@FROCENTRIC: KYU MELANGE - THE NEW AGE OF LUXURY

Hello people..It's another edition of @FROCENTRIC which features Afrocentric designers around the world..This edition features  NY based Jamaican designer  Kesi Gibson of Kyu Melange

Tell Us About Yourself

I am the founder and CEO of Kyu Melange (Q-mey-Longe) - a purpose driven fashion company that places emphasis on celebrating the invisible hand of fashion. I am of Jamaican decent and grew up in a very creative household. Art has always been a big part of my life. 

How did it all start? The Kyu Melange Journey..

I grew up in a very entrepreneurial household. My mother was a artist and designer so fashion has been a big part of my self expression since I was a child. Between school and dance classes/performances, I spent a lot of time working with my mom, learning the business from soup to nuts. I invested significantly in my development as an artist over the years, whilst pursing a career in financial services. However, it was not until 2011 when I entered business school that I figured out how to actually make art the focus of my career without giving up the things I cared most about from the social impact side, or the thrill from intensity that I secretly enjoyed about my financial services career. At first it was about the discovery and conceptualizing my business model, using the access I had to production and supplier channels from my mothers network. It soon became my way of life.

What is your inspiration?

I draw inspiration from many things including the expression of culture and traditions preserved in art around the globe. At times I start with the technical design, other times my initial inspiration comes from the raw materials. At the core however my greatest inspiration and greatest support comes from my mother - her heart, her work, her life. 

Describe the Kyu Melange customer in 3 words. 

Expressive. Fashionable. Conscious.  

Tell us about your Business model especially Global sourcing model

We source raw materials from around the globe. This is a big part of the Kyu Melange difference. The Global Fusion Collection emphasizes fuses leather and fabrics seamlessly. These fabrics are often hand-woven, hand-dyed my women in emerging countries across the globe. The fabrics are sourced from Uzbekistan, Ethiopia, Senegal, Pakistan, India, Peru, Colombia. Our leathers are sourced from Italy, Turkey, Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia. 

Why & How should anyone join the "Kyu Melange Movement" ?

We recently launched a crowd funding campaign on Plum Alley. In this campaign we are pre-selling our 2015 Spring Summer Collection as well as our 2014 Holiday Collection. Our campaign is part of a bigger movement within Kyu Melange to build the economic aspirations of artisans around the globe beyond their local street corners. I invite you all to watch the video and pledge to support the campaign. No amount is too small (or too big).

Kyu Melange PA from Infused Media Group Client Page on Vimeo.



"If it's AMAZING it won't be easy. If it's EASY it won't be amazing. If it's worth it YOU WON'T GIVE UP. If you RISK nothing, you risk EVERYTHING. Entrepreneurship, and in particular Fashion Entrepreneurship is fraught with challenges and road blocks. There are many many rivers to cross. However - with resilience, humility, and passion, I have been finding my way every day, and every day MY CONVICTION GROWS STRONGER."

Kyu Melange -  Crowd Funding Campaign

She is sponsoring my first giveaway on IRepCamer..Yayyyy...Stay tuned for details of giveaway...And the winner gets this clutch

Please if you are in the DC area, check out her DC launch party this Saturday

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kyumelange
Instagram: http://instagram.com/kyumelange
Twitter: @kyumelange
Pinterest:http://www.pinterest.com/KyuMelangeBrand/
Website:http://www.kyumelange.com/

I can't wait to style my Kyu Melange cluth

Y.M.
IRepCamer

#STOPEBOLA: AKON, ANGÉLIQUE KIDJO, FALLY IPUPA, WAX DEY, MAGASCO AND MORE ARTISTS COME TOGETHER TO DEMAND ACTION ON EBOLA

Hello People, Ebola is still killing people especially in a few countries in West Africa.  15 African artists have come together in a powerful video to demand action on Ebola. 

The video, which is completely silent, highlights how the world waited too long to act, and over 5,000 lives were lost as a result.

 

SAY NO UNiTE #ENDVIOLENCEAGAINSTWOMEN. THE #ORANGEWFP CAMPAIGN...DAY #9

Hello people..It is Day 9 of the Orange Campaign Say NO UNiTE #EndViolenceAgainstWomen Check out the 2 previous posts here & here

Shiela Elangwe Says NO #OrangeWFP

WFP Sub Office Mali Team

WFP Sub Office Mali Team

WFP Sub Office Mali Team

Petra & Makia - Congrats guy.I <3 font="">

Iya Beyondo & her Iya Foundation Team. Go Orange!

Orange Mini from Liiber London collection

ITU Regional Africa Office - Orange Their Office

Anrette Ngafor Akinyele - Designer/CEO of Liiber London

LIA of Talktolia repin' in orange with her colleague in Canada..lol

My childhood friend, Emmanuel Mengnjo Says NO from Amsterdam

Kibonen Nfi - Designer/CEO of Kibonen NY chilling at David Ttale shop in SA

Cynthia Tabe, CEO/PR Lady  ModeMaison PR & Blogger at Dulce Camer

Blogger, Life Coach, Speaker Mah Mekolle of Pearls of Our Lives

Mah's Son Nathan 

Your Truly All Orange yesterday..lol

Check Out the SAY NO UNiTE page on Facebook for updates. One more week to go..The last post will be on the last day in a week. Send your orange pictures to irepcamer@gmail.com.

Y.M.

IRepCamer

MUSIC THURSDAY: #237MUSIC IS TRENDING!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING....

Hello people..I normally don't do back to back Music Thursday but there are lots of good new and not soo new tracks and videos out so I had to. Please support up and coming artists by sharing and buying their music..The Camer Urban industry is in good place right now..Slowly but surely we carving our unique "Camer Soundz and Beatz".Let's #TrendCamerMusic. There is a new Music Blog in "town"...lol. Check out  "NDENGE" -THE PEOPLE - THE CULTURE - THE MUSIC

PhilJohn Beatz
PhilJohn is one of my all time fav beat makerz
King Kester - Nzinzi
Remixed by PhilJohn..Enough said!!


Bella -  Pala Pala Remix
Mani La Belle...Pala Pala is one of my favs..and I love this remix

Eddy B - I Want To Marry You (Go)
This track has to trend at wedding this December..I absolutely love it


Tay-O - Follow the Lida
The swag for this video na die..hahaha..Whats up with bikers and chics?? I am totally feeling it..Follow the Lida

Jintior Sieni - City Near You
OK take a quick trip to a city near you!! Once I get passed the Nwords..I am kinda ok..lol!

JuiceJulius - Yankee
"Ya mama go go Yankee go Yankee go Yankee ehhh"  ok this bush falling. Loving it!



Ouilfreed Meyou - Na PoPôh ndolo Remix

MNW presents Na Popoh Ndole Remix , Prod by Dj Chriss and his team at  GhettoMusicProd. The video is Directed by Adah Akenji from AMusic Video Production.

" You habok me..Habok..You di turn turn me...No Popoh Ndolo...Time di go oh mami nyanga..No waste my time"

Le Macobo D'Eto'o 
Chaiii Camers no go kill me I beg...lol! I don't even know what to say..I happy that someone reached one to me with this..Love it!



Leo NG - TPT  (Tuer Pour Tuer)
Tuer pour Tuer...In short..another lyrics way worry place..FranAnglais..lol. And Adah Akenji is def a "serial video killer".. 

AL-K - Soffa Pikin 
Camer soldier..yes yes je confirme..OK the lyrics of this track are killing it.



Ama Fru - Ahead Ahead Lyric Video
"If you want do am step by step just wake up and try. Put one foot at a time. No let man discourage you" End off. Lyrics are on point. Looking forward to the video..As you can see he is "preppy" in his style..lol


HIGHLIGHTS OF TODAY's MT

Maknum- Elimb'a Dikalo
Proudly born and bred in Douala..I am in love with this track and video..chaii...In memory of Eboa Lottin. 



Daphne - Broken Lyrics Video
So yesterday SME Wednesday brought us the Lyrics video for Broken..Video & production done by the talented Nkeng Stephens. This is my best track of the Reflection EP. Which is now available on iTunes, google play & Amazon. 

Also check out her session with the one and only Brice Albin of Nostalgie FM to debut her Reflection EP here. Read the amazing Music Review on Scribblers From the Den here. 

"If you come to fix me. Then ma heart na ya own. But if come to break ma heart. No no no. Heartbreaker you no go ever see my heart. Cause I am already broken" ‪

 



 COMING SOON

 MTN Make The Music winner Salatiel to drop his video for Fap Kolo soon. Check out the Behind the scenes!!..."I di find ma own garri.". Looking forward to it.

Enjoy the Music...Happy Thanksgiving to all my US peeps.

Y.M.
IRepCamer

SAY NO UNiTE #ENDVIOLENCEAGAINSTWOMEN. THE #ORANGEWFP CAMPAIGN STARTS TODAY!

Hello people.So the #OrangeWFP Campaign is on!! November 25th to December 10 are 16 days of Activism to #EndViolenceAgainstWomen...

And this one of the reasons I love FB is because I can get great feedback....(and of course harass people to get what is required...lol)

The #UNiTE  #OrangeWFP campaign  kicks off As UN Headquarters shines in orange to raise awareness 

My friend Shiela Elangwe who put me up to this and I just ran with it.lol

Frenn truly this morning raising awareness with tangerines & flyers

Seynabou Keita, Senior Staff Assistant, Remy Doumbia, Resource Management assistant, and Michelle Iseminger, Deputy Country Director, CO MALI

Michelle, WFP Deputy Director MALI

With my cousin Noela Tume Samson #MbohnyarSwag

Yours Truly

Julia Gham of PowerHouse Inc

Enow Ayukegba Aka True Lion. Sports Analyst Extraordinaire @Tru3football

Kweku Adu, Film Maker & Photographer Excellente @BTK International Studios 

Terese Tande...Chef Extraordinaire @CookingWithTerese

Makongi Yuyun...Thanks for the quick response sis!

Adeline Sede Kamga Editor & Consultant in Chief @FabAfriq

My friend Catherine Ndoping Nwana, Says NO from Bangalore, India

Estella Muma adds to the Punjabi Effect from Washington DC (pure coincidence..lol)

Moi @Flat Creek Estate #WineryThingz

Please do something similar in your network. Start a discussion on your community,social media, wear orange, have a girls night out and discuss how to help the cause of ending violence. To support this campaign, please send a picture of you wearing Orange to irepcamer@gmail.com. "Have your say" about this issue and will be quoted in a follow up post.

#OrangeWFP #UNiTE

Y.M
IRepCamer

CAMER FACES,SPACES & PLACES: PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY B

Hello people.Introducing a new feature which showcases Cameroon through (random) pictures.  The goal is also showcase,promote  and encourage of up and coming photographers!! 


Camer Faces, Spaces & Places #1 features photos by Buea based photographer Kelly B. 

En Passant Le Mungo..lol

MUSIC THURSDAY: LET'S #TRENDCAMER MUSIC

Hello people..Another Thursday..There is soo much good music these days..I can't keep up. Camer Music is my constant staple during my commutes.It is amazing how much talent there is out there..It just needs proper packaging, a team and strategy! 

Kicking off with Chilli...My Nso people will love this one..It's Rap, Hip Hop, Bendskin Pop. R & B..and the list go on..To Trending pays music..

Chilli - My Heritage
"Kikum tar la. Tar machine..." Looking forward to more from Chilli. 


Moly237..
Buea or na Moly all stars..This is the ishh collabo...All man rap e own ehh!!


Taybid - Show Me

Taybid  is here again...
Slimbeatz  Best Music Collabo
This best Best Music collabo featuring the beatz from one of my best producers is it.Everyon came out well on the rap..And of course Monsta is my fav..."We di njoka err day..boh we know  the thing..'cause ma bill no get gate..."ll


Yann Nz - Comme si c'etait hier
I love the track and the simplicity of the video




Yvich - Parkinson
Hope Music Group def has some good and talent..."Tu as la parkinson"??? 


Micheal Kiessou ft CPrime - Wapalilo (Sagat Sagat)
Ladies and Gentlemen, Hope Music Group in Collabo with A Music present to you, Michael Kiessou ft C-Prime......Sagat Sagat!! .This is BendSkin Rock Pop!!


Tyt Ginz - 7 Feet Tall
Hmmm who is 7 feet tall..I want see e..lol..Totally feeling Area Killa Beatz!! "I am not a musician..I am an artist..You no fit change my position, I get foundation" "I got two thingz, Swag & The Business"..You be Bangwa 99 Sense. for real..haha...Na wah oh!
Crispy - Mboma 
Kumba guys di kill me oh..The lyrics for this song na die. "If I vex I di turn Mboma...I get beef for bush..One na Python". "Kumba Boy I don work tire"...lol. 


  NEW ARTIST ALERT
Honestly..New artists are popping up by the week..This edition's highlight for new artist is  Marc Eff  Afro-R&B producer/singer, who doubles as the CEO of Chillen Muzic Records.

The singer/producer, born Nkwain Marcel Ful, is originally from Njinikom, a tribe in the North West Region of Cameroon. Though presently a maestro, things have not always come easy for Marc Eff who has had quite a bit of a struggle on his way up the ladder of career success.

Marc Eff’s passion for music dates back to his childhood days, when at the age of 12, he developed an interest in playing the xylophone. Little did this 12-year-old know that his playing this instrument for his local traditional masquerade dances was just a tinge of an innate quality that would someday put him at the helm of a renowned recording studio.

Growing up with his elder brother Master Chill, who had a burning desire for music further ignited Marc Eff’s interest in music. The young artist, however, never got much encouragement from this end when he started singing in 2006. Having been severely frowned at for his career choice by a disapproving dad, the loving older brother, understandably, did not want the same for his kid brother.

This did not deter the young singer. On the contrary, it fueled his zeal and he wanted more than anything to follow in his brother’s steps. He kept on with his dream in the shadows, and together with his friend Abah Juventus, formed a band called the ‘So Close Crew’. Instrumental to the band’s success was Pazzo, a member of Chill’s crew at the time, who encouraged the m and helped them come out with their first demo. During this time, Marc Eff picked up a few music production tricks from Pazzo and within a short time, was able to make his first beat.

In 2007, Marc Eff met T-Max, a local voice trainer, and Ben Mbinglo, his mentor at the time, who helped him with the basics of making good music.

The singer later in 2008, got in contact with someone who according to him “..till date remains the major person who impacted my musical career extraordinarily…”, Herman Kishani. “…He even gave me the name Marc Eff, which means ‘final mark’, alluding to the unique final touch he thought I gave my music.”

By 2010, Marc Eff produced his first standard product, an album for the Voltage Crew, at the Chillen Muzic Studios, owned by his brother. The pivotal point in the artist/producer’s career came in 2011 when the Voltage Crew Album was completed and Master Chill, seeing the great potential in the young producer, decided to work with him.

Between 2012 and 2013, Marc Eff produced a couple of singles, including ‘Super Fans’, ‘Facebook Lover’, ‘Ma Functionaire’. He also produced songs for General Tozic, Mic Monsta, Witty Minstrel and Dr. Kapt, the few amongst the lot.

Marc Eff has steadily grown from a kid with an unquenchable passion to an expert with a producer’s touch that brings life to any kind of song.

About his singing, his songs tell it best…’Mbanga Don Ripe’, ‘Pull Me Back’, ‘Yah Bad’ are all part of his repertoire.

From playing the xylophone masquerade dances to becoming a great artist/producer and CEO of a top recording studio was never a jolly ride for Marc Eff…and if there is a lesson well spelt out by his journey to success, it is this-“Determination is the key to success”

STAR BOY THINGZ
Stanley Enow ft Sarkodie - Njama Njama Cow Remix.
Everyone should have seen this video by now...The remix is much better than the original which caused a big time social media controversy..lol..Camers no go kill me person. "Ma mami go for Ngaoundere for sika bele cow oh"




HIGHLIGHTS OF TODAY's MT

Mr. Leo - E go betta
I love everything about this song and video..Wehhhhh!




 Ambe - Les Filles De Mon Pays
Rebranding himself as "Ambe" was the best thing that happened. I like his music genre 'cause he mixes it with traditional beats. "If e no get money, e di tok na rubbish. If e no get money e di tok na rubbish. Si il n'a pas l'argent  il dit les betise. Si il na pas l;argent, it parle l'espagnol" 


Daphne - Reflection EP
Let's just say I can't get enough of this  4 track "Reflection"debut EP by Stevens #NextBigThing..Now available on iTunes, GooglePlay & Amazon. Check out Daphne's Facebook page for more updates.. Looking forward to listening to the audio for the great debut show with Brice Albin on Nostalgie FM on Monday, November 17th.

Reflection - Lyrics Video 
The Lyrics video for Reflection is just a breath of fresh air. The graphics are to die for. Already looking forward to next SME Wednesday




Happening in Douala Tonight. Daphne is #MADEOFBLACK

OK people..Let's #TrendCamer Music Enjoy!!

Y.M.
IRepCamer