day PArty with a purpose
Hola amigos y familia!
I joined the Museum of the African Diaspora (MOAD) Vanguard for a colorful celebration of the French and Spanish speaking countries of the African Diaspora! This day party with a purpose encouraged guests to get in the spirit - from Ankara to Kente and patterns in between - and come dressed to impress in your flyest African fashion.
With stylist pressure running high, I found myself scrambling at the last minute to get my life in order! I didn't want to half step and just come in bright colors so I reignited my Google search to find any locally owned stores that carried African clothes.
Unfortunately, I came up empty handed because I waited until a few days before the event to make moves and a lot of the artists sold their items during Oakland First Fridays or at the Berkley Flea Market on Sundays.
Fail. For me.
But alas, I was speaking to my local Park partner in crime Jeff about my crisis and we discussed a worst case scenario move - buy some fabric, wrap up your hair and keep it moving! Okay - solid plan B. Except that my head is really large and I have faux loss ... so my usual head wrap styles would need some fine tuning.
And then it happened. Magic. In literally less than 1 hour.
In the middle of my Google search on the bus ride home after my Saturday AM Zumba class I found a fabric store in THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO that had African prints. Amen! So I jumped off the bus, caught the California Street Cable Car to Powell street and set foot to Britex Fabrics in Union Square.
After getting sidetracked with a quick run into Zara. Because. You know it's Zara...I made it to Britex.
Upstairs on the second floor I started to get a bit overwhelmed by the ABUNDANCE of options surrounding me, but a nice employee helped me take a few deep breaths, calm down, and walk through the options until I stumbled on a print that spoke to me - a true 2 for 1 deal!
Don't you love those!?
This African print was bold AND highlighted the colors of my Jamaican heritage. Done and done. Yes, I'll take 1 yard of this print.
$15 later I was on my way home. Actually, I didn't make it far because there was an Indian street fair between me and the climb back up Powell Street. So I stopped for some quick street food and inhaled a samosa while listening to some banghara for a few minutes outside - yummy...but tchau work out gains! :/
Okay - back to the main story. So I hike back to my apartment with this beautiful print....but what was I actually going to do with it?
A few creative iterations later - viola! I created this top on top of a bra for shape and support. With no thread, no needle, no pins.
$15.
+ then I tossed on one of my favorite skirts from Zara, my go to nude heels and a hat - just because #whynot and this vintage clutch find from my Mom.
Ba ding ba da boom.
Beijos!
Safi