Mandela's Life in Brief (RIP Madiba)

Here is a look at the life of Nelson Mandela, Nobel Peace Prize winner and former president of South Africa.

Personal:
Birth date: July 18, 1918

Birth place: Mvezo, Transkei, South Africa.

Birth name: Rolihlahla Dalibhunga Mandela

Father: Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa, a counselor to the royal house of the Thembu tribe

Mother: Nosekeni Fanny Mandela

Marriages: Graca (Machel) Mandela (July 18, 1998-present); "Winnie" (Madikizela) Mandela (1958-1996, divorce); Evelyn (Ntoko) Mandela (1944-1958, divorce)

Children: with Winnie Mandela: Zindzi, 1960 and Zenani, 1959; with Evelyn Mandela: Makaziwe, 1953; Makgatho, 1950-January 6, 2005; Makaziwe, 1947-1948; Thembekile, 1946-1969

Education: University of South Africa, law degree, 1942

Other Facts:
He was given the name Nelson by a school teacher. He is also sometimes called Madiba, his traditional clan name.

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!

Christine & Christophe presents its Spring/Summer 2014 Collection – The “Playfulness of Leather”

Presenting the 2014 collection for Christine & Christophe -the “Playfulness of Leather”.

The designer behind the label Yemi Phillips worked in fashion buying for a few years when she realized she’d rather be on the other side; owning her own label.

Her debut SS14 collection is all about showcasing her love for leather. It also shows her creativeness, using leather with other fabrics such as cotton, leather lamb nappa, perforated leather & silk organza.

The designer aims at showing the softer & feminine side of leather as well as playing with different textures, fabrics and silhouettes.
Check out the pieces.

Nigerian woman Ajibola Obabiyi wins Muslim World Beauty Pageant

 
21 year old University of Lagos student Obabiyi Aisha Ajibola, beat 19 other beauty hopefuls to emerge Muslimah Queen 2013. Ajibola won the exclusive beauty pageant for Muslim women which took place yesterday, September 18th in Jakarta, Indonesia. She received 25 million rupiah ($2,200) and trips to Mecca and India as prizes.

The contestants were all required to wear headscarves, covered from head to foot. They were judged on their looks, how well they recited Koranic verses and their views on Islam in the modern world, in front of an audience of mainly religious scholars and devout Muslims

This pageant was actually staged as a retort to the Miss World pageant holding in the same country. The organizers said they wanted to create an awareness within the muslim female community that there is a better form of beauty than the one being portrayed by the Miss World. They said the pageant is Islam's answer to the glamorous Miss World Pageant.

Stylish return to our roots in African Prints (1)

African prints have always been in vogue but these days,the traditional styles have been ditched for trendier, sleekier and more modern styles. In the past, our parents were the major enthusiast of the traditional 'Iro and Buba' but we find that these days the younger generation have embraced it almost more than the older ones and even the traditional 'Oleku' have taken new creative dimensions.

Also, we'll notice that African prints has transcended the days of limited outings, where people were only comfortable wearing the prints at family events, owambe, Sunday services and Friday outings, it has become a major catch at various events, ranging from red carpet events, to on-stage performances, to video clips and even the Beach!

Just the other day, I was at Moofa's flagship store in Dolphin Estate when I noticed a modern version of the traditional wrapper and blouse which was made of chiffon in African print, styled as a long wrapper and a shirt blouse,and the likes of Alter Ego haven't neglected our roots which is evident in her Nwando and Aso Oke Oleku outfit(Pictures of these will feature in the part 2 of this article).

For a lot Africans, with special reference to Nigerians, there are always parties to attend over the weekend where one aso ebi or the other has been selected to ensure a uniform, glamour-filled and a colourful event, but the headache of most people, especially women is that the styling of the material selected. As a result of that, I have decided to do a special picture filled article of the different ways you can 'mess' around with your African Prints in the most fashionable and stylish manner.

View African eye candy after the cut...

Dr Sid in skirt!!!

Dr Sid must really be a fan of the saying: "If you are in Rome, you act like the Romans", as he chose to deck up in skirts(well, the Scottish people call it kilt, but me, na skirt I dey see), a cropped jacket, a waist coat and a shirt, whilst attending a wedding in Scotland. I'm wondering how hot he probably is, because judging by these pictures, it looks really sunny.

View pictures below...

New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014: Maki Oh!

For her debut at the New York Fashion Week 2013, Nigerian designer Maki  of Maki Oh told a progressive story about the ‘woman’.

Her Spring/Summer 2014 collection was centered on the many roles a woman plays through out her life and adds an artistic edge to each piece to give a voice to each role. From the athlete to the cook, we see the models portray different roles as they pose in the couture.

The pieces range from apron inspired dresses, jersey shirts and dresses, sheer tops with puffed sleeves and little square hats (a personal favourite).

View the collection.

The African contestants at the 2013 Miss World pageant

                                        Miss Angola- Maria Castello
Let me present to you the bevy of beauties that will be doing us proud at the Miss world competition come the 28th of September 2013 at the Sentul International Convention Center in Indonesia.
View more pictures after the break...