Afrique et Fashion: Designer Spotlight on Adama Paris

The designer spotlight for this week is on Adama Paris, the label by Senegalese designer Adama Amanda Ndiaye.  Wikipedia offers a nice writeup on Adama so I would recommend to read her story if you would like to get insight on her background. All images courtesy of Adama Paris and Vogue.fr

The Brand: Adama Paris

The IT factor: Colorful and modern cuts

The Inspiration:Big Cities…to share fashion without borders (source)

The Designer: Adama Amanda Ndiaye, from Senegal

Sissi’s Notes: Amanda was born in Kinshasa! The world is small 😉 She has organized multiple fashion events to get African designers to become mainstream.  Some of her achievements are the Black Fashion Week and the Dakar Fashion Week.

Sissi’s Picks: From her Spring/Summer 2014 line (cannot shop online)

Style Watch: Photo Floral

This is a print that has gathered a few raves per my Personal Stylist.  The Photo Floral reminds me of the Punk Floral from last Spring.

images above courtesy of J.Crew.com

The style comes in a dress and a skirt.  The dress felt like a sturdier cotton, but it was too short so I passed on it.  I tried on the skirt. A quick review below:

Pros: very cute print, fresh and light, can be paired with whites, greens, blues, etc.  It’s all cotton but…

Cons: No lining!!! I felt a little too exposed and with the summer heat, there could be sweat spots which are unflattering.  I’d recommend a slip if you are considering, or wearing now in Spring with cooler temperatures.  Also, considering the very light cotton, I am not sure the unique print by itself justifies the full price… 😦

Material: 100% cotton, no lining

Fit: Runs large.  My regular size was simply too puffy and the waist did not hold.  I’d recommend to size down or go with your smaller skirt size at the Crew.

Sissi’s verdict: I’d say wait for sales, but I hear it’s been going fast like the Punk Floral from last season.  Up to you, I’d wait for a discount.

Do you agree? Please share!

Style Watch: Spring Summer 2014 ‘Sissi Must-Wear’ List

One of my goals this year is to schedule which style I will be tending towards for a season (I usually just go with the flow of what I feel like or what is there in front of me) and to recycle clothes I already own.  So I turned to the fashion runways to select two or three trends that I will strive to maintain for Spring and Summer 2014, mostly using clothes already in my closet.  I blogged on some trends HERE.

• Item 1: Soft Pastels with contrasting belts and bright accessories.  Am in love with the simplicity and muted tone of the outfits with the occasional pop of color 🙂

• Item 2: Whites with lace or metallic.  I’ll strive to wear more whites with studded accessories or just metallic accents.

• Item 3: Keep it simple!! A dress with a belt and sandals, or pencil skirt with shirt…simple yet elegant 😉

Photos courtesy of gorgeautiful.com

 

NYFW Fall Winter 2014: J.Crew

New York Fashion Week is underway for Fall Winter 2014 presentation…when we are about to get to Spring 2014! In any case, I am not particularly impressed by the offerings at J.Crew, main items to catch my attention are the pencil and knee-length wool shorts (nicely mixed with deep burgundy!).

However, I am really excited about the shoes!! Particularly, the blue pumps above and the fancy strappy ones below:

Speaking of shoes, am looking forward to the Spring collection at J.Crew…shoes look promising per below.  Also, waiting on the lime dress with front slit…lime green for spring? Check!

Which items caught your eyes for Fall 2014 presentation? Do share!

update: Unless noted, pictures credits to Google and NYFW website.

Paris Fashion Week Septembre 2013: Trends to watch – Parts 3,4,5 and 6: Classic Lines, Ethnic Accents, Minimalist Makeup and Shoulders

Classical Lines:  The silhouettes at the PFW were conventional and straight to the point: simple, flowing, showcasing women’s natural curves (some ruffles at Isabel Marant).  I will sound biased but Eli Saab was once more the winner in this category, in my humble opinion (how humble am I when I pat myself in the back, huh?) .

At Eli Saab

At Chloe

At Miu Miu

At Emmanuel Ungaro

Sissi’s Notes:

1. Return of tweed blazers and loose coats at Chanel and Miu-Miu
2. It is OK to cover up
3. Go ahead and tuck-in a top with your skirt or pants 😉

African/Middle Eastern/Azteq Accents: Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Valentino showcased lots of non-Western accents in clothing, accessories and hair styles…though I was a little confused at McQueen with ancient Roman gladiator-like outfits…

At Valentino

At Alexander McQueen

Sissi’s note: Try the strong middle line hairstyle with braid…so cute! Oh, and open up to other non-western style, very pretty!

Fresh Faced Makeup: the trend was minimalist or simple make up (OK, not at Chanel obviously…).

Sissi’s note: return of the simple eye liner and rouge lips 😉

Pretty Shoulders:  Lots of shoulders out from sleeveless to one shoulder, to sheer lace for a strapless illusion.  Love it!  Oh, of course, legs were to display as well…legs and abs and everything in between.

At Emmanuel Ungaro

At Chanel

At Yves Saint Laurent

At Valentino

At Alexander McQueen

At Stella McCartney

At Givenchy

Sissi’s note: Subtle, less is more.

What do you think? Please share.

Unless noted, all pictures credits to HuffingtonPost and Vogue.

Related articles

• PFW SS14 Highlights (runwaytorubble.wordpress.com)
• Fashion: The best of the best-of “Paris Fashion Week” Spring-Summer 2014 (fashionicia.wordpress.com)
• Spring 2013 Couture: Elie Saab (myfashioncents.com)