Embracing the Nigerian Culture

The African-American culture in the United States is a wide and varied one, with men and women from many different walks of life and many different heritages coming together under a single umbrella.

 

In many ways, the culture of Nigeria is a mirror image of that African-American culture. Many African Americans can trace their heritage directly to this rich and vibrant country, but even those who cannot are able to appreciate its ethnic diversity and rich history.

 

One of the things that is most loved about the Nigerian culture is its focus on fashion, and many African-Americans are embracing Nigerian fashion. Those Nigerian-inspired fashions are a great way for African-Americans to show off their taste and style while giving a nod to their cultural heritage.

 

 Fashion has a unique ability to bring an entire culture together, and nowhere is that more evident than in the clothing designs of Nigeria.

Raquel Newell’s clothing below is proof of the cross-cultural power of fashion. Whether it stems from a desire to reconnect with a lost culture or just their fashion sense, there is a reason so many African-Americans are embracing Nigerian culture and fashion in all its forms.

Raquel Newell
Photography - Jim Toreli
Jewelry - UNICAS - www.unicasfashions.com

Collaboration with Blac Detroit Magazine

UNICAS is proud of its collaboration with Blac Detroit Magazine - the premiere lifestyle magazine for African Americas through the entire Detroit region. One of our designs was recently featured on the magazine's style page.

The fact that Black Detroit Magazine is so universally respected and widely read in the Detroit area makes this feature all the more important  The magazine is know for its innovative features and great reporting and we are thrilled to be included.

Through the years Black Detroit magazine has covered the people, the places and the issues that are most important to the African American community in Detroit. The fact that the Creative Director chose to include UNICAS and its unique jewelry design in its latest edition
fills us with delight.

We invite fans of our jewelry to pick up a copy of Blac Detroit Magazine.  .

UNICAS, LLC featured in the WALK 8th Edition Fashion Show

UNICAS showcased its fall designs in the WALK fashion show in Detroit Michigan on December 14. We were proud to be part of this high profile fashion event, and we are even more thrilled to be featured in the couture section.

The WALK fashion show is produced on a bi-annual basis. This exciting show focuses on discovering and uncovering the hidden jewels of the fashion world. As the largest fashion show in the Midwest, WALK shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes of the fashion industry in Detroit. The show is one of the most respected events in the entire industry, attracting well known celebrities like Naima Mora, Whitney Thompson, Dominique Reighard and Teyona Anderson, all past winners of America's Next Top Model. This show has a long history of success, and UNICAS is proud to have played a part in that ongoing success. 

                      

 WALK fashion shows have been held in some of the most prestigious venues in Detroit, including the Detroit Opera House, the Cobo Hall Convention Center, the Masonic Temple, the Detroit Roostertail and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

UNICAS would like to extend a special thank you to Raquel Newell, Renita Walker and Kofo Gbadebo, and model Star Misskemi for their assistance with this special event. Special thanks to the WALK team and the photographers that willingly shared the pictures with us – Jak Wad, Gary Washington, and Vince Holloway.

Introducing the new UNICAS, LLC

UNICAS is proud to announce that we are now UNICAS LLC. UNICAS LLC is now a registered corporation with headquarters in the state of Michigan. We also do business in Maryland.

Although the name has changed, our commitment to quality, service and customer satisfaction remains the same. We are as committed to our clients as ever before, and we look forward to providing many more years of service. We continue to create the handcrafted jewelry our clients have come to expect from UNICAS. The new UNICAS LLC is proud to carry on that tradition of quality, affordability and attention to detail.

Let us know what you think of our new logo! 

Valentino and Soutache

Here at UNICAS, we have known about the beauty, charm and versatility of Soutache for quite some time. We have invested considerable time, effort and resources into creating some of the most beautiful and most unique pieces of Soutache jewelry in the world, and we have been extremely pleased with the warm reception those pieces have received.

Valentino Intricate Soutache

Now it seems as if even designers far removed from the jewelry scene have also discovered the beauty of Soutache. Handbag enthusiasts from around the world are buzzing about the latest Valentino entry in the market – a beautiful designer bag complete with Soutache accents.

As longtime Soutache enthusiasts, we understand the timeless appeal of this special art form, and we see big things for the new Valentino Soutache creation. With its generous size, stylish good looks and Soutache accents, women around the world are sure to notice this new designer creation. But unlike so many luxury handbags, the new Valentino Soutache bag is meant to be used and enjoyed every day. In fact, the Valentino Soutache handbag is the perfect combination of good looks and practicality – a combination that is often hard to find in the world of high-end luxury purses.

The folks at UNICAS are always thrilled when a new designer discovers the beauty and style of Soutache, and we wish Valentino all the best with this new creation. This new Soutache handbag is sure to be a big hit on the runways and the city streets – and we can’t wait to see it in person.

Check Out the UNICAS Designs at Fashion Designers Expo Florida

UNICAS is proud to be showcasing its designs at one of the premiere fashion events of the season – the Fashion Designers Expo Florida. This exciting event takes place the first weekend in October, and it brings together emerging fashion designers from around the world.

UNICAS is one of the designers chosen for this event, and our company will be using the expo to showcase our line of handcrafted and hand designed jewelry creations. We invite you to attend the expo – and to stop by our booth and see our jewelry for yourself.  No matter what you are looking for in the world of fashion, there is something for you to love at the Fashion Designers Expo Florida. This event has been designed from the ground up as a showcase for up and coming fashion designers, and it brings together some of the most exciting new designs in the world of fashion, accessories and fine jewelry.

The Fashion Designers Expo Florida was created to give the world of emerging fashion a secure platform on which to show off their designs and make their dreams a reality. This great event brings together the power of the runway while helping to bring awareness to the issues facing communities throughout the world.

We at UNICAS are looking forward to the Fashion Designers Expo Florida, and we are looking forward to seeing you there and meeting you in person. We are especially thrilled that this event has been specifically designed to show the world who’s next in the fashion world. The world of fashion is always changing, and events like this offer new designers the opportunity to make the connections and get the exposure they need to make the most of their designs and succeed in this highly specialized and competitive industry. The show also helps to expose the emerging talents that will be part of fashion tomorrow and into the future.

In addition to the fashion shows, featuring some of the finest designs and most beautiful dresses in the industry, Fashion Designers Expo Florida educational seminars and other special events. UNICAS is proud to be associated with such a great organization – one that is dedicated to keeping its runways fresh and exciting, and to representing all cultures from around the world. We invite you to stop by our booth at the Fashion Designers Expo Florida and take a look at our unique jewelry designs.

Lessons for Business Owners – Managing Expectations and Evaluating Sponsorship Opportunities

As business owners, we are always anxious to get our products in the hands of customers and in front of the public. The tactics used may be different – from free samples at the grocery store to promotional tie-ins with movies and TV shows – but the expectation is always the same. We know our products are the best – and we want as many people as possible to see how great they are.

Unfortunately, there are always people and organizations willing to take advantage of our enthusiasm and excitement and our excitement about our products. That is why business owners need to look at every new opportunity with both excitement and caution.

Sponsorship opportunities are a case in point. Sponsoring an event or providing a valuable prize can be a great way for business owners to promote their endeavors and gain new clients. There are many great organizations out there who work hard at creating real relationships with their sponsors. Those sponsors receive real value for their money – from mentions in program materials to heartfelt thank yous from those running the event.

The bad news is that not every organization works so hard to acknowledge and thank its sponsors. As a business owner, UNICAS recently encountered an ungrateful sponsor and poorly run event. It can cost a great deal of money to provide a sponsorship – in terms of both money and merchandise – and it is not unreasonable to expect a return on that investment.

UNICAS designers Bonike and Sade in Los Angeles

As business owners, it is our responsibility to choose our partnerships carefully and to follow up on the commitments others make to us. That follow-up can take many forms, from ongoing communication with those in charge of the event to real-time monitoring of the festivities. It could mean insisting on seeing an advance copy of the program booklet and other promotional materials. It could mean talking personally with the organizer of the event.

The bottom line is that these sponsorship opportunities carry risk as well as potential reward. When handled well, such a partnership can help out a worthy cause while increasing business. On the other hand, a partnership with a poorly-run organization or one whose intentions are not so honorable can leave the business owners with nothing to show for their dedication, hard work and monetary investment.