Tribal Chic

A refreshing motif on the catwalks of the last few years, the Tribal trend has done nothing but gain momentum this upcoming season. The trend survives on print – it’s the alchemy, and this year it is more animated and eclectic than ever.

The trend weaved itself into many collections, such as Michael Kors, Sass & Bide, Donna Karan and Thakoon. Missoni’s Ready-to-Wear Collection 2012 is laidback, taking a more sensual approach on the trend by blending a contrast of bold and soft shades of cocoa, yellows, corals and greens with the freeness of fringing and ruffles, paired with gypsy jewels. For the braver hearts, breathe Hawaiian air with Suno Resort 2012, where flamboyant jungle motives were juxtaposed against more versatile dresses with ethnic details. Donna Karan’s feminity was not lost through the tribal motifs of her Spring Collection inspired by her travels of Haiti. Combining brash whites and warm pops of colour with a spectrum of blacks, browns and stone, her collection is fierce yet sophisticated.  Subtle tribal vibes were present at Sass & Bide, where bead encrusted tank tops and chic shorts stood out, and at Duro Olowu (a favourite of Mrs. Obama) through his use of mixed prints.

From left: Missoni, Suno, Donna Karan, Sass & Bide and Duro Olowu

The traditional vibrant graphic prints, fusion of warm hues and textural features has transformed; the greatest change this season being the presence of Ankara (wax prints from West Africa.) Christopher Bailey’s Burberry Prorsum Collection features a range of outerwear, dresses and skirts in a kaleidoscope of colour, some of which has already been sported by the likes of Anna Wintour, Kate Bosworth and Solange Knowles. I love the meticulous attention to detail – even the shoes are entwined with Ankara and beads.  Simonetta Ravizza gave the trend a 60’s edge for her Ready-to-Wear 2012 Collection: Ankara wedges, mini dresses, skirts, trousers and harem pants were all styled with flirty tousled hair. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t forget African designers such as Asibelua and Jewel by Lisa, where graphic Ankara was given a saturated look.

For those looking to style their little girls, ‘Native Belle Boutique’, a fusion childrenswear line is gorgeous for  all those ‘mini-me’s. All of the items are handmade in ethical, breathable fabrics such as linens, cottons and organdy’s. The Aurora Collection blends the Ankara subtly with the colour palette of this upcoming season – oranges, fuchsias, yellows, blues, rich reds and pastille hues.  They even have cute patchwork Ankara Teddy Bears, sure to be a Christmas favourite. www.nativebelleboutique.com

There it is, fashionistas! The tribal trend in all its glory. Be sure to look out for it in stores, on runways and in magazines - you saw it here first (and no doubt, will be seeing more of it)!

Remain en-vogue, 

Miss Croxford

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"How about we DON'T walk around looking like an ad campaign for that brand?" - Mr. Darkwah

"Let's stop trying to be "cool" and dress like men - NOT boys!" - Mr. Darkwah

Men, let's not think that just because we're wearing a wide-scoop t-shirt with chinos and boat shoes of (for the younger ones) high-top white air force ones from Nike, that we're dressed up or doing well for "style". 

Just because it's the one look that's been shoved down our throats, irrespective of the season and weather conditions does not mean it is how we should dress. There are too many things one can do with items they already have in their wardrobe and more so, without buying outrageously priced ripped t-shirts that if you set a rabid dog on, you'd achieve the same look and for free (albeit a bit wet).

Here, let's go through a few things we won't do that will surely help us in the long run to looking like "cool" (if one can use that word without sounding patronising) and well-turned-out men, young and old.

Let's not forget our age:

It's always nice to feel young and "fresh" in what you're wearing and we're all for freedom of expression here at La Clique but we cannot and will not condone the dressing up like teenage delinquents done by men clearly over the age of 21! What's more - we do not encourage such dressing amongst teenagers. Wearing your trousers well below your posterior is not a good look unless you are in a state penitentiary and the guards fear you may hang yourself. Do not do it! Too many times you will see a well-dressed man and as soon as he takes off his jacket or cardigan you discover his trousers (which, by the way are formal and belted) are halfway down his backside and creating an unsightly sag in the legs. I cannot stress how atrocious this manner of dressing is so if you have a merciful bone in your body, spare me and wear your trousers properly!

If you insist on having that "saggin' cos I'm packin'" look, try arc pants or pantalounes (more commonly known as drop-crotches). They keep you looking clean and yet maintain an air of "street mean" .

You bathe - make sure people know it! :

There seems to be an obsession amongst all men who are trying to be "trendy" to see who can look the least bathed and most bacteria-infected. If you are looking in the mirror at a man in a ripped t-shirt teamed with ripped jeans, scuffed shoes or, even worse, torn trainers with a cardigan that looks like it survived Hiroshima and Nagasaki and a beanie hat with scraggly bits of thread on it - stop and think very hard about what you're doing. Why look as though you had to sleep on the underground or metro (whatever you may call it) when you can achieve the same look without that "homeless edge" about it?

Simply team a pair of skinny jeans with a large sweater (cowl or crew neck - your choice) and a beanie hat. Fingerless gloves can be used to add more of the "grungy" feeling to the outfit. Combine these with worker boots or, my personal favourites, Doc Marten's and a large duffle bag (similarly coloured for that urban, city-android feel) and you're all set! No mention of ripping, tearing, going at clothes with a cheese grater - it's all don't and everything is still intact! For such an outfit to work to its best effect, let the base of your outfit (the t-shirt) be a crisp white and the rest of it varying shades of grey with splashes of black.

Ad Campaigns and runways are just that! Leave them be! :

We often forget that seeing an advertisement or a runway show that were we to dress in such a fashion in actuality, more than just a scene would be caused. The runway is a model for us to go on and water down with our own personal style - our flair. Please do not fall into the trap of feeling that lest you have the whole outfit from the runway, you cannot be seen out. If the runway shows and ad campaigns were the be all, end all, surely clothes would be free and we would all wear exactly the same thing in the same way and live as uniformed androids in a city run by high fashion? (A little farfetched, I know but I had to put across my point, didn't I?) Always mix up a look. The last thing you want to do is look like a double of the H&M poster at the bus stop when waiting for your bus to arrive.

I don't expect you to wear the outfits I suggested exactly as I did, I just wanted you all to know that there are many ways of wearing one thing or achieving a look! Try it for yourself, you might be surprised at the results!

Until next time!

Ciao Belissimi!

Mr. Darkwah

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"Gucci knows what they're doing!" - Mr. Darkwah

A lot of my friends in fashion are unimpressed by the lack of what we like to call the "wow" factor in next season's collections. There seem to be a lot of blatant decade references and very little innovation showing through in many collections. I have to say, though, that there is one fashion house that almost had me in tears when I saw their shows - both men and women!


Gucci takes men's dress from the 60's and strips it of its haphazard colouring and garish patterns. Instead, they are replaced with handsome earthy tones and sleek finishing on every garment. "It's as if the clothes were poured onto the models!" I find myself musing as I watch the runway and see the turtle-neck sweaters and flared trousers float down the runway.


The mens' collection merges metrosexuality with strong and simple masculine lines. I was pleased to see large bags and "the man purse" as I like to call it on the runway as I feel that accessories such as these help a man maintain the clean lines of his outfit and make him (in my opinion) look more pristine. regardless of what 'type' of man you are, you cannot refute the fact that at one time or another, you thought of getting yourself a bag (and no, not a rucksack) to hold your things so you're not scattered throughout four or more pockets! The mixture of feminine and masculine energies in the mens collection definitely makes it an accessible one and though there are some pieces that only the Fashion Brave could pull off, this collection is one that any man could wear and more so, feel like a supermodel when wearing the clothes!

Sleek lines that remind us of the 60s and a man-purse to kill!

Beautiful fusion of masculine and feminine energies

The mixture of energies continues into the womens' collection. Following on from a very strong spring/summer collection, the womens' collection has definitely found its footing and has taken to casting beautiful and strong silhouettes on the women who wear them. I understand that this may be a contentious issue for many but I am truly happy to see fur on the runway!


The jackets - cinched at the waist and accentuating shoulders in a less dramatic and more femme fatale of the 1930's manner. The hats in the collection, teamed with sports-car-red lips only make the seductresses skulking sexily down the runway so much more appealing! There is not a thing I could say against these collections as they flow perfectly from the S/S collections and stamp the Gucci image clearly in the minds of all!

A true femme fatale! - Gucci successfully marries strength and femininity

Iconic, is the word. I can just imagine the studio in which the initial illustrations of the collections were planned out. The strong lines, assertive poses and the radiance of a grandeur that could only be emanated by a fashion house that knows what they are doing and where they are going.


Thank you Gucci for making my season already!


Be sure to take a look at the runway on youtube or shop the looks on www.gucci.com, and remember, The Clique is only a click away!


Ciao Belissimi!

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