Style Guide: How To Rock Your Okayplayer/Okayafrica Tee
You may have noticed a a lot of style-related things popping off here at Okayplayer, including a grip of new Okayplayer and Okayafrica tees and designs, inspired by the movements we see running the streets from Brooklyn to Nairobi. These tees are not just band-merch, they're designed to fit perfectly into the Okayplayer lifestyle. To show you what we mean we asked Okayafrica style guru (and sometime FELA! castmember) Prêt-À-Poundo to show us how it's done, style wise. The result is Okayplayer's first-ever fashion editorial, a little something she calls 'The Dapper Real Live Show'. See the looks above and read what Poundo had to say (plus some DVD extraz) below:
The fashion world is limitless and has always been an indicator of culture, as well as a constantly-blossoming form of self-expression and adornment. We are all models, sporting a revolving cast of brands and styles. At Okayplayer/Okayafrica, we always aim to be en vogue with our own movement. While the mainstream remains overexposed, we witness the emergence of young and creative designers. We look to defend individuality and 'fashion freedom' as we encourage you to look further than the dominant trends.In this style guide, you'll see gorgeous Rae Maxwell photographs of our models Stimulus and Malik Work, from New York band The Real Live Show, wearing The Roots Studio Tee and our Africa Cuts Tees from the stunning Okayplayer/Okayafrica tee-shirt collection. From Prêt-À-Poundo, who deliberately strays from mainstream fashion, you'll discover creative and inventive designers who'll make Al Malonga stylism remain unique and fresh.
We spoke with stylist Al Malonga briefly on her inspiration for this shoot, "Styling The Real Live Show, I wanted to combine hip-hop with African-inspired items, combining an urban and elegant feel. Codes have changed, men's style, even rappers', have evolved and adapted to our metro-sexual society in their own way. I just love the idea of a look that mixes a blazer-vest combo with a low-crutch and ethnic jewelry, or a precious coat to a camo chain and US flag pants. Those looks are the sum of Madison Ave., Brooklyn and Kinshasa. Urban, Ethnic and Dapper. With the black & white cachet to highlight the graphics of it all."
