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Urbanknit
An African Revolution: Fashion Africa Conference
Yes, I have booked my ticket to attend the Fashion African Conference which is in exactly two weeks from today. I have never attended before and I am looking forward to hearing the different speakers and discussions.
Organised by the Africa Fashion Guide the event is happening on the 24th of April which is also Fashion Revolution Day. The aim of the gathering is to discuss the future of the African Fashion industry in particular the full supply chain of African Fashion Design, Textiles, and Manufacturing and to communicate this to a larger, global audience through media.
This event is recommended to all fashion designers, retailers, students and any one in the business of fashion.
Check out the talks going on on the day
PANEL 1) – African Revolution – Fashion Made in Africa
PANEL 2) The New African Fashion Market – Designers, Fashion Shows, Media and Retail
PANEL 3A) Africa is Open for Business – Africa as a Source for New Business
PANEL 3B) Textile Futures – Africa’s Cotton, Leather and Textile Industry Opportunities
PANEL 4A) Source Africa and Navigating Value Chains, Logistics and Red Tape
PANEL 4B) Africa’s Triple Bottom Line – Sustainability, Ethical Credentials and Responsibility in the African Fashion Industry
There is also a selection of great speakers from far and wide. I am particularly looking forward to hearing Arieta Mujay of African Creative Collective, Chris Springs of the British Museum and Hannay Pool of the Guardian and Africa Utopia. I think it is going to be very enriching. Do come and check join the discussion. More information on how to attend can be found below. If you are coming, do leave a comment to say so and hopefully see you there!
MORE INFORMATION:
DATE: Friday 24th April, 2015
TIME: 10AM to 5PM
VENUE: Rich Mix 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA London
PRICE: £49
CONTACT: events@africafashionguide.com
EVENT WEBSITE: www.fashionafricaconference.com
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Urbanknit
Countdown Spring Sale
We are having a countdown spring sale starting from today with up to 50% off your entire order.
Just enter SPRINGSALE15 at checkout.
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Urbanknit
Creme de La Femme
Urbanknit will be at the winter 2014 edition of Crème de la Femme, the sensational luxury networking event created by Screen Nation for women of influence, scheduled to take place on the 3rd Dec at the 5 star Athenaeum Hotel overlooking The Green Park.
Crème de la Femme is hosted by top actress Dona Croll and is a totally unique fine dining gathering of many of the highest achieving women in the UK with a diverse invited guest list that includes Moira Stuart OBE, Mica Paris, Dame Kelly Holmes, Beverley Knight, Natalie Gumede, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and many others. See www.cremedelafemme.net
Crème de la Femme is produced by specialist marketing company Screen Nation Media, best known for creating and producing Europe’s leading diverse Film & TV media event, the Screen Nation Awards aka the ‘Black Bafta’s’.
With Christmas just around the corner, there’s no better way to get your shopping started. Drop in to pick up unique gifts for yourself and loved ones this Christmas. Come and find us with the Vou Brown boutique.
Enter promo Code xmas2014 for £7 discount, so you only pay £3. Tickets available here: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creme-de-la-femme-exclusive-luxury-christmas-shopping-experience-tickets-9280559403
Address:
The Athenaeum
116 Piccadilly
W1J 7BJ London
United Kingdom
Date: 3rd December, 2014
Time: 5.30pm to 7.30pm
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Urbanknit
Nike Davies-Okundaye: A Retrospective
Nigerian artist Nike Davies-Okundaye currently has a retrospective exhibition of her work spanning more than 40 years at the Gallery of African Art in London.
Time: October 9th to November 22nd, 2014
Where: Gallery of African Art
9 Cork Street,
London W1S 3LL.
Tel: +44(0)207 287 7400
Enquiries: info@gafraart.com
Website: www.gafraart.com
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Urbanknit
1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair
The second edition of 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair will take place in London from 16 to 19 October 2014 (preview day: 15 October).
1:54 is a platform for galleries, artists, curators, art centres and museums involved in African and Africa related projects and aims to promote art by established and emerging talents amongst an international audience.
1:54 is initiated by market developer Touria El Glaoui under the auspice of Art Africa Ltd. Designed by Rashid-Ali / RA Projects, 1:54 will be held at Somerset House, a historic building and major cultural arts centre in the heart of London.
1:54 will be accompanied by an educational and artistic programme curated by Koyo Kouoh and will include lectures, film screenings and panel debates featuring leading international curators, artists and art experts.
1:54 is a high quality event which will showcase a limited number of 27 carefully selected galleries.
It was absolutely brilliant last year so I am sure it will be even better this year.
For more information:
Website: www.1-54.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/154ContemporaryAfricanArtFair
Twitter: www.twitter.com/154artfair
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Urbanknit
The Lights, Camera, Africa!!! Film Festival 2014
Announcing the fourth edition of Lights, Camera, Africa!!! Film Festival. It will also be its longest-running edition yet, kicking off on Friday, September 26 and ending-with a bang-on Nigeria’s Independence Day.
The Lights, Camera, Africa!!! Film Festival 2014, which spills into the October 1st holiday, is an opportunity to relax and recover something about African histories. With films like Oya, the Rise of the Orisha (2014), Africa’s first superhero movie named for the Yoruba warrior goddess and The Supreme Price (2014), a documentary on Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement, the audience is encouraged to reconsider our past with new eyes.
Curated around the theme LEGACY, Nigeria’s only festival dedicated to independent African film boasts, this year alone, more than 30 movies from over 20 countries. They will all be screened at the Federal Palace Hotel, an establishment steeped in a history as old as independent Nigeria itself.
This edition also stands out for its emphasis on television and the role it has played documenting our journey. Meanwhile, it stays true to the festival’s tradition by including free film workshops, hosting a colorful market of African crafts and gift items, live music, and a bevy of thrilling performances.
October 1 (2014), Kunle Afolayan’s latest opus set at a time when the country was still negotiating what independence from British rule would look like, will be signing off the festival week on a very high note.
Ultimately, reliving pivotal moments in history will help us chart a better course for our future.
For more information:
WEBSITE: www.lightscameraafrica.com
TWITTER: @LCAFilmFest
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Urbanknit
The Africa Centre Summer Festival- In pictures
The Africa Centre Summer Festival which I believe is in its second year was a fantastic experience. There were so many activities on for both adults and children alike. Colourful, musical and fun.
At the Vou Brown stand we met so many wonderful and interesting people. Thank you to everyone that stopped over to browse, chat and buy! It was very much appreciated.
It was also lovely to meet an old Urbanknit customer in the flesh after so many years of being acquainted online!
Here are images of what the multi-brand Vou Brown shop looked like. There were pieces from Afromania, Ello Doll, Afroaccessories, Dzigns, GeoD, Yorubatik and of course Urbanknit!
Hopefully see you again next year! Have a great weekend.
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Urbanknit
Africa Fashion Week London 2014
Africa Fashion Week London is Europe’s largest event for African and African inspired fashion. AFWL is a celebration of African design talent and the diverse ethnic influences that contribute to fashion in the UK. It aims to promote new and emerging designers that are inspired by the rich culture of Africa and incorporate this heritage into contemporary design.
As part of AFWL, the West Hall of Olympia will be transformed into an exhibition of African fashion, allowing visitors to peruse and purchase stunning pieces and unique creations from handpicked designers and brands. The AFWL Market Place is a new area of the exhibition that features and celebrates African and African inspired designers working in the UK.
Highlights of AFWL 2014 include:
Top designers showcasing collections on the catwalk include British designer Ade Bakare from Nigeria, a favourite with Lagos State First Lady Bimbo Fashola, and Adama Paris from Senegal, who finds her inspiration in globalism and whose designs can be found in New York city and Tokyo fashion boutiques.
Also taking part is emerging designer is Tsholo from Botswana, who is gaining a following for her non-conformist fashion approach. This is a designer to watch out for in the future!
Other catwalk shows are due to feature designers such asSteve Mandy (South Africa), Sylvia Owuri (Uganda), Vaishali Morjaria (Kenya) and Pear (Thailand). These shows will be talking place in the afternoon and evening on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 August. Winner of the Face of AFWL 2014 competition, Chi Chi Nwuba, will take to the catwalk as the ambassador for AFWL 2014. Find the full show schedule here: www.africafashionweeklondon.com/afwl-2014-designers-show-shedule/
The AFWL 2014 Exhibition and the new AFWL Market Place will provide showcasing space for over 50 designers and brands that have been carefully selected to ensure high quality. Don’t miss the opportunity to get a fashion head start by buying a fabulous item from one of these up-and-coming brands!
VIP ticket packages are available for fashionistas who want to enjoy exclusive privileges such as VIP Lounge access, champagne reception and front row seating at the catwalk shows. Tickets are also available for the AFWL Awards and Charity Gala, to be held at The Dorchester Hotel on Sunday 10 August.
VENUE: Africa Fashion London will be held at Olympia, Hammersmith Road, Kensington, London W14 8UX on the 8th and 9th August 2014
WEBSITE: www.africafashionweeklondon.com/buy-tickets
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Urbanknit
The Africa Centre Summer Festival
If you are in London this weekend do drop by at the Africa Centre Summer Festival. There will be music, performances, textile workshops, food and children’s activities.
There will also be a Market place where you will be able to browse and buy Urbanknit goodies! (Just look for the Vou Brown section)
See you on Saturday!WHEN: 2nd August, 2014
WHERE: Covent Garden Piazza, London
For more info: http://www.africacentre.org.uk/ -
Urbanknit
Handmade Christmas- Urbanknit on Stand 744
This week Handmade Christmas at the O2 Arena in Greenwich starts on Friday 13th December the and ends on Sunday 15th December. Pop into the former Millennium dome and indulge in the food and festivities. Stop by and visit us at Stand 744, we’ll have sweets!
Apart from sweets, we will have everything available in our online store: snoods, scarves, shawls, totes, zippers, clutches, iPad sleeves and plenty more.
Also we have two free tickets to give away. You don’t have to do anything other than tell us you want them and they are yours! Just Contact Us
More information: http://www.handmadechristmas.co.uk
Getting there: http://www.theo2.co.uk/location/getting-there.html
Floor plan: http://www.handmadechristmas.co.uk/handmade_sales.pdf
