Cover Girls: Kerry Washington for ARISE Magazine

I called it last year, guys. 2013 is the Year of Kerry. Kerry Washington is on a roll, gracing yet another magazine cover to kick off the new year. This time she talks exclusively with ARISE Magazine about her role in blockbuster Tarantino hit "Django Unchained", and her pride in being the only African-American female lead in a national TV role.

About the honor, she told ARISE "I felt proud of America. I felt proud of us as a society that we allowed the face of this show to be something that we don’t normally see in this role."

How can you NOT adore her?! I can't wait to see what else is in store for her thus year. I also can't wait for Scandal to return on this Thursday, January 10th. I've been on the edge of my seat since the last cliffhanger episode! (I'm addicted!)

For a sneak peek at what's inside Issue 18 of ARISE, click here!

LBS Runway Report: Arise Magazine Presents Spring 2013

The Arise Magazine Presents show reigns supreme as one of the previews I look forward to year after year at NYFW. Bringing talented African designers from across the continent, Arise Magazine's iconic designers prove every season that talented international designers of color deserve a platform to showcase their work.

This season's presentation featured collections from designers Ozwald Boateng, Gavin Rajah, Tiffany Amber, Tsemaye Binitie, and Maki Oh.

Maki Oh showed an innovative collection of wearable pieces featuring a mix of structured as well as free-flowing silhouettes.

 Ozwald Boateng stuck to his classic aesthetic - well-tailored menswear separates in intriguing fabrics and detailing that bring a fresh twist to the classic suit. 

Tiffany Amber showed a collection of well curated prints in silhouettes that work for all different body types. This proved to be one of my favorite collections considering how much I love color and prints. I also loved that it wasn't one-note. She mixed it up by showing well-crafted dresses and tailored  separates alike.

Tsemaye Binitie showed an eclectic collection - everything from cocktail pieces to ready to wear separates. The play on fabrics and fringe kept my attention.

South African designer Gavin Rajah showed a collection of embellished gowns and black tie looks fit for royalty. Sequins and laser cuts abound at the couture designer's showing.

Ozwald Boateng S/S 2013

Ozwald Boateng S/S 2013

Outside of the tents we ran into Project Runway alumnus Korto Momolu who looked smashing. Remember her?

Thoughts on the Arise Magazine Collective collections?

I Spy: Celeb Sightings & Street Chic

The celebs were out in full effect this weekend and so were the fashionable & fab show-goers. I managed to snap some behind the scenes pics from the weekend. Take a look:

On the left are two fly chicks named Coco & Breezy who make awesome designer eyewear with studding and the works. With their uber-stylish rocker chic style, I can't imagine how fierce their collection will be. Going to see their Fall 2010 collection tomorrow night - can't wait! On the right, you might recognize black supermodel Stacey McKenzie and the fly brother with the amazing glasses, she's posing with, is none other than Marc. C - the bowtie king. He makes these amazing unisex bowties, one of which we've seen Rihanna in recently:

If you love Real Housewives of Atlanta as much as I do, you'll recognize the following divo Dwight Eubanks. He was impeccably dressed (per usual) at the Arise Fashion Collective show on Saturday.

 

And now onto some of my fave models!

Ethiopian beauty Liya Kebede was present at the Arise Fashion Collective as well. She looked fresh-faced and stunning as I caught up with her backstage.

 

On the left is my favorite top model newcomer - Ms. Sessilee Lopez! I caught up with her after the Arise show before she headed off, and her model-off-duty look was so fab, I had to take a shot of it. Another one of my faves and a true legend in the industry, Veronica Webb, was also glowing backstage.

For more celeb sightings and my own street chic snapshots, check my album HERE.

Fashion Week Special Report: ARISE Fashion Collective

 This post is dedicated completely to the Arise Fashion Collective as I believe they need special recognition and placement on LoveBrownSugar. Let me start by saying that the three collections shown - Black Coffee, Loin Cloth & Ashes, and Deola Sagoe were all innovative, intriguing and beautifully done. The Tent at Bryant Park was buzzing with smells of incense-touched kente, greetings in african languages & dialects, and exhaustive shades of beautiful brown faces surrounding the runway. I was in heaven. Here's my recap of the collections:

Black Coffee Fall 2010

The Black Coffee collection was a great collection of structured dresses and coats in muted pastel colors. I loved the cocoon-like shapes and layering of the pieces. (Peep Chanel Iman serving face on the left!)

Loin Cloth & Ashes Fall 2010

The Loin Cloth & Ashes collection was less structured and featured some really great traditional fabrics. I adored her funky slim-fitted trousers. She also had some beautiful draped dresses.

Deola Sagoe Fall 2010

Deola Sagoe's designs were delightfully fitted and feminine for her Fall collection. The shapes were varied and eclectic and I loved the unexpected cutouts and exaggerated shapes in so many of her dresses. Very chic pieces with an ethnic twist.

 

 

 For more pics from Arise Fashion collective, browse through my album HERE.

Dare I say the Arise after-party was the highlight of my weekend? Yes, I said it. It was quite possibly the best industry event I've ever been to. Held at the Plaza hotel, the open bar and people-watching would've been enough for me. But add to that menu - surprise mini-concert by Ciara! It made my night. I was front row center and enjoyed every minute. That girl has abs...she works for that money honey.

  Be sure to keep updated with Arise Magazine. I've done some posts on how awesome they are! And for more pictures from the after-party, visit my album HERE.

Sick Site Spotlight: MyAsho.com

So I finally got around to reading this copy of Arise Magazine I snagged during Fashion Week. They were giving copies out in the lobby under the tents. Considering I'd blogged about Arise and Africa Fashion Week, you know I couldn't leave without a copy!

While flipping through the glossy pages, I stumbled upon an article about a really great new website. It's called MyAsho.com. MyAsho is actually a Nigerian online fashion emporium that premieres local African designers and makes their designs available to the global market. Asho is the Yoruba word for cloth, and Dolapo Shobanjo (the sites's creator) founded this site with the intent of giving African designers more accesibility to the world outside of Africa.

Screenshot from MyAsho.com

There's something so regal about designs straight from Africa. The rich fabrics, the cultural influence, the amazing prints; they all make each piece that much special. And now us urban fashionistas without family there can stop hounding our African friends to bring back fabric and accessories when they go home for family vacay!

Here are some of my favorites from the site:

Panya Dress, $62.86 On Sale

Orange Ayinke Clutch by Jezreel Designs, $143.44

Elegant Cape by YouMeWe, $95.63

Check out MyAsho.com for the more of the latest in African designer fashions.