Hottt Stuff!!! KUDOS…

I love it! Angel where can we purchase???

@ 2. I posted a link to the official Boxing Kitten site at the bottom.

these are some dope pieces.. iim really feelin iit.. =)

dont know to feel about this cause i dont see it as originality as being african i have alot of those outfits in my closet already just different colors. its like someone making loads of money off of someone elses creativity.

Thanks Angel!

When I was looking at this, I was saying to myself, this is the same fabric my mom has! I love what she has done with the prints and such. classy. :] go Ghana!

@africanqueen… i see where you are coming from…

Luv it!!!!

i i like i like

I completely agree with African_queen there is nothing very new and cutting edge about this as an african I too dont see anything different from what you see people wearing in africa or in my very own closet and I was waiting for a mention of her inspiration coming from some part of africa but never saw it…I really dont know how to feel about this

Well it’s different to say the least. I love the wedges in the last pic!

This is not original. I am Nigerian and i have loads of these fabrics and outfits at home. All she did different was change the style a bit..There is no point buying a Boxing Kitten dress for $274.00. ( Dont worry i checked the website). When i can call my grandma in Nigeria to brings me dozens of those outfits. At a cheaper prize too..!!!

@ African Queen I completely agree, nothing original and over priced.

She didnt even mention anything about getting her ideas from the west africain culture…

oh myyyy!! this is what we’re rockin everyday down here in west africa ( im from ivory coast) can’t believe it…it’s a good thing though…

I love the look of this post. But Maya annoys me with every interview. She never mentions that she uses African fabric. I’m glad Angel mentioned Ankara in the post though.

Here is a blog post about Maya thinking she is so original:
http://sugabelly.blogspot...ake-is-fucking-idiot.html

The pieces are nice, but as someone else say. Why pay 200 for a fake when you can pay 50 for an original?

This is beautiful and very African. But she designs with the material and it’s about time it goes mainstream. Africa is beautiful!

umm its like selling sand to arabs! no originality there! SMH

wow those fashion designs are really nice, id love to rock some of her stuff!

As much as i aprreciate her deisgns i do not agree with her saying that her designs are unique cos quite frankly it aint…….Dere beta designs out dere! I’m Nigerian and dere av been designers showcasing dese fabrics from tym so theres nufin new with hers!!!!

Is this woman kidding me? like many others have said, there is really nothing original about her designs, african fabric makers and seamstresses have been making these for many many years. I also have many original pieces in my closet that look much better and more classier than whats being displayed. The fabric she uses is actually on the cheaper side of african fabric and costs about 60 dollars. And to make outfits such as what is displayed a seamstress would charge about 60 to 80 dollars. She is a theif who has stolen other hardworking african seamstresses ideas, is not original and should be ashamed.

i cant believe she didnt mention the african influence. wtf.

oh, and she does NOT deserve a designer spotlight. Sorry, but it’s about time she mentioned how she bit off of poor african seamstresses who sew these creations for as cheap as 10 dollars, and at least give them credit for inspiring her. I’m so angry i’m steaming right now…

I can see the argument that’s being made in the comments from those who are from different parts of Africa. It’s obvious the fabric she uses was inspired from African culture. She should’ve mentioned that in her interview.

On a side note: The shoes in the last pic are HOTTT!

you all are haters. the collection is cute. do you all get pissed when “mainstream” designers get “inspired” by ethnic cultures and put it throughout their line? no you all applaud it and scrape together what you can to purchase it! now b/c this sister is making money off of african inspired fabric she’s a fake..uh hello, nothing is really “new” anymore. it’s all about being free and fearless enough to put your ideas out there or put a spin on someone else’s and sell it…and apparently she is doing so. her website does mention she has been inspired by the black power movement and african american studies (which does include african history).

Im actually really pissed off at this fake ass designer.. Should not even be given the title designer.

I’m riding what everyone else said I’m American born and Nigerian raised…she didn’t even mention Africa…Mumu:( who does she think she fooling…talking about ya mother was she from Africa??? I’m just sayin…

As several other people have already said, she should be ashamed of herself for not even shouting out Africa for one of her influences. I am part Ghanian and I’m pretty sure the seamstress down the road from my grandfathers place could hook me up with even hotter designs for a much cheaper price. Don’t pay hundreds of dollars for this. She calls her designs unique? Please….This chick is a fraud.

Ok ok ok….. so she didn’t mention it in her interview. But on the website under her bio (very last sentence) she mentions they are African inspired

@ 29. As you said VERY LAST SENTENCE.
Wat kind of nonsence.
should of been the first thing she said…

i don’t really like it… i’d never wear it.

@ KK…her designs have nothing to do with the black power movement and/or african american studies. African seamstresses were making these long before there was such as thing as a black power movement. And she has stolen many of their designs and ideas as there is nothing original about what she has produced. Doesnt the fact that she never mentions the fabrics are straight from countries like Nigeria and Ghana make you wonder? oh I forgot, you’re not from an African country so you would never understand how poor men and women toil to first of all produce the fabric and get it printed, work they get paid pennies for. And then the seamstress who creates the designs and then has to make the outfit on her sewing maching for a measly 10 dollars. If you’ve witnessed and experienced what I have living in Ghana for 10, you would understand that no one who has anything negative to say about this so called designer is hating. She can do what ever she wants, all were saying is that she is not original and she should at least give Africa credit. Not the black power movement!

Oh, and it’s NOT african inspired fabric, it IS african fabric..

And to #26 i don’t think people are hating on her for makin her money and hustlin. I think they are more upset that she calls her work unique and original, when in reality it’s nothing of the sort. Seamstresses have been making these designs for several generations. That’s like an american making traditional Kimono dresses and saying that her creations have never been done before (when everybody knows the Japanese have been making those forever.) Those comments just sound disrespectful and paint her in the light of a thief.

@ sugarspice, I know thats right!!

@ Ghanaian Princess.. Tru stories ..!!

@ 11 KAY- i TOTALLY agree!

i’ve checked her website, sorry but i won’t pay 200 bucks for that…exuze me!!!!! ok it’s kinda pretty but everyday i can have all these stuff for less than 20 in here and with soooo much more style… i dont think she knows what she’s talkin’ about…i do!!!

@Ghanaian Princess- you make me proud to be Ghanaian! Tell em girl!!!!:-p

This is some ugly shit. It’s too colorful and ill fitting. I always HATED African designs/prints on clothes anyway. Never been my thing. This designer’s not going far with these styles and designs, but I admire her for trying.

standing ovation for the ghanaian princess!!!!

big ups 2 da ghanians. i have just like solanges and it costs me£20 when i went to ghana this includes the fabric and making the garment itself. its only original to ppl who have not been to any african country.

being a nigerian girl i love ankara .. i have a closet filled wth it . 1. why would you steal other ppls idea and then overprice it when a mere $30..u can get somethingnice nd beautiful from nigeria , ghana and other african countries. she needs to lower the prices .

Can we get some posts on J’Davey CL? Please? I love them. Her designs I have seen before because it is just african print, but biggups to her on her clothing line!

I SEE HOW THIS WOULD BE OFFENSIVE AND I WORK WITH AFRICANS AND BOYYYYYY WOULD THEY BE MAD AT THIS BUT HOWEVA ITS TACKY PUT TOGETHER I LIKE THE COLORS BUT MIXING DIFFERENT PATTERNS AND COLORS DOESNT MAKE IT STYLE OR DOPE….

these materials are called ankara..were im from..which is nigeria..Im not really a fan of it ..but i do have a few simple ones that i own..But its not original && plus i dont shes african to really reflect of the true meanings of the african fabric..the price is quite ridic doe..I Could buy at least 20 if not more of those fabrics and ask my family tailor in naija to give me many different designs for free..and will LOOK TEN TIMES BETTER ..then those in her portfolio..There really not expensive to buy at a piece..so i dont know where shes got the idea of selling them at $200..:|
but bes of luck to her..
her lack of research will probably bring her down..the next thing celebs will do is..but the fabric itself..&& find the best tailor or designer they know to make something very original..Thats the best thing..
but like i said.best of luck

@naijagal101.
Im Nigerian aswell. i think she should lower her prices because her outfits are nothing special infact the dressmakers in Nigeria & Ghana and other West Africa Countries can definatly come up with something more creative than the shit she produced. Fergie & Solanage and the rest need to hop on to a plane to Nigeria or Ghana to check out some dope Ankara..

oh wow this sum bs that this bit*h tryna pass this off as hers, girl please its been done for ages! and trying to sell it for $200 and over is outrageous!!

“Designer spotlight” my foot……. There is nothing ORIGINAL about it.

——–>I dunno. The clothing seems realling cheap lookin’. Not really my style

——->really

I remember when they had ghana & nigerian independence raves here in london. Most girls were wearing these types of clothes! Nonetheless, she’s designed some nice stuff.

Okay, would the people complaining have as much problem with this designer if she was african ? because I don’t think they would.

I see no problems with her makign african garments mainstream.

YUCK…..CHEAP LOOKING UGLY AFRICAN WEAR.

LOL.. The comments in this post are great.. the epitome of getting CALLED OUT!

I am Kenyan and there have been a few designers out there using Kanga fabric that is unique to Kenya and Tanzania and calling it unique. Please! We have been rocking it since forever. The other day I saw in some fashion magazine (I forget which one) where some website was selling Kenyan made bags (kikapu) and setting the price at $100 when she probably copped that ish at less than $10 in Nairobi.

Look, I admire her for getting a line out but I have seen interviews where she has said that this beautiful material is of lesser quality when made in West Africa. Really? And this coming from a person whom I bet does not have an entry stamp on her passport from a single West African country, in particular, Nigeria!

I am all about celebrating the beauty and vibrance of African cloth, colours and patterns.. but stop acting like you have (1) discovered something; (2) not giving proper props and (3) acting like the material made on the continent is sub-standard. It is not surprising, though, because this how ignorant people treat Africa!

Those prints are hot!

Me likey

@ Bushwick

The problem is not the designs per se. It is the fact that she is not acknowledging where it comes from and that in some interviews has said that those made in Africa are substandard (if I am misquoting her, someone please correct me). IF she was, let’s say, Nigerian, she would be giving props to the Ankara fabric and would not even have tell us where she got it from..

Maybe as Africans, we are just sensitive, but personally, I think I can speak for all Africans and say that we are tired of people profiting off the motherland yet do not acknowledge it properly

THIS IS FRAUD THIS IS STRAIGHT UP NIGERIAN ANKRA AND SHAME ON HER FOR LYING AND NOT ACKNOWLEDGING ITS HISTORY THESE ARE NOT MADE BY HERE THIS IS STRAIGHT UP NIGERIAN FASHON

SHAME

SHAME

SHAME

Way too ugly to cost so much…I’ll pass.

Her stuff is hot! Its a nice blend of color and patterns, If you are into that kind of stuff. I would def buy those shorts with a nice crisp white button up .. FRESH!

im sorry im not trying to knock her hustle but trust she tried that is nothing special cuz shes doing it all wrong. Compare to the real african print if u gonna do it pls do it right. I have my mom make me prints and every where i go ppl love it cuz i had her make it more vintage style. And trust if you want something like this please go to real africans to make it cuz this is pure trash im sorry. I have to give it to her for trying.

iv bn to her website. i thnk her stuff is quite shit, apart from 1 or 2. anyway im sure she gets her fabrics from ghana as thats our main attire. too bad she cant acknowledge us. my friend won best emerging designer at the Arise Africa awards this yr and her stuff is 100x better n cheaper.

Im west african and these are nothing new to me funny things is african ppl try to dress like americans or europeans and now yall try to dress like us, this is african point blank, all the mamas and grandmas in all the villages, the men, the young, the old, in the cities, this is like our cultural fabric but its overpriced over there in the us and europe of course, its kinda cheap among us here, we make already beautiful evening gowns and shirts for men our artists cant be promoted properly smh she can actually contact thoz ppl they will give her tips, we’re on the next sh!t with these fabrics!

ok. glad to see that everyone has had their glass of “hater-aid” this morning. My favorite thing is to watch black people hate on other black people for no particular reason. so, sit back because class is about to be in session. Lets start with the basics. Here we have a young black woman who has started her own fashion line and it has become initially successful. and you hate on that. Why? In the name of some type of nationalistic pride that i’m sure you do not apply to all aspects of your life. Truth be told. All of you haters need to fall back. let this girl shine and stop talking bout how you can get that in Africa for cheap. Hey i can get the new Jay-z album in africa for cheap too but that dont make it right. When someone designs a article of clothing the genius is in the design, creating the pattern, and the fabric. Shit, we dont tell Stevie Wonder to give the credit for the song “ribbon in the sky” to the guy who invented the ribbon. As a fashion designer, you create a new cut or pattern or style. We are not running around hating on Gucci for using silk because they didn’t invent it. All fabric exists already so when American Apparel uses ethnic fabrics without crediting the ethnicities do you hate on them to. cause if you live your life like that you hate everyone and everything, and thats no way to live. EVERY INNOVATION IN HISTORY IS BUILT ON SOMETHING THAT ALREADY WAS. Now, there is this other point about where the fabric is produced etc. as far as i can tell this is a simple one. Africans probably invented the fabric, but the folks in holland are producing it. Just like americans invented the VCR but the japanese made it better. SO, if Africans want to produce the quality stuff with the correct production process then start doing it. as a matter of fact, why dont ya’ll haters get together and do it. And while i’m speaking on it. As a community. we need to support our own. stop hating. just stop. seriously. quit. its old. and its boring. and its just what THEY want us to do.

it’s called ‘pagne’ in the majority of the french countries, the brands are, google uniwax, bogolan pagne also, or vlisco

@africa_ queen
ur soo right. i have this stuff at home already.

See this is why I come to CL , this blog is soo universal ..It offers a wide range or topics and people ..Keep up the good work ..

THIS IS OBVIOUSLY FROM AFRICA, ITS A SHAME THAT THIS DESIGNER IS NOT EVEN GIVING PROPS OR MENTIONING ANYTHING ABOUT AFRICA. JUST ONE OF THE THINGS “STOLEN FROM AFRICA” ITS A SHAME.

@ inffo
“SO, if Africans want to produce the quality stuff with the correct production process then start doing it”

Please do some research on Ankara Fabric, who makes it and why manufacturers in Holland and other countries are making their own version, then come back and talk some sense. Maybe words like slavery, oppression and economic depression will aid in your research. Till then, quit yapping. And like I said before, no one is hating

THATS THE REASON WHY I CREATED THIS SITE

JUST GOOGLE “AFRIQUENISTA” i can’t believe our own people are putting us down and taking away from africa

Im sorry but no one is hating that woman, if she is successful thats great, as african, Im proud tha she is using our fabric and happy to see celebs rockin our fabric. However, I feel like the fact that she doesnt tell the whol story is not right and disrespectful. You cant imagine all the poor ppl there workin their asses off creating these designs or fabrics, all the designers already out there workin on that for so many years more than 30 years, africa is already poor so if teh lil pride we can have with that is taken that way to a woman ignoring where and how ppl do it, its a shame. Im not hating her hustle, no, I just want her to associate Africa with it and tell the fact that ppl are using this for ever there and thats their principal fabric. THATS IT. Not like she invented some new hot thing, no. Of course, she can fool all of you americans but not the african ppl. Matter fact, she can take some notes, there are prestigious designers doing beautiful gowns, similar to eliee saab’s with this fabric called ‘pagne’ they mix it with other fabrics like silk and all. I dont wear itcuz kits too popular there though.

http://www.noiraufeminin.com/galerie.php?gid=80 I didnt find pix of fabrics but this designer do them also

………………………………………I love these designs

Thank you Ghanaian Princess….Infffo no one is hating…i wear that all the time so it nothing new to me my mom makes those for n i design it. Its just that if u gonna do it do it right and give credit. Now you go and take a look at real african prints and take a look at this again. Im not knockin her she did good but that nothis new. I even have some of my american friends wearing those so it not like she start something new.

I like it. It reminds me of Coogi but with woven/printed fabrics instead of knitted.