Bea-D-AzzliÑ African Designers

1.)Brand - Christie Brown
Founder - Aisha Obuobi

 Is a Ghanaian based luxury women’s clothing/fashion brand:

"A Luxury Fashion Brand Celebrating a Fabulous Fusion of Timeless Style.."

Abrand whose aim is to satisfy the urge "of that modern woman who seeks a true taste of Africa". Their aim is to infuse a modern and distinct twist into the use of traditional African print, making it acceptable the world over; to allow women the world over to experience the culturally rich and opulent side of Africa without having to compromise their personal style, way of life or culture.

Christie Brown was founded in March 2008 and has since gone on to win the several global awards; The Emerging Designer of the Year Award for the year 2009 at the inaugural Arise Africa Fashion Week in Johannesburg, South Africa. Christie Brown was also the only Ghanaian designer chosen to showcase in the Arise L'Afrique- a- Porter, in Paris as part of Paris Fashion Week in March 2010. At the 2010 Africa Economic Forum hosted by Columbia University, Christie Brown was invited to sit on the panel for "African Fashion Going Global"; a discourse on making African Fashion a recognizable global industry.

           Alicia Keys for Vibe Magazine in Christie Brown Strand necklace!

With many magazine features to boast of(Arise(UK),Canoe 53 Sails, Black Hair(UK), Destiny(SA), Sawubona (In flight magazine for SAA) , Aisha Obuobi, founder of the label was listed as one of the women set to make headlines in 2010 in a feature published in the international edition of Glamour magazine. http://christiebrownonline.com/
Check out her facebook page as well.

2.)Brand - Shourouk

Founder - Shourouk Rhaiem

"It began when she saw her first embroideries on the Galliano catwalk fall/winter in 2007."

Shourouk’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection of colorful and sassy necklaces have been showcased in Jean Paul Gaultier’s haute-couture shows and blockbuster films. .

haute-couture shows and blockbuster films. .

Working method:

"First of all, I like to be surrounded by beautiful objects, I collect books, images, vintage headpieces, I always bring something back from my trips. It can be indian bangles I bought on a market in Bombay, or vintage carafes from Thailand. Starting from this, I manipulate my materials, I do some sketches but it’s more about playing with the crystals. A collection always  starts from a new technique which is driving the creative process, for exemple we’re now making our own colored crystals or we’re finding different ways to bride a friendship bracelet. At the end, a piece is finished is when the embroidery is done, when I know there is not one crystal I would like to move."

 Shourouk is of Tunisian origin, she is having great success around the world: Sarah Jessica Parker wears her jewellery in her new movie.

Inspiration:"I get inspired by many things, borned in Paris, I feel like a true parisian girl, I like the classicism of the city mixed with the big melting-pot of cultures you find in each area. Also, my studio is next to the , the contemporary art museum, this is my area, I find a lot of my materials there and I like this edgy atmosphere.

VougueTalent: Elisa Pervinca Bellini

Published:

02/22/2012