Blog
Check out my piece ‘From Lagos to London‘ for Black History Month on TAFA, where I am a member. Read about the Textile and Fibre Art List below.
TAFA: The Textile and Fiber Art List is a membership organization of fiber artists and textile businesses on the web. TAFA showcases member portfolios through its website, provides access to larger markets, offers business resources and fosters community.
TAFA was launched on January 31st, 2010 and the List is a business community of entrepreneurs rooted in textile and fiber art products and traditions. A majority of its members have social and environmental agendas at the core of their business. TAFA’s members have a shared goal of building their businesses through virtual and actual marketplaces in an increasingly global world. TAFA unites old and new traditions, their historical and modern importance, giving a shared platform to both contemporary and traditional textile techniques from all cultures.
Please checkout the TAFA website and the fantastic range of artists, creators and designers that cut across so many disciplines.
Website: www.tafalist.com
Member List: www.tafalist.com/the-list-tafas-directory
I recently wrote about Blackbird Vintage store in Leeds in our Independent shops section and I am very excited that they now stock a selection of Supersnap clutches!
So if you are in that neck of the woods, do stop buy and pay them a visit. I am yet to visit but their store looks like a veritable treasure trove of design beauties!
SHOP DETAILS
ADDRESS: 7 Stainburn Parade, Leeds
TELEPHONE: 07949 115695
OPENING TIMES: 10AM to 6.30PM
WEBSITE: www.blackbird-vintage.co.uk
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/blackbirdvintageleeds
Have you checked out our range of funky print and batik blazers? Well even if you haven’t here is one to have a look at. This one is the Brown Batik Blazer and the idea behind this wardrobe essential is simple. They come in a simple yet flattering cut and can be worn in a number of ways making them quite versatile.
STYLE TIPS:
The simple slightly loose fit is perfect if you are looking for the right African print jacket to add to your wardrobe. The blazer has 3/4 length sleeves and is also cropped in style. You can team with a pair of boots with a skirt and layer up during the cooler autumn/fall months. You could also rock your blazer with some skinny jeans and heels for a semi-formal look for a date or lunch out with the girls. Just a few options! That’s the beauty of it, you create you own look.
THE FABRIC:The gorgeous fabric is a handmade, hand-dyed fabric from southern Nigeria. The designs are painstakingly drawn by hand and dyed in various steps to achieve the layers of colour and pattern. It comes in a mix of browns, burnt orange and even hints of olive green. Due to the organic nature of the fabric, no two jackets are exactly the same which I think is an added bonus. Your blazer will be truly unique to you!
BUY IT HERE:The blazer is available here: www.urbanknit.com/shop/brown-batik-blazer in the following sizes:
UK 8/US 4/EUR 36 UK 10/US 6/EUR 38 UK 12/US 8//EUR 40 UK 14/US 10/EUR 42
So how would you style yours? Are you a converse and skirt kind of girl or a heels and skinny jeans glam chic?
Feb 09
Urban Journeys: Selfridges
This particular shop window display in Selfridges strangely enough reminds me of the insides of the market stalls that sell fabric in Balogun Market, Lagos Island in Nigeria. The mad yet orderly mix of colour and variety is usually the theme.
Feb 02
Urban Journeys: Eko ile
Eko Ile WHERE: Lagos Island, Lagos State COUNTRY: Nigeria WHEN: January, 2015
Jan 29
Cool Tees Thursday: Mr Garbe
I love this week’s tee because of its simplicity. Ikoyi is also where my parents live in Lagos, Nigeria and where I can be found when I am in Lagos. The Ikoyi Tee is one of a series of various place/city options for the tee which also include Ile-Ife, Bodija, Warri and more. There is something quite cool about the fact that the designs are on the back of the tee.
The series and other clever and cool designs by Mr Garbe can be found on Giddimint. Check them out here: www.giddimint.com.ng/store/Mr-Garbe
Dec 25
Merry Christmas
Wishing you a Christmas filled with love, laughter and warmth. Merry Christmas from Urbanknit!
In collaboration with Comme des Garcons, the work of French artist Nicholas Buffe is featured on this week’s cool tee, The Opera Print T-shirt. It again shows where art meets fashion.
This particular print shows the sketches of the artist for the Parisian opera. ‘How cool!’ I hear you say. Yes, that’s also what I thought. Hehe.
Find it here on Oki-ni.
You can also see more work by Nichola Buffe here: www.nicolasbuffe.com/en/
Dec 10
Su Beningfield Jewelery
Beautiful sculptural jewellery by Su Beningfield.
Although Su discovered her first affinity for working with precious metals during her studies in the 90’s, it was as an architect in LA that she was exposed to the new technologies of manufacture offered by computer modeling and 3D printing.
The pieces are first modeled on the computer and then 3D printed in wax, before being cast into precious metals. They are finally painstakingly assembled and finished by hand. Each piece therefore combines the latest technologies with age-old manufacturing techniques.
Have a look at more of these on her website. www.subeningfield.com
Dec 09
Gift Ideas: Glam Chic
As the festive season is upon us, here are some gift ideas for the glam chic in your life. With Christmas and end of year parties coming up we’ve come up with an outfit that would work for some of those nights out.
1. Purple Jasper Bracelet- Cool Jewelery Design
2. Green Tartan Geometric Dress- Clover Canyon on Liberty London
3. Orange Aso-oke Minisnap Clutch- Urbanknit
4. Green Resin Drop Earrings- Marni available on Liberty London
5. Black Cape- Marcella Moda
6. Navy Court Shoes- Won Hundred Sascha available on Urban Outfitters
About Me:
When not designing or making accessories, as the Creative director of Urbanknit, I blog about things that I find fascinating; pattern, architecture, fashion, print, graphics, graffiti and lots more!
Recent Posts
Products
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Ankara Patchwork iPad sleeve
£30.00 -
Purple Thames Batik iPad Sleeve
£25.00 -
Etu and Pink Pico Pouch
£20.00 -
Batik Petals Megasnap Clutch
£80.00 -
Magenta and Green Aso-oke Pico Pouch
£20.00
