The Beat - The Udu

The udu drum originated from the Igbo people of Nigeria. Unlike other percussion instruments, the udu drum was invented and developed by the women of the Igbo people from clay pots.In fact, Udu means pot in Igbo.

These clay pots are used to carry and store water from the river to their homes. Although the udu looks like an exotic instrument, the udu is a big part of the Igbo's way of life, and you would find a lot of these littered in their homes.

Shop the Aimas udu print here.


Image Source: http://bodyandmindforallwomen.blogspot.com/2011_10_01_archive.html

Feel the Rhythm - it's THE BEAT

The Udu Pants

It's always great to see heritage shine through in design, and with "The Beat" collection, it not only shines but boogies too.

Inspired by African history and culture rooted in music, musical instruments and dance, this collection - by the artistic brand Aimas (best known for handpainted tees and fabulous accessories), sees the use of own designed prints translated onto casual, wearable pieces.

The collection tells the story of African music and its role in society - for example, the use of songs for religious ceremonies and rituals, to teach and give guidance, to tell stories, to mark the stages of life and death and to provide political guidance or express discontent. In African culture, the beat of a drum can be used to relay a message in what many understand as drum languages or "talking drums".

Shop "The Beat" Collection today exclusively on www.myasho.com

Item of the Day - Tan Leather Clutch

This stylish clutch is handmade using real leather. Its light tan colour makes it a perfect summer accessory. Affordable at £30, this clutch can be purchased exclusively on MyAsho.Com.

The State of the Nigerian Textile Industry

The state of the textile industry in Africa is truly disheartening. In Nigeria alone, over 776,000 jobs have been lost within the last decade.

According to Dr Samuel Ortom Minister of State for Trade and Investment, "Nigeria once had a very vibrant textile and garment sub-sector with fixed investment of $4bn second only to South Africa, in sub-Saharan Africa, and was third largest in Africa....it also had 63 percent capacity of textile manufacturing in West Africa and controlled 60 per cent of the textile market in Nigeria. Within the same period, the sub-sector had 175 fully functional mills that employed over 800,000 people"

With countries like the USA offering trade incentives, such as the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA), one would think this would stimulate and encourage stakeholders within the industry to maximise cross border trade partnerships and save the flailing industry.

Alas. That is not the case. Although many countries within Africa have benefited greatly from AGOA and other such trade levies, this has not been the case in West African countries, specifically with respect to the textiles/garment apparel industry. This is due to various reasons - influx of foreign textiles into the market being the largest one of all.

Another reason was recently highlighted by the Financial Times, UK which cited a paper from the Centre for the Study of African Economies suggesting that savvy Chinese companies have set up shop in Africa as a route to get their products into the USA, with the added incentive of all the juicy AGOA benefits.

My Asho encourages all its designers to produce their products ethically and to work towards creating employment across Africa, stimulating local economies, supporting women in the workplace. We understand that it is tempting to outsource production but in the long run, we will only further damage the African economy and make things so much more difficult for ourselves. 

To our customers and visitors to our site, it is not easy. We cannot emphasize the amount of hard work that goes into designing, producing and marketing each and every item sold on our Site. These products are made either by the designers themselves, or the small teams they work with. We are not Primark or Walmart, so please don't compare our costs. Instead, perhaps think of the story behind each product, the lives you affect by purchasing from each designer. We truly are trying to create sustainable businesses across Africa - we are very small but we have big hopes.

Sources:

Punch Newspaper: 776,000 jobs lost in textile industry

Financial Times UK: China in Africa: taking advantage

Did you know...

It’s the TV BAFTAs this Sunday on the 12^th of May, 2013 and we've come across some rather interesting BAFTA style facts. 

• Most popular dress colour: Black (surprise surprise)
• 330 Mascaras provides
• 12 Make-up artists 

Check out the rest below and tune in on Sunday to see the fab frocks!

Teal and Brown Cocktail Hour

Teal and Brown Cocktail Hour by my-asho featuring an oasis jacket

Item of the Day - Embellished Print Dress

Embellished Print Dress from TAN by Tiffany Amber

This elegantly chic dress from TAN by Tiffany Amber is the perfect item for your Spring wardrobe. Adorned with contrasting blue beads, the fitted and flared cut shapes a flattering silhouette. We recomend teaming with high wedges to showcase your gorgeous pins. Shop here.

Wedges from New Look

Casual Chic- Going to the Beach

Casual Chic- Going to the Beach by my-asho featuring a striped tote bag

Spring Wedding 2

Spring Wedding 2 by my-asho featuring gold emerald earrings

Achieve instant sophistication and class with this mustard number from the Maiden Collection by Paserelle.
 
Pair with some killer heels and accessorise with a bold print clutch. All eyes on you!

Spring Wedding

Spring Wedding by my-asho featuring hoop earrings

T shirt
$30 - myasho.com

Blue Fringe Jacket
$290 - myasho.com

Skirt
$180 - myasho.com

H&M peep toe shoes
$38 - hm.com

Box clutch
$53 - myasho.com

Hoop earrings
$11 - myasho.com

Share your Style!

My Asho would love to see how you rock your Africa inspired pieces. Snap a pic and send it to us: enquiries@myasho.com or share it with us on instagram. Let us know what you're wearing, who designed it and where you purchased it so we can share with everyone. Happy snapping! x

Mama Africa - Happy Mother's Day

Busola Bag

Show your mum how much you care with a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind gift from My Asho. Here, we've put together a small selection of items she'll be sure to love. 

Tropic Swim Mini Snap Clutch

Eko Festival Splash Shawl

Patchwork Print Cushion

Jewel by Lisa Scented Candle

Order today for delivery by 10th March - just in time for Mother's day. Use promo code "Mama Africa" for free shipping to the UK.

Saturday Collection Service - London

My Asho will be trialing a Saturday collection service from a location in Notting Hill, London. If you've visited our previous pop up events, you should be familiar with the location 47 Pembridge Road, Notting Hill, W11 3HG. 

The Saturday collection service will allow you to try on clothes (in different sizes/colourways for example), view items you are interested in purchasing, and ask us general questions about our products and services in person.

To use this service, you would need to place an order on My Asho and select delivery option "Saturday pick up". If you are interested in trying on additional items other than those which you have purchased, simply state the items in the comments/special instructions box during checkout or email us once your order has been placed.

We look forward to seeing our London based/visiting customers on Saturdays! x

Clutch Alert!

Blue Print Box Clutch by O'Eclat Designs

We've got new clutches in store. Different shapes, sizes, fabrics and colours - there's a clutch for every occasion (and of course - for every budget!). View our clutches here

Fab Item of the Day - Yinka Necklaces

We are so in love with these Yinka Necklaces from Bestow Elan. Available in 4 stunning print options, these bib neck pieces offer some serious pizazz.

For a daytime look team with a simple white vest, a casual jacket and jeans. For evening glam, wear over a black cocktail dress and don some killer heels.

Simply affordable at only £20 per piece, purchase yours today on myasho.com.

FAB Magazine Issue 10 Twilight Issue Out Now in Digital and Print

FAB Magazine is out with a much ‘darker’ issue, The Twilight Issue, which is out on Apple, Android and web platforms from today and hits newsstands, in its print form, on 8 February 2013.

 

Inspired by the end of a season and the beginning of a new one, Twilight Issue celebrates endings as signs of new beginnings. 

 

The Twilight Issue sees FAB Magazine go back to fashion covers with two exciting avantgarde shoots while there is plenty more fashion inside with a whopping 45 pages of editorials and 24 pages of trends from African and international runways. 

That’s not all though when it comes to fashion; in line with our theme, in FAB Icons we remember a FAB fashion icon, Remi Oshalake of Remi Lagos who passed away in late 2012, while in FAB Spotlight we celebrate fresh talent, Abuja based designer Stephanie Okeke behind the label Sally Intiego who, at the age of 17, has already showcased her work across the globe.

Another FAB Icon we meet on a London-Lagos red-eye at 30,000 feet is the inspirational Nigerian media mogul Ben Murray-Bruce who talks business, politics and life.

 

Also gracing the FAB pages this issue are the fab and fly Virgin Atlantic Nigerian cabin crew who dazzle us with their striking uniforms, dazzling smiles and overwhelming charm.  

On sale in 8 countries around the world and available digitally on Android and Apple platforms and via www.pocketmags.com , FAB Issue 10 is is sure to be a treat to while away the end of a season.

 

For more information and your daily dose of FABness, don’t forget to visit  and follow us on any of the following sites:

www.fabmagazineonline.com 

www.facebook.com/fabafricanblack 

twitter/fabafricanblack 

fabafricanblack.tumblr.com 

pinterest.com/fabafricanblack

- FAB Magazine is an international fashion and lifestyle quarterly with 60% African, 40% other content based in the UK and Nigeria, established in March 2010, currently distributed in 8 countries (UK, US, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Belgium, Germany and Australia). 

- FAB Magazine is also available to purchase digitally on the Android and Apple platforms under the name FAB Magazine and via http://www.pocketmags.com/

Team FAB

Christie Brown Resort Collection 2013

Last year, Christie Brown showed a capsule collection for Ghana Fashion and Design week. The 'To Dye For' collection is flirty, playful yet elegant.

The collection embodies the ideas of collaboration as it features gorgeous 'irreplicable' batiks created by Grace of Grazia fabrics in partnership with Christie Brown. We think this is a match made in heaven. What do you think?

Look 8 is a personal favourite, which one is yours?