Lydia's Weekly Lifestyle blog is for today's African girl, so no subject is taboo. My purpose is to share things that may interest today's African girl.

This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, Titi. This week's subjects: Lace Under the Blazer (1), Louis Vuitton, Chanel and the others in the high value fashion range now for everybody? Contemporary Modern Art Masters, and Funny food at Fairway

Lace Under the Blazer (1). Gone are the days when lingerie belonged strictly behind closed doors. The modern Accra corporate girl knows that a little satin, lace, and confidence can absolutely clock in at 8 AM and still make the boardroom her runway. Slip Dresses, But Make It Executive; That silky slip dress sitting in your wardrobe? Layer it with a structured blazer and suddenly it transforms from “date night in Cantonments” to “creative director at the strategy meeting.” Add: Pointed heels A sleek tote bag Gold jewelry Your serious LinkedIn face Boom. Corporate chic. Lace Details Are the New Power Move; A camisole peeking subtly under a tailored suit? Elite behavior. The trick is balance. If the top feels soft and feminine, the tailoring should be sharp. Think: Lace cami + wide-leg trousers Satin blouse + structured pencil skirt Corset-inspired top + oversized blazer It’s giving soft power. And honestly? Accra fashion girls are mastering it beautifully. Satin at 9 AM? Absolutely. Satin fabrics move differently. They catch light. They create drama. They make even a quick coffee run in Osu feel cinematic. A satin button-down tucked into high-waisted trousers is the kind of outfit that says: “I replied to all my emails and I look expensive.”

Dior, Chanel and the others in the high value fashion range now for everybody? Yes and No. Recently the big ones increased their prices by an easy 50-100%, so they would make more profit, they have shareholders to satisfy (and you were the victim). But many (about 50 million in the case of Dior and Chanel) turned away and went for cheaper brands. Prices are now down a bit, but many of those who turned away have realized they can get the same thing, or something closely similar much cheaper, and stayed there. So now the big ones are starting to offer some of their entry level products like scarves, belts, earrings, headbands at prices starting from “only” 500 USD plus and make collaborations through the likes of Zara and H&M. So that you too could have the real thing. John Galliano, UK fashion Guru who has designed for Dior and Givenchy now works with Zara, and Stella McCartney works with H&M. More to follow.

Contemporary Modern Art Masters. If we think of art auctions, those where paintings go for millions of Dollars, names like Christie and Sotheby may come to mind. But there are many others, like Rago Wright, an American auction house operating more in niche markets. Not fetching all those millions, but still. I am mentioning this because our own Amoako Boafo also was represented in this year’s spring auction in May. Here’s a few examples of what was offered for sale: Sam Gilliam, Sun Woman (1970) An abstract hanging sculpture made of draped and folded fabric-like material is suspended against a plain gray wall. Sam Gilliam, Sun Woman (1970) Amoako Boafo, Girl in Yellow (2019) A painting of a young Black person wearing a bright yellow top against a plain white background. Amoako Boafo, Girl in Yellow (2019) $70,400 Amoako Boafo catapulted to fame in 2019 following a residency at the Rubell Museum, Miami, and headlining feature at Art Basel Miami Beach. In 2020, he undertook a high-profile collaboration with Dior, and his name became at the forefront of artists to watch. Boafo’s work has already been acquired by major collections like the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art among others. Miyoko Ito, Adam and Eve (1957) An abstract painting composed of overlapping geometric shapes in deep blue, black, brown, green, and muted pink against a warm golden-yellow background. Rounded and angular forms suggest two standing human figures facing each other. Miyoko Ito, Adam and Eve (1957) $281,600 Drawing from the creative vernacular of Cubism and Surrealism Maria Martins, Impossible (1946) A surreal bronze sculpture depicts two abstract humanoid figures facing one another against a dark gray background. Maria Martins, Impossible (1946). Est. $150,000–$200,000. Sold for $3.17 million. A key figure within the Surrealism movement of the 1940s Magdalena Abakanowicz, Small Figure with Polygon (1993) An abstract sculpture featuring a rough-textured, leg-like human form balanced upright on top of a geometric metal wheel structure. The pale, elongated figure appears headless and incomplete, standing on a delicate framework of thin dark rods arranged in polygonal shapes. Set against a dark gray background, the sculpture casts angular shadows that emphasize its fragile, precarious balance. Magdalena Abakanowicz, Small Figure with Polygon (1993). Sold for $70,400. Pioneering Polish sculptor and fiber artist. And all that for only 70,000 $. So if you haven’t made up your mind as to what you want to do in future, consider becoming an artiste, or an auctioneer (they typically earn between 15 and 30 % of the sales value, so in the case of Amoaka about 150,000 GHC). How much did you say you earn in a year?

Funny food at Fairway. (5th Circular Road, Opposite Alisa Hotel, Accra) If you are looking for something unusual or celebratory to eat, try Fairway. I went to buy Tahini (a smooth paste made from ground sesame seeds), not every place sells that, and then stumbled upon goat butter, which even in Europe its difficult to get. 400 GHC/kilo. Or organic certified wild rice at 295 GHC/Kg (discounted, was 425), Al peperoneine spaghetti 500 grams at 165 GHC (spaghetti with hot pepper), or a mix of different pastas, 2kg at 525 GHC. You can find strange things here but need a full wallet. Yes, I am talking Fairway in Accra, Ghana.

Lydia...

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