Last week the Okayafrica team attended the book release party for 'New African Fashion' by Arisemagazine editor Helen Jennings (center above) at the New York Public Library. The event was attended by Jennings and key members of the African fashion community Bethann Hardison, Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim, Mimi Plange and Enyinne Owunwanne for Heritage 1960 (all pictured above). The new book is a great review of contemporary African fashions complete with profiles of the most innovative designers. Speaking of innovation, we couldn't help but notice Mimi Plange's ability to seamlessly incorporate scarification and influence from other African cultures into her designs (see here). Be sure to buy this thoroughly researched, and incredibly insightful book here.

Also check out the OKA TV piece we did on Arise Magazine's runway show at New York Fashion Week!