Fashion

Designers to Watch

Monday Jun 29, 2009 – By Nikki J. Duckworth

After participating in a bit of retail therapy and stargazing at celeb influencers, (Rihanna, Christina Milian and Eva Marcelle to name a few) we’ve concluded that the summer fashion forecast calls for a healthy dose of ethnic inspired, tribal infused looks fit for a certified globetrotter. For those of you who’ve also been struck with a case of style wanderlust we’ve found three fresh new lines that offer plenty of inspiration on how to incorporate the tribal trend into your wardrobe. Like treasured, hand crafted pieces chosen from memorable travels-a wealth of striking colors, rare prints and impeccable attention to detail define the unique finds within each collection.

Baruch

The look: We shun drama in our personal lives, but in our closets…well, that’s another matter. Sultry, slightly edgy with a focus on fit and detailing, the Baruch line is the daring answer to the global minded trend. Edwardian, Romantic and Baroque influences seen throughout the collections reflect the darker more intense mood that many designers embraced for summer.

The story: Baruch, which in Hebrew means blessed, was launched just last year and is the vision of self taught London based designer Angela Knowles. Within her capsule collections, the designer focuses on creating accessible fashion for women who have an appreciation for vibrant colors and sharp style.
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Visit Baruch @ www.baruch.me.uk

Sika

The look: Vintage takes on a modern spirit with funky styling and retro feminine cuts. Sika seamlessly marries traditional West African textiles and prints with a London hipster sensibility. We love how the lines four spring/summer collections: fusion, wonderland, spell bound and gold coast feature functional pieces for our multi-faceted fashion needs.

The story: Sika’s designer, Phyllis Taylor, is a native of Ghana living in London who not only uses her culture as inspiration, but also gives something back to the community from which the lines success is derived. Fabrics are made and sourced locally in Ghana, while skilled craftsman in the area are employed to produce the line.

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Visit Sika @ www.sikadesigns.co.uk

Alala

The look: Alala’s spring/summer designs tread lightly on directional patterns for an end result that’s light, fun and flirty. From the pop of color boyfriend vest to the sexy open-back dress, this line is full of classic with a twist “ooh, I need those” pieces. Fortunately, with prices starting at $70-$400 we might be able to actually cop a few items for ourselves.

The story: As early as age 6 Taiwo, who is of Nigerian descent, recalls toying around with fabric and sewing. Since her childhood explorations in design and despite being told that she wasn’t that great, Adejoke can count being an alum of Project Runway Canada as one of her accomplishments. The designer has said of her line, “My collections main objective is to create pieces that the modern woman can easily take on retreats, as well as mix and match into their everyday wardrobe. Rich color, texture, and materials from around the globe are used to create an eclectic yet appropriate line of clothing.” We say that her mission was successfully accomplished.

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Visit Alala @ www.adejoke.com

Free says:

June 29, 2009 at 11:47 am

This is a great piece. I like Sika’s designs.

Lilia says:

June 30, 2009 at 5:10 am

Tribal? What I see is something like Vlisco a material popular with African designers that’s actually manufactured in Holland.

ceecee says:

June 30, 2009 at 8:09 am

I’ve been a fan of Sika designs for a while now, and I’m so proud of Joke (Alala) for being a PRC alum…can’t wait to see how far she runs with it.

DJ_CagedBird says:

June 30, 2009 at 9:44 am

I love all of these designs, but there are very limited options for fuller-figured women.

Reese says:

July 1, 2009 at 3:55 pm

Love it!

Sonique says:

July 2, 2009 at 7:47 am

Tribal? Are we using the word “tribal” because the cloth is associated with Africa? Clutch, I am disappointed.

July 2, 2009 at 9:26 am

Okay so I know the word ‘tribal’ has been used as a derogatory word and the more pc word would be ‘ethnic’ but in the context of this article I don’t think it was intended to hurt/malign.

Clutch says:

July 2, 2009 at 12:05 pm

@Sonique. Wow. The use of the word is not in anyway negative. We felt that some of the lines had some tribal elements. Meaning prints and patterns. We would never use any words or anything to down Africa or any other country.

Toya says:

July 2, 2009 at 12:10 pm

Is it that deep? I swear someone always have something to say. I KNOW they didn’t mean tribal the wrong way and what’s wrong if they did use it because of the African prints. It clearly has that feel. Clutch please pay “im disappointed in you” no mind. You can’t please these folks.

I just wanna say where else will you see these designers and because Clutch use Tribal (which I see no problem) using – it’s a issue. Damn

Dede says:

July 2, 2009 at 12:14 pm

@ Sonique, Lilla – Before this becomes a issue. We will remove. We in no way was using the word in a negative connotation. It’s sad that people would think that we would. If you know Clutch and our mission we would never do anything that would place us or our culture in a negative light.

@cee cee – thanks honey for explaining for us — but Nikki and I saw no issue in using “tribal”.

Nikki Duckworth says:

July 2, 2009 at 2:45 pm

While I value anyone’s right to express their opinion, this issue over the word “tribal” on a site like Clutch is laughable. We are clearly in awe of the clothing featured and using “tribal” as an adjective was not meant as a derogatory statement towards Africa, nor was it meant to take away from the product or talent of the designers. It was only meant to describe the aesthetic of the fabric being used. End of story.

sonique says:

July 2, 2009 at 10:12 pm

The aesthetic of the fabric is a far cry from tribal. These are modern designs on African print. Just like the word “ghetto” evokes many negative stereotypes, “tribal” reinforces the preconceived notions of primitiveness that many westerners harbor towards Africa.

@Nikki: I grew up in Central Africa and own several outfits made out of dutch wax, to me it’s just not a fashion trend or fad, but my heritage. This is a far cry from “tribal” ceremonial african wear. Heck, it’s what we wear everyday.

Yvette says:

July 3, 2009 at 4:03 am

@ Sonique You know what makes me mad. Is how came in and made a positive profile for new and emerging designers that Clutch was trying to highlight and ruined the vibe of the piece by making assumptions (the assumption that tribal can’t be used when describing ethnic/african prints) and not emailing Clutch directly to voice your concern.

I actually saw Tribal Chic in Vogue before to describe African prints. Ethic or Tribal – there are tribes all over the world – not just Africa. I sure didn’t know tribal was a bad word – and I am sure Clutch and other Black Americans didn’t know as well. You have to realize not everyone knows what Africans (especially those who don’t have any family there or most of us in America don’t know our African family/linage) like or don’t like. Most of us here in the states just don’t know – what words that Africans are offended by – I sure wouldn’t have thought “tribal” was one.)

It’s hard enough for these designers to get the recognition they deserve and for you to come in an make a statement about a word that MOST Americans would see nothing wrong with. It was not meant negative or as a fad it describe the patterns elements.

I swear I dont know how Clutch deals with some of their readers. They try so hard to put something out that’s different and fresh and it’s no satisfying some of you. You know this site. They have never did anything to down or highlight women of color in a negative light.

To all of the designers mentioned. I am sorry that what was supposed to be a great pieces turned sour.

And Sonique – I am disappointed in you for assuming that everyone knows what you are talking about. And coming in a positive piece for these emerging designers and bring a issue up that if you would have just EMAILED Clutch (instead of making a comment) and explained why the wording may run some Africans the wrong way —- that would have been best. That way you can EDUCATE people. You need to know that everyone didn’t see a problem with the word and WHY is that? Cause we didn’t know.

July 3, 2009 at 7:46 am

@Yvette, I get what you’re trying to say but sonique just brought to light an issue that bothers people, now you know not to use that word carelessly, if she had emailed you probably never would have known.
I think the bottom line here is ladies let your speech be seasoned with grace, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

And Dede, thank you for changing the title of the article.

Patricia Grannum says:

July 5, 2009 at 10:50 am

wow, I really love the designers you’ve chosen especially Baruch. I also design a collection of ethnic-inspired jewelry.

the Clubbin Discazine says:

July 8, 2009 at 9:49 am

I like it! and as an African Man.. I say f&++ck it! Tribal is the exact word to use! It is what it is… people get mad @ everything.. they’ll get mad @ a cheeseburger. they walk around dragging their feelings on a long string behind them, & get surprised & offended when someone steps on it. The designs were tight! So who in their right minds would trip? Some Africans get mad at our African American counterparts for whatever they do.(no matter how good it is) You would be a fool to let these haters stop you, you better keep doing your thing.

Tomi says:

July 8, 2009 at 10:03 pm

I have looked at those pieces over and over and cant find anything remotely tribal about them in the fabric or in the line. All the silhouettes are western and the “african” fabric is Dutch wax that doesnt relate to any tribe in any way.

Vogue using the term “tribal” when describing clothes with any “african” references doesnt give everyone else a green light to be ignorant and despite Yvette pointing out that there are so many tribes in the world Vogue ONLY uses that term when referring to Africa. (their other favourite euphemism is “safari chic”).

The term is offensive for the same reason that it is offensive for a fashion spread with a black model to ALWAYS be deemed “Ghetto Fabulous” and Michelle Obama has to be a “Baby-mama” because she is black. There was a time when Nigger was a ” word that MOST Americans would see nothing wrong with” but that didnt mean it wasnt offensive to the people on the receiving end who fought to be recognised as human beings

@Yvette, what really gets ME mad is the rude, ignorant, dismissive and prejudiced way you get your point across and I’d like to reassure Sonique that you do not speak for ALL African-Americans.

July 8, 2009 at 10:13 pm

Its frustrating that whenever someone calls out something questionable on this site everyone shrieks “haters”. The writers of Clutch are NOT above correction and a readers comment might serve to educate them as well as the rest of us which is hardly a bad thing.

*steps down from soapbox*

Elisa says:

July 8, 2009 at 10:48 pm

The designers in the article are beautiful! Great great picks.

Rachel says:

July 9, 2009 at 10:26 am

@ Clutch

” Wow. The use of the word is not in anyway negative.”
When it refers to a continent as opposed to an actual tribe…Wow, it is!

” We felt that some of the lines had some tribal elements. Meaning prints and patterns”
Really! Which tribes are those?

“We would never use any words or anything to down Africa or any other country.”
um….Africa isnt a country.

We all love Clutch and applaud your efforts and no one assumes that you would ever try to diss a whole continent, but it is important to bring your actions inline with your intentions.

Aside from that the designers are great and this little debate hasnt taken away from their fabulous work in anyway.

Dede @ Clutch says:

July 9, 2009 at 3:26 pm

@Rachel/Tomi(same person since it’s the same IP address) I, Dede wrote the message from Clutch. Please forgive me for writing country instead of continent – as I was in a rush to answer.

Again, we removed the title one day after the article went up (which is almost two weeks ago now) and if we haven’t said it – we are SORRY if it offended anyone. Time we received the comments I removed it.

I said “wow” – cause I honestly didn’t know it was a problem to use the word. Not “wow” in a negative way.

I can’t go back and forth defending Clutch when we have already acknowledged our error and I also agree with your comment you made with your other user name “Tomi” – we (Clutch) are not above error and we are THANKFUL our readers call us out and school us on things we do not know about. Thanks again for your comments and you can be assured that we will be more careful with our use of wording.

If anyone would like to continue this conversation please feel free to email me @ dsutton@clutchmagonline.com.

Thanks. Comments are now closed.

Dede