Review: Expressions of Accra – A fast and Furious night[Photos]

Weekends in Accra are almost always packed with events especially around this time of the year.

I had Saturday night blocked for the ‪#‎CitiFm‬ 97.3 and ‪#‎GTP‬ ‪#‎ExpressionsOfAccra‬ event at Alisa Hotel and ‪#‎Felabration‬ 2015 at Alliance Française.

The former was scheduled to commence at 7 and the other, a short hour later.

Expressions opened with cocktails by the poolside and I had the opportunity to meet several people making waves in their various fields of endeavor.

Then the doors for the main event opened. I can’t tell if it was planned or not but almost every staff of Citi fm was in black. From the glossy little black dresses to long-sleeved shirts with trousers…they all looked fabulous. And the invited guests were also glammed out.

 

As expected, the seats in the front row were reserved so I did a quick scan and settled on a seat in the third row, next to a very beautiful lady I recognized from facebook as a friend’s wife.

She didn’t know me and was pleasantly surprised when I mentioned her name and explained how I knew her and of course, requested a selfie, which she graciously granted. People, we’re not anonymous anymore. Thanks to social media.

The organizers had thoughtfully lined up episodes of ‪#‎TalesOfNazir‬ and some other animation as well as various acts to keep guests engaged as we waited for the models from the ‪#‎ExopaAgency‬ to show us creative pieces from the designers on the bill. Hair was by ‪#‎2ndImageAcademy‬.

‪#‎DarkSuburb‬, Ghana’s first and only(?) rock band, opened the night. They make really good music but it takes getting past the gothic garb rock bands favour to appreciate all that great sound from electric guitars and drums. Thankfully, they were on stage long enough for the audience to enjoy their performance. Not to be left out of a fashion event, their shoes did all the talking… 3-colour brogues and tan army-style boots laced halfway for the tongue to hang out just so.

The first set was by ‪#‎SarahChristian‬. Her introductory video indicated she’s been on the fashion scene for about 4 years. True to the theme for the night, ‪#‎FastAndFurious‬, Sarah Christian broke onto the runway with models decked in tulle, motorcycle helmets, capes and dark make up by ‪#‎BlacksSecret‬.

Her designs were accentuated with chunky, jagged, black foam cut to resemble icicles or arrow heads. I’m not too sure how to describe them but her collection was on point literally.

‪#‎HorsemanShoes‬!!! This brand is going places. The models kept it simple with shorts and plain white t-shirts, ensuring all eyes were on their shoes which I would describe as the love-children of GTP and coloured suede leather with a generous sprinkling of magic from the hands of ‘fairy godmother’ EmperorTonyi Senayah himself.

He came on stage at the end in an exclusive pair of blue Horseman hooves.

Leonardo da Vinci said “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” and this young designer was right on the money. ‪#‎NaaLamileyKouture‬’s collection was all that. I’m talking about clothes you can wear anywhere and not be over-dressed or be made to feel inadequate. I loved it.

Then, there was ‪#‎DKB‬. At a time when most of us had had enough of the jaded experiences that came with entertainment by Ghanaian comedians, DKB burst onto the scene.

Refreshing, energetic and cracking spur-of-moment jokes, he restored faith in the Ghanaian comedian and proved we are just as good us our Nigerian brethren. On Saturday night, though, I was a tad uncomfortable with the off-colour humour.

Most of his act was hilarious but the few vulgar and almost disrespectful jokes had me wishing he would leave quickly. Quite frankly, I didn’t think it was an appropriate platform for that. At a point, I had to glue on my brightest fake smile. You know, just in case I got caught on camera.

If you fancy a breezy, floaty, dancing on air kind of feel in your clothes, ‪#‎MaksiClothing‬ is it. The talented sister duo nailed it with a collection that guaranteed picture-perfect sways with flowing, floor-length garments in billowy fabric.The male models carried jute bags to complete the look. It was a double thumbs up for me.

Unconventional looks, Ghana’s response to Grace Jones but more svelte and super-talented with an amazing stage presence. That is Noella ‪#‎Wiyaala‬. Granted, she’s not the best guitar player in the world(she describes her playing as crappy) but mehn, she knows how to make a show rock. She had us dancing and singing along. And that full split at the end, in 4″ boots… wow!

 

‪#‎Chapter‬ One was also on the bill. Akoa no y3 guy! Creative, stylish, edgy designs that push the limits and test our willingness to dare to be different. He sent out garments with a unique mix of wax print, patterned knits, mesh, jersey and denim with an Anas-tinged vibe. Those were styles one expects to see on fall runways in London, Paris or Milan. Most are not appropriate for our weather unless we have a repeat of the pseudo-winter we experienced earlier this year. Oh, and he loooooves photos.

Just when you think everything that could possibly be done with sandals and slippers has been done, a new designer turns up. ‪#‎TRAP‬ (True Reflections of African Products) shoes started out by “resurrecting dead shoes” and now they make slippers and sandals out jute(kotokuo). They looked very comfortable to me and I have it in mind to get a pair. If they keep at it, who knows? They just might be able to give Birkenstock a run for their money.

 

It is rare for an accessory brand to make an impact on a runway show without any support from the clothes people but mSimps defied all odds. This high-flying accessory brand’s concept was well put together with bags from the ‪#‎AdehyeCollection‬ that looked cooler than the average handbag or backpack in that they were reversible and convertible. The creative director, Mabel Simpson was my star for the night.

Okyeame Kwame was up next but I looked at my watch. 10.53pm! I had to head to Alliance for Felabration. I got there just in time for Ambolley and Ebo Taylor.

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By: Nuerki A-b