BiriBelle Design

5 point gouache project

2011-12-15T06:09:00.000-08:00

So I've just completed my print studio final...pics coming soon, but I tried out a doing a process video taking clips of my painting over a period of 3 weeks. Here is 3 weeks in 4 minutes!

Illustrator Sabine Pieper for Vlisco

2011-11-26T07:35:00.000-08:00

Two things I love: fashion illustration and dutch wax print cloth. Read more about this inspiring collaboration at Belle Naija

New Projects

2011-10-26T06:17:00.000-07:00

I'm working on a dress for Ms. Liberia in a college pageant. It's a twist on my afro-infinity dress for versatility in the styling. Also tried my hand at making the headpiece. I think I'm going to ditch the red bows on the skirt...

This commission was done for a lovely independent curator in dc. The fabric is Burmese silk, but she wanted a modern design for the traditional fabric.

Heidi Chisholm's Whimsical Prints

2011-10-24T06:17:00.000-07:00

Heidi Chisholm is a South African graphic, product, and textile designer now based in Brooklyn. Her style is decidedly African and oh so clean...I love it!

Jackie So

Rosmary

Michelle O

Finding Inspiration in Eugene Andolsek

2011-10-20T13:15:00.001-07:00

He was an unhappy railroad worker who came home every day and drew. He drew intricate patterns with ink, a compass, and a ruler. Then he would stash them away in a drawer. He died in 2008, and soon after a caregiver discovered his drawings and knew they were special. Of course you can do this quite easily on the computer now, but 60 years ago...

Rih Rih goes afro chic!

2010-11-17T14:05:00.000-08:00

Rihanna's been sporting some afro-chic pieces lately. Check it out! Anyone know the designers?

Osborn Shoes

2010-07-28T13:20:00.000-07:00

Sooo...I just ordered my kente booties from Osborn which I've been watching for a while. This cool company owns its production facility in Guatemala and integrates artisanal fabrics. While on the site I noticed their collaboration w/ boxing kitten...double cool points! Check them out at www.osborndesign.com.

Bad BiriBelles!

2010-06-17T07:12:00.000-07:00

Sound round up pics from past events. LSP Audio trip for which I designed these fabrics and outfits, and the Crylittle for BiriBelle debut.

Solange goes Afrochic

2010-06-15T07:45:00.000-07:00

For her DJ set in miami last weekend. She rocked Boxing Kitten Resort 2010

Crylittle Millinery for BiriBelle now for sale!

2010-06-14T13:19:00.000-07:00

On the website. www.biribelle.com

BiriBelle Accessories featured on TeenVogue website!

2010-06-11T11:51:00.000-07:00

Crylittle for BiriBelle cocktail hats were mentioned as the "daily special" in TeenVogue.com today. I am super excited about the launch event tomorrow!

Read the article here.

RSVP for OUT TO LAUNCH here.

Come OUT TO LAUNCH BiriBelle Accessories!

2010-06-02T11:25:00.001-07:00

Please stay tuned for exciting changes to the website and blog as I launch BiriBelle Accessories on June 12th. ! RSVP at http://outtolaunch2010.eventbrite.com/for a fantastic evening of fashion, art, and music at the National Harbor! Bluffa Jo Cosmetics will be doing the makeup on "eye catching" models provided by Eye Catching Entertainment. Enjoy complimentary food and beverage and dance the night away to soul singer and Smart Chick Carolyn Malachi and Laroc Cartier spinning deep house. This will be a night to remember!

Thanks for all the support, as I move to Philly to begin a Masters Program in Fashion Design. BiriBelle is only getting better! I hope to see you there. xoxo

P.S. Here's a sneak peak at the new hat line, a collaboration with CryLittle Millinery. Photography by Theresa Nyanh. This is from the look book photoshoot.

Passport to Africa

2010-05-20T07:40:00.000-07:00

Passport to Africa DC is here! Join BiriBelle on

*WEDNESDAY, MAY 26th - for A TOAST TO AFRICAN FASHION*
6pm – 9pm
African Fashion with Moroccan Wine!
Rock your favorite African (or African inspired) attire, meet other fashion-istas and sample Moroccan wine and appetizers by Marrakesh Palace. You don’t want to miss Bluffa Jo’s beauty bar. Event co-sponsored by Diaspora African Women's Network (DAWN) http://www.dawners.org/, Bluffa Jo Cosmetics http://bluffajo.com/ and African Vibes “I Wear African” campaign http://africanvibes.com/wordpressnew/category/beautyandstyle/i-wear-african/

Pasha Lounge @ Marrakesh Palace
2147 P Street NW
Washington DC
Cost: Free

Get more info on the other events on the Passport to Africa website: http://www.passporttoafrica.com/ I plan to hit up these:

*SUNDAY, MAY 23rd - AFRICAN-FUSION BRUNCH*
12pm- 3pm
Passport to Africa begins with an exotic brunch!
Send your taste buds on a quick tour of the continent and enjoy a buffet of signature African dishes made by local food enthusiasts. Live entertainment by Vera Oye of the Palava Hut, a West African Culinary Theater.

Kendejah Restaurant and Lounge
5828 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC
Cost: $10 with advance purchase; $15 of day of event
Purchase your tickets here: https://www.passporttoafrica.com/

*FRIDAY, MAY 28th - NETWORK & HAPPY HOUR*
6:30 pm
Cheers!
Come and join us at this networking event. Dine with famed Chef Morou at Kora, his modern Italian restaurant. This chef with Ivorian roots has been featured on Good Morning America and Iron Chef America.

Kora
2250-B Crystal Drive
Arlington, VA
Cost: View menu http://www.korarestaurant.com/

*SUNDAY, MAY 30th - 5th ANNUAL ULTRA WHITE PARTY*
10pm – 3am
Passport to Africa ends with a bang!
Come party at DC’s biggest afro-international party in the premier waterfront venue, Zanzibar. This event, presented by IDOA Entertainment and BCBG Productions, features 2 Levels of Entertainment and 5 of the area’s top African DJS all under one roof.

Zanzibar on the Waterfront
700 Water Street SW
Washington, DC

May 22nd Trunk Show

2010-05-06T07:24:00.001-07:00

You're invited to a summer trunk show featuring:

Koi Creative Studio www.koicreativestudios.com
Amplify your personal style with our one of a kind jewelry. Fashioned using only the best semi-precious stones (w/healing properties), wood and peacock feathers.

Thembe Fashions
Thembe Fashions is unique, that is why it speaks to those who have a strong sense of self

CryLittle Hats - designed by Crystal Little, OMG If you don't know.....you betta come to the show

Vintage clothing and accessories presented by Sharon "The Silent Stylist" Cyrus

BiriBelle Clothing - www.biribelle.com The Ultimate Afrochic!

Renee France Designs - Crocheted magic! Beautiful, unique clothes.

Join us for complimentary drinks and snacks and SAMPLE SALE pricing, in a relaxed home environment.

Trippin' Out!

2010-05-04T11:52:00.000-07:00

BiriBelle will be sponsoring the Lil Soso and Smirnoff AudioTrip event on May 18th at Muse lounge. This amazing (and free) event will feature live music, live art (Aniekan Udofia), dope dj's (soul controllers, Daz-I- Kue, and Rich Medina), and fashion by yours truly. Also sponsored by Fabric on Demand who printed the fabric, the LSP team will be rocking outfits made with custom prints I designed based on the LSP Logo. I got the fabric today (organic cotton) and am really excited! The process of seeing my fabric from computer to fabric to garment has been really trippy (pun intended). Here's how they look before becoming clothing:

Can you see the elements of the logo in the prints?

Stylin' on em

2010-04-27T05:25:00.000-07:00

Carolyn Malachi and Tamika "Love" Jones looked beautiful and sounded great on the 22nd during the Sister Bohemia show at Bohemian Caverns. Here are some photos from the event taken by photographer Brandon Hunter. If you have not heard them perform, you are missing out! Tamika will actually be at Ben's Next Door tonight...and its Free99! YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY. SmartChicks Rule!

Carolyn Malachi

Fantastic Hat, designed by Cry Little Hats for BiriBelle

Tamika "Love" Jones

BiriBelle to Style Carolyn Malachi on April 22nd

2010-04-18T06:04:00.000-07:00

Sister Bohemia Takes Bohemian Caverns

April 22

Bohemian Caverns

11^th & U Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20009

8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

www.bohemiancaverns.com

Experience the rapture of Sister Bohemia. Hosted by Simone Jacobson of Words, Beats, & Life , this event is a must-see, featuring musical guests, Tamika “Love” Jones and Carolyn Malachi.

Tamika Love Jones, a DC native and representative in her own right, charms music lovers with a gospel-jazz tonality aimed to touch the soul. Invited to work with the likes of artists Faith Evans, Mya and Grammy Award Winner, songwriter, Denise Rich, Jones is no stranger to the prospect of stardom; still, she walks her own path, performing at live festivals, private events, and especially community affairs, where her music moves the hearts and hopes of many.

Moving and shaking her audience, not to mention the jazz genre altogether, is Smart Chicks Inc. founder and poster chick, Carolyn Malachi. Having finished a February tour in sunny South Africa, only to bring a hot spell to Georgetown’s Blues Alley, the trailblazer makes her way to Bohemian Caverns, where the day is hot, but the night will blaze. Also a Maryland-DC dweller, Malachi continues to advance theRevenge of the Smart Chicks movement with what she calls a “haute-eclectic-soular-blues.” Great-granddaughter to jazz pianist, John Malachi, and acclaimed activist as well, Carolyn Malachi is nothing short of a headliner.

Madia Willis interviewed by Society HAE

2010-04-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Find more videos like this on SOCIETY HAE

Check out my interview with Society HAE! It's after Kirette Couture.

BiriBelle featured on Harriet Alter Ego's Blog

2010-04-07T05:03:00.000-07:00

In the wake of the African Economic Forum, Biribelle was profiled by Ngozi Odita, owner/designer of New York's Harriet's Alter Ego! Check the story here!

Upcoming Events

2010-03-04T11:16:00.000-08:00

I'll be showing at Columbia University Business School's African Economic Conference on March 26th. With an exciting line-up of speakers and panelists, I am glad to see my alma mater is dedicating a whole section of the conference to African Fashion as an industry. More details to come. I'll (finally!) be hitting up Fela on broadway that weekend too.If you are interested in attending for a group rate please email me.

Afro______ blogs!

2010-03-04T11:15:00.000-08:00

I've stumbled upon a few afrochic, afrofuturist, afrosci, afropop blogs I'd like to share:

aphrochic.blogspot.com - modern and soulful decor
sci-cultura.com - a scientific mind on expression of African culture
thepopafricanablog.com - An audio- visual continuation of Pop'Africana : The Africana global book of style
ciaafrique.blogspot.com- african fashion
flygirls.typepad.com - ethnic design

Please let me know your favorites!

Arise Africa Collective at MB Fashion Week

2010-03-04T10:56:00.000-08:00

The Arise Magazine Africa Promise Collective was at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week last month debuting their Fall 2010 looks. The designers featured were Black Coffee, Loins Cloths & Ashes and Deola Sagoe (love her).

Beyonce and Alisha Keys go Afrochic for "Put it In a Love Song" Video

2010-02-11T13:27:00.000-08:00

A.Keys and Beyonce decide to do Afrochic for their "Put It In a Love Song" duet on Alisha Keys' new album. The video was filmed in Rio, Brazil. Anyone know the designer? looks like Boxing Kitten...as Beyonce's sis is a big fan...

BiriBelle with a Capitol B

2009-12-08T05:56:00.000-08:00

Last month, the ever fashionable blogger (and scientist!) Kou Moore wore BiriBelle for her interview with shoe design icon Christian Louboutin for Capitol B. Some of you may remember me practicing my illustrator skills with this dress from a previous post. Here are some pics from the day. Isn't it funny how perfectly the dress matches the set up? Is that fashion telepathy or what? You can read Ms. Moore's interview here.

P.S. Has anyone seen the Louboutin cat burglar Barbie? Meeeoooww!

BiriBelle on CBS

2009-10-28T06:07:00.000-07:00

On September 7th BiriBelle was featured on Channel 9 News Now in conjunction with a benefit fashion show for Metro Teen Aids. Here are some stills from the feature:

Big thank you to Jobair Productions!

Black President's Day

2009-10-16T06:41:00.000-07:00

If you are in DC this weekend, you HAVE to check out Lil Soso's annual Fela Kuti tribute party, "Black Presidents Day". Besides from featuring a sweet double entendre and amazing artists (from the DJ talent, to the live music, to live art), I'm particularly excited by the focus on the role of the first ladies and the "afrobeat aesthetic " this year. The celebration actually began with a workshop last week on "Aesthetics and Adornments" that explored African beauty and the aesthetic 'pop'ularized by Fela's wives. Look out for an interesting photo display at the party. The theme: 70's Lagos. I had the pleasure of participating in the photshoot (which involved Heineken, jelloff rice, and plantain yumm), getting my makeup done by Claudine, and being photographed by T'Sehai and Rebecca Bailey. Here's a sneak peak and more info about the party.

Bianca's a BiriBelle!

2009-09-30T05:32:00.000-07:00

Bianca in BiriBelle

Those who know me know that I don't have a television. But I couldn't have been more happy to discover that Ms. Bianca Richardson is still doing her thing on Cycle 13 of America's Next Top Model. Bianca has modeled BiriBelle through the DEKKA boutique. Good Luck Bianca and check her out on the show Wednesdays at 8!

London Eye

2009-09-12T21:42:00.000-07:00

My APT summer grant allowed me to take a fabric print design course at Central St. Martin College of Art and Design, which is a part of the University of the Arts in London. The course also served as an introduction to the Adobe Creative Suite, focusing on Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop software. The course was pretty intense, involving five eight hour days learning and designing behind a computer. However, the time flew quickly bye as I (finally ) got the hang of using the software so that I could focus on designing my prints. Luckily my class was small (and quite international): we five representing the United States, Holland, Brazil, Tokyo, and Sweden got much personal instruction from our Scottish teacher. I continue to be amazed by how some prints are made. By creating, copying, reflecting, rotating, manipulating, tracing, and repeating both common and uncommon images from nature, the web, and imagination, the most amazing prints can be made and sold commercially. Adobe Illustrator allows one to manipulate these prints and place them on whatever item is desired, in this case, apparel (also nicely created in Illustrator). My new print design, Photoshop, and Illustrator skills add a whole new dimension to my clothing design and will also enable me to aid in the design of new marketing materials. I am so grateful for this wonderful experience! These are a few of the prints I designed in London.

Stylin'

2009-08-14T07:12:00.000-07:00

BiriBelle has had the opportunity to style two soulful BiriBelles for their recent performances. Ms. Jennifer Johns wore BiriBelle to perform for the NFL Hall of Fame in Ohio last week.

If you haven't heard this songbird from Oakland, check her out. She has performed with the likes of The Roots, Mos Def, and Les Nubians. And Yahzara aka Ms. Purple St. James brought the house down in a fittingly purple, green, and black afroinfinity dress at the Be YOU Soul Overdose event, sponsored by Lil Soso and Smirnoff, in DC. Talk about a petite powerhouse!

Upcoming events:

So you may have seen commercials on the CW for the Street Glam Fashion Expo and Show that is taking place THIS SATURDAY in Downtown Silver Spring. It is going to be AMAZING. Great sponsors, (including the CW, GWFCC, and ElJay Deshield), great designers (I'm not biased) and local retailers, sexy models, talented makeup and hair stylists, this will be an event to remember. Get more details here.

Goddesses

2009-07-29T10:31:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've written but much has been going on:

1. I just got back from chaperoning a fashion camp trip to the Mary McFadden exhibit "Goddesses" at the National Museum for Women in the Arts. Mary McFadden is often called a "Design Archeologist" as all of her haute couture garments are inspired by ancient cultures. It was amazing to see her completely unique garments that clearly paid homage to Greece, Africa, France, China, India and more. It was also cool to see her patented Marii fabric (patented because it takes 6 steps and several continents to create), intricate beading, hand painting, and choice of colors/fabrics. Well worth the $10, and kiddies are free.

2. BiriBelle clothing will be featured during the first "Be YOU" music event presented by Lilsoso and Smirnoff. Tonight's event is entitled "Soul Overdose" feat. N'digo Rose and DJ Jahsonic (you might know him from Marvin mondays) w/special guest Yahzarah. Starts at 8pm at
TABAQ , 1336 U Street, $10/$8 w/Be YOU jump drive http://besojul.eventbrite.com

3. Upcoming Events: I'll be participating in the Street Glam Outdoor Fashion Expo and Show on August 15th in Downtown Silver Spring. I'll also be participating in a fashion show benefiting metro teen aids that has lined up some pretty big DC designers and boutiques on September 26th. More on that to come...

4. Follow Up: I ended up having a meeting with the production manager of Singa, Inc, which I mentioned in a previous post. While they are not a fashion incubator, Singa has indeed opened a small garment production facility in NE with very low minimums and affordable pricing. This is strictly a cut & sew operation, but they do have the ability to do some pattern grading. They can sew from samples or your own pattern. This is a well needed addition in DC, and their market is independent designers (like me!) Singa will also offer entrepreneurship and sewing classes for adults in the fall.

5. I participated in a photo shoot with DC photographer Patrick Ryan on Saturday to capture my fall line. I'm excited to see all the pics but here's a sneak peak:

Goddesses indeed!

New Photos

2009-07-13T05:50:00.000-07:00

I've finally gotten photos back from a warehouse shoot I did with photographer Chris Carr. I did the styling and makeup and provided a few Biribelle pieces. Collaborations are a great way to build my portfolio for design school. What do you think?

Garment Production Facility and Fashion Incubator in DC?

2009-07-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a fabulous week in New York which included the 38th International African Arts Festival, the opening of the Afropunk festival at BAM, Summerstage in Central Park with Asa, Les Nubians, and Oumou Sangare, and shopping the garment district for fabric for the fall line I'm showing on August 15th (more on that to come). As I'm always looking for good seamstresses, more money, or a missed connection, I am frequently on craigslist. I stumbled across an advertisement for a company "setting up a small garment manufacturing faciltiy in DC".

Further research led me to a Singa Inc, which is right down the street from my house no less. Apparently, run through the Department of Employment Services, "The focus of SiNGA’s unique set of courses in product creation, market development and retail management provides portable skills that enhance customer service, salesmanship, and professional training for the participants as a basis for a career in retail, and creating young fashion entrepreneurs that launch creative designs into the marketplace."

Upon a phone call and a little deductive reasoning, I've learned that they have just purchased some industrial sewing machines and are hiring seamstresses (for august) who will work in the garment production facility and eventually in their FASHION INCUBATOR! Questions about if and how this project is connected to GWFCC's fashion incubator initiative as well as why you have to go through the DOES to benefit from Signa's services as they are now were returned with vague answers, but I was told to call back when someone more knowledgeble was available to speak with me. I will get to the bottom of this...as this is very exciting news!

Yinka Shonibare Opens at The Brooklyn Museum Today

2009-06-26T09:34:00.000-07:00

As I start thinking about themes and inspiration for my upcoming trip to London to study fabric print design at Central St. Martin's, I cannot help but think about the nebulous relationship between Europe and Africa. Fortuitously, today marks the beginning of the Brooklyn Museum's exhibition of the work of Nigerian-born British artist Yinka Shonibare MBE. Shonibare’s artwork explores contemporary African identity and its relationship to European colonialism through painting, sculpture, installation, and moving image. Often working with visual symbols such as Dutch wax fabric (produced in Europe for a West African market), Shonibare evokes the complex web of interactions, economic and racial, that reveal inequalities between the dominant and colonized cultures of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Here are some samples of his work:

Afrobeat meets Afrochic at the Black Light Special on Ust.

2009-06-19T05:55:00.000-07:00

Hey folks, If you are in town for DC Carnival weekend, come to LunchBox Theory Production's packed Afrobeat party on Ust on June 26th. Check out the site for more details but BiriBelle will be there in full effect to help Afrobeat meet Afrochic. Dance it out to vinyl spun by DJ Underdog, get your face painted, and shop super discounted summer pieces from BiriBelle. Best of all it's only $1!

Africa Arise Fashion Week Rundown

2009-06-18T08:15:00.000-07:00

Mustafa Hassanali

As Africa Arise Fashion Week continues in South Africa, I figured I would live vicariously through my fellow African Designers who are participating. I love the use of texture and color, as well as the vintage and bohemian references. Hopefully you’ll see BiriBelle in the ranks next year! Until then, here are some more of my favorites:

Christie Brown Collection

Tiffany Amber

Eyola

Itueni Basi

Jewel By Lisa

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi

Itueni Basi

Nkwo Collection

Making Lemonade

2009-06-18T07:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was invited by a friend to be a model for her makeup artistry class at the Bennett Career Institute in NE. Turns out yesterday was the one day they weren't doing faces at all, but were covering "the business of makeup" instead. It turns out that much of the information was pertinent to a fashion designer, and I learned some great personal marketing tips from instructor Tanna J. So yay to the free business class. One of the ladies in the class happens to be opening a new lounge in B-more this weekend called Ste. 18. As I love lounges and new venues, this was a welcome morsel of information as well. Finally it just makes sense as a designer to network with a room full of make-up artists duh! So even though I didn't get my makeover....I still made lemonade!