Beyonce Rocking Ankara African Print

Update: The Jacket is available for $140 @ Demestiks New York

The talented Singer Beyonce posted this edited picture on her Instant-gram account. She shows here how versatile and mainstream African prints has gone. We love how she styled it by pairing it with a textured black colored skirt. Join in by showing us how you will style and wear your own African prints. Leave suggestions below. For more looks like this checkout our look-book at:http://www.afriqexpressions.com/#!look-book/c1cq8

Look Pretty In Lace – The 7 Latest Trends

Lace has a very formal and vintage look. For a long time, it was reserved only for wedding dresses. However, today, the fabric is making a strong comeback. It is being used to make dressy outfits and flirty weekend tops. And, given its repeated appearances at fashion festivals, it has made one thing quite clear - It is here to stay!

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Here’s a look at the 7 latest trends in lace dresses from the elegant and demure to rock chic.

1.      Colored Lace –

Black and white are the staple colors when it comes to lace dresses.  The latest lace fashion trends have digressed to play with brighter colors such as reds, pinks, blues and orchid. There are dresses in lighter, pastel shades too for those who like to keep it muted.

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2.     Part Lace –

Instead of going all-lace for your dress, you can think about contrasting textures and fabrics. You can use lace only for the bodice. The other way to do it is with a sheer lace skirt starting at the knees.

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3.     Lace Accents –

You can always use lace in the form of trims and accents. On a velvet dress, you can use lace motifs along the neckline, the sides and along the sleeves.  You can use lace detailing on an open back dress too or the bottom edges. There is cut-work lace too you can use to decorate your outfit.

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4.     For Casual Wear –

Casual clothing is meant to be light and playful. Lower quality, light lace fabrics are great for lace dresses and tops meant for casual wear. Opt for short dresses in neutral shades.

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5.     For a Formal Do –

Lace looks exquisite when tailored into full-length flowing gowns. They look elegant and are the perfect choice for evening wear. Formal lace gowns must be made using heavy lace fabrics with large motifs. Mermaid gowns look amazing when done in full lace. You can also wear short, sheath dresses to a cocktail party with your friends.

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6.     Sheer Lace –

We are familiar with lace as the fabric will fine filigree. However, there is sheer lace too that looks a lot like net. You can go for a sheer sheath dress or a tea dress with a fuller skirt. You can wear it with a slip underneath. If you are bold enough, dispense with the slip. Opt for sheer lace in sturdier fabrics.

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7.      Metallic Laces –

Metallic laces are the newest in the lineup. They are modern, contemporary and grand. They are made in metallic shades such as gold, silver, copper and bronze. Eddie Redmayne’s wife Hannah Bagshawe recently wore a silver metallic lace dress to the BAFTA awards.  The glimmering appliqués look great for a nighttime affair.  Fashionably Chic Gal  has a similar dress in golden motifs against a black backdrop. 

Accessorizing Your Lace Dress

Much of your look is determined by how you accessorize it. Team your lace dress with chunky, colored jewelry. It should be in a color contrasting the color of your dress. For a more casual look, you can layer it with knits, jerseys or a jacket. You can also team it with faux-leather.So, don’t be afraid to wear lace. Use these tips and carry it with style. 

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KAFTAN/CAFTAN DRESSES – SHEDDING THE CONSERVATIVE IMAGE

When you mention the word Kaftan/Caftan, the image that comes to mind is that of a long, loose silhouette; an ankle-length robe with its sweeping, butterfly-like sleeves. The luxuriance of the cotton and silk fabrics add to its sophistication. However, it has not always been as we know of it in the present. For those unaware of the history of this garment, it made its debut around the 14^th century as a belted tunic for males. Yes! For the men folk, not women. They were used by the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire. The style, the patterns, the colors and the embellishments on the Kaftans/Caftans were markers of status. Later, it was modified and adopted as a form of female clothing and since then it has been used widely in the South East Asian and Middle East countries.

In the last few decades, the Kaftan/Caftan has carved out its place in women’s fashions, particularly in Western countries. Modern-day fashion designers have reinvented its design in myriad ways to create an outfit that falls into different fashion styles. The versatility, especially the ability to fit all shapes and sizes, has made this garment extremely popular. The Kaftans/Caftans from Dubai are known for their superior quality and unique designs.

The ones produced today are less conservative; they have been modified in their cuts and for that matter even the length of the dress. There are dozens of Kaftan-inspired dresses and tops. There are beach Kaftans/Caftans too. They are elegant and classy. Kaftan/Caftan tops are no longer than a woman’s waist. They feature straight cuts and better fits making the wearer look more attractive. Belted kaftans/Caftans with their cinched waists make the shapeless garment appear more fitted and shapely.

The long, billowing sleeves are a trademark feature of Kaftans/Caftans. Some of the traditional versions have long sleeves, but they are tighter and narrower. Emerging designers are not shying away for experimenting with the length of the sleeves. There are Kaftan/Caftan-dress designs with shorter sleeves, those that hit at the elbow or just below it. There are strap, halter and sleeveless designs too for women who love to make a fashion statement. The necklines have undergone a sea of change too. Where earlier it was only a high-collar, now you do get to see V-necks. You might want to decide what’s the appropriate style for you depending on the region you come from; after all a few states tend to be more conservative than others as far as women’s clothing is concerned. Afriq Expressions has an extensive selection of fashionable Kaftans/Caftans (http://www.afriqexpressions.com/#!store/c139r ). With specialized design services, you can also have one tailor-made just for you.

Traditional Kaftans/Caftans were mostly made of fabrics such as cotton and silk. This was done for the sake of comfort keeping in mind the hot and humid climate of the states in which it was primarily used. However, today, given that they are deemed fit for formal and informal occasions, they are made in a variety of luxuriant fabrics for a look of grandeur and magnificence. Beachwear Kaftans/Caftan are made in meshed fabric. Modern Kaftan/Caftan dresses and designs are also a lot of more colorful than their counterparts. They have gone from muted colors to bright shades and elegant designs. One of the latest design trends with Kaftan/Caftans is the accents. They are embellished artistically with gemstones along the neckline and sleeves. One some, it covers the entire bodice. Embroidery is the other big thing when it comes to making an ethic and conservative garment more attractive.

Thus, the evolution of the Kaftan/Caftan makes one thing very clear that this garment which was once used to hide the female form is now helping her feel more confident about her body.  It is gradually shedding its conservative image resulting in universal acceptance.

To buy Kaftans like the ones in this article, go to: http://www.afriqexpressions.com/#!store/c139r

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ETHNIC AFRICAN CLOTHING GOES MAINSTREAM WITH ANKARA DESIGNS

Bold, vibrant and vivacious… These three words encapsulate the life and spirit of Africa and its people. And, their zest for life shows in everything associated with their culture be it food, art and music. So is the Ankara print! It is less of a fabric and more of a gorgeous artwork. It showcases the African continent to the world. This traditional and ethnic design fabric is making its presence felt on the global fashion scene. It is everywhere and promoting it further are the countless celebrities who have made it their personal fashion choice.

Many of you might ask what Ankara is. Well, it is a type of fabric inspired by African fashion. It is brightly colored. It has large prints mostly tribal-like motifs. Typically, it is a 100% cotton fabric; but a few are a cotton-poly mix. Although it looks heavy, it is cool and durable. The texture has been specifically made keeping in mind the hot and humid climate of the African continent. The patterns are imprinted using the dyeing technique called Batik. The wax resist dyed fabric keep the colors from spreading to the entire cloth creating distinct designs. The fabric is used to make all sorts of clothing including dresses gowns, shirts, shots, tops and gowns. Additionally, it is also used to craft shoes, bags and accessories.


Dutch Wax Print is another name of Ankara designs as it was originally designed by the Dutch to be sold in the Indonesian textile markets. However, the designs found more favor in Western Africa. Capitalizing on the market, the patterns and colors were tweaked to reflect the African culture and lifestyle. Since then the fabric was produced in Africa as the traditional garb. Ankara was used to make garments for everyday wear while Aso Oke was the fabric for special occasions. Ankara designs came to the forefront in the 1980s and since then have only evolved for the better.

At a first glance, the Ankara fabric tends to look overwhelming because of its combination of colors and prints, but when draped and cut, what you get is some of the most fashionable outfits. Ankara shows you how big and colorful patterns can look beautiful. Modern, emerging designers are adding a personal touch to traditional designs to come up with their own versions. Many upcoming designers weave African stories and folk tales in their designs. They also offer specialized designed services for Ankara fashion outfits that are one-of-a-kind.  

If you believe that Ankara designs are too bold and loud for your tastes, here are a few fashion tricks to carry it in style. Probably the best way to balance out the loudness of this ethnic designed fabric is to pair it with professional neutrals. It could be anything – a black pant, skirt or even a blazer. White, grey and navy also look great when teamed with Ankara designs. You can mix and match with denims too. If you want to go bit-by-bit, you can first play with Ankara accessories. You can also get style cues from street fashions.

One of the major problems that have arisen due to the growing popularity of Ankara is that the market is saturated with cheap knock off pieces. Therefore, it is important to look for authentic Ankara designs. A label, a print on both sides and a dye with slight imperfections are some of the markers of authenticity. Afriq Expressions is a global ethnic boutique that does total justice to Ankara designs. You’ll find make 3 of the same design variation.  So, the chances of someone else turning up with the same outfit as you are less. Not only this, when you shop here, you can be sure you’ll get the best value for your money.

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Dress like Lupita Nyong'o

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Straight off the runway, you too can dress like the stars but at a fraction of the cost. Check out our own look from Fashionably Chic Gal :http://www.fashionablychicgal.com/#!product/prd15/3598588351/embroidery-flowers-t-shirts-w-floral-skirt-twinset

OUR OWN LOOK:






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Get BAFTA look for less

Eddie Redmayne and wife Hannah Bagshawe got cozy together on the BAFTA Awards red carpet, and it was just the cutest thing!

Hannah glittered in her gown, which featured shimmering appliques along with a sheer panel at the bodice! Her slightly messy up 'do also worked perfectly!

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FashionTrends from the Golden Globe

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The red carpet might be over, but our love affair with this award season's best trends has only begun. There was a lot of colors that represents "classic Americana" dominating the red carpet: From fifty shades of blue to stars in white and red, primary colors made a splash at the 2015 Golden Globes. 

Winter white was hot on the red carpet, with stars like Kate Hudson, Rosamund Pike and Emily Blunt sporting skin-baring renditions of the look. We also spotted chic all-over metallics on stars like Reese Witherspoon, Diane Kruger, Julianne Moore and Dakota Johnson, who wore floor-sweeping silver gowns.

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Sexy cut-out dresses made a serious comeback , as well as plunging necklines and halter gowns. Celebs also stepped out in standout diamond necklaces, like Naomi Watts, whose serpentine Bulgari necklace, reminding us that diamonds are always a girl's best friend.

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