Sooo how was your weekend? Mine was really fantastic ‘cause I did nothing all through! Just relaxed and took things easy…
Friday was a different story though but I have to report that I successfully made the Jollof Rice. Yay! Thanks to the 2 sweeties from Peezy in ATL for the fab recipe!
On to this week, I heard about UrbanKnit a while ago and have been meaning to do a feature on them.UrbanKnit is the duo of Dolapo James and Dayo Omikunle. These two architects have been designing their uber fabulous accessories using African fabrics such as Aso Oke and Ankara combined with more western fabrics like suede and demin for a couple of years. They also make some gorgeous knitted scarves and other knitted goods. I am so impressed by these two ladies because you can see the craftsmanship (I cant believe they are self-taught!) and effort that they put into their work. Their prices are also very reasonable!
Despite the fact that they both have their full-time architect jobs, no two pieces by UrbanKnit are the same. So when you buy one of their clutches or totes, you know that it’s a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
Anyways, check out some of their accessories below.
To buy (In UK Pounds) - HERE
To buy (In US Dollars) - HERE
Thanks to Naijadoll for cluing me into UrbanKnit
So Idols West Africa is still trudging along, I have to say that I really enjoyed this week’s episodes because the contestants performed some modern hits!
I’m sad that my boy Uche was sent home L.
Though y’all need to check out Jerrilyn’s performance…She is not taking matters easy. I am so sure the majority of her fans are guys…U go girl! LOL…Luv it!
Omawumi - ‘Cry’ by Faith Hill
Jodie - Natasha Beddingfield ‘These Words’
Eric - ‘Walking Away’ by Craig David
Mercy - ‘If I Ain’t Got You’ by Alicia Keys
Jerrilyn - ‘Work it Out’ by Beyonce Knowles
Temitayo - Christina Aguilera’s ‘I Turn To You’
Timi - ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’ by Elton John/George Michael/Clay Aiken
Uche - Rob Thomas’ recent hit ‘Lonely No More’That’s it! Let us know what you think of UrbanKnit and this week’s Idols West Africa.Meanwhile, I felt so lifted yesterday when I saw this on Funmi Iyanda’s blog! Needless to say, I love, respect and admire Funmi!
Oh, Its Mona's B-day today! Happy Birthday darlin'! (Thanks Dimples) + It was my brother's birthday yesterday tooo....Happy B-Day, u r a star!
Yes O! I am first today.....Yipppie!!!!No Cheating today
ReplyDeletedamn you tutsy!
ReplyDeletethose fashion handbags are so haute!! I love it! Nice post as always bella:)
ReplyDelete@ Sisacrossfromanonabove.... LOL.......ROTFLMAO.....HAHAHA......kai! na so the thing pain you....lol..oh! common don't be a sour loser...how about some icecream or will some Boli and Kuli-Kuli do the trick????.....lets see what was the name of that icecream you offered me o......eeehnn....some "fan-ice" might go a long way bringing your blood pressure down.....(insert evil smile).....lol
ReplyDeleteooooh...tres' cute. Go Dolapo..(ooh, at least, c as i am now claiming you)..lol
ReplyDeleteNice one Bella!
Hello Bella...I ABSOLUTELY love your blog...I come on it EVERYDAY...pls keep updating and keeping us informed about HOT things going on in naija...I love watching updates on the west African Idols from your blog...I like Omawunmi...I think she has a nice voice and has star qualities...we'll c how it goes...keep up the goo djob bella....
ReplyDeleteOkay....enough jubilation for today now to the nitty-gritty....I'm so loving the work of those two....very impressive....and the clutches are to die for...especially the Black and red one...very creative....first i would have to order some P&R outfit (now that they have a website)...before i decide which of thier bags i would settle for.
ReplyDeleteNice post as usual Bella...and i read that Funmi Iyanda joint....that was so nice of her...guess you have the happening spot in Bloggerville...keep up the good work darling...i see bigger and better things coming.
Haba u this bella I have been going back and forth all day waiting 4 u to update….thanx sha..
ReplyDeleteYeah following Idols through and through…Jerrilyn's outfits sef...are just becoming crazier and crazier...can u blame the sister...chic wants to win.
Like those Urbankit bags o..might just be looking into them.
By the way MONA is a year older 2day..so blogville join me in singing ..."Happy Birthday 2 u....happy birthday 2 u..Happy birthday dear Mona..happy birthday to u."...mwah!!! xxx
I am so about to order the scarves from Urbanknit...very mystyle...love it.
ReplyDeleteGood job ladies!
tutsy what is laffin u sef? Don't make me come for your ass oh, boli and kuli kuli ehn... don't worry i gashu, this wan na war
ReplyDeletethanks bella for posting the link with the cute clutches. at those prices I could not help myself, a designer had something similar last year in neimans priced at $300+. thanks again, and ladies your clutches are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteclutches are cute..scarves ? ho hum..I am off to get the clutches!!
ReplyDeleteI have an Urbanknit clutch!!! (the green adire one) it is so beautiful. You ladies will not be sorry you ordered from urbanknit, they put a personalized postcard and some candy in the clutch!!
ReplyDeleteThanks I feel loved in Blogville, loving the stuff you have on today, I actually know the lady, Dayo right? She was in Notts but she doesn't remember me....she's soo good wow.
ReplyDeleteCheck out me blog...thanks again havin a fab day so far
love the purses, v afrocentric & v. good prices, better than those totally overpriced things you get at that totally overpriced store in falomo shopping center, ikoyi lagos, y'all know the one i'm talking about.....???!!!
ReplyDeletems bush
@ Tutsy's comment...i concur..lolll
ReplyDeleteW.A Idols...cant belive Uche is out..as for jerryln, she should wear that costume n FADE pls
lol@ Low. Her bum was massive thoughhhh. Love tese clutches and YAY for Bella.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to my H? these*
ReplyDeletethose clutches are hot...im going to buy my own now now lol
ReplyDeleteYou come with it all the time. Funmi was rite, you are doin an awesome job.
ReplyDeleteoh please those clutches look like those razz pencil cases that some people used to have in secondary school.
ReplyDeletewhat is so HAUTE about it?
u people just throw the word HAUTE about like its the proper thing to do or like its guguru and epa.
abegi,the stuffs just okay.not out of this world..
WHY THE HELL ARE PEOPLE SCARED TO SPEAK THEIR MINDS,INSTEAD THEY SUGAR COAT RUBBISH UNDER THE GUISE OF COWARDICE.
OYA BELLA,GO AHEAD,EDIT MY COMMENT.
LOL.
as for jerrylin,hmm hmm hmm,that arse na real odikwa very very risky.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe bags are cute!
ReplyDeleteI love them they are cute and a great accessory for denim or a cute summer dress. Good for the ladies and their work looks well done. I really wish them all the best. Someones idea of a "pencil case" (anon above) could be someone elses fave accessory. It just how u rock it ;)
ReplyDeleteThe urbanknit thingy looks so cool, i see they have joined the group of people who have been planning deviously to collect my paycheck-after aldo's and my lil brothr...
ReplyDeletehmmm!
:) thanks for putting it up
Nice, nice, nice. I appreciate the talent and creativity those girls have. However I don't share the careless description of the purses as... "haute.
ReplyDelete@ Anon 11:43: your comment really had me laughing cos I had one of those funky stationary holders back in high sch. That said, I don't think that's a fair description of the purses because they definitely didn't remind me of my shagidy stationary holder.You did.
Bottom line is they are not haute and not low class. They are right on the tracks to better innovations.
If I get to replay any idol clip before watching others then it's good. Jodie is it.
Jerrilyn sef, we know how she got the votes this time around, all that bakassi in shine shine? its not fair.
ReplyDeleteEric is cute, so i'm biased and i'll say i like him the best, or is it because i used to mentally molest craig david in 2001? dunno
the purses are cute, I would rock one or two of them. anon, what is ur own sef, not everyone think's your closet is cute either so abeg no need to pour sand in someone's else's garri.
I loveeeeeeeeee those pursess...so cuteee...
ReplyDeleteI get home from a serious day at work and where do I go, bella naija's blog. I confess I am starting to get addicted :)
ReplyDeleteNot impressed with the work, at all. Nothing innovative or creative. I do see a potential for the clucth called, "the Ankara Clutch" on their USA website. Contrast their designs with the work of www.shikabags.com using similar fabrics and I would rock the Shika pieces anytime, anyday, and it is also lifestyle oriented, from work to gym to special events. I don't know Shika. To the girls, great job,however, for just having an entrepreneurial spirit and I think while it might be trendy for a minute, in the USA, since that's where I am at, they could still find a loyal following with the Arbercombie Fitch type customers or the Berkeley gal. They love stuff like this.
Ladybrille, it may not be anything new but its relevant and wearable. As a buyer i would buy these bags over those VERY BADLY done shika bags you are promoting. the idea is great and its not INNOVATIVe and the workmanship is shoddy with all those untidy zigzag stitches out of place.. The website with the crazy colos is an eyesore. Kudos to urbanknit girls. good job and keep up with the trends and stay consistent and keep doing "you". at least they dont have some Versace-like logo on their bags.
ReplyDeleteI could see it more at an urban outfiiters/anthroplogy. I used to work with them SO I KNOW. I am all for originality and authenticity and these ladies are that.. FOR ME.Fendi has done this ankara so many people do it over and over and over. Its all over Amsterdam and places like that. This is Urbanknit and their point of view. Nothing is REALLY NEW. Its just how you put your own personal stamp to your work. I would buy Deola Sagoe any day over that Ella Brown joke-ture. I saw her collection in Miami and wasn't that impressed AT ALL. Anyway miss Bella, keep up the good work ,we are rooting for you and we cant wait for the magazine. You are going places sweety-pie
Vintageniesta, I guess different points of view. Ella Brown ,definitely love and would not call a "Joke-ture." Shika being "eye sore," gurl you sound angry, ease up! I stand firmly on my take on the designs. The African Clutch at best will go far, otherwise, no originality or creativity. Nothing new and I would not spend my money on it. I would spent it on the "eyesore" and the "joke-ture" called Ella Brown. Hey, it's fashion there is room, always, for differing fashion views. Urban Knit is not mine, although I like, very much, that they promote African fabrics as most Africhic designers are starting to. Their designs also makes me think I just folded some wrapper to shelve away for use at a later point.
ReplyDeleteI love the clutch bags...kudos to these girls...
ReplyDeleteAbt WA IDOLS, lol @ Jerrilyn...Wasn't impressed by Eric but he's still eye candy so can't help but still vote for him.
Luv Omawunmi as usual....
So much cattiness. I tend to agree with vintagenista and the shika bags were the eyesore. They look like the urban's product when they first started out and if you knew anything about them then you would definitely appreciate how far they have come now. My eyes were popping at all the colors and the streamlined cuts/edginess they have now. Yeah the scarves have room to grow as well but still cute.
ReplyDeleteThe infamous haute comment; you know these juves like latching on to words and phrases they think make them appear 'cool' ... didn't quite work. I honestly think she was trying to put a spin on the word "hot" or maybe they think haute means hot. Who knows, its just all around irritating like when they come up with 'pawdy, rawk ' and all that. Another means to stand out to fit in to what, I dont know.
Lastly, the comment censorship is a bit bogus and starts to make things bland and monotonous. We needs some spice from time to time. thanks ED!
Ladybrille, take it easy o. U came up here promoting that Shika eyesore website of a thing. The Urban-knit girls are doing their thing. Give them that.. coming in here like u know it all. I have nothing to be angry about. I support my people who stay true and offer them encouragement and not the fake wannabes. and if the shika girls are your buddies that green-lime background color is an eyesore and any buyer owuldnt even spend 2mins on there as its not very "user" friendly.
ReplyDeleteUnited we stand... Have a beautiful week. xxx
Vintageniesta, you are hilarious! You seriously made my evening. This is fun it's a nice break, at least for the next few minutes.
ReplyDeleteMs. "Buyer," catch urself! Na only you "used" to work with "Urban Outfitters." Do I sense a bias here, "Urban." :)
But, why u dey call Ella Brown a "Joke-ture," wetin she do? We killed that issue long time ago on "ELLA BROWN" post. Were you that offended with the brand you got to drag in old stuff. Dayum! Now you come at her with "Fake wannabes?" I think a legitimate source told you she made her product in CALI not "China" like you solidly proclaimed as you "knew" bcos you be "buyer." O ti o! Sisi yanga e ti poju, 4 real!
Plus, wetin? U r confusing me. U said designs like Urbankit is all over Amsterdam and others have done it over and over. So aren't you impliciting calling Urbanknit a "fake wannabe" I was even going to give you the benefit of the doubt that u liked them but I am not so sure you are being real on the Urbankit loyalty. Which one you dey? Support or not? Talk true :)
You sound angry, at what you call Ella "Joketure" Couture in Miami. Sebi u just got back. Either way, don't take it out on me. Ms. "buyer" I am not your fashion punching bag. Abeg. There will be no violence on dis blog.
Shika Designs has an "eye sore" website. I didn't get the memo that the website was up for critique.
Shame on you for knocking emerging designers for not having an, I guess, "elite" website. I thought the focus was on the product not getting prettied up on the website.You murdered the product in your first comment. We got it. I still stand by my statements on Urbanknit. Everyone has their preference and as far as I am concerned it's ALWAYS okay to disagree and most importantly say what you say and mean what you say.
One final thing. Did YOU "Came up in here" acting like YOU know too much? Me too! I thought so! Smart move with the reverse psychology for cover up. Didn't look good after you read your stmts did it? Girl, u've been playing that "I'm a buyer" drum a bit too much and TOO LOUD. Twice now. It's cool you are a buyer but do you have to wear your perceived elitist status on your sleeves 24/7? Okay. U be buyer but sey we no go gbadun aiye because u don become buyer? By the way, why should we care, put your mouth where your status is. I triple dare you to order healthy quantity of Urban knit for your store. Give it a try. The market wants something fresh. Silence? Precisely my point. Until you start getting emerging and established African designers in the Western stores you "buy" for, put a brake on the announcements of your buyer credentials. Your "Buying" akolobility is over the top and frankling getting too boring.
We heard u LOUD and clear the first time. Bella, woman, I told you, you were doing something right. Now when folks start getting vested in your post to do a back and forth talk, then u know u got it going on! Don't expect it too much from me though. This is a huge luxury, trust me, that is why I am sooooo enjoying it now. Keep up the good work! I like, a lot.
ABI O,THIS VINTAGENEISTA AND HER TORI TORI,B4 WE TALK ANYTIN SHE FOR DON YARN "IM A BUYER"
ReplyDeleteBABES I EVEN SUSPECT YOU SEF.IM SURE YOU ARE JUST A COMMON SALES ASSISTANT IN A SHOP.
AND THAT DOES NOT GIVE YOU THE RIGHT TO CALL YOURSELF A BUYER.
AHN AHN,WETIN SEF.SHIO.
I adore these clutches and i want quite a number....i only need to figure out how to get them home...Bella help on this will be much appreciatied...Timi is my idol and i have said that over and over again..I cant believe Uche was booted off when Mercy and Jerrilyn r still there? LOL..
ReplyDeleteYou know i dont like Ms Iynada but if her blog says something about u, i am off to check it out...
What is it about fiyanda that gets your goat?
ReplyDeletenb* that ode to the buyer was very needed right?
I now take back my stance on censorship. awon elenu ri-run!
'run' is in english by the way..
Clutches are tres chic. Dont know about the scarfs!
ReplyDeletemehn what is up with blogville lately, the comments are almost as juicy as the actual posts itself...
ReplyDeleteLadybrille? Sharrap! Shut it up! U too talk tooooooooooooooooo damn much. All this long long tori u de write. you have a lot of time. u a came in here mentioning SHIKa when Bella was talking about URBANKNIT abi? So shaarap my friend. Vintageneista, you have a point I agree with you but darling TAKE IT DOWN a notch awwright? All this fighting fightin here on Bellas blog? Is this Perez Hilton blog? ahn ahn! Anyway Miss Bella back to your post- I love what the urbanknit girls are doing. I luuuuuuuuuuuurve the clutches & since I have one I can say confidently that they are VERY well made. They are onto something give them time. and UZO who give a flying crap if u dont like Funmi, who asked you/ Did Bella ask u? No? Yes? so sharrap! lol
ReplyDeleteI love u my naija pipu.. always griin about something.
I meant to say *griping
ReplyDeleteBabe u derserve all the accolades you can get,you are three much.I heard you are 9 to 5 person and you still have the time and energy to do all these-i salute you.Who still say women are not going places,give us chance to rule this country and you will see the wonder we can perform.Keep on moving,dont stop
ReplyDeleteme thinks vintageniesta is just plain obsessed with ella brown. according to a reliable source, she was nominated for excelence in evening wear award at the miami fashion week.All these dumb comments needs to stop "miss buyer". lets support each other and not be haters.
ReplyDeletebags r cute..
ReplyDeleteeric is my idol pick....liked uche but too bad he got kicked off...timi is not bad either..but eric's got the look...
Sup Bella nice post up as always... Jerilyn...errr.. that performance hmmm. Thanks for the Idol update jare... YOU so RAWK!!!
ReplyDeleteThe clutches I would rawk on a nice sumemr day..nice
It me again my new name is "miss buyer" lol.. guys take it easy o. Its not that serious. Seriously no hating here.. just opinions but not hate I was making a comparison. I am big supporter of anybody out there doing their thing, its not easy. But please don't get your panties in a bunch because I love Deola Sagoe or Toni Paynes artsy t-shirt over somebody else. I am so so proud of so many of you.. Bella, Dammie, Michele... Keep up the good work! Ok now group ((((((hug)))) peace and love y'all.
ReplyDeleteAnd if any designers need any info want help if I can help in anyway get at me at vintageneista@yahoo.com
hahahah you know wut I just read all the comments lol. My people all I can say is One mans junk is another mans treasure.
ReplyDeleteso breathe ladies live and let live.
LOL!!!!!
ReplyDeletena wa o. this blogville sef. make i run home and hide.
i dont really see wat d deal is with dis bags...cos i have made stuff like this back in 2001...but what i admire is that the went public with it and they are doing wat they love n making money from it..meanwhile me i made them n kept it in my back drawers..Kudos girlies.
ReplyDeleteHA!!!! NA WA FOR BELLA NAIJA READERS!!! YA'LL SHOULD JUST DUKE IT OUT AND PUT THE VIDEO UP. ANYWAYS BELLA YOU ARE ON FIRE O!!! EVEN RANDOM PEOPLE I RUN INTO ARE LIKE 'THAT SITE IS CRAZY'!!! KUDOS!!!
ReplyDeleteBella!!!! thanks for this o, I'm loving those clutches yo. I'm definitely rocking one for a party pretty soon.
ReplyDeleteI have said this so many times, but I am going to say it again. You need a magazine....
ReplyDeleteLets have a whip around...OK...the web reaches a wider audience, but I still think a magazine will complement this excellent site...
Just me
The purses are what they are... not my style but I respect the work and innovation and it definitely has its place in the world of fashion. It'll look great on someone else who wears that look well and knows how to pull it together.
ReplyDeleteIdols: Well, I don't think it mattered what Jerrilyn sang. That's all I can say... but like you said Bella, she is not playing. HA! I love Omawunmi's voice... it carries. I do think she screamed just a tad bit. Jodie has her own style and performed that song with confidence... loved it!
Bella - a while back you had a link to the song Taxi Driver which has expired. Could you please let me know how to get that song please? thanks
ReplyDeletelove the bag designs.is the label popular?
ReplyDeleteI love ladybrille!!
ReplyDeletewell mainly because my sister keeps asking me if i'm ladybrille on bella's blog
i am not o- but i always gbadun ur yarns...
the bags wont sell in naija...might here or in the UK ..but i not fit buy am
lov ya Lady b-real (have a thing for wordplays)