Check out the SS 2012 collection from Loza Maléombho of Cote d’Ivoire

For Loza Maléombho, an emerging designer from the West African region, the fashion is in the fabric. Born in Brazil and raised in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, Loza Maléombho came to the U.S. in 2000 with fashion dreams. After graduating from the University of Philadelphia in 2006 with an animation degree, Loza moved to New York to cultivate her penchant for style. In 2009, her self titled label was born. Determined to leave her mark as a fashion industry maven and philanthropist, Loza uses her label to fuel the West African economy and to improve the health and education of those in that region. A percentage of her proceeds are given to schools in the region and she employs the local factories for production. As a designer with heart and purpose, Loza Maléombho’s goal is to promote education in developing countries of West Africa.

 Her SS 2012 collection was inspired by trips to India, Paris, Jamaica, Ghana and Ivory Coast and by the medieval and colonial times. Here she explores a new smart and fashionable way to use Kente Cloth (100% sustainable and hand woven in Ghana) with their professional craftsmanship on tailored jackets and she sure had  fun mixing patterns and textures with Indian batiks and linen.