SLIDESHOW: Style Counselor and Seattle designer Emeka Alam’s spring ‘11 line. The lifeblood of Gold Coast Trading Co. is the T-shirt. This season’s references the Soweto Youth Riots of 1976.
SLIDESHOW: Style Counselor and Seattle designer Emeka Alam’s spring ‘11 line. The lifeblood of Gold Coast Trading Co. is the T-shirt. This season’s references the Soweto Youth Riots of 1976.
Strong colors and gold graphics are how Alams has made his name, but …
Strong colors and gold graphics are how Alams has made his name, but …
he’s lately been extending the brand with items like this cardigan.
he’s lately been extending the brand with items like this cardigan.
There’s one for the ladies, too.
There’s one for the ladies, too.
The spring ’11 collection also features very current bow ties made with very current African textiles.
Of the current trend of using textiles and fabric that are from various African nations, Alams says, ‘On one hand I’m happy that people are seeing the beauty of Africa but at the same time its important that the source is authentic and doesn’t make Africa just another fad. Some designers could care less about the image they portray when it comes to Africa and their goal is to get it while it’s hot and that I can’t support. There are amazing designers from Africa like Yodit Eklund of Bantu Wax (who sells at Barneys) and Tunde Ogunnoiki from FRESHiAM who are doing more then just played out African prints and who more importantly understand the culture, issues, and people of Africa.’
The spring ’11 collection also features very current bow ties made with very current African textiles.
Of the current trend of using textiles and fabric that are from various African nations, Alams says, ‘On one hand I’m happy that people are seeing the beauty of Africa but at the same time its important that the source is authentic and doesn’t make Africa just another fad. Some designers could care less about the image they portray when it comes to Africa and their goal is to get it while it’s hot and that I can’t support. There are amazing designers from Africa like Yodit Eklund of Bantu Wax (who sells at Barneys) and Tunde Ogunnoiki from FRESHiAM who are doing more then just played out African prints and who more importantly understand the culture, issues, and people of Africa.’
Another look at the bow ties.
Another look at the bow ties.
These shoes, also from the current collection, are a joint effort. ‘Its a on-going collab I have with my good friend "Angelic of 23tribes,’":http://23tribes.wordpress.com/ says Alams. ’She’s amazingly talented and is a master craftswoman. So we had a lot of mutual respect and love for each others work so we decided to team up and combine the customs of old with the creatives of new. The moccasin is inspired by the traditional footwear of Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas. The lining is traditional African fabric; keep looking out, we have much more to come including driving shoes and "Clark’s style boots.’":http://www.clarksusa.com/
These shoes, also from the current collection, are a joint effort. ‘Its a on-going collab I have with my good friend "Angelic of 23tribes,’":http://23tribes.wordpress.com/ says Alams. ’She’s amazingly talented and is a master craftswoman. So we had a lot of mutual respect and love for each others work so we decided to team up and combine the customs of old with the creatives of new. The moccasin is inspired by the traditional footwear of Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas. The lining is traditional African fabric; keep looking out, we have much more to come including driving shoes and "Clark’s style boots.’":http://www.clarksusa.com/
You might not have guessed that there’s a connection between experimental pop icon M.I.A and this sometimes sleepy city of ours, but there is, and his name is Emeka Alams.Our Style Counsel subject first worked with the singer/rapper/electro-everything artist in the capacity of…
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