Atom Feed (xml)
Kenema referred to and quoted here by Memoir Mode blog.
Monday, 8 August 2011
Africa Fashion Week footage
Africa Fashion Week London from Kylie Lawson on Vimeo.
1 min 50 sec for Kenema video courtesy of Kylie Lawson.
1 min 50 sec for Kenema video courtesy of Kylie Lawson.
Sunday, 7 August 2011
Sneak Peak's from the forthcoming Mende Collection
Tie dye playsuit
A-line backless dress with 3 layered wax cotton lining
4 panel printed Kente sport shorts
A-line backless dress
Models: Nyla Mirza and Ashade Cole
Make Up: Annette Beauvouir
Photography: JR Fotography
Styling: Alizé Demange and Wanita Bardouille
Saturday, 6 August 2011
Mende Collection Behind the Scenes...
The good folk at Flyprints filmed 'behind the scenes' at our recent photo shoot for the forthcoming "Mende Collection"
Modela: Nyla Mirza & Ashade Cole
Make Up: Annette Beauvouir
Photography: JR Fotography
Styling: Alizé Demange, Wanita Bardouille and Tamu Thomas
Video by: Flyprints
Sunday, 17 July 2011
The First African Fashion Week London
Hello!!
I haven't blogged on here for a while...I've been too busy tumbling! Also I am eagerly awaiting my website *runs round excitedly*... anyway I thought I'd stop by to let you know that I will be exhibiting at the first EVER Africa Fashion Week London on Saturday 6th August 2011. Kenema will be on at 5pm.
This will be an opportunity to get a preview of my SS12 collection, "Mende". This collection is inspired by the Mende tribe of Sierra Leone. It features more Kenema designed Batik and Tie-Dye, some beautiful embroidery and more fun with African fabric. A number of pieces focus on the back as it is one of my favourite parts of the body. Very sensual and elegant unlike exposed bosoms which is over done and can be tacky (in my opinion). Anyway I hope to see you there!
I haven't blogged on here for a while...I've been too busy tumbling! Also I am eagerly awaiting my website *runs round excitedly*... anyway I thought I'd stop by to let you know that I will be exhibiting at the first EVER Africa Fashion Week London on Saturday 6th August 2011. Kenema will be on at 5pm.
Tickets are FREE but must be booked online and you must arrive early to avoid disappointment. You can get tickets here.
This will be an opportunity to get a preview of my SS12 collection, "Mende". This collection is inspired by the Mende tribe of Sierra Leone. It features more Kenema designed Batik and Tie-Dye, some beautiful embroidery and more fun with African fabric. A number of pieces focus on the back as it is one of my favourite parts of the body. Very sensual and elegant unlike exposed bosoms which is over done and can be tacky (in my opinion). Anyway I hope to see you there!
Saturday 6th August 2011 at 5pm
Africa Fashion Week London
Gibson Hall
13 Bishopsgate
London EC2N 3BA
United Kingdom
Monday, 13 June 2011
Monday, 2 May 2011
BRB
Hello!
I haven't blogged on here for a while for a number of reasons:
1) Making some changes
2) I have fallen in love with Tumblr
3) I don't post any old random shizzle on here
Making some changes:
The name, no more & Co... the other stuff we do has it's own identity now so that's it, KENEMA.Full.Stop. (this means I need a new facebook group as you can't change names when you have over a certain number of 'likes' garrrrr, the pain!)
Kenema was 1 on 25th April! A whole year! I am very proud of what has been achieved, moreover I am very proud of all that I have learnt over this year. Rather than carry on in the same vein and produce a range for Summer 2011 I have decided to focus my efforts and apply the information I have and continue to accumulate. Firstly I am going to produce my collections in line with the fashion calendar so from August I will start to exhibit the collection for SS12.
Each collection will have a theme giving the collection some cohesion and each piece will tell a story.
Price, maths was never my strong point...but what I have realised is that we cannot operate at our previous price point (also a number of customer's informed me that they felt the prices did not reflect the quality, skill and time that goes into each piece). I undervalued what Kenema does... Real people manufacture our clothes for a fair price, Real people do our embroidery for a fair price, A real man creates my batik designs by hand using traditional techniques for a fair price. I hand select material, fastenings etc. I have ideas that I carefully research then Alizé and I take time to turn these ideas and this research into reality. So price will remain high street but at the higher end.
We are getting a website so this blog will be no more *wipes tears*
A small mens wear line will be added - this is due to requests by a large number of men. We will start small and grow, there is a lot to be said for a slow simmer...
There is more but you have to wait for that, you can't know it all but once it is all in place we are going to party like it's 1999!
My love affair with Tumblr:
Needs no words, check out my words, rambles and random musing @ KENEMA on Tumblr
I don't post random shizzle on here:
I do that on Tumblr! So come and tumble with me!
You can also find me on twitter @KenemaGirl
The moral of the story is that Kenema is growing up, what was before was a wonderful learning curve and intro to African inspired fashion Kenema style. Playtime is over. Thank you for your support I sincerely hope that it continues.
See you on the other side
Tamu xx
Monday, 11 April 2011
The First Lady Fayre
The First Lady Fayre press release
The First Lady is a business enterprise for women by women with the sole aim of supporting and promoting women in business. The First Lady Fayre is a bi-annual retail extravaganza showcasing a range of female focused brands predominantly from the creative industries. The event also features guest speakers and live music. On 28th November 2010 Kenema & Co and Inspirational YOU brought you the first installment of The First Lady Fayre here is a review: http://thecoolfashion.com/2010/12/02/the-first-lady-fayre-recap/#more-5471. Now we present the much-anticipated follow up event, The First Lady Roof Garden Fayre located in The Queen of Hoxton’s roof garden with a fantastic view over looking the City of London.
This latest shopping event, which follows the successful launch of The First Lady Fayre in November 2010, features an extensive list of inspirational women that will impel you to take affirmative action. The day will be jam-packed with positivity that will leave you feeling energized and motivated. With so many high caliber ladies and brands on board we have listed our participants below or this press release would be never ending!
The First Lady organisers, Kenema (www.kenemaco.com ) and Inspirational YOU (www.inspirationalyou.co.uk) aim to continue their fundraising efforts for their respective projects. Kenema with their school scholarship program via their official charity, “Kenema’s Big Sister” and Inspirational YOU for the work they do with vulnerable young women in London. In 2010 Kenema & Co was able to deliver two school scholarships for girls attending The Holy Rosary School in Kenema, Sierra Leone. Inspirational YOU continue to grow from strength to strength hosting a quarterly event that is overflowing with positivity; including workshops, networking and guest speakers whilst working directly with vulnerable women and young people.
We welcome you to come together and assist us build this unique brand / business enterprise on the roof garden this über cool venue in Hoxton over looking the City of London. Come along to shop, meet some interesting people, enjoy good food and drink while being entertained. We guarantee that you will leave feeling inspired.
The First Lady
Sunday 22nd May 2011
11 - 5pm
The Queen Of Hoxton,
1 - 5 Curtain Road,
Shoreditch, London
EC2
The line up for the First Lady Roof Garden Fayre includes:
Aunties closet - Designer vintage clothing
Embellished attire – Customised clothing - facebook.com/EmbellishedUK
BeRare Jewellery – Hand crafted jewellery -
AfroJules – Bespoke Hand drawn greeting cards
More to be confirmed.
Guest Speakers:
DJ Nikki Beatnik – UK’s #1 female DJ – Essential information for female DJ’s
Octavia Goredema – CEO Twenty Ten Club – Successful networking
Christina Daniels – CEO – The Cool Fashion – The art of blogging
Katie Ryan – CEO Pink N Black management – Being a video girl the smart way
Rachel Williams – Professional Model CEO We girls rock – So you want to model?
Hope Jikemi – CEO Eventfully yours – Be the best you can
Kara Messina – CEO Y’OH menswear – The business of fashion design
Alicia Walters – CEO Shea PR – What is branding?
Melanie Leonard – CEO End Zone Image – Make up application like a pro
Live Music
DJ Nikki Beatnik - http://www.djnikkibeatnik.com/
Aruba Red - http://www.reverbnation.com/arubared
Cherri Prince - http://cherriprince.bandcamp.com/
Jane Fraser - http://www.myspace.com/missjanefraser
++ Some surprises
Poetry/ Spoken Word:
Amber Phresh Mentality - http://phresh-mentality.com/
Nail services by:
Nails by Ama - www.nailsbyama.co.uk
More to be confirmed.
Hosted by: Roses Gabor, Mikill Pane and Chyna Desveaux
For more information please contact:
Follow TheFirstLady on Twitter @TheFirstLadyLDN
Sunday, 20 March 2011
THE FIRST LADY FAYRE
This is a quick post to let you know that The First Lady Fayre is back! Sunday 22nd May 2011 at The Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch, London. Please check the First Lady Blog for more information. We are very excited and proud to build on what we started in November 2010.
This event is £5.00 in advance so I suggest you purchase tickets as it is £10.00 on the door.
If you missed the first edition DO NOT miss this one, we are raising the bar!
Sunday, 6 February 2011
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
New photograph's
Kenema & Co now have an official photographer Caroline AD she is a brilliantly professional woman. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her she is as technical as she is artistic the result is an abundance of aesthetically pleasing shots that look editorial in my opinion. I'd also like to say a GREAT BIG heartfelt thank you to Ufuoma aka Mulan Noir and Tayolin for braving the arctic conditions and creating a photo shoot that I am so in love with I look at every day and smile! #Emosh! Take a look at some pics and judge for yourself. xxx
Online store
The online store have been ungraded and updated so come on in buy some clothes that will me you look and feel good!
Media love volume 6...The Fashion Records
I am sure there is something in the air at the moment as here is another interview this time from American online magazine, The Fashion Records. You can read the interview here. The magazine is well worth reading so take a look.
Media love volume 5....Niji magazine
It feels like I haven't updated this blog in ages, I have been very busy lately, we are getting a website (woo hoo) and we re-shot our AW10 collection in 2011 it may seem random but the new shots really show the beauty of the clothes and we love outdoor shoots! Anyway the purpose of this post is to share a recent interview with Niji Magazine. You can read the interview here.
I hope you enjoy or at least come away knowing a little be more about Kenema & Co.
Peace and love x
Friday, 31 December 2010
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)