CHICHIALONDON

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For Autumn Winter 2013, London based label Chichia explores the concept of communication through dress in their dress concept collection. As they offer the 13 key dresses every Chichia girl should have hanging in her closet, details such as multi ruffles, tiered dress bodices and skirts and manipulated style lines are featured throughout the collection in Chichia's signature playful contemporary and easy to wear silhouettes with a refreshingly vibrant colour palette. Quirky details such as stained-glass window inspired patchwork khanga prints are inter-mixed with bead work, sequins, print, solid, and everything inbetween. Swahili khanga sayings are a re-ocurring feature throughout the collection, either as all over print or strategically placed as a homage to the beautiful language. Playfully mis-matched slithers of underskirts are left on show and placed with contrasting prints; juxtapositioned colour palettes break the rules as mismatching becomes the norm. The printed East African cotton khanga is featured as well as referenced and used alongside fabrics such as viscose, cotton and jerseys. Modern quiet luxury with a splash of whimsy, Who says winter has to be bland?

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About the Designer

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Christine is based in London, United Kingdom. She studied at University for the Creative Arts (UCA) and graduated in 2002. Her collections are produced in Tanzania.

London-based designer Christine Mhando graduated from Kent University with an honours
degree, in 2002. After her studies, Mhando gained invaluable experience working for high-end
designers as well as womenswear brands and suppliers for the high-street Mecca. With the
knowledge she acquired, Tanzanian-born Mhando launched the label that bears her childhood
nickname, Chichia.The Chichia ready to wear range is an amalgamation of both continents and cultures from
which the designer was raised. The label’s signature transpires from the artful application of the
'Khanga', a traditional east African cotton printed fabric used by local women as wraps. Each
collection consists of an eclectic range of dresses and separates in modern wearable silhouettes
and styles in a variety of succulent colours. Chichia’s intelligent use of eye-catching colourful
prints in natural fabrics intermixed with beautiful embellishments and intricate detailing makes
every piece uniquely innovative and a timeless addition to anyone’s wardrobe. Currently stocked in independent boutiques across the world and online, Chichia has gained a cult following on the online blog circuit as well as extensive press attention in distinguished publications such as Grazia, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Independent and Daily mail.  All have warranted Chichia with a place on the London Fashion Week circuit and showcases in fashion events such as Untold and Fashion Diversity, as well as exhibiting at Copenhagen Fashion week, Swahili Fashion week in 2009 and 2010 consecutively, as well as ARISE Magazine fashion week in Lagos 2011, Africa At Soboye (London) 2012 and Africa Utopia at the London Southbank 2012. Winners of the 2011 Ethical Fashion Forum Innovation award (for the collaboration with Tanzanian brand Made By Africa), Chichia has been recognised as an international ethical African designer who modernises and transforms traditional East African textiles into stylish and considered fashionable attire.