Yayra Erica Nego wins Miss Universe Ghana 2011

Miss Yayra Nego, a 26 year old professional model and pageant consultant impressed the judges with her elegance and smartness to ease her way to the top with fierce competition from first runner-up, Jennifer Amegbor, and second runner-up, Angelica Alomele, respectively.
The judges for the finals were Ameyaw Debrah, Rodney Quarcoo, Valentina Sweetie Forte, Claudia Kwarteng-Lumor, Dehner Henry and Brazilian Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Luis Fernando de Andrade Serra.  Yayra will proudly represent Ghana at the upcoming Miss Universe pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil in September.
The selection process was another exclusive event which proved to be a master execution from the pageant organizers to focus on the content and results without the usual big budget production value.
Miss Yayra Nego expressed her immense joy by summing her excitement into one sentence, “my dearly departed father would have been so proud for me to represent my ancestral roots as a strong and determined Ghanaian woman of color”.
Yayra E. Nego has a Ghanaian father from Mafi – Adidome in the Volta Region of Ghana and an American mother of German and Persian ancestry. Miss Universe Ghana is organized and produced by the Insignia Group.

original post: http://www.jamati.com/....

Read More

Jackie Appiah looking stunning in new photos

Perhaps, no Ghanaian actress has the ‘good girl’ public demeanor as much as the lovable Jackie Appiah does. In these times when sexiness sells and most female celebrities bare more in going for the ‘sexy look’ in various photo shoots, Jackie remains conservative but always manages to look wholesome and stunning, as is evident in a new set of photos that were taken recently. It is not clear what these leaked photos would be used for but most of the photos show the actress with one musical instrument or the other. Could it be that the actress is following the musical footsteps of her Nollywood sisters, Genevieve Nnaji and Omotola? That would certainly be a surprise! It wouldn’t however be shocking if they turn out to be photos for some advertisements for this ‘queen of endorsements’. According to rumours, the actress was recently flown on a vacation trip to Turkey by a beauty and cosmetic brand that she represents in Ghana. Sources say the vacation was a reward for her outstanding behavior as the brand’s ambassador.
No matter what these pictures turn out to be for, Jackie remains gorgeous and stunningly wholesome!


source: jamati.com

Read More

Nyasha Matonhodze – The new face of Louis Vuitton

Nyasha Matonhodze

Nyasha Matonhodze is a Zimbabwean living in London.  She is the new face of Louis Vuitton, a move they made to help revamp their look for 2011 (young and fresh as opposed to sophisticated and mature, I guess).  The former look had used models including Kristen McMenamy, 46, Raquel Zimmermann, 28, and Freja Beha Erichsen, 23.
This young aspiring model is doing really well considering that she has only been modeling for 2 years. She began her career in 2009 when she won a modeling contest. She hit the ground running when she debuted at the London Fashion Week, Spring 2011 by walking for Louise Gray, Clements Ribeiro and Jonathan Saunders and walked in Paris she walked for Loewe, Emanuel Ungaro, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac and Louis Vuitton.
She is already on her way, and she is looking good doing it.

source: jamati.com

Read More

Sein Saoli is the new Face of Africa Germany

Ms. Saoli beat out 13 other gorgeous contestants to win the title in the first ever Face of Africa contest to be held in Germany.  She currently writes in a blog called CommonSins by CommonSeins which deals with fashion, style, advice, and her observations of life.
The event took place at the popular Hochzeitssaal Saray Dügün in Hamburg –Wilhelmsburg. The emcees of the night were Bonny Ferrer, the Latin soul singer and presenter at TopAfric Radio, and Ernest Osei who was also the catwalk trainer for the contestants. Dynamic performances by Da Mayniacz, Bonny Ferrer, Nyasha Mudo, Jelon, Baga Luu feat. Q-Reece set the tone for the night and the icing on the cake was the performance by special guest star, DONAE´O of ‘Party Hard‘ fame.
The runners-up were Fredda (Miss Nigeria), and Saray Ampofowah (Miss Ghana), who took third place. Congratulations to all the contestants who represented the array of beauty that is Africa.  Face of Africa-Germany was organized by Creative Mindz, a promotion and beauty pageant production company.

source: jamati.com

Read More

Cheryl Cole rocks Huge Bouffant Hairstyle

Hairstyle Of The Day

Hot and sexy model Cheryl Cole stepped out for first day of X Factor auditions at the Galen Center in LA on May 8. 27-year-old popular star rocked modern bouffant hairstyle and left speechless everyone with her super glam look.

Cheryl showed off crazy and hippy 60’s vibe with a huge bouffant ‘do. She added lots of volume and a bouffant bump in her hair and looked super beautiful. For this chic hairdo, she pulled her locks back in high volume hairstyle that looked feminine and polished.

Cheryl Cole bouffant hairstyle kept the hair out off her face and enhanced her personality & beauty too. This hairstyle made Cheryl looked like a star of 60’s.

Cheryl Cole’s voluminous style was complemented by a bright and bold attire that was a serious head-turner. Very gorgeous, Cheryl was clad in a bright ruffled orange silk top by Oscar de la Renta and a pair of purple wide-leg trousers by Diane von Furstenberg.

The diva added some spice to her colorful ensemble with a cool turquoise belt. Cheryl Cole wore shiny pink lip color, vivid red nail polish and dramatic eyelashes that looked amazing with her blow dry hairstyle.

So, what are your thoughts about Cheryl Cole crazy bouffant hair look? Hot or Not?

surce: http://online-africa.blogspot.com/2011/05/cheryl-cole-rocks-huge-bouffant.html

Read More

Cheryl Cole rocks Huge Bouffant Hairstyle

Hairstyle Of The Day

Hot and sexy model Cheryl Cole stepped out for first day of X Factor auditions at the Galen Center in LA on May 8. 27-year-old popular star rocked modern bouffant hairstyle and left speechless everyone with her super glam look.

Cheryl showed off crazy and hippy 60’s vibe with a huge bouffant ‘do. She added lots of volume and a bouffant bump in her hair and looked super beautiful. For this chic hairdo, she pulled her locks back in high volume hairstyle that looked feminine and polished.

Cheryl Cole bouffant hairstyle kept the hair out off her face and enhanced her personality & beauty too. This hairstyle made Cheryl looked like a star of 60’s.

Cheryl Cole’s voluminous style was complemented by a bright and bold attire that was a serious head-turner. Very gorgeous, Cheryl was clad in a bright ruffled orange silk top by Oscar de la Renta and a pair of purple wide-leg trousers by Diane von Furstenberg.

The diva added some spice to her colorful ensemble with a cool turquoise belt. Cheryl Cole wore shiny pink lip color, vivid red nail polish and dramatic eyelashes that looked amazing with her blow dry hairstyle.

So, what are your thoughts about Cheryl Cole crazy bouffant hair look? Hot or Not?

source: FashionFame.com

Read More

African Style Inspiration - The Yellow Mellow Fashion

Whichever shade of yellow you fancy I’m sure you will find it in our yellow mellow trend here Dark yellow, mustard yellow, and very pale yellows.  The Last couple of days we have been looking at ways you can incorporate beautiful yellows into your spring/summer 2011 wardrobe. If you haven’t caught the yellow fever yet, then am sure after checking the collections below you will rush to get hold of the designers who have made it possible to bring some light into our dark wardrobe.

1.Yellow dress by Zebra Living….Shop Here
2. Love this dress by Mina Evans…..Shop Here and Find out more Here
3. Dress by Lanre da Silva Ajayi – Shop here and Find out more Here

4. Yellow Ruffle dress by Grey – Shop Here and find more about Grey Here
5. Nkwo Dress can be purchased Here or Read more about the designer Here
6. This gorgeous dress is by Gloria Wavamunno during the London fashion week 2011 Shop Here and read more Here

7. Off Shoulder Grey& Yellow dress By Zed Eye read more Here
8. Another yellow skirt we love by grey
9. Cute Yellow dress By Zed Eye we love  shop here

10. Asos Dress can be purchased Here
11. Yellow dress with black lace by Afropolitan Collection Here
12. Another gorgeous Top we soo love by Tiffany Amber shop here & Read more Here

13. Love this T shirt by Kayobi you can shop Here
14. Play your cards right and this Purple Pepper Tshirt will be yours …shop Here
15. Another humorous Tshirt company we love, by LOKKO shop Here & read more Here

Don’t Forget the Yellow Extras!

Top Left : Belt by ReneeQ shop Here & Read more Here
Top Middle: Yellow African Inspired Earrings by Orese shop Here & Read More Here
Bottom Left: Yellow African Inspired Clutch bag by  Kua designs Shop Here
Bottom Middle: Yellow African Bead Necklace to compliment your look
Bottom Right: Yellow bag embellished with blue stones by Diva delicious …Shop Here & Read more Here

source: shadders.net

Read More

What women love about men's style

There are certain qualities in men that women absolutely love, one of such quality is having good dress sense. Women typically prefer a man who looks as if he just stepped out of GQ magazine, the often overlooked neat and conservative fellow. However, these neat and conservative dressers are often over-shadowed by the millions of men who commit fashion crimes on a daily basis. Wrong socks with dress suits, ill-fitted suits, and mis-matched or over-coordinated apparel are just a few of the fashion mistakes men make.

In the midst of all these fashion mishaps, some men have, over time, built a sense of fashion that is commendable and loved by women and even men too.

We bring you 10 Nigerian men who are doing well in their fields and are also ruling the fashion world with their dress sense. One thing these men have in common is that they love fashion and have good sense of dressing.

Women blessed with such companions are bound to flaunt their mates to colleagues, relatives and even neighbours. Women have this need to look their best. And, they can't look their best without an equally good-looking and dashing mate by their side.

Dare Art Alade

The good looking singer is always well put together.

Wole Aboderin

The property and estate management expert and a Lagos socialite, Aboderin has good dress sense and always comes out with a total package whenever seen at social circuits; from his shirts to shades and wrist watch.

Korede Roberts

The esteemed owner of Fusion Boutique on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, is a killer dresser and loved for his impeccable taste in shirts and shoes.

Ohimai Atafo

Style and fashion consultant, Mai is not exactly a power dresser but he definitely understands what style is all about. He is always on point whenever spotted at events. He is loved for his collection of structured shoes and belt.

Ojukwu Onwuzuruike

Lagos socialite and owner of Wardrobe Boutique on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Onwuzuruike is a consummate dresser and is known to wear one of the most expensive T-shirts around – the Billionaires T-shirt which cost between 150,000 to 270,000 naira.

Desmond Elliot

Nollywood's most loved male actor. A good dresser, Desmond is not known to compromise on his fashion style. He is known to make fashion statements at any outing he finds himself. He is loved for his acting prowess, good looks and well tailored suits and overall clean look.

D Banj

This performer sure knows how to dress to impress and often puts other male musicians to shame with his impeccable taste in clothes and high fashion IQ. With over 250 pairs of shoes, D Banj is also a collector of wrist watches and sunshades. This is just one of the many reasons why women love D'Banj.

source: modernghana.com

Read More

What women love about men's style

There are certain qualities in men that women absolutely love, one of such quality is having good dress sense. Women typically prefer a man who looks as if he just stepped out of GQ magazine, the often overlooked neat and conservative fellow. However, these neat and conservative dressers are often over-shadowed by the millions of men who commit fashion crimes on a daily basis. Wrong socks with dress suits, ill-fitted suits, and mis-matched or over-coordinated apparel are just a few of the fashion mistakes men make.

In the midst of all these fashion mishaps, some men have, over time, built a sense of fashion that is commendable and loved by women and even men too.

We bring you 10 Nigerian men who are doing well in their fields and are also ruling the fashion world with their dress sense. One thing these men have in common is that they love fashion and have good sense of dressing.

Women blessed with such companions are bound to flaunt their mates to colleagues, relatives and even neighbours. Women have this need to look their best. And, they can't look their best without an equally good-looking and dashing mate by their side.

Dare Art Alade

The good looking singer is always well put together.

Wole Aboderin

The property and estate management expert and a Lagos socialite, Aboderin has good dress sense and always comes out with a total package whenever seen at social circuits; from his shirts to shades and wrist watch.

Korede Roberts

The esteemed owner of Fusion Boutique on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, is a killer dresser and loved for his impeccable taste in shirts and shoes.

Ohimai Atafo

Style and fashion consultant, Mai is not exactly a power dresser but he definitely understands what style is all about. He is always on point whenever spotted at events. He is loved for his collection of structured shoes and belt.

Ojukwu Onwuzuruike

Lagos socialite and owner of Wardrobe Boutique on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Onwuzuruike is a consummate dresser and is known to wear one of the most expensive T-shirts around – the Billionaires T-shirt which cost between 150,000 to 270,000 naira.

Desmond Elliot

Nollywood's most loved male actor. A good dresser, Desmond is not known to compromise on his fashion style. He is known to make fashion statements at any outing he finds himself. He is loved for his acting prowess, good looks and well tailored suits and overall clean look.

D Banj

This performer sure knows how to dress to impress and often puts other male musicians to shame with his impeccable taste in clothes and high fashion IQ. With over 250 pairs of shoes, D Banj is also a collector of wrist watches and sunshades. This is just one of the many reasons why women love D'Banj.

source: modernghana.com

Read More

Streaks of colour in hairstyles

Credit: photogallery.indiatimes.com

Towards the latter part of 2010 hair colour highlights gradually gained grounds in our hair salons. It's now a street style trend and we'll be seeing more of it this year. Some are a delight to see while others are just plain weird. I wonder how one person can carry  six streaks of colour on one head - yellow, blue, orange, red, purple green  - and dress appropriately for any occasion. I'm not joking. I've come across a few people with this incredible clownish look.

The best combination I've seen  are two to three colour highlights. Mid to lighter tones of purple, blue and red on rich black hair plus a neutral blonde shade or any of the brown shades can easily be accommodated when you dress. The best way to go about selecting colour highlights for your hair is to take into account your  natural skin, hair, and eye colour and also the colours of the clothes you wear on daily basis. It will not be  practical to choose your hair colour based on only a specific attire to be worn on one occasion.

 

source: fashionpublicist.bs

Read More

Streaks of colour in hairstyles

Credit: photogallery.indiatimes.com

Towards the latter part of 2010 hair colour highlights gradually gained grounds in our hair salons. It's now a street style trend and we'll be seeing more of it this year. Some are a delight to see while others are just plain weird. I wonder how one person can carry  six streaks of colour on one head - yellow, blue, orange, red, purple green  - and dress appropriately for any occasion. I'm not joking. I've come across a few people with this incredible clownish look.

The best combination I've seen  are two to three colour highlights. Mid to lighter tones of purple, blue and red on rich black hair plus a neutral blonde shade or any of the brown shades can easily be accommodated when you dress. The best way to go about selecting colour highlights for your hair is to take into account your  natural skin, hair, and eye colour and also the colours of the clothes you wear on daily basis. It will not be  practical to choose your hair colour based on only a specific attire to be worn on one occasion.

 

source: fashionpublicist.bs

Read More

Fashion & Lifestyle: Urban Fashion Influences In Ghana, The Past & Today!

As hip-hop music gained recognition among the Ghanaian youth so did urban or hip-hop fashion in the early 90′s. Reebok, Karl Kani, Timberland, Kangol, Tommy Hilfiger were some of the foreign brands that were in vogue.
Subsequently, along the way we developed our own hip-hop brand calling it hip life. In response to this trend, our young talented designers rose to the occasion and created urban clothing and accessory brands influenced by the hip-hop culture for the youthful Ghanaian consumer.
A Move From Foreign To Local Brands
The same desire to express oneself using our culture that created hip life paved the way for the young consumer to accept local urban fashion brands.
I can readily recall brands such as PKOG, Cediwear, DOM21, Agasn with Mkogh leading the pack. TV presenters and artistes were seen sporting these brands. Mkogh became a household name with the help of TV series like Suncity.
Demand For Custom Made Urban Clothing
Urban clothing is mainly made up of t-shirts of all types such as lacoste, round necks, hood t-shirts and tank tops. Accessories accompanying these clothes were handbags, wallets, baseball caps and purses.
Then arose the high demand for urban fashion that revealed the wearer’s identity. Pet names were printed or sewn onto t-shirts or on drawstring and mono strap handbags made from fabric and PVC.
This demand was largely met by young talented students who custom made t-shirts and accessories and sold them to their colleagues.
DOM 21 and Agasn are two brands that offered customized urban fashion to students in Accra Academy, St. Mary’s, Achimota and St. Peter’s senior high schools.
Ghana‘s 50th Independence Anniversary
In 2007, Blazing Gear was one of the prominent brands that spearheaded a sense of nationalism among the Ghanaian populace by offering all kinds of tees with images of Kwame Nkrumah, the Ghana flag, the black star and Independence Arch to name a few.

The national colours of red, yellow and green made a strong showing on the fashion landscape.
African Cup Of Nations 2008
The sense o of nationalism spilled over from 2007 to 2008 as Ghana hosted the African cup of nation’s football tournament. It offered the opportunity for vendors to sell left over merchandise from the previous year and get some more to sell.
Today’s Urban Fashion
Initially sportswear created the clothing and accessories for the urban style worldwide but now it’s becoming less sporty and more sophisticated.
In Ghana there’s this trend that’s catching up on our campuses. T-shirts with more feminine cuts and elaborate wax print decoration worn over a pair of slim cut jeans.
Some brands worthy of mention include Renee Q and Obya Couture. For men, tailored dress shirts worn with casual pair of jeans trousers.
Now hip-hop stars are adopting silk suits for their performances and it has started rubbing off on some of our artistes here. The future of urban style is a move from casual sports wear to selecting trendier designer pieces and mixing them with casual ones.

source: ghanacelebrities.com

Read More

Fashion & Lifestyle: Urban Fashion Influences In Ghana, The Past & Today!

As hip-hop music gained recognition among the Ghanaian youth so did urban or hip-hop fashion in the early 90′s. Reebok, Karl Kani, Timberland, Kangol, Tommy Hilfiger were some of the foreign brands that were in vogue.
Subsequently, along the way we developed our own hip-hop brand calling it hip life. In response to this trend, our young talented designers rose to the occasion and created urban clothing and accessory brands influenced by the hip-hop culture for the youthful Ghanaian consumer.
A Move From Foreign To Local Brands
The same desire to express oneself using our culture that created hip life paved the way for the young consumer to accept local urban fashion brands.
I can readily recall brands such as PKOG, Cediwear, DOM21, Agasn with Mkogh leading the pack. TV presenters and artistes were seen sporting these brands. Mkogh became a household name with the help of TV series like Suncity.
Demand For Custom Made Urban Clothing
Urban clothing is mainly made up of t-shirts of all types such as lacoste, round necks, hood t-shirts and tank tops. Accessories accompanying these clothes were handbags, wallets, baseball caps and purses.
Then arose the high demand for urban fashion that revealed the wearer’s identity. Pet names were printed or sewn onto t-shirts or on drawstring and mono strap handbags made from fabric and PVC.
This demand was largely met by young talented students who custom made t-shirts and accessories and sold them to their colleagues.
DOM 21 and Agasn are two brands that offered customized urban fashion to students in Accra Academy, St. Mary’s, Achimota and St. Peter’s senior high schools.
Ghana‘s 50th Independence Anniversary
In 2007, Blazing Gear was one of the prominent brands that spearheaded a sense of nationalism among the Ghanaian populace by offering all kinds of tees with images of Kwame Nkrumah, the Ghana flag, the black star and Independence Arch to name a few.

The national colours of red, yellow and green made a strong showing on the fashion landscape.
African Cup Of Nations 2008
The sense o of nationalism spilled over from 2007 to 2008 as Ghana hosted the African cup of nation’s football tournament. It offered the opportunity for vendors to sell left over merchandise from the previous year and get some more to sell.
Today’s Urban Fashion
Initially sportswear created the clothing and accessories for the urban style worldwide but now it’s becoming less sporty and more sophisticated.
In Ghana there’s this trend that’s catching up on our campuses. T-shirts with more feminine cuts and elaborate wax print decoration worn over a pair of slim cut jeans.
Some brands worthy of mention include Renee Q and Obya Couture. For men, tailored dress shirts worn with casual pair of jeans trousers.
Now hip-hop stars are adopting silk suits for their performances and it has started rubbing off on some of our artistes here. The future of urban style is a move from casual sports wear to selecting trendier designer pieces and mixing them with casual ones.

source: ghanacelebrities.com

Read More

GHANA FASHION AWARDS SET TO BE LAUNCH ON 6TH MAY -IT'S “FASHIONISTA”

Over the years Ghana fashion industry has come under serious influence by Western fashion wears and style, making the youth and the young at heart to follow suite . The quest to have a unique fashion event that depicts a typical Ghanaian is paramount.

This “fashionista” launching is slated for Friday 6th May, 2011. This event is being organized by Fashion Xpo.

For probably the first time ,comes Ghana Fashion Awards set to showcase a delightful spectacle of the latest collection of fashion and accessories of exceptional young and old Ghanaian designers internationally and from across the country. Will recognize the most prestigious and trendsetting designers of all time for the first time in Ghana.

More than 30 fashion designers across the continent, including majority of Ghana's fashion designers, will have their couture work showcased at the Ghana Fashion Awards. Ghana Fashion Awards (GFA) will showcase the brightest fashion talents in Ghana. This event will not only highlight creativity and innovativeness, but will look at their passion beyond fabric and colour.

This will be an encouragement for young fashion designers to bring fun and life into the fashion industry of Ghana and also provide networking platform for all designers/fashion lovers to network and share ideas to promote their business. This exclusive celebration aims also to place a spotlight on these creative individuals who to date have been largely ignored by the mainstream fashion industry.

The final awards ceremony event come off on 28th August 2011, it will boast of luminaries from the fashion, media and business industry. A star-studded line up is expected with great entertainment and glamorous catwalk shows where designers will showcase their collections, creativity, passions and greatness.

Top fashion houses are increasingly embracing and endorsing the Ghanaian fashion awards and as top Ghanaian designers are making names for themselves internationally. The organizers are sure to use Ghana Fashion Awards to encourage the new generation of Ghanaian fashion designers based in Ghana and outside Ghana an opportunity to showcase their creations, increase their brand awareness and encourage up and coming designers.

Ghana Fashion Awards – Sleek, Chic and Trendy, is here! This is a gem of an event in Ghana.

source: modernghana

Read More

GHANA FASHION AWARDS SET TO BE LAUNCH ON 6TH MAY -IT'S “FASHIONISTA”

Over the years Ghana fashion industry has come under serious influence by Western fashion wears and style, making the youth and the young at heart to follow suite . The quest to have a unique fashion event that depicts a typical Ghanaian is paramount.

This “fashionista” launching is slated for Friday 6th May, 2011. This event is being organized by Fashion Xpo.

For probably the first time ,comes Ghana Fashion Awards set to showcase a delightful spectacle of the latest collection of fashion and accessories of exceptional young and old Ghanaian designers internationally and from across the country. Will recognize the most prestigious and trendsetting designers of all time for the first time in Ghana.

More than 30 fashion designers across the continent, including majority of Ghana's fashion designers, will have their couture work showcased at the Ghana Fashion Awards. Ghana Fashion Awards (GFA) will showcase the brightest fashion talents in Ghana. This event will not only highlight creativity and innovativeness, but will look at their passion beyond fabric and colour.

This will be an encouragement for young fashion designers to bring fun and life into the fashion industry of Ghana and also provide networking platform for all designers/fashion lovers to network and share ideas to promote their business. This exclusive celebration aims also to place a spotlight on these creative individuals who to date have been largely ignored by the mainstream fashion industry.

The final awards ceremony event come off on 28th August 2011, it will boast of luminaries from the fashion, media and business industry. A star-studded line up is expected with great entertainment and glamorous catwalk shows where designers will showcase their collections, creativity, passions and greatness.

Top fashion houses are increasingly embracing and endorsing the Ghanaian fashion awards and as top Ghanaian designers are making names for themselves internationally. The organizers are sure to use Ghana Fashion Awards to encourage the new generation of Ghanaian fashion designers based in Ghana and outside Ghana an opportunity to showcase their creations, increase their brand awareness and encourage up and coming designers.

Ghana Fashion Awards – Sleek, Chic and Trendy, is here! This is a gem of an event in Ghana.

source: modernghana

Read More

“christie brown” Ghanaian fashion label

AFROMANTIC~! “christie brown” Ghanaian fashion label

 

Read More

“christie brown” Ghanaian fashion label

AFROMANTIC~! “christie brown” Ghanaian fashion label

Read More

AFRICA’S NEWEST NAMES IN FASHION SHOW DESIGNS IN U.S.

Los Angeles — African Vibes Magazine has held its fourth anniversary celebration in Los Angeles, California. The gala event on April 24 kicked off in the early evening with the “I Wear African” fashion show, highlighting some of the newest names in African fashion. There were musical performances as well as an after party where many of the Los Angeles African community socialized into the night.
Among the designers was Korto Momolu, who has appeared as a contestant on the American television show Project Runway. Momolu is a Liberian-born fashion designer whose work has been worn by celebrities and sold in American department stores. She has quickly become one of the most well-known young African fashion designers in America.


Among her fans is Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, for whom Momolu designed a piece to wear. The garments that Momolu showed at “I Wear African” featured several solid and well-designed items accessorized with pieces from her line of handbags.
Other designers included Sheila Denanyoh, a Ghanaian college student based in Ohio who founded Ill-la-la Designs in 2008. Sheila, in her last year of college, brought a design style to the fashion show that was young, fresh and playful. Her kente cloth print dress was a creative 21st century interpretation of a tradition African print.
Designer Arthlene Legair is from Dominica, West Indies, and is also based in Ohio. As the founder of Legair Brand, her collection at the show included pieces that were a throw-back to classic African silhouettes and others that clearly reflected a blending of African and Caribbean influences. Legair’s daughter is also a designer and there are plans for a line she designed for younger women to be added to the Legair collection.
Chicago-based Congolese designer Kahindo Matee is the founder and head of Modahnik. Using high quality Vlisco wax material, Matee has created a line that appeals to the progressive African woman who loves the rich colors of African fabrics but requires a modern design style.
The fashion aesthetic of Cameroonian designers Maryanne Mokoko and Stephanie Mouapi is eccentric and avant-garde, two terms that have become clichés, but are nonetheless completely applicable to their designs. Mokoko and Mouapi take African fashion in a unique direction. The designers, based in the Washington, DC, area, created Cote Minou in 2006 and have been showing their designs at fashion shows all over the United States.
Ethiopian fashion designer Mekdes Tefera Taye has participated in fashion shows all over the world, and will debut her skills as a costume designer in the upcoming Ethiopian film, “The Return of Grace”. Based in Ethiopia, her designs presented at “I Wear African” reflected a variety of influences. Some of her pieces featured traditional Ethiopian cloth and most featured a flare of sexuality with exposed backs and strategically-placed straps.
Ivorian designer Christiane King was also a contestant on Project Runway and brings diverse experiences to her designs. Based in Los Angeles, King’s designs reflect the designer’s experiences in France and the United States. Her pieces at the fashion show were fun, colorful and playful.
Nigerian jewelry designer Monalisa Okojie showed pieces from her Coral Collection. Okojie is the creator of NEHITA and specializes in using various stones and gold in her jewelry collections.
The “I Wear African” event included musical performances by Dallas- and Virginia-based Cameroonian group Avenue C and Atlanta-based Liberian artist 2C.
Avenue C is an up and coming trio that blends rhythmic singing and rap lyrics. The group is relatively new and has plans to release an album soon.
Rap artist 2C is also new to the music scene. He dedicated his song “Liberian Girl” to fellow Liberian Korto Momolu. This portion of the evening was closed out by headlining act, soukous superstar Awilo Longomba. Longomba gave a brief but memorable performance, ending the show and ushering in the after party celebrations, which lasted until 2am.

sources : allafrica.com

Read More

AFRICA’S NEWEST NAMES IN FASHION SHOW DESIGNS IN U.S.

Los Angeles — African Vibes Magazine has held its fourth anniversary celebration in Los Angeles, California. The gala event on April 24 kicked off in the early evening with the “I Wear African” fashion show, highlighting some of the newest names in African fashion. There were musical performances as well as an after party where many of the Los Angeles African community socialized into the night.
Among the designers was Korto Momolu, who has appeared as a contestant on the American television show Project Runway. Momolu is a Liberian-born fashion designer whose work has been worn by celebrities and sold in American department stores. She has quickly become one of the most well-known young African fashion designers in America.

Read More

Trip to Ghana

Country: Ghana, West Africa. Nestled in Western African region, Ghana is considered to be a fairly peaceful country surrounded by lush minerals. Housing about 22 million people, Ghana is a diverse hub equipped with over 100 languages among it’s different tribes.  Laying close by the Ivory Coast, we found models, actors, singer, artists and musicians…..the findings were enormous but, like a banquet table, you can’t feast on everything. Here is a sample of the talent that resides in the beautiful country of Ghana.

Great Ghanaian Desinger:  Sika. Designs are a fusion of London’s urban fashion with the beautiful textiles of Ghana.



Great Accessory Designer: Kua Designs

Menswear Designer: Oswald Boateng (also dressed Barack Obama for trip to Ghana)

Belinda Baidoo: Ghanaian Model

Duke Dadzie: Model

Lyrio Boateng: Model

David O’cansey: Model

Angela Asare: Model and Miss Universe Ghana 2006

Teiko Dornor: Model

Yvette Nsiah: Ms Ghana Universe 2008

Richard Ampaw: Model

Becca: Ghanaian songstress (contemporary and Afro-pop)

WANLOV: Ghanaian musician (aka Mr. Emmanuel Owusu Bonsu)

Van Vicker: Actor

source: http://runawaypresidents.wordpress.com/2010/03/04/trip-to-ghana/

Read More