Goodbye 2010 it has been great!

What a fantastic year this has been. I actually got up and was 'about it' rather than talk about it. I am very proud that after all of my talk I actually did something. The start of Kenema & Co was a bit random, which is no surprise as random is me! I can honestly say that any moment of doubt has been momentary. I am a feelings person and tend to go with my feelings about stuff, and Kenema felt right from the very start. I could get really overly emotional but I haven't got time!! This is a blogpost giving an over view of the Kenema journey thus far...

So Alizé and met in January and it felt right...she agreed to join this adventure without really knowing where it was going and to be honest neither did I...Any way we met in January planned and plotted and left for sunny Sierra Leone in April 2010.

We arrived in Lungi airport Sierra Leone to be greeted by a black out on the baggage reclaim! It was hilarious we thought it was a scam to steal our luggage!

We walked up and down the main market for fabric in Freetown under the HOT HOT sunshine it was like 1000 degrees. We were in and our of shops and checking out all the market stalls to select fabric to bring our designs to life...

We worked everyday apart from the weekend when we went to the beach and partied...

We made cute summer pieces for the ladies:

We had a launch party at No.5 Cavendish Sq! (Thanks for sorting that Alizé)...

We started a charity and provided two school scholarships:

We organised a cool event with Sonia Meggie

And we launched our new collection:

AND HAD COUNTLESS MOMENTS OF FUN IN BETWEEN GRINDING FOR THE GREATER GOOD!

In 2011 we will continue to create, support, motivate and inspire!

Thank you to everyone that has helped along the way.  Your support has been phenomenal and we count on it in 2011!

PEACE xxx

AW10 snap shot...whilst we wait for the website to be finished...

Exclusive Batique designed by Kenema & Co.  You will not see this print anywhere else.  It was designed by us for you exclusively (you won't get exclusive prints like this from ANYONE else).

Sweet heart dress made with 100% Java cotton.  I'll give you some information about the different fabrics on another post.  Just so you know Java is a very high quality fabric usually worn by the middle and upper classes in West African societies.

On the left and right we have the Audrey dress the blue version is made using 'High Target" cotton, a very fine yet robust cotton printed using high quality dying techniques.  The brown and green Audrey is another EXCLUSIVE batique print designed by Kenema & Co.  You will not see this print anywhere else.  In the middle we have the blue version of the "Rosie" dress.  Knee length pencil style dress made from 100% Wax cotton.

The Cool Crew review of The First Lady Christmas Fayre

The lovely Christina Daniels founder of The Cool Fashion (a spotlight for all things creative) give's her run down of The First Lady event. *Big Smiles*.  Make sure you are at the next one!

xx

Flyprints Skype interview with Kenema & Co.

Flyprints  had a chat with me about The First Lady even that took place on 28th November 2010.  If you missed it you better not miss the next one.  It was a great event full of positive energy and all things creative, fresh and new!  

Listen to my conversation with the lovely Osei here.  Please note no children were neglected during this interview!!

xx

THIS IS LONDON

WE ARE SHOWCASING HERE! BUY YOUR TICKETS IMMEDIATELY :)

Some out takes from the AW10 photo shoot

Our gorgeous models and ultra FYNE MUA Thom Ticklemouse

Picture from The Roots of Fashion event 23/10/10

The First Lady UPDATE!!!

Come and shop till you drop with 

The First Lady | This Sunday 28.11.10 | Queen of Hoxton | 1 - 5 Curtain Road | Shoreditch | EC2

Hello everybody,

The count down has begun, The Shopping Event of the season is nigh!  I have decided to send you an update to give you an idea of what you can purchase on the day!

We have...

Ghanian inspired jewellery from GPUK with prices ranging from £1.50 - £20.00

Bespoke leggings, catsuits and other VERY sexy attire from Puckoo Couture from £20.00 - £150.00

Beautiful hand made jewellery from BeRare from £4.00 - £22.00

Gorgeous vintage accessories and clothing from Aunties Closet from £10.00 - £150.00

African inspired attire from yours truly, Kenema from £20.00 - £50.00

Premium hair extensions for all hair types and divine eyelash extensions from Weave Good Hair ranging from £25.00 - £100.00

Fun and funky beaded jewellery by Purple Turtle beads from £5.00 - £25.00
Hand customised sparkly clothing from Embellished attire ranging from £1.00 - £65.00

Don't forget we have sumptuous skin and hair care for all hair types from Shea Butter Cottage, African inspired street wear from Kayobi clothing, funky street wear from Dat Tag, brilliant art from Mister Giles, beautiful bangles from Love London Monroe and fashion inspired by East London from SDG East...

PLUS some new additions!

Bespoke chocolate from ChocImpress www.chocimpress.com

Beautiful home ware and leather goods from Figiini design www.figiinidesign.com

Guest speakers to motivate and inspire:

Joy Odunsi - Potential U - personal styling

Raw Skin Foods - Clare Eluka - skin care

Ms Afropolitan - Minna Salami - online business

Jewel Clothing - Lyande Kaikai - fashion

And last but certainly  not least LIVE music performances from:

ARUBA RED

OBENEWA

CAROLINE JAY

SHERRY DAVIS

SARAH FARRELL 

and new addition - CLEO SOL

with DJ Kengo Oshima on the ones and twos!


Hosted by Roses Gabor and Sonia Meggie.

This will be a day jam packed with with gorgeous products, smooth vocals and chat to inspire, so come early to take it all in, network, shop eat, drink and be merry!  

Start the festive season with The First Lady!

Sneak Peak from the ZIA collection

Kenema Loves... The Holy Rosary Secondary School in Kenema Sierra Leone

As you must be aware we at Kenema & Co are very passionate about support our sisters in Africa.  Managing Director, Tamu's trip to Sierra Leone in October 2010 initiated the first phase of our charitable work!  In the Summer we co-organised AskYouGirl's OFF THE RADAR event and used the door fee to raise money to provide school scholarships for two girls in Kenema, Sierra Leone...here are some photos...

Pupils at the Holy Rosary Secondary School in Kenema, Sierra Leone.

Hawa the first recipient of the Kenema & Co scholarship.

Mariama the second recipient.

Pictures from The Future of Fashion - Africanism 30/10/10

This was an event to showcase up and coming talent.  Styling and model's by ISM/ The Future of Fashion.

3/4 sleeve blazer with 3/4 length trousers.

 'Leah' tulip dress

 Maxi skirt

100% silk one shoulder dress with embroidery

Premium sweet heart dress made using a batique design designed by Kenema & Co

Two tone 'winter' dress.

ISM Africanism - The Future of Fashion

We will be exhibiting our new collection at  ISM's  Africanism - The Future of Fashion 


It takes place at:

@ The Rag Factory
16-18 Heneage Street (off Brick Lane)
London E1
Saturday, 30/10/10
Live Performances: 8-9pm

Doors open from 6pm
Show 1: Evening Fashion Show
7-9pm
Advance £5 - on the door £7

Or

Show 2: Night Fashion Show
8-10pm
Advance £10 - on the door £12
One ticket allows entry to one fashion show and the mid event performances. 

Both shows feature the same Designers and collection.

For more information please contact Info@tfofevent.com or check here

See you there.

The First Lady - Christmas Fayre - Line up

And there you have it.  The 1st First Lady Christmas Fayre!  A day to shop, learn, network, listen to great music and have a drink while supporting good causes.

It will also be the launch of Kenema & Co's second collection!

Start your Christmas shopping with us x

Media love volume 4...

Mister Giles, the man behind some very cool art will be exhibiting at The First Lady Christmas Fayre and has given the event some love on his blog.  Please check out his pieces on his website and come and purchase a piece or two at the event!

Watch us grow

It really feels like Kenema & Co is growing up!  Part of that growth is that we are getting a website!  My home girl Danielle, CEO of DAT TAG recommended a really cool web designer to create our website.  He got on it immediately and I am already impressed!  Watch this space!

I want to say a quick thank you to Danielle as she has been very supportive and I must say that I have been really impressed by her business ethics.  Actually I am really in awe of all the people I have connected with on my Kenema journey they have been positive, insightful, warm, genuine and just lovely well rounded people.

Anyway the website is being created by Matteo Scaglione of Best you've never had.  If you need a website designed contact him here.

The "Zia" collection coming soon

Hey all just dropping you a line to let you know that on Friday 15th October all planes lead to Sierra Leone for the creation of Kenema & Co's second collection, The "Zia" collection.  Zia is a person who is very close to the heart of Kenema & Co and has been a huge inspiration/ motivation for the brand.  Zia means splendour and light.  With this collection we hope to bring some splendid light to a dull winter wardrobe.

We also aim to challenge the perception that African fabrics are for the warmer months/ climates.  Within this collection there will be party pieces, street wear AND some pieces for men (you asked so we are supplying it) and some pieces for the little people!  Stay tuned for preview pics and information!

In addition to this the money we have raised to sponsor two girls thorough a year of secondary school will be delivered!  I think I am as excited about this as I am the new collection.

Media love volume 3...

I give The Cool Crew Blog 10/10 for their support of the UK creative movement.  They shine positive light on all things creatively positive in the UK.  Kenema & Co certainly appreciate the support!  Here is some coverage on our forthcoming event.

Media love volume 2...

My darlings @Fly Prints have given our next event (The First Lady 28/11/10) some coverage check it out and check them out.  I love these dudes as they are very supportive, positive, forward thinking and great screen printers!  If you have any print jobs please check them out!

Some media love...

This morning I stumbled across a little media love from The Nublack website.  Read the post here.  Do take the time to read I am The Nublack's website.  Thank you Gabi