Oprah has her favorite things shows, and it’s amazing. I have a few favorite things now that I think about it.  But want inspired me to write today after a long absence is the new IPAD 2.

Here is my list in no particular order.

1. Roku Player : you can connect it to any TV and get your Netflix, Amazon Videos and HULUY directly through Wi-Fi connection.  It has a remote and just needs power.
2. Chivas Regal : Long before its popularity in the US, I was a fan thanks to my big brother. It’s the best blended scotch out there.  It grew 61% in the last 8 years.
3. American Apparel T-shirts: This is no shameless plug, I love American Apparel tees. Soft, durable and amazing fit.
4. Campers Shoes: This is going to apply the same theory as in the tshirts; Soft, durable and well amazingly comfortable. And don’t forget its casually stylish.
5. Last but not least it’s the iPad 2, I cant believed I lived 30 years without it. I makes like super easy. The other day I opened an app called epicurious and told it what I have to in the fridge and it told me what to make; it was quesadillas for dinner.

Although slowly, we here at bernos have been made some progress over the summer. We have been sending our products to retailers in various parts of the world.

I remember when we first sent some bernos™ tees to a store in US Virgin Islands about 18 months ago.

One of these stores is Agnes & Lola anAfrican Boutique based in London; which launched this past summer.  It was nice to see Lola Remi and Agnes & Lola featured on CNN this past weekend.

Please read the article and share it via your social networks; because like Lola said:

It’s not just about building ourselves but about promoting Africa in a positive way.”
—Lola Remi, founder of Agnes & Lola

We are extending the Free Shipping week from Last week through Thanksgiving.

Yes we know its been a while but we are still here!

Summer of 2010 is almost over but it was very good. We went to San Jose for ESFNA in July. It was exciting to meet some of our west coast bernos™ fans. While in San Jose, we introduced our new bernos™ shirts.

If you were there, then consider yourself lucky since you received a preview of what was to come. It seems as though we’ve been quiet and maybe not doing too much. Au contraire, Nolawi has been putting man hours in revamping the site and making it more easy for you to shop and navigate. Many new features, including but not limited to moving our site from bernos.org to bernos.com although both urls will direct you to the main site.

bernos™ kids tee

Our customers have been bombarding us with request for a kids version of the bernos™ tees. We’re happy to announce our new bernos™ kids tees; we are starting with two concepts — ET alien & Baby Afro.

bernos™ kids ET Alien is available now in 3 different sizes on Orange American Apparel tee.

Baby Afro

The Afro — is the natural hairstyle for people of African descent, although there is variation of the Afro Hairstyle each represent genuine beauty of African people.

The Baby Afro concept came about our appreciation of African beauty and aesthetics, as embodied by the Black is beautiful movement; from a 2 year old child to your 90 year old grandma. The bernos™ Baby Afro tee for kids is available now in 3 different sizes on baby blue American Apparel tee.

Everyday people

Introducing new bernos™ tee called Everyday people, inspired by the 1968 single by Sly & the Family Stone The concept with varieties Djembe drums not only represents a traditional African musical utensil but also the wide variation of cultures and history within the continent that have coexisted throughout history.

The Djembe in Africa represents the gathering of people and listening to music. DJe means Gather and be means everyone in bambara language.

bernos.com

We are currently in the testing phase the next couple of weeks so if you encounter issue please email us at info@bernos.com; and let us know.

If you order more than 2 tshirts at this time, you get free shipping.

Yes, we are developing our new site and I have been working on it on and off for about 3 months. It’s one of those things I have started working on a few times but somehow things fall apart as with any large web development project with a very small budget and time (mostly the bernos team’s). The new bernos™ site  is near a real e-commerce application on par with the large retailers and not just an open source content management system that is hastily installed.

Yesterday, as I was working on the product page and with all the things that we are going to leverage with the launch of the new site, including new bernos™ tees, bernos™ kids and as well as the many features of our application, I was thinking we should definitely educate people on the quality of the American Apparel tees.  I was thinking maybe some kind of logo badge….proudly printed on American Apparel t-shirts.

Everything about American Apparel has inspired me in many ways. The way they market their products unapologetically or their political stances on immigration like in the Legalize LA campaign (wiki), as well as their socially conscious position on manufacturing. They have the highest earning workers in the apparel industry, all the while the competition way is paying 50 cents an hour they were paying 24 times that at 12$ an hour.

All these and by the time bernos™ launched in 2006 they were the largest clothing manufacturer in the United States; and one of the only companies that exported a Made in USA apparel. As well as the largest wholesale for graphic tee designers large and small even though the wholesale cost of the t-shirt almost 4 times more than the average price of their competitors.

We get emails from customers that don’t know about American Apparel, asking as why we don’t use certain brands of tees or why we don’t do production in Ethiopia or somewhere in Africa. I casually shrug them off because I didn’t want to explain all the things I’ve mentioned above.

But yesterday, the company I invested in, yes I have some stock (not much) but nonetheless the shares fell and fell hard.   AA recently changed accounting firm and they got a federal subpoena, some kind of accounting scandal may or not may come and AA, like a lot of clothing manufacturing companies, is not turning profit these days.

AA owes a lot of money; they might also be delisted from the NYSE Amex stock exchange for not filing quarterly reports on time. But not to worry, they will survive because their market share in the industry is huge and everyone needs to get paid, even if they might end up in Bankruptcy protection. And bernos™ will continue to serve on the American Apparel brand.

This guys if weird, I mean really weird and whenI saw this video I couldn’t stop laughing. I could see how this could happen.

Regardless though, I was surprised this morning when I got an email this morning claiming that “… this sums of most of your articles on Bernos.”

Which is even more funnier than the idiot on the video. I really hope you guys don’t see me or parts of my opinions that I have shared through the past few years remotely similar to this guy.

Let me know

I haven’t been able to concentrate enough to think straight the last week let alone work. I have been watching the first world cup in Africa. Tshabalala & Drogba are my two favorite players this cup.

I have never been able to understand true fans of soccer that root for teams other than their own. For me since my country is not in I have since 1986 my first cup to watch had continental pride.

I have been lucky enough to attend eight ESFNA Tournaments here in North America and every year I am excited about the games, the gathering, the soccer games and most of all the parties.

This year is especially exciting for me because bernos™ has become a veteran at ESFNA with a booth; looking forward to seeing familiar faces as well as new ones.

Things are always hectic though and we have officially entered the post millennia world much like the world cup with an app to make things simpler.

I found ArifQuas, an iPhone application for ESFNA and the events surrounding it. I found it on Facebook and I contacted the developers to see how we can make use of it. I had been reading the reviews of the new iPhone two weeks ago as the new 4g is coming in the month. And I read that 51million iPhone have been sold and it’s not slowing; its growing and its time for us, African to enter the world of reaching our niche market through an app.

With that bernos™ has sponsored this ArifQuas application not only because we believe this is going to help our presence at soccer tourney but also because niche technology targeting previously not represented people must be supported.

We were decades behind the rest of the world for years with no real standard Unicode for Amharic. The smart developers and font designers were all independently working and the industry didn’t mature till the last couple of years.

It’s time we the people steer development of things we need by supporting or discouraging actions that help or hurt our society. Business in not everything, sometimes quality beats quantity and ArifQuas by ArifSoft a fantastic application.

Don’t take my word for it, download it on your iPhones app store and then find bernos™.

i aint mr. right but i am mr. bright/

the starlight type/

the bark fits the bite

There’s never been a lack of intelligence in Hip-Hop; never been a lack of clever, witty lyrics and impressive flow. So what makes this cat Anthem different than the rest?

Perhaps some context is needed. Ant is a 24 year-old MC born to a loving but stern single Ethiopian mother, four years getting his degree from the prestigious yet decidedly love-me-or-hate-me Duke University, and another two in a suit in the cutthroat world of Wall Street. Oftentimes, a passion becomes a passion first by providing some type of outlet.

While in school, Ant would enter (and frequently win) freestyle battles with hundreds in attendance; he honed his lyrical acumen well before he polished his business one, and worked hard enough to escape the proverbial trap of music-as-only-way-out.  While working on the Street, Ant realized his heart was always in the music, however financial difficulties at home prodded him to continue working and stand tall for his family. When presented with the opportunity to chase his dreams, he jumped on it, and the rest is where I come to today.

Anthem’s mixtape, entitled “Almost There”, is due out soon. The album is velvety mix of exuberant lyrics and quintessential make-ya-head nod beats; some have compared Ant to Drake, but that is a superficial assessment. What is interesting though is that like Drake, Anthem seems to be another step in the evolution of Hip-Hop, with the genre moving away from gangsta notions of masculinity and towards an ability (and even a strong tendency) to express more complex emotions and display vulnerabilities.  In ‘Bachelor’s Theme’, an ode to singledom, he starts off the song with Can’t stay heartbroken forever baby!.

How often do you hear artists rap about heartbreak?

She had pretty wings but bear witness/ I’m hoppin over heartache with rare fitness.

The hook has him freeing himself of what could easily stand for the shackles of his previous profession,

Back in the day I used to love a girl but not anymore, now im free and I don’t wanna have that shit again/ Bachelor phase is how I’m livin’ we aint lovin these hoes/ and I bet that we’ll menage if you have a friend..

On “LaLaLa”, he tells his prospective lover, Stay up all night/Get it on right/ be my anti-narcolepsy…, displaying a knack for chuckle-worthy witticisms while staying true to the art of storytelling. Anthem’s creed is “Campaign Grassroots/Champagne Glass Flutes”, a line that speaks both to his familiarity and appreciation of the finer things as well as his commitment to making quality popular music that can be enjoyed simply for what it is: a record that makes you feel good. Ant’s music resists labeling, and if there is any overlying message to be had from his music or story it is to chase your dreams with abandon, ‘cuz you really only do have one life to live.

Whether my introspective rhetoric betters your souls/

Or you connect to my degenerate goals of getting at hoes/

It’s an honest reflection of my psyche/

If I’m lyin then may lightnin’ strike me/

I got my back to my past/

My chest to the moon/

Countin’ my lucky stars it’s the best feelin’ too/

I see them in my E Y E

And I’ma dream till I D I E

You gon see bout me…

Anthem will be performing at our 4th Anniversary Party at the Warehouse Loft on Sat May 29th 2010.

Check out his music for yourself on Facebook, Myspace and Twitter

Nolawi wrote a piece about Munit’s video “Noro Noro” a little over a year ago. He was referring more to her style of music and how much he loved the fact that it was not synthesized, or over synthesized, like a lot of Ethiopian music nowadays.

I don’t remember how I met Munit, but I remember the first time I saw her sing. It was 6 years ago at an event organized in DC  by the Ethiopian Student Association . I remember seeing this tiny woman with so much energy walking around and talking to mutual friends. Her laugh was infectious. Little did I know,  she had a voice that could render a room silent.

Munit sang back up for Wayna and has collaborated with countless artists. For those of you who had a chance to go back to Ethiopia in the last few months, she had a successful few months at Club Alize.

I could go on and on about her and her music, but I’d rather you come and see her perform and be blown away. Bernos’ 4th year anniversary on  Sat May 29th is at The Warehouse Loft. She’ll be performing alongside BSheba and Meklit Hadero. Make sure to purchase your tickets for the show.

When it comes to Ethiopian/Habesha mainstream musicians I’m always skeptical about the talent, or lack thereof.  Yes, you can call me a harsh critic.  I have my circle of friends to thank for that and who were nice enough to groom me into the music lover I am today.

Betty was introduced to you, the general public, by us through a photo shoot we did for the “Roots” tshirt.  At that time, we were not aware of her musical aspirations.  Fast forward a couple of years later, she’s been involved in several projects that have showcased her talent and her ability to be diverse.

Her bio states “It’s impossible to place B-Sheba in one particular category or mold. Her compositions encompass various genres and often blend several different styles.” She was involved in a group called Kaffa Beanz &  featured in a score  for the movie “Toe 2 Toe” . She is now working on her solo album “Hello World” and working on putting a group together with APthePrince called “TheeInCrowd (T.I.C)”. Does she ever sleep? I don’t think so.

I admire individuals who pursue their passion and focus on perfecting their craft. In addition to that, being a female in this industry is not an easy thing.  There aren’t a lot of females industry who are up to par, or some haven’t been given a chance at all. Bsheba is a lyricisist and will take you on a journey.If you’ve never seen her live, you will not want to miss her performance.

Bsheba will open for Meklit Hadero at our 4th year anniversary event on Sat May 29th, 2010.

For more information about the event and to purchase advance tickets, please click here.

Daym, is what I was thinking when I saw the above chart, the growth rate of twitter is unheard of in the world of web. Twitter is now processing 50 million Tweets a day, which comes to about 1.5 billion Tweets a month.

By Comparison, Facebook which has more users and the number two website in the world grew so much slower.

I went back to read an article I wrote about a year ago. I was such a pessimist, how many friendships and relationships were broken up by it, but in reality how has it helped all of us keep in touch with friends, family and help up network a bit more, both professionally and personally.

I am going to look at twitter more positively because it suits me, or at-least my view of how everyone should be. Opinions, in 40 letters or less.

This way it helps us Africans who are so frightened of expressing our feelings publicly. Twitter will be therapy for African.

I know it sounds ridiculous but think about it, practice makes perfect!

Bernos though is not doing so well on Twitter, compared to Facebook, we have 250 followers to 5000 Fans.

I was discussing with Beshou, who is much less adverse to the social media technologies, and I asked her how to improve and she gave me some marketing methodologies. Well, and the method although might work were not organic, meaning people that are not inclined to follow us because they want to know about us does not necessarily help us.

Its like mass email that is unsolicited. Those that do not opt in to receive it just ignore it, so its pointless. And so when you market, leads are not generated by quantity rather by the quality. ie extreme niche targeting!

Wale – My Sweetie (directed by tabi Bonney) from tabi Bonney on Vimeo.

2009 was a great year for us; we experienced a lot unexpected positive outcomes, and a lot of our hard work came to fruition.  As soon as we were ready to call it a year and start working on 2010, Dawit gets a call from Tabi Bonney’s production company and he tells me that Bernos is going to be featured on Wale’s video “My Sweetie” off his new album “Attention Deficit.”

For those of you who are not familiar with Wale, he is a local rapper who got signed to a major record label and released his album in late 2009.

It was a chilly, dreary and rainy Saturday morning as Dawit came and picked me up to go to the location. We were both excited and sort of unsure on how to proceed with such things. Obviously, we are going there to provide wardrobe and that was it.

However, what we didn’t expect is what really goes on behind the scenes. Tabi Bonney and his production company were directing the video.  Earlier in the week, they had a casting call for African female models in the area for the video.  We were able to bring one of our favorite models, Selam who was gracious enough to accept our offer.

We had to opportunity to meet some local talents who work in the industry. It was also amazing to see the hard work and organization that goes into these type of productions. Wale & Tabi Bonney were gracious enough to accept a few of our tshirts.

Once the video is up and ready for viewing, we’ll upload it and share with you. In the meantime, click here to listen to the single.

The annual ritual continues here at bernos! We are doing the same great deal we have done for the past three Christmas.’

Free Shipping on all bernos T-shirts between now and Dec 31st. December 18th will be the last day we can guarantee that an order received will reach our U.S. and Canada customers before Christmas.

And and…Don’t forget some of our big sale items like the bernos Argyle Rasta for only 14.95$.

As usual, we thank you for shopping with us and please continue to Tell a Friend about us…

Happy Holidays from the crew here at bernos.

the latest bernos

Inspired by the music Grand Kalle et l’African Jazz, we are proud to bring you the bernos Afro Jazz, featuring African Jazz musician playing the Sax with African motif. Presenting bernos Afro Jazz concept in Silver American Apparel Shirt only $23.95.

As seen on K’naan’s : T.I.A video, this shirt is back by popular demand. Make sure that you get it before we sell out. Presenting the bernos Made in Africa II, now available in Navy Blue American Apparel Shirt only $22.95.

Bringing back our most controversial shirt and ironically, the people’s choice. A common thread amongst bernos lovers, bloggers & supporters is that most of us hail from Africa. Bernos believes and stands for Africa. This is a way for us to pay homage to Africa. The Bernos Afrocode is now available in Olive Green American Apparel Shirt only $22.95.

We also wanted to thank everyone who was part of making our fall collection come to life:

- Our models: Seward, Adiam, Janic, and Hayat. Thank you for coming out on that rainy Saturday and for your patience throughout the process.
- Make up artist Lori: We recommend her for any events you may have.
-Marvins: for letting us use your facilities and accommodating our needs.
-Nana Boutique: Thank you for loaning us your fabulous jackets and other accessories.

Now…let’s do some shopping!

Every year around this time we, at bernos, begin losing our minds, in a good way.

We start brainstorming on new shirts, Nolawi starts designing and the feedback process is never ending. We have to choose the color scheme, how much inventory we have to get, how many designs we should do for our fall collection… I could go on and on with the details but I won’t bore you to death. We love it, we never complain.

But all of this leads to our open house; For those who had the chance to visit our open houses know that it’s a ritual.

We started doing them  so that we can meet our customers. We rarely get to connect with our customers, except via email when purchases are made, or when we get requests online through Facebook, twitter or our blog. So yes, this is an opportunity for us to meet you and you to meet us. In addition, we get to introduce our latest Fall Collection.

For the last three months, Bernos tees have been available at our DC store DEKKA. DEKKA is a Fashion, Art, and Music Showroom & Retail Store in the heart of DC’s most exciting area, the U Street corridor. We’re going to showcase our fall collection at DEKKA. We’re doing a BLOCK PARTY, the bernos way.

So we are inviting all of you in the area to join us for some music, refreshments, and NEW SHIRTS. I can give you a hint, we’re bringing back some classics and some new shirts! You’ll get a chance to meet some of your fave models, connect with people and hang with us on U st. Mark your calendars!!

Bernos BLOCK PARTY:
Presenting our Fall Collection | New Tees & Classic Comebacks

Saturday Oct 24th at 3:00pm til 8pm

DEKKA :1338 U st NW 2nd flr , DC

RSVP here

One of the things we fight about here in bernos is how to wear the bernos tees or even any tee. Dawit likes to keep his shirts so clean looking that he washes the tees inside out.

He says it keeps it from fading and it keeps the colors of the tee not wear out. He even dries it on low heat.

One thing we agree on is American Apparel. They make the best t-shirts in the world and we like how the tees feel when we wear them. In fact our customers even compliment us on the quality of our tees.

K’naan apparently while hanging out with Beshou and Dawit said that he likes our tees because they get a lot of compliments.

Old tees

I have tweeted about how my tees never get old, because I have too many of them. Not only do I have multiple copies of each of the bernos tees, but also lots of other tees I have accumulated over the years.

I have thrown away most of the crappy free t-shirts I got from different events when bernos started. I do have a few that I have spent money on as there are companies similar to bernos I support because I love their tees. Of course the first thing I check before buying a tee is if it’s made on American Apparel, nothing compares to it.

Now after much research, I have figured out a way to make t-shirt be old overnight. So I will be picking three bernos tees; the d’afrique, Argyle Rasta, and the Made in Africa tee… & antiquing them.

Of course the risk involved in this process is not as large as you would expect because I own multiple copies of the tees.

The Process

Once you know which tee you are going to antiquate. Decide how antique you want it to look. I am going for the ‘vintage look’…extreme. But for you it might just be the natural worn in look. Preppy people like Dawit and Beshou do not like that appearance so they can go with the clean cut new tee look.

One way to fade the color of the shirt is to make it wet and then dry it in the sun for two days.

For the extreme vintage look I am going to buy ‘sodium carbonate washing soda’ & salt.

The salt is abrasive making the shirts look older. And the alkaline in the washing soda breaks down the coating that is built in the cotton threads; which is what keeps the shirts stiff and crisp.

Then you start your washing machine on hot water. The heat will help weaken the cotton fibers. Once the water level is full, dump the Soda/Salt mixture and detergent.

Then dry it. If the design is still too crisp, use sand paper to fade it out and repeat the wash. Then you have your own bernos vintage tee. You will be more stylish than I am.

Two years prior to last I had been in Moscow after years on Wall Street and my only connection to Ethiopia was bernos.

I bought the entire bernos tee collection and connected with Nolawi and his tales, who I admire for his ability to bond with people like me all over the world. I even shared a few accounts, after some encouragement

After moving to DC I asked him for meet up over drinks; he declined by saying that if he was to meet random people that he knew online ‘he wouldn’t have time for his personal life.’ I know blunt, but I respected the honesty!

I offered him his favorite bottle of 18 years aged Chivas and a steak dinner. Over Wednesday evening we exchanged stories of Ethiopian women.

You see, after a major breakup years ago, I hadn’t found someone else. In Moscow, I say was a sugar daddy to 22 year old ‘eastern European model look-alike.’

I didn’t know the inner working of dating Ethiopian ladies outside of my ex-fiancée who I dated for 3 years long ago.

I am not the best looking guy and I am aging fast but I make it up by hitting the gym 3 times a week, making as much money as I can so I can wear my Armani suits and Salvatore Ferragamo shoes and being as funny as an Ethiopian Bernie Mac.

I met a few attractive Ethiopian ladies, and I took them out and entertained them. One seemed like she was interested but hesitated when it came to physical contact. She would call me again and again to hang out and a few months fly but she said she was not ready to take it to the next step.

I didn’t mind having the other, somewhat younger and possibly viewed as a trophy; on my arms even though she was not as cultured as I would have liked. Half a dozen dates later, she started spending the nights.

It seemed like she liked downtown condo more than she liked me. And I asked her what she wanted; she maintained that she is not exclusive with me. She would commit with me only if the other guy doesn’t commit.  She insisted sleeping with both of us, but she was keeping her options open then she kept it open and I took back my spare keys.

These were the types of things, I talked to Nolawi about. And I am writing this as a thank you note for the best advice that was given to me in a long time.

I am rephrasing here but something to this extent:

‘Ethiopian women have more  options than the male counterpart and thus reinforcing their options by being available how they want it confuses them, because women in general are unsure about what to go for when it comes to what they want vs. what they should want.

You think you are being nice, understanding and patient but the fact is women pretty much know if they are interested in you or not in the beginning.

If she is not available emotionally and physically after a short period of time; run away. If she wants you, she will respect you for being a man and standing up for your self and your feelings.

If doesn’t want you and you are just entertainment or support then she was not worth your time in the first place and you are safer.

As far as keeping her options open and dating others, let them the more you resist the more she will be inclined too.’

I met another girl, who seemed like not interested in looking at me. I told her about theater tickets and as soon as we got there she told me she had a boy friend and just wanted to be friends. After the evening was over I told her that I had no interest what so ever in friendship and to call me if and when she was interested in more.

I ran into her again one at a wedding and we had drinks after and then she took me to her home. We didn’t bring up her boyfriend.

Every so often she calls me for an occasional rendezvous and some love making after. She asked if I minded her seeing two people at the same time. And although I didn’t respect the fact that she is keeping her options open I expressed that I didn’t care.

Recently, I she told me that she left the other guy and wanted more from me.

I am not the type to want to play games or hold back feelings of interest but it seemed like even the late twenty something’s who I date are prone to this kind holding back. Now I thank my advisor and enjoy the new state of mind.

The perception of bernos, although not a consensus is that we are doing well. And we are by different standards. The reality is we do a lot of work, and most of it is entertaining, creative and well so much fun.

But there is the boring side of it; I guess everything is not fun 100% of the time. Walking up early to pack stuff in the car, talking to non-customer that demands that I listen to him, paying bills, dealing with a vendor that wants to overcharge us for their service and fixing technical issues among other things.

We went to the Chicago ESFNA tournament, and while we were preparing one of the things that we had to discuss was inventory. We had to pre-ship some before we got there. Once we got there we always had to walk up early go to the field set up before things got started.

All fine and dandy but those are the things that are hard for me. The things that make the boring part of hanging out in the morning before the customers show up are the kids of the vendors.

This year I dedicate my fun to a little Josy I found in the field playing from 10:00 am till midnight for 7 days straight without getting tired. He was shy at first but full of joy and made the day pass for all the vendors.

Next to our booth were the people from Abshiro Kids, who we first met last year and invited bernos to join them in the Heritage Camp that is suppose to occur this weekend. Unfortunately, even the bernos crew outside of work have lives to live. Thus we won’t be attending Heritage Camp, see details here.

Linkup

He just moved from Gulele sefer in Addis Ababa tothe US nearly 2 months ago. He is 5 years old or there about and is wise beyond his years. He was so much fun; we played soccer, we went around took photos of the vendors. I took a few shots of him as well, seen above.

We met famous Ethiopian people, he asked what famous means. Famous means ‘YeTaweqe.’ I introduced him to Mulatu Astatke and told him to say hello.

And he goes, ‘ante famous neh?’

Needless to say, I nearly fell to the floor laughing with embarrassment.

I noticed that Ethiopian parents much like American parents over protect the kids too much to the point that their social interaction levels at a young age is very inhibited. We need to learn from the parents back home that just let the kids play in the midst of dangers.

The 25th of the Ethiopian soccer tournament in DC was well organized and well executed. Now it is on to the windy city of Chicago, and ESFNA has been steadily improving as an organization. The vendors are becoming more noteworthy and offering better products for our niche market. The facilities have noticeably improved, since the venues of high schools and community colleges and so has commercial and monetary aspects of the tournament. People often complained about ESFNA and their inadequacies. However, we must disagree because they have come a long way, and love going.

What if any problems do you have with ESFNA?

AND what are you looking forward to in Chicago?

This year bernos is looking forward to topping the fashion show we had at LOVE, DC’s biggest nightclub, with a live photo shoot in one of Chicago’s hottest nightclubs.

We’ve decided to put a twist on our event this year. We will have Model’s and a photographer in one of Chicago’s state of the art Avila nightclub.

What is a Fashionista?

You. We believe that everyone has their own style and sets their own trends. We don’t believe in following a trend, we believe in making a statement. We’re working with Bernos’ own Beshou and her Rendez-Vous crew to pull off Thursday night, July 2nd, at Avila Night club.

The bernos booth

We are going to live for 7 days in Chicago, full time, full crew, stocked and ready to meet new Midwestern folks.  Come by the bernos booth to get your tees (including a limited edition of the original Addis Ababa Classic). Take a picture and get to know us.

I like to organize my time to the point of oblivion; I have various projects in my hands at all times.

For bernos alone, I might have to write out an email to our e-newsletter subscribers, update some web advertisements among many other small menial tasks of running a really small business.

For the day job, it’s a whole list of tasks that you guys are probably familiar with — like reading your emails and responding to some.

I am always late to jump on new technology, especially those related to social aspects. I think email is the best thing since sliced bread; up to the point that I prefer not to date someone that is not apt to communicating via email.

One of the tools we love here at bernos is Facebook, although I have been somewhat critical of it. A friend was supposed to send me some details and she opted to send it via Facebook mail. Needless to say, I was very annoyed. Email it!

I use various task lists, Gmail calendar, work calendar, Gmail Tasklist, Tada list and for my work my beloved Moleskin Legendary Notepad (seen on the image above, that is my hand). I use it to draw mock-ups for my designs as well as organizing my thoughts on how I am going to approach my design projects and front end coding.

On my task list, for months (since Dec 08 actually) has been researching how bernos is going to utilize Twitter. I have a very simple understanding of how Twitter works. And I signed up as myself after getting a lot of invites from various sources.

Now I just completed signing up we are going tweeting. Already following Chachi Taddesse!

On my task list this week is to learn as much as I can about tweeting — mainly how to tweet via phone and then connect the tweet to be the same as our bernos fans page status.

Once this whole thing gets connected we will be connected in real-time from with bernosiawians, or should I say Twitterers?

Update: Twitter officially is having some major problems… the account i signed up for – actually two of them are not working. What a waste of 1.5 hours I spent trying to figure it out. I am pissed. Its things like this that discourage some of the things I try to do.

Up Finally Follow us on Twitter:http://twitter.com/bern0s

A protracted effort from all of us her at bernos, we took our time since our last launch. We’ve had a few local events including the ‘I am bernos: openhouse,’ which was a success thanks to our fans. We reproduced some of our existing concepts for wholesale on demand; details will come in the near future with a new section on our website with information on press and bernos vendors.

Buna

In recent years, there has been a push by East African coffee farmers to market themselves as throughout history they have produced the finest coffee in the world.

Celebrating the East African coffee ceremony is bernos’ Buna concept with the motifs of the Jebena (coffee brewer) & Sini/Finjal (cups). Our aim was to reflect that our culture, the coffee ceremony is more than a ‘coffee Break;’ the ritual is an expression representing a spiritual time of the day to look at our blessings and give thanks to our elders.

No to go cups here! We start by roasting some fresh Sidamo beans, and then enjoying the aromatic smoke of the roasted coffee beans. Then the roasted coffee beans are grinded into powder by hand and then brewed with no filter in the Jebena; we let the ground beans rest for a while before serving. Re-brewing is a must for a second round of serving and possibly a third round.

Presenting the bernos’ Buna;  now available on silver American Apparel tee for only $20.95.

African Warrior

‘More than defensive weaponry’ the African shield is ‘power, art & identity.’ With this concept we are trying to show that the African Shied is not just warfare equipment; it serves in multiple capacities as emblems of status, rank & art.

With that in mind we looked at a lot of African shields from all over Africa. We loved the texture & softness of the Azande shields from Congo; and the colors of the Masai Warriors shield and clothing. With inspiration to include the peoples of the Lower Omo Valley to the peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro we created our own ‘power, art & identity’ through the shapes, color and texture of the African Shield and Spear.

We call this concept the bernos African Warrior, and it’s available on slate American Apparel tee for only 21.95.

A couple of months ago, we told you about this artist named K’naan. We also told you that we attended his concert in DC and that was great. I also wrote a short review of his album , Troubadour. We also had the chance to meet K’naan, his band and his management team.

At that particular moment, we gave them some Bernos shirts. Now, we didn’t think they were going to wear the shirts on stage for any concert. Most of the time, artists have a set wardrobe for their shows, or some prefer to wear what they feel. A few nights later, they had a show in philly, which I attended (yes again, sue me). Rayzak, one of the band members wore the ET ALIEN shirt. It was such a surprise! I did not expect it.

Yesterday morning on my way to work, I read online that K’naan’s wearing the MADE IN AFRICA shirt on his new music video, T.I.A (This Is Africa). Mind you, this on the train with a phone that I can’t really stream videos. I call Nolawi and he doesn’t pick up.

I call Dawit 6:30am and he thinks that something happened to me. When I informed him, he said “what? beshou I thought something was wrong with you! Call me back later” and hung up the phone. I don’t think it registered. So here I am on my way to work and no access to VIMEO.

Long story short, I saw the video later that day and was blown away. Not only is the video visually stimulating, but  K’naan was wearing the Bernos shirt throughout the video. It litterally made our day. Dawit and I were calling each other throughout the day and could not hide our excitement. I finally got a hold of Nolawi and expressed how excited I was.

We want to thank all of you for your support the last few years. We have a positive artist sending out a great message wearing our shirt. This is the greatest gift to us. Next on our list is to be in your local store, to go national and international. This is just the beginning for us and we hope you join us on our journey. Because without you, our customers, supporters, friends and family, Bernos would not be where it is at. Thank you!

Enjoy the following videos!

K’NAAN “T.I.A” music video directed by: NABIL from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

Wavin’ Flag

Bernos is back at it again! And this time we’re here to spruce up your wardrobe, with some African flavor. Who says a t-shirt can’t be sexy, fashionable and make statement?

We have 2 new shirts that will be available for sale. Be the first one to purchase your shirt! We usually don’t do open houses, so this would be a great time for us to meet our clientele, our customers and our avid blog followers.

If you’ve been to our events in the past you know what you’re in for and if this is your first time…you don’t want to miss it.

4NXC Boutique is allowing us to host the launch of the new line with an in store event.
Beverages will be provided by Blue Storm Energy.

Hope to see you all there! For more info check out our website.

Interview by Shirlene Alusa-Brown (jamati.com) Photography by Bernos | Posted Monday, April 6, 2009

Bernos stands for quality.  Bernos stands for cultural pride.  But what is Bernos? Bernos is becoming a cultural phenomenon in the Washington DC area.  Their shirts have been seen on K’naan, featured on several local news outlets, and are poised to make a difference in a big way in the region.  Their fans have been growing and their t-shirts can be spotted on any given day in the DC area.  What made them such a phenomenon?  Jamati.com caught up with them to find out.

Jamati: Bernos has come a long way from its humble beginnings.  How did you all, as founding members come up with the idea to make t-shirts?

That’s a good question. The idea behind making Bernos t-shirts is simply organic. We were all looking for a way to express ourselves creatively and felt it would be a great avenue to do something that came naturally. Being lovers of t-shirts, and it being the main source of our fashion statement, we wanted to design t-shirts that expressed our historical and cultural landmark. Each one of us plays a respective role in the daily operations of the organization. Together we each bring our individual skills in the areas of business, fashion, graphic design, and photography. With all our talents combined it was inevitable that our brain child Bernos was born.

To read the rest of the interview, please visit www.jamati.com

There was a note weeks ago that was sent out from Facebook headquarters to the users about some changes taking place.

In it they also announced that they reached 150 million users in February, meaning:

it would be the eighth most populated in the world, just ahead of Japan, Russia and Nigeria.”

Wow, so Facebook is so famous and so used that online businesses that are not utilizing it as a resource are just going to die eventually.

One recruiter I worked with recently has a group that she updates with jobs that she is recruiting for.

I am against Facebook in many ways although I use it extensively. Beshou filled up my application for Facebook months ago and I was one of the most last webby type to get on Facebook, although we do have a bernos group.

When I updated my profile, I decided to put ‘None’ for the location but ‘None’ is a city in Japan, I later found out.

I got an email from a random Ethiogirl saying she wanted to see me on her next visit to Japan, along a list of other Ethiopian residing in or around Japan. With replies and updates at least a dozen emails went back and forth before I told them I didn’t know what they were talking about and to take me out of their list of Ethiopians living around Japan.

Weeks later one Sunday morning I receive a call from an international number, I didn’t pick it up the first time, but it rang again. I picked it up and ended up talking to an Ethiopian girl in Dubai, who apparently found me interesting, although she didn’t even know about bernos.

Usually its bernos that makes me interesting but this time it was me, I don’t know what. She asked what I was doing in Japan and that is when I realized that people thought I was in Japan because of my Facebook profile.

So serious, aye… I once had a phone call from a friend — a girl who was dating this guy whose picture she saw on his ex girlfriends profile together looking all cute and happy.

She asked if it was too forward to ask him if the picture was taken after they started dating. I told her “No,” if she indeed asks this, then he is going to think that the she is too much into his business too fast. Which eventually will change his outlook on her; well she asked and I was right, the relationship ended.

I also heard a story recently in which someone who was engaged got a note from a girl on his profiles wall saying thank you for helping me move from my apartment.

His fiancée saw this and put the brakes on the engagement because he hadn’t told her that he helped a friend who just happens to be a girl move without telling her.

I was thinking if she was going to be like that… good riddens eh! The marriage would have been a headache anyways.

Source: Eric LAFFORGUE

Selam Sewoch, I haven’t been writing on bernos consistently because you know, I can’t really say why. You can take a guess, I don’t mind.

But now I am back and so don’t be mad at me! I love you guys, we have been through thick and thin, so don’t complain. I am 100% back with my undivided attention, I have gotten all your emails.

I appreciate the continued support of bernos. Don’t forget to get you a tee, and tell your friends about us.

Special note: to the BP’ers: BP is never coming back so don’t bug me about it.