House of Makeda at Vogue's Fashion's Night Out!

House of Makeda launches today in Los Angeles at Vogue's Fashion's Night Out! Join us for an avante garde, Age of Aquarius fashion show at the Bohemian Exchange on Abbot Kinney, Venice from 7.30pm! House of Makeda's afro-bohemian design now available for purchase at the Bohemian Exchange! The takeover begins! 

AfroSoul and Summer 2010 "Aso-Ebi" Collection

And here they are! Well as many as I have time to put up.... "Aso-Ebi" is a Nigerian uniform worn to parties and weddings using the same fabric to create unique styles for each person. The theme for our Summer 2010 collection was an afro-bohemian wedding complete with bride in an alternative wedding dress and her ladies in waiting wearing their haute hippy aso-ebi. My band, dancers  and I provided the music on the night as you can see above. African musician Bantu, seen with me in the picture, was one of our fans there on the night. Oooh yeah! 

Updates....

We had the wonderful Kinky Apothecary natural hair workshop, the amazing book reading by Sade Adeniran of "Imagine This" with a performance by Yoruba gospel artist Sola Allison and last but not least, AfroSoul with yours truly and the band, where we revealed our Summer 2010 "Aso-Ebi" Collection..... Pictures coming in a hot second!

I'm back!

It's been a long hiatus from blogging, I've been too busy, distracted and generally too overwhelmed but now, from the peace and quiet of the Malibu artist's retreat I'm staying at (in the mountains of Los Angeles, California, with amazing views and a yoga studio ;), I'm back to the original and inimitable African design house blog with updates of everything that's been happening in the last few months. Stay tuned!

Janelle Monae.

My favourite new soul singer, Janelle Monae. She is incredible. I love her natural hair and androgynous style. And her music. I obviously have a new girl crush..... Anyway check out her amazing new single and video "Tightrope" featuring Big Boi of Outkast fame where she channels James Brown. Her debut album "Archandroid" is released on 18th May.

Teni Promised Land

Rehearsal at the House of Makeda........

Rhassoul Clay.

Rhassoul Clay is a sweet smelling gentle clay that is simply great for the skin and hair. Rhassoul can be used as a face mask, facial cleanser and hair mask. It clarifys and exfoliates the skin, smoothing out wrinkles and dry skin. I use it as a cleanser and occasional mask. Some people use rhassoul to wash their entire hair and body instead of soap! It comes from Morocco where it is used as part of the hamman bathing tradition with hamman soap (olive oil and eucalyptus soap) for cleansing, rhassoul clay for toning and exfoliating and the divine vitamin E rich argan oil for moisturising. Try it at home some time! Nothing like a bit of decadent, exotic luxury!