Naija Diamonds will put the spotlight on the “Diamonds” stories, struggles, and can-do spirit over a six week period.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Mo Abudu's Inspire African and Diamond BANK uNVIELS " NAIJA DIAMONDS"
Mo Abudu's Inspire Africa and Diamond Bank Unveils "Naija Daimonds" - A celebration of the true naija spirit on Friday, 28th June at plot 4, Block V BIS way, Lekki Expressway.
the programme is set to spotlight the true Nigerian celebrants – everyday people who have done something to change and challenge positively, their situations, men and women who in their little circles continue to be a source of inspiration, and by doing so have contributed to the growth of Nigeria. These people are "Naija Diamonds". they are selected from hundreds of Nigerians across the country. Naija Diamonds will feature thirty six amazing people to be representative of the true Nigerian spirit.
Naija Diamonds will put the spotlight on the “Diamonds” stories, struggles, and can-do spirit over a six week period.
Naija Diamonds will put the spotlight on the “Diamonds” stories, struggles, and can-do spirit over a six week period.
Miss Ghana Universe 2008, Yvette Nsiah Good and Bad Fashion
It is just too bad that ex beauty queen can dress like this on a red carpet. it is a shame. it was said that the Ghanian ex-beauty queen travelled all the way from United State to participate in the contest, which she emerged Miss Universe. Comparing her fashion sense from the past, it is a big fashion blunder. i personally think she need a good fashion stylist
the new look of Ghanian ex beauty queen at MBGN 2010worst dressed fashionistas at MBGN 2010
" do you mind? check me out? i like it shown"
do you have to show all this, all in the name of fashion? " i look stressed, but i like to show off some flesh? do you like?I cant just keep my eyes off these fashionistas fashion on red carpet. The most annoying of all is an ex beauty queen, Miss Ghana Universe 2008, Ywette Nsiah, in a navy blue halter neck dress, the dress was ok, but haba with a sagging boobs, is that fashion too? in my next post will showcase Yvette's MBGN red carpet dress and some of her old pictures too. mean while, check out the words their outfits speak.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Celebs graced MBGN Red Carpet in style
By Oyindamola Lawal
Last Sunday, 23rd May 2010, celebrities flocked to Eko Hotel and Suites for the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) beauty pageant, strutting the red carpet in stunning styles. While most of them made extra effort to look their best, some unconsciously walked through the scene making a fashion faux pas.
HITV Presenter
This pretty damsel is being applauded for her bold fashion statement. Her pink one shoulder piece dress, detailed with silver trimmings and enhanced with silver jewelery put her in a distinguished class. Her complementing make up and hairstyles were no doubt glamorous.
Jasmine Murray-Bruce
Jasmine Murray Bruce co-host of the event stepped on the red carpet in a long fitted knee-layered ruffled dress with dangling silver earrings.
Rita Biuwovwi
True Love reporter, Rita Biuwovwi stepped out in an empire waist studded dress. It’s refreshing to see her on such alluring colours.
Munachi Abii
Ex-beauty queen, Munachi Nwankwo-Abii, was ravishing in warm shade of blonde hairstyles. Her elegance caught the attention of the paparazzi; she graced the red carpet in a simple gold and black halter neck dress. Munachi, this time, was not wearing her usual flashy colour and revealing outfit.
Omowunmi Akinifesi
One of the most stylish icon and Ex-beauty queen, Omowunmi Akinnifesi, was looking gorgeous in a black metallic top, long Ankara gypsy skirt and a black ruffled clutch. The pretty and stylish diva is known for her simple, yet trendy appearance. Her hairdo and make up added perfect touch to her mien.
Funmi Iyanda
One of the Stylish icon and screen diva, Funmi Iyanda rocked the red carpet in a short animal print dress and pump footwear.
Mandy
TVC presenter, Mandy stepped on the red carpet in a long spaghetti dress. Though the dress looked busy, she however enhanced it with a two-layer pearls necklace.
Bryan Okwara
Best Africa Model, former Mr Nigeria and one of the judges at event, Bryan Okwara majestically stepped on the red carpet in a two piece suit jacket, cowboy hat and a trendy pant to go.
Last Sunday, 23rd May 2010, celebrities flocked to Eko Hotel and Suites for the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) beauty pageant, strutting the red carpet in stunning styles. While most of them made extra effort to look their best, some unconsciously walked through the scene making a fashion faux pas.
HITV Presenter
Jasmine Murray-Bruce
Jasmine Murray Bruce co-host of the event stepped on the red carpet in a long fitted knee-layered ruffled dress with dangling silver earrings.
True Love reporter, Rita Biuwovwi stepped out in an empire waist studded dress. It’s refreshing to see her on such alluring colours.
Omowunmi Akinifesi
Funmi Iyanda
Mandy
Bryan Okwara
Best Africa Model, former Mr Nigeria and one of the judges at event, Bryan Okwara majestically stepped on the red carpet in a two piece suit jacket, cowboy hat and a trendy pant to go.
Nigerian designers rock fashion week
BY OYINDAMOLA LAWAL
NIGERIAN designers, with their counterparts from other parts of the continent, will gather in a two-day seminar at Johannesburg, South Africa Republic, to reposition Africa’s fashion future. The seminar will, outside talks, showcase different models on the runway.
Leading designers from across the continent and in the Diaspora will show their latest designs at the second yearly Africa Fashion Week, which comes after the seminar.
The collections of 33 designers from all over Africa will feature in 19 runway shows before a huge audience of international buyers, media professional, World Cup guests, and international celebrities from June 30 to July 3.
During a recent visit to Nigeria, the African Fashion International (AFI) Chairperson, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, stated, “Africa Fashion Week (AFW) is potentially the most important platform for the African fashion industry, being perfectly positioned to promote African designers globally.”
She added that for designers, their collections would not just be confined to the catwalk; they would be available to purchase on site, along with ready-to-wear garments, at the first ever AFI Fashion boutique, which would be open for the month of June.
Moloi-Motsepe with her partner, Vista Kalipa of Total Exposure, advises that Nigerian designers should concentrate more on good finishing and versatility in order to compete favourably with others.
Kalipa also called on Nigerian fashion designers to form a body that would regulate the industry.
On the eve of African Fashion Week itself, the AFI boutique will launch online as a permanent shop specialising in African fashion from across the globe, with collections available immediately after their catwalk showing.
NIGERIAN designers, with their counterparts from other parts of the continent, will gather in a two-day seminar at Johannesburg, South Africa Republic, to reposition Africa’s fashion future. The seminar will, outside talks, showcase different models on the runway.
Leading designers from across the continent and in the Diaspora will show their latest designs at the second yearly Africa Fashion Week, which comes after the seminar.
The collections of 33 designers from all over Africa will feature in 19 runway shows before a huge audience of international buyers, media professional, World Cup guests, and international celebrities from June 30 to July 3.
During a recent visit to Nigeria, the African Fashion International (AFI) Chairperson, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, stated, “Africa Fashion Week (AFW) is potentially the most important platform for the African fashion industry, being perfectly positioned to promote African designers globally.”
She added that for designers, their collections would not just be confined to the catwalk; they would be available to purchase on site, along with ready-to-wear garments, at the first ever AFI Fashion boutique, which would be open for the month of June.
Moloi-Motsepe with her partner, Vista Kalipa of Total Exposure, advises that Nigerian designers should concentrate more on good finishing and versatility in order to compete favourably with others.
Kalipa also called on Nigerian fashion designers to form a body that would regulate the industry.
On the eve of African Fashion Week itself, the AFI boutique will launch online as a permanent shop specialising in African fashion from across the globe, with collections available immediately after their catwalk showing.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Monalisa Chinda’s simple but elegant
Growing up
It was beautiful. I got almost everything I wanted. My parents were always there for us, I wouldn’t say we were so rich but we had most of the things we wanted. We were well brought up and I really thank God for my parents.
Fashion
Fashion, to me, is simplicity. Simple but elegant. Simplicity, as in wearing clothes that are just you, not too busy outfit. Clothes that define who you are. You know, what you wear tells who you are; so, you just wear soft colours and you come out with styles.
Favourite piece of clothing
I like dresses and I love skirts so much.
Signature scent
I wear anything that is soft and nice. I wear designers but I don’t have a pick. I just wear good, nice smelling designer perfume. My life around that area is not too good, I must confess.
Best colours
I really don’t have my pick on best colours but I like soft floral
colours. I also like bright colours; I’m not really particular about blue, pink or yellow.
Favourite designer
Marc Jacob; I also patronise local designers. Sometimes I go for Zizi Cardow’s outfit. Tiffany Amber, too.
Likes, dislikes and role models
I don’t like dishonest people. I don’t like pretenders and I don’t like anything that speaks negativity. I like positive people. People who can be trusted and people who don’t pretend. For role models, my list has not changed. First on the list is Joke Silva. There is also Auntie Taiwo Ajai-Lycet and then Liz Benson.
What you won’t be caught dead wearing
It will be rags or something that would make me go half nude. You know what I mean by rags! There are some designer rags that have some tiers and razor cut skirts and blouse, I can’t wear such clothes.
Up coming actors
A lot of people have reasons why they want to act. But they should come in for the right reasons. You will tire out once you are in it, for the wrong reasons. They should be sure that this is what they want to do. They should seek guidance from God and even from people around. You will be surprised that you have a talent for producing and not necessarily acting. So, they must first be sure of what they want to do and if it is not working for them, they should try something else. Those who are fit must get trained. They should be focused and believe in themselves.
Social life
Very boring, extremely boring; nothing to talk about. I spend my social life mostly at home, I go out once in a while to the Cinema.
Inspiration
First of all, it comes from God; second of all from my natural given talent.
Skills
We need to do more of convincing, action movies, you know like the stunt thing that Hollywood does. We haven’t started it yet; here, it’s just like a child’s play.
Embarrassing moment
When I walked into a salon and they were showing one of my movies, I just ran out of that place, especially when I saw that they were showing the romantic flick. I just took off from that place because I was just shy and embarrassed.
pictures from zizi cardow tenth anniversary
Strutting gazelles on Zizi’s Red Carpet
BY OYINDAMOLA LAWAL
JUST like every other celebrity event, Zizi Cardow’s 10th anniversary red carpet was a stunner.
Tagged, The Ball, the event, which was held at the Grand Ball Room of Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, it had celebrities from all walks of life parading the runway in their stunning outfits.
The celebrant and one of the A-lists fashion designers, Zizi Cardow, came out on two occasions spotting astonishing LBDs. Firstly, she stepped out in a bustier LBD knee-ruffles dress, which she designed with aso-oke and satin.
Her second appearance was in a backless halter-neck asymmetric LBD that drew every eye to her side. The dresses revealed her femininity, not showing off her legs as usual but rather sensual d back.
Screen diva, Omotola Ekiende-Jalade, no doubts, is a very stylish lady. She came out in a v-neck empire floral lace dress, enhanced with black belt.
Uche Odoh of AMBO3 graced the scene in a green and white plaid short dress, which she spiced with other accessories outside black belt, clutch and pump shoe.
Katherine Edoho may not be listed among the best-dressed celebrity at the event; however, she made it with her casual, as she stepped in, in wine embroidery tunic and a pair of blue jeans, while Yinka Davies was astonishing in her short sleeveless sequin dress.
One of the bigwigs in the industry, Folorunsho Alakija, stepped out in dazzling off shoulder tops with ruffles at the neckline and the hem of the top, with a long A-line skirt.
Event planner and fashion editor of TW magazine, Ndidi Obioha, rocked the red carpet in her one shoulder pink dress enhanced with silver bracelets and a black peep toe shoe.
The day was not for the ladies alone, as Olisa Adibua showed that men have taste too. He wore leave-like pattern high neck kaftan, while Nigeria’s representative to Big Brother Africa 3, Uti Nwachukwu, showed up in green linen outfit, detailed with green embroidery.
Genevieve, Kate, Rita and Ini in JD7 designs graced Genevieve Magazine Cover in JD7 dresses
No doubt, Data Okorodudu of JD7 is a fantastic designer. These Beautiful divas, Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, Kate Henshaw-Nuttall and Ini Edo-Ehiaguwa are looking stunning in JD7 glamorous dresses. for real, Genevieve and Rita stole the glam. Genny was looking like a professional model with her striking poses. i would have love omo sexy to be on the cover too.
good job babes, you are hot.
pictures courtesy bellanaija
thanks to questionmarkmag.com
good job babes, you are hot.
pictures courtesy bellanaija
Roli… The simple warm-hearted ‘Girl’ in State House
BY OYINDAMOLA LAWAL
SEATED in a vast office, with little sunlight streaming through the window, Mrs. Roli Sheila Uduaghan casts a glance at her visitor. Her eyes are also on the files on her table. She is simply dressed, formal, so to say. No chunky earrings or bracelets. She brims with smiles
This afternoon, she is scheduled to hold meeting with some members of her Foundation, so, the chat, she begs, should not last long.
Her tone is warm, as she says, “ We’ll talk for only 10 minutes, I have to attend to other urgent matters.”
Ten minutes, I wondered. To get fact from the lady, who recently bagged an award for her services to humanity?
As I ponder on the first shot, she snaps me out of reverie, saying with a diction that sticks out in rhyming lore, “what I miss most as a governor’s wife is my freedom.” A fit of laughter fills the air. “I can’t go to the market freely.”
There’s an excellent atmosphere in the room and suddenly, she breathes, ”my mission is yet to be fully realised.”
She says her mission is to alleviate the suffering of women and less-privileged in Delta State. And in five years, she has done so, albeit, quietly. On May 12, however, she will make some noise about Mastercare Foundation, which in the past five years has addressed the plight of women, especially widows in that state.
On that day, the foundation will host wife of Acting President, Dame Patience Jonathan, in a
programme themed Lending a helping hand.
To be held in Asaba, Delta State, it is an opportunity for Mrs. Uduaghan to highlight Mastercare’s activities.
According to the lady, since the Foundation’s inception, it has made remarkable impact on the lives of widows, women and children in Delta State, which the world has to know.
“Part of the project has been the provision of working tools and equipment, which includes free farm in-puts and implements (fertilizer, cassava stems, premium treated maize for higher yields) to boost their earning, distribution of gifts to the children, execution of certain projects such as the free eye-care programme, provision of empowerment tolls like boats, fishing nets, tricycles, hair dryers and other saloon kits, and many others,” she says innocently.
ON November 2, 2009, Mastercare Foundation, in collaboration with John Hopkins University, United States of America, marked the first World Pneumonia Day in Delta State. The event featured a rally and lectures from different professionals on the causes, symptoms and prevention of pneumonia. She says plans are still on the way to initiate projects that would create more opportunities for women and children to live better lives.
Mrs. Uduaghan opens one of the brochures on her table and details her assistant to bring it closer. “Women need to be given a sense of belonging, direction and self worth so that they can live responsibly, comfortably and contribute meaningfully to the growth and development in the society,” she said. “I selected widows because that is where the group of people I feel greatly for lies, because of what they are going through when their husbands die,” she snorts.
Uduaghan explains with a deep chuckle, “it is a programme I have been doing for five years now, even before I became the governor’s wife. We have been working for some time now. May 12 has been set aside for public presentation — a kind of outdooring… you know, we want to tell the world what we are doing, I can’t just come out to show the public empty basket.”
She says, “most of the time, I deal with the women directly. Just like this event, I invited people and I told them to get me 10 women from each local council, who are in business or want to pursue a career,” she pauses and adds, “whatever I do, I go down to the grassroots; I do most of the things myself. I do not have much money to do these things, so there is no way I will now give it to somebody that will not value what I am doing. When you see the people I give, you will know that of the truth they are in need. I do not deal on word basis, I also scrutinise them.”
MASTERCARE is also launching a Business Career Clinic in Delta State — a women empowerment initiative — that will highlight available business opportunities to the Delta woman.
This programme entails lectures and various training programmes on different business ventures that the women can build on. The lectures are to hold every month over a period of 10 months in diverse locations in the state. The first lecture holds in Asaba on Thursday, May 6.
According to her, through the empowerment programme, “we want to find out what they actually want to do, if they have the opportunity.”
She adds, “for those we assist, we don’t just give them money, every assistance is dependent on what they are actually doing and what they want to do. For those that are hairdressers, and do not have the means to establish themselves, we give them a full package of a salon… but we don’t rent stores for them. We also give them grinders and refrigerators to sell cold water and drink, amongst others.”
As the governor’s wife, one of the major challenges she faces is the misconception of what the position is all about. “People just sit and imagine that governors’ wives have solutions to all problems, they can answer all problems; they are even God; and when they do not see what they expect, they try to blackmail you or call you names. They do not realise that as a governor’s wife, you are just a housewife like any other one out there. You are really doing what you are doing for public not for any man,” the youthful lady says, sipping the liquid in her glass.
ON Nigerian women, Uduaghan had this to say: “They are very industrious; never mind the extent we have reached now, we are trusting on God we will get there one day. They are the best of women that I have ever come across. They are patient, industrious and very hardworking; you cannot do without the average Nigerian woman.”
Why are Nigerian youths left out in her project? She answers, “ I can’t serve everybody. As I said earlier, this thing I am doing is not a governor’s wife project; I am doing it, as a call from God and the youths are not part of the project. It is only for widows and children but if the youth fall into the group of widows/children, fine. I am not the governor; it is the governor that is responsible for everybody.”
Asked what her style is, she answers, “I do not know, I just wear what I wear that suits me, and maybe, the occasion I am going to. I like wearing free clothes, I do not like tight-fitted clothes.”
SEATED in a vast office, with little sunlight streaming through the window, Mrs. Roli Sheila Uduaghan casts a glance at her visitor. Her eyes are also on the files on her table. She is simply dressed, formal, so to say. No chunky earrings or bracelets. She brims with smiles
This afternoon, she is scheduled to hold meeting with some members of her Foundation, so, the chat, she begs, should not last long.
Her tone is warm, as she says, “ We’ll talk for only 10 minutes, I have to attend to other urgent matters.”
Ten minutes, I wondered. To get fact from the lady, who recently bagged an award for her services to humanity?
As I ponder on the first shot, she snaps me out of reverie, saying with a diction that sticks out in rhyming lore, “what I miss most as a governor’s wife is my freedom.” A fit of laughter fills the air. “I can’t go to the market freely.”
There’s an excellent atmosphere in the room and suddenly, she breathes, ”my mission is yet to be fully realised.”
She says her mission is to alleviate the suffering of women and less-privileged in Delta State. And in five years, she has done so, albeit, quietly. On May 12, however, she will make some noise about Mastercare Foundation, which in the past five years has addressed the plight of women, especially widows in that state.
On that day, the foundation will host wife of Acting President, Dame Patience Jonathan, in a
programme themed Lending a helping hand.
To be held in Asaba, Delta State, it is an opportunity for Mrs. Uduaghan to highlight Mastercare’s activities.
According to the lady, since the Foundation’s inception, it has made remarkable impact on the lives of widows, women and children in Delta State, which the world has to know.
“Part of the project has been the provision of working tools and equipment, which includes free farm in-puts and implements (fertilizer, cassava stems, premium treated maize for higher yields) to boost their earning, distribution of gifts to the children, execution of certain projects such as the free eye-care programme, provision of empowerment tolls like boats, fishing nets, tricycles, hair dryers and other saloon kits, and many others,” she says innocently.
ON November 2, 2009, Mastercare Foundation, in collaboration with John Hopkins University, United States of America, marked the first World Pneumonia Day in Delta State. The event featured a rally and lectures from different professionals on the causes, symptoms and prevention of pneumonia. She says plans are still on the way to initiate projects that would create more opportunities for women and children to live better lives.
Mrs. Uduaghan opens one of the brochures on her table and details her assistant to bring it closer. “Women need to be given a sense of belonging, direction and self worth so that they can live responsibly, comfortably and contribute meaningfully to the growth and development in the society,” she said. “I selected widows because that is where the group of people I feel greatly for lies, because of what they are going through when their husbands die,” she snorts.
Uduaghan explains with a deep chuckle, “it is a programme I have been doing for five years now, even before I became the governor’s wife. We have been working for some time now. May 12 has been set aside for public presentation — a kind of outdooring… you know, we want to tell the world what we are doing, I can’t just come out to show the public empty basket.”
She says, “most of the time, I deal with the women directly. Just like this event, I invited people and I told them to get me 10 women from each local council, who are in business or want to pursue a career,” she pauses and adds, “whatever I do, I go down to the grassroots; I do most of the things myself. I do not have much money to do these things, so there is no way I will now give it to somebody that will not value what I am doing. When you see the people I give, you will know that of the truth they are in need. I do not deal on word basis, I also scrutinise them.”
MASTERCARE is also launching a Business Career Clinic in Delta State — a women empowerment initiative — that will highlight available business opportunities to the Delta woman.
This programme entails lectures and various training programmes on different business ventures that the women can build on. The lectures are to hold every month over a period of 10 months in diverse locations in the state. The first lecture holds in Asaba on Thursday, May 6.
According to her, through the empowerment programme, “we want to find out what they actually want to do, if they have the opportunity.”
She adds, “for those we assist, we don’t just give them money, every assistance is dependent on what they are actually doing and what they want to do. For those that are hairdressers, and do not have the means to establish themselves, we give them a full package of a salon… but we don’t rent stores for them. We also give them grinders and refrigerators to sell cold water and drink, amongst others.”
As the governor’s wife, one of the major challenges she faces is the misconception of what the position is all about. “People just sit and imagine that governors’ wives have solutions to all problems, they can answer all problems; they are even God; and when they do not see what they expect, they try to blackmail you or call you names. They do not realise that as a governor’s wife, you are just a housewife like any other one out there. You are really doing what you are doing for public not for any man,” the youthful lady says, sipping the liquid in her glass.
ON Nigerian women, Uduaghan had this to say: “They are very industrious; never mind the extent we have reached now, we are trusting on God we will get there one day. They are the best of women that I have ever come across. They are patient, industrious and very hardworking; you cannot do without the average Nigerian woman.”
Why are Nigerian youths left out in her project? She answers, “ I can’t serve everybody. As I said earlier, this thing I am doing is not a governor’s wife project; I am doing it, as a call from God and the youths are not part of the project. It is only for widows and children but if the youth fall into the group of widows/children, fine. I am not the governor; it is the governor that is responsible for everybody.”
Asked what her style is, she answers, “I do not know, I just wear what I wear that suits me, and maybe, the occasion I am going to. I like wearing free clothes, I do not like tight-fitted clothes.”
2010 BET Award Nominees
In June the BET Network will celebrate 10 years of presenting the best in entertainment and sports. Grammy Award winning artist and actress Queen Latifah will host the event. The awards are set to air live on BET at 8;m on June 27 as the awards are presented at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The awards show will also be streamed on the BET website at www.bet.com. Diddy-Dirty Money, Trey Sngz, Nicki Minaj, and Drake are set to perform during the show.
Lady Gaga To Intern for Hat Designer Philip Treacy?
No look for Lady Gaga is ever quite complete without a headpiece. So it comes as no surprise that the singer would be interested in millinery. And who better to learn from than legendary Irish hat maker Philip Treacy–the couture hat designer behind her unforgettable Grammys lightning bolt headpiece, Sarah Jessica Parker‘s famous green topper for the London Sex and the City premiere and a favorite of the late fashion icon Isabella Blow. But whether or not Gaga follows in the path of stars like Ashley Olsen in becoming a design intern remains to be seen. “While nothing is set in stone, it is true that she has requested an internship with Philip,” confirms a rep for the label. Having collaborated with Philip Treacy on a number of her most-famous headpieces, we think this would be a match made in fashion heaven! Stay tuned for more details. Tell us: Do you think Lady Gaga should design her own headpieces?–Andrea DeSimone
Model and Lecturer Designs Lagos Carnival wears
isio
one of iso's design
By Oyindamola Lawal
As Lagos State count down to its maiden carnival April 3, two talented designers, Isio Wanogho, a model, creative artist and designer; Odun Orimolade, a fashion designer and lecturer in Yaba College of Technology, are pouring out their creativity to design carnival wears.
For the two up-coming designers, designing carnival clothes and max producing is their first attempt. Orimolade shares her view, “I have always loved costumes. This is actually my first time of designing carnival wears and mass-producing at the same time, I have always done costume wears. There is a big different between fashion and costume. Most designers don’t dabble into costume wears; expect for few designers that have flair for experimentation.”
Isio Wanogho added, “ when I was contacted, I did some research into what carnival costumes look like, looked at the ones that experiment my creativity and what I produce and create something new and different. This is actually my first attempt.”
Speaking on what inspires them to create such a unique, yet classy designs, Wanogho said, “I like beautiful things, I desire to create something beautiful, put something together and create what people will love, wear and admire. It’s seeing a simple thing in my mind, putting it together and it comes out extra ordinary. They have something of me in them. For females, my costumes are very feminine, and I believe a woman should always be a women when it comes to dressing.”
Orimolade spoke on her inspirations, “. I like exaggeration and it lead to something new, different and trendy. I have an idea of Victorian skirt and I exaggerate it, it turns to a new style. I m working with people from the skill centre, it’s been an eye opener. How much they are ready to learn is inspiring.”
Both Wanogho and Orimolade disclosed that they source their fabrics from the local market. According to them, they use less expensive materials that are very details and experimental.
On their challenges, Wanogho spoke, “It is one thing to see something and like it and it is another thing to produce that thing you desire in your mind. Another major challenge is getting the right man power, in terms of tailors costume is different from normal wears and all the rigid rules In fashion don’t comply. In carnival wear, the louder, the better.” Orimolade adds, “ one of the challenges I face is medium is the time frame. We are doing what other people, countries, states take a whole year to plan.”
Orimolade stated, “ I try to cover space. I just got a call. There is a big difference between fashion and costume designers. Most fashion designers don’t dabble into costume wears, only designers that have a flair for experimentation.”
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Fashola urges support for less-privileged, as Okoya marks 70 years
By Olawunmi Ojo and Oyindamola Lawal
LAGOS State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has drawn attention to the needs of the less-privileged in the society and urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of giving generously and assisting government to improve living conditions.
Fashola made the call yesterday at the Governor’s Office while receiving items donated to the state government for public use by industrialist, Chief Rasaq Akanni Okoya, to mark his 70th birthday billed for January 12.
Okoya, who explained the gesture as a way of giving back to the society, donated two new fully-equipped Nissan Urvan ambulances, 11 incubators, nine Pick-Up vans equipped for police use and N100,000 worth of scholarship each to 10 students from each of Lagos State University, Ojo (LASU), University of Lagos (UNILAG), Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), and Lagos State Polytechnic (Laspotech).
He also pledged to renovate and build classrooms at Ikota Primary School in Eti-Osa Local Council as requested by authorities of the school, as well as donate provisions worth about N4.5 million to orphanages, old peoples’ homes and handicap institutions within Lagos State.
Receiving the gifts and donations as items of trust on behalf of the people of the state, Fashola said the government would ensure their proper use for the benefit of everyone.
He extolled Okoya’s virtues and expressed gratitude to him for the gesture, saying it represents a spirit of public service. “This is public service without holding an office and it goes to underscore the fact that we do not need a title or an office to serve the people.”
Fashola explained that a lot of less-privileged people need care and access to basic services and called on privileged Nigerians to see it as a duty to support government’s efforts.
“I cannot resist the temptation of pointing to the quality of lessons inherent in Chief Okoya’s life and his continued support to our government. The vehicles and other items would help us in many ways to continue to pursue our obligation to maintain social responsibility to protect people, provide health care and to empower them with education as a basis of taking them out of poverty.
“We cannot do these things all on our own. To this extent, we have remained open and it is through such open doors that Chief Okoya has walked through to donate these items. We do hope this example would spur more Nigerians who are privileged and blessed to be able to give so generously,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Marvel Akpoyibo, also lauded Okoya’s gesture as good and worthy of emulation, stressing that without security, no industry would thrive.
“A man is celebrating his birthday and he has remembered the Police who are charged with the responsibility of protecting lives and properties. If there is no life, there is no celebration of birthday. If every Nigerian can emulate this gesture, we would not lack vehicles to patrol the streets, which would enhance the quality of security and policing in the country,” he said.
Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who was also present at the event, said the medical facilities donated would improve the quality of healthcare delivery in the state.
“The ambulances, for instance, would increase our fleet and become handy in rendering emergency services. The incubators would also aid government’s programme of reducing child and maternal mortality,” Idris stated.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
SAY I DO Gorgeously
OYINDAMOLA LAWAL
IN the last few years, wedding fashion has become very important, as many brides are spending fortunes on what to wear their special day.
The process of shopping for a wedding dress can be a fabulous adventure, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming —particularly because a bride-to-be often starts shopping for her gown before many other details are determined.
From white and ivory Casablanca with multipleated bodice to respledent ivory, strapless beaded to ruffled tied gown, there are array of choices to make from designers’ collection.
To create the right impression, you must be conscious with your dress, accessories, shoes and carriage. Picking out a pair of shoes is easier than playing mix and match with your wedding clothing.
You can look stylish, classy or casual depending on the dress and the way you decide to put it together.
Finding a befitting dress is perhaps essential. On your wedding day, you'll want to look great, but you'll also want to be comfortable — it will be hard to dance and laugh (not to mention posing for all those pictures) if you're tugging your dress up or have boning jutting into your ribs.
Remain gorgeous, go for dress that suits your shape. Putting on a dress is not the only part of looking elegance, you need to develop the attitude of dressing comfortable with your wear. You can bring charm to your whole person by being the best in your favourite dress.
A dress that fits your body well think about your body type and what kinds of dresses generally look good on you. Take a look at what you regularly wear that makes you feel confident and beautiful, and then look for a wedding dress with similar lines
Wear whatever makes you comfortable and feels like you. And have fun shopping for your wedding dress. It should be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
IN the last few years, wedding fashion has become very important, as many brides are spending fortunes on what to wear their special day.
The process of shopping for a wedding dress can be a fabulous adventure, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming —particularly because a bride-to-be often starts shopping for her gown before many other details are determined.
From white and ivory Casablanca with multipleated bodice to respledent ivory, strapless beaded to ruffled tied gown, there are array of choices to make from designers’ collection.
To create the right impression, you must be conscious with your dress, accessories, shoes and carriage. Picking out a pair of shoes is easier than playing mix and match with your wedding clothing.
You can look stylish, classy or casual depending on the dress and the way you decide to put it together.
Finding a befitting dress is perhaps essential. On your wedding day, you'll want to look great, but you'll also want to be comfortable — it will be hard to dance and laugh (not to mention posing for all those pictures) if you're tugging your dress up or have boning jutting into your ribs.
Remain gorgeous, go for dress that suits your shape. Putting on a dress is not the only part of looking elegance, you need to develop the attitude of dressing comfortable with your wear. You can bring charm to your whole person by being the best in your favourite dress.
A dress that fits your body well think about your body type and what kinds of dresses generally look good on you. Take a look at what you regularly wear that makes you feel confident and beautiful, and then look for a wedding dress with similar lines
Wear whatever makes you comfortable and feels like you. And have fun shopping for your wedding dress. It should be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Gozi! using art to mentor and to re-unite
By Oyindamola Lawal
Gozi---- pechakucha
from Jpan with a large Heart
gozi, Tunde Kuboye and Papa
Born in Lagos on March 8, 1974, Ngozi Josephine Ochonogor left Nigeria for England at the age of 19 to study Software Engineering at the Imperial College, London. In 1998, she enrolled into the Central School of Fashion, where she studied Ladies Wear, which enabled her to use to transform men’s tailoring patterns into sexy ladieswear.
After working with Turner Prize winners, Keith Tyson, Mark Wallinger, Richard Billingham and others, with years of operation in Japan, Gozi has brought home her talent.
On return to the country, the creative damsel is making plans to organise three big shows, an art forum (PecheKucha), fashion exhibition and a philanthropic workshop for orphans tagged, “Live! U.Mi-1” in Lagos from December 18 through 27, with each day featuring different shows.
Through the shows, Gozi aims to bridge the gap between Nigeria and Japan by using Live! U. Mi-1, the philanthropic arm of her brand, which is an exchange programme aimed at bringing cultural awareness to orphaned kids in Nigeria and Japan through artistic workshops. Collaborating with invited artists, Gozi would educate Japanese children about Nigeria and vise versa.
According to her, “I am a fashion designer based in Tokyo with my brand U.Mi-1; I promote Nigeria in Tokyo. I work with different artistes and the synergy between us is used to create art. Basically, when I moved to Japan, I saw that the spirit between the people in Japan and Nigeria were quite similar. I had to abandon my London brand to start a new one.” “I have been doing that for over two and the half years, I have been on radio, I been to Tokyo fashion week. Basically everything I do, I use it to connect Nigeria and I think it is about time to come and do the same over here. With my brand, I have Live! U.Mi-1, it is actually the philanthropic arm of my brand.”
Speaking on her cultural exchange programme, Gozi says, “What I do is that, I organise workshop with orphan and I teach Japanese orphans about Nigeria and I come to Nigeria to teach Nigerian orphans about Japan; so the whole thing is about unifying Japan and Nigeria.”
The event, which is encouraging dialogue through art and giving the children a stimulating experience that can spur them to become creative in future.
The first workshop “My imaginary Lagos” was run in collaboration with architect Megumi Matsabara, and 15 children at Nonohana No le Children’s Home and a corresponding one at Little Saints Orphanage, Lagos, where Gozi introduced 20 kids to Megumia and the kids at the Children Home. The documentary videos were screened at the published exhibition in Tokyo.
Megumi Matsubara returns for another edition, this time to Lagos, where she will actually get to meet the children from the Little Saints Orphanage and with sound artiste Emeka Ogboh.
“I have an orphanage event coming up and I am actually bringing a Japanese artiste with me. Her name is Megumi Matsabara she worked with me on the first event in Tokyo and this is the second one with and would be done Nigeria. She is actually coming to meet the kids with her camera. The whole point is to actually give the kids a spark to be creative. I am also working with Emeka Ogboh.”
“People always give money and clothes to orphanages without thinking of the future of the kids, so, I decided I will them something that will take them through life, which is creativity; it would inspire them to think and fend for them when they become adults. That is what I do with Live! U.Mi-1,” she added.
Each edition is made of two corresponding workshops, one in Lagos and one in Tokyo. “What we are going to be teaching the children is all about theatre, we are going to be teaching them about Japanese theatre and it going to be quite artistic and abstract. What we want to do is that, we want them to teach Megumi as well how Nigeria does story telling. We are going to teach Japanese too about Nigeria theatre and story telling. It is always about two volumes, we do one here and then take the replica to show the children in Japan.”
What does she hopes to achieve? She explained, “I hope to give the children a creative spark. For me, I think it is something quite beautiful because these are kids, who would not actually have the opportunity to experience art in this kind of way. Usually when Megumi does creative education, it is because some rich parents have heard about her, because she is an established artist and architect; they have heard about her and they told the kids, you must go for this. She has really huge exhibition in well-renowned gallery, so when she met me, she was really exited that she was actually happy to meet real people and real kids, who cannot afford to do this. I am really happy that she is coming down to Lagos. The Japanese government is supporting her.
“My other event is Pechakucha, I it started in Tokyo. It’s actually a forum for creative peoples to meet, to network and to talk. It is actually done in 250 cities in the world and I am bringing a piece of that to Lagos. It has a given format such as each artist coming with 20 images with each image running for 20 seconds. Basically, you have 7 minutes to inspire the crowd. I did the first Pechakucha, three months after I arrived Tokyo, where I met Mark who encouraged me to present my work. After my presentation, I was asked to handle Lagos event. I think it is really important for Lagos right now because, as Fashola is physically reconstructing the city, we need to reconstruct our minds.”
The event, which is set to be an informal visual presentation about each presenter’s passion, gives the audience a chance to speak to those presenters who have inspired them. However, PechaKucha Night Vol 1 is the first in Lagos and Nigeria, where contemporary art in all spheres unite. The show is set to showcase works of renowned artists both old and new, ranging from architects such as Papa Omotayo, James George, and Jite Brume to artists Richardson Ovbiebo and Megumi Matsubara while on fashion it will feature Gozi Ochonogor and Biki John, and film producer Zeb Ejiro. Others are graphic designer Ibukun Oyetunji; Photographers Tunde Kuboye and Abraham Oghobase, and Sound Artist Emeka Ogboh
“What I hope to do with pechakucha, is to carbonize all these people together, so art can become part of our fabric; when people come to Lagos they will say yes this is an artistic city, so creative. We are such creative people, but everybody is doing their own thing, what I want to do, is to create a forum where people can actually come and meet people. I am having 12 professional artists, both the old and new generation. I have got Zeb Ejiro, Tunde Kuboye, Richardson Ovbiebo, and Papa Omotayo and others. What I want to do is to show that art doesn’t have to be about paint and sculpture, like we are all used to. There is an architecture, graphic designer, sound artist and fashion designer among others. It is a kind of bringing Lagos to what the rest of the cities in the world are actually doing and have been doing for a long time. I hope to unite all the genre of art using Pechkucha night. I believe human beings are similar in one way or the other and that if we can actually understand ourselves, there will be actually peace and progress. I believe Nigerians with all our problems and differences are beautiful people, who can actually do something positive. We are very creative, though that creativity died in the 70s. In those days James Brown will come to Nigeria to hear Fela play or listen to Tony Allen. Now everybody thinks about oil, we need to change that; there is more to live than just oil. Everybody knows that art and riches are alive, otherwise we are just going to be working day and night for nothing. So, I believe that with this, we can make kudos steps to better ourselves.” Ochonogor added.
Speaking on special quest appearances, she disclosed, “That is still under wrap, I actually invited the Governor, because I believe that as he restructure Lagos physically, it is very important for him to be in touch with the people who would change things tomorrow. I feel that our generation is going to do it, it will take time but you have to start changing the mindset people now. He can come down and be part of it and show that he is really out to restructure Lagos, he can’t just restructure just the building because if the people are corroded they will corrode the city, so it has to go hand in hand. ”
Hosting the night would be Tamilore Kuboye with Remi Solarin as co-host. The event, which will be held from 6pm to 11pm on Friday, December 18, at the Terra Kulture Gallery, Lagos, promises to be a fantastic night.
On her fashion exhibition, which will be held on Sunday, 27 December, she says, “I have done London fashion week, I have done Paris fashion week, I have done Tokyo fashion week. I collaborated with lot of great Japanese artists. I have actually collaborated with Puma and Erickson Beamon to mention a few. I just think it is about time I bring my work home and so, basically what I am planning to do is to showcase my work to Lagos and for everybody to see my talent. It is not going to be your usual catwalk show as you will see pieces of Tokyo come out; you are going to see pieces of different cultures. I am one of the new generations of people who travel and recreate our culture, like being married to different culture. I have lived in London and Tokyo; I have travel to about 30 countries in the world and every time, I pick good stuff from that, so, you are going to see all that come out in my exhibition. ”
Gozi recently joined the list of talented international artists to be interviewed on J-Wave’s Modaista show, and played her top funkiest tunes from Nigeria. The interview brought Nigerian culture and music to millions of Japanese fans.
“I promote the Nigeria spirit in every way I can. Recently, I was on the biggest Japanese radio called Modaista. Basically, when top artist come from America to Japan, they must be interview on Modaista. I met one of the producers and he loved the concept of my brand, he said fashion design is not really going on radio, but you need to come and talk about Nigeria, tell us about the country. So, I went their and played my five favourite Nigerian artistes, which are Fela Kuti, Tony Allen, 9ice, D’banj and J. Martins (Good or Bad). I talked about Nollywood as well and a lot of people are really interested in it right now. It’s been on the airplane. A friend of mine, who lived in France came to Tokyo and was amazed, he said, “oh my God, Nollywood is really big, it is really for real.” I am just thinking that we got so many talents out there and we just need to package them. It is all about packaging and selling them out. But as things progress, we all need to progress with it and do something. I hope with my little input things could actually changed.”
Gozi---- pechakucha
from Jpan with a large Heart
gozi, Tunde Kuboye and Papa
Born in Lagos on March 8, 1974, Ngozi Josephine Ochonogor left Nigeria for England at the age of 19 to study Software Engineering at the Imperial College, London. In 1998, she enrolled into the Central School of Fashion, where she studied Ladies Wear, which enabled her to use to transform men’s tailoring patterns into sexy ladieswear.
After working with Turner Prize winners, Keith Tyson, Mark Wallinger, Richard Billingham and others, with years of operation in Japan, Gozi has brought home her talent.
On return to the country, the creative damsel is making plans to organise three big shows, an art forum (PecheKucha), fashion exhibition and a philanthropic workshop for orphans tagged, “Live! U.Mi-1” in Lagos from December 18 through 27, with each day featuring different shows.
Through the shows, Gozi aims to bridge the gap between Nigeria and Japan by using Live! U. Mi-1, the philanthropic arm of her brand, which is an exchange programme aimed at bringing cultural awareness to orphaned kids in Nigeria and Japan through artistic workshops. Collaborating with invited artists, Gozi would educate Japanese children about Nigeria and vise versa.
According to her, “I am a fashion designer based in Tokyo with my brand U.Mi-1; I promote Nigeria in Tokyo. I work with different artistes and the synergy between us is used to create art. Basically, when I moved to Japan, I saw that the spirit between the people in Japan and Nigeria were quite similar. I had to abandon my London brand to start a new one.” “I have been doing that for over two and the half years, I have been on radio, I been to Tokyo fashion week. Basically everything I do, I use it to connect Nigeria and I think it is about time to come and do the same over here. With my brand, I have Live! U.Mi-1, it is actually the philanthropic arm of my brand.”
Speaking on her cultural exchange programme, Gozi says, “What I do is that, I organise workshop with orphan and I teach Japanese orphans about Nigeria and I come to Nigeria to teach Nigerian orphans about Japan; so the whole thing is about unifying Japan and Nigeria.”
The event, which is encouraging dialogue through art and giving the children a stimulating experience that can spur them to become creative in future.
The first workshop “My imaginary Lagos” was run in collaboration with architect Megumi Matsabara, and 15 children at Nonohana No le Children’s Home and a corresponding one at Little Saints Orphanage, Lagos, where Gozi introduced 20 kids to Megumia and the kids at the Children Home. The documentary videos were screened at the published exhibition in Tokyo.
Megumi Matsubara returns for another edition, this time to Lagos, where she will actually get to meet the children from the Little Saints Orphanage and with sound artiste Emeka Ogboh.
“I have an orphanage event coming up and I am actually bringing a Japanese artiste with me. Her name is Megumi Matsabara she worked with me on the first event in Tokyo and this is the second one with and would be done Nigeria. She is actually coming to meet the kids with her camera. The whole point is to actually give the kids a spark to be creative. I am also working with Emeka Ogboh.”
“People always give money and clothes to orphanages without thinking of the future of the kids, so, I decided I will them something that will take them through life, which is creativity; it would inspire them to think and fend for them when they become adults. That is what I do with Live! U.Mi-1,” she added.
Each edition is made of two corresponding workshops, one in Lagos and one in Tokyo. “What we are going to be teaching the children is all about theatre, we are going to be teaching them about Japanese theatre and it going to be quite artistic and abstract. What we want to do is that, we want them to teach Megumi as well how Nigeria does story telling. We are going to teach Japanese too about Nigeria theatre and story telling. It is always about two volumes, we do one here and then take the replica to show the children in Japan.”
What does she hopes to achieve? She explained, “I hope to give the children a creative spark. For me, I think it is something quite beautiful because these are kids, who would not actually have the opportunity to experience art in this kind of way. Usually when Megumi does creative education, it is because some rich parents have heard about her, because she is an established artist and architect; they have heard about her and they told the kids, you must go for this. She has really huge exhibition in well-renowned gallery, so when she met me, she was really exited that she was actually happy to meet real people and real kids, who cannot afford to do this. I am really happy that she is coming down to Lagos. The Japanese government is supporting her.
“My other event is Pechakucha, I it started in Tokyo. It’s actually a forum for creative peoples to meet, to network and to talk. It is actually done in 250 cities in the world and I am bringing a piece of that to Lagos. It has a given format such as each artist coming with 20 images with each image running for 20 seconds. Basically, you have 7 minutes to inspire the crowd. I did the first Pechakucha, three months after I arrived Tokyo, where I met Mark who encouraged me to present my work. After my presentation, I was asked to handle Lagos event. I think it is really important for Lagos right now because, as Fashola is physically reconstructing the city, we need to reconstruct our minds.”
The event, which is set to be an informal visual presentation about each presenter’s passion, gives the audience a chance to speak to those presenters who have inspired them. However, PechaKucha Night Vol 1 is the first in Lagos and Nigeria, where contemporary art in all spheres unite. The show is set to showcase works of renowned artists both old and new, ranging from architects such as Papa Omotayo, James George, and Jite Brume to artists Richardson Ovbiebo and Megumi Matsubara while on fashion it will feature Gozi Ochonogor and Biki John, and film producer Zeb Ejiro. Others are graphic designer Ibukun Oyetunji; Photographers Tunde Kuboye and Abraham Oghobase, and Sound Artist Emeka Ogboh
“What I hope to do with pechakucha, is to carbonize all these people together, so art can become part of our fabric; when people come to Lagos they will say yes this is an artistic city, so creative. We are such creative people, but everybody is doing their own thing, what I want to do, is to create a forum where people can actually come and meet people. I am having 12 professional artists, both the old and new generation. I have got Zeb Ejiro, Tunde Kuboye, Richardson Ovbiebo, and Papa Omotayo and others. What I want to do is to show that art doesn’t have to be about paint and sculpture, like we are all used to. There is an architecture, graphic designer, sound artist and fashion designer among others. It is a kind of bringing Lagos to what the rest of the cities in the world are actually doing and have been doing for a long time. I hope to unite all the genre of art using Pechkucha night. I believe human beings are similar in one way or the other and that if we can actually understand ourselves, there will be actually peace and progress. I believe Nigerians with all our problems and differences are beautiful people, who can actually do something positive. We are very creative, though that creativity died in the 70s. In those days James Brown will come to Nigeria to hear Fela play or listen to Tony Allen. Now everybody thinks about oil, we need to change that; there is more to live than just oil. Everybody knows that art and riches are alive, otherwise we are just going to be working day and night for nothing. So, I believe that with this, we can make kudos steps to better ourselves.” Ochonogor added.
Speaking on special quest appearances, she disclosed, “That is still under wrap, I actually invited the Governor, because I believe that as he restructure Lagos physically, it is very important for him to be in touch with the people who would change things tomorrow. I feel that our generation is going to do it, it will take time but you have to start changing the mindset people now. He can come down and be part of it and show that he is really out to restructure Lagos, he can’t just restructure just the building because if the people are corroded they will corrode the city, so it has to go hand in hand. ”
Hosting the night would be Tamilore Kuboye with Remi Solarin as co-host. The event, which will be held from 6pm to 11pm on Friday, December 18, at the Terra Kulture Gallery, Lagos, promises to be a fantastic night.
On her fashion exhibition, which will be held on Sunday, 27 December, she says, “I have done London fashion week, I have done Paris fashion week, I have done Tokyo fashion week. I collaborated with lot of great Japanese artists. I have actually collaborated with Puma and Erickson Beamon to mention a few. I just think it is about time I bring my work home and so, basically what I am planning to do is to showcase my work to Lagos and for everybody to see my talent. It is not going to be your usual catwalk show as you will see pieces of Tokyo come out; you are going to see pieces of different cultures. I am one of the new generations of people who travel and recreate our culture, like being married to different culture. I have lived in London and Tokyo; I have travel to about 30 countries in the world and every time, I pick good stuff from that, so, you are going to see all that come out in my exhibition. ”
Gozi recently joined the list of talented international artists to be interviewed on J-Wave’s Modaista show, and played her top funkiest tunes from Nigeria. The interview brought Nigerian culture and music to millions of Japanese fans.
“I promote the Nigeria spirit in every way I can. Recently, I was on the biggest Japanese radio called Modaista. Basically, when top artist come from America to Japan, they must be interview on Modaista. I met one of the producers and he loved the concept of my brand, he said fashion design is not really going on radio, but you need to come and talk about Nigeria, tell us about the country. So, I went their and played my five favourite Nigerian artistes, which are Fela Kuti, Tony Allen, 9ice, D’banj and J. Martins (Good or Bad). I talked about Nollywood as well and a lot of people are really interested in it right now. It’s been on the airplane. A friend of mine, who lived in France came to Tokyo and was amazed, he said, “oh my God, Nollywood is really big, it is really for real.” I am just thinking that we got so many talents out there and we just need to package them. It is all about packaging and selling them out. But as things progress, we all need to progress with it and do something. I hope with my little input things could actually changed.”
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