A behind the scenes taste of what’s cooking in the couture kitchen for Chinedesign’s Masquerade collection debuting at #MasqueradeTO February 15, 2013.
This video is the second in a series documenting the creative process leading up to the event. Stay tuned for more and visit chinedesign.com/masquerade for more information. Twitter/Instagram: #MasqueradeTO
Video by Anthony DelaCruz. Photographs by Simone Lynn.
#MasqueradeTO on twitter
On February 15, 2013 masked and decorated guests will join to celebrate modern fashion infused with African and Caribbean aesthetics and traditions. Toronto fashion label, Chinedesign presents “Masquerade”; the brand’s second exhibition mixing fashion and art as part of TD’s “Then and Now” Series for Black History Month.
Masquerade as it is performed all over Africa, is a complex and often secret ritual that is interwoven into the religious, political and social fabric of the people. The masks or the masquerade costumes are often believed to represent the spirits of ancestors and local deities. Carnival as it is practiced in the Caribbean and in South America is a mix of European and African notions of Masquerade and is becoming increasingly popular in Africa as well.
“Growing up in Nigeria, I have always been fascinated by Masquerades. I was captivated by the myth, costumes, and entranced by the music.” Shares Chinedu, designer of Chinedesign.
Taking place simultaneously with popular Carnival celebrations around the globe, the evening will feature a mix of cultural elements beginning with a Diptych digital presentation by Another Africa, depicting the influence of African Masquerade on fashion, photography and art. The Masquerade Collection runway presentation is paired with an original soundtrack composed exclusively by Chinedu, and to celebrate the Carnival festivities a Masked Ball will follow where masks are mandatory until midnight.
The avant-garde “Masquerade” Collection features more than a dozen looks that Chinedu describes as, “designed for the spirits”, including custom designed prints. Each design features unorthodox materials such as cowry shells, woven chains, fringed leather, lace, traditional African indigo fabric, plants and large seeds that are commonly used in West African masquerade. Exquisite headpieces created in collaboration with British Milliner Keiron Vine, complete the style.
“As a fashion designer, my appreciation of masquerade has come to take on another dimension. I am enthralled by the aesthetic and garment technology of the masquerade and I have long nurtured the idea of creating my first “couture” collection, as opposed to “ready to wear”, by deconstructing and remixing elements of masquerade “
The event will take place on Friday February 15th at Daniels Spectrum, located at 585 Dundas Street East, Toronto. Doors open at 9pm and the multimedia fashion presentation will begin at 10pm followed by the Masquerade Ball. The style code is formal or African Traditional and masks are mandatory until midnight. For more information and to purchase tickets please visit www.chinedesign.com/masquerade
We took a short hiatus from the blog to regroup and start sowing the seeds for the next projects but we’re back in effect, rejuvenated and excited for the months ahead.
Last February, Toronto was introduced to Afrotropolis-Wanderland; the fashion experience directed by fashion designer Chinedu Ukabam and sponsored by TD, a part of their Then and Now festival for Black History Month. Described by blogTO‘s Paul Aguire as “the one night only multi-sensory art exhibit”, the show was well received by fashion bloggers, industry elite, fashionistas and art lovers in attendance. Seated in the front row was popular fashion blogger Anita Clarke from IwantIgot, who said the show was “very cool and impeccably designed”.
Afrotropolis-Wanderland was the launch of Chinedu’s new collection of the same name and included fashion, film and art that was inspired by different periods in black history, cultural markers and iconic people of African origin. (click here to see the picture gallery from the show). This collaborative effort featured the work of visual artists Jimmy Chiale and Kalkdian Assefa, who created designs that were “remixed” to create print textiles. Continue reading
Want to win a pair of tickets to Afrotropolis Wanderland taking place on February 4, 2012? If so, take part in our contest for your chance to win! Be sure to read the contest rules carefully and good luck!
Posted in Afrotropolis, Contest, Event, Fashion, Film, SUPAFRIK, Uncategorized
#AfrotropolisWanderland will be an experience where the worlds of fashion, film and visual arts are merged together for “the one-night only, multi-sensory art exhibit” as described by Paul Aguirre in this weeks Fashion and Style section of blogTO.
Tickets on sale now at http://afrotropolis.eventbrite.ca
Last week we sat down with the creative mind behind the show’s concept and fashion designs, Chinedu Ukabam of Chinedesign. He provided insight into the work that went into the show and what we could expect. This week we had a roundtable discussion with some other key contributors involved in the show; visual artists Kalkidan Assefa and Jimmy Chiale , as well as video and film producer Marcos Fantu. They shared with us why they jumped on board this project, creative process behind the collaboration and the source of their inspiration. Continue reading
Posted in Afrotropolis, Art, Event, Fashion, Film, Shop
Tagged Afrotropolis, Afrotropolis Wanderland, jimmy chiale, kalkidan assefa, Marcos Fantu
SUPAFRIK 