The Aftermath of Afrotropolis Wanderland

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.

SUPAFRIK pop-up shop (3 hours only) at Afrotropolis Wanderland…

SUPAFRIK pop up shop is one of the main features at Afrotropolis Wanderland on February 4. This one of a kind shop made its debut in the summer of 2011 in Kensington Market, carrying clothing, homewares, books, art and accesories  all African-inspired by artisans and designers from London, Paris, Cape Town, Toronto and New York.

This time around SUPAFRIK will open *for 3 hours only* in an adjacent space at the conclusion of the show allowing guests to take in beautiful scarves from Ethiopia and also London fashion label Eki Orleans as well as a few pieces from Chinedesign‘s Afrotropolis Wanderland collection (four months ahead of time). We are also excited to announce that we will have some gorgeous garments from Mina Danielle and as usual we have put together a nice selection of tomes for the book lovers.

Check out the video below to watch SUPAFRIKs Chinedu and Imara dig through the goodie bag to give you a preview of some of their favourite items from the coming pop-up shop. Tickets to Afrotropolis include access to the pop-up shop. See you on Saturday at 99 Sudbury! 

Birds of a feather…A sit down with more of the creative minds behind Afrotropolis Wanderland

#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. 

A More In-depth Look into Afrotropolis Wanderland

Still shot from Afrotropolis Wanderland

2012 is here and moving quickly! It is already the second week of January, which means Afrotropolis Wanderland is right around the corner!

Taking place on February 4, 2012 and sponsored by TD as a part of their Then and Now festival in celebration of Black History Month,  Afrotropolis Wanderland will be a creative experience merging the worlds of visual arts, fashion and film to create a universe that commemorates different periods in Black history and celebrates the achievements of people of African origin. Advance tickets ($20) can be purchased at  http://afrotropolis.eventbrite.ca

We tapped into the mind of Chinedu of Chinedesign, the creative director behind the Afrotropolis Wanderland project to gain a better understanding of the show and the entire experience that is Afrotropolis Wanderland.

They’re Shooting!

Afro-Vintage Time Machine at SUPAFRIK this Saturday!
7PM to 11PM at *Hotshot | 181 Augusta Avenue | Kensington Market, Toronto Contact: 416.979.7574 | info@supafrik.com

Thank you being a part of SUPAFRIK! The launch party was amazing but we’re not done yet! SUPAFRIK is as much about looking forward as it is about honoring the past. This Saturday, Hotshot will be transformed into a 1960s Bamako photo studio to honor the seminal works of Malian photographers Seydou Keita and Malick Sidibe. You might already be familiar with some of their iconic photographs or you may have come across the shoots they have inspired such as these: