Written By: MIM!—Zainab “Zain” Balogun is hard to miss with her shortly cropped hair that exaggerates her strikingly beautiful features. The aspiring model who is a law student shares about herself “I am simply an unconventional being. I don't try to be like anybody else or to fit into anyone's preconceptions. I am not perfect but I am special.” Friday, July 30, 2010
Written By: MIM!—Zainab “Zain” Balogun is hard to miss with her shortly cropped hair that exaggerates her strikingly beautiful features. The aspiring model who is a law student shares about herself “I am simply an unconventional being. I don't try to be like anybody else or to fit into anyone's preconceptions. I am not perfect but I am special.” Thursday, July 29, 2010
Written By: MIM!—With her unique stunning beauty and gorgeous fly hair, Mania is easily one of our favorite models (look out for her in our upcoming Summer 2010 issue). German, Nigerian and Polish, Mania says about her heritage “I think every little thing of me is special ... I am proud of it.”
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Written By: MIM!—R&B Grammy-nominated duo composed of sisters Hélène and Célia Faussart are slated to release their highly anticipated third studio album, Nü Revolution this Fall. The album, which is inspired by President Barack Obama’s inauguration, represents evolution of dream (“rêve” in French) and of women (Eve). We *cannot* wait.
Written By: Nani Hapa—Last month, soul and R&B singer-songwriter Lemar Obika released his best-of compilation, titled The Hits, which includes most of his big singles, including the brand new The Way Love Goes, as well as two other new songs. This one is definitely on heavy rotation. Hot!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Written By: Nani Hapa—Malian born model turned singer/songwriter, Inna Modja is an open book. Through her music she shares everything about her “cute little crazy life”—her good and bad days, her joys and heartaches. Reuters Africa summed her up best when they wrote: “The 25-year-old Malian is a rising star on France’s music scene with titles like Let’s Go to Bamako, that might be nostalgic tunes celebrating Mali’s capital, but that sound more like Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera than the music of Modja’s compatriots Salif Keita and Rokia Traore.” Check out her debut album Everyday Is A New Day if you're looking to fill summer's sunny days with a little bit of pop, a little bit of folk, and a touch of soul.(Photo Credits: CD Cover Art)
Monday, July 26, 2010
Written By: MIM!—We may be full swing into the summer, but designers are already releasing their Autumn/Winter collections, and Duro Olowu is no exception. Here is a first look at the Autumn/Winter 2010 collection from "the King of Prints":
(Photo Credits: www.DuroOlowu.com)
Written By: Staff Writer—We are working on the final touches of our Summer 2010 issue featuring Stella Mwangi (photographed by Halat Sophie Askari) on the cover, and here's a preview of what's to come for the issue, aptly themed Sweet Somethings: (1) Ten Essential Tips For Natural Hair, (2) Fashioning The Continent: Your All Access Pass To Africa Fashion Week, (3) My Hair Story, (4) MIMI's African Inspired Guide To The UK ... and so much more!
We'll make an announcement on Facebook, Twitter, and of course this space when our Summer 2010 issue is published!
(Photo Credits: Halat Sophie Askeri)
Written By: Nani Hapa—
Name: Jewels Of The Kalahari
Head Designers: Anna Haber, global director of marketing for emerald producer Gemfields, and jeweler, Sabine Roemer in collaboration with Bushmen women in Ghanzi, Botswana.
Style Notes: ingenuity, ostrich eggshell, handmade.
Background: For generations the Bushmen of the Kalahari have created one–of-a-kind intricate pieces of jewelry using wild seeds, sticks, bone, tortoiseshell, and most importantly of all, beads painstakingly hand made from shards of ostrich eggshell. Anna Haber and Sabine Roemer collaborated with the largely isolated Bushmen of the Kalahari to create a unique 19-piece collection of jewelry comprised of necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
Why You Should Know Jewels Of The Kalahari: Beyond creating beautiful jewelry, the Jewels of the Kalahari collaboration is aimed at creating awareness of the Bushmen’s plight, who are among the are among the poorest and most disenfranchised in southern Africa. Jewelry making is an important source of income, particularly for the women, and the collaboration seeks to create a sustainable business for the Bushmen.
Online Stockist: brownsfashion.com
More Information: onefinethread.blogspot.com
(Photo Credits: Boo George)
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Written By: MIM!—MIMI-istas, we're trying to get the new issue of MIMI published for the summer and squeeze in vacation time for ourselves (it's too nice outside to be couped up indoors missing out on all the outdoor fun), so this week, we're taking a collective brief break from our regularly scheduled blogging, and instead will post a daily video of some our favorite songs from the African fellas. What are you doing for the summer? Are you taking any vacation time?
(Photo Credits: iStockPhoto / Daniel Bendjy Photography)
Sunday, July 18, 2010
She Defines Soul.Substance.Style (No. 014): Maia von Lekow
Category: Kenya, Soul Substance Style, Tanzania
[ click image for larger version ]
(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy of Maia von Lekow)
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
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Written By: MIM!—We are big fans of actress, model, and aspiring writer Mireille Urumuri, and it's not just because her nickname is Mimi. The Rwandan born multi-talented Mireille discovered her love for the performing arts at four years old while living in Spain with her family. At the time, Mireille wanted to become a Flamenco dancer, but at six, when Mireille's family moved to Canada, she fell in love with acting and committed to the arts, ultimately attending the Montreal School of Performing Arts.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Written By: MIM!—Funeka Ngwevela (known to her friends as "Funi") is a self-professed "quirky stylista" who is fashioning South Africa one person at a time as a stylist. When asked about her style philosophy, Funeka shared: "Normalcy is a plague and I refuse to be infected. I have an eye for style, a characteristic that is becoming increasingly rare with each passing day. Style is not about following trends, it is about finding what works for you. My style is indie, rock, retro, effortless and classic. My duty is to inspire you."
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Written By: MIM!—Fikile Moeti, aka "Fix", made MTV history in 2006 by becoming the the first female VJ on the networks’ African music television channel, MTV Base. At the time, Fikile was a student at Cape Town University, who applied among thousands of other applicants to be on MTV. Since winning the competition, Fikile has firmly established herself as an MTV presenter and now travels all over Africa representing the channel—a natural fit for Fikile, who traveled around the world with her parents when she was younger. She explains, "My mother being Xhosa and my father being Motswana (Botswana). I have been privileged to travel around the world at a young age ... there is no kind of money that can buy experience!" Passionate about everything she does, whether it's music, art ... or water polo (Fikile is a former South African water polo champion), Fikile does it all in her own unique, non-conforming style. Keep up with Fikile by following her on Twitter @fixsacious. In addition to watching Fikile on MTV Base, you can also listen to her on South African radio station 5FM.
(Photo Credits: MTV Base)
Monday, July 12, 2010
Written By: MIM!—She's Vanessa Mdee, better known as Vee or Lil Miss Dynamite to MTV Base viewers. At 19, Vanessa, then a college student at The Catholic University Of Eastern Africa became Tanzania’s first ever MTV VJ; her first gig: co-hosting The Coca Cola Chart Express. She describes herself as, "an African girl who grew up in New York and Paris, and now works all over the continent for MTV as a VJ; this has made me familiar with many different cultures from all over Africa and the world." But Vanessa is also a stylista, who expresses her style from everything from her hair (she’s had just as many styles as Rihanna) to shoes (which she has confessed to being addicted to). Keep up with Vee, by following her on Twitter @VanessaMdee. If you would like to be featured in MIMI, get the details here: Be In MIMI.
(Photo Credits: MTV Base Africa)
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Written By: MIM!—Wear your love in an original I ♥ Black People tee; get your $28 tee at www.iluvblackpeople.com.(Photo Credits: ShadowFlack Apparel)
Friday, July 9, 2010
Written By: Nani Hapa—You're not seeing double: models Atong Arjok and Ajak Deng strike a stunning pose together in the Benetton Spring Summer 2010 campaign photographed by Josh Olins. Despite sharing a Sudanese heritage, the two supermodels who are both following in the steps of pioneer Alek Wek could not be more different. Fresh faced Ajak Deng is a relative newcomer to the fashion scene—she fled Sudan as a refugee, and immigrated to Australia, with dreams to one day rule the runway. Today, she is living her dreams: "This is freedom for me. I've got to do what I've always wanted to do and I thank God for that."
The striking Atong Arjok was born in the States (California), and discovered in Los Angeles. Having already been featured in ad campaigns for brands such as Sephora, Estee Lauder, and Target, walked the runway for designers such as Phillip Lim, Diane von Furstenberg, and Lacoste, and appeared in magazines such as Trace, Glamour, and Vogue Italia, there's no denying Atong has that "it" factor.
Combine these two striking Sudanese beauties, and the result is a stunning campaign! For more information, visit www.benetton.com.
(Photo Credits: Josh Olins / Benetton)
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Written By: Otae Ubomba-Jaswa—
Name: WUBET
Head Designer: Arnold Haas
Style Notes: Unique accessories, woven, ancient, Ethiopian.
Background: WUBET is a line of handbags and shawls made from authentic Ethiopian fabrics in modern designs. From small bags to clutches and even a new ipod bag in Ethiopian cotton, these designs prove that the synergy between culture and contemporary style lives on. Weaving in Ethiopia is an art practiced as far back as the Middle Ages. The designs of the Tibeb are seemingly infinite in number with colourful geometric designs.
Why You Should Know WUBET: Short of making a trip to Ethiopia, it’s pretty difficult to find any of these textiles outside the country. Moreover, WUBET’s designs are effortlessly contemporary meaning you can incorporate these accessories into your everyday style.
(Photo Credits: WUBET)
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
Written By: MIM!—Day 3 at Africa Fashion Week had more star power, including Tanzanian model Flaviana Matata. Here are some of the highlights from the front row ...
Friday, July 2, 2010
Written By: MIM!—We've got more from the front row of Africa Fashion Week where we spotted, among others, Tanzanian model Millen Magesse and Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, the driving force behind Africa Fashion International.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Written By: MIM!—Africa Fashion Week 2010 is underway, and we've got your front row seat to the fabulous event! Day 1's designers included: Ituen Basi, Deola Sagoe, and David Tlale (more on that soon), and in the front row, we spotted some famous faces such as Matthew Mensah and Ayan and Idyl Mohallim who both appeared in MIMI's Hot 21 in 2008.
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