Fatima Siad For Wildfox Couture SS 2013

((  Written By: Staff Writer  ))  Somali-Ethiopian model Fatima Siad (who placed third on America's Next Top Model, Cycle 10 and has since seen her fashion career take off) is the face of Wildfox Couture's Spring Summer 2013 Look Book along with models Olivia Greenfield and Tanya Katysheva).  To see more of Fatima in the Wildfox Couture's Spring Summer 2013 Look Book, which is inspired by 1995's hit movie Clueless, visit Wildfox Couture's Blog.  

Choolips SS13 Collection: Diamond Petals

((  Written By: Nani Hapa  ))  Here's a sneak peak at Choolips' Spring/Summer 2013 collection titled ‘‘Diamond Petals’’ which is part of the label's ‘‘Gold Coast’’ series that is produced in Ghana.  According to Choolips, ‘‘Diamond Petals is inspired by the rich traditions of the Surma tribe from Omo Valley, Ethiopia.  Known for their exquisitely beautiful vegetal headdresses made from exotic flowers and the use of their bold geometric body paintings their timeless creations have us slightly obsessed beyond the season.’’  Indeed the collection juxtaposes sporty-chic silhouettes, watercolor petals, bright diamonds and delicate animal prints with fresh spring colors such as white, mint, pink, and bright yellow.  See some of our favorite pieces from the collection below, and for more, visit www.choolips.com where you can pre-order items from the collection.

MIMI's Holiday Gift Guide: Ah(MEN)

((  Written By: Lola K.  ))  Here are MIMI's inspired gift ideas, which are sure to suit almost every good guy on your Christmas list who loves all things Soul.Substance.Style from Africa and the African Diaspora.  1.  ENZI Footwear (Ethiopia—Price Available Upon Request; Stockists Available at www.enzifootwear.com)  2.  Della's Ruckus Skinny Tie (Ghana—$44 via Della Boutique Online)  3.  This Is Africa Tee (South Africa—$35 via The African Look Book)  4.  Street Level: A Collection Of Drawings And Creative Writing Inspired By Dar-Es-Salaam Illustrated By Sarah Markes (Tanzania—$30 via Amazon)  5.  Kushn 13-Inch Leather Laptop Case (South Africa—$122 via Etsy).

It's Summer Somewhere ...

((  Written By:  Nani Hapa ))  Bantu's mission is straightforward: "introduce the world to African beach culture by creating a hot line of beach and resort wear, accessories, and skincare products using indigenous prints, labor, and materials. All 100% made in Africa."  Mission accomplished:  j'adore the wax print bikinis!  To see more from Bantuwax, visit www.bantuwax.com.

From The Current Issue Of MIMI: What We're Reading Now

((  Written By:  Staff Writer  )) With everything from a searing history lesson in fictional form to an anthology of short stories suffused with beauty, sorrow, and longing, these are MIMI’s picks for the books that good reads are made of this season.

1.  The Spider King's Daughter by Chibundu Onuzo:  This modern-day Romeo and Juliet story is set against the backdrop of a changing Lagos, a city torn between tradition and modernity, corruption and truth, love and family loyalty. Seventeen-year-old Abike Johnson is the favorite child of her wealthy father. She lives in a sprawling mansion in Lagos, protected by armed guards and ferried everywhere in a huge black jeep. But being her father's favorite comes with uncomfortable duties, and she is often lonely behind the high walls of her house.  A world away from Abike's mansion, in the city's slums, lives a seventeen-year-old hawker struggling to make sense of the world. His family lost everything after his father's death and now he runs after cars on the roadside selling ice cream to support his mother and sister. When Abike buys ice cream from the hawker one day, they strike up an unlikely and tentative romance, defying the prejudices of Nigerian society.  But as they grow closer, revelations from the past threaten their relationship and both Abike and the hawker must decide where their loyalties lie.

2.  How to Read the Air by Dinaw Mengestu:  In this novel that tells the immigrant experience across two generations we trace Jonas Woldemariam who in an attempt to understand his cultural heritage, leaves behind his marriage and job in New York and sets out to retrace his mother and father's history as young Ethiopian immigrants.  Jonas goes on a journey that takes him from a war-torn Ethiopia that his parents knew to a brighter vision of his potential in America.

Find out the rest of What We're Reading Now by checking out the latest issue of MIMI.

((  Photo Credits:  Wave Break Media Micrro | Veer  ))

Liya Kebede Is The New Face Of L'Oreal Paris

Written By: MIM!—Last week, Liya Kebede—international model, entrepreneur, actress, humanitarian and advocate for mothers and children as well as a mother herself—became a spokeswoman for L'Oreal Paris, joining the likes of other L'Oreal spokespersons such as Ines de la Fressange, Gwen Stefani, Freida Pinto, Jane Fonda, Aimee Mullins, Jennifer Lopez, Laetitia Casta and Gerard Butler. Liya shared about her new role with L'Oreal, "it is important for me that I represent a brand that reflects my personality. I'm pleased to play a part in sharing the uniqueness, the charisma, and the incredible stories of women of all origins and from all regions of the world."

MIMI Related Posts: Liya Kebede For Ann Taylor; Style Video: Liya Kebede And J. Crew Collaborate To Bring You Her LemLem Line

(Photo Credits: © PRNewsFoto/L'Oreal Paris)

Style Video: Liya Kebede And J. Crew Collaborate To Bring You Her LemLem Line

J. Crew / LemLem Promo from Garrett Hardy Davis on Vimeo.

MIMI Related Links: Liya Kebede For Ann Taylor; Liya Kebede For H&M

MIMI's Hot 21: Marcus Samuelsson: The Master Chef (No. 005)

Written By: MIM!—Try this refreshing banana avocado smoothie recipe from Marcus Samuelsson, The Master Chef of MIMI's Hot 21, and try more of his recipes by searching www.KitchenDaily.com's recipe archives.

You will need: 1 avocado, peeled and pitted || 1/2 cup orange juice || 2 tablespoons honey || juice from one lime || 1/2 teaspoon salt || 2 bananas, chopped || 1/4 cup plain yogurt || 1 tablespoon grated ginger || 1/4 cup vanilla ice cream.

Combine the avocado, orange juice, bananas, ginger, honey and yogurt in a blender and puree until smooth, and then mix in the lime juice and salt.

(Photo Credits: © Veer / Pablo Hernan)

The Global Fashion Show: African Mosaique By Anna Getaneh

Liya Kebede For Ann Taylor

Written By: MIMI—Just in time for their holiday collection, Ann Taylor has announced that Liya Kebede is the freshest face to represent their brand. To see more of Liya Kebede's campaign for Ann Taylor, including behind the scenes footage from the photoshoot, visit www.anntaylor.com.

(Photo Credits: © Ann Taylor)

Incorporate Afri-Chic Style In A Pinch With LemLem's Sashes

Written By: MIM!—We're loving Lemlem's versatile sash belts—the perfect Afri-chic accessory (handmade in Ethiopia from natural cotton) that can be dressed up for any occasion. Work: black pencil skirt, white button down shirt + Lemlem sash belt. Weekend: jeans + drape front cardigan, Lemlem sash belt. All around fab: dress + Lemlem sash belt. For more information, visit www.lemlem.com.

(Photo Credits: Lemlem Look Book)

Style Knows No Age Limits With Bernos Baby

Written By: MIM!—We just love Bernos' t-shirts for tots. Bernos says, "the ... concept came about our appreciation of African beauty and aesthetics, as embodied by the Black is beautiful movement; from a 2 year old child to your 90 year old grandma." Aww! Get more information at www.bernos.com.

(Photo Credits: Bernos)

Ghana, Botswana, South Africa, Tunisia And Egypt Among Top 100 Countries In The World

Written By: Jamelia Mmari—Newsweek conducted a study evaluating economy, politics, health, and quality of life, to determine the world's best 100 countries. Eighteen African countries made the cut.

Here are the African countries that ranked in the top 100, as well as their relative rankings (for purposes of comparison, Finland ranked as number 1, while Canada ranked as number 7, the US number 11, and the UK number 14):

65. Tunisia

67. Morocco

74. Egypt

80. Botswana

82. South Africa

85. Algeria

86. Ghana

87. Kenya

90. Madagascar

91. Senegal

93. Tanzania

94. Ethiopia

95. Mozambique

96. Uganda

97. Zambia

98. Cameroon

99. Nigeria

100. Burkina Faso

Explore the world's best countries by visiting www.Newsweek.com.

(Photo Credits: © Dreamstime / Milosluz)

"Say Goodbye To Love" With Kenna

Africa Is In Style: WUBET

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.

More Information: www.wubet.com

(Photo Credits: WUBET)

MIMI's Fabulous Find Of The Month: Aiyda Clutch

Written By: MIM!—We ♥ this £30.00 scarlet handmade leather clutch by Ethiopian designer Aiyda. Visit www.aiyda.com for more details.

(Photo Credits: Aiyda)

Separating Fact From Fiction: Are Some Stereotypes About "Africa" True?

Written By: MIM!—In the Spring 2010 article A Typical African Woman, writer Nana Bonsu challenged stereotypes about African women (and Africa more generally). She started, "Think Africa, think poverty stricken, famine ridden, war torn pit of despair." While we can think of African countries that do not fit any of these stereotypes, we cannot hide from the inescapable truth: this laundry list of stereotypes was born from tragic real-life events.

Think "poverty stricken," think Zimbabwe's claim to the title world's highest inflation rate in 2008. Think "war torn," think Rwanda's genocide in 1994. Think "famine ridden," think Ethiopia's famine in 1984-85. But after public outcries about the state of affairs in these countries, how much of this remains true today? Particularly in the case of Ethiopia's devastating famine, which happened over 25 years ago now? This year, two different production houses will be releasing films exploring this very question from very different perspectives. Take a look at the trailers below:

Ethiopia Teaser from REKO TV on Vimeo.

Love, Ethiopia - A documentary (teaser) from ReFocus Media on Vimeo.

To learn more about these films, visit Twenty5Ethiopia.org and RefocusMedia.org. And tell us, are some stereotypes about "Africa" warranted today?

Style Your Legs In Daddy Long Legs

Written By: MIM!—Who knew leggings could be a creative fashionable expression and so much fun? Well, British/Ethiopian fashion designer Beth Teshome, did. She is the brand creator and designer behind Daddy Long Legs, an exclusive leggings brand that has fast become one of the most famous leggings brand because of its multitude of tight offerings. "We were the first people to make the printed leggings (bit of a trend setter)" shares the creative fashionista who "lives and breathes fashion." A fast growing brand, Daddy Long Legs is stocked at Bloomingdales, Urban Outfitters, Istan, Fenwicks, IT and other major department stores and retailers in the UK, US and Japan. See what all the buzz is about by visiting www.dllegs.com.

(Photo Credits: Daddy Long Legs)

Fatima Siad For BCBG Spring Summer 2010

Written By: MIM!—America's Next Top Model Cycle 10 third place winner Fatima Siad is the face of BCBG's Spring/Summer line. The designer posted some new photographs of Fatima on the set via his Twitter account (pic 1, pic 2) with the caption "Looks Sick." We agree, and are looking forward to seeing more from the designer's Spring/Summer collection. In the meantime, follow BCBG at twitter.com/BCBGMAXAZRIA.

(Photo Credits: BCBG)

MIMI's Fabulous Find Of The Month: Bernos' Made In Africa Tee

Written By: MIM!—Uniquely African with its statement of pride that we don't hear enough of, and comfortable, what's not to love about Bernos' $22.95 "Made In Africa" t-shirt? This is the second edition of the ever popular tee that was sold out after K'Naan wore it in a music video. Get yours at www.bernos.org.