Abla Volta: Say Yes To The Dress

((  Written By:  Nani Hapa  ))  Born in Ghana, where her mother ran a clothing company, Abla Volta grew up around fashion.  Through her mother, she discovered and developed a passion for design. Splitting her time between Ghana and Togo during her adolescence, it was not until she moved to the fashion capital of the world—Paris—where Abla decided to create her eponymous label.  Take a look at pieces from her wedding collection below, and for more, visit www.ablavolta.com.

MIMI Muse: SIKA

Written By: MIM!—Aspiring fashion designer SIKA describes herself as a "smiling, optimistic, crazy and sensitive . . . half Togolese and half French and yet half Ghanaian" person. We love her free spirited style, and hope to see her go far with her fashion aspirations. To see more from SIKA, visit her YouTube page: www.youtube.com/user/sikabou and to support her as she vies to become the next face of Benetton, visit casting.benetton.com/profile/1318754-sika-.

MIMI Related Stories: MIMI Muse: Fikile Moeti, MIMI Muse: Vanessa Mdee

(Photo Credits: SIKA)

Paris Based Afri-Bohemain Label Bezemymailan Opens Online Store

Written By: Nani Hapa—One of my favorite Afri-bohemain labels, Bezemymailan (by Parisian designers Bezem and Mailan) launched their online store for the Afri-nista who is chic, vibrant, and above all, looking to stand out from the crowd. Visit shop.bezemymailan.com for more information.

MIMI Related Links: Bezemymailan: So Afri-Chic, NKWO Designs, A Clothing And Accessories Line That's A Bit Free Spirited, A Bit Nomadic, And Totally African

(Photo Credits: Bezemymailan)

Man We Love: Tabi Bonney

Written By: Nani Hapa—The son of afro-funk superstar, Itadi Bonney, Tabiabuè Bonney, (better known as Tabi Bonney) couldn’t help but follow in his father's famous footsteps and pursue his love of music. He says, "Music has always been a part of my life. I knew that I was going to be an entertainer at a very young age."

Rapping since he was in high school, Tabi started refining his skills in college, forming a group, organized Rhyme with close friend, Haziq Ali and opening for well-known artists such as LL Cool J, Camron and OutKast. Recording a few independent singles and releasing the self-titled underground classic, Bonney & Carter, Tabi has been a mainstay of Washington, DC's hip-hop scene, since. In his most recent video for Nuthin But A Hero Tabi is on the hunt for his super-girl, any takers MIMI-istas?

Nuthin But A Hero - tabi Bonney from tabi Bonney on Vimeo.

Tabi's talents don't end with music; look out for his fashion label, Bonney Runway. For more information, visit www.bonneyrunway.com.

From The Archives: Culture To Couture: Bezemymailan

Written By: Staff Writer—Combining their creative talent to form the Bezemymailan clothing line, Mai Lan (Franco-Vietnamese) and Bezem (Russian and Togolese) are two young designers, who between them represent four different cultures. Their label is inspired by a rich mix of cultures, including Russia and various countries in Africa, Asia and South America. Learn more about Bezemymailan by reading Culture To Couture: Bezemymailan.

(Originally Published In MIMI In Feburary 2007, Love Actually)