Lights, Camera, Justice!

I decided to do a collection of prints centered around the Trayvon Martin Case and what I perceive to be the performative nature of justice in America. My assignment was titled "What's in the air?" 

5 point gouache project

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

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

New Projects

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

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

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!

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

Osborn Shoes

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!

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

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

Crylittle Millinery for BiriBelle now for sale!

On the website. www.biribelle.com

BiriBelle Accessories featured on TeenVogue website!

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!

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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!