QUEEN OF THE RUNWAY-3 WKS TO GO

The maiden edition of queen of the runway modelling contest will see 12 girls battles to wear the crown and clinch all the goodies attach to the crown. The event which is schedule to take place in Ibadan, on the 18th of November, at Genesis hotels and suits,is the first of its kind in the largest city in west Africa. The ancient city will witness the rise of fashion through the contest as 7 designers have signed up to showcase their clothes during the fashion parade segment of the contest. Top movie stars and renowned fashionistas are getting prepared to storm the all important must watch show. The Initiator and a renowned nollywood star, Rose Odika, in an interview with Fashion Observer Africa said, the contest would be very competitive due to the crop of models that are contesting. "The models are world class and I bet the judges would find it difficult to choose the winner" she said.

Designers Unveiled for the Inaugural Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa , Oct. 24th-28th, 2012

Creative fashion custodians of contemporary culture set to hit the runway. An exciting line-up of some of Africa and the diaspora’s most significant designers will descend on Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, from October 24-28 to unveil an array of captivating collections in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa 2012. Presented by African Fashion International (AFI), the Gateway to Fashion & Lifestyle, Africa’s most prestigious fashion gathering is being held for the first time at Melrose Arch, Johannesburg’s definitive destination for high street fashion, sophisticated style and urban culture. With more than 20 shows over four days, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa will present designers from South Africa, Cote D’Ivoire, Morocco, Mozambique, Cameroon, Rwanda, Angola, DRC, Trinidad, New York, Nigeria and Ghana – all of whom have been chosen for their standards of global relevance and commercial viability along with a distinctive design that exemplifies African creativity. “Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa is the authentic contemporary African Fashion gathering, bringing together and honouring designers from the four corners of the continent and the African diaspora. This global platform for the African fashion aesthetic showcases the global relevance and commercial viability of our industry along with innovation and distinctive design,” says AFI Executive Chairperson Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe. This year MBFW Africa truly crosses borders and from the diaspora New Yorker Kevan Hall is one of Hollywood’s go-to red carpet designers with his philosophy of glamour with a modern sensibility while, from the Caribbean, Anya Ayoung Chee Anya’s unique, top quality designs are inspired by the beauty of the islands along with a modern, elegant interpretation. Now based in London, South African Jacob Kimmie’s collections seek to convey profound artistic, historical and social paradoxes. From South Africa, fashion greats include Cape Town’s Kluk CGDT, Gavin Rajah and Craig Native who will join Johannesburg’s David Tlale, Marianne Fassler, Thula Sindi as well as Durban swim-wear designer Dax Martin’s “Burg Collection Brought to you by Glocell”. Angola’s Shunnoz Fiel and Tekasala Ma’at Nzinga, meanwhile, are the forces behind Projecto Mental, a brand that links Angola to the world through fashion. Having shown collections in Tokyo, London and Lisbon Fashion Weeks, Projecto Mental’s goal is to use fashion & art to reshape Angola’s cultural image. The Nigerian contingent includes Ngozi Ochonogor of U.mi-1’s label who aims to create a “fashion as art” brand through collaborations with home-grown artists while compatriot Maki Oh’s design ethos is largely inspired by the Agbada (traditional Yoruba menswear), Western formal wear and the female body form. Lagos’ Deola Sagoe, meanwhile, offers edgy, dynamic women’s fashion, while Ituen Basi, a London College of Fashion graduate will present a collection exuding a fresh design interpretation and celebration of ubiquitous Nigerian print. From West Africa, Cote D’Ivoire’s Laurence Airline is a fashion label based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the hometown of chief designer, Laurence Chauvin Buthaud. Born in Africa and raised in Switzerland before moving to Paris, Laurence Airline’s men’s wear collections are all produced in Abidjan. Mustafa Hassanali, from Tanzania, has showcased in 16 countries world-wide and has also been named one of Africa’s Top Male Fashion Designer by UK’s New African Woman Magazine. Loin Cloth & Ashes is known for its hidden detailing, elegant edgy vibe, comfort and fit. The brand designs unique dresses that are made to create a statement but still maintain a timeless air of luxury and style. From Casablanca to Cape Town Morocco’s Amine Bendriouich is renowned for a timeless collection that follows culture rather than a season and presents a mosaic of influences spanning early Hip Hop Culture through the underground trend of Casablanca. Mozambican designer, Eliana Rodrigues Murargy’s Murade brand presents a fusion of elegance, sophistication and simplicity with her glorious designs having been showcased in various Fashion Weeks including Mozambique and Brazil while her fellow Mozambican, Taibo Bacar, comes to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa with a “Best Designer” accolade from that country’s Fashion Week. From the Cameroon, Kibonen is the first designer to create and publicize the intricacies and beauty of the toghu designs typically found in hand-woven traditional attires in Cameroon’s North West Province while the Kreyann label mixes beautifully-classical and fantasy influences. Three designers from Ghana will hit the runway, including Duaba Serwa whose label represents luxury and superb craftsmanship in the use of fabrics such as raw silks and linen while incorporating bold colours and African prints. Kiki Clothing’s Titi Ademola, meanwhile, makes use of African textiles, vibrant colours and Afro-centric prints to create simple and wearable styles while; Mimi Plange’s label innovatively fuses Victorian Europe, Pre-colonial Africa and modern American Sportswear into extraordinary day and evening designs. Rwanda’s Mille Collines label, meanwhile, was born when two Spanish designers, Marc Oliver and Inés Cuatrecasas, created a collection inspired by a Rwandan woman. The brand reflects Africa’s strength and sensibility with attention to detail and handmade finishes. Tina Lobondi, originally from Congo and now based in London, has created a label based on classic and chic designs with fabrics and materials sourced from around the world – from Mauritania to Paris and London. Modahnik is a Chicago based women’s wear brand founded in 2009 by designer Kahindo Mateene, a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo who transforms ordinary prints into stylish, wearable pieces of art that accentuate a woman’s body. From Core D’Ivoire, Elie Kuame’s Couture creations reflect a cultural mosaic combining different materials such as silk, lace, leather, fur, pearl, stone and most unusually, bark, with great skill. Three designers that showcased at the recent Zimbabwe Fashion Week, Intisaar, Maito Marimo and Zuvva by Joyce have been selected in the showcase that aims to show the vibrant culture of Zimbabwe and utilize fashion as a platform for job creation and societal development, meanwhile providing a fashion network between South Africa and Zimbabwe. Ensuring a mix of emerging designers, the winners of the AFI Fastrack 2012 internship and training programme – Capetonian Kim Gush, Wetive Nkosi from Johannesburg and Kyra-Moon Halfpenny from Durban – will unveil their capsule collections at the inaugural Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa (MBFW Africa) on October 24. As part of the Seasons-France 2012-13 partnership between South Africa and France, designer, Fred Sathal will be unveiling her dynamic collection at MBFW Africa. Ms Sathal was previously involved in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Cape Town 2012 where she hosted a design Masterclass for both 2010/2011 AFI Fastrack™ winners and finalists while she will also mentor the AFI Fastrack™ 2012 winner in France next year. Apart from the runway shows, the associated Africa Trade Expo, endorsed by SA Tourism, will feature 28 exhibitors from South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and the UK, presenting a diverse showcase of the best collections of African men’s and women’s fashion apparel and accessories as well as retail concepts and fabrics.

KETO COUTURE DAZZLES ONCE AGAIN..

Ean Williams DC fashion week September 2012 has come and gone again but, the story will run on the lips of so many for a long time, especially those who witnessed the show..For some time now,Nigerian designers have been showcasing in DC fashion week. This year's showcase by designers from Nigeria marvelled onlookers.Two designers from Nigeria made it to DC fashion week September 2012. They were Keto couture and sally itiego.

Keto couture is a house hold name in the Nigerian fashion industry, surprisingly, alot of people in the diaspora are familiar with this name at the mention of it. This, I believe is due to her incessant participation in various shows around the world, coupled with media reports about her from Nigeria. While her collection were been showcased during DC fashion week, you could see the attention given to her show by guests and paparazzi as if they knew who she is or seen her show elsewhere. She has once again demonstrated the arts of craftsmanship and show to the world that African designers are about to set the pace for others to follow as far as creative design in the fashion industry is concern.In a chat with journalists after her show,she reiterated the need for designers to showcase internationally to further expand business horizon.

A Closer Look At Dakar Fashion Week

Designers from nine countries have taken to the catwalk in Senegal for the annual Dakar fashion week. Africa's fashion industry is growing from strength to strength and is attracting attention from across the world.

LAGOS BASED MENSWEAR LABEL J REASON OUT WITH ITS SUMMER 2012 COLLECTION

A Nigerian young fashion designer by name OLAJIDE ADEDEJI is fast becoming a force in the Nigerian fashion industry.OLAJIDE ADEDEJI, the hands and brains behind J REASON, releases his second collection since the birth of the fashion outfit last year.The Twenty two years old make-up artiste turned fashion designer is into men's wears for now but gave a line of hint that he could be expanding and incoporating women's wears in his future collections.He has worked with Nigerian celebrities such as Susan peters, Tonto Dike, Uche Jombo, etc.Celebrities as like Wizkid, Brymo, Davido and more, have all been styled in J REASON.
His current collection is based on Sartorial Summer.Speaking on his current ready-to-wear sartorial summer collections targeted at young adults, Olajide said "Its all about tailored clothes.They usually describe men that are well together as sartorial and that is what we are trying to achieve this summer collection sartorial collection to show that even during summer you can still be fashionable and classy".
Here are some of his collections....

DIPLOMATIC TREAT FOR KETO COUTURE

WIVES OF AFRICAN HIGH COMMISSIONERS/AMBASSADORS TO THE UK HOST KETO COUTURE IN AN EXCLUSIVE FASHION SHOW IN LONDON.

It was all pomp and pageantry at the Abuja House home of the Nigerian High commissioner to the United Kingdom as Keto Couture was hosted in an exclusive fashion show. The show which was put together by the wives of the African High Commissioners/Ambassadors to the UK spearheaded by Her Excellency Mrs. Salmatu Tafida, wife of Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK.

It featured delegates from various African Countries including Mauritius, South Africa, Cameroun to mention only a few. Also in attendance were wives of deputy high commissioners and defence attachés and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Entertainment.
In a highly colourful and stately display of the most exquisite and elegant styles, world class models took to the runway showcasing matchless and trendy designs of the Keto Couture label. The evening was also spiced up by a cat-walk session by their Excellencies.
In her brief welcome address, Mrs.Tafida noted that this was the first of its kind and that she intends to keep promoting only the best from Africa. She paid glowing tribute to the creativity and sheer excellence in Keto designs and encouraged other entrepreneurs of African origin to emulate Keto Couture’s creativity and excellence.

Then came the time for the runway show. As the models took to the runway, the house went up in uproar with shouts of ‘Waoh! Waoh!’ rending the otherwise calm and dignified atmosphere. They all took turns to praise the designs and the designer and also called for more of such evenings.
In her speech the prolific highly talented and elegant designer,Mrs. Kenny Okorie thanked their Excellencies and in particular Mrs. Tafida for the honour done her. She said it was indeed an honour to be nominated amongst hundreds of designers from Africa for the show and promised to keep making Africa and Nigeria proud.

AFWL 2012

This past weekend of the 3rd and 4th of Augut 2012 saw the second installment of the Africa Fashion Week London held at the Spitafields market in central London. The yearly event holds to showcase African fashion, deigners and fabric like never before seen in the UK. With 50 designers and 100 models on show, the event also had market stalls where other parts of the African culture were available for display and purchase. Here is Factory78tv's round up of the remarkable event.

Taking Fashion At Face Value

Animal prints have become so popular that department store racks are starting to resemble petting zoos. Lately, though, we’ve been noticing a new novelty trend: faces. Some designers have taken visages in cartoony directions. Sophia Kokosalaki put a pop art depiction of a girl in tears on the Diesel Black Gold runway back in February, while Mugler’s Nicola Formichetti and Sébastien Peigné collaborated with illustrator Mel Odom on the kissing image in their new Resort collection. Others spotlighted more familiar faces. Marc Jacobs commissioned his pal Elizabeth Peyton to immortalize him on a collector’s item sweatshirt for his Marc by Marc line. Rihanna paid tribute to Elizabeth Taylor by wearing a Topshop Unique look, and model Sean O’Pry, perhaps looking for a job, wore a T-shirt with the photographer David Sims on it while off-duty at the menswear collections.

DFW Launch Party Trailer 2012

The DAYTON FASHION WEEK maiden edition kick started yesterday with an open hair competition show.
The show will continue today and run through 28th of July. The show promises to be an exciting show as designers from around the world are on ground preparing to let loose their masterpieces.

In a statement by the founder of dayton fashion week, Mrs. Junda Morris-Kennedy, said, the idea of the event is to spice up the social life of dayton by bringing the world together under the platform of fashion.

ItoldusoProductions.com gives you the exclusive of the Dayton Fashion Week Launch Party. Check out some of the interviews from the founder of DFW (Junda Morris-Kennedy), a few of the DFW models, sponsors, boutiques, hosts, and more!

MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week Awards is Back! ₦4 Million up for Grabs!

Calling Fashion Creatives, MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week Awards is BACK, and you can win up to 4 Million Naira!

Nigerian fashion has metamorphosed from being merely cultural to a way of life. A whole new generation of fashion designers, fashion creatives and fashion taste makers have made it desirable to be seen wearing clothes made by Nigerian designers. This influence has gradually spread and is being represented on runways around the world.

Last year, MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week debuted as a premiere fashion event, which brought together media, the industry, buyers and consumers to view the current collections of designers in the fashion capital of Lagos, Nigeria.

The platform which cut across geographic and culture barriers started with a tour of Nigeria’s top cities; Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja scouting for the Nations most talented Fashion Creatives to compete at The Lagos Fashion and Design Week Awards.

The Lagos Fashion and Design Week Award aims to promote the development, growth and promotion of creatives in the industry by nurturing, fine tuning and harnessing their skills as well as providing them with a solid platform for achieving their goals.

Last year’s MTN LFDW Awards had 3 categories, The MTN British Council Young Designer of the Year, won by Binta Shuaibu who went home with a car, Master Classes facilitated by British Council and a 3 month presence at Le Petit Marche’s monthly pop up store. MTN British Council Young Creative Entrepreneur Ayotomi Rotimi went home with A Million Naira and a Tour of the United Kingdom’s Fashion Capital during London Fashion Week by British Council and a MTN Young Model of the Year Award won by Jenevieve Aken.

This years stakes have been raised! With Cash Prizes from From 2 Million to 4 Million Naira to be won from MTN, Master Classes facilitated by British Council and prizes from RIM Blackberry, MTN LFDW’s Official Technical Partner.

Natalie Portman Covers 'Madame Figaro' July 2012!

Natalie Portman looks beautiful on the cover of Madame Figaro magazine’s July 2012 issue, on newsstands now!

Here is what the 31-year-old actress had to share with the mag:

On being appreciative of her success: “I have always considered myself extremely lucky. I know very well that there are very few elected officials in this business and that many of us, despite their talent and hard work, will not come out of the lot. These are the laws of chance.”

On her youthful appearance: “It’s very strange because my physical traits sometimes make it difficult for others to consider me a woman and at the same time I have been in the business for so long that many think I have already passed the 40 year mark (laughs).”

On being an object of beauty: “I obviously do not see myself that way. I prefer ‘about beauty’ or ‘subject of desire’. One can say that about all women, whatever their life and career.”

For more from Natalie, visit MadameFigaro.com!

Miranda Kerr gets the waxwork treatment

Designer Alex Perry tends to a dress worn by a Miranda Kerr wax figure as it is unveiled in Sydney, Australia. Photo: WIRE IMAGE

Is it just us or is Miranda Kerr absolutely everywhere at the moment? If she's not cutting a dash around New York City in a pair of micro shorts, then she's gazing back at us from several magazine covers in the newsagent.
Lucky then, that Kerr has duplicated herself. We're talking in waxwork form of course, which means the supermodel can now spiritually reside in her native country as Madame Tussauds in Sydney add "Miranda The Waxwork" to their collection.
It took four months and 500 measurements to replicate all of Kerr's photogenic physique, and she sports a red gown with a sequinned bodice by fellow Australian designer Alex Perry - who can be seen putting the finishing touches to his design above.

Henley Royal Regatta

The annual Henley Royal Regatta rowing races on the banks of the Thames outside London drew the usual dandies — both young and old — in their school blazers, worn with everything from jeans to white trousers.

JESSICA SIMPSON TAKES ON BRIDAL STYLE

It's easy to forget the days when Jessica Simpson was just a singer now that she can add TV show host, reality television star, movie actress, and fashion designer to her resume. A few months ago, ELLE reported that she has even ventured into making a maternity collection. The next step for the JS brand: Debuting a bridal line.

Moving into wedding gowns makes sense now that she is more family focused in her personal life. In the past year, she has given birth to her daughter, Maxwell, and got engaged to NFL-star Eric Johnson.

Brides-to-be will be excited to hear that Simpson plans to make pieces for all shapes and sizes. A source close to her told In Touch, "She is talented and knows what women want to wear. She has curves like every girl, so women will buy those dresses up!"

Paris Haute Couture: Valentino autumn/winter 2012

It's not too fanciful to suggest that couture's new delicate touch began with Valentino's regime change four years ago. Yes, before Armani eased up for his Privé collection this season, before even the sainted Raf Simons introduced restraint and reality to Dior with his first show since he was appointed as John Galliano's successor (to the most rapturous reviews since Jesus walked on water), Maria Grazia Chiurli and Pier Paolo Piccioli were rustling up big statements out of thin air - or at least out of whisper-weight clouds of chiffon and lace that seemed filled with air.

Talk about a light hand on the tiller. Ever since they were put in charge at Valentino in 2008, the duo has produced a master class in understated craftsmanship each season. And it just gets more assured with every collection. It's all the more remarkable for being the product of two minds with distinct creative outlooks. Staying true to the essence of these old brands while moving them forward isn't easy.

Anticipation Builds for the Inaugural Dayton Fashion Week

DFW Founder, Junda Morris-Kennedy says “I just get more and more excited as each event takes place to watch Dayton become the latest city included with New York, London, Paris and Milan to celebrate fashion in the form of Fashion Week.”

Just some of the events DFW will host or participate include:


Friday, July 6th – First Friday at De’Lish Café

Saturday, July 14th – Mud Volleyball Dayton For Elipesy - DFW models hit the court to participate in Mud Volleyball Dayton For Epilepsy.

Tuesday, July 24th - Fashion For A Cause Presented by the Dayton City Paper - Silent Auction, Live Music, and a local celebrity fashion show. A portion of the proceeds go to Hospice of Dayton and Clothes that Work.

Wednesday, July 25th - Fashion In Downtown Festival Presented by Dayton Most Metro - Fun & games for the family, live entertainment, photo shoots, clothing & food vendors, and hair show

Thursday, July 26th - DFW's Kids Fashion Collection Presented by De'Lish Cafe

Friday, July 27th - Ready To Wear Runway Presented by Bob Ross Fiat

Saturday, July 28th - High Fashion Haute Couture Runway Presented by Bob Ross Fiat

Saturday, July 28th - DFW Official After Party Presented by Dragon Bleu Vodka at The Vault Nite Club - Performance by Ashley Menendez from AMERICAN IDOL Season 8 and music by DJ Trick, who has toured with and thrown parties for Lady Gaga and is also the Official DJ for ESPN'S Sunday Countdown.

Also, Dayton Fashion Week will release its first quarterly magazine July 24th to coincide with the start of Fashion Week. Caressa Brown, Director of Operations, says that “We are so grateful for all the love and support that we’ve received locally that the first issue will only feature designers, photographers, make-up artists, models and community figures from the Miami Valley area.”

Fashionistas and those who just want to witness ‘The Rise of Fashion’ can visit http://www.daytonfashionweek.com or http://www.facebook.com/daytonfashionweek
for more event details and ticket information .

Versace opens Paris haute couture ball

PARIS - Versace got the haute couture ball off to a bold start Sunday night in Paris, as the Italian house sent out creations of aerial chiffon, body-hugging leather and rich crystal embroidery.
For the first of two dozen haute couture shows taking place until Wednesday night, the platinum blonde, permatanned designer Donatella Versace said she drew inspiration from the imagery of tarot cards.
Abstract prints derived from the fortune cards -- sun, moon, lovers -- adorned billowing chiffon evening gowns or a strapless mini dress of silk satin, overlaid with plastic and sliced into fine horizontal strips.
Hair in loose, bouncy curls, the models strode a catwalk directly above the swimming pool of the Ritz hotel, covered up for the occasion.
Their tight bustiers were fashioned from fine strips of shiny leather, or swirled patterns of crystal mesh and embroidery, flaring into generous sheer skirts, slit high on the thigh, in lime green, raspberry pink or sky blue.

QUEEN OF THE RUNWAY CONTEST - NIGERIA

Ace yoruba movie actress and deputy governor of Association of Nigeria theatre arts practitioner, Rose Odika, recently declared open, her modelling contest called Queen of the runway modelling contest.
According to her, the contest will open new windows of business opportunities to stake holders in the fashion industries.
She however stressed that, there is need to keep our youngsters(especially young girls) informed about how to leverage positively on their God given talents and endowment, rather than engaging in immoral activities that
would endangered their lives.

ARISE FASHION WEEK REVIEW

The 2012 edition of Arise fashion week, which took place on March 6 2012 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, has continue to gain more buzz. This year's edition has left fashionistas with the imagination of what to expect in the upcoming edition in 2013.

It was a six days of dazzling display of outfits from the designers in Africa and the rest of the world.Some of the designers that showcased were :Phunk Afrique (Nigeria) | Poisa (Kenya) | House of Silk (Nigeria) | Meena (Nigeria) | Mustafa Hassanali (Tanzania) | Amede (Nigeria) | Femi Handbags (Nigeria) |Jini Collections (Nigeria) | Zooni (India) | Taibo Bacar (Mozambique) | Romero Bryan (UK/Jamaica) | Imane Ayissi (France/Cameroon) | Bridget Awosika (Nigeria) | Frank Oshodi for Bunor Creazioni (Nigeria)