Tina Knowles Lawson, philanthropist, fashion designer and mother of Solange Knowles and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, hosted the third annual Wearable Art Gala at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, on Saturday 1 June 2019. The Wearabe Art Gala is an an annual fundraiser for Where Art Can Occur, Tina Knowels Lawson's North Hollywood-based nonprofit gallery and performance space. Money raised from the gala also helps fund Tina’s Angels and Richard’s Warriors, a pair of me

I love my work. It has given me the opportunity to break boundaries and stand apart in my own light. "Maryann Kaikai In Sierra Leone, females represent 50.8 per cent of the total population (7.4 million) nationally. All across the country, women play a key role in the political and socio-economic growth of the country. From the bustling local markets of Kroo Town Road, to the busy offices on Siaka Stevens Street, women strive daily to leave their mark. However, due to the pa

Madam Wokie was featured on Thrive Global in an article titled History in the Making: the Rebirth of a Sustainable Sierra Leone by By Michaela S Guzy, Founder & CEO of Oh The People You Meet. To read the full article on Dr. Jane Goodall, primatologist, anthropologist, philanthropist, U.N. Goodwill Ambassador and self-proclaimed activist's visit to Sierra Leone, click here. Thank you Michaela for the feature. Madam Wokie #ThriveGlobal #MAdamWokie #Dr.JaneGoodall #MichaelaSG

Haja Jabbie looked regal in her custom Madam Wokie gown, specially designed for the 2016 Green, White and Blue Sierra Leone Independence Ball . The purple gown with gold embroidery which was sewn in Sierra Leone and sent to the US was the perfect fit and landed her on several best dressed lists. Madam Wokie #MadamWokie #madeinsierraleone

In commemoration of Sierra Leone’s 58th Independence, Madam Wokie is excited to partner with the IAMSL PAGEANT AGENCY managed by Natasha Beckley, to spotlight Miss Universe Sierra Leone 2018/19, Marie Esther Bangura, with an editorial campaign titled “Celebration”. 21 year old Marie Esther Bangura was crowned Miss Universe Sierra Leone in 2018, and she will be representing Sierra Leone at the Miss Universe Pageant 2019. Outfit: Madam Wokie Model: Marie Esther Bangura, Miss Un

On Saturday 13 April 2019, Maryann Kaikai, Creative Director of Madam Wokie, was honoured with the Eminence Africa Lifetime Achievement and Excellence Award for her contribution to the Sierra Leone fashion industry in and out of Sierra Leone. Eminence Africa Entertainment is a non-profit making organisation built on a foundation of love for country and passion. Among other initiatives, the organisation celebrates the work of youths and honours the contributions of seasoned p

Madam Wokie is so excited to be a part of  Michaela Guzy, founder of ‘Oh The People You Meet’ documentary on Sierra Leone. The documentary features Jane Goodallinst's visit to Sierra Leone, and the work/life of several Sierra Leonean entrepreneurs and businesses. Thank you Mmichaela Guzy for the opportunity to be part of your story. Exploring Freetown’s fashion hub, Malama Thomas Street, while sourcing fabrics for Michaela Guzy custom Madam Wokie ensembles.  The documentary w

It was a pleasure styling and designing a bespoke Madam Wokie piece for Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, for the Street Child UK Charity dinner on 7 February 2019. Dress: Madam Wokie Purse: Madam Wokie Madam Wokie #MadamWokie #MadeinSierraLeone #SarahFerguson #DuchessofYork

GTBank Fashion Weekend is a consumer focused fashion exhibition and capacity building event that aims to promote enterprise within the fast growing Nigerian fashion industry. GTBank Fashion Weekend brings together the most promising, talented and recognised fashion designers, brands and retail enterprises from across Nigeria and abroad to showcase the latest trends and products to a large and diverse audience of consumers, press and industry enthusiasts. The 3rd edition of th

“For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end” - Michelle Oboma I had the pleasure of reading Michell Oboma's memoir, 'Becoming', a few days ago and it left me feeling quite inspired. He journey, her strength, her honesty, the determination with which she pursues her goals, her ability to rise about it all while sta

My first stop on my GTB Lagos Fashion Weekend journey was to Nike Art Gallery, to pay homage to legendary artist, Dr Nike Davies-Okundaye. Nike Art Gallery is West Africa's largest art gallery, with branches in Lagos, Abuja, Kogi and Osun states in Nigeria. Chief (Mrs) Nike Davies-Okundaye was born in 1951 in Ogidi-Ijumu, Kogi State, Nigeria. She was brought up amidst the traditional weaving and dying practice in her native village of Ogidi in Western Nigeria. Chief Nike's

On the weekend of 10 November 2018 I travelled to Lagos, Nigeria, for the annual Guarantee Trust Bank Fashion Weekend. I had a great time networking, reconnecting with creatives and exploring Lagos. I am super excited to share my journey at GTB Lagos Fashion Weekend with you all. Thank you Rita Ukugbe of Art of Gold by Riri for my amazing make up throughout my stay in Lagos, you were exceptional. Earrings: Chanel Dress: Madam Wokie Fabric: Vilsco Bracelets & Rings: Madam Wo

Mr Tony Conteh celebrated his Golden birthday in November 2018, and to commemorate the milestone, his family, along with their closest friends and associates converged in Marrakech, Morocco, for a weekend of festivities. To welcome guests in Marrakesh, his partner Monique wore a bespoke Madam Wokie tie-dye gown, which she had specially designed for the occasion. The fabric for this piece was created by students of the Madam Wokie Arts and Craft Project. The event was orga

Madam Wokie is excited to announce that the Madam Wokie Kettle Bags are exclusively available for purchase at Designing Africa Collective, Village Market Mall, Nairobi Kenya. Designing Africa Collective, is a multi brand concept store featuring emerging and premium African and Independent Designers. The store is open from Monday to Sunday, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Madam Wokie #MadamWokie #DesigningAfricaCollective #MaryannKaikai #AnkaraBag

In June I had the pleasure of visiting Senegal for Dakar Fashion Week 2018.The event was organised by Senegalese designer Adama Paris. Below are photos from my time in Senegal, please excuse the photo quality, I clearly needed to upgrade my phone. I also visited L'artisane, one of the most amazing boutiques for vintage, African inspired and high end accessories from Senegal. Jewellery from L'artisane and MODE by MKK. Madam Wokie #MadamWokie #MadeinSierraLeone #Lartisane #Dak

Yandy Smith is an actress and producer, and cast member of VH1 reality series Love & Hip Hop, New York. She is also an entrepreneur who is a part owner, President, and brand manager of the Everything Girls Love. Yandy earned a position on Billboard Magazine's Top 30 executives under 30. Yandy Smith wore a Madam Wokie off-the-shoulder leather and Ankara print dress from madam Wokie's S/S 2018 Collection. Madam Wokie #MadamWokie #YandySmith #madeinsierraleone

Camareh S Kamara  was the 1st runner up in Sierra Leone's first ever live reality TV show, Big Sister Sierra Leone 2018.  Camareh is also a registered nurse, a photographer and concept builder at Envzage Concepts, an aspiring fashion designer, actress and media presenter.   Camareh wore a Mode  floral print print midi gown from Madam Wokie's c for a promotional photoshoot following the  Big Sister Salone 2018 competition.  Congratulations Camareh on emerging 1st runner up.

In support of the Government of Sierra Leone's Free Quality School Education Programme, Maryann Kaikai, Creative Director of Madam Wokie, donated uniforms to all pupils of the We Yone Child Foundation Kroo Bay Community Primary School in Freetown. The donation follows from Madam Wokie's 2015 donation of uniforms and school materials to the Athens of Africa Primary School in Waterloo. Dr Yakama Manty Jones, founder of the Yak Jones Foundation, complimented Madam Wokie's e

The Next Einstein Forum Dinner and Award was held on Saturday 6 October. The aim of the event was to celebrate Women in Science in Sierra Leone. Nicola Asgill, co-founder of The Warehous by Evoque participated in the event as a panelist, alongside several other STEM leaders from Sierra Leone. Thank you Nicola for wearing Madam Wokie. Launched in 2013, the Next Einstein Forum (NEF) is an initiative of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in partnership with

In 2010 Madam Wokie launched the Madam Wokie Arts and Craft Project to provide capacity building, mentorship and skills training for young women and girls. Every year, Madam Wokie selects a group of young women and girls to train in particular trade that will subsequently result in income generation, self-sufficiency and employability. This year nine young women wear selected for training in carpet manufacturing at Madam Wokie. Using recyclable fabrics from unused garment