Spectrum Women

Eredappa Hart

2011-12-02T21:38:00.002Z

According to her website "...Eredappa Hart, is a Nigerian born designer who has mastered theart of combining classic European lines with traditional AfricanAnkara fabrics and luminescent beadwork to create a stunningcollection that has become the talk of the fashion world.

Eredappa studied Business in England but upon her return toNigeria in 1994 she rediscovered her love of fashion. Beginning withdesigning unique footwear and handbags, her accessories were soldin France and Italy. But it was the emergence of the Eredappa label in 2006, specializing in womenswear clothing that made the fashionworld sit up and take notice.

Debuting at the "This Day" FashionShow, Nigeria, the buzz spread and her customer base grew. Shewent on to showcase her collections at Pret-A-Porter, Paris, the"True Love" Fashion Awards, South Africa, and "Arise Magazine"
Fashion Week in Nigeria, 2011. This recent showing earned her thecoveted Lifetime Achievement Award.

Lanre Da Silva-Ajayi

2011-10-17T05:46:00.005Z

According to the LDA website "...Lanre Da Silva Ajayi (LDA) is the founder of eponymous self-named design label. In seven years her passion for fashion has gotten stronger making the label a fashion favourite among the media, celebrities and fashion lovers.
LDA the brand first arrived in the fashion scene in 2005 with iconic 1940’s couture signature designs - a result of what has evolved into a much more modern and cutting-edge brand and a full-blown fashion house. The label’s collection includes couture, prêt a porter, and accessories such as hairpieces and statement jewellery.

Regardless of the label’s strong historical design roots, LDA’s creatively combines pattern, print, exquisite and even traditional fabrics to produce day wear, evening wear, gowns and cocktail dresses that bridge time and make the label successful within and outside Nigeria.

LDA produces six major collections every year and has showcased locally in Nigeria and internationally including the Thisday Africa Rising Festival, London (October 2008), ARISE Africa Fashion Festival, South Africa (June 2009) and the New York Couture Fashion Week (September 2009), Arise Magazine Fashion Week, Lagos (March 2011) and the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Spring 2012 Made in Africa by Arise magazine, (September 2011).

She has also created four different collections for international Dutch wax print giant, Vlisco-Urban Beat, Gallery of Poems, Reflet de Lumie`re and TresorBrillant.

An LDA woman is the personification of sophistication, femininity, brilliance and boldness, which are the inspiration for each of her collections. Lanre states “Couture, colour and boldness with an edgy twist are the signature of my designs”.”.

In 2009, the first flagship boutique was launched in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria. The label is also stocked at Temple Muse in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. Other retail stockists will be coming soon to various major cities across Africa, United Kingdom and the United States.

LDA has been featured in various African and international media including Vogue Black, ARISE Magazine, Daily Mail, Essence.com, Fashion Bomb.com, Zimbio.com, WWD.com, ITN News, NTN24.com, ABCNews.com, ITN News, Reuters UK and Centric/BET.

Lanre’s academic qualifications include a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Coventry University and a Masters degree in Finance from University of Leicester.

For her contributions to the Nigerian and African fashion industry, Lanre has received numerous accolades and awards for excellence.

She is married with two children..."

African Fashion Week New York

2011-08-15T22:49:00.003Z

CNN says "...Thirty designers, three days and one all-important catwalk -- welcome to Africa Fashion Week in New York.

Now in its second year, the show, is already an established event. Between July 11 and July 17, fashion elites from across the African continent converged on New York to showcase their distinctive styles and talents.
"Many of these designers, of course, they're big in Africa," said founder Adiat Disu. "But people need to hear and see what is going on in Africa without having to travel there..."

Tanaya Henry

2011-03-17T21:33:00.004Z

This hardworking multi talented Lady from Minneapolis has not only worked with MICROSOFT, L'OREAL, CATHERINE MALANDRINO etc but has also appeared in Jamies foxx's ft Drake "Fall for Your Type" video.Tanaya's website also has an elaborate portfolio of her works We would like to know more about her.

MATAANO

2010-05-12T12:39:00.002Z

According to their website ".....Born to Somali parents and raised in both their native country and Washington DC, identical twins Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim are anything but ordinary. Having fled Somalia at the age of nine to escape the country’s civil war, both Idyl and Ayaan completed their college education at University of Michigan and Boston University, respectively, before making the bold move to Manhattan where they aimed to stand out from the rest in the world of fashion and design. Experiencing the industry from the ground up through careful study and practice, they slowly crafted their talent, weaving their cultural influence throughout each meticulously designed piece in their studio with only distant dreams of launching a collection..."

"...In 2008, the Mohallim sisters took their first step together, launching a new brand, Mataano (meaning “twins” in Somali) and furnishing a platform to express their vision and bring forth their creations to the marketplace. Mataano’s premier Spring 2009 collection launched in New York City on November 1, 2008 featuring a boutique preview of ten dresses, many of which received notice in the industry. Oprah Winfrey, the queen of daytime television, invited both siblings onto a recent show via Skype featuring the Olsen twins and young millionaire moguls. Paralleling their success with the Olsen sisters, Oprah lauded the duo for their inspiring story and much deserved success, and gave them the national credibility that will undoubtedly launch Mataano as an emerging brand with a rich cultural heritage...."

Photos courtesy of Mataano

Jo & Joe

2010-05-12T11:27:00.009Z

Joel and Jolene Lim are super sibling duo based in Hong Kong as well as Singapore, are one of the rising talents in Fashion Photography, styling and Art Direction in the region.They have worked with high profile clients which include Audi, Elle, Samsung etc.

Photos courtesy of JO & JOE

Campala Photography

2010-01-17T16:50:00.009Z

According to his website Campalaphotography"... Alex Ade Ogundiran is a Celebrity beauty and Fashion Photographer making waves in the world of Fashion. This successful former model-turned has worked with the best of the best and is passionate about redefining BEAUTY with one click of the camera. He has recently worked together with Nicole Fox, current winner of America's Next Top Model and face for Covergirl cosmetics.
Photos courtesy of Campalaphotography

Swahili Fashion Week

2010-01-17T12:06:00.003Z

According to their web page "...An eclectic mix of Swahili culture ensconced with chic style; Swahili Fashion week is the dawn of a new era. Initiating a dynamic and promising platform for the fashion industry in Tanzania, the Swahili Fashion Week is a coming together of talented designers from across the country under one stand to showcase their unique and truly African creations. This is not only a potential point for existing designers but also an opportune moment for upcoming aspiring designers in the country..."

A|X:TV

2009-11-07T18:26:00.003Z

A|X:TV, is an online video platform by Armani Exchange, which will target the A|X Generation.It also gives people interested in fashion an inside look at the hottest people, looks, and lifestyle of the behind-the-scenes of fashion with the new A|X:TV from Armani Exchange.

"...A|X:TV also brings up close and personal interviews with the worlds hottest DJs, giving exclusive glimpses into never-before-seen footage from the DJs point-of-view..."

Poodle Pusher

2009-08-27T19:32:00.004Z

Bella Naija writes about a fashion stylist company called Poodle Pusher started by Ogo and Chi Chi.BN says "...Capitalizing on what came naturally to them both, they set up Poodle Pusher in November 2008; a wardrobe and fashion stylist company that allows them to explore their interest and be creatively self- expressive. Surprisingly, fashion seems to be a realm where a bit of distinction lies with these two; and it is in this distinction, their many similarities, shared experiences and ideals that their business continues to thrive!.."

Chanel Iman

2009-03-21T20:32:00.001Z

According to Wikipedia "...Chanel Iman Robinson (born November 30, 1989), better known as Chanel Iman, is an American fashion model.Robinson was born in Atlanta, Georgia to China Robinson of African American(father) and Korean heritage. She grew up in Culver City, California and attended Fairfax High School in Los Angeles currently she is home schooled.

...Iman walked down the runway for the first time in the Fall/Winter 2006 season for high-end brands like Custo Barcelona and DKNY; since then she has modelled for many top designers, including Dolce & Gabbana, Issey Miyake, Marc Jacobs, Valentino, Dsquared, Hermès, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Anna Sui, Diane von Fürstenberg, Vera Wang, Jean Paul Gaultier and Stella McCartney. In her short career, she has appeared in advertising campaigns for Bottega Veneta, GAP, Victoria's Secret Pink, and United Colors of Benetton..."

She appeared with models Du Juan and Coco Rocha in the Spring 2007 issue of TIME Style&Design. In the May 2007 issue of US Vogue she was featured on the cover with fellow models Doutzen Kroes, Caroline Trentini, Raquel Zimmermann, Sasha Pivovarova, Agyness Deyn, Coco Rocha, Jessica Stam, Hilary Rhoda, and Lily Donaldson as the new crop of supermodels. Chanel also appeared on the cover of Teen Vogue alongside fellow American teenage models Ali Michael and Karlie Kloss in 2008.

In October 2007, Chanel appeared with her mother on an episode of the Tyra Banks Show. Chanel is also close friends with model Dani Evans.

Photos by Marcio Madeira, Don Ashby and Olivier Claisse courtesy of Style.com

Mimi Blix

2009-03-20T14:13:00.000Z

With her fabulous name and exotic looks, Mimi Blix who is of Ugandan and Norwegian roots is not only a top fashion model but also a talented singer/guitarist/drummer for a rock band.

Now at the age of 18 she is said to be very focused on her career. She is currently doing lots of photo shoots around the world. Formerly a ballet dancer she was discovered by a photographer in Oslo. We are interested to know more about her.

Mimi Blix Slide show

Photos courtesy of The fashion Spot

Selita Ebanks

2009-03-18T14:22:00.002Z

Wikipedia writes "..Selita Ebanks was born on February 15, 1983 in George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. She is of Caymanian, Jamaican, Irish and Indian descent..."

"...At 17 years old, while walking through the turnstiles at Six Flags Great Adventures, Ebanks was scouted by an agent from Elite Model Management. Ebanks had worked with some of the world's most noted photographers, including Peter Lindbergh, Bruce Weber, Steven Klein, Carter Smith and Mikael Jansson, and for some of the most quintessential American fashion campaigns, including Ralph Lauren, Abercrombie & Fitch, Levi's and Tommy Hilfiger.

Ebanks is currently working as a model for Victoria's Secret. She had previously done work for their Ipex Bra line, before being signed.

She and fellow up-and-coming model Izabel Goulart made their major début in the 2005 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. She is now officially one of the Victoria's Secret Angels.

Ebanks views Tyra Banks as a mentor. In 2005, Tyra Banks said she was proud of Ebanks to be representing for black women at Victoria's Secret...."

Photos courtesy of Actress Archives

Bridget Awosika

2008-10-12T23:00:00.001Z

According to Bukky's website "...Bridget/Bukky Awosika was born in Washington DC. At the age of ten, it became apparent that she would purse a career in Fashion design as she displayed more appreciation towards sketching, collecting fabrics, art and hand sewing than anything else.
Realizing that she would want to design womenswear/menswear professionally and ultimately run it as a successful business, Bridget attended Howard University in DC and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Business Management.She later proceeded on into New York City, where she attended the prestigious Parsons School of Design to work on her following degree in Fashion Design..."

Excerpts and photos are from Bridget Awosika's website.

Aschobi Designs

2008-08-29T05:45:00.002Z

According to her Facebook page "...Aschobi Designs is a dualistic fashion company in post independence Africa catering to the fashion identity of the global man and woman living in Freetown or Paris a l’ancienne colonie au metropole..."

"...Started by Adama Kargbo who is a 24yr old Sierra Leonean-American recent graduate of Parsons School of Design (Paris, France). She has recently returned to Sierra Leone from New York City to launch her first collection;

"...Her collection gives a modern twist to vintage 1960s African couture. Although she could have launched her collection anywhere, Adama chose her ancestral home as the birth place of ASCHOBI because of her unshakeable conviction in the rebirth and redevelopment of this country. This initial collection is a celebration of the career minded African woman who balances family, community, and work obligations with grace, elegance, and beauty. In short, the ASCHOBI woman is Maya Angelou's phenomenal woman..."

"...Aschobi Designs is a dualistic fashion company in post independence Africa catering to the fashion identity of the global man and woman living in Freetown or Paris a l’ancienne colonie au metropole..."

Photos courtesy of Aschobi Designs

NYAKIO

2008-08-26T16:54:00.003Z

Ladybrille writes about Nyakio Kamoche. "...The first generation American with Kenyan heritage who launched NYAKIO, a successful skin care line based on family recipes and ingredients from Kenya. Nyakio's skin care line is sold online and in over a hundred and eighty nine boutiques around the country. Just recently, the fierce entrepreneur diversified her portfolio to launch a fragrance line, Safi Fragrance. Of course Ladybrille had to catch up with the very Ladybrille woman to see how she does it..."

Photos courtesy of Ladybrille and NYAKIO

African Design Hub

2008-05-18T18:35:00.001Z

The Design Africa website has continued to evolve into a very interesting hub for design trends in Furniture, Fashion and Fabrics in Africa. Their website says that"...Design Africa is a portal, your portal, to designers with uncommon vision, to potential partners, to beautiful products and striking design statements, and to statements of another kind: Stories of the designers, artisans and communities involved in the creation process, stories of the materials used and the meaning behind the items produced, and of course, stories of dreams turning into business plans and reaching around the world from the original design source, Africa. Design Africa’s mission is twofold: to help today’s distinctive African design emerge, and to accelerate the economic development of the communities and countries involved through the positive impact of exports. That started with our presence at SIDIM 2006. Building on its success, we are pleased to present 19 companies from five countries that span the continent..." Enjoy!

Barcelagos Clothing Co.

2008-04-13T20:00:00.005Z

Barcelagos Clothing Co. is a Nigerian t-shirt company also featured in Timbuktuchronicles whose goal is to target the huge potential market of Nigerian and African kids living in diaspora.

Their t-shirt collection are in some cases designed around the iconic images of interesting Nigerian, African and Asian personalities. writes aboutBarcelagos Clothing Co. .

Barcelagos clothing line also includes hoodies and jackets whose designs are themed with Nigerian colloquial expressions.

Photos are courtesy of Barcelagos Clothing Co.

CosWeAfricanWomenAreDoin&DoinItWell Blog

2008-03-22T13:45:00.004Z

CosWeAfricanWomenAreDoin&DoinItWell is a blog that writes about Fashion,music,movies and the arts from the African Francophone perspective.It also has very cool link to African Pop,Folk,Etc music via Playlist.com

African Delectable Headress'es

2008-02-24T11:31:00.006Z

With amazing photos courtesy of the Mursi, Surma people of Sudan/Ethiopia, Hans Silvester(photographer)and published by Daily Mail it does show that amazing fashion style can come from anywhere.

Like many other African tribes in Sub-Saharan Africa the use of the natural flora and fauna, natural dyes from plants and rocks as well as bird feathers has ben used to beautify themselves in the most creative way.

Nnenna

2007-11-04T14:23:00.000Z

SoundCity is an online Nigerian Music site that promotes the young talent in the fast growing Nigerian music and entertainment industry.

Soundcity writes about Nnenna that features in Mode 9's smash hit "Cry", "....Ever since Nnenna lent her soul stirring vocals to the hook of Mode Nine’s smash hit, “Cry’ there has been no looking back for the Enugu born singer. What stands her apart from the league of chanteuse and chanteur wannabes is the vividness and breadth of her lyrics and strength of her voice.

While others choose to dwell on the sweet and fickle, taking one sided views on issues bordering on love and life, Nnenna takes song writing a step further by exposing their underbellies too: portraying both as, at times been brutal, with outcomes totally unplanned and undesirable.

With ‘Oluchi’ the first single off her soon to be released album titled ‘Kissed’ she takes a sonic foray into the social malaise that is wife battery. Touchy issue for a first single, but moving and credible enough to win her a strong fan base plus considering her prior involvement in another sad song ‘Cry’, the unenviable tag of songstress of gloom. She however is not to be pigeon holed as she also has a sultry and sensuous side to her which will be unraveled as time goes on and she churns out more singles..."

"...Nnenna (surname Ezakune) was born, the last of five children to a lecturer father who is now late and a nurse mother. Her gift of singing, she attributes to her mother who also sang and wrote songs but never took it past the home and church. She started writing songs at age ten when she and a couple of girls formed The Glory Sisters at the University Of Nigeria secondary school. All this while, it was for fun and games and not until she was refused membership into the choir because she was perceived as a threat to the existing members that she, under the guidance of her brother decided to take music seriously.

She recorded a demo and an album titled Enrapture which was distributed independently by her family. Her brother feeling that his sister had a good chance of success came down to Lagos from their Enugu base and shopped a management deal with Gbenga Shokefun who was then, amongst other things, managing gospel group Kush.

Her management contract ultimately saw the UNN graduate of estate management seal a record deal with Question Mark entertainment headed by Kevin Lucciano-Gabriel: the stable on which her Kissed album is to be released. For Nnenna who also plays the piano and the guitar, she isn’t just making music for the money but she is also looking at changing people’s mindset through her lyrics..."

Photo and excerpts courtesy of SoundCity

Uru

2007-11-04T08:03:00.000Z

Uru, according to her website is "...short of Uruaku. In her native West African language, Igbo, her name means "essence of wealth".When describing her creative process, Uru talks of melodies or words simply coming to her. Sometimes in song, cometimes in poetry, in no particular order and no particular hour..."

Africanloft also says "...Uru is a musician who has garnered critical acclaim from an international audience for daring to be different. She has been praised by Bill Board magazine as having “the talent to become a chanteuse of FORMIDABLE fame”. Uru’sstory is one of individualism and determination. A woman who has a strong sense of what she wants to represent and a woman with strong ideals.

She had the option to be signed to a major record label in the United States, rather she chose to go with an independent label that will provide her the freedom to sing and perform the kind of music she wants. Beyond all this, Uru uses her Political Science degree to advocate on different issues plaguing the African continent. I got a chance to speak to this “chanteuse” who mixes Rock music, Hip Hop, Opera and African music into a melodious blend that invites you to her world.

Photo and excerpts in this article are courtesy of AfricanLoft and Tantrumrecords

Ayo

2007-11-03T16:55:00.000Z

Her website says "...AYO is a German born artist, the offspring of a Nigerian father who had come to Germany to study in the 1970s, and sometimes worked as a DJ, and a mother who is a gypsy. AYOs rather unusual name means joy in Yoruba. Her rich cultural background is also reflected in her musical influences. She grew up amidst Pink Floyd and Fela Kuti, the Soul Children and Bob Marley, and many others.

AYOs nomadic lifestyle brought her to live between Paris and New York, two capitals that accurately sum up her musical identity. In Paris, word got around fast, and she held initial solo concerts with her guitar, opened for Omar, the British soul brother and jammed alongside Cody Chesnutt.

AYO's entire album, Joyful, was recorded in New York under live conditions. She cries, laughs and moves us with her simplicity. To accompany her, producer Jay Newland put together a group of open-minded musicians that, with a note on a B3 organ or with a stroke of slide guitar melodiously enter this unusual world, which is studded with a few words in Pidgin, the street language of Lagos, and unveils recollections of gypsy life.

In addition to her parents, two other influences helped her set the tone of this album, which very well could have been recorded some 35 years ago. Firstly, theres mentor Donny Hathaway. Her other reference is Jimmy Cliff. Like her predecessors, she strives to naturally and sincerely share her stories and touch others, boosted solely by her life experience and her dreams..."

Photos and excerpts in this article are from Ayo's Myspace blog

Jourdan Dunn

2007-11-03T06:54:00.001Z

According to the Vogue website she is big news for the coming action this side of the pond. "She is gorgeous and it is going really well," says Sarah Doukas, founder of Storm Models, who famously discovered Kate Moss. "She is with us full time now. She had never left England before we took her to New York but she is loving it." Having already posed for the forthcoming Benetton campaign for photographer David Sims, Jourdan is now waiting for a slew of other jobs this season..."

Miles Erwin of the Metro Magazine of London writes that "...Jourdan Dunn was seen in the Hammersmith branch of the budget store by spotters from Storm – the company which launched the careers of Kate Moss, Claudia Schiffer and Sophie Dahl.

The 17-year-old, who is almost 6ft tall with a 32-23-35 figure, was signed up and flown to New York Fashion Week, where she appeared in 15 shows for the likes of Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Dian von Furstenberg and Tommy Hilfiger.

It was the first time she had left Britain. Since wowing the folks across the water, she has been part of an advertising campaign for Benetton, shot by photographer David Sims, and yesterday starred in the Julien McDonald show at the launch of London Fashion Week.

Jourdan said Storm's approach came out of the blue, adding: 'I was really, really shocked but delighted. 'My mum had said I would be a great model and I should approach some agencies. I never thought to, I didn't think I would make it.'

But Jourdan isn't letting all the attention go to her head. She still lives with mother, Dee, an office worker, in Greenford, West London. And she may not even be the only model in the family.

Her 16-year-old brother, who wants to be a footballer, has already been sounded out for a contract when he turns 17.

It's not the first time a supermodel has been discovered in an unusual place. Claudia Schiffer was found at a nightclub and Kate Moss was spotted at New York's JFK airport..."

Excerpts and photos in this article where taken from VOUGE, Metro, and STYLE.

Ubong Attah

2007-10-25T21:14:00.000Z

Businessweek says "..Ubong Attah describes herself as a serial entrepreneur. She ran a tutoring business in high school, taught herself Web design in college, then started a Web design firm her senior year called Studio10Fourteen, which she says is profitable and continues to operate. Ubong recently sold another business, an online jewelry shop, for around $55,000.

Because she was recently diagnosed with systemic lupus, she has turned her attention to starting a home-based business. Her new company, Prolete Medical Billing, makes use of her health-information management degree from Saint Louis University in St. Louis and her experience doing administrative work for her mother's two home health agencies. Ubong expects Prolete to have revenues of around $4 million in 2008..."

Avant Gaudy

2007-10-25T20:43:00.000Z

In an article featured in Businessweek which says"..."I'm looking to learn how to create a more socially responsible business," says Deborah Umunnabuike, a political science major at the University of Chicago and co-founder of Avant Gaudy, an online vintage clothing shop she started with her sister, Jessica, an undergraduate at Hofstra University, in the summer of 2005. The daughters of Nigerian immigrants started the three-employee business because they were passionate about clothes and saw a growing demand among their peers for vintage clothing. And they soon realized that there was a growing demand abroad as well, specifically in parts of Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia, based on analyzing Web traffic to their site, almost 26,000 visitors from more than 30 countries. The sisters recruited Hong Kong native Vincent Choi to bring a global perspective to the business and better reach shoppers in Asia.

Deborah says running the business has made her want to become a serial entrepreneur, but until she graduates in 2009, she will continue to run it conservatively. She is also involved with the Forte Foundation, a group dedicated to creating young women business leaders, and is interested in continuing community work in the spirit of Avant Gaudy's DIY/Smashup Chicago, a daylong networking and trade-show event she organized in 2006 for craftspeople and entrepreneurs..."

Photo Courtesy of Businessweek

Chinedesign

2007-09-15T00:07:00.000Z

"...Chinedesign was founded by Chinedu Ukabam four years ago. Today,Chinedesign-apparel has expanded from just graphic T's to skirts, dresses and jackets which are widely available in Toronto, Vancouver and Nova Scotia; while a Toronto store is currently in the works..."

Born in the UK and raised in Nigeria, Chinedu has lived many parts of the world which include Dubai and Canada have played a part in inspiring how he designs.

Chinedesign is a fashion design outfit founded by multi talented Chinedu Ukabam who is also a music producer.
In a recent interview conducted by Spectrum women we asked Chinedu the following questions about his work;

Q.What inspired you to become a fashion designer?

I have always been into fashion and clothes but I did not set out to become a fashion designer. I kind of stumbled into it. Music was my first passion: I produce, write and perform. About four years ago, I designed and produced a few t-shirts to promote my upcoming album called Love.Life.Music. It was a relatively simple design based on a newspaper article about me. The response was great. I sold about 300 of those shirts within a few months then people started asking me what my next design was going to be or when my fashion show was taking place. Initially, I had no grand vision of what I was trying to do with my clothing label or what sort of impact I wanted to make in the fashion world, I just made it up as I went along. I am still learning and feeling my way around.

Q.Are your designs slightly influenced by Urban Hip Hop Culture?

Hip-hop culture definitely influences my designs, from the themes I explore in some of the graphic tees all the way to my "cut, paste and manipulate" process of designing garments which to me is a lot like sampling in hip-hop production. In addition to hip-hop, I am also inspired by Japanese culture and Nigerian Nollywood films. My upcoming Gold Standard line is influenced by Victorian fashion trends and Prep-school uniforms. I am open to anything that ignites my creativity.

Q.Do You plan to host a 2008 fashion show?

I am definitely going to be having a few shows in 2008. All my fashion shows have been in Toronto, Canada but next year the plan is to reach New York, London, Los Angeles...

Q.Do you see what your currently doing in the fashion industry inspiring other African kids in diaspora into doing their own thing?

I hope so. Inspiration is cyclical. I am inspired by African designers such as Moshood and Deola Sagoe and in turn I hope someday I will be able to inspire others.

Q.Is going into fashion accessories something you might consider in the future?

My fall collection has some amazing belts in it and this October we'll be launching a line of ties and scarves called Deez Knots which is a joint partnership with Sophia Ho. I am very excited about Deez Knots and I can't wait for you to see what we are working on. We want to revolutionize the way people perceive and wear ties.

Q.What type of fabric do you prefer to work with.

I work with anything I can. Sometimes the fabric itself inspires the garment. I love the loud Ankara textile designs from West Africa and last year, I made Kimonos out of them. This year, I took the classic hounds tooth pattern, altered it so that it fades into a solid color and silk screened it onto neon-bright t-shirts and tank tops. I like to re-imagine fabrics. Make them do something different from what they are supposed to. Right now nothing looks better than raw selvage denim. That's what I am feeling right now.

Photos are courtesy of Chinedesign

dorothyduncan

2007-08-31T13:46:00.000Z

dorothyduncan are a company that sells a dare to live attitude and lifestyle though unique and exclusive pieces by independent fashion designers from various parts of the Africa.

"...dorothyduncan is an online boutique that carries a collection of chic, eclectic, and culturally inspired pieces from independent fashion designers around the world. their mission is to serve the woman whose style is distinctive, daring, and inspired by offering edgy, dressy fashion pieces that add flair and personality to her great wardrobe of basics..."

Their website says "...Dorothy and Mandy are the co-founders of dorothyduncan. For two friends who had always wanted to work together, this turned out to be the perfect ad-venture for allowing them to combine their love for fashion and their entrepreneurial skills.

"...Our mission is to sell a dare to live attitude and lifestyle. At the heart of dorothyduncan is the idealistic appeal of being true to oneself and living the best life possible.

Our products are designed for women of all ages, who already feel great on the inside and want to look just as amazing on the outside. dorothyduncan aims to serve women who identify themselves as distinctive, daring, and inspired. We offer edgy, dressy fashion pieces that add flair and personality to an already existing wardrobe of basics.

We carry unique and exclusive pieces by independent fashion designers from various parts of the world. dorothyduncan adds spice to your wardrobe by offering a collection of chic, eclectic and culturally inspired pieces.

At dorothyduncan, we believe in living life by one's own rules. Our intent is to share this philosophy and infectious dare-to live attitude with our customers.

Dorothy is from Kenya. Mandy is from Guyana. They both live in Canada..."

Photos courtesy of dorothyduncan website.

aRUDE Magazine

2007-08-31T02:22:00.000Z

aRUDE is a New York fashion-Art-Photography magazine founded by Ike' Ude'. His Androgenous/erotic style of art is very impressive and has brought him recognition in the international world Fashion-Art-Photography.

The website Indepth art News says"...From his provocative Cover Girl series featuring photographic portraits of himself on the cover of popular magazines to his writing on sexuality and identity, the work of Nigerian-born Ike Ude explores a world of duality: African/postnationalist, photography/performance artist, artist/spectator, male/female, mainstream/marginal, seduction/narcissism, and fashion/art..."

MC Magma also says "...Ike' Ude' Was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He is an artist, aesthete, writer, and publisher of New York based aRude magazine.
After studing in Nigeria and United States, Ude' started his artistic career, first as a painter, in the late 1980s. In the early 1990s, he began using photography to explore and deconstruct issues of representation and identity. His ongoing research has broadened the scope of his inquiry beyond the conventional parameters of photography to engage forms of mass comunication, including magazines, video, film, and television..."

Craig Native

2007-08-20T21:58:00.000Z

According to his website Native is a streetwear brand launched by Craig Native in 2000, who derives from the Cape Flats in South Africa. Historically these area were plagued by apartheid and poverty in the old political system. A diverse mix of cultures mixed with ghetto lifestyle and improvisation in everyday life, is what led to the birth of Native.

Graphics are the big part of the collection and are derived from very African iconic images like wild animals, vegetables, African tribes and particularly everyday life in South African society..."

Photos courtesy of Craig Native.

New African Design

2007-08-18T19:48:00.001Z

The rundetaarn website says that "...New African design is haute couture, streetwear, graphics, ceramics, furniture and industrial design - combining cutting edge design with traditional crafts and visions of building a new and better Africa.

The exhibition will present 30 designers of 12 nationalities addressing issues such as: cultural strength and identity, empowerment, sustainability and low-cost housing, improving living conditions through design.

Many African designers have a great social awareness, and their product development often takes place in collaboration with craftsmen from rural areas. Local women from the Limpopo area weave the seats of Haldene Martin’s famous café chairs, while the industrial design group XYZ is developing life-improvement products such as a hand-driven radios and condoms with built-in applicat.

The exhibition will showcase design from Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe. After the launch at Rundetaarn, the exhibition will proceed on a world tour ending in South Africa in 2010 – the year South Africa will be hosting the FIFA World Cup..."

Images courtesy of the rundetaarn website.

Azza Fahmy

2007-08-09T22:33:00.000Z

Azza Fahmy's website says "...Since 1969 Azza Fahmy Jewellery has become one of the foremost luxury jewellery brands in Egypt..."
"...Azza Fahmy was born and raised in Sohag, in Upper Egypt. She graduated in interior design from the Faculty of Fine Arts and studied jewelry craft at the City of London Polytechnic before becoming the first female apprentice to several of the best jewelers in Cairo..."

This "...Cairo-based jewellery designer who developed from an artisan selling to a small circle of friends, to the founder of a business which employs 180 people and has showrooms in Egypt, Jordan and Dubai. Drawing from a range of Egyptian, Arab and Oriental traditions,her instantly recognizable pieces in silver, gold and semi-precious stones have long been favourites with Arab Royalty an celebrities..."

"...Azza Fahmy's jewellery uniquely blends the mystique of the ancient world with the cutting edge of the new. In her signature pieces the finest stones are set in gold or silver inlaid with gold and inscribed with Arabic calligraphy. Her exclusive lend of the very best of traditional classic style and modern is key to all four collections - culture, exclusives, fashion and gifts and to her bespoke jewellery too..."

Excerpts and Photos of this article are from the FT and the Azza Fahmy's website.

Design a Uniform, Shape a School

2007-08-08T23:39:00.000Z

The African Leadership Academy is a world-class boarding school opening outside Johannesburg next year with the aim to develop a new generation of African Leaders.One of the the core elements of their philosophy is that young people cab and will change the world.

They are selecting a design for their school uniform by organizing a pan-African competition open to students and schools from all over Africa . They believe that by doing this, they will be living their belief that young people can be given great opportunities for impact and trusted to deliver on them.

The competition will be judged by a panel of internationally renowned African fashion designers.

Akua Adoma's Nana Boateng

2007-08-05T22:08:00.000Z

Nana Boateng's website talks about his love for fashion and how he had to decide to be a designer rather than an athlete.The Sartorialist blog which according to Time magazine is one of 100 top Design Influences describes Nana as "...a guy that loved life and used his clothing as a way of expressing that joy..."

Akua Adoma also says "...A Ghanaian proverb instructs: “Let not what you cannot do tear you from what you can do.” These ancient words undoubtedly resonated with the gifted designer Nana Boateng, as in 2001, he pondered a major decision to make a radical career shift to fashion. Up to then, the Ghanaian, New York-bred designer’s sights had been set on athletics: once it became evident that this would no longer be a viable option, the designer looked about him and drew inspiration for his nextsteps from the powerful, stylish women of his family.

Nana’s aunt, Afia Akoto, studied design at the highly-regarded Scuola di Moda Ida Ferri in Roma. Ms. Akoto has in fact made her home and livelihood there for the last twenty years, and was Nana’s entrée to the concept of meticulous tailoring, clearly evident in his work since. The innate sense of style routinely displayed by Nana’s mother, Akua Adoma, had an invaluable influence as well. Mrs. Adoma is also an artisan of the exquisite lace used in the traditional clothing of Ghanaian women. It was no stretch for Nana, then, embark upon this career shift, and simultaneously to honor the legacy of his family’s women by naming his firm Akua Adoma.

The shirt collection, presented in Roma and London, was exceedingly well-received. The attention garnered provided the impetus for the line’s growth. Nana then turned his attention to the vast United States market. He soon established an atelier in the
luxury capital of Beverly Hills, where his sophisticated turn on men’s suiting has gained an intensely loyal following amongst Hollywood’s style elite.

Sony Pictures Entertainment provided the catalyst for Nana Boateng’s West Coast success. The relationships forged at the film conglomerate enabled extensive exposure for the Akua Adoma line, through costuming for major films and executives alike.

With an inborn design compass, a sensitive world-view shaped by his Ghanaian ancestry
and the classic eye of the revered European design tradition, Nana Boateng is infinitely well-suited to conquer the 21st century fashion universe..."

Excerpts and Photos courtesy of Akua Adoma. website

Bezemymalian

2007-08-05T21:08:00.000Z

According to RunawayAfrica the founders of Bezemymalian are "...Both 24 years old, Bezem and Mai Lan are fashion designers. One is Franco-Vietnamese; the other is of Russian and Togolese origin. They have directed their talents in creating costumes with a strong ethnic influence. Inspired by their multicultural descents and their frequent trips to their homeland, they have mastered traditional crafts and techniques of Asia and Africa (embroidery, weaving, dyeing, painting)

Self-taught, they started creating their own pieces, while majoring respectively in the History of art and in Vietnamese. They decided to take a course in the making of historical costumes.

While attending university, they stepped foot in the entertainment world, contributing to different projects as costume designers for feature films, plays, musicals, carnivals… They had the opportunity to expose their work at several competitions for young designers, including "Le TrophÈe de la mode". The prestigious jury composed by representatives of l'Oreal, Hermes, XulyBet, and Galeries Lafayettes awarded them first prize. They also obtained a grant from La Maison Hermes.

Encouraged by this success, Mai Lan and Bezem conceived a unique and colorful world presented in a series of festive events. At their shows, dance and music performers, sharing similar influences, sport their pieces on stage.

Their goal is to associate this ancestral craft with modernity

In our cosmopolitan society, Mai Lan and Bezem stimulate, on European youth, a new interest in their roots..."

Photos courtesy of Bezemymalian

Jacqueline Rabun

2007-07-16T05:42:00.000Z

Jacqueline Rabun is a self taught American Jewellery designer that started designing in the 1980's. She now designs for the famous Georg Gensen brand. The popular brand brand she's currently involved with include their Cave collection.

According to the Georg Gensen website "...Jacqueline Rabun began her journey into the world of contemporary jewellery design in 1989 when she arrived in London from her native America.

Her debut collection was instantly embraced by the fashion and design world and quickly established her as an international designer.

Her collaboration with Georg Jensen commenced in 1999. Her premiere sculptural silver jewellery range, Offspring, celebrates the creation of life and is a symbolic representation of mother and child. The sensuous form of the Offspring collection expresses a freshness and modernity that radiates light and life. The Offspring collection has also been reinterpreted in pave set diamonds as part of the iconic Master Diamond Collection.

Recognized for her unique and poetic approach to the art of jewellery design; her fluid conceptual forms combined with lyrical symbolic features reveal a dimension that reflects her fascination with the order of the natural world and the contours of the human form. The Cave collection encourages one to seek tranquility and to retreat to ones inner space for stillness and contemplation. The Cave collection celebrates the refined and organic design language that Jacqueline Rabun and Georg Jensen has become renowned.

For Georg Jensen’s centenary celebration, Jacqueline Rabun paid tribute with the feminine yet provocative 100 collection. The digits of the number 100 are adapted into a striking silver jewellery collection. This collection has

also been reinterpreted in the iconic Master Diamond Collection, morphing the emotion and beauty of the range with pavé set diamonds..."

Photos courtesy of Georg Gensen.

Persian Fashion

2007-06-17T14:23:00.000Z

Pershion website servers as a hub for Iranian Fashion and Art designers, that design from fashion accessories to best of western style high street fashion. Its not only "Islamic themed" fashion that comes out of Iran.

Their website says "...Pershion is an online gallery, introduces young Iranian fashion designers/artists. It also presents news and information about Iranian fashion designers all around the world.

This online gallery is created for designers and artists who work in fashion field or their art works are somehow related to fashion art. Pershion team was founded by Hassanali Zad and Atoosa Mozaffari on January 2002..."

Image courtesy of Persian Fashion

Mary Jean Maycon

2007-06-16T00:15:00.000Z

We do not know a lot about this model from the Philippines called Mary Jean Maycon but will like to know more about her. She seems to be in the same league as Charo Ronquillo.

Selita Ebanks

2007-06-15T05:51:00.000Z

Izabel Goulart

2007-05-31T05:53:00.000Z

Her website says "...Izabel Goulart was born on October 23, 1984 in São Carlos, Brazil. She is one of seven children that include four brothers, one sister, and one half-sister. Like many other models, she has a strange way in which she was discovered. While she was out shopping for groceries with her mother one day, a hairdresser approached her and told her she should become a model. So following the advice of that hairdresser, she moved to São Paulo and began modeling.

While walking in her first runway, her bikini top fell off of her, exposing herself to the crowd. However, she remained composed and received excellent praise from numerous people in the industry. After that, her career took off quickly. She was walking in numerous runway shows around the world and soon there after she made the decision to move to the United States to continue her modeling career.
Upon her move to New York City, Izabel was named as one of the Victoria's Secret Angels. She landed a multi-year contract with the Lingerie company and made her debut in 2005 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show which was held in November of 2005. In addition to Victoria's Secret, she has also been in advertising campaigns for La Senza, Poko Pano, Valfrance, Express, Cori, Forum, Pollini, Pura Mania, among many others. She's appeared on the covers of several magazines worldwide including Numero, Elle, Vogue, and Marie Claire. She is still living in the New York City area when she isn't traveling the world for appearances, runway shows, and fashion shoots.

In her spare time she enjoys bowling, and playing tennis and basketball. In the winter of 2007, Izabel will make her acting debut, playing herself on an episode of the highly acclaimed HBO series, Entourage. In October of 2006 Izabel was named to Esquire Magazine's annual list of 100 things, people, ideas, and trends you need to know.Her star just keeps getting brighter..."

Photos courtesy of Style.com by Greg Kessler and Don Ashby.

Nina Malone

2007-05-28T15:17:00.000Z

Nina is a multi talented model, actress and dancer from Cambridge with a degree in professional dancing and musical theatre.

She has worked with L'Oreal, M&S and Dyson. She loves being on the catwalk and theatrical stage.

Photos courtesy of Grid Models

Runway Africa ....Celebrating African Fashion

2007-04-13T22:53:00.000Z

Their website says "...Runway Africa is a stylish and elegant fashion extravaganza scheduled for September 2007. Runway Africa takes an intimate look at Africa’s creative fashion industry and is a celebration of “Africhic” style...."

Photos Courtesy of Runway Africa.

bhf Magazine

2007-04-04T23:08:00.000Z

As the Nigerian Fashion industry grows, the need for more African fashion magazines that will express the views of African models,designers,entrepreneurs becomes necessary. A new Nigerian fashion called BHF Magazine will be launched in Summer to tap into this growing Nigerian reader base both at home and diaspora.

According to their website "..bhf Magazine is an exciting and dynamic new African Lifestyle Magazine launching Summer 2007. With a boldness and edge, the likes of which has never been seen before, this quarterly publication is the brainchild of visionary entrepreneurial power couple Geoffrey and Jennifer Olisa.

Our mission is simple. To shatter the narrow view of NIGERIANS that exists today by looking through the lens of the lives of modern Nigerians. We will introduce to the world our fashion, art and vibrant culture..."

Joelle Kayember

2007-04-03T23:29:00.000Z

The South African TV Authority says "...Joelle Kayembe is a Congolese-born South African model best known for her role as a suitcase model in the game show Deal Or No Deal.

Kayember has appeared in Ludacris’s Pimpin All Over The World music video, she was a finalist in the International Supermodel 2005 competition in China and is included as a Global Honey on SKY TV in the UK.

In 1994, Kayembe and her family left the Democratic Republic of Congo for a holiday to South Africa. Political turmoil in their home country ensured that they never returned. Joelle and her siblings had to learn English as their ‘holiday’ was extended indefinitely..."

Photo courtesy of Next Models

Isabelle Béké

2007-04-01T22:25:00.000Z

Isabelle Béké is multi talented model and actress from Cote de voir and based in Paris. She made her debut in acting in the movie Le Pari De L'Amour (Betting On Love).

Bineta Salsao

2007-03-31T17:03:00.000Z

Bineta Salsao is one of the top Senegalese fashion designers that has influenced the style of traditional Senegalese 'Bubu' fashion.By incorporating customised fabrics, designs and intricate embroidery she has succeed in creating a fabulous collection. The foundationolive website says"...A Graduate of the Institute of Cut, seams and of Mode (I.C.C.M.) in 1974, Bineta Salsao did not engage in unknown ground while launching out in the fashion industry. Mother of a dressmaker, Bineta started designing as at the age of thirteen..."

Photos courtesy of foundationolive

Amias Project

2007-03-29T22:44:00.000Z

The Amias Project website says "...In the ancient African language of the nomadic Barabaig tribe, Amias means beautiful. The Amias Project specializes in hand-made, fair-trade accessories inspired by traditional Barabaig fashions. Whether you buy for yourself or a gift for others, you are spreading the story of Africa, hope and something beautiful..."

Founded by Nichole Smaglick, Amias is a project that"...has mobilized over 200 Barabaig men and women in central Tanzania to design and craft jewelry and handbags inspired by traditional fashions. The project aims to uplift and empower traditional culture. It also helps generate significant income and educational opportunities for disadvantaged communities..."

"...Amias and its fair trade mission have allowed families to find stability in a region wracked by hardship and frequent drought. More parents now send their children to school, and they have enough food in times of need. They are increasing their livestock and making plans for the future.

Amias, in the ancient language of the Barabaig, means "beautiful." So when wearing Amias jewelry or handbags, always remember that you are wearing hope, the story of the Barabaig, and something beautiful..."

Photos courtesy of Amias Project.

Kamla Millwood

2007-03-28T21:15:00.000Z

Her official website describes her as a "...6 foot tall high fashion model... born in beautiful St. Vincent and the Grenadines -a tropical island nation in the Caribbean, north of Trinidad and Tobago.

She has set the fashion industry ablaze, modeling with a confident and sophisticated style that has made her a media star and international celebrity. Her tall and toned frame, angular beauty, electrifying smile and intimidating presence, propelled her out of the Caribbean and into New York at breakneck speed..."

Photo Courtesy of Kamla Millwood's website.

Annansi Chronicles

2007-03-13T21:00:00.000Z

Annansi Chronicles is a blog that focuses on the trend of African Style in the International scene.

Highlighting trends from African designed and manufactured trendy footwear to numerous other fashion accessories.

Trio Magazine

2007-02-28T23:16:00.000Z

Trio Magazine according to their website "..is a fashion and entertainment magazine that will be published quarterly, and initially circulated online. TIRO seeks to establish and maintain a unique position amongst culturally themed publications within the United States, and the continent of Africa. Its goal is to be the magazine of choice for females interested in fashion emphasizing African & Western Cultures. The majority of fashion and entertainment magazines on the market today are primarily concerned with fashion trends in the western world, ignoring the uniqueness of the African fabric and its impact on the western world.

The idea for TIRO came from Helen Eferakorho, a female of Nigerian descent, raised in the United States. Having lived in Nigeria (one of the focal venues for African Fashion) in her youth, Helen developed a strong appreciation for the uniqueness of the African fabric. On the other-hand her tenure in the US exposed her to a variety of culturally stimulating fashion styles via fashion oriented periodicals, trade shows, and day-to-day observations. Her passion for this venture was as a result of the opportunity to observe the best of both worlds. Helens goal is to use TIRO to expose the enormous possibilities within this sector of the industry, and provide a vessel for individuals within its target audience to enhance their lives.

To accomplish this, our vision is to create the type of fashion magazine that has never been seen before. Its premise: the intentional merging of African and western styles, the concept that created TIRO. TIRO is an Urhobo (Tribal Language) word used in Nigeria to describe a woman that is full of grace. Grace is a charming and attractive trait, one that will be evident in every issue of TIRO and will be the watch word for staff, articles, exposés, reviews and advertising..."

Photos courtesy of Trio Magazine

Nayo

2007-02-24T04:37:00.000Z

Some say she is the "New Sade" but we think she is one of the new gem's in the Nigerian music industry. One of her singles "African Girl" is one of the best R&B singles we have heard recently.

Her Myspace bio says "..NAYO (N-áá-y-Ò) jumps out from within the Yoruba name of Temitope Odunayo Abidoye, born in Lagos, Nigeria and singing from day one. Her Nigerian culture traveled with her around the world as a girl, while she incorporated its rhythms into the new beats and sounds she found in England, the United States, and the rest of West Africa. At that young age of 10, Nayo began writing songs and found her influences in artists such as Madonna, Seal, Annie Lennox and Carole King..."

"...Nayo returned to Los Angeles with renewed purpose and independently released a limited single 'Party Fever' which found its way on the Billboard Club Play charts and various charts in Europe by late 2005. Then she began collaborating with producers and songwriters from New York, Los Angeles and the UK, where her true love for music first began. With her debut album to be released next year 2007, Nayo is her name and her voice speaks for generations of people and millions whose voices have not been heard for years..."

This is Nayo's alternative music website.

Photo courtesy of Nayo's Myspace page

Kati Torda Dagadu

2007-02-22T21:14:00.000Z

Kati Torda Dagadu website says "...she is a Hungarian-born artist who has lived more than half her life in Ghana. There she touched upon a fading bead culture and successfully initiated a new consciousness of it. She has combined the cultural heritage of her two homes to create internationally celebrated bead work that reflects her considerable knowledge of Ghanaian and other West African bead traditions.."

Her beautiful handcrafted glass bead work designs are a combination of her artistic talent and ideas she has borrowed from traditional West African bead making techniques, which I think started in the ancient empires of Ashanti, Songhai,Benin and Mali.

Photos Courtesy of Beads.com.gh

Burka meets Haute Coutre

2007-02-14T23:45:00.000Z

Beautiful Burka (Burqa) inspired fashion by Fashion East designer Louise Golden where shown at the catwalk of the London Fashion Week 2007.

Other designers like Lela Ahmadzai "Burka meets Haute Couture" have shown that the Afghan Burka could me remodeled to look interesting and trendy.

Photos courtesy of Burka meets Haute Couture and Yahoo images.

Noella Coursaris

2007-02-13T22:26:00.000Z

Noella is a trailblazer in the world of fashion modeling, this lady of Congolese and Cypriot parentage has achieved a lot as a black model in today's international modeling market. MIMI magazine says "..Coursaris accomplishment's are no small feat considering that in the fickle world of fashion, it takes more than just beauty to succeed-especially for African
models..."

In her brilliant interview with Africaincorp blog, she talks about a lot of issues ranging from what inspired her into fashion modeling, what she thinks would create a successful fashion and modeling in Africa and finally the expectations of the fashion modeling world.

She also has a outstanding interview with Kaysha filmed in New York shown below.

Photo courtesy of Jambomagazine.

Honorine Uwera

2007-02-12T23:28:00.000Z

This model originally from Rwanda moved to Canada in 1998 were she was found by the IMG modeling agency. She is presently one of the hottest black models on the Catwalks of Milan, New York, Paris and London. She has an interesting weblog at Myspace.com

Photo courtesy of fmd1.com

African Waistcoat Company

2007-02-11T09:51:00.000Z

Started by Calum Robertson in 2003 at Candem, London the African Waistcoat Company combines the finesse of Savile Row's craftsmanship and exotic Nigerian Aso Oke fabrics, to make fantastic waistcoats. Aso Oke Fabric is a hand loomed fabric worn by both women and men of the Yoruba people of south-western Nigeria.

The African Waistcoat Company website also features an article written by William Georgiades of the New York Sun ".... Located in a passageway off a narrow road, The African Waistcoat Company headquarters sits between antique shops and stalls in a former cobbler’s shop. Inside the space is both tight and expansive — there’s little room to move but the colors on display vibrate.

The process of having a waistcoat made begins with a measuring followed by some rather serious decision-making, as dozens of patterns and swatches, of increasing vibrancy are brought out. For now all waistcoats are custom made, though in the future there are plans for off-the rack items. African beads and cufflinks which recall Ghanaian Adinkra designs are also available, along with textiles.

Once the decision has been made, the materials and measurements are constructed within two to three weeks for an average price of about $300.

What makes these waistcoats particularly interesting is the quality of the materials and their construction. All of the items are made from Nigerian handwoven aso oke cloth. Aso oke connotes high status among the Yoruba peoples of southwestern Nigeria, a part of the world Mr. Robertson has come to love since his first visit there in 1974. After his first visit, Mr. Robertson returned every year for five years to visit friends and returned in 1999 and again last September when the idea came to him to open a shop. He looks forward to returning once a year to keep his stock updated..."

Photos courtesy of African Waistcoat Company website.

Kosibah Creations

2007-02-04T23:18:00.000Z

Kosibah Creations was founded by Yemi Osunkoya a graduate of Fine Art with a major in Textiles Design from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Nigeria.

Established since 1991 Koshibah Creations says it "...Specialises in elegant, figure-enhancing, contemporary gowns that blur the lines between bridal and evening wear. His use of corsetry, draping and meticulous attention to detail produce gowns that enhance every figure..."

Koshibah Creations has also won many international awards and showcased in a lot of international events like Encore Bridal Show, The National Wedding Show. It also won the Designer of the Year 2002 Award given by Mahogany Events.

Photo and some excerpts for this article are courtesy of Koshibah Creations.

HauTe

2007-02-03T23:57:00.000Z

Their website says HauTe, "...is a 100+ pages fashion magazine. It features works of Nigerian designers all around the world. Exhibiting a taste for the cultural tempered with an appreciation of the varied degress of influence by the West in today's fashion. "Haute" Magazine has a commitment to e platform profile for Nigerian designers as an exposure in the fashion world. Started by a group of talented people namely Dammie Amolegbe (Editor in Chief), Uche Eze (Deputy Editor), Osione Itegboe (Art Director),Osifo Akhuemonkhan (Consulting Editor), Bolaji Kekere - Ekun (Editor - at - large).

Photo courtesy of HauTe,

Clam Magazine

2007-02-02T21:52:00.000Z

Their website says "....CLAM is a unisex magazine whose goal is to promote creativity, concepts and ideas in fashion, architecture, music, design, the arts, free-time, travels and African design.... these different themes are approached in two main areas..."

"...Each subject is part of an original and conceptual artistic direction. The concepts are presented through the expression of the artists and creators coming from very different horizons..."

"...The place accorded to the image is central: she wants to be unusual, so as to create constant surprise for the viewer.Experimentation is one of the characteristics of CLAM which explains its layout: always changing, never fixed. Clam wants to encourage creative reflexion.The presentation is based on ideas and not the seasons.This concept confers to the magazine a collector's status..."

The Editor in Chief of Clam magazine is Amadi Okorafor who we previously blogged about his contribution to the African movie industry.

Photo courtesy of CLAM Magazine.

Gozi

2007-01-31T23:50:00.000Z

Ping Mag of Japan writes about Nigerian fashion designer Gozi Ochongor who graduated as software engineer only to become a successful fashion designer.. I think her fashion rocks and its very trendy.

Ping Mag writes "...I sold at Portobello Market and Spitalfields Market in London for quite some time. People thought my stuff was really cheap and bought it like crazy! So every day, I went up a little higher with the price and they were still buying (laughs). People came up to me and wanted to borrow my clothes for shootings all the time and although I went through this unorthodox way, I slowly gained some confidence..."

Her Bio on the HBS Africa Conference website says "...Gozi Ochongor is the Creative Director of her eponymous fashion label, Gozi. Gozi graduated from Imperial College London in 1998, where she studied Software Engineering. Finally able to pursue her passion, she enrolled at Central School of Fashion, where she studied Ladieswear Fashion Design. A year later, she established her label at the Portobello Market and soon acquired a solid client base. After graduation, Gozi established her company Gozi Ltd in July 2003.

Gozi draws influences from a myriad of sources: from science, art and dance, to a love for travelling and learning about new cultures. She has visited over 15 countries worldwide and incorporates her souvenirs in her collections. Thus interwoven into each garment is the fusion of the contemporary art and culture of the West with the color and sensuality of Africa and the spirit of Asia.

Gozi currently serves on the board of the Fashion Business Club in London that provides a forum which fashion entrepreneurs engage with, inspire and support one another..."

Movie and photos of Gozi's Collection courtesy of Ping Mag

Sika

2007-01-30T22:33:00.000Z

Ethnicinfluence writes about Sika which was named as one of the top five London labels in 2006 according to Draper's Women wear.

"..."Sika", the word for money in Ghana's Twi language, was the obvious choice when it came to a name for the label - it was initially Phyllis mother's nickname since she was the first in the family to arrive in the U.K..."

"... Sika is also easy to pronounce, sticks in the mind and is a little bit quirky. and of course, as the designer says, " the clothes are priceless!" The cowrie shell, a form of currency for centuries in West Africa, is a main feature of the Skia Logo..."

Zeba Mgazine.... also has has an an article Introducing SIKA as one of London's hottest new fashion designers.

Designer Phyllis Taylor is behind the contemporary women's clothing label SIKA. SIKA's current collection is called "Goldcoast" and consists of baby doll dresses, tops, wrap dresses, cropped trousers and capes in unique and quirky prints.

In February, SIKA was named one of the top five London labels to look out for in 2006 by Draper's Women's Wear.

Photo courtesy of Ethnicinfluence

Kunle Afolayan

2007-01-28T12:32:00.000Z

TheNews writes about Kunle Afolayan "...son of deceased actor, the late Ade Afolayan, a.k.a. Ade Love, resigned his appointment at City Express Bank sometime ago to veer into full time acting, after taking part in a number of home flicks.

Kunle's website says "...Kunle Afolayan is a guy one reckons with in the entertainment industry. Over the years, he has not only proved to be a very good actor and filmmaker but has continue to live the legecy his late father Adeyem i Afolayan(aka Ade-love) left behnd! Saying he is the chip of the old block is definitely very true because he has acting and flmmaking running through his vein..."

"...He was born 30 of September in the mid 70' to the Late Adeyemi Afolayan(aka Ade-love). He attended Afican salem primary school ebute meta, did his secondary education in Denton grammar school and Government secondary school Agbamu Kwara state, he then proceded to Lagos state polytechnic.Kunle worked in the bank for couple of years,he resigned his appointment 2005 after which he went to NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY in london to study DigitalFilmmaking..."

Photo courtesy of Kunle Afolayan website.

Emmy Collins

2007-01-08T06:45:00.000Z

Emmy Collins website describes him as "....a menswear designer who is rapidly gaining a reputation for making garments that cut a real dash in a jaded fashion industry..."

"...With clothes characterized by sharp, funky tailoring and a fresh, startling approach to colour, Emmy is beginning to establish himself as one of London’s most flamboyant designers of men’s clothes. It has to be said – his signature pieces are not for the faint hearted. Think of the badass flair and original style of seminal artists – Jimmy Hendrix, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Fela Kuti and more recently, Lenny Kravitz – and then you will begin to get the picture..."

"...Emmy has been described in the media as a natural and he describes his own work as never being in vogue therefore can never be out of vogue and he has designed clothes for singers, musicians and lately, members of Chelsea Football Club particularly defender William Gallas..."

Photo courtesy of Emmy Collins.com

Trendy Africa

2007-01-04T21:16:00.000Z

Trendy Africa is a website whose aim is to present "...captivating images, deliver mind boggling literature and ensure constructive interactive links as a basis for harnessing the worlds culture through the eyes of Africa...".

Their website aims to present to the world the beauty of African Culture, entertaiment, music, literature, style and fashion as it has never being presented before.

Picture courtesy of Trendy Africa

Uzuri Magazine

2007-01-02T06:40:00.000Z

Uzuri Magazine according to their website "...is a premier high quality quarterly African inspired, high fashion, international magazine determined in becoming the leading beauty, fashion and entertainment publication in the emerging African global market..."

"...Our goal is to support and promote African inspired fashion designers and artists by raising their profile, acknowledging their contributions and helping them achieve rank on the mainstream global ‘fashion-stage’. is justly dedicated in increasing awareness of the culture, beauty and fashions inspired by Africa. It celebrates the emerging trends of fashion from mainland Africa and the Caribbean to the runways of Paris, Nairobi, Tokyo, London and New York – to name a few..."

Uzuri was founded in 2005 and it is very interesting to see the emergence of a lot of glossy print media publications that cover the areas of African fashion, style, and entertainment.

Photo courtesy of Uzuri Magazine

Adenike Ogunlesi

2006-12-30T21:26:00.000Z

Adenike Ogunlesi is the founder and chief executive of Ruff 'N' Tumble an indigenous clothing company in Nigeria that specialises in children's clothing. She took the passion she had for tailoring and fashion design to a sophisticated level of developing her own fashion label and hopes one day to have her company listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Photo courtesy of Bella Naija Blog

Sonia Rolland

2006-12-27T00:40:00.000Z

Sonia Rolland's childhood stories are touching indeed according to her website which talks about all her achivements to date and her childhood in Rwanda in the 1980's.

This stunning model of Rwandan and French parentage, who also won miss France 2000 spends a lot of her time working with charities that deal with orphaned Rwandan children.

Photo courtesy of Sonia Rolland

Adia Coulibaly

2006-12-18T22:23:00.000Z

Yahoo Model of the Month writes about Adia Coulibaly has a look you won’t soon forget. Appearing in GUESS’ memorable Spring ’98 ad campaign shot by Dah Len in sunny Florida, Adia is getting noticed. She is seen in these colorful ads along side of a group of other young models, including Laetitia Casta.

Not only was Adia chosen by Iman as one of the beauties to represent her line of cosmetics, but she has graced the pages of American Vogue, The Face and Allure Magazines. At just 19 years old, Adia seems to have it all: a gorgeous face, a great attitude, a loving family and a driving ambition.

Adia was born and raised in Paris and still lives with her parents in the northern suburbs of Paris. She attended the Jean-Jaures School and admits she likes living there amid its colorful boutiques and many cafes and restaurants. With strong Muslim family values, she doesn’t give in to the peer pressure to drink or smoke. With her parent’s support and guidance, she always thought that she would one day become a lawyer, an accountant or even a doctor.

Adia’s career in modeling began purely by chance. While still attending school, she was discovered while working part-time at a McDonald’s in Paris when a photographer spotted her. He did some test shoots with her without saying a word to her family. Her father got suspicious when her school contacted him because Adia was missing so many classes. Reluctantly, her parents gave in and let her pursue modeling.

She soon moved to New York and that’s when she began her journey to model-stardom. Adia remains grounded to her roots by going on family vacations with her parents, two sisters and one brother to Africa.

Photo courtesy of Yahoo Model of the Month

Catherine Hemans Yankey

2006-12-18T22:14:00.000Z

The faceforafrica website writes about Ghana’s Catherine Hemans Yankey was born in Monrovia on January 8, 1988. Now 18, Catherine reveals an ambition to be a fashion designer if her career on the ramp is not successful.

She speaks English, Twi and Nzema and says that she enjoys watching movies and reading about successful people in magazines. She admires Liberia’s current president.

Born in Monrovia, Liberia aspiring Ghanaian model Catherine reveals an ambition to be a fashion designer if her career on the ramp is not successful.

She speaks English, Twi and Nzema and says that she enjoys watching movies and reading about successful people in magazines. She admires Liberia’s current president.

Photo courtesy of tvsa

Assitan

2006-12-10T21:27:00.000Z

Assitan is refered to in some circles as a beautiful uncut African diamond that is yet to achieve her full potential. Her major first role in a western movie was in Ocean's Eleven 2. Born 20 years ago in Nancy, France this model that is 1.8m tall and 58kg has a lot of talent in artisitic creativity.

Venantia Otto

2006-11-19T21:06:00.000Z

Venantia Otto the 2006 winner of the Nokia Face of Africa modeling competion that took place at Sun City in South Africa is focused to empowering rural women by having her own talk show.

This 18 year old who gets her inspiration from succesful models like Tyra Banks says that she "...excited about the opportunity to model and believes that modelling is about hard-work, focus and personality..."

Born on 22 October 1987 in Namibia and from a family of five children, Venantia attended primary school at "...Mandume Primary School, where I did grade 1-7 and attended high school at Cosmos high from grade 8-10. In 2004, I was crowned Miss Cosmos..."

"...One of the first things that we noticed about Venantia was that she has a tattoo on her left arm – in a similar position to that of Angelina Jolie. Hers is of a rose. Venantia explains that she got the tattoo at the very young age of 16, ''I just did it for the experience.'' Venantia had to hide it from her parents and when they found out about it, they were not happy. It turns out that tattoos aren’t the best thing to do spontaneously as she has decided she will try to remove it in the next few years – a cautionary tale.

Like all the very impressive Nokia Face of Africa contestants, Venantia was the epitome of cool during the night of the Final. She says they started rehearsing their sequence a week before the final and went through it everyday from morning to night – the practice showed on the night.
But wasn’t she nervous about whether she would win or lose? Venantia says that her nerves had faded away from the time that she was chosen to be in the top 10.

Venantia might have taken the title, but who did she think would be the chosen one? She picks Mirash Davies from Ghana. Mirash was notably popular with the magazine editors during Nokia Cape town Fashion Week. It seemed that they liked her `editorial’ look, as compared to the more `commercial’ looks of girls like Venantia and Mulenga. This is a debate that rages on in the modeling world. Venantia is diplomatic as usual saying that African beauty is inclusive while international beauty standards try to make very the same – tall and pretty.

The daughter of a nurse mom and Civil Servant Dad, both her parents were there to see their daughter’s triumph. Venantia says they reacted with great excitement whilst her own reaction was just pure shock.

The high school pupil is jetting off to New York (and so is her piece from Shimansky) sometime in October to create her portfolio and be launched into the world of high fashion by representatives, Elite Model Management. But she knows that although New York might be huge and scary compared to Windhoek, she has former winner Oluchi to keep an eye out for her, '' She said she’ll see me when I get there,'' says Venantia. She adds that this journey gives her an opportunity to mature into adulthood and make a name for herself..."

Some excerpts are taken from a profile article in Face of Africa.

Duro Olowu

2006-11-07T06:40:00.000Z

The blog Africaincorp writes about Duro Olowu a new talented Nigerian fashion designer of Jamaican/Nigerian parentage. He was dicovered by Vogue's Sally Singer and Julie Gilhart, of Barneys.

Photo courtesy of Duro Olowu.com

Jamhuri Wear

2006-10-15T22:16:00.000Z

Their website says that "...Jamhuri wear seek to epitomize the great history and future of Africa. Through quality clothing inspired by the true meaning of love, pride, and family. The essence of being African..."

Inspired by the resilience and determination of African freedom fighters like Dedan Kimaathi of the Mau Mau Revolution, Nelson Mandela,and others Jamhuri Wear seeks to promote these African Icons in a more positive light, as similar clothing brands have promoted their own freedom fighters in.

The Jamuri collections has also featured in magazines such as XXL etc and more information about there brand is also available on their blog

Photos courtesy of Jamhuriwear.com

Genevieve Nnaji

2006-09-10T17:09:00.000Z

She is one of the hottest female talents in Nigeria's Nollywood film industry. Apart from being very beautiful she is also a very talented actress and model. She is from Enugu State, Nigeria and has starred in many Nollywood productions. She recently made the cover of MIMI magazine.

Photo Courtesy of Generationnubian.com

MIMI magazine

2006-08-26T10:38:00.000Z

MIMI is a magazine that covers the issues that interest young african women.

MIMI magazine acording to their website is "a lifesytle magazine that addresses topics from the unique perspective of the African woman aged 18-34. It is a channel through which African woman can embrace their rich cultural inheritance and remarkable talents".

Supported by a team of talented people like Lola Kingo (Editor-in Chief), Mimi Tsiane(Lifesyle Editor), Ndidi Ageyabaum (Style Editor), Joke Babington Ashye and Nani Hapa.

"MIMI hopes to entertain, empower, inspire African women around the world."

Magazine cover courtesy of MIMI Magazine

Kiko Romeo

2006-07-27T22:32:00.000Z

KikoRomeo website writes "...KikoRomeo is committed to the concept of community development through economic empowerment. We work exclusively with Kenyan artisans using predominantly Kenyan materials.

We are also committed to the discipline of fair trade.The KikoRomeo collections are crafted using predominantly Kenyan cotton, spun, woven or knitted by hand.

The loose weaves are hand woven in Kisumu, the hand and machine knits use Kenyan wools and cottons and are crafted by a Nairobi Women's Group. Our silks are spun from Kenyan grown cocoons, woven, printed and dyed in Kenya by ICIPE (International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology)

Our bags are woven from Kenyan Sisal by Machakos Women's Groups. Our beadwork is carried out by Maasai Women's Groups.

Our buttons, thongs and trims used, are made from Kenyan coconut, horn, bones and hides. We also work with Kenyan artists in the production of our fashion events.

Founded by Ann McCreath the principal apparel designer for KikoRomeo, combines classical training in haute couture from the University of Edinburgh and the ateliers of Rome and Milan, with a passion for the vibrancy and flamboyance of Africa.

Her collections combine the discipline of precision cut and tailoring, with the inspiration instilled by ethnic shape, colour and flow.

Ann has been in production in Kenya since 1997. She has two retail outlets in Nairobi and shows two major collections annually as well as exhibiting her garments extensively throughout Europe. She won second prize in the professional category of the Smirnoff Fashion Awards 1998 and was in the pannel of judges in the millennium awards.

KikoRomeo has a rapidly spreading reputation for the creation of unique and innovative wedding collections and show-stopping evening wear.

The KikoRomeo commitment to maximizing body potential has also created the flattering yet ultimately wearable concept of 'Radical Nairobi Chic'.KikoRomeo design off the peg, tailor-made and haute couture apparel for men, women and children.

KikoRomeo offers a complete range of 'must have' fashion accessories such as ; belts, hats, bags, bandanas and couture jewellery..."

Photos courtesy of KikoRomeo

Depth of Field

2006-07-25T22:52:00.000Z

TheDept-of-Field website talks about the collective exhibits works of six very talented Nigerian photographers, namely Kelechi Amadi Obi, Emeka Okereke, TY Bello, Uchechukwu James-Iroha, Zaynab Odunsi and Amaize Ojeikere.

Kelechi Amadi Obi has also featured in a Nigeria International documentary.

"...Toyin Sokefun, an economics graduate from the University of Lagos, started with portraiture and later, advanced into documentary and conceptual art photography.

She continues to do extensive work ondocumenting the issues and situations surrounding her as a young female artist, creating images that break preconceived ideas about her generation, her faith, her city and womanhood.

She lives and works in Lagos as a freelance photographer and musician while a strong member of a photography group; DOF (Depth of Field)..."

Photo courtesy of Depthoffield.com

Andre Leon Tally

2006-07-07T19:09:00.000Z

Andre Leon Tally is one of the top style icons of our time, and he has been an inspiration to many in the world of fashion and design.

Below is an interview he had with Constance C.R White of Essence Magazine a couple of years ago.The writes about how "...Few have survived the fashion world as long as Andre Leon Talley, Vogue's larger-than-life editor-at-large. A front-row regular at fashion shows in New York, Paris and Milan for more than 25 years, Talley has used his influence to champion the work of dozens of designers, including Stephen Burrows, Tracey Reese and Michael B.

In A.L.T. (Villard, $24.95), Talley, 55, recounts the highs and lows of his extraordinary life. He recently talked with writer Constance C. R. White about the book and about being a Black man in a business that exalts White beauty and talent above all others..."

Constance White: What prompted you to write A.L.T.?

Andre Leon Talley: My grandmother, Bennie Frances Davis, and Vogue's fashion editor, Diana Vreeland, both died in 1989. It was a seminal moment in my life. They were my raison d'etre. I wanted to share the experiences I had with them and others over the years.

C.W.: When did you first become interested in fashion?

A.L.T.: At 16. I clipped articles from Vogue when Diana Vreeland was editor. There's a famous picture of Mrs. Vreeland in her office measuring the millimeter of a pearl--wearing white gloves. That picture was on my wall. Some people had pictures of rock stars; I had pictures of Diana Vreeland.

C.W.: And yet you didn't think you would become a fashion editor.

A.L.T.: In the book I recall a story about a relative who asked me what I wanted to do. I said, "I want to be a fashion editor." He said, "You know that's not what boys become."

C.W.: But you kept studying fashion in private, leafing through copies of Vogue in your room, the way some boys thumb through Marvel comics.

A.L.T.: Vogue reflected a dedication to beauty and style that spoke to me.

C.W.: But it took some time for your career to take off. When did you feel at ease writing about fashion?

A.L.T.: When I was 28. As a reporter for Women's Wear Daily, I interviewed the designer Yves Saint Laurent, who was doing a collection inspired by the opera Porgy and Bess. His muse, Mounia, was in a pink suit. It reminded me of the clothes that my cousins wore to church.

C.W.: At well over six feet, you stand out in a crowd. Despite your success, you've remained quite humble.

A.L.T: I've never thought of myself as important or on top of the world. You should never think, I've made it.Whenever I speak to students interested in fashion, I say they shouldn't be above picking up paper clips or making a Starbucks run.

C.W.: How have you managed to deal with the fashion world's subtle and overt racism?

A.L.T.: The only people I felt it from were the female staffers at WWD, who were very insecure about who I was. I just kept going. I once overheard someone say, "Why is Karl Lagerfeld writing to him? What common interest could they have?" I met Karl Lagerfeld through Andy Warhol in 1975. We became friends and still are.

C.W.: You mention the impact of such Black models as Pat Cleveland, Bethann Hardison and Alva Chinn,ruling the runways. Where are we today? Besides Liya Kibede, Alek Wek and Naomi Campbell, there are few Black supermodels.

A.L.T: we have regressed. I often sit at a show and see not one Black model on the runway. Can't they find some Black girls?

C.W.: Have you addressed this with designers and editors?

A.L.T.: I write notes. I make suggestions. I can't believe it when designers say, "I couldn't find anyone" or "She didn't look right in the clothes."

C.W.: Why have so few African-Americans succeeded as top editors at fashion magazines?

A.L.T.: Vogue, Conde Nast, that's not our world. We are not the majority.

C.W.: Who do you think has great style?

A.L.T.: Angela Bassett, Halle Berry and Queen Latifah, who's going to be a big star.

C.W.: Any tips for women who want to have great style?

A.L.T.: Be yourself. Have confidence. Work within your budget. You don't have to own designer clothes to be stylish..."

Photo courtesy of Stevelander.com

Dozie

2006-07-06T21:08:00.000Z

Dozie's website writes "....Born in England to a Nigerian father and British mother, Dozie spent his early years in both the UK and Nigeria, moving to the U.S. with his family when he was a teenager. The plethora of sounds in his family household ranged from Nigerian pop giants like Fela Kuti and Sir Warrior, to South African jazz gurus like Dollar Brand and Hugh Masekela, to classical composers like Handel and Bach. This early exposure permeated his soul with a love of music that would only manifest itself several years later.

As he got older, his musical tastes grew even more diverse, ranging from RnB mainstays like the Isley Brothers, to piano maven Tori Amos, to beat-maker extraordinaire Timbaland. His musical interests also grew, and after years singing in choirs, from his church choir in Nigeria to gospel choirs in the U.S., he taught himself to play the piano and later added the guitar to his repertoire. The songwriting came naturally, with his multinational background and diverse cultural influences luminescent in his music..."

Photo courtesy of Dozie's website

Kofi Ansah

2006-07-03T14:22:00.000Z

Alfred Tamakloe writes"....Casting spells on his audience with his works is very characteristic of the Ghanaian designer, Kofi Ansah. His reputation as an avant-garde designer is well known not only to Ghanaians but also among fashion connoisseurs world wide. Kofi's designs have been sold through retail shops in Ghana, South Africa, United States, United Kingdom and
Germany including Sachs Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales..."

"... Ansah stems from a family of artists. His father, a traditional chief from Senya Breku in Ghana's Central Region, is a musician and photographer. The renowned Ghanaian film-maker and twice FESPACO film festival award winner, Kwao Ansah is his brother. His younger sister, Araba Ansah who accompanied him to the Copenhagen fair,is a make-up artist while another brother, Tommy Ansah, main actor in Kwao Ansah's award winning film 'Heritage Africa', is actor and script-writer.

Kofi is a graduate of the Chelsea School of Art, London with honours in fashion design and design technology. His industrial practice after graduation in 1977, took him through Guy Laroche's studio in Paris to that of Cecil Gee in London, thereafter, gaining membership of the British Couture Collection.
"After 20 years in Europe, I returned to Ghana in 1992 to contribute to the development of the Ghanaian clothing industry," he says.

"..In the past, those who dressed in traditional clothes in Ghana, were perceived as uneducated people. So when I returned to Ghana, I made it a point to change that wrong perception. Hence my use of local fabrics of varied shades of colours to create fantasy in my designs so it will meet the different colour needs and perceptions of people, young or old, educated or not", affirms the 47-year old fashion designer.

"Today, the story is different. Everybody, particularly the youth and people in executive positions are proud to wear clothes made from local fabric. This has brought healthy competition among Ghanaian designers and a boom to the textile industry, which I'm happy about."

His input as a consultant to Ghana Textile Printing Company, has transformed the fortunes the company. It has for the last five years, rolled out unusual wax prints onto the Ghanaian and West African markets. They include "Sika Print" and "Ahenfie" collections.

"Judging from the interest shown by fashion enthusiasts and the Danish media during this fair," Kofi says, "I look forward to staging a full fledged hair-raising solo fashion show in Denmark in the future which will linger on in the minds of the audience for years..."

Excerpts of this article taken from Djembe.dk and photos from Kofi Ansah's website

Binti A

2006-07-02T22:50:00.000Z

Binti is top a Parisian model of Guinean and Lebanese parentage. She has worked with a lot of top photographers including Uwe Ommer,David Sarlak, Stephen Zezza
Photo courtesy of Binti Book

Margareth Lahoussaye-Duvigny

2006-06-22T22:38:00.000Z

Margareth Lahoussaye-Duvigny website says "...Whatever it is, Margareth does it 100 percent. She can adapt to any surrounding: the ice of the Andros Trophy, the desert of the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles, or the fashion world. She is a hard worker with a big heart, going at full speed, and nothing is going to stop her.

There are models who pride themselves on collecting conquests of the male kind, and there are others who seek personal achievements. In your opinion, to which category does Margareth Lahoussaye-Duvigny belong?

When the magazine Gala decided to dedicate these pages to her, it was first and foremost to tell the story of her adventure in the Moroccan desert, a place she fell in love with and where she participated in the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles seven times. "Having had to represent stereotypical, silent women, I really needed a change. What I like about this competition is that I find myself in he desert, alone and challenged to push my limits...."
Margareth is very passionate: she does everything with conviction. When she is not behind the wheel of her racing car, she lends her support to environmental campaigns and works with the best photographers.

Do you remember that beautiful Creole woman on the NEGRITA rum advertisement? or that sculpted H&M bikini-clad beauty plastered on the walls around the entire world in 2001?or the Lavazza campaign by David Lachapelle in chich she appeared dressed in labels?

It's true: this sculpted beauty from Martinique can wear anything she likes. However, she came to the big city to study psychology and become a social worker, a choice far from being a mere show, rotted in a painful childhood. " it was my turn to help children," she says modestly..."

Margareth owes her world fame to the incredibly funky George Michael who chose her to play a part in his video "Fast Love" and of course, to some of the best photographers in the business: Peter Lindbergh for Vogue Italy, Dominique Issermann for Stern and Bruno Bisang. They were the first ones to push her career. They believed in her and made her an icon in the fashion world.

There is also a woman who played a very important role in Margareth's career: Fabienne Martin, former director for the FAM agency. " She asked me to strut my stuff. For black girls, this was a hard business to break into, especially without proper backing. An agency should not only find us work, but also protect us from the pitfalls of the business. I was lucky to find a team that was dedicated to doing just that..."

Photos and excerpts courtesy of Margareth Lahoussaye-Duvigny website.

Clam Films

2006-06-19T21:45:00.000Z

Clam films wesbite says that " ....Andy Amadi Okoroafor of was born in Bauchi, Northern Nigeria on February 8th 1966. He pursued his education and a successful creative career in Paris. He is returning to Nigeria to fulfill his lifelong ambition of making films about contemporary Africa for a world audience. He is an acclaimed Art Director in advertising, fashion and music videos based in Paris. His clients have included Xuly-BÃ«t, Jean Paul Gaultier, KookaÃ¯, Virgin, Galeries La Fayette, to name a few.

"....Clam Films is a creative film entity that is rooted in Africa and committed to promoting African creativity and including Africa into mainstream world creativity. Clam is located in Paris, New York, Lagos. We coloborate with people from johanessburg to jamaica. Clam represents the creative work of Andy Amadi Okoroafor and Andrew Dosunmu.Giulia Grassilli is the production consultant for clam films on Relentless...."

Photo courtesy ofClam films

Eva Sagna

2006-06-12T23:36:00.000Z

Jurgita Fashion Magazine" says....Originally from Senegal ,Eva was born 24 years ago in Paris .She first started her artistic carreer as a dancer with the troup BALAI NIABA directed by her aunt Adele Badgi with who she represented herself in small theaters such as the DIVAN DU MONDE in Paris .

In 1995 she met Almen Gibirila and began her first catwalks shows.Then she 'll work for famous designers in Haute Couture such as Thierry Mugler,Jean Louis Scherrer,Jean Doucet ...Her talent brought her to London and New York where she worked for top photographers such as Ernest Collins,John Lewis or Alain Snaoui .

Eva is passionate by fashion but also by cinema .In 1999 she started a new carreer of actress thanks to the producer Pascal Lombardo who offered her the first role in a short film :Josphine

She also writes fo the luxury magazine CULT OF CHIC and MOVE ON magazine..."

Photos by Ernest Collins courtesy of Jurgita Fashion Magazine"

Bai Ling

2006-06-09T16:47:00.000Z

Wendy Ide of The Times Newspaper writes that "...At 13 the actress Bai Ling joined the Chinese People's Liberation Army and spent three years entertaining the troops in Tibet. She was a star in her native China by the end of her teens.She claims that an involvement in the pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989 hastened her move to America by the age of 20..."

"..At 36 she's as well known for trashy celeb-reality shows and gynaecologically short skirts as for her roles in acclaimed art-house pictures..."

Some people think she is as mad as a "Bag of snakes" because of the way she dresses, but even at that she has already appeared in movies like "The Crow","Anna and the King", "Red Corner" and "Star Wars:Episode III. She will soon start the shooting of her current movie "Shanghai baby".

Photo courtesy of Bai Ling fan site

Indira Varma

2006-06-02T16:55:00.000Z

The LES Magazine says"...Indira has spent the last decade working with directors such as Sam Mendes and Harold Pinter, starring in the BBC/HBO epic "Rome", and appearing in films from her first, erotic outing in "Kama Sutra" to, most recently, playing David Morrissey's wife in Michael Caton-Jones's B12..."

Indira is 32, herself marvellous looking, clearly talented, fresh from pounding the pavements in Los Angeles, and one of a generation of British actresses who are winning important screen work by virture of training, experience and charisma rather than a cunning stylist and ruthless red-carpet commitment.

Born in Bath to a Swiss mother and Indian father - both artists who met while studying at Central Saint Martins - Indira is an only child who 'was bad at maths and put on plays by creating a theatre inside my bunk bed'. When she made a decision to abandon her university plans and apply for RADA, she was greeted by nothing but encouragement from her parents, 'being artistic types themselves'. Her mother, however,was concerned enough about her only child's move to London to organise Indira's lodging at the Quaker International Centre just off Gower Street.' I wasn't paying full price for my lodging so I had to clean the brass, polish the piano and help with the washing up..."

Amanda Ghost

2006-05-22T22:46:00.000Z

In an article in the Evening Standard, Emine Saner writes that "...The song, You're Beautiful became James Blunts breakthrough hit and has earned Ghost an estimated 2 million and growing..."

Amanda Ghost is one of the hottest song writers of her age today and has already caught the attention of Beyonce Knowles who she is currently writing a song for her.

Raised in Enfield, London and once a student of the London School of Fashion, she formerly worked on the door of a London nightclub.

"....Ghost now 30 has needed strength herself, Her father is Indian(though he came to Britain from Trinidad), her mother is Spanish, and in their daughter; the mix of cultures has produced not only an unusual beauty but, eventually, a strong sense of identity...."

Photo courtesy of Tunepix

Karima Adebibe

2006-05-14T21:15:00.000Z

This rugged and very sexy lady of Moroccan-Irish parentage has recently been selected for the role as the new Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider video-games series that was previously played by Angelina Jolie.

21 year old Karima from Bethnal Green in London who was up till her appointment a sales assistant for Top Shop also worked as a fashion model. She was born in the UK and spent her early years growing up in her family's ancestral home of Morocco.

Her first role in a major movie was when she played the minor role of a "Sacrificial Maiden" in the movie "Alien Vs Predator".

Photo courtesy of viejomoeb

Mimi Roche

2006-05-05T20:02:00.000Z

This young American girl from Dallas is becoming more prominent in fashion modeling industry."..For someone with such a sweet Southern voice, Mimi is making quite a noise..". Her major debut show was in New York, where she has walked for Marc by Marc Jacobs and Rude Girl.

Discovered first by Jack Frost who took her first modeling photos, she was introduced to the Kim Dawson Agency.

Some excerpts quoted from Hintmag.
Photos by Marcio Madeira of Style.com

Jeneil Williams

2006-04-20T22:53:00.000Z

Yard Flex writes that "...SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Jeneil Williams became Pulse's hottest new modelling sensation when she was named last week as world "Model of the Week" by Models.com, the bible of the international modelling industry.

This exotic teenager was introduced to the international model market in the middle of March, one week before the title was bestowed on her, by Pulse's CEO Kingsley Cooper. She has now given herself and her agency further reason to celebrate by landing and shooting the new Benetton campaign with top photographer David Simms.

Jeneil is following a now established Pulse tradition of its models landing major campaigns or editorials immediately on starting their international careers. Interestingly, the most famous of these, Nadine Willis, is signed to New York models, the same agency that has successfully booked Jeneil for Benetton.

The stunning Jeneil, who sites her flawless skin as her X factor, was discovered in Pulse's Caribbean Model Search 2005 and placed third in the competition. Steven Bermudez who books both Willis and now Williams at New York Models, won out on the now usual bidding war that precedes the international signing of top model talent from Pulse..."

Photo courtesy of Yard Flex

Gucci Westman

2006-04-16T13:20:00.000Z

In a Time Magazine article, Lisa McLaughlin writes "...Believe it or not, it was a makeunder—not a makeover—that put Gucci Westman on the imagemaking map and got her the lofty position of favorite makeup artist of celebrities like Cameron Diaz and Julianne Moore. As the makeup artist for Being John Malkovich, Westman turned the stunning Diaz into the homely Lotte.

Westman's route to the movie business started in Paris, where she worked as an au pair for the family of a beauty/fashion writer. The boxes of samples sent to the home, she says, "got me involved in playing around with makeup." After attending a makeup school in Paris, she ended up in Los Angeles doing special-effects makeup. Her first big break came when photographer Annie Leibovitz needed bikers covered in mud for a 1996 Vanity Fair cover.

"I did all this research and learned about mud in the Middle East, mud in the South and the different shades," Westman says. One thing led to another, and soon she was doing covers for Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. The 33-year-old achieved another lofty goal when she was appointed artistic director for Lancôme, where she will create new products and palettes. She attributes her success to her ability to make people look as if they authentically belong in a place or situation. A talent that comes in handy, no doubt, when she's touching up Diaz and Moore for the red carpet..."

Photo Courtesy of Vogue.fr

Naomi Campbell

2006-04-07T05:48:00.000Z

This lady Naomi Campbell, is one of the icons of the catwalk.

Aside from the tantrums she has in her personal life, she seems to have never changed ever since she first appeared in the International limelight 15 years ago. Her appearance in the Madonna's "Sex" book and Michael Jackson’s "Liberian Girl" video reminds us about the controversy surrounding this of lady of Afro-Jamaican and oriental heritage.

She is the last of the original famous super models with included the likes of Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer....

Photos by Marcio Madeira, Olivier Claisse and courtesy of Style.com

Deola Sagoe

2006-04-06T00:31:00.000Z

Deola Sagoe website says "... Deola Sagoe has given African Fashion in the 21st century the most radical expression imaginable from the deeply rooted African fabrics to all perfectly matched accessories. Deola Sagoe, the two-time international award winner of African designs truly celebrates Africa and Nigeria.

Her refreshing exploration of that which is genuinely African, evokes a subtle nostalgia for history by her favoured use of hand woven fabrics, accessories like cowries, crystals, beads and extensive us of gold. She is adjudged as the African fashion designer who is "best placed to interpret our cultural diversity and artistry, our earthiness and mystery, our colors warmth and passion of the African woman in her simplicity and elegance..."

Photo Courtesy of Deola Sagoe

Stoned Cherrie

2006-04-05T06:38:00.000Z

Cape Town Fashion Week says "...Nkhensani Manganyi Nkosi is one of the new voices of Africa. She has travelled throughout the world as a designer, a television personality and lauded actress in a series of theatre plays including “Sophia town, The Colored Museum and Marabi” receiving critical acclaim from international audiences. She boasts a mantelpiece of awards including the International Crystal Award for Entertainer of the Year 1998. In 2003, she demonstrated personal and professional staying power as second time judge for popular reality television show, Coca-Cola Pop-stars, and as second time winner of the Style Award (Best Designer Category 2003). She currently co-produces and co-hosts, with her husband Zam Nkosi, the SABC 1 talk show Mojo.

While traveling throughout Africa as the host and official spokesperson for M- net’s Face of Africa, 2000, she became more aware of African sophistication in aesthetics and wanted to create a brand that would represent African urban energy. In that same year Stoned Cherrie launched to rave reviews, during South African Fashion Week (SAFW).Stoned Cherrie's fashioned "home grown" identity moves away from stereotypical branding that has plagued South African fashion and for that it has been recognized by the South African fashion industry by being awarded the coveted Catherine/ Fairlady Fashion Award for 2003. This year, 2005, Stoned Cherrie was the recipient of a Catherine/Fairlady Lifetime Achievement Award.

Says Nkhensani of the Stoned Cherrie philosophy:

“I like the idea of boldly moving forward and daring to be different and daring to be proud to be African. There is a wealth of talent in this country and I am proud to host some of the finest young designers in the land. I am proud that we are able to translate what are old ideas into something new and provide the nostalgia that is part of our celebration. I am proud that we have been recognized by the industry as being at the forefront of redefining African street couture in a way that is exciting and revolutionary..."

Photos courtesy of Rage and Cape Town Fashion Week

Davina Mulimbi

2006-04-03T21:37:00.000Z

Hintmag says "...Of African heritage, Belgian-born Davina Mulimbi is the belle of the Parisian runway. The Statuesque Scorpio has walked for John Galliano and Dior, and has appeared in American Elle, French Glamour, French Elle and French magazine..."

This model is just 21 years and is of Congolese and Belgian parentage and has a huge career ahead of her especially as the fashion modeling industry is looking for younger replacements for Naomi Campbell, Alek Wek etc.

Photos by Don Ashby, Marcio Madeira and courtesy of Style.com

Yemisi Ajayi

2006-04-02T23:00:00.000Z

Nigeria-Arts website says"...Yemisi Ajayi has won a reputation as an innovative textile designer working within the realm of traditional Yoruba cloth and motifs. She is also a teacher of batik, adire (starch resist), dye method and Yoruba patchwork quilting.

A native of Lagos, with family roots in the Ijebu region of Nigeria, Yemisi began her career as a textile artist in 1986 in Oshogbo, where she studied with several of Nigeria's recognized textile artists. Striking out on her own in 1990, Yemisi has had broad success in the areas of quilting, fashion design, textile design, and interior decorating. She maintains a small workshop and collaborates widely with Nigeria's many talented visual artists.

To Yemisi, art is life. She first trained at Oshogo Art School and then received her Diploma in Creative Arts at the Centre for Cultural Studies at the University of Lagos. She started exhibiting her work in 1990, and in 1991 staged an exhibition at the Lagos Museum, which brought her national and international recognition. In 1993, she opened her own studio and shop.

In late 1995, Yemisi and a group of her friends started the Rainbow Women's Arts Association (RAWA). Explaining the organization's mission, she says, "I believe women are burdened with heavy responsibilities which prevent them from expressing themselves. We want to provide the opportunity for them to express themselves through the arts, and also gain some economic independence, which will help preserve that opportunity of expression." The organization is committed to providing a platform for women's artistic and creative growth, and to preserving the traditional textile arts of Nigeria and adapting them so they remain relevant to modern times..."

Photo courtesy of Nigeria-Arts

Anna Paula Mizzetti

2006-04-01T21:31:00.000Z

This Brazilian model based in Paris and under the management of IMG models caught our attention as someone to feature in our blog. She has achieved the same status as her fellow compatriots like Giséle Bündchen and Adriana Lima.

We do not know a lot about her roots originating from Brazil or how she made it to where she is presently, however she does have some cool pictures in her porfolio

Rafe Totengco

2006-03-30T13:14:00.000Z

Rafe Totengco's website writes about".... In 1989, Rafe left a successful business he started in Manila to pursue his dream of a career in fashion design. He moved to New York, enrolled in FIT, and supported himself as a design assistant.

In 1994, he produced his first accessories belts and watchbands for a SoHo boutique: they sold out instantly. When the shop asked him if he had bags to go with the items, he enthusiastically said 'yes'...even if he didn't have a single
bag to show for it. One year later, the first collection of Rafe New York handbags debuted at Bergdorf Goodman.

Since then, Rafe has become one of the most acclaimed of a new generation of New York designers. He's been recognized in his field with numerous honors.
His company now includes a freestanding store in New York, three in-store shops in Japan, and distribution at department stores and boutiques throughout the U.S.
About his unusual name: Rafe is short for Ramon Felix..."

Photos Courtesy of Rafe.com and 01Shoes.com

Gigi, Guenet Fresenbet Azimach

2006-03-29T16:55:00.000Z

In an article by Indrias Getachew and previously mentioned in Timbuktu Chronicles, it says that "...Several years ago I walked into the outlet store of one of the major leather garment manufacturers located off Debre Zeit Road looking to buy a leather jacket. As I searched through the racks for the right design I noticed something rather peculiar. All the jackets were labeled ‘Made in Korea’. Not one of the jackets had a ‘Made in Ethiopia’ tag.

"Aren’t these jackets made here?" I asked the sales assistant. "Certainly," she replied. "Then why the ‘Made in Korea’ label?" I inquired. She laughed then answered, "who would want to buy something labeled ‘Made in Ethiopia’?"

Things have changed, somewhat, since that visit. I have seen the ‘Made in Ethiopia’ label on various types of garments, both leather and otherwise. That encounter, however, has stuck with me. I recall feeling both sad and annoyed that leather jackets produced in Ethiopia had to have a fake label designating them the product of some alien country in order to sell in the world market. What a travesty. And what a terrible testament regarding the global perception of Ethiopia.

Our ‘Speaking of People’ personality this week is Guenet Fresenbet, an Ethiopian woman on a mission to change this inferior image in the area of textiles and fashion. On the evening of Friday, April 30, 1999, the Lalibela Grand Ballroom at the Sheraton Addis was the venue for the premiere collection of American trained and Ethiopia inspired fashion designer Guenet Fresenbet, or GIGI as she is popularly known. The models walked, strutted, turned, pouted, smiled and posed in the latest fashion sensations to come out of Addis Ababa.

The show featured ‘ecologically friendly’ spring and summer day wear. The playful and attractive, yet reassuringly simple designs were made from 100% traditional hand woven cotton fabrics (shemma), dipped in a variety of natural dying agents including tea, coffee, carrot and avocado. The outfits included thigh length loose fitting dresses in a variety of cuts and designs and hip-hugger bellbottoms with brassiere tops.

Some of the more refined pieces in the collection were made of traditional hand woven ‘tilet’, or jacquard fabric. The delicate material, traditionally used as the colorful trimming on white shemma dresses, was used to create a wide range of outfits including tank-tops and evening dresses. Describing her use of tilet material GIGI explained, "Ethiopian tilet is very common in different colors and patterns. In my collection I use a lot of solid Ethiopian tilet, or jacquard. I use the same colors with different patterns. Some of the styles [presented in the show] have solid colors and might look like some of the new fabrics that are coming out of Japan, but they are all 100% natural Ethiopian fabrics. All the woven fabrics were made by my shemanes (weavers)..."

Photos courtesy of Yohannes.com

Amanda Griffin

2006-03-28T14:40:00.000Z

Showbiz Pinoy says"... The daughter of Tony Griffin, a British businessman, and Susana Ricardo, a stewardess from Cebu, Amanda spent her growing up years all over the world. She was raised in England, but completed her secondary education at the International School in Manila.It was during this time that she started modeling, albeit part time. For college, she opted to attend Bond University in Australia, where her family is based, finishing a degree in Business/Communication.

From there onwards, life was going full-steam ahead for this hardworking gal. Amanda went into modeling full-time, soon becoming a favorite for both magazine and ramp work. She even ventured into commercials and endorsements, which had billboards of her pretty face going up all over the metropolis.

Since she lived and breathed fashion, it semed but natural that when Amanda decided to go into business, she and friend Isabel Engwa would choose to distribute the high-end swimsuit brand Tabu and eventually open a swimwear boutique in Greenbelt.With her busy schedule as a model, she often finds herself attending to store-related matters until late in the evening. That's quite a lot to have on someone's plate at such a young age. On what it's like living her life, she says it's "really busy, just like everyone else. I can get really stressed out, but it's all good. I'm basically a happy person, so I try to rise above it all."

The last few months have seen Amanda add a couple more feathers in her career hat. She just joined Angel and Daphne as the newest host of the fashion magazine show, F, on ABS-CBN, covering the travel and food beat, two of the things she loves the most. "I get to travel around the Philippines, to places that I never thought I'd go. I love to discover." Being a certified food lovers, she finds that trying out different types of food makes her work more interesting; she counts Thai and Indian cuisine, plus Pinoy delicacies bibingka and suman among her favorites...."

Photos courtesy of Bembang Girls