The SS 2012 collection of SIKA DESIGNS is available online.
Sika Designs was founded by Phyllis Taylor, born in the UK from Ghanian parents. Earlier this year, She opened a shop in Accra, Ghana. It will be the exclusive distributor of Sika Designs.
Sika Designs work closely with local manufacturers and traders to give back to the Ghanean community. All Sika garments are sourced in Ghana. View the collection and shop online: sikadesigns.co.uk.
JUNE recently launched a brand new collection. We hand picked our favorite items to help you brighten up your wardrobe this summer. All pieces available on the online store:www.store.juneshop.net/
Ever wanted to wear african designs at work but not quite sure how? Well good news, the key to power dressing is to be professional but remain feminine. What better option than colourful african prints and accessories?
We spotted two designers who revisited five key pieces of a woman's power dressing wardrobe: ASAKEOGE for the outfits and AFRICAN PULSE for the accessories.
3. The slim fit pants when you don't feel like wearing a skirt. Because they're so colourful, pair them with a simple white or dark shirt. African print slim Pants by ASAKEOGE, £45.
4 & 5. Bold accessories will instantly add a feminine touch to all your outfit. AYÔ long necklace made with coral crystals, flat beads and Akan gold weight, 90 euros. FULANI earrings in golden metal made in Mali, 25 euros.
Asos.com launched its new ASOS Africa 2012 collection earlier this month. The combination of african patterns and western cuts makes it a very unique and cutting-edge line.
Expect Geo, Kanga, Mombasan and zebra prints, neon stripes and even beaded giraffes. If you're not afraid to have all eyes on you, the bright colours and original shapes of this collection are for you.
ASOS Africa is an ethical brand. The collection isproduced in collaboration with SOKO Kenya, a clothing production workshop, allowing Kenyan underprivileged communities to establish sustainable business through local craftsmanship.
A young designer named Doline Legrand, or just DO. Inspired by the beauty of Africa, she launched a line for women which gets the attention of many. The concept is between painting, graphic design and fashion.
DO is an artist and graduate of Fine Arts University of Fine Arts.
Tiossano, from the Wolof word “Thiossane,” represents the origins of humanity, of culture, of life, of you, and of me. The natural skin care products based on indegenous Senegalese recipes. A new tribe that shares a vision of women who want to be know for their brains, beauty and heart.
The company is committed to help bring Dakar fully to the level of Paris and San Francisco as a center of global cultural creativity. Tiossano will donate 10% of profits to a foundation that supports an educational project in Senegal.
Products: Body lotions, body washes Location: Dakar, Paris, San Francisco
Hapsatou Sy is a 27-year-old entrepreneur who opened Ethnicia, the first multi-ethnic beauty centre in Paris. She recently won a business competition which allowed her to open her third beauty centre in the biggest shopping centre of Paris, Les Quatre Temps. Her story is now well know in France and she is regularly featured in major newspapers, magazines and tv shows. Hapsatou found her inspiration during a trip to the US where professional multiethnic beauty centres were available everywhere. She decided to bring the concept to Paris knowing that there was a gap in the market. She reveals all her business and hair care secrets to Afromag.
Hapsatou Sy est chef d’entreprise de 27 ans et fondatrice d’Ethnicia, le premier centre de beauté multiethnique parisien. Elle a récemment ouvert un troisième institut de beauté aux Quatre Temps, le plus grand centre commercial parisien et fait régulièrement l’objet d’interviews et de reportages dans les journaux, magazines et émissions télévisées françaises.Hapsatou a eu l’idée de lancer Etnicia suite a un voyage aux États-Unis ou les instituts de beauté multiethniques sont monnaie courante. Consciente du manque sur le marché français, elle a décidé d’importer le concept à Paris. Hapsatou révèle à Afromag ses secrets professionnels et capillaires.
You’ve launched your first business at 24 without help from banks. Which network helped you finance the project (family, work, friends)? / Vous avez monte votre première entreprise a 24 ans malgré le refus des banques de financer votre projet. Quel réseau vous a aidée à financer votre projet (familial, professionnel, amical…)?
I had 30,000 € from my own savings and from a friend’s loan. / J’avais 30 000 € d’apport, venant de mes propres économies et d’un ami.
Would you say it’s necessary to take courses create a business? Do you think you could have achieved your project without your diploma in Superior Economic Studies in Trade and International Affairs?/D’après vous, une formation est-elle indispensable pour montre une entreprise ? Auriez-vous pu monter votre projet sans votre Diplôme d’Etudes Supérieures Economiques en Commerce et Affaires Internationales ?
A business course is useful but it’s more important to have a sales flair. It’s all about willpower, having a clear goal and the will to achieve one’s projects. / La formation en commerce est utile, néanmoins, la fibre commerciale est plus importante. Il s’agit avant tout de volonté, d’avoir une idée bien précise, et une réelle envie d’aller au bout de ses projets.
What would you advise to someone who wants to build a business but doesn’t know where to start ? / Quel conseil donneriez-vous à une personne voulant monter son entreprise mais ne sachant où commencer ?
Be confident and believe in your project, get surrounded by the best people to build a strong team and set high goals. Don’t lose faith because the road will be paved with pitfalls and you must be prepared to cope with them. / Avoir confiance en soi et croire en son projet, savoir s’entourer de personnes compétentes pour construire une équipe efficace, se fixer des objectifs élevés et ne jamais se décourager, car le chemin sera semé d’embûches et il faut se préparer à les affronter.
Do you have a professional mentor ? / Avez-vous un mentor (sur le plan professionnel) ?
All the people who are persevering and achieve their dreams. / Tous les gens persévérants qui accomplissent leurs rêves sont mes mentors.
In your opinion, why did afro and multi-ethnic beauty centres first appeared in the US ?/ D’après vous, pourquoi les centres de beauté afros et multiethniques se sont-ils d’abord développés aux Etats-Unis ?
Most probably because a bigger market appeared earlier in the US and there are more mixed race people over there. Today, France is getting more and more mixed and the need is appearing here too./ Car il y avait certainement un marché plus important plus tôt, et plus de métissage aux Etats Unis. Aujourd’hui, la France est de plus en plus métissée, le besoin est donc présent ici aussi.
Is there a difference between afro haircare in France and in the US ? Do customers have the same needs? / Y a-t-il une différence entre le soin du cheveu afro en France et aux Etats-Unis ? Les clientes ont-elles les mêmes demandes ?
French customers are as demanding as the Americans, the difference is that they have a wider offer in the US. Afro customers today have specific and varied needs, which is normal since each of us is unique. That’s what we focus on at Ethnicia, tailored beauty. / Les clientes sont tout aussi exigeantes, la différence c’est qu’aux EU elles ont une offre beaucoup plus large. La clientèle afro a aujourd’hui des demandes plus précises et variées d’une personne à l’autre, et c’est normal, chaque être est unique. C’est ce que nous prenons en compte dans les instituts Ethnicia, la beauté sur mesure.
Is your hair natural or relaxed ? Why ? / Avez-vous les cheveux naturels ou défrisés ? Pourquoi ce choix ?
My mother is from a North African descent and my father is from an African descent so my hair is mixed. I have a fine hair and I don’t relax it very often but I wear extension for a longer style./ Mes cheveux sont métissés car ma mère a des origines maghrébines et mon père des origines africaines. Au final, j’ai des cheveux fins. Je ne les défrise pas toujours, mais je porte des extensions pour les avoir plus longs.
Which black woman is inspiring for you ?/ Quelle femme noire est pour vous une inspiration ?
Oprah Winfrey !
What was your experience of hair salons at Strasbourg Saint-Denis (the afro hair care district of Paris) / Quelle a été votre expérience des salons de coiffure à Strasbourg Saint-Denis ?
I found them very communitarian. In addition, the quality and customer service weren’t always there. This experience reinforced my idea that there was a real gap in the market. That’s why I wanted to create a beauty institute where customers aren’t treated according to their skin colour but to their needs. / C’était très communautaire. De plus, la qualité et la prise en charge efficace du client pas toujours au rendez-vous. Mon expérience m’a confortée dans mon idée : il y avait un réel manque sur le marché. J’ai donc eu l’envie de créer un espace de beauté ou les clients ne sont pas considérés pour leur couleur de peau, mais pour leurs envies de femmes et d’hommes.
