Africa on the Catwalk

A fashion show in collaboration with creative director and show producer Ola Shobowale of infinite beauty factory and Sabrina Henry, fashion director at Arise Magazine showcase six, talented designers who originate from the continent or are inspired by its rich cultural heritage.

African fashion has somewhat seen a renaissance of late with well-known, global brands borrowing concepts, designs and energy from the colourful continent to inspire their SS12 collections up and down catwalks in Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. Africa on the Catwalk brings you a few designers who live and breathe the culture and are at the forefront of showing the world the many creative takes on a continent and its culture that is varied, exciting and life defining.

Saturday, July 21, 2012 at 1:30pm as part of the month- long Africa Etopia festival in the Clore Ballroom of the Royal Festival Hall. The show incorporated six, talented designers who originate from the continent or are inspired by its rich cultural heritage as part of Southbank Centre’s Festival of the World with MasterCard. This four month festival includes inspirational projects from the UK and around the world that showcase the power of how the arts changes lives of individuals, communities and whole societies. See more including pictures from show.  (more…)

SOBOYE a lifestyle boutique located in Shoreditch, London offers clients the opportunity to purchase one of kind pieces embracing fashion accessories (bags, belts, purses and scarves) and interior design products (luxe throws, and hand beaded products). Creative Director, Samson Soboye  endorses his own creation as well as showcasing up and coming designers who share his flair and aesthetic for luxury and style.

This year SOBOYE celebrated its 10-year anniversary as Shoreditchs’ pioneering designer and retailer. This week we were invited to the official press launch of ‘Africa at Soboye’ the idea to introduce clients to the fashion talent from the African Diaspora and designers inspired by this. Designers: Chinakwe, NWKO, CHICHIA, Samson Soboye, Posh African and more. We enjoyed multiple glasses of champagne whilst viewing the various collections from the designers and we must say we were impressed!

Guests included: Helen Jennings, Editor of Arise Magazine, Ola Shobowale, Anita Quansah, Creative designer of Anita Quansah London and Bunmi Olaye formerly known as Bunmi Koko and many others. Check out the pics.

(more…)

Quite an unusual subject for us to post but please humor us! How fabulous is this! Barbie and Ken Nigerian Wedding Celebration.  Inspired by the black Barbie shoot in Italian Vogue, Wedding Photographer, Obi Nwokedi decided to create his own Nigeria style Barbie wedding.

Check out the pics ad tell us what you think

(more…)

EKU EDEWOR IS…

among the most original and captivating creatives to emerge in the African media and fashion industry in recent years.  In just over two years, the 25-year-old mixed race Nigerian has carved out a flourishing career as a presenter, model, actress and producer in her native country, Nigeria, where she co-presents the hit lifestyle magazine show, 53 Extra shown on  South Africa Entertainment network M-NET. Not surprising given her first high-profile TV appearance was on Britain’s Next Top Model Cycle 2.

Raised in Nigeria, Edewor left her homeland as a child for Benenden Girls boarding school in England. After her A-levels she attended Warwick University where she obtained a BA Hons in Literature and Theatre Studies in 2008. After a year in New York studying at New York Film Academy, she moved back to Lagos, and it wasn’t long before she got the chance to showcase her talent.

Championing Nigerian luxury brands such as Jewel by Lisa, Bunmi Olaye; formerly of Bunmi Koko, Maki Oh, Bridget Awosika and Tsemaye Binitie among many others, Edewor is always resplendent in these home-grown labels as she is in international brands, which has catapulted the Sudio 53 Extra host into a bona fide style icon, exuding confidence and an individual style sensibility that is admired, emulated and widely documented. Social media has contributed to her visibility and success – she’s  a constant feature on blogs and magazines alike. But what of the woman behind the delectable fashion ensembles and beyond the TV screen?

On the day that we met, back in February, Edewor looked like any other twenty-something young woman, dressed in skinny jeans, a nautical t-shirt and white plimsolls she sprightly strides into Paris Deli in Victoria Island, Lagos. It’s not long before we’re chatting like old friends, naturally bonding over our love of fashion – we have an affection for the same brands- Isabel Marant, Rick Owen, Jewel by Lisa, Maki Oh, and we shop at the same boutiques and department stores in London.  Eating a panini and cheerfully answering our questions, it’s easy to see why people like her – she’s unpretentious, warm and endearing.

So without further ado we give you Eku Edewor!

  (more…)

Dec 1948 – May 2012

Farewell the Queen of Disco – a music trailblazer and legend. May she rest in perfect peace.