Year: 2006

Posted on

New issue of CLAM Magazine at newstands

CLAM Magazine Spring/Summer 2006The Spring/Summer 2006 issue of my new favorite international magazine, CLAM, has hit the stands in the USA.

CLAM is a lifestyle and trends magazine whose goal is to “promote creativity, concepts and ideas in fashion, architecture, music, design, the arts, free-time, travels and African design”. CLAM brings a level of experimentation which is very refreshing. From high fashion photographs of bustling African markets to multilingual reader submitted stories and art, each issue is an exploration of creativity and inspiration primarily from an African perspective. Though the magazine is based in Paris, you get the feeling that the identity is global. Published by Andy Okoroafor, and featuring contributions from Haitian photographer Marc Baptiste (Intimate) and Nigerian photographer Andrew Dosunmu (The African Game), the photographic appeal is CLAM’s signature. The two issues I’ve purchased are certainly collectors items. Go get yours.

Posted on

Paper Magazine’s Beautiful People 2006

Uzodinma IwealaPaper Magazine released their Beautiful People 2006 list. The list features 23-year-old Harvard grad Uzodinma Iweala as one of talents to watch. The Nigerian-born writer has been receiving tons of accolades for his first novel Beasts of No Nation. From the NY Times to Entertainment Weekly to GQ, Iweala’s book is making quite an impact.

“Beasts of No Nation leaves the reader with one resonant, beautiful sentence that captures everything the author has set out to say. That sentence deserves to be read in the full context of this universal soldier’s story” – Janet Maslin – The New York Times

Beasts of No Nation tells the story of Agu, a young boy in an unidentified West African country who is conscripted into a rag-tag group of fighters in his nation’s civil war after fleeing his home—this before he witnesses his father’s murder at the hands of militants. The split between his harrowing reality and recollections of his former life underscores the darkness enveloping a young boy’s coming-of-age against the savage backdrop of war.

For many of us Africans the topic hits close to home and Iweala’s writing has brought it to the mainstream media.

Posted on

Sneaker Pimps in South Africa

Sneaker Pimps Tour South AfricaFreshness Magazine has some pictures of the Sneaker Pimps 2006 Tour which stop in Capetown, South Africa in March. The Sneaker Pimps Exhibition is the worlds largest touring sneaker show featuring up 1000 pairs of rare, limited, artist collaborated sneakers and a collection of sneaker inspired artwork, fashion and photography.

South Africa is becoming quite the gateway to Africa, with major independent and corporate money going into it’s cultural development. Cape Town in particular is getting a lot of media attention with many article in popular magazines highlighting it’s tourist appeal. This is quite a 180 from South Africa’s previous reputation during apartheid. I hope the South Africans are able to take advantage of the attention and keep the money in South Africa.

Posted on

Reconnecting the dots

Connecting the Dots - Rich MedinaOne of my favorite DJs Rich Mediana, the maestro behind the Jump N Funk Fela party, recently released a his CD titled Connecting the Dots. One of the songs, “Can’t hold back”, has now been remixed by another one of my favorite DJs King Britt. Check it out.

Posted on

Mixtress X site launch

mixtressx.jpgNY-based Liberian director Dante Kaba has launched the site for his film Mistress X. The film is a documentary about hip-hop’s under-appreciated female djs. From NYC’s Beverly Bond & Atlanta’s Shortee (Fauste and Shortee), to radio host Wendy Williams, the film shines light on the struggles of being a female dj in a male-dominated industry. A must see.

Posted on

African designers go global

SaraAbera1.jpgThe International Herald Tribune published a good article about a new generation of enterprising African artisans who are creating cosmopolitan designs referencing Africana. The article highlights Ethiopian designer Sara Abera and Kenyan Julia Doig who has been successful in redesigning the kikoi, a traditional Kenyan wrap, for the global market.

The article makes a good point about how African brands can compete in the global design market using heritage and local craftsmanship as a selling point. This is a good point considering most African countries cannot compete with Asia when it comes to providing cheap, skilled labor and an robust industrial production. Popular apparel lines are further solidifying this point by looking to African craftsmen for just that. Premium denim line PRPS promotes it’s use of African cotton in it’s $200+ jeans, while Edun, founded by Ali Hewson (wife of U2’s Bono) and denim designer Rogan Gregory, proudly publicizes it’s use of family-run factories in South America and Africa for production of its collection which is sold at stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Fred Segal.

Posted on

Puma backs African teams for 2006 World Cup

amoah.jpgPuma announced that it has partnered with German charity United for Africa to support the African countries who are participating in this summer’s World Cup. The press conference was hosted by Ghanaian football player and journalist Anthony Baffoe (Go Ghana!). Our favorite Senegalese singer Akon was in attendance with his father Mor Thiam, and British/Nigerian artist Maxi Jazz of the group Faithless.

The press conference debuted the Puma Charity Collection designed specifically for the partnership. Additional campaign merchandise include a music CD featuring music from African and Western artists and a book “The African Game” which is a cooperation between the Nigerian fashion photographer Andrew Dosunmu and the author Knox Robinson. The book is “an affectionate and photographic homage to Africa and football”.

As a long time Puma fan, I can’t wait to see what the collection looks like. There’s also a feature on the accompanying book (The African Game) in this months Complex magazine with nice pics. I’m especially happy that Puma chose Andrew Dosunmu for the book. His work is excellent and really captures a distinct African perspective. The collection and book will be available from the end of May @ Puma concept stores.

GO GHANA!

Posted on

Hello world!

Welcome the Annansi Chronicles. Hopefully this blog will inspire new ideas and connect people. As the offspring of Annansi Clothing Co. this blog is primarily a style and fashion one; though I’m sure it’ll evolve over time.

Please feel free to leave your comments.