Happy Friday, darlings!
Yesterday I told you one of Spring’s hautest looks will feature multicultural prints and influences. Today I’m happy to share a new label you should know: suakoko betty. This line is the brainchild of Charlene Dunbar, an Atlanta-area designer who marries traditional West African textiles with contemporary silhouettes (“suakoko” means “place of new beginnings” and to Dunbar, “Betty” represents the everyday woman).
Born in Liberia and reared in Atlanta, Charlene’s design sensibilities have been shaped by the strong, stylish women in her family as well as Liberian and American culture. Her work caught the eye of Belk when she entered (and won!) their Southern Design Showcase. Her thoughtfully conceived, artfully crafted pieces will launch in select Belk stores (yes, including Birmingham!) and online at belk.com this month.
When I saw the designs, I knew you would love them too, because suakoko betty embodies confident, bold women who express themselves through their personal style (if that’s not you, darlings, I don’t know who it is). The silhuoettes flatter a variety of physiques, and are so eye-catching that you’re sure to stand out when you enter a room. I can’t wait to get the Peplum with Skirt dress! What also makes this line special is Charlene travels to Africa herself to source and choose the fabric, but the pieces are made in the United States. You can shop the line ahead of the launch via the suakoko betty website and Etsy shop and at The Beehive Atlanta.
In anticipation and celebration of line’s launch at Belk, I am giving away a suakoko betty clutch, similar to the ones shown in the slideshow (which won’t be a part of the Belk collection). I have one, and it is a definite statement piece that I know will transform the simple palette I normally stick to.
There are SIX ways to enter:
- Comment on this post: “I want to be #suakokobettychic!”;
- Share this post on Facebook (tag me and use the hashtag #suakokobettychic);
- Share this post on Twitter (tag @SameChicSouth and use the hashtag #suakokobettychic);
- Sign up to follow this blog;
- Like SCDD’s Facebook page; and
- Follow @SameChicSouth on Twitter.
The winner will be chosen on Monday, March 24 at 5 PM; stay tuned for my conversation with the designer herself next week!
Images via suakoko betty
Same Chic Different Day 
“I want to be #suakokobettychic!”;
“I want to be #suakokobettychic!”
I want to be #suakokobettychic!! Thanks for the giveaway!
I want to be #suakokobettychic!!
I want to be #suakokobettychic!”;
I want to be a # suakokobettychic!
I want to be #suakokobettychic!
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