Ghanian Fashion label, Love April, releases it's Lookbook

Love April, an emerging African Fashion label from Ghana has released its lookbook titled 'Over-sized Tribalism'. The design label which is headed by Nina Barkers-Woode, has this to say about the collection:

"Our motive was to not only harness the Barkers-Woode woman’s natural female form through dramatic tribal prints but to also uniquely contemporize the look and feel of each piece. Inspired by the world history generations of women and androgyny artworks, the Oversized Tribalism collection plays on the mixture of minimalism and femininity.

Our exaggerated seam-lines emphasis our cling to modern culture. Our true, bare, chic necklines keep us in the realm of ancients. Our abstracted textured prints will ultimately immortalize the classic style and feel of a woman."

I completely love all the pants in this collection but my fave is definitely the graphic jumpsuit; I love the form, the design and from the little I can see from the image, it looks well tailored. I would have preferred it in a brighter colour tho'.

 See more from the collection after the cut...

Wanna make a 'Statement'??? Try this!

Talk of a statement making Bandage dress, then you will be talking about this!!! I'm sure the father of bandage dresses, Herve Leger couldn't have conceived this; not in this lifetime and not in the next!!! (if you believe in reincarnation that is.)
If there is a dearth of clothes on earth and this is the only outfit left, I will rather strut proudly in my birthday suit than rock this piece. YUP!!! You heard me right.

Photos: Celebs at the celebration of Channel O's 16th Anniversary

Damilola Adegbite, Beverly Osu and Vixen Ekwerre

It's been 16 years since Chanel O, has been blessing various music enthusiasts across continents with good African music and ahead of the Chanel O Music Awards that will be taking place on the 30th November, the music channel celebrated it's 16th anniversary yesterday at the Dollhouse night club in Victoria Island, Lagos. Check out the captured fashion moments after the cut..

17 Year Old Cynthia Abdulahi Wins Nigeria's Next Supermodel 2013

Following the finale which held on Saturday 23rd November 2013 at the Oriental Hotels, Lagos, 17 year old Kogi State native Cynthia Abdulahi was named the winner of the Nigeria’s Next Supermodel 2013. Cynthia, who burst into tears as soon as her name was called, left the event with the winning title, a brand new Hyundai Accent car courtesy of Studio 24 and a 1 year modelling contract with Isis model agency.

See more images after the cut...

Celeb Sightings Over the Weekend

There were so many events over the weekend and trust the Toke Makinwas of this world to bust their butts into the parties. lol. From the fairytale wedding between Tiwa Savage and Tee Billz, to the ELOY awards; an award that celebrates the works of women (hope to win one someday *wishful thinking mode activated*), to the launch of a self titled magazine by Monalisa Chinda, our celebs were everywhere and trust me to check them out online and serve them to you hot and spicy.

Let me quickly start off with the beautiful Monalisa Chinda in Jewel By Lisa

Monalisa donned a Jewel by Lisa piece at the launch of her eponymous magazine. As we mostly know, Jewel By Lisa has successfully discarded the age old fashion rule that states you can't mix two prints in an outfit and over the years, they have consistently broken that rule in a stylish way. This (one pictured above) is a paradigm of JBL's designs. Mixing of prints in an outfit is definitely not an easy task but JBL makes it seem like a piecemeal.

The mix of prints here is JBLic and I love the assymetric trumpet hem, my guts tell me it's heavily embellished, but the picture doesn't say much. But judging by the picture, this outfit fits perfectly on Mona, I like the choice of shoes too, it's not there to compete with the dress but rather complement it, would have preferred if the hair was pushed back tho', but all in all, it isn't a bad attempt.

Beautiful Faces and Styles at Tiwa  and Tunji's wedding

 

Agbani Darego and Funke Akindele

Check out 5 Common Makeup Mistakes + How to Avoid them

Every now and then when we are in a hurry to get out of the house and wow that audience but still look pretty, we may slip up on a couple of things; especially with our makeup. These are things which sometimes can be avoided even though some of them are just inevitable.

Mistakes are a part of the human psyche, it is inevitable because humans aren’t perfect. So don’t feel bad when some of the mistakes listed below apply to you (I have been caught making some of them too).
Without further ado, here are some common makeup mistakes we encounter everyday:

Congolese Fashion Label Modahnik presents its Fall/Winter 2013 Collection

                            

Be Unique, be Modhanik in custom made prints of bright hues and bold prints! 

According to the designer; “The inspiration for this collection came from henna tattoo I received at my brother’s wedding in Mali, West Africa. I wanted to create a vibrant collection that was not only unique but also very bold. This is clearly seen in each look throughout the collection“.

View the collection after the cut..

Names and Faces of the Finalists of the Nigeria's Next Supermodel Contest

The finale of the 2013 edition of the Nigeria's Next supermodel will take place on the 24th of November at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos. See other finalists after the cut...

Happy Birthday to President Goodluck Jonathan

This is coming late but as the cliche goes; it's better late than never.
On that note, I shout a happy Birthday to our dear President Goodluck Jonathan.
May you God give wisdom, knowledge and understanding to take our beloved country to greater heights!
Lots of love from fashion minders!!! :) :) :)

Victoria Kimani Shows Off Her New Tattoos

Chocolate city artist, Victoria Kimani, shared photos of her new 'tatted' up body on instagram yesterday and asked if her fans like it.

Xclamations to Unveil It's latest collection- Silks, Frankincense and Myrrh

Mrs Tomi Rotimi; Creative Director of Xclamations.

One of the finest designers in the fashion industry will be unveiling it's yuletide collection tagged "Silks, Frankincense and Myrrh"; capturing the spirit of the season in garments fit for royalty!!!

The event will be taking place on the 22nd and 23rd of November 2013 at Adeola Hopewell, Victoria Island between 10am and 7pm daily.

Be the first to pick from the unique pieces strutted on the runway at the day 1 of the Lagos Fashion and Design Week!!!

To view the off the runway looks of the collection, click here

Lui Clothing Debut Collection

Lui Clothing is a contemporary African inspired female label. Their debut collection ranges from skirts,pants,shorts to gowns and blouses. According to designer;

'Our E.N.C.O.R.E collection is aimed to shows the different characteristics of an African woman, the Energetic, Natural,Creative,Outstanding,Raw Endearing features that we posses as African women and a lot more. It portrays the Elegance of our today’s African Woman, though contemporary but with a twist of its nature'

More from the collection after the break...

Genevieve in Iconic Invanity at Peter Okoye and Lola Omotayo's Wedding

 

Yes, this stale, but since no one blogged about the designer, I decided I will write about it. No kissing of a**es, but this dress was made by one of my favorite designers in Nigeria (If not my fave sef)! Yup! You guessed right, it was designed by the ever iconic Iconic Invanity.

The dress would have been all right, no wrong, if Ms Genie hadn't wrecked the design with that neckpiece of hers; absoultely unnecessary (especially with the long hair), she totally took away from the gorgeous design of the dress!

A similar design was worn by Rita Dominic to the Nollywood Movie Awards, where she was a winner in all ramifications, see below and on the right hand side is the exact version of the dress Genevieve wore on a model.

Studio 53's host Eku Edewor on the November Issue of SideView Magazine

Eku on the cover of the magazine. What do you think?

Toke Makinwa: Too Busy To Plan a Wedding But a Familiar Paparazzi Face

It's a new week, and the energy around me today is almost non-existent(yawns); everyone at work is going about their business quietly, so I decided to take a break off to check my darling Linda Ikeji's blog, stumbled on some of this and some of that and on every this and that that happened over the weekend. 

There was a common factor! booom!!!! Toke Makinwa was everywhere. OMG, I love this babe so much, I just couldn't get enough of her, I used "couldn't" because these days, I'm beginning to get more than enough of her. She graces every carpet, be it blue, red, orange, pink, lemon carpet and even mat sef; she's there(lol)!!! This wouldn't have been a problem if she hadn't granted an interview where she stated succinctly  that she was engaged but that she and her hussy had been too busy that to find a time to plan the wedding. 

Well... Let's quickly take a look at what she has been busy doing after the cut...

Orange Culture's Spring/Summer 2014 Collection Lookbook: 'I AM A TREE'

Shortly after an interesting performance at the LFDW 2013 and a follow up positive acclaim from elle.com as one of the 7 designer to watch out for, Orange Culture has released a lookbook for its Spring/Summer 2014 collection. Note I said 'Interesting', that's because his pieces were creative and a complete deviation from the norm, not particularly wearable pieces in my opinion but very creative.

His choice of fabrics, design and styling couldn't definitely go unnoticed by a lot of fashion aficionados. The the choice of colours and the tree accessories say it all... 'I AM A TREE'; the collection name. 

Most of his pieces seem andragynous to me, the partial peplum details, the cleavage jersey tops, the sheer organza pieces, the skinny skinnies, the print treggings, the maxi kilt etc all give a redolence of a feminine closet. Well, what can I say, I'm just a freaking blogger, only God can read a designer's mind.lol

Seat back and relish the collection.

Guys; My Question for The Day is for You!!!

Guys please I think I need your help this time. Why do you guys have issues as the one seen above (If you get what I mean)?
The guy above posted this image on a social media while trying to imitate Olamide's "Baddest Boy Ever Liveth" album cover, but trust a woman like me to see more than I intend to, I observed the ...*coughs* ...neatly but visibly packed in one corner.

Designers Lanre DaSilva Ajayi & Mai Atafo are the mentors on The Fashion Protégé

As celebrated leaders in the African Fashion Industry, Lanre DaSilva Ajayi & Mai Atafo have taken African Fashion beyond borders. They have paved the way for the younger generation of creatives and inspired many of them to take that leap of faith to pursue their dream in fashion.

Ohimai Atafo of MAI Inspired is renowned designer in Bridal, Menswear & Women’s occasion wear. Favoured immensely by a long list of celebrity clientele, Mai Atafo’s designs have been worn by Stephanie Okereke, Mercy Johnson, Ramsey Nouah, Banky W, D’banj, 2Face, M.I and many others. As a fashion artist, Mai Atafo continues to create and inspire through his lifestyle brand.

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi (LDA) is the founder of the eponymous design label that is a fashion favorite among the media, celebrities and fashion lovers. LDA has been featured in various African and international media including L’Uomo Vogue and is currently stocked at the Dolce & Gabbana Spiga2 Concept Store located in Milan, Italy.

Renowned for their efforts to participate in the growth of the African Fashion Industry, these iconic designers are ready to impart knowledge and make a Fashion Star out of you!

About MultiChoice presents the Fashion Protégé
As MultiChoice celebrates its 20th anniversary, the show has been created to nurture and promote the next generation of Nigerian creative talent. The Fashion Protégé is a 5-episode Nigerian reality television series that will air on DSTV’s AfricaMagic.

The Prize
• N1,000,000 (1 Million)
• Mentorship by a renowned Nigerian designer
• International Fashion Trip
• Cover feature for DSTV Magazine
• Special Feature Interview on BellaNaija
• Feature in a Top Fashion Magazine
• Lookbook by a Top Photographer

For more information, please visit www.dstv.com or www.facebook.com/DStvNg

APPLY TODAY!
How to Enter
• Read all there is to know about MultiChoice Nigeria
• Design a piece inspired by MultiChoice Nigeria
• Create your masterpiece (you can enlist a tailor if you don’t have sewing skills)
• Take a photo of your piece, write a short note on the MultiChoice inspiration and submit via any of the 3 entry methods.
• Spread the word! (Twitter, Facebook, BBM, Instagram)

Entry Methods
There are 3 ways to enter. You can choose ANY of the methods. You do not need to apply via multiple ways.
1. Via email – entries@ng.multichoice.com | Photo must be accompanied by a short explanation of how design is inspired by MultiChoice Nigeria.
2. Via DSTV website –http://www.dstv.com/News/Are-you-Nigeria-s-next-big-fashion-star-/34565
3. Via DStv Nigeria’s

Facebook page (Voters’ Choice) – fashionprotege.pgtb.me/SwZFSb

Strategic Partners: BellaNaija.com, Touch of Glamour, MUD Cosmetics Nigeria, Spice TV
Online Media Partners: 360Nobs, ThirdWorldProfashional, OneNigerianBoy, OloriSuperGal, ForStyleSake

Photo Credit: Style Mania Magazine | Mai Atafo PR

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi (LDA) covers the November 2013 Fashion issue of TW Magazine!!!

Decked in one of her collections, the Creative Director of the eponymous label, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi stuns on the cover of the fashion issue of TW magazine. To see her collection at the Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2013, click here

Celebrity Stylist Prince Uzoegwu in Tankini; You Like???

So I stumbled on this image of a celeb stylist called  Prince Uzoegwu standing alone (almost looking helpless tho') by the pool. I will not do a critique of this image,but one thing I'm sure as hell not going to do is to call this sexy. Obviously, some female bloggers were distracted by the 'protruding leg' and they termed it hot. Well... I'm not one of those. I can see every other... Oops! I said I won't do a critique. So there you have it; Is this Hot or Not???

Tv Personality-Dolapo Oni Sizzles in New Photos

With a fine face and glistening skin as hers, one can be donned in rags and leaves and still look ravishing. I saw these pictures and I must confess that they are irresistible. She actually seems to be telling a story with her outfits in these pictures. From the girl next door, to the office chic to the responsible Mummy look, Dolapo Oni sizzled through it all. Sit back and relish every bit of it.

Noticeable Features at the LFDW 2013- Custom-Made Prints

Designers in Nigeria are doing everything humanly possible to notch up their game to meet and possibly surpass world fashion standards.

Gone are the days when designers relied solely on Daviva, Vlisco, High Target and the rest of the makers of African prints popularly called Ankara to make outfits, these days beautiful pieces of customised prints are daily churned out by various designers, making it possible to have both an exclusive design in a exclusive print too! isn't that good news??? To me it is!
I remember vividly a jacket made from Ankara by one of the top designers in Nigeria (lipssealed on the name of the designer)  in a particular African print, the print was as ubiquitous as mosquitoes in water logged area in an under developed country and to top it all, the boyfriend blazer was about N30,000!!!
At this year's Lagos Fashion and Design Week, I was impressed the large quantity of custom-made prints in all types of Fabrics.

JEWEL BY LISA
 



To see more click here

MAKI OH





To see the rest of Maki Oh's collection, click here

Emmy Collins Launches Third Edition of Nigeria Fashion Workshop

The third installment of Emmy London-initiated Nigeria Fashion Workshop is here! And it is FREE. However, according to Emmy Collins, this may likely be the last time he is rendering the workshop free. On his Facebook status, he stated on,

'When I initiated the free Nigeria Fashion Workshop last Decemeber, I realised that it is highly unsustainable because at some point the stakeholders are gonna want to get paid and we might have gotten to that point. If you are an aspiring/upcoming fashion designer residing in Lagos, this might be your last opportunity to pop in, share a cup of coffee or tea (No champagne this time lol) with myself and my team which comprises Nigerian ace photographer Kelechi and co while we discuss some of the sacrosanct issues you must know if you are to succeed in this industry called fashion… Please bear in mind that this might well be the last time this service will be offered free so don’t let this opportunity slip by.'

Expected to hold tentatively on 16th November, 2013, the Workshop addresses sundry issues ranging from fashion design to marketing, styling,PR, the sacrosanct roles of funding, branding and merchandising amongst several other related topics. Renowned photographer Kelechi Amadi-Obi is tipped to speak again. Other keynote discussants will be made known in few days. If you missed what went down at the first Lagos Workshop, check it out here. Details for this Lagos Fashion Workshop 2013 are as follows:
VENUE: Hillside Garden Guest House, 7B Abimbola Close, Off Kasumu Ekemofe, Off Saka Tinubu, Victoria Island, Lagos.
TIME: 10am – 12pm
DATE: 16th November, 2013..

Are you based in Lagos? Are you interested in attending? Simply email nigeriafashionworkshop@yahoo.com. You could also contact Ms. Ngozi Nwabueze on 08166864154 for more details.

Hot Bikini Pictures of the Black Contestants at the 2013 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant

Miss Israel

Check out more pictures of the black beauties(well... except Miss South Africa that looks more or less white to me)  that will be participating at the Miss Universe beauty pageant that will take place this Saturday in Moscow, Russia. 

View more pictures after the cut and let us know who has the hottest bikini bod, the best smile and the prettiest face!

Wizkid at the Guiness Colourful World of More Concert

The Starboy shared photos of himself via Instagram looking dapper in blue blazer and pants, complimenting outfit with a white shirt accompanying it with the caption “Amen”.

He wore the outfit to perform at the Guinness colorful world of more concert which held yesterday at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos.

I like the colour of his suit and from the little I can see in this image, I like the fit of his blazers and well fitted pants.

What do you think of his outfit Minders???

This Season's Hottest Hue- White!

White is a colour that symbolizes purity. It's a colour that suits all skin tones but particularly looks better on darker skin tones reminiscent of milk poured over a chocolate candy. Celebs, street chics and party poopers can't get enough of the all white everything trend. While some don all white others mix the whites with a touch other colours.

Stars on and off-duty are choosing white as their colour of choice, from creamy tuxedo suits, to a white court shoe - handy then, that it's this season's hottest hue. But who to take as your white outfit inspiration, and who to avoid? Wearing all white is not gender related as some erroneously believe that only females should be all decked in white. Come see how different dudes and chics style their white pieces after the cut...

Noticeable Features at the LFDW 2013- SHEER PERFECTION!!!

WEIZDHURM

LANRE DA SILVA AJAYI

Men, except those not sexually attracted to women of course *lips sealed*, found this feature of the LFDW delightful as there were lots of sheer fabrics (mesh, lace, flimsy chiffon etc); hence nipples. butt cheeks and slim hot thighs  et al, were also on the display. 

View more pictures of from the 'Sheer Perfection Collection' across various designers after the cut...