New African Fashion book launch

11.2011

The London launch of New African Fashion was a huge success last night. Over 300 invited guests squeezed into the Gallery Soho to quaff Belvedere vodka, eat Shalize cupcakes, dance to Ghana’s Fokn Bois (Wanlov & Mensah) and, of course, c

In the building was Shingai Shoniwa from the Noisettes, who said: “It feels beautiful to be part of the African renaissance that’s occurring in all areas especially in the arts, music and fashion. Helen’s book is a definite sign that we have arrived.”

Nigerian pop stars 2Face Indabla and Lynxxx also came, as did Warner recording artist Tawiah, BBC1Xtra’s Dj Edu; supermodels Yasmin Warsame and Armando Cabral and designers featured in the book including Duro Olowu, Joe and Charlie Casely-Hayford, Tsemaye Binitie, Anita Quansah, Re Bahia, Angelo Van Mol, Deola Sagoe, Nkwo, Bestow Elan, Sam Lambert (Ozwald Boateng), Omer Asim and Maya Antoun.

Joe Casely-Hayford added his congratulations: “Casely-Hayford is really thrilled to be included in Helen Jennings’ seminal book which places fashion of African origin firmly in a twenty first century global context. The book ‘New African Fashion’ shatters clichés and throws new light on the influence designers from the diaspora are making in the major fashion centres of the world.”

Not to mention press from ARISE, Guardian, BBC, Pride, Fab, Black Beauty and Metro and bloggers including Afripop, Graft & Glamour, Marian Kihogo and Style House Files.

Photographs by Jackie King.