#FashionFriday 4 ways to Style it like a Soul Chic

Okay let’s be honest, it’s not easy being a soul chic here because we do more classic styles and everyone is afraid of breaking out of the norm.

But, if you find yourself drawn to a certain style, here’s a guide on how.

Earthy Colours
Soul sisters know that browns, leaf green, leaf yellow and other shades of earthy colours transform you immediately.
If you want to try the soul chic look, start with some earthy colours.

Skirts must flare
What is it with soul and skirts? Skirts are great for loads of looks including gypsy, corporate and even edgy but on a soul sister, a flared skirt makes you look instantly stylish.

Accessorise
When it comes to accessorising like a soul chic, more is more.
One bangle is never enough. Pile it on. One neck piece? Who are you? A minimalist?
Soul is about the layers, especially when it comes to accessories so go crazy.

Don’t neglect your hair
From headwraps to bows and buns, the soul chic’s style mantra is “I must, I must, I must not forget my hair”.

I hope these four tips help you.

Where all else fails, ask yourself, would Aramide, asa or India Arie wear this? Lol

#LamideLive... at #asaLiveInLagos encore

Hi guys, Lamide Akintobi here! How is May going for you so far? It's been a busy couple of weeks, and whenever life gets hectic, I can't help but reminisce about the most recent things I've done that made me happy. For me that was the May-Day holiday - A holiday weekend is always chock-full of activity, and this one was no different. May Day weekend was LIT!

On April 29^th, the incomparable Asa came back to Lagos for her “Asa Encore: Live in Lagos” concert. I’d never been to an Asa concert, although I’ve seen her perform at other events. But I knew, from reviews of last year’s concert, that it was an experience I couldn’t miss again. So off I went, ticket in hand, to experience the magic myself. Unfortunately, due to ticket hustling outside, I missed a couple of the opening performances, but I caught Aramide, Lindsey Abudei, Funbi and Omolara. Aramide put up a great show as usual. I’m definitely a fan. I have to say I was hugely impressed by Lindsey Abudei, because despite a restless crowd and sound glitches, she managed to keep her cool and wow us all. I don’t envy any performer in front of thousands of people when there’s a problem going on she can’t fix, and literally has nowhere to run. Next, Mr. Funbi and his sweet voice came on, after which Omolara, who I knew of only as a songwriter, came and slayed! Beautiful songs, beautiful performance. I’d pay to hear this group of performers in a small venue, any time.

Eventually, (because it seems inevitably, Nigerian events just don’t start on time), Asa came up on the stage and the magic began. 

Pure magic!

Weaving her stories through all her songs with help from her amazing 30 piece orchestra and backup singer/manager/sister/friend Janet, Asa was on fire! She shared funny stories (she said she may turn to stand-up comedy if this whole singing thing doesn’t work out) to a poignant story of how she got signed in France, even showing us her flirty side during one of the songs, when she sat on the lap of one of the orchestra members to ask him if he had a girlfriend. From ‘Awe’ to ‘Moving on’ to classics like ‘Eiye Adaba’ and ‘Be my man,’ the crowd laughed, sang along, and I know I got my entire life. 

Asa and her amazing 30-piece Orchestra

When she sang my personal favorite diss track ‘Bimpe’ – you could hear the sheer joy as people joined in. And yes, I said diss track. Ask a Yoruba person to translate that song for you and you’ll know what I’m saying is true J With a set like that, accompanied by that orchestra, eve the set design and lights contributed to the magic - staying on your tush all night wasn’t an option, VVVIP or not! 

2 outfit changes and many songs later, the event was over and we all went home, basking in the afterglow of Asa’s magic. 

Don't I look dazed by the magic? Lol!

Lamide, signing out!

EVENT: asa Live in Lagos

Okay people, it's going down in just right days!

Just a few months after her concert in Lagos, asa is back! This time she will be performing at the Eko Convention Centre  on Saturday the 29th of April featuring the Vesta Violins 30 piece ensemble.


See flier for details

#EventWednesday Palmwine and other local events...

My weekend was, as the cool kids say, 'lit'.

There was Falana, Bono, a wedding and palmwine. But not necessarily in that order.

On sunday I went for the 'Palmwine and Other Local Drinks' exhibition.

You know how you are curious and then decide to do a documentary and exhibition based on that curiousity? O wait. That's almost none of us! Apart from Mode of 'Studio of Mode' though.

She got curious about local drinks in Nigeria and off she went to do a documentary on it, speaking with the people who make (and enjoy) it, and then an exhibition to further s.h.a.r.e that experience.

It was a two day exhibition and was quite illuminating for me. Yes I knew about Kunu, Palmwine and Ogogoro, but I had never given more thought to perhaps how they are tapped / made and the types.

The exhibition took us on that journey, from kunu ( which can be made from various ingredients including tiger nuts, maize and millet ), to palmwine (complete with things used to tap the wine, how palm kernel is used for several other things and the two ways of tapping), to raffia wine, ogogoro and burukutu.

We were able to taste most of these things including the destructive and non destructive palmwine (former destroys the tree in process but is safer while latter is better for the tree but more dangerous), the tiger nuts and kunu, the burukutu and ogogoro. I saw a few people leaving the exhibition a lot 'happier' than when they came in.

It was also nice to not just hear about these things but also see some of the materials used in the process, like a bicycle like I mentioned before, cutlass, ropes and a canoe. There were also some videos of interviews with the tappers and sellers.

It was interesting to enjoy a drink but also enjoy learning about how it got there and why.

For more information, check out www.studioofmode.com

The other things that happened to me last weekend were no less interesting. Infact, weekends are like airports. Empty and boring some times, and then other times, so full and busy you can barely catch a breath!

I saw the artiste, Falana, live at #FalanaUnconvered pop up concert held at Alara, had dinner at Nok, met Bono (bonoooooooooooooooo) at ONE Nigeria's campaign cocktail, and celebrated with Kunbi of April by Kunbi at her glamorous wedding!

Phew!

See more pictures from my long weekend below!

#FashionFriday Style it like a Soul Chic

Okay let’s be honest, it’s not easy being a soul chick here because we do more classic styles and everyone is afraid of breaking out of the norm.

But, if you find yourself drawn to a certain style, here’s a guide on how.

Earthy Colours
Soul sisters know that browns, leaf green, leaf yellow and other shades of earthy colours transform you immediately.
If you want to try the soul chic look, start with some earthy colours.

Skirts must flare
What is it with soul and skirts? Skirts are great for loads of looks including gypsy, corporate and even edgy but on a soul sister, a flared skirt makes you look instantly stylish.

Accessorise
When it comes to accessorising like a soul chic, more is more.
One bangle is never enough. Pile it on. One neck piece? Who are you? A minimalist?
Soul is about the layers, especially when it comes to accessories so go crazy.

Don’t neglect your hair
From headwraps to bows and buns, the soul chic’s style mantra is “I must, I must, I must not forget my hair”.

I hope these four tips help you.

Where all else fails, ask yourself, would Aramide, asa or India Arie wear this? Lol