The Flare Of Purple

Hello there!   

Meet Tunga.  On this first illustration, Tunga is illustrating for us the top half (bustier) of the Purple flare trousers. This bustier is hand woven with lime green cotton cords.  Tunga had a great pleasure to illustrate for us on the top three illustrations.  

This garment is one of a 8 piece Colour Explosion 2010 collection, inspired by Japanese rope bondage.  

2010 Purple Flashback

Illustration media: Drawing & pantone pens.

Back woven bodice

As a stylist,  I sometimes enjoy reflecting on previous collection pieces.  I chose to take a closer look into this piece.  I must admit, this is one of my favorite piece,  not only because Tunga has carried it so beautifully in  these three illustrations, but because of its style and vibrancy.   A timeless piece that remains fashionable and stylish, depending on how you style it.

I had a specific shade of purple in mind.  To get the exact colour, I decided to get a natural silk/cotton fabric and dye it to my  taste.  love it! 

 View the rest of  Colour Explosion collection at www.annaluks.com

Shows

 Graduate Show May 2010

Who would have thought........the scrunched up jacket accessorized the trousers well!!!

Fashion4Africa December 2010

Look Book shoot 

Photo: Rob Shepherd

Press

Black Hair Magazine July 2011 Edition

Like us also on Facebook annaluks

Flashback Story Boards

Colour, Print, Texture & Shape

(Researched Projects)

I would like to share with you what inspired me on these selected collections. 

Swahili Flavour/ Street Luks Collections (Native/Nature)

Sisal yarn, silk yarns, Khanga, Silk Jersey, linens and cottons

 Eye Collection

Design inspired by (Japanese Rope Bondage/ Print by birds eye)

Cottons, silk jersey, ropes, cords, digital printed and accessories

Motif-birds eye section

The 'Lil' White Dress 

Architecture inspired  from Guggenheim museum, Metropolitan University UK

Fabrics: Cotton drill cosset dress, little bag

Happy New Year to all!

2014 NEW YEAR GREETINGS

 WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS 2014

 FROM ANNA-QUA-ANA!

I would like to also say thank you to all my faithful followers and those of you who stop by,  you all mean a lot to me.  Thank you!

Funky Shoes!

For the love of vintage!!   
Here's a little something for some of you out there.  
Be inspired!!!
"I should add that you can happily mix modern day high street with authentic vintage attire, in order to achieve a look that is head-and-shoulders above the rest". 

 

Source:

http://catwalkthreads.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/from-hem-to-heels-fashion-1968/

Swahili Chic SS14 in Utilitarian Style!

A touch of the 60's

                                                           

I always loved the idea of having zips,  I have done so in most of my garments.  It is indeed one of the strong elements in my label.

I was contemplating this look for a while, but did not know how to put pen to paper to describe it!  The look totally depends on how you accessorize it.  Depending on how one styles it, you can give it a business or playful look!  

Street Luks SS12

 Most of my clothing has one thing in common, the continuous use of "zips".   The zip-it coat dresses have been the signature of most of the Anna Luks labels, all the way into my current collection of SS14 called Swahili Chic! 

Born and bred in the Swahili Land (Dar-es-Salaam) in East Africa, the Swahili Chic is a fusion of the native fabric with the Anna Luks touch.  In this collection, I continued to make use of my native fabric Khanga to bring out a simple but chic urban look.  

I have spoken about the Swahili culture several times in my earlier posts. This fabric has a rich history which I did point out a few here. 

 http://annaluks.blogspot.co.uk/search?=khanga+the+wonder+fabric
http://annaluks.blogspot.co.uk/search?=introducing+the+baby+sling

The Masculine Style

The utilitarian feel of this collection has been adopted and made feminine.  The simple silhouette is halved by chunky zips, which makes it look masculine yet feminine and attractive.   The cut has a sophisticated looseness totally inspired by the 1960's elegance with its focus on its high alluring neckline that gives it a raw urban look.  The look is adaptable, can be worn as a dress or layered with shorts, trousers, be it baggy or skinny, long or short skirts depending on the style you want for the day. 

Binzari AW13

The look is completely versatile can be dressed up or down and still keep the chic anytime, reminiscent of Twiggy!  http://blog.egocloset.com/2012/03/26/style-muse-retro-twiggy/

Fabrics used in this collection, naturally, are cotton, printed and plain, light and heavy, silk linen, jersey, and spandex.

 Behind the Scenes Sneak Peek
Swahili Chic SS 2014

Model:  Angelica Valenzuela de Brown

Hair & Makeup:  Violet Zeng

Photographed: John Hylton

I Have My Eyes On You!!

ThreeasFour S/S 2014

Ready or not, London Fashion Week has kicked off!!  
The season calling all fashionistas, buyers, photographers, fashion editors, creatives of all sorts, and spectators.  The curiosity of who has done what and how!  

However, my long-awaited show and designers so far, were at the New York Fashion Week this September. Sitting quietly and attentively on my computer observing, as usual.  As an artist and a designer, I do not just stop on a clean cut clothing.   I naturally find myself drawn into artistic creations. Obviously, I love art incorporated in clothing.  

I have been waiting patiently this season to see my favorite designers ThreeasFour wondering what they would come up with. Although it does not really matter what they come up with, it always wows me anyway!  Their designs and detailing is superb, not to mention the style and best of all, it is wearable!!  

I have picked a few of my favorite pieces, I hope you will agree with me too.

Enjoy!! 

Source:

Style.com

International Fashion Showcase 2013

British Fashion Council 

This year, my country Tanzania was invited by the British Fashion Council to take part in its 2nd year running event i.e. International Fashion Showcase.  

London Fashion Week in February 2013

The British Council and the British Fashion Council jointly put this occasion together, that went alongside the London Fashion Week in February 2013.

Tanzania was proud to present four designers.  Jacquline Kibacha (Heart 365), Christine Mhando (Chichia), myself (Anna Luks) and Mtani Nyamakababi (Kali Elegance).  Unfortunately, Kali Elegance who is specialised in bespoke menswear was not able to participate in the exhibition due to some unforeseen reasons.

Eclectic Fusion!

I came across this wonderful video clip of fabrics.  It captured my passion for prints. The clashing prints, colours, and style. If that wasn't enough, adorned by a beautiful tune to go with it.

  I just had to share it! Watching this clip, was like opening a box full of unexpected goodies. Just nice.

I hope you will enjoy it, as much as I have.

Swag Your Head!

It seems like I have been away forever!  
It surely feels good to come back to my little diary.  

The last couple of months have been hectic, with new projects, deadlines, a new season collection, and all that jazz. Still gathering the bits and pieces together and will share it all soon. In the meantime, it's hat alert!

I love hats! Or any kind of funky headwear actually. It's one of my favourite accessories. If I wear something on my head, it has to be with a touch of swag, otherwise, there is no point. 

Let's call that touch of swag, 'hat swag'. Hat swag has been around for centuries.  It can be traced back as far as the 17th century, so nothing new there.  Ultimately, it comes down to where you are as to how you pull a funky head!  Africa and parts of Asia have headwraps/turbans, beaded, or metal pieces (coin-like or triangular shapes)headwear. Chic!

There are many different reasons why people wear hats. Nevertheless, in my opinion, wearing a hat today completes an intended look and definitely sets you apart in a crowd!  I believe any style-driven person has at least some kind of a head wear-no doubt about that. It comes naturally to anyone who has the swag!!

http://www.trendhunter.com/slideshow/haute-couture-hats

People wear hats for many reasons. It could be part of the uniform, status symbol, religion, sports, and protective headgear, or even due to culture. 

It is most definitely a fashion statement. Hats can also be a blessing.  There are days when all of us need a head covering of some sort. I call them 'oops days'. They are more commonly known as bad hair days, rush hour days, basically the days when nothing seems to go the way you want. These are the days that one will definitely need to look for 'that hat'. Saved!  

Hats are there to give you that confidence when things are not that great.

 

I have put together hats that are wearable and some just statement or fun wear. I enjoy a bit of humor when it comes to dressing. 

There is nothing wrong with wearing something that catches one's sense of humour, something with a bit of flamboyance. At the end of the day, your look should really be about just you and you are being free, enjoying what you have put together for the day or occasion. Here's one of my great style inspirations, the late Anna Piaggi and Lily Dache, (the famous milliner of all times) followed by my hat illustration.

http://contactsheets.net/2012/08/07/anna-piaggi-1931-2012/#

http://news.uk.msn.com/blog/trending-blogpost.

http://www.eurowoman.dk/har-du-hort/har-du-hort/verden-har-mistet-anna-piaggi/

Lilly Dache

Lilly Dache, Love that Hat

My love for hats is growing stronger lately, so watch this space! My Illustrations below have been inspired by this image. This looks like a straw hat to me from a Harper's Bazaar dated December 1933.  A good example, it shows that style does not wear off, still very wearable now and ready to go, bring on the sun. Love it!

 

Anna Luks Illustration

The China Hat

A collage of a China hat worn by a chic lady in Anna Luks print summer dress.

Lamp Shade Hat

 "Hats have become a symbol of elegance, a true passion for fashion and vintage femininity that the modern fashionista enjoys"