After growing up in Florida, I have a mile-wide soft spot for bright and cheerful colors. So life in Nigeria has been an eye-popping celebration of everything that is incredible about West African prints. It is trendy and astonishingly versatile – but how to integrate it naturally into your closet once stateside? Enter clever curators Sapellé.

Based in the UK, the international retailer and eponymous brand glories in bringing you the best of haute couture "inspired by Africa and fit for the world."  Fancy a bit of bright, vintage-infused glamour? Modahnik's classic raglan sleeve dress ($320) or Tina Lobondi's print swing skirt ($153) are just the ticket. For a more casual outing, you can't go wrong with Choolip's effortless batik dress in yellow ($137).

Pull it all together with Chameleon Earth's truly stunning cowhide bag ($481).  And if you're in need of a stocking stuffer for the lady in your life with an offbeat sense of humor, the elegance of these Tanzanian bone earrings ($14) will make them a wardrobe staple for years to come. 

As if their breathtaking style weren't enough, the company is also a Fellowship 500 member of the Ethical Fashion Forum, promoting fair trade and ethical practices across their entire supply chain.  I love their founding principle that no one should buy a product simply to be charitable -- that first and foremost, our consumption should yield purchases we love and enjoy, and that have been crafted with pride. 

The sapelle tree is indigenous to much of Africa, prized for its unique texture, and used in luxury goods around the world.  It's also a clever play on the French verb for to be named.  I think Sapelle is making a gorgeous name for itself, and for Africa, that I'm proud to call on (and show off).