NEW AFRICAN FASHION

Words Helen Jennings
Photography Jackie King

I have just written a book! New African Fashion is the first good-looking coffee table compendium of the most talented African and diaspora designers, models and street style photographers putting African style on the map today.

My inspirations for the book have been born out of my experiences with ARISE. Since its launch in late 2008, I've travelled around the world meeting the movers and shakers of the African fashion scene and have witnessed ARISE's game changing impact on the industry. African fashion is finally having its time to shine and New African Fashion is a celebration of this moment.

The book opens with a foreword by artist, photographer and aRUDE editor Iké Udé. The introduction charts the long history and reverence of appearance on the continent and discusses Africa's influence on global fashion trends. It also analyses the many reasons why Africa is fast becoming a global creative force and debates the obstacles ahead. But most of New African Fashion is dedicated to hailing the young and established names making waves in African fashion and beauty now.

First launched in Johannesburg at Klûk CGDT's delightful boutique, I also went to Lagos to introduce the book at the new flagship Temple Muse store. But the big one was London. Over 300 invited guests squeezed into the Gallery Soho to sip Belvedere vodka cocktails, eat Shalizee cupcakes, dance to Ghana's cheeky Fokn Bois (Wanlov & Mensah) and, of course, celebrate the official UK release of New African Fashion.

Shingai Shoniwa from the Noisettes was among the throng. "It feels beautiful to be part of the African renaissance that's occurring in all areas especially in the arts, music and fashion. Helen's book is a definite sign that we have arrived," she said.

Nigerian pop stars 2Face Idibia and Lynxxx also came, as did Warner recording artist Tawiah, models Yasmin Warsame and Armando Cabral and the one and only Joe Casely-Hayford, who features prominently in the book. "Helen's seminal book places fashion of African origin firmly in a twentfirst century global context," he said. "It shatters clichés and throws new light on the influence designers from the diaspora are making in the major fashion centres of the world."

Other New African Fashion designers in attendance included Duro Olowu, Tsemaye Binitie, Anita Quansah, Re Bahia, Angelo Van Mol, Deola Sagoe, Bestow Elan, Sam Lambert, Omer Asim and Maya Antoun. Nkwo, Buki Akib, Bunmi Koko, Joansu andMo-saoïque also generously donated prizes to the evening's raffle, which raised funds for the African-based female empowerment organisations, Kinabuti  and the Flaviana Matata Foundation.

It was a fantastic evening full of friendly faces. Check out these party pics.