Photo Credit: ©JackieKing.net
On the 7th November I attended the launch of Helen Jennings debut coffee table book, ‘New African Fashion’, c0-hosted by Bresi-Ando Consults. Helen Jennings is one of Europe’s pre-eminent fashion journalists as well as the editor of ARISE, a magazine that celebrates African fashion, music and culture.
On the night Jennings said,
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response to New African Fashion. This is the first coffee table book to celebrate the talented designers, models and image makers who are shaping fashion’s new frontier and putting African style on the map. I’m grateful to everyone who has contributed to the book’s success.”
Celebrities from the worlds of fashion and music turned up to support Helen on her big night; Shingai Shoniwa from the Noisettes, Nigerian music superstar, 2Face Ndibia, Warner recording artist; Tawiah, stylist and fashion blogger Marian Kihogo, legendary designer and fashion father and son duo Joe and Charlie Casely-Hayford as well as international models Armando Cabral and Yasmin Warsame.
Drinks were also provided by Belvedere Vodka.
New African Fashion is out now published by Prestel, £19.99.
Photo Credit ©JackieKing.net: Helen Jennings with singer Shingai Shoniwa from the Noisettes
I had no idea that Helen Jennings was the editor of ARISE.
You learn something new everyday….
Categories: Uncategorized
MAD NEWS UK 
Even if a Journalist a journalist or an Editor an Editor, I would have assumed that the Editor of Arise was African or at least from the Diaspora.
Me too…
Yet again, this is just another extension of blacks being managed by the European hand. More control freakism in live effect. How long are we going to allow ourselves to be usurped and made merchandise of by other nationalities? How many other cases are out there like this, where a European is in charge of black related projects? Tim Westwood is another example of this “management”, at one time one of the biggest rap shows in the UK and yet again, a European is fronted to host it. The underlying connotation here is the European man = the saviour of the black man whereas destroyer of the so called Negro would be more appropriately applied here.
Yet they will tell us, she was the best for the job! lol!
It’s such a shame, because they would have had the opportunity to show, how a business with people of African descent can run a successful business.
I agree with everything said here. I don’t know much about this. But once I read the title I was like cool black people doing there thing. And was very proud so I thought. This makes no sense to me! How is she is in charge of anything having to do with black people.
Wow just another example of whites running blacks. Making money off us. I’m really insulted…and I would never buy that book. What does she know about black fashion.
Hmmm interesting comments. Had you continued to assume the editor was black, would you have put your money down and bought the book anyway? Be honest now…(!)
If I had thought the editor was black for sure I would buy it. But knowing that its not a black editor I would not buy it. Its that simple for me. For me everything is on principal for me. What do u know about being black or what we like. Other than stealing someone else’s ideas. Or having us work for u and u take all the credit. But so many of us don’t see it they way and will support it. If we don’t demand things ….things will never change. I have to say when I saw she was the editor of a black publication my with was open. Not impressed!!
I don’t feel the question should be would we have still purchased the book if we thought that the editor was black. My issue is since when do we need a book to tell us about our own fashions? Are we not already aware of our own fashions, were there some elements of African fashion that we were oblivious to? For me the answer is no, but in response to your question, I wouldn’t buy the book anyway as I do not believe that it would be showing me something I don’t know, regardless of what colour the editor is.