Welcome Nicola

For the past week SOKO's tailors have been busy making the Winter 2010 ASOS Africa tailored jacket in preparation for the hand beaded lapels. The beading will be carefully hand sewn onto the lapels of 100 jackets in the next few days... pictures soon to come.

ALSO... We are lucky enough to have a new temporary addition to the SOKO team in the form of Nicola Thornley. Since graduating from university Nicola has worked with a number of high end fashion labels to include Nicole Farhi, Alexander McQueen and most recently Burberry; at Burberry Nicola was Product Development Coordinator for the Burberry Brit brand.

Having spent time working for companies involved in high profit and fast turnover Nicola has decided to take some time out from her day job. She has travelled to Africa to get an insiders look into the other side of the industry and spend some time with us here at SOKO.

We are very excited to have her with us - she already has a long list of projects to work on so watch this space...

Exhibition in aid of SOKO

SOKO would like to say a huge thank you to Paul and Chantal Cox (Jo's parents) for organising 'Exposition Chapelle de Saint George'.

Paul and Chantal opened their home in France for a week to showcase the work of five English artists.

The artists included Sally Elizabeth - jewellery designer, Hilary Garner - artist, David Maiden - artist, Nik Meergans - sculptor, Jeanette Todd - ceramicist. We would also like to thank all artists for generously contributed a percentage of sales towards the work of SOKO.

The exhibition was an amazing success.... see pictures below.

Busy Beaders

SOKO has now gathered a large group of beaders to work on the beading for the ASOS Africa Autumn/Winter 2010 collection. Our group of beaders are from the Maasai tribe (of Kenya and Tanzania) and, as one of the beaders told us, they are "born beading". Beading is traditionally done by women but throughout the years men have learnt the skill; we certainly have a large number of male beaders at SOKO.

The beads of the Maasai tribe are usually brightly coloured and elaborate pieces are produced. Beads are worn by Maasai to show status within a tribe or during a celebration, for example when the Maasai warriors (Moran) have been out in the bush for their coming of age they return to a huge celebration and are adorned with beautiful beaded pieces that the women had been making whilst waiting for their return.

The beaded pieces for the ASOS Africa collection have been specifically designed for the Autumn/Winter collection. Each piece takes one beader approximately 4 days and the aim is to make every piece identical.

Hopefully you can now see just how special these new beaded pieces for the ASOS Africa Autumn/Winter collection are!

ASOS Africa Autumn 2010

Check out the great new styles produced by SOKO for the ASOS Africa Autumn 2010 collection online.... visit www.tinyurl.com/asosafricaaw10

African prints designed by asos

After the succesful production of the first half of the ASOS Africa Autumn/Winter collection SOKO's tailors are busy working away on the second half.

Phillip (our Master Tailor) cutting the fabric


The second part of the collection includes the colourful One Shoulder Dress. This dress is particularly special as the fabric on the top part of the dress was designed by the ASOS team and the fabric was printed in Tanzania. After the hundreds of metres of fabric were printed it was shipped to Kenya ready for production; making this dress a truly unique African creation!

SOKO in the Metro....

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ASOS: Africa's great material gains

ASOS Africa: The online store’s fairtrade African range will liven up your autumn wardrobe.

ASOS: Blacket coat, £75

Brighten autumn evenings with a blast of colour by ASOS Africa.

This is the collection’s second outing on the site since its launch in February 2010, where it forms part of ASOS’s Green Room, which offers brands that promote people and planet.

ASOS: Biker jacket, £75

ASOS: Two-in-one skater dress, £50

Traditional African fabrics and specially designed Kitenge cloths, a heavier fabric used in winters in Africa, are used to create tulip skirts, wrap dresses, maxi and cheeky skater skirts.

It’s fast becoming one of the prettiest fairtrade ranges around – ASOS Africa

is made with small, impoverished communities in Africa, allowing them to establish long-lasting businesses using local craftsmanship.

It’s a means of income for communities and celebrates traditional skills.

http://www.metro.co.uk/lifestyle/839681-asos-africas-great-material-gains