THE BATTLE OF THE 'G' HOTS UP!

Which of the 2 brands can truly lay claim to owning the rights to the 'G' would soon be determined by the law court. The battle to claim the 'G' between Gucci and Guess is now the subject of a lawsuit, filed by Gucci. The top Italian brand, which is one of the top brands owned by PPR, a holding company owned by French Billionaire- Francois-Henri Pinault, who is the husband of top actress- Salma Hayek, has claimed in their lawsuit, that Guess is deliberately engaging in a massive and complicated move, to knock off Gucci's best known and Iconic designs.

The claim, which Gucci filed in a suit since 2009 at a New York Federal court, claims that the Los Angeles based fashion brand (Guess) infringed on its trademarks by imitating 4 specific Gucci signatures, ‘which are’ - The brand name delicate script font, the green & red stripe, the square 'G' & the interlocking 'G' pattern.

According to Gucci, the rival brand- Guess has profited to the tune of $221 Million dollars worth of goods sold featuring these trademarks infringement.

But according to Guess, the LA based fashion brand has never tried to be like Gucci, Guess even went on to claim that of the 1,495 Guess products accused by Gucci of trademark infringements, 99% of them could not be confused with Gucci.

This would not be the 1st case of trademark infringements between rival brands, 2 cases that readily comes to mind, was that between Polo Ralph Lauren and US Polo Association, over the right to use horseman logo and that between Christian Louboutin and Yves Saint Laurent over the use of the red sole on shoes by the latter.

PRINCEWILL ​CONGRATULA​TES AND CHALLENGES ALH BAMANGA TUKUR ON RECREATING A "NEW" PDP

With the election of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur (CON) President of African Business Roundtable and one of the founding fathers / foundation members of Board of Trustees of PDP as the new National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill the erstwhile gubernatorial candidate during the 2007 general elections in Rivers State and chieftain of PDP in Rivers state has expressed happiness on the rancour-free conduct of the last National Convention of the party in Abuja particularly as it related to the emergence of Bamanga Tukur as the new helmsman of the party.

Princewill proffered a two point agenda for the new leadership of the party –
1. Taking the party back to the people by entrenching internal democracy. And
2. Making the party an ideology based one so as to distinguish it from others and give it an identity.

With the antecedents, pedigree and enviable past feats of Tukur coupled with seasoned members of the new National Working Committee like Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola,former governor of Osun as the new national secretary of the party, Chief OlisaMetuh, former Deputy National Chairman South-East as the new national publicity secretary, Dr Sam Jajah, National Vice Chairman South-South,  Onwe Onwe as the Deputy National Secretary; Senator Kema Chikwe,National Women Leader; Okechukwu Nnadozie, Deputy National Organizaing Secretary; Claudius Emekise, Deputy National Treasurer; Victor Pam, National Legal Adviser; Binta Machika, Deputy National Publicity Secretary I am more convinced that the party will be repositioned for the greater challenges ahead of her, Princewill enthused.

Princewill challenged the new leadership of the party to discourage any undemocratic steps in the party like imposition and hijacking of the party decision making organ by few individuals in the party, the party must be taken back to the ‘people ‘who are truly the owners of the party than the idea of few people staying at a place and dictating who becomes what in the party. As a party, we are popular, truly national and effectively the custodians of democracy in Nigeria but we should not be complacent into thinking we are untouchable or we are above reproach. The opposition has learnt lessons and so I believe the challenges ahead will be different. Only with the people on your side can we confront them. We must remember this. Remember Jega is working and the playground ahead even if it is not straight, will be more level.

ODION MIMONET ROCKED AT AMFW 2012

This brand was one of the major highlights of the ARISE MAGAZINE FASHION WEEK 2012. We had expected so much from some particular usual suspects, but we were a bit disappointed by what we finally saw after all the hype. But with Odion Mimonet we knew from the word go, that something worth seeing was going to be on showcase, and we weren't disappointed at all.

No wonder the brand won the award- Innovative Designer of the year. The fabrics used in the collection were rich and beautiful. The cuts were fantastic and the finishing world class.

Check out the collection. All the pictures were taken by MM.

AMFW 2012- OUT & ABOUT PART 4

BANKE BALOGUN & IFEOMA WILLIAMS

LIL' MISS ASIKA DOING THE RED CARPET

We bring to you the 4th installment in our Out and about series, all the happenings/happenstances at the weeklong event. It's a showcase of the fashionistas, the aspiring fashionistas, the backstage groove, the show-offs on the red carpet, some pictures of those at the front-row of the main fashion showcase etc.

On this day, we saw the likes of the first lady of Lagos State- Dame Abimbola Fashola, ex-Miss World Agbani Darego, Esosa Anenih, top Abuja based designer-Ogwa Iweze, Africa's pride and gorgeous actress- Genevieve Nnaji, Wonu Odunsi & her ‘besto’ Isoken Ogiemwonye, Jumai Shaba, top management executive at ZenithBank- Bukky Latunji, another Africa's pride Alek Wek, Ifeoma Williams & her 'besto' Banke Balogun, the ever stylish Dr. Vivian Oputa who rocked a beautiful Ituen Basi's ensemble, we also saw Dr. Sid of the Mo' Hits, but the best of the best for the day was our picture of little Miss Asika, the gorgeous model to be, did the red-carpet like a pro, to our delight.

Like we always love to do, we try to keep you titillated, this is the 2nd to the last of the Out & About series, and thereafter we would upload, some of the designers showcase that we were impressed with. We have decided to follow, the sayings of the sages- ''that many are called, but few were chosen'' so our choice of designers to showcase, is purely our choice, no more no less.

It was on this 4th day that 3 out of the award winners showcased- Maki Oh- Designer of the Year, an award she shared with KLuk CGDT, Odion Mimonet- Innovative Designer of the Year, which she shared with David David and Tsemaye Binitie- Womenswear Designer of the Year, other designers that showcased were- Adama Paris, Amine, Clan, Ejiro Amos Tafiri, Iconic Invanity, Jacob Kimmie, Karolyne Ashley, Kinabuti, Laurence Airline, PPQ, Prajje 1983, Tiffany Amber & Zooni.

ESOSA ANENIH

ODION MIMONET & EX MISS WORLD AGBANI DAREGO IN ODION

TAOFIQ OKOYA

DR. VIVIAN OPUTA

THE GORGEOUS MRS. SOUZA & HER ADORABLE DUGHTER MISS. SOUZA

GENNIE FROM THE BLOCK, EVERLY DELICIOUS LOOKING!

HER NUDE SHOES

ALL HAIL THE MARC JACOBS'S CINDERELLA TRANSPARENT PUMPS

Waoh!! Designers would never rest until they are able to get at all our hard-earned salaries or money. See what Marc Jacobs the American Designer who is the head designer at Louis Vuitton has just released. The shoes were released on his own label.

It's his take on the Cinderella glass slippers, which was made very popular in that Cinderella fairy-tale of many years back. Only that his version is a transparent pumps made from PVC & Lucite, this is one pair of shoe that is sure to get the attention of that prince charming. And it's available online at La Garconne, a New York based online website.

Our take on the transparent pump is this, to wear one, the feet must look its best, well manicured nails, no bunions etc and thank God it's not expensive. Just $595 Dollars, in Naira at #160 to a dollar, comes to #95,200 Naira only.

AMFW 2012- OUT & ABOUT ON DAY 3

We are not yet done with the Arise Magazine Fashion week 2012, which held at the beginning of the month at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island. This is would be the 3rd installment in the series tagged- Out and About. There are 5 installments altogether, which chronicled the daily happenings/happenstances at the weeklong event. Apart from the fashion showcase by many of the designers that came in from all over Africa, supporting some of the home based Nigerian designers and some of their counterparts living and plying their trades outside Nigeria. There were also fashionistas from everywhere, who had converged at the venue.

The out and about series is a showcase of some of these fashionistas that we saw around the venue, either strutting their stuffs on the red carpet, or even inside the tents, or at the lobby or reception area of the hotel. Many were a waoh! Which is to be expected, and some were just downright outrageous. But that's how fashion weeks are so supposed to be like, a mixture of the good, the bad and the ugly. We are hoping that like always, you will enjoy our effort. After this showcase, we will bring to you the 4th and the final installments and some of the designers’ showcase that caught our eyes.

YOUNG MISS SAGOE, WHO IS TAKNG AFTER HER MOM- SHE RUNS CLAN

ONE OF THE FOREIGN MODELS AT THE AMFW 2012

EXTRAORDINARILY GORGEOUS- OJY OKPE WEARING A CAVALI LONG SKIRT

NOBLE IGWE OF 360 NOBS

ADORABLE LATASHA NGWUBE, WHO CLEARLY EPITOMISES- BIG,BEAUTIFUL & BRAINY

UTI & CHINKO

WE FEL IN LOVE WITH  BRAIDS & EYE WEAR

MILLEN 1

MILLEN 2

JELLY SANDALS SEEMS TO BE COMING BACK

KRIS & KIM'S DIVORCE LATEST- EX-HUSBAND DEMANDS $7million TO KEEP MOUTH SHUT!

Their unnecessary shenanigan had lasted all of 72 days, before the duo realised they weren't meant for each other and decided to go their different ways. Now we hear as part of the divorce settlement, the former husband, who seem not to have liked how he has been portrayed by the Kardashian clan, has demanded a whopping $7Million crisp dollars, to have his mouth zipped.

If the amount is not agreed on, then he could spill the beans and most probably get paid for it.

By the calculation-$7Million for 72 days means that, Kim Kardashian would pay Kris Humphries $92,222.22 per day or better still $4,050.92 per hour for all the good times. If it's that easy to make money in the US, then we don't mind taking on Kim for 200 days, it's not just going to be the money at the end of the day, but so much more. We leave that to your dirty minds, to think about. Wink! Wink!!!!

KRIS & KIM WHEN THE GOING WAS GOOD

RIRI ON FIRE! CHECK OUT HER SKYHIGH SEA.NN GIRL 100 MM LOUBOUTIN BOOTS

Simply put, she’s the queen of ‘notice me’. We think she was created to always have that effect, it's either she's just done a new tattoo, or her outfit is so glam that people exclaim in admiration, or the outfit so racy or overly sexy, that one is wondering what's the heck going on in her mind. Also, the past few years have been extraordinary for her concerning her music career. Playing to exceptionally large and appreciative audiences round the world on her packed out tour dates. She just simply loves having the fun of her life, including having a puff or 2 on her ganja stick, quite openly.

We just love her, wearing her Christian Louboutin thigh high boots, with a black leather jacket and a flame emblazoned t-shirt, really looking like a rock goddess.

The boot is called the Sea.NN Girl 100mm, and according to Louboutin, it is for the fashionista on a mission. It's a multi-functional boot (it has a space for everything), imagine a credit card slot on the inner thigh, and also where you can hang the pen(s).  Comes only in Black leather, with heel height- 3.9 inches-100 approximately. It only goes for 3,795 US Dollars. And it's available from sizes  US 4 to 12.

BANKY W GETS COCA COLA DEAL!

We all know him as the face of Samsung and to an extent, a voice for Hennessy lovers, but it appears prolific singer, MC, songwriter, producer, writer and Chairman of Empire Mates Entertainment, Banky W is not going to stop at just that.

Last month, the R&B power house made an appearance on our screens and billboards as the new face of Coca cola Open and Win campaign.

Mr. Wellington was signed for an undisclosed figure for a period of three months, but it sure looks like a good deal.

“It feels really good when world-class brands see your image and products, and are willing to tie into that and partner with you. It’s an honor to be chosen, and at EME, we can only expect greater things by God’s grace.” Banky W told newsmen in Lagos last week before heading to the United States where his protégé Wizkid will be making major media appearances.

For two years, Banky W took the back seat - preparing, grooming and moulding Wizkid for global stardom. But the label Boss is finally ready to combine his job as a mentor to Wizkid and Skales with working persistently on his forthcoming third album “R&BW”.

Wellington is seen as a major inspiration and is of strong relevance to young Nigerians and Africans around the world; regularly connecting with them through social media, sold-out concerts, advocacy activities, newspaper articles, and media appearances. Little wonder he's a first choice for corporate, media and creative organizations looking to further penetrate the youth segment.

Speaking on why Banky W was chosen to front this campaign, Toyin Nnodi, Brand Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, says “Banky W’s music has put so much happiness into the hearts and home of Nigerians. His positive energy and cool attitude are attributes that the Coca-Cola brand readily identifies with. We are happy to have him assist us in putting big smiles on our consumers’ faces”

Banky W and Wizkid only recently joined MasterKraft, L-Tido and Bon'eye to produce and release a track and a video for MTV Base and the MTV Staying Alive Foundation drama series “Shuga”.  Both acts made cameo appearances in the TV drama alongside Nairobi-based Nigerian Ikubese Emmanuel (a.k.a. 9con) and Kenyan singer Avril.

Banky W has in the past endorsed a number of successful corporate marketing campaigns. He has produced, co-produced and featured in prominent projects like Etisalat’s 0809ja Launch, CocaCola-Nigeria’s World Cup Waving Flag Theme Song Remix, Tom Tom Ad campaigns, Microsoft’s Anti-Cyber Crime Initiative etc.

“There are other groundbreaking deals in the pipeline, please stay tuned,” The musician tells us, even though he won’t disclose details for now.

Born in the United States to Nigerian parents, Banky W moved to Nigeria at the tender age of 5, getting access for the first time to the traditional African music and rhythms which formed the basis for hits like Lagos Party, Low key, Setting P and Strong Ting.  Using his everyday struggles and experiences as a source of inspiration for his music, Banky has gained an army of followers around the world thanks to his heartfelt lyrics, larger-than-life presence, charming personality and mesmerizing live shows.

With an ultra-smooth voice, good writing and production prowess, uncanny showmanship, and A&R wizardry, Banky W was immediately catapulted into the contemporary music spotlight in 2008.

He has over the years grown to become Nigeria’s leading R&B singer-songwriter, talent spotter and A&R genius; winning along the way, numerous awards including the Urban Independent Music Award for R&B/Soul, Hiphopworld Awards, Channel O Awards, and the highly coveted song writing award from the John Lennon Foundation among others.