MAALI

Alfie.....

Monday, 30 May 2011

In between running to class, taking pop quizzes and ...trying to grab some lunch at the cafeteria.. I still had time to (wink wink) take some pictures. Staying for summer school, and since there aren't that many people around we had to change rooms, reorganize our stuff and 'room' with entirely different people.

So inorder to bring some sanity into our lives, we go to some suya (Nigerian kebab-like meat) spot in town- in the evenings and sometimes to the clubhouse to swim and unwind... but In spite of the tremendous heat in Yola and some other inconveniences, we choose to be positive and happy. I am loving my life, loving my school (the vibe)... love my friends (they are the best)... also have to say- my friends are so stylish, each have got their individual style... and finally did I say I love my life... oops ok I think I did already...

So these are random pictures of us taken from our phones... in front of the vintage beetle black car, at the pool... etcetera...

Lucy (or Ukky) and I (on our way for community service)

Oma and I

The black beetle

Kunle and I..(one of the most stylish people I know)

After we just got our hair did...

My friends!!! (roommates since the very beginning)

Love his style too

Kwado and I on our way to church..(~~she copied me~~)

Amina and I(Mini Sax)...After Church

Kwado and I (random hot day)

Vikki...she's so pretty

Kwado..randomness

Kwado's Bday (can you guess which one I am?)

Mini Sax!! (Love this pic)

Mini Sax and I on our way to breakfast

My bed....(looks a bit messy..dyu see my Chuck??)

My lil picture board...(and my scorpion..yes its real)

Oma and Chee (at the pool)

Me at the pool

I am style Maali T-shirt

Oma with Maali Naija Rox tee

random

Different look for me

Saturday, 28 May 2011

The quirky new video from Asa is out 'Why Can't We' from the Album Beautiful Imperfection.
Why can't we all just be happy.... this video is making me happy..

Watch below

Monday, 23 May 2011

So what did I do for my birthday? Right! I was asked if Maali could participate in a charity fashion show and I jumped at the idea. The show was tagged 'The emancipation Fashion Show' for the Charities- Hope for Justice and Employment Promotion Center (EPC)-DRC.

Hope for Justice- long term vision is to bring about the end of slavery...to stamp it out for good, by seeking a lasting solution to the problem of human trafficking. Their aim is to make the UK uninhabitable for traffickers... and rescue victims from the abuse of human trafficking and to assist in the protection and rehabilitation of victims. To know more about Hope for Justice or donate to the cause, go to their website @ http://hopeforjustice.org.uk/about-hope-for-justice/

Employment Promotion Centre (EPC) -DRC-is a small organisation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their aim is to create and provide jobs to the local community and raise the intellectual capability for essential skills to compete in the labour market. At the moment the organisation has only four computers and in need of more for free training to students and teachers. Conflict is one of the causes of poverty in the Congo.

We just opened a new shop so it was a good way to help... and also show some of our new designs and what we had on offer. These designs are reminiscent of the early 60's and late 60's era where the style changed from '60s ladylike dressing (think Mad Men) that trickled down from the late 1950s- to the kaftan's that influenced the free-spirit and the hippy culture/movement of that period.

The Brownish/yellowish dress has the look of proper, prim styling and cinching in the waist- à la 'Betty Draper'

Then the brown dress with a jacket is reminiscent of the modest look of the office secretary, while the brown skirt is modernised by making it short/above the knee - think 'Peggy Olsen'

The blue- Straight cut dress for the sexy office secretary think 'Joan Holloway'- The Office Bombshell

Black/red shorts with tank top (modern)-The bombshell

Finally, The Kaftan is evocative of the late 60's hippy movement were it could range from short to long...

Watch this space... for our next collection- inspired by the Fulani of Nigeria. We are excited about working with a Leeds based photographer for a photo shoot in the coming month...

Sunday, 22 May 2011

I know my obsession with all things pink and fuchsia needs to stop. Seeing I've now reached a 'certain age' but these shoes from Italian shoe designer Giuseppe Zanotti and jewelry company- Chopard I loooooove. For the price of $180,000 I think i'll pass though, but on the positive side the ankle strap detaches and could become a bracelet!

zanotti chopard shoes, giuseppe zanotti, chopard

zanotti chopard shoes, giuseppe zanotti, chopard

Thursday, 19 May 2011

Following the success of 'how Bizaar' at Leeds market, We decided to test our ideas further by opening a shop at Kirkgate Market. We will let you know how the experience goes... as the week progresses. Our Neighbours are lovely. On our right is a pastor who runs a hearing aid shop with his son and to our left is a T-shirt printer who made a promotional Maali T for me for free... Yeaaay. Facing us is a herberdashery shop. Thats all for now folks... but to know more about our daily activities you can follow me on twitter @florasmilelyn
Stay Maali (Blessed)
Pics of some parts of the store

Before

Work in Progress

Still work in progress...

Still trying to decide what goes where...

Will get there eventually...

Hmmmmm

Monday, 16 May 2011

So this is the second part of what I have been up to. Its basically gonna be a series of pictures. First of all, we had a mini photo shoot....was loads of fun. Then went for this 60's party thingie in school. Was not so much fun but I still took pictures(you know me...*wink)