The FUTURE of UK streetwear and art

This past weekend was one cool one and this was mainly because the ''OFF THE RAILS FASHION EVENT'' was literally off the hook.
Wih sick artists and designers, free drinks , nice food and ridiculously talented people that were down to earth and humble. I left the event with one thing in mind - INSPIRATION - The FUTURE IS OF THE RAILS.
This is a list of some of the Designers - who were all cool with their time and ideas - BIG UPS to -

http://WWW.OFFTHERAILSUK.COM
http://WWW.TWITTER.COM/OFFTHERAILSLIVED-visions Clothing

Oddkingdom
Alice Boutique
Originique
True Sterling


Check out their sites and support the movement - i coped a sick shirt from pins - classice poster from ODDKINGDOM and got some freebies from True Sterling whose attention to details and desigs are MAD

www.D-visions.co.uk
www.THENEWBLACK.EU
www.twitter.com/TheNewBlackProjectLive
www.alices-boutique.com
www.oddkingdom.com
www.pinspired.com

More pictures

Adidas apologizes for misrepresenting KENTE, GHANA and AFRICA

This is a follow up from my previous posts about Adidas stealing from Africa :Click here to read how adidas stole fron Ghana
It pays to speak up - people of africa please patent, copy right and protect your heritage.

Dear Mr Kwabena,

Thank you for contacting adidas regarding the Jeremy Scott, Originals by Originals shoe Nizza 2 Hi; and for correcting us on the incorrectly referenced Kente cloth. We regrettably made an error in the copywriting process when describing this shoe. I can assure you that this was not meant to be disrespectful in any way, but a simple human error when creating copy which would be used to describe the shoe.

We have begun to correct this where we can - ie adidas.com/originals, Press Materials etc.

We have also contacted all of the communications and PR managers in our local markets to advise them of the change and act accordingly. Any future stories from adidas should correctly reference the Kente cloth which inspired the design.

We're very proud to work with external design partner Jeremy Scott and also to be able to reference and be inspired by materials, designs and styles from around the world and we're also reverential in crediting the origin of the design correctly.

In this instance, Jeremy Scott sent us the design with the correct name, but in our process of writing the description a typo was made. We have now tried to correct this mistake.

Thank you again for calling this to our attention.

Kind regards,

Tom Ramsden
Senior Communications Manager - adidas Originals

Unlike Adidas Puma acknowledges Africa and Ghana's Kente as inspiration

Adidas Please watch and learn - PUMA shoes you how its done even though their design is not as obvious they still had the decency of letting the world know who's intellectual property was the inspiration for their shoe. You guys simply copied and pasted and still decided to re write African culture and History.

Puma goes wild by way of Africa with this Pack of Clydes that takes you on venture through the Serengeti. Available in black or jungle green, each shoe features a woven geometric strip along the eyelets inspired by traditional Ghanaian Kente silk fabrics. The scuffed mid and outsole gives a rugged wild look.

PLEASE REFER TO MY LAST TWO POST ON ADIDAS - THANKS

How Adidas Stole from AFRICA - First response

PLEASE REFER TO PREVIOUS POST - HOW ADIDAS STOLE FROM AFRICA

HI guys thanks for the support in spreading this message i sent the letter to many offices of adidas including their head of intellectual property - This is the first automated reply :( - Allot of people have called for a petition. I am giving adidas a few
more days to get their act together if we dont get a satisfactory reply we will petition and will take them on through all avenues.
Thanks and keep spreading it on twitter, facebook etc PEACE

Customer Ref No: 665396

Dear Kwabena

Thank you for your recent enquiry.

Your email has been forwarded onto the relevant department and
we will contact you again shortly.

In the meantime, we would like to take this opportunity to
thank you for contacting adidas and for your interest in the
brand.

Yours sincerely

Lauren Cruse
Customer Care Manager
For and on behalf of adidas (UK) Limited


For career opportunities within the adidas Group please go to:
www.adidas-group.com/careers

Your Personal information may be used to invite you to provide
valuable feedback on your Customer Care experience and to inform you
about any future developments in adidas. If you would prefer not to
receive further information, please e-mail customercareuk@adidas.com
with a Subject title of 'Remove'.

How Adidas Stole from AFRICA

If Adidas wants to borrow inspiration from AFRICA then they should pay up or Give Credit Where due - This is my letter to adidas with regards to the misspelling of the word 'KENTE' and lack of ascribing the origin of the cloth use in their African Inspired 'KENTA" Nizza 2 Hi sneakers


Hi i noted that for a while now Adidas has been doing the materials of the world special edition shoes and clothing. I think this is lovely and commend adidas for this.
As an African Designer I was also extremely excited by the release of Jeremey Scotts Africa Themed apparel. I was excited when i saw the African Inspired Nizza 2 Hi sneakers however i was saddened by the wrong description of the material used. The Adidas description stated that it was a unique 'kenta' cloth. Unfortunately Adidas has got it all wrong the cloth used on the shoe in question is actually the 'kente' cloth and not the 'kenta' cloth as has been published in all materials pertaining to the shoes.

This lack of respect for the name and history of Ghana's national cloth shows how little research and consideration was taking in fashioning or mimicking this shoe as an authentic African product.

Kente is the trendiest and most renowned cloth in Ghana and possibly in all of Africa. The strip-woven cloth made by the Akan people of Ghana and the Ewe people of Ghana and Togo, is the best known of all African textiles. Its fame has spread globally where it is now one of the most admired of all fabrics in many parts of the world.

Africa as it is a misunderstood, over exploited and misrepresented continent - If conglomerates like adidas wish to take inspiration from African art and textiles for their products the least you could do was provide an accurate historical description of the 'borrowed' design.

The country of origin of the kente design was not published.
Kente has been woven for centuries on looms by skilled artisans in Ghana and Togo - these designs are the daily bread of these Africans and the intellectual property of these artists and Nations as a whole.

I am certain Adidas will not be happy if a small shoe and clothing factory in Ghana decided to utilise the Trefoil logo and the 3 - Stripes mark on their make shift line.

So why is it that the culture and intellectual property of whole nations can be misrepresented by such a big company without and regard for the originators of the design.

I would appreciate it if the name of the shoe could be corrected and the design origins of the material could be rightfully ascribed to its originators. I am sure this is either a typographical mistake or just a slight oversight as a company with such a rich history will not intentionally misrepresent the whole continent of AFRICA.
thanks for your attention
P.S No AFricans were plagiarized in the making of this letter.
Kwabena Boateng


Please spread the word and post this on your blogs, diggs, twitter facebook etc
If africans dont speak out on injustices on or image and brand wewill wake up one day and the copy right of the word AFRICA
will be owned by a multi national in the WEST.

Catch Kayobi at UCL on the 30 Oct

As part of our celebration of Black History month, The UCL ACS will hold a 1 day exhibition.

Kayobi will be there - Come and vibe with us. I will have some shirts, bags, ipod covers and art on sale. If you have a specific shirt you want then please email me the details and i will print it just for this event. If you have a particular design you want on a canvas please send me details.

It will me nice to meet you guys so dont loose out on fashion food art and history - from UK's finest artists and disigners.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=142695543573

Black History Month Exhibition
Name: Soul Source
Venue: UCL North and South cloisters
Date: Friday 30th of October

P.s we are taking pre orders for make fufu not war tshirts for ladies and hoodies for men. This will be our las batch for the year so please email me your sizes. boateng.kwabena@gmail.com
Thanks

Kayobi at University of Hertfordshire ACS launch

Had a wonderful time at the launch of the ACS at University of Hertfordshire - Good Blessings to all the young Black peeps I met May your dreams come true. Check ou the pics and let me know what you think.
Check it out
and join the Family on facebook - Kayobi Clothing

Respect The Hustle ~ Kayobi Clothing Interview

Please check out the first online interview for my clothing line Kayobi Clothing and leave a comment. Thanks
The shirts and items are available here:http://kayobi.bigcartel.com/

Respect The Hustle ~ Kayobi

Posted using ShareThis

KAyobi Clothing Facebook Page

Please Join the KAyobi Family here

Kayobi Clothing on Facebook

Kayobi Clothing 2009 Summer Update

Who is Kayobi Clothing

Who is Kayobi?
Kayobi - pronounced (K – OW – B) is an apparel and accessories company created to ¬ tell the African story and that of the Diaspora through positive, vibrant and thought provoking imagery.
What’s in a name?
The word ‘Kayobi’ translates from Japanese as ‘Tuesday’, this is in reference to my name Kwabena Oppong Boateng. Kwabena is the Twi name given to a child born on a Tuesday in the Akan Tribes of Ghana, coincidentally ‘Kayobi’ sounded phonetically similar to my initials ‘KOB’. Why a Japanese word? I have always had a love for the Japanese design and art aesthetic ‘kayobi’ therefore was the perfect play on words.

Our Story.
Founded in Accra Ghana on 08/08/08 the collection has evolved from a T- Shirt line to include bags and ipod cases. Now designed and produced in London we are happy to present our first collection entitled ‘its always summer in Africa’. The collection was created during my year and a half stay in Ghana and aims to capture the true essence of AFRICA.
The theme refers to the gift of eternal sunshine the continent is blessed with. Contrary to the imposed label of ‘dark continent’ stamped on Africa, the continent is actually bursting with light, life, beauty and most importantly HOPE.
With an abundance of colour we have created a visual journey through daily African life ranging from childhood nostalgia, socio – political issues, music, culture, traditional art and food.
Kayobi was created in Africa with 100% Sunshine, Love and Blessings and we hope our collection gives you this in abundance.
Thanks for being a part of the Revolution. Stay Blessed and Seek Eternity.
Kwabena Oppong Boateng

View the collection here:
http://issuu.com/kayobi/docs/kayobi_clothing_look_book_final

Buy Kayobi Online:
http://www.kayobi.bigcartel.com/

Kayobi Clothing 2009 Summer Look book

Hope you enjoy - regular blogging will resume very soon.thanks

Kayobi Clothing - First Radio interview

Hi folks. Guess what? lol I got my first radio interview with Ms naa on Ghana's new Urban Youth radio staion on Monday 23rd of March 2009 from 9 am onwards.
I will be giving away free shirts and bags during the show so dont miss out . PEACE



http://yfmghana.com/

Here is a profile of Ms Naa and here show is on every week day from 6 am until 10 am
Check out here Clothing line here:http://www.afrocenchic.com/shop/
Name: Naa Adzorkor Addo

Date of birth: July 11th

Religion: Spiritual Being

Interest: Mind my business and leaving yours alone, music, making money finding peace.

Food: I will spend my last money on sushi…….matter of fact I am looking for a sushi chef to marry …. (Call me :)



Favorite Quote: YOU CAN KICK ROCKS!!!!!

What best describes my character: Definitions don’t work for me…….so let’s just say I fit under the category ‘’miscellaneous’ ‘in a world where classification is key ,I’m just me…

Paraphrased from: STACEYANA CHIN.

Ms. Naa formally known as Triple S, The Super Soul Sister is……some say a sweetheart, others say nothing and simply shake their heads…..She chooses to define herself as creative energy, a loose cannon, the girl your parents’ use as a bad example of a lady, a rebel in every sense of the word, somewhat of a loner but sure to make you feel welcomed when in her presence if you don’t rub her the wrong way. The New York University Film and Television graduate, with a passion for film editing is not a novice to the radio game. She had her radio debut in 97’ and worked as an on air personality until she left to further her education.

Now back on the block, she is more than conquering the radio world on her to-do list. Very rarely at a loss for words, she is sure to have you either deep in thought or clutching at your sides with laughter as she wakes up each and every weekday morning on YFM.

Make sure you tune in ‘cos it is guaranteed to be an EXPERIENCE

Mutombo the POET - rocking the FAMOUS make FUFU not WAR T- SHIRT

Mutombo is a multi-talented artiste who is specialized in Spoken Word(Poetry).He has blessed several stages since he started this beautiful art form in Ghana,West Africa

The Rise of the Ghannian Metro - Sexual

Wow - CHANGE the word of Last year this Year and the Year to come - Well in Ghana the men have really changed. A couple of years ago a drive through the principle streets of Accra would no doubt have left you thinking you were in a rap video of the must thugish rugish rapper but no this is AFRICA specifically the capital of Ghana. So whats my point? Well for a long time the fashion sense of the Ghanaian male was grossly informed but the black american rapper and the clothes, jewellrey and shoes that made apperances in their videos.


OhHHHH how times have changed I got the shock of my life when i moved to Ghana an noted with curiosity that there has been an ''all change'' as professed on the london tube. Baggy pants (or jeans if you may) are out and tight scrotum hugging skinny jeans are in
Bling,Gold and Diamonds are out and rosary's,wooden and plastic African beads are in
The basket ball jersey and fitted hat have been replaced with the fedora and button up, and mind you not any button up will do - criteria 1 it must be tight 2 if possible it must have a profound colour and the ultimate - if possible it must be a UK designer,,,,,,,,,,, hmmmmmm did you just say UK yep I did UK as in LONDON TOWN yep

Yeah i know you must be saying is this the same Ghana you know, the same Ghana in which a couple of years ago anyone with the streamlined UK look was categorized as GAY CHICHI ANTIMAN etc etc - YEP as i said this is the year for Change.

No more nike airforce 1's, now its strictly plimsoles or converses and it u really have the largent why dont u throw in some prada or gucci.

From the surface it may seem like the Ghanaian metrosexual has arrived and this movement my be spearheaded by chaps such us Kweku T or Chris Attoh but in reality I think the country is just going though another phase of mimicking and aping what they see in videos the only difference is that Lil Wayne has exchanged his xxxxxxxllll White T - Shirt for a nicely fitted Stussy t and his supper baggy rocawear jeans for skinny fit true religion jeans and so my brothers with the HERD mentality follow blindly.

I applaud people like Kweku t for introducing African jewelery for men into the scene however I am of the impression that are youth are so blinded by the lights that they have stifled their inner creativity and ability to st trends that are indigenous to their environment rather than to simply Follow the ''leader'' .

Lead DONT follow - Kayobi clothing and numerous other African clothing lines say so

check us out here - http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?oid=32353927508&view=all

Kayobi Clothing New Designs

Saturday, August 23, 2008

More shirts

Here is an update of all the designs so far - enjoy and let me know which one u want to buy :)

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Kayobi Clothing VRS Kofi Boateng

Kayobi clothing went along to Kofi Boateng's crib where he gave as a tour and a look into his marvelous life

Friday, August 08, 2008

Kayobi Clothing drops first shirt

Hi years of hopes, dreams and talk have finally led to the first t-shirt from my clothing line being printed today and it has all been due to the grace of God and my savior Jesus through whom i have enjoyed a wonderful and privileged life with abundant imagination for my designs.

This shirt is just a teaser for what is to come.
Shirt title:Piece (Peace) in Africa
Aim:Anti war/Anti Guns/Striving for African Peace through Art and Fashion
Inspired by:Mozambique turns arms into art
Mozambican artists have decommissioned weapons in a graphic way, taking them apart and using the remains to make a range of novel and eloquent sculptures

Please check out the Link here
I hope u like it - Let me know your thoughts

Kayobi Clothing outdores Logo

Finally the logo's for the kayobi Line are out - let me know which ones u like