Africa Fashion Week London 2012

This look is fashion forward and relaxed. Brogue mixed with Afro-print LS shirt is well styled and matched. *Thumps* up from moi

Perfect colour duo. The lady in purple LS blouse gets it right! Very well done. Love the shoes x

Afro-print jumpsuit is a way to go!

See Eighteen Forever Jumpsuit £30 below. Contact sales 07554173992

Top model @AFWL. She is awesome! Would like to interview her. 

Afro-print jumpsuit with a HOOD! Rock that out! 

Too busy talking.....that's what African ladies do best. They are always catching up with friends even if they live together :)

Two words: Simple and Sassy

If this is not fashion addict best spot, I don't know what to say. I adore the head-wrap, and the oversize bag too. On my wish list! Tried the head-wrap a while back, so difficult to do though! *Thumps* up or down!

Photo credit: Eighteen Forever

10 Hot New Bags

One of the most important accessory in your wardrobe is your handbag. They are visual art with delightful patterns to the female arm. We need them all day, everyday. Bags are important accessories because they express our personality and protect our personal belongings wherever we go. The mistake we make is owing too many, therefore loosing the purpose of styling them. It is advisable that you invest in unique styles and colours that can be wearable differently without loosing the edge of your style. We often think that we don't have to wear the same things twice. The question is....why not?

Bags have evolved considerable over the years. They are constantly on the extremes; oversize bags for weekend getaways or the gym and the really small clutches that your perfume cannot fit into. The picture below depicts variety of styles and colours for different occasions. I particularly adore "Kate Spade New York Clutch Bag £223.10 (top right). It is unique, stylish and definitely worth every penny. I would style it with a lacy purple dress, black stiletto and gold jewelleries. Yep....colour YORK it ladies!

From top left: New look multi-coloured clutch bag £15.99, Black snakeskin £16.99, Kate Spade New York "brushstroke" £223.10 Nordstrom.

From below left: Sara 3 in 1 block £25 Boohoo, Ellie Saab grid box clutch £747- Boutique 1

These bags are handy for work and evening outings with the girls. Adding colour to your fall season fashion is amazing as it brightens your outfit creating the right attention. The bright green bag from Ralph Lauren is an A-list choice. Get shopping ladies.

Don't forget to like the FB page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eighteen-Forever/353084814708768?ref=hl

Photo credit: Eighteen Forever

Uber Africa Collective

Just take a look at images from designers at Uber Africa during Africa Fashion Week on Saturday at Spitafields market.

Is red the new season colour?

This is an epitome of style! What do you think?

Photo credit: Eighteen Forever

Get ready for AFWL 2012

With the Olympic frenzy on the high, athletes are not my major concern. Africa Fashion Week London is my only concern, and this year has claimed to be a HIT with top fashion couture designers casting their spells on it already. The event will be held at Spitafields market in Piccadilly on the 3rd-4th of August. I was at the event last year as a guest, I was totally blown away by the number of people that attended. It was absolutely magnificent. This year, I've been granted full access to the show......yay! It feels amazing to be an official press pass holder at AFWL because I finally feel like I'm been recognised for my work. I cannot wait to connect and interview lots of amazing people, and of course take pictures.....click! click!

If you are interested in coming and meeting with me, you can get free tickets here;
http://africafashionweeklondon.com/africafashionweek/free-show/

After getting your tickets, you naturally ask yourself  "what should I wear? The answer is simple, I have created some simple as well as dramatic outfits to inspire your styling. I would recommend an African print or bright colour just like the first one below, which is from my own collection. Dress to stand out so you can be approached for pictures :) The organisers' expect nothing less than 10,000 guests....mwahhh. You REALLY want to stand out!

See you there xoxo

Flare skirt £30
Crop top £20
To purchase, contact Sales;
Email: salimatkah@yahoo.com or
Mobile: 07886985688

This outfit is from "Ladylike Collection" (click this tab above for more pieces in the collection)

Please do not copy this images without my permission. Thanks

Photo credit: Eighteen Forever

Africa Fashion Guide At Bread & Butter Berlin 2012

From the 4th to 6th July 2012 took place one of the biggest sports and street tradeshows in Europe if not the world – the infamous ‘Bread and Butter’ (BBB) tradeshow. Founded in 2001, and this year titled ‘THE ROCK’ Bread and Butter now houses around 600 of these fashion exhibitors. It presently takes place at the historical venue which is the Berlin-Tempelhof Airport and all I can say is that this event is DOPE! (even if my flight back to London got cancelled…tut tut Easyjet…)

Firstly I would recommend visiting BBB in the summer show as Berlin can be biting cold at times in the winter Jan shows, and can be very warm in the summer July shows, secondly book ahead and register ahead in time so you don’t have to go through the huge queueing system to register once you arrive; thirdly book ahead of time your flights and your hotel as you can imagine thousands of people are hitting Berlin during this season and even Easyjet can take advantage of this time and extensively overcharge you for a near 2 hour flight into Berlin from London…the next show lands in Berlin from January 2013 so you have been pre-warned.

Another…the 2nd to last point to note is to wear comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes. Airport Berln Tempelhof is a huge airport and spans a 1.2km quadrant so if you are like me and once you get to one end and realise y ou need to meet a company at another end then flat comfy shoes are the way to go as you WILL be walking lots and for hours too. AND the final point is to bring plenty of business cards – come stacked up…even myself, I ran out of my Africa Fashion Guide bcards as I tend to network with everyone I meet.

My very short trip was brief and my focus on this trip varied but I did want to being to you the Africa focused fashion streetstyle that I came across at the trade events I visited which on this occassion were Bread and Butter and also Bright Tradeshow too.

See below for the streetfashions I spotted who were repping African threads.

Author: Jacqueline Shaw

Photo credit: Africa Fashion Guide 

Website: www.africafashionguide.com 

Festival Fashion

It is that time of year again! We travel long distance, scream, spend too much, in mud, all in the name of "festival". Not sure about you all, but I'm giving long distance festivals a miss this year. The only music festival in my diary is in 10 days "Africa Oye". Africa Oye is the largest free music festival in Europe which takes place in Liverpool. I will be hunting down best and worst festival fashions at this event, so look your best ladies!

I have created few festival looks to inspire your festive wardrobe and perhaps summer shopping . A mix of style is trendy and fashion forward. I recommend you try a slash of colour in an effortless style; like tangerine shorts (see style 1) or a red backpack (see style 2). Hats, sunglasses and sandals are a must-have for festival looks, you can try nude or brownie tones to your style. 

Need further help, just leave a comment Xx

Harvey faircloth ikot short
Cat woman bamboo jersey shirt £90
Patent and faux viper sandals £330
Camel round tote with detachable shoulder strap by DKNY £223
Mirrored lens classic silver avaitor sunglasses £118

Pink paisley liberty print trilby, Christy's hats £68Cut-off denim shorts £365Hershel pop quiz backpack £65Boyfriend Tee with American flagboyfriend with American flag £110Pandora black leather bracelet £40Daisy throat chakra black- silver £58Linda farrow luxe- Shell & Matt sunglassess £370Original green tall wellington boot by Hunter £69Macho necklace £34

O.P.I Great Britain nails £25Karma purple gunmetal stretch bracelet £12Ash black leather buckle wedges £145Black cherry small shoulder bag by See by Chloe £290Black studded grosgrain headband- Jennifer Quellette £18Sleevless dress by DKNY £190Handwritten scallop leather belt £85Mirrored lens classic silver aviator sunglasses by Rayban £118

Pamela mann fishnet ankle sock in pastel pink £3
Black box brownie box £250
Single spike ring £240
Playered layered mini skirt £335
I love my tees Trilly sweater top £90
Luxe casetto sunglasses £300

Image created by Fashion blogger at Eighteen Forever

British invasion

The largest British retail store does union jack in classic road trip flag. Long live M&S!

Look at the screen for the Olympic torch in Liverpool. 

Topshop screams..... Britain! I honestly didn't see these guys when I took the picture. I was so distracted!

I witnessed it!

Royal mail distributed iconic British fashion celebrating The Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Image: yumi magazine

Photo credit: Eighteen Forever