Fierce or Foolish: Kelis in Jewel By Lisa

 Songstress and rebel fashionista Kelis has been seen around town rocking it out in afro-inspired pieces by Nigerian-based line Jewel By Lisa...

 That seems to be a HUGE trend of late, from my faves like Boxing Kitten and naKIMuli Inc. to newcomers Koko Celeste and now Jewel by Lisa. I absolutely love the pieces Kelis has been sporting. They're fun and clearly summer-appropriate. It almost bothers me though, that it has taken years for the fashion industry to really recognize that the most beautiful pieces trace way back to African roots. The emphasis in fashion, as a whole has been so European-based that they've somehow forgotten or ignored the beauty that can come out of African influence...

 Solange in Boxing Kitten

Years ago, you never saw traditional kente cloth or fabrics from Africa on the runways. Disturbing, yet it give me hope. Let's make lines like these mainstays in the industry and not just "trends". What do you guys think? Is this a "trend" or is tribal print here to stay?

Image Source 

LoveBrownSugar Chic: naKIMuli Inc.

Some of you avid blog readers and fashionistas might have seen this lady's work around. Her name is Tennille McMillan and a few weeks ago Honey Magazine (via myself) did a fashion feature entitled "Funky Sweetheart" on her awesome clothing and accessories:

naKIMulic Inc is definitely a brand to watch. With inspiring shapes, colors and prints, Tennille is pushing her work farther than I've seen many indie designers go... 

Here I'm sporting her Afrikan Hologram Dress ($100). I fell in love with the african print on the front and the fact that there's a psychadelic hologram design around back. And of course I love the exaggerated shoulders on it...

New artist Raye 6 was seen wearing this same dress at the MTV Movie Awards the other day. The colors are a little dull but you get the picture:

 I'm absolutely in love with her accessories too.. 

She has these oversized Bow Brooches ($25), pictured above, that are super cute. You can pin them anywhere! I decided to rock mine round front. And they come in teeny weeny size as well.

Check out her work at naKIMuli Inc's Website