Over the past year I've met (virtually or otherwise) a number of women interested in African fashion & arts specifically. One of them is Fanele Love! Her blog Fashion et Al is a must read for me but also she shares so much through her facebook page-- links, pictures etc. She works so hard to bring some amazing content and share the beauty of African fashion. I asked her a few questions to learn more about her and what she does.
When did you start blogging &Why?
I began blogging continuously last year around October [2009]. Initially I used the blog as a way of channeling thoughts towards something light and positive. At the time, I was going through major changes, I was a new mother and the territory came with unprecedented challenges. I have always loved art and history, even though I study Economics. The blog took on a life of its own, combining these loves into fashion, and the rest is history.
Why the focus on African Fashion?
I have lived abroad for 4 years now, and this has enhanced my love and appreciation for my region in a way that would not have happened had I not left. In Swaziland, unless you are in a particular industry, news does not travel much. If there is a fashion show in Jozi, there will be a one minute feauture in the evening news, and thats it. So when I was thrust into the world of Internet media, I discovered this huge and exciting and incredibly talented world of African fashion. It was like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I was amazed how, right next door in South Africa, so much has been going on that I had no idea of. Sure, I'd heard of Stoned Cherrie and Sun Goddess, but through the blog, I discovered so many designers who were equally innovative! I decided to use the blog to advertise these artist, so that others who are still unaware of the talent we have become aware, and more importantly, show support. I believe that art is an essential part of any developing and modernizing society, and where I come from it is unfortunately overlooked and ridiculed, simply because it is not understood.
How do you source content for your blog?
I began by reading the more popular blogs such as Bella Naija and Farai. Through such cites, I got to know about designers, whom I then promptly looked up on Facebook. Most designers have pages there, and on these they have links to their websites and blogs. So do most magazines. Apart from that, I read a lot of magazines, and each time I check the names of the editors, whom I also look up on Facebook. Fashion editors and stylists often have blogs too, for example Mboko Mobutu of GHUBAR magazine. I also check out websites such asafricafashioninternational.com , ifashion.co.za, hautefashionafrica.com where they post the hottest talent, review shows, and put up high quality images from shows. I am fluent in French, and this has exposed me to fashion magazines in France such as GHUBAR and FASHIZBLACK which are a great source of material.
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