The Color Edition - COLOR ME AFRICAN!......

THE COLOR EDITION – COLOR ME AFRICAN


This summer, we mean business... styling business that is! Styling our little precious munchkins and, most importantly, the yummy mummies who take it upon themselves to take care of everyone in the family. They are so deserving and this is way overdue.

Now to dive right into it; if I was to summarize this summer’s fashion using one word – it would be COLOR! We are in the summer of color; and bright bold hue is the ingredient of choice for most designers. The dull and the drab are taking a hiatus while the more fierce and daring are making fashion statements. This summer there is enough color to go around, so make sure you get yourself and your child a hearty helping of it! Color blocking is this year’s ‘it’ thing. But don’t get it twisted, it is not just about throwing some random colors together and calling it fab…there is a science to it and today is NOT the day I am going to instruct you on the technique of color blocking because quite frankly I am no expert myself. However I can show you a way I get my colors to play nice and complement each other.

One of my reliable inspirations for color blocking ideas….wait for it....African print! Yup, I said it...African fabrics represent a kaleidoscope of color, shapes and patterns; and in my opinion embodies the essence of color blocking. The makers of African print are visionaries, they have been practicing color blocking since time memorial and the evidence is in the matched vibrant colors used for African fabric. Not only does African fabric exemplify the basic principles of color blocking but also informs the possible colors which could complement each other when putting other pieces together. In current times, color blocking in African garments has become even more pronounced as designers mix and match different pieces (scraps) of African textiles to produce breathtaking garments that are very rich in color and unique in appeal. The use of African fabric for more modern styles make color blocking more effortless in everyday settings e.g. work, school, playground, church etc.

This summer I definitely will let African prints work for me and my children – not only will my children and I be showcasing our rich culture but also staying trendy and ‘colorized’. The following selections are some of the pieces that inform our color blocking experiments....firstly…..strictly for my yummy mummies:

Pinks and yellows are my favorite couples in that together they provide a very summery warmth and feel. Great color combination for a color blocking effect! Throw in a little orange and you are well on your way.

The color multiplicity of this dress gives one various options to style and many colors to highlight. This garment shows how blues, oranges, yellows, greens and brown can actually play nice.

Now who would have thought green would do such a nice number with purple! The evidence is in the details!

So there you have it, Color blocking tip #1:

Let your African prints be the muse for your color blocking experiment!

The above outfits are part of the new Kradle Kouture Inc subsidiary “Mummy” clothing line, Aj’Bea Kouture!!!

All the above tips hold true for both mothers and children – be it boys or girls! And now some color blocking concoctions for my little treasures……

What you see above is one of our new designs that makes use of the new African craze of 'mixing rich African fabrics together'. It's part of our Kids' "NsaaNsaa" series. Once again, similar to what you see for the adult items above, the color multiplicity of this girl's dress once again gives various options to style and many colors to highlight. Our model above shows how you can pick any one of the colors in the garment to accentuate the item and let it "pop". She wears this garment and shows how orange, and yellow can actually play nice.

The above piece is another of Kradle Kouture's 'color block' -ing items. Our model shows how you can combine the garment with a touch of gold and/or soft pink to make the garment "pop" through the shoes. Color blocking can also be accomplished not by using other colors in fabric, material and pieces but also by using various colors in accessories - shoes, belts, jewellry and etc.

If you've noticed, the same accessories have been used for color blocking on 3 different outfits! That's the beauty of color blocking. Green happens to be one of my favorite colors because no matter what other color you decide to pair that up with, you're bond to look radiant and fabulous and boy do we need our little treasures to always have their 'fabulousity' game on point! Another option for the above garment is to pair the garment with one or two of the colors used with the decorated stones on the neckline but in all your color blocking experiments, be it for mummies, or kids, don't forget that:

Color blocking tip #2:
When color blocking, you definitely don't want to 'overdo' it by meshing more than 3 distinct colors!

Awwww, isn't he just a hunk? Even at a tender age, it's amazing to see that kids also have an (excellent) sense of style and individuality! So let them explore with some color! - Explore for them, explore with them. Our model is draped in Kradle Kouture's 'Jeromi' series - Green/Black Embroidered Brocade shirt. Once again, our model demonstrates color blocking at it's best!

('Mummies' dresses provided by Aj'Bea Kouture, a subsidiary of Kradle Kouture Inc, kids wear and the kids pieces are provided by Kradle Kouture Inc kids wear. Eager to get your paws on some of these awesome pieces?... let us know! – info@kradlekouture.com)

Yours sincerely,

Akua Abeasi,

(www.hotofftherunway.wordpress.com)

Kradle Kouture Inc. Guest Blogger