Kua Designs: For Girls Who Like Color/When Boring Department Stores Are Not Enough

Kua logo featuring cover girl Kemi with her namesake bag. $48.

I've featured one of Ruby Buah's lovely handbags before, but her collection of handbags and jewelry, Kua ("Keeping Us Authentic") Designs, is officially on next level shizzle! After months of waiting, I finally stumbled upon her updated lines of clutches and jewelry, and my general reaction ranged from "wow" to "must.have.NOW." In a day and age where everyone is ripping off African prints and cloth (read: Anthropologie and other unnamed offenders...hey, Anthro, Ghana and Nigeria are not the same country. Thanks...) and claiming to have been "inspired" by African this and African that while charging Rodeo Drive prices, it's really awesome to be able to get one's hands on genuine African couture creations.

What I enjoy most about Kua in general, and this new collection in particular is its blatent, honest opulence. The designs are absolutely decadent, but in an easy, natural way. It's almost as if no effort went into the pieces at all, and they just all happened to turn out absolutely perfect--not so different from stumbling onto a gold mine! In a time of recession, the complex pieces are tasteful in price, but deliciously gaudy to wear, while the simpler pieces are fresh and basic staples suitable for any occasion. My biggest issue with the collection is that there is really no piece that I don't want in my closet, and if I had my way, some of the bags would be hanging on my wall as art (I'm not joking, and don't dare me). As a whole, the collection really is authentic--it's 21st century Africa and Diaspora together in crystal clear micro-cosm--modern, trendsetting, fun, grounded, complicated, true, and full of life and promise.

FAVES

The Calypso collection: Somewhere between graffiti for your body, and a tribute to Makola market, it also remind me of my father's native West Indies and our bejeweled, bedazzled, flashy-nuh-ra@# women...so, you know I need this necklace and bracelet in my life on an IMMEDIATE basis.

Calypso necklace and bracelets...enough to make your eyes fall directly out of your head. Starts at $84.

The Yaaba clutch: Sweet, sweet nectar for the eyes. For the woman who knows her worth...

Yaaba. $70. She speaks for herself, and you want to know her.

More...

Mantebea, from the "Axim" line. $70. And yes, that's dupioni silk--bright yellow dupioni silk. It's hard being a show-stopper. Enjoy.

Flowers of Fuschia earrings. $34.

Dubai bloom earrings. $38.

Akasi, from the "Kumasi" line. $90.

Afua, also from the "Kumasi" line. For the woman who wants to be the life of the party. $102.

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Ekleba flower pin. $5.

I missed the Kua Shop & Mingle event held in NYC this spring due to the demands of my round-the-clock corporate gig, but am begging my sister--who currently lives in Accra--to attend the Shop & Mingle event being held there tomorrow. In honor of Kua's successes, I've featured my favorite pieces from her collection, for your perusal. Madame Buah will be receiving my order shortly, as my birthday is around the corner and this ohemaa plans to step out in true regal style. You, too, can place your orders here. Happy Indulging!

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