AFWL 2013- DESIGNER FOCUS- ALL HAIL OGWA IWEZE & OFURE ADIVE OF DZYN

The brand is one of the great brands from the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja in Nigeria. Their ultimate dream is to rule the world of fashion design. And with very assured steps & doggedness they are on their way to the acme of it. 

2 very stylish & creative sisters, in the persons of Ogwa Iweze & Ofure Adive calls the shot at DZYN. And from their showcase & collection, they have signposted that Abuja is gradually taking over as the fashion capital of Nigeria. 

The DZYN collection 2013, was like the geniuses of Picasso, Monet, Matisse & Raphael combining to put out a showcase, it was that great, that divine. We haven't stopped applauding ever since. 

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AFWL 2013-DESIGNER FOCUS- DESIGN VETERAN ZIZI CARDOW SPARKLES IN LONDON

Experience can never be wished away. Knowledge they say is power, and that was what grandmaster of fashion design Zizi Cardow displayed in London at her showcase at the Africa Fashion Week London earlier this month, from August 1 to 4, 2013. 


The award winning designer of note, showed she's still very relevant in the scheme of things. We particularly love it, when a collection has cohesion and a storyline, there was a sequence from start to finish with Zizi's collection. Known for her audacity when it comes to sexiness, she boldly showcased it in her collection. Reminding all and sundry that she's a master of the game.


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AFWL 2013- DESIGNER FOCUS- ELLA & GABBY MASTERCLASS DISPLAY

Incredibly!!! This label or should we say fashion brand is only just about 2 years old. And in that short while they have shown like a thousand star, DISPLAYING CONFIDENCE with so much gusto & aplomb like veterans of many years of acclaim. So much so that even British Vogue took notice. 


This particular 2013 collection as showcased at the AFWL 2013, was sophistication unparalleled. So assured was the brand that they had a 'solo show', they were all by themselves showcasing over 30 winners. From the beginning to the ending.

This brand should be amongst the Liga of world class brands and the creative director amongst the celebrated masters of fashion design world, nestled in the temple of grace. 

Kudos Ada Mgbudem for the masterclass display. So well appreciated was the brand, that there was an encore at the Africa Arts & Fashion Banquet 2013, which was the Grand Finale of the 3 days fashion extravaganza.

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AFWL 2013 DESIGNER FOCUS- YINKA FASHOLA OF MOOFA DAZZLES WITH CLASSY COLLECTION

One of the sure bright stars of this years African Fashion Week London 2013 fashion showcase, is this incredibly talented but quiet designer from Lagos, whose showroom is in Dolphin Estate in Lagos, Nigeria. 


Her collection showed a massive dose of confidence and unbridled talent.

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AFWL 2013- DESIGNER FOCUS 2- WELCOME THE INCREDIBLY SENSATIONAL YUTEES

One of Abuja's finest and most talented came, saw and conquered with her well planned out showcase. You could see the flow of her storyline, the gorgeousness of the beat she was playing. Obviously her stars shown brightly and she was readily appreciated for her great effort.


It was a very cohesive collection, one after there was a good beginning and a great ending. It shows that the creative director has matured in leaps and bounds. 

A brand that should be far more celebrated and that would give others a run for their money in month's to come.  Pictures were by NIA ROSE.


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AFWL 2013, DESIGNER FOCUS- THULA SINDI FROM SOUTH AFRICA

The 2013 edition of the Africa Fashion Week London has come and gone. But the memories, echoes of the 3 days fashion extravaganza is still lingering. The social media has been agog with news about the showcases. It was the 3rd in the series of the annual showcase and this edition was by far the biggest. 


The Old Truman Brewery, on 91, Bricklane, in Shoreditch hosted the 3 days. Designers from everywhere were around and the place was packed full with media sorts from all over, CNN, Financial Times, Sky etc.

We would be showcasing a few of the designers that got our interest at the 3 days event. Some of who we have seen the mark of greatness on and we are sure if they continue in their strides are already on the path to 'superstardom'. 

So let's welcome the incredibly talented 'THULA SINDI' from South Africa. He is already so very well known he needs no introduction. He was one of the main highlights at the 3 days showcase. 

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SIMEOGIEME'S SIM SIMMA 2014 COLLECTION AS SHOWCASED AT THE AFWL 2014

OSIME SAIBU FLANKED BY THE FORMER MISS SEYCHELLES

We thought to showcase the full new collection by Osime Saibu of Simeogieme brand as showcased at the Africa Fashion Week London 2013 on August 4, 2013 at the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, Shoreditch, London. 

Her collection was tagged the Sim Simma Collection 2014. And she explains that it is about celebrating femininity. According to the urban dictionary, "Sim Simma" is a phrase used as a declaration or recognition of greatness by oneself or another person, an exclamation in response to anything worthy of admiration. The vision Simeogieme had with the Sim Simma Collection is to dress women in colourful, bold and beautiful pieces that emphasizes flattering attributes of the female body.
From the body fitting pieces to the maxi dresses, which cascades elegantly on a variety of female forms, the wearer will be worthy of the admiration of all... including herself.

Check it out!!!

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OSIME SAIBU IS THE LADY OF MANY PARTS BEHIND THE EMERGING FASHION BRAND- SIMEOGIEME which means 'GOD SENT ME'

MAESTRO'S MEDIA EXCLUSIVE

OSIME SAIBU OF SIMEOGIEME

 
We came across the quiet, but brilliant Osime Saibu at the just concluded Africa Fashion Week London 2013. Her designs from the emerging label - Simeogieme were quite simply- 'classic, body shape enhancing and very functional' , to us a breath of fresh air.

She got everyone's attention because prior to her showcase, she just moved around without any 'airs' and inconspicuously not wanting to draw to herself any undue attention.

But the moment the models came out one after the other, wearing her creation with much aplomb! Everyone immediately exhaled that they were seeing a 'bright star' in the making, a fashion meteorite has landed, ready to make an impact. She was one of the highlights (BRIGHT SPARKS) of the 3 days fashion extravaganza at the old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch.

We had a great interview with the Creative Director of the emerging label and it was qyite insightful. 
Interview was conducted by Abiola O. Aloba for Maestro's Media. ENJOY!!!

SIM SIMMA 2O14 COLLECTION AS SHOWN AT THE AFWL 2013

How did you come into fashion? What made you embrace it as a career path?

I have always been interested in fashion since I was a child. I believe the interest developed as a result of being around the tailors my mum hired for her tailoring business, which was established using the garage of my home in Lagos, Nigeria. I was interested to see how yards and yards of fabric could be transformed into something really elegant for women to wear, so I would always help out after school. My mum eventually taught me how to sew. I enjoyed sketching, so I would imagine different dresses and sketch them on a pad. This was a hobby at the time.

As I became an adult, my interest in fashion increased especially as I had moved to live and study in London, the fashion capital of the UK. So I bought a sewing machine and for practice, I would cut up bed sheets to make little dresses and skirts. Also, sketching designs during lunch breaks at work became a habit. My interest had become a passion, and this led me to ask Yemi Osunkoya of Kosibah if I could intern with him. He agreed.

Then I was asked to be a bride’s maid at my friend’s wedding and the bridal train had to buy a particular fabric “aso-ebi” to make dresses with for the wedding. I decided to sew my dress for the wedding myself. This was the first time I would make a dress which would be worn for an occasion. At the wedding, which was in Washington DC, I received several compliments on my dress and a few people asked to take pictures of my dress. This was a massive confidence boost for me, and that led me to establish the business.

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DAY 1- OUT & ABOUT AT THE AFRICA FASHION WEEK LONDON 2013..........

OGWE IWEZE OF DYZN & FOLUKE

PRINCESS FIFI EJINDU

DANIELLE ALLEN & STEPHANIE ADU

 

TOYIN LAWANI

Thank you Glo for your great support at helping to give a platform to those designers who might not have had the opportunity to showcase their talents. Yes! Yes!! Yes!!! Just in case you didn't know before, now you know.

The 3rd edition of the annual AFWL began on Thursday, August 1, 2013 with a bang!!!!! Venue was the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, in the Shoreditch area of East London. A district or area known for fashion and great food. It's just about 50 meters away from where the 2nd edition held the year before (2012 during the London Summer Olympics) at the Spitalfields Market Hall. 

The vision behind the AFWL is to create an affordable yet international platform for emerging designers in Africa and across the diaspora. An opportunity to help the young but very creative minds to showcase the talents before a global audience & international media. The choice of London is very strategic, in that it is one of the 4 major fashion capitals of the world. Any recognition from London, which is known for always birthing new fashion ideas & fashion designers is an assurance of a great future. 

So on Thusday, August 1, 2013 the massive hall of the Old Truman Brewery threw open her doors for exhibitors & fashion designers. On the first day, it was more of the young and the very creative emerging designers that showcased. Allowing everyone a glimpse into their future with their works. 

The show was opened by the CEO dancers and thereafter the catwalk show began. Before this, the exhibitors that dotted the whole space in the building were making brisk sales as visitors thronged in to see what was up. 

We were on hand to cover the showcase and in this post, we have for you the out & about on the first day. Loads & loads of the pictures of some of those we saw at the event. 

ENJOY!!!

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BIOLA OKOYA SHINES AT THE AFRICAN ARTS & FASHION BANQUET IN LONDON..........

BIOLA OKOYA

BIOLA OKOYA WITH FRIENDS

The gorgeous daughter of the billionaire industrialist Chief Razaq Akanni Okoya, in the person of Biola Okoya seems to be back with a bang! After hibernating all this while away from the prying eyes of the media before resurfacing at her niece's wedding a few months back looking all rested and gorgeous. We caught up with her at the Dorchester Hotel venue of the African Arts & Fashion Banquet on Sunday, August 4, 2013 looking cool & very collected. 


Apparently she was one of the pillars of support that made the event a glorious success. She is one of the AFWL 2013 Goodwill Ambassador, so she was involved from the word go with the planning & execution and the delivery of a great event. 

So we say kudos to her & welcome back to social platform. We have really missed you. She had on this beautiful lace ensemble at the event and was up & about moving graciously as she welcomed guests.

GLOBACOM ANNOUNCED AS THE OFFICIAL AFRICA TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPONSOR AFWL 2013

London, 15 July 2013

The organisers of Africa Fashion Week London are delighted to announce Globacom Limited as the official African telecommunications sponsor for the third edition of Africa Fashion Week London scheduled for 1-3 August 2013 at Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch.

Also the official sponsors for African Arts and Fashion Banquet fundraiser gala presented by AFWL at The Dorchester in support of emerging African designers, Globacom, as Nigeria’s national telecom operator, has consistently brought innovation, quality service delivery and unequalled benefits to its subscribers. Since its inception in 2003, the company has grown to become a major player in the African telecom industry.

Currently, Glo remains a giant in the telecoms sector with over 35 million subscribers in Africa, including multinational corporations, decision makers in the public and private sectors, students, artisans and rural dwellers who are connected to our network who enjoy access to high quality products and affordable telecom services.

Globacom is also a leading brand in the promotion of African arts and culture through its outstanding support and sponsorship of the creative, literary and the performing arts with support for leading Nollywood actors and actresses, music stars and comedians across the continent as well as its commitment to the discovery and nurturing of young talents through sponsorship of reality shows such as the ongoing Glo X-Factor which offers a top prize of $150,000 USD and a recording contract to the winner of the show.

“In line with our commitment to the promotion and sustenance of African arts and culture as well as our tradition, we have now teamed up with The African Fashion Week towards celebrating our unique and diverse African cultural heritage through fashion,” said Globacom chairman Dr. Mike Adenuga JR (GCON).

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AFRICA FASHION WEEK LONDON PARTNERS WITH OHTV

The organisers of Africa Fashion Week London are pleased to announce media partnership with OH TV in the run up to the third edition of AFWL scheduled for 1-3 August 2013 at Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch a success.

Africa Fashion Week London is the largest African fashion exhibition outside of the continent, providing a global platform for emerging and established designers alike. Since its debut in August 2011, AFWL has become a key platform for capturing the surge of the African inspired trends in the fashion industry.

OH TV will film this year’s event and key highlights in the new season a popular flagship show ‘Out and About With Lola’. OH TV is an international TV network providing contemporary entertainment, available via Sky Channel 199. The OH TV Network delivers family friendly, ethical programming that is innovative, authentic, diverse and inspirational. 

“African fashion is clearly making its mark in the fashion industry. OH TV is always proud to partner with events such as Africa Fashion Week London that celebrates some of Africa’s finest. We are particularly excited about this year’s event as AFWL continues to be a leading event on the African fashion calendar,” Vidal Juba, OH TV Channel Manager and Head of Production said of the partnership.

“We are delighted to have OH TV as our one of our official media partners for yet another year. As doubtless fashion and entertainment go hand in hand, we hope that this partnership introduces the event to a broader audience both in the run up to and after the event,” said Ronke Ademiluyi, the founder and CEO of AFWL.

With Mrs. Fifi Ejindu, the Nigeria-based architect and businesswoman and Yinka Shonibare MBE, the London-based globally celebrated Nigerian fine artist as patrons, this year's event will see over 100 African designers and exhibitors showcasing their designs at the event expected over 20,000 people to attend the event over the course of the three days.

For more information visit: www.africafashionweeklondon.com 

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“I have never been a full glam sexy diva”

– Eva Alordiah on edgy style, her darker side, feeling too sexy and her fun Studio 29 shoot

 Ahead of its 14 April launch opening its doors, Studio 29 had a fun-filled shoot at its Opebi boutique with none other than the delightful Nigerian rapper Eva Alordiah modelling just a few of the looks available to purchase at the first concession boutique by Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL), the biggest African fashion extravaganza outside of Africa creating a platform for established and emerging African and African inspired designers.

In an exclusive shoot by the Studio 29 creative team, Eva Alordiah looked every inch a style diva in limited edition pieces from AsakeOge and Yutees, just two of the labels available at Studio 29.

Here she talks to us about music, style and what went down at Studio 29 to bring us these fun, flirty images.

How did you get involved with the Studio 29 shoot? 

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Menaye Donkor Muntari Returns as Africa Fashion Week London Ambassador in 2013

 Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) organisers are delighted to welcome back Menaye Donkor, model, philanthropist and champion of African fashion, as AFWL 2013 Ambassador for the third edition of the fashion event taking place from 1st to 3rd August, 2013.

Africa Fashion Week London 2013 will see over 100 African designers and exhibitors showcasing their designs at the event, taking place in the impressive Truman Brewery space, just off Brick Lane. This years’ AFWL is set to be bigger and better than ever, and will be the largest fashion event in Europe dedicated to African and African-inspired fashion. Organisers are expecting over 25,000 people to attend the event over the course of the three days.

Menaye, who made her debut as AFWL Ambassador at last year’s event, won the Miss Universe Ghana pageant back in 2004. She has since used her international profile to back many causes close to her heart, including supporting talent from the world of fashion in her home country of Ghana and throughout Africa.

Throughout her own modelling career, Menaye has walked catwalks and featured in magazines from North America, Europe and Africa, including in publications such as Vogue, Vanity Fair and Maxim. She continues to use her attendance at high profile events around the world to champion designs both inspired by and made in Africa.  

On her appointment as AFWL Ambassador 2013, Menaye said:

“I am so excited to be chosen as an ambassador for the African Fashion Week London for a second year running and know that it will be the biggest and brightest showcase of the beautiful fashion from our continent to date! Fashion has given us all the opportunity to share our different cultures and styles with the rest of the world and this year I am looking forward to seeing bold and original designs that really define the spirit and creativity of Africa.”

Menaye, who is married to AC Milan and Ghana Black Stars footballer, Sulley Muntari, also runs the Menaye Charity Organisation which provides hundreds of children in her native Ghana with access to free, quality education. Both Sulley and Menaye also support several other education, arts and sports programmes throughout Ghana, the UK and Italy.

Ronke Ademiluyi, the founder and CEO of AFWL welcomed Menaye Donkor Muntari back to AFWL with these words:

“We are delighted to welcome back Menaye as an ambassador for AFWL 2013. Not only a glamorous role model for young African women, Menaye is also a proud champion of African fashion and an inspiration philanthropist. We truly appreciate having her as an ambassador for the second year running and look forward to working with her towards the success of our event.”

Menaye Donkor Muntari will be working closely with Regina Manneh, The Face of Africa Fashion Week London 2013, ahead of the event With Mrs. Fifi Ejindu, the Nigeria-based architect and businesswoman and Yinka Shonibare MBE, the London-based globally celebrated Nigerian fine artist as patrons, this year's event once again promises to be a huge success.

With still a few spaces left for runway and exhibition space, Africa Fashion Week London 2013 is accepting applications from designers who wish to showcase on the runway and/or exhibit their merchandise over the three-day exhibition.

Africa Fashion Week London Set to Return in August 2013, Fifi Ejindu and Yinka Shonibare MBE Named as Patrons - Now Accepting Designer Applications

 The third edition of Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) returns on 3-5th August 2012. Following the unprecedented success of their sophomore event in August 2012, in a bid to grow bigger, AFWL has not only expanded to three days but also moved to a bigger venue, Old Truman Brewery F Block, a recently redeveloped and formidable warehouse in hip and happening Shoreditch.

This year's event is set to see 100 designers on the runway and over 100 exhibitors spread across Old Truman Brewery’s massive indoor space. Once again, Africa Fashion Week London is set to be the biggest fashion event across Europe showcasing African and African-inspired fashion.

As well as these changes, another important change for Africa Fashion Week London comes in the form of two patrons this year, Mrs. Fifi Ejindu, the Nigeria-based architect and businesswoman and Yinka Shonibare MBE, the London-based globally celebrated Nigerian fine artist were announced as the female and male patrons for next year by CEO and founder of AFWL Ronke Ademiluyi on Tuesday, 4 December at the press preview of Studio 29, the first Africa Fashion Week London concession boutique soon to open in Lagos.

“As the AFWL team we are excited about the third edition of the event due to hold next August at the Old Truman Brewery and to have such highly renowned male and female patrons who are both hugely successful in their fields and both supporters of African fashion lending us their support for 2013. You can expect Africa Fashion Week London 2013 to be a much bigger fashion affair than both the debut and sophomore editions ” said Ronke Ademiluyi, CEO and founder of Africa Fashion Week London. 

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