When CNN approached LADYBRILLE Magazine late March, 2010 for specific recommendations of African designers to feature as part of their CNN Inside Africa program, we were excited to tell and provide them information about a few strong brands including Mataano who we have featured in the past here. They immediately loved the Mataano girls and have just featured the girls this past weekend on CNN Inside Africa. We love the feature and think you will too! Enjoy the video clip below.

~Courtesy Photos Korto Momolu

Olowu served up mature masculine-feminine pieces. For Fall 2010, the Olowu woman is quirky, strong, confident, gorgeous, delicate, vulnerable, playful and colorful! Olowu made clear in a subtle yet definitive way that the Olowu woman can fuse numerous cultures and identity in a cosmopolitan and seamless manner.

Design aesthetics: Clever use of geometric patterns and color blocks in sweaters, pants, dresses and coats

Color: classic neutral tones of nude, gray and black accentuated with red, yellow, orange and purple.

Design Details: Sexy necklines, ruffled sleeves, color blocking on pockets and waist line of dresses

Accessories: colorful scarves, men’s oxford shoes, two toned ankle stripped leg warmers paired with heels (hot!)

The collection was simply effortless. Enjoy pictures courtesy Gisela Torres/Duro Oluwo, Style.com.

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The collection which she unveiled on February 15th, 2010 at the Union Square Ballroom showed yet another versatile side of Korto as a designer.

Hair & Makeup: Korto chose to have her models maintain natural clean looks. The drama was in the form of fake long lashes. Models also had their hair swept in a braided African inspired bun reminiscent of what we’ve seen on Arise Africa Fashion Weeks and prior Arise African Collective runway shows.

Fabrics: Korto used rich fabrics that  included knits, metallics, satins and jerseys; all of which made for a very wearable and beautiful collection.

Colors:Fuchsia, orange, gray and black. Gray and black dominated consistent with a Fall collection.

Accessories: Korto simply knows how to make exquisite head turning African inspired accessories. Her Fall 2010 collection was no exception. While dresses and makeup remained understated, Korto’s accessories deviated from the norm. It was an all out fest with chunky and at times larger than life necklaces. There were feathery hats, cute belts that created beautiful cinched waists on models, scarves, military inspired hats, bags and cowl knit sweaters that draped across shoulders -guaranteed to keep you warm.

Styles: High waist wide legged pants, knee and floor length dresses. The true signature in this collection was really Korto’s well draped stylish floor length skirts and dresses. Another cute trend was her military styled coat dress. We heart!

Design details: Beautiful well draped, embroidered and sequined dresses. Strong structure and good fit that flatter all women, another Korto signature.

~Photocredit: Wire image

3. Ladybrilleman, follow Beyonce & Alicia Key’s footsteps and purchase her some hot Boxing Kitten shorts. You’ll love how she looks in them! For more African inspired designers, head to Africhic.com or myasho.com . Confused on what to get her? Try a gift certifcate  from either site or both.

4. Ladybrillewoman, book a table for two at Bolat restaurant, contemporary African cuisine in Chicago,  for Valentine’s. Be sure to ask for their palmwine served in traditional calabash. Bolat is located at 3346 N Clark St (at Buckingham Pl) Chicago, IL 60657. (773) 665-1100

5. Ladybrilleman show her your fashionable side with tickets for two to enjoy Africa Fashion Weekend Dublin 2010!

6. Ladybrilleman, is she into nature? Does she love charity work and giving, especially to Africa? If yes, purchase Shea Radiance Shea Butter Body cream for her. It will leave her skin feeling as smooth as silk. Add another purchase of two tickets to Face Africa’s 1st Annual Gala in Boston to seal the deal!

7.Ladybrilleman, is she into jewelry? Make her Valentine’s day with Korto Momolu jewelry directly from Korto’s site or Korto at Dillards. Take your pick.

8. Last but not least, Ladybrillewoman, Ladybrilleman,  E-mail her/him a beautiful Valentine’s note with an invitation to subscribe to Ladybrillemag.com because she/he is just too brilliant and deserves nothing but the best when it comes to African inspired fashion and entertainment!

Happy Valentine’s Day in Advance!

The Fashionable Housewife dishes on the Miche Handbag that is growing in popularity. It’s the interchangeable purse with changeable shells to suit your every mood!
A Few Goody Gumdrops is giving away a fabulous must-have beige patterned skin clutch from Aspinal of London. Enter to Win!
Bags, Bling & Beauty features not one, not two, but THREE Tory Burch Bags.
Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy cannot get enough of cross-body bags for Spring!
Fashion Cents encourages you to throw some social consciousness in your bag — eco friendly AND fashionable handbag options from Matt &Nat.
Fashion Hippo loves Marc by Marc Jacobs New Q Groovee Bag Win It Now!   
Handbag du Jour is impressed with Herve Leger’s new handbag line, particularly the Crystal Clutch.
What’s Haute Magazine found a gem in Donna Karan’s element silver-tone clutch.
Quinta Trends introduces Tot-a-Lot, fashion for baby twins.
Shopping and Info loves this Marc Jacobs cross body bag.
Style Eyes tells why she loves the no nonense style of an old school satchel
SomeoneSpoilMe.com dishes out their favorites bags for 2010 for every budget!
StyleMaven says Oh-la-la, I’m in L-O-V-E to Lanvin’s lovely Amalia Shoulder bags!
TheFind Blog is giving away a gorgeous classic leather “Paris” satchel handbag from Aspinal of London, CLICK HERE to enter the giveaway now!
Fashion Fille is seriously digging this awesome handcuff clutch!
The Bare Skinny gives Marc Jacobs “Stam” handbag options for every budget.

Stay connected on Ladybrillemag.com for more details on Korto. For our USA readers, don’t miss Korto coming to a city near you! Korto will be on the road for her Dillard-Korto promotion from February to March 2010. Korto’s tour kicks off from Little Rock, Arkansas and will include major cities in Dallas, Houston, Memphis, Atlanta, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Charlotte, Las Vegas and Phoenix.

Bravo for Korto!

We particularly like her ankara inspired fabric clutch purse with color palettes of blue, green, wine and yellow.

Design details: The clucth measures “13″ L by 7″ H by 2″ W”
Materials: “African fabric, bag carton and black fabric for linning ”
Flexibility: You can make it work from casual to dress up, so have fun and play it up.

Visit AyA Morrison on Etsy and happy shopping!