip to Jamaica. Jamaica has been my best holiday so far, I met my dad's side of the family,my grandma and grandpa for the first which was amazing, I feel truly blessed. The culture and the people are the main reasons why i decided to base my collection on Jamaica, but not only Jamaica.. the whole of the Caribbean.

I was so scared, believe me, but i was not leaving that water, even if it killed me..But it was so amazing! 



So I started to research other Caribbean fashion Collections, there's was so many out there, but I was was so set on Caribbean and I was so determined to make this one different. I also felt although I had an advantage, due to the fact that I've been to the Caribbean and that I had sourced and bought Jamaican fabric which I intended on using in my fashion collection.