The Royal Academy of Arts turned 250 years this year. And recently, I do call myself an artist…A lot (This can be argued another time).
So For the first time, a few weeks ago, I visited the Royal Academy of Arts thanks to my friend Violeta Sofia who is actually exhibiting at the Royal Academy of Arts.
This year; I fully prepared myself for the long days. Considering the shows were starting at 10 am and finishing at 9 pm. I even had my packed lunch (remember, food first).
With some of the lifetime Patrons being VICTORIA BECKHAM, CHRISTOPHER BAILEY,
DAME VIVIENNE WESTWOOD…You can imagine the level of creativity and organization surrounding Graduate Fashion Week.
On both day I was lucky enough to sit o the front row with all the big names of the industry. Just opposite me was HENRY HOLLAND, HILARY ALEXANDER OBE… Not going to lie: it literally took me back to my days of just dreaming about fashion in Cameroon with no clue of where to start or how even.So, I am forever grateful for these opportunities.
Apart from me mingling with the ‘who is who’ of the fashion industry;There were incredible talents but my favorite of all was Evelyne Babin. That I hope, I will be working with very soon .
Winner: Evelyne Babin, University for the Creative Arts Epsom
Runner-up: Aurélie Fontan, Edinburgh College of Art
Although Graduate fashion week is a showcase of all the fashion student work, there were many winners that you can see HERE. The golden winner was Rebecca Wilson of Arts University Bournemouth for her menswear, women’s wear, and children’s wear collection. With a prize of £10,000 for Rebecca and a £2,000 award to her university, she will follow in the footsteps of Halina North, of Edinburgh College of Art, who received the award last year, and shortly after winning completed a placement at Marks and Spencer’s.
Last weekend I had the pleasure to be invited by Vicky Ngari Wilson to do a live style session for the rural retail challenge ‘ local to global‘ evening for the rural retail challenge at Mary’s giving and Living in Kew Gardens (Nonprofit organization by Mary Portas).
The Rural Retail Challenge which is an organization that calls fashion, Art, and Luxury to include the stories, sustainable techniques, and craftsmanship of native people in design from the local communities to the global platforms.
For my styling session on the day, I was so nervous as it was the first time I talked publicly about Afrochic and what it stands for to a crowd of about 30 people. But it went well and was able to catch some snippets here Instagram.
By the way, I am on my way to be the pioneer of that lifestyle and fashion word: Afrochic. Watch this space!!
I styled 2 printed looks that you can also catch in the video here Instagram.Ps: if you feel down at any given point, wear a yellow dress. It will cheer you right up. Shop below
Pictures courtesy
