Behind The Seams: Bunmi Koko

Written By: Belinda Otas—In addition to our fashion piece on Bunmi Koko, the London based Nigerian designer, we would like to add that Bunmi took the time to learn her craft. Passionate about design and style from an early age, Bunmi also studied at some of London’s leading fashion institutes.

Bunmi explains, "I knew I wanted to be a designer from the moment I could hold a pencil. I drew on everything from an early age, from drawing cartoon images to drawing dresses that I saw in magazines. But the defining moment was the summer I started making clothes for my Barbie doll. I used everything I could find, socks, and denim even wrapping paper and cellotape. I was only about five or six years old. The passion to draw and paint developed over the years and I took the necessary steps to gain the required skills by studying art and design in addition to a Styling & Photography at the prestigious London College of Fashion where I showed a dedication to fashion, style and the photographic medium. However, I still had a hunger to design and make clothes and went on to study for a degree in Fashion Design & Marketing. During my studies, I had the privilege of working for luxury companies such as Prada, Harrods, Allison Rodger and Louis Vuitton. It was during this time that I developed my individual creative style and an understanding of what luxury garments look like."

Read more about Bunmi Koko in the current, Designer Edition, of MIMI.

(Photo Credits: David Brunetti for Bunmi Koko)

On The Style Tip: Purple Lipstick—Fashion Do Or Fashion Don't?

Written By: Nani Hapa—I for one had too many fashion disasters from the 90s, and at the top of my list of fashion regrets is purle lipstick. I swore I would rue the day that black women started wearing purple lipstick again, but this Fall I've started reconsidering my stance against purple lipstick. Celebrities and stylists everywhere are embracing it, and not just for goth inspired looks. Done the right way, it can make for a dramatic and sophisticated look. What do you think, is purple lipstick a fashion do or a fashion don't? Let me know in your comments!

(Photo Credits: ⓒ Iconogenic/iStockphoto) (Model Used Solely For Illustrative Purposes)

Sade Set to Release Soldier Of Love Worldwide On February 8th

Written By: Staff Writer—The wait is now over. Soldier of Love, the highly anticipated new body of work from Sade will be released worldwide on February 8, 2010. Yay! Here's what Sade's label, Epic Records, had to say:

Known for their one of a kind timeless sound, Sade has enjoyed phenomenal success both internationally and stateside throughout the span of their twenty-five year career. Since the release of their debut album, Diamond Life in 1984, the band has seen all five of their studio albums land in the Top 10 on Billboard's Top 200 Album Chart selling a total of more than 50 million albums worldwide to date. They've been nominated for American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and have won three Grammy Awards—first in 1986 for Best New Artist, then in 1994 for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group for No Ordinary Love, and again in 2002 for Best Pop Vocal Album with Lovers Rock. Soldier Of Love was recorded in England and produced by the band and their longtime collaborator Mike Pela.

Read more about Soldier of Love by following the "Read More" link ...

All That Jazz! Concha Buika

Written By: Staff Writer—Concha Buika's (pronounced BWEE-kah) musical fusion of flamenco, jazz, soul and dance rhythms has been a sensation in Spain since her debut album, Mi Nina Lola, came out in 2005. The album earned Buika credibility, recognition, awards, and a fan base yearning for more. Buika's latest album, La Nina de Fuego, is a collection of flamenco songs and Spanish and Mexican folk ballads. The songs are about women dealing with loneliness, infidelity and the consequences of falling in love with the wrong man—or woman. Read more about Buika by clicking on the “Read More” link ...

November 2009: The Designer Edition And The Fashionista Edition

Written By: Staff Writer—The month of November is all about fashion at MIMI, and because we love fashion whether it is expressed on the runway, on the streets, in clothes, in accessories, in art, or some other medium—or approached as a business, a lifestyle, or entertainment, or a different perspective all together—we have published a double fashion issue (a Designer Edition and a Fashionista Edition) to capture the many different sides of African fashion. MIMI's Designer Edition features British-born Ghanaian fashion designer, TV personality, entrepreneur, and author Samata Angel on the cover, while our Fashionista Edition features Kenyan model Sandra Nyanchoka on the cover.

Inside the Designer Edition of MIMI's November 2009 issue, go behind the seams of haute couture designer Bunmi Olaye's Bunmi Koko label, learn the economics of fashion with Sanabora's Beatrice Mwasi, get inspired to live soulfully and beautifully with Malene Barnett of malene b rugs, adorn yourself with Ruby Buah's authentic Afri-chic KUA clutches, and get lost in dreamy wax prints with Vlisco's latest collection.

Inside the Fashionista Edition of MIMI's November 2009 issue, get beauty tips from actress Stephanie Okereke and style
tips from singer Anna Reynolds, learn model behavior from Sandra Nyanchoka, go on a gold jewelry rush with actress Hlubi Mboya, and remember not to take fashion so seriously by having a laugh with Just Another Day of our beloved heroine Mimi and her fashion misadventures.

MIMI Link: Volume 5, Issue 8: Designer Edition; Volume 5, Issue 8: Fashionista Edition

9 Questions For Fashion Model Sandra Nyanchoka

Written By: Staff Writer—Supermodel hopeful Sandra Nyanchoka was a contestant on Cycle 12 of the reality television series, America’s Next Top Model (ANTM). She has since continued on her path as a fashion model and has bigger and brighter plans for the future. MIMI caught up with Sandra to ask her 9 questions about her style and the substance that defines it.

1. My personal style is influenced by ... a lot of different designs. When I go shopping, I basically buy what I like. I don’t care if it is in style or not. I like to create my own style.
2. People are not aware of the fact that I ... am from such a big family.
3. Being on ANTM ... was stressful but I am thankful for the experience.
4. In my handbag I always carry ... lip gloss.
5. I am passionate about ... nature. Especially flowers! I want to have my own garden in the future.
6. My personal motto is ... if you have a dream go after it. Not everyone may believe in you but you should always believe in yourself.
7. Over the next year I ... would like to start an organization for orphan children in Africa.
8. In ten years I see myself ... financially stable, happily married and pregnant.
9. Being an African woman means ... everything to me. I love the richness of my culture and I am proud of who I am.

For more information, visit: www.sandranyanchoka.com.

(Photo Credits: Beverly Alford)