Iconic Invanity at MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2012

Iconic Invanity presented their collection at the MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week called Luxury

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All About Fashion! The October Issue of Zen Magazine

If you follow the fast-paced world of African fashion, you would know this month is a fashion month as Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa are bubbling with a host of fabulous events. In Order for all these stories to be told, we had to ensure that the whole issue was packed with top fashion stories, trends and the perfect fall look. This digital issue will feature editorials from fashion brands like Fee Uhssi, ModChic, Choolips and our fashion Spotlight on the Top 5 Fall Looks from Celebrity Stylist and Photographer Leticia. Our travel Editor takes you through the top 5 resorts and spas in Africa and we have footage from the FTV Party in Lagos, Ghana Fashion and Design Week and Mercedes Fashion Week. The world is truly blessed and we are humbled to be a door opening you to Africa. One of the things that makes the world wide web exciting is interaction. If you truly get to read this message and study the art behind the work put into the cover, please take a minute to comment on it. Say how you feel, be free, if you like what you see then buy some of the pieces. Please be part of the experience and don’t be idle, Zen is all about inner peace and

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Dreams Do Come True: OYATO LIVE AT NYFW

Last Saturday was a good day! Plenty of people gathered at Select Space NYC [photographed below] located on 39th street and 8th avenue in New York City’s garment district to witness the unveiling of VINTAGE POP PRINT™ Spring/Summer 2013 Collection. A collection I’ve been working on since the beginning of this year and it felt damn good to finally show what I’ve been holding onto for so long.

The event was definitely one to remember even though I spent half the time in the back getting models dressed and ready. I wasn’t alone though, thank God! I had the help of my team, the OYATO Artistry Team that helped with everything from makeup, hair, styling, bartending, making alterations, serving food, managing the door/crowd/music… and yes the list literally goes on so please believe I was grateful to have them there!

Thanks to our sponsors we kept our guests happy with Cakes by Violet cupcakes and treats then we also had gift bags stuffed with magazines, goodies and exclusive gift cards courtesy of Milani Cosmetics, Anouska Leigh, OVA Boutique and MAYVENPR

The collection was well received from our audience and I couldn’t be any happier. Like Erykah Badu said, “I’m an artist and I’m sensitive about my sh*t!” I never understand that line till that day! I’ve toiled over this line, the inspiration, the concept and look of it to point where I doubted it. But I told myself, “this is my work and as long as I love it, who cares what anybody thinks.”

VINTAGE POP PRINT™ was inspired by the trends that reigned in the 1960’s and 1970’s. My lack of cable television forced me to get familiar with the phenomenon also known as NETFLIX and because I am a sap for old films, I simply indulged in them. Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Seven Year Itch, Black Girl, Orfeu Negro [The Black Orpheus], Sabrina, Foxy Brown and all past four seasons of Mad Men, I was overwhelmed with images of men [and most especially] women dressed to the nines! You see, the reality of it was that “dressing up” was an everyday thing for them not something they did once in a blue moon. Women took time to dress and clothed themselves in styles that flattered them. VINTAGE POP PRINT™ pays homage to that woman that took pride in her appearance. In true OYATO fashion, I added colors and a print that are striking at a first glance. You’ve got to adore the flash of red, the pop of mustard yellow and the explosion of the damask print all manipulated into designs that ultimately speak volumes. Just call this line a new interpretation of an old trend, the OYATO interpretation. Every day I’m brought closer to my dream of “making it” in the fashion industry as a designer. This event was another accomplishment I’ll add to my list and trust me I’m just getting started. For some, the sky is the limit but for others the sky is only the beginning. Till next time… Deuces!

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StyleMania presents its Fashion Label Tour! An Amazing Opportunity for Up-Coming Designers to Showcase Their Work

One of Nigeria’s leading fashion and lifestyle magazine StyleMania will be touring studios of fashion brands that are willing to showcase their collections to their editorial team in support of upcoming designers. The visit will involve a presentation of a current collection as well sketches by the designer. Interested designers and fashion houses should send an E-mail to editor@maniamag.org with your full names, address and a contact phone number.

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So Why Is MBGN Winner Isabella Ayuk Really Not Representing Nigeria At Miss World?

On a good day in the ideal world, the winner of the Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria goes on to represent Nigeria at the Miss World Pageant that same year. So how come this year as opposed to Isabella Ayuk representing Nigerian, the first runner up Damiete Charles-Granville will be heading to Mongolia, China for Miss World? The first bit of information revealed was that Isabella could not go because of personal reasons, but she was not dethroned and will continue to hold the crown of MBGN, and in addition represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe in December. But later on rumors surfaced that Isabella Ayuk had indeed been disqualified because she had lied about her age and her real age would disqualify here from Miss World by exceeding the age limit of 26. Silverbird management represented by Guy Murray Bruce have released a statement stating “The management of Silverbird, organisers of the annual Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria and Africa’s longest running beauty pageant will be sending MBGN First Runner up, Miss Damiette Charles Granville, to represent the country at the Miss World pageant holding in Mongolia, China in August. MBGN winner, Miss Isabella Agbo Ayuk will represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe” Whatever the case is, it has turned out to be a very interesting and somewhat embarrassing series of events for the organizers, and silverbird management.

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Music Artist Mya To design For African Clothing Brand Koshie O.

American music artist Mya is set to design pieces for the next collection of African brand Koshie O. as part of “The Koshie O. Woman” campaign. ”The Koshie O. Woman” campaign is a progressive initiative that celebrates strong, confident and bold women who are able to juggle various day-to day tasks while staying fashionable and stylish. 
Mya is a Koshie O. woman and will co-design and name pieces for the Koshie O. Spring /Summer 2013 collection in support of the campaign. Nina Baksmaty, founder and Creative director of Koshie O. says,” The whole Koshie O.

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Russell Brand praises ‘highly attractive’ Kim Kardashian

Russell Brand thinks Kim Kardashian is a “highly attractive human being.” The comedy actor – who split from wife Katy Perry in December last year and has been linked to a number of beautiful women since – admitted he likes the reality TV star’s body, and thinks she and boyfriend Kanye West make a great couple. He told E! news: “I think that that is beautiful that they are together; they are beautiful people. “Kim Kardashian, I don’t know her but judging from her physical form, she’s a highly attractive human being.” Kim and Kanye have not been dating very long, but their relationship is moving fast, with them putting their respective houses up for sale this week, prompting speculation they are moving in together. A source said: “They are preparing to move in together, it’s moving that quickly. If things continue at the speed they’re going, Kim and Kanye will rent a new house together. “They wouldn’t buy yet. They just want to live together without being fully domestic until they’re ready to have a family.” Kim’s divorce from second husband Kris Humphries – who she split from last October after just 72 days of marriage – also moved along today (01.06.12), with a divorce deposition date set for the end of June. Kim and Kris will face questions from each other’s lawyers in the deposition interviews, after which the divorce will be referred to a court. Kim is reportedly not happy about answering questions for the deposition, particularly about a $325,000 Ferrari – allegedly given as a wedding gift by a Malaysian businessman – which she is said to have kept after her split from Kris. A source told RadarOnline: “Kim is just livid that she has to be deposed She has tried to get out of it, but there is no way she can.”

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Eva 2.0

As it was announced two days ago that Eva got signed to Trybe records 2.0. Here are some pictures taken by Yomi Black, and styled by House of Malik. Is the First Lady not beautiful? If you ask me, she look stunning.

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Trey Songz & Kelly Rowland Cover EBONY Magazine

Trey Songz and friend Kelly Rowland cover the July issue/second Sexy issue of EBONY magazine which hits news stands on June 15. Kelly recently played the female lead in Trigga’s latest video ‘Heart Attack‘.

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Totalwrap Fashion Diary

It’s no longer a fad for any Diva to shop or trend clothes without getting her personality interpreted and this is why the Totalwrap store is the place to be for an up-to-date and top vogue style personalizing. We do not stop there; because we have adopted interpreting personality as our business and placed on the highest priority ladder, Totalwraponline.com further expresses our zeal. On the blog, latest style tips, trends, vogue on celebrities and fashionistas are regularly updated as these will help Divas maintain a clean track on fashion with ease and express their style sense like never before. As we are always abreast of fashionable happenings around the world, Totalwrap has established a trendy and vogue courtship with haute couture fashion brands such as Guiseppe Zanotti which are available in the heelless style like yellow, black and nude. We know that there are few things which can beat a Herve Ledger dress because bandage style knows how to exude one of the most high fashion tastes ensembles can give. The list is endless; River Island, Marc by Marc Jacobs, H&M, Top Shop, Yves Saint Laurent, Bershka, Versace for H&M and many more in clothes and real fashion pieces at their best, are what we have on our shelves. Totalwrap is simply the spot to court. Since we don’t have the word limitation in our diary, our collections cut across fabulous colours of yellow, pink, red, black, blue, green to graceful shades of nude, vibrance and vintage jewelleries and elegant accessories such as Bershka see through purses, Moschino belts, YSL handbags completed with over-the-top stunning shoes from Giuseppe Zanotti, Moschino,Betsey Johnson, Gianmarco Lorenzi, Christian Louboutin and topped with variety of styles like suede, patent leather, studded daffodils to more. The necklaces are not the everyday run-of-the-mill pieces; they come in vintage qualities and top designers like Forever 21, River Island, Top Shop with unusual neon colour extras. Our jewelleries are statement-filled and colour-present from necklaces, bangles, rings, chains e.t.c. The styles have fashion attitudes to offer, we have the wrap dresses, bandage dresses, fab skirts, prints, lovely maxi dresses, disco pants to chic blouses and tops e.t. c. At Totalwrap, fashion is an experience and we will be glad to go through all the way with you. Helping you to personalize fashion and create your Spot with Style because Fashion is our business. Visit us today and let’s discover the real deal behind interpreting your personality

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Nigeria’s Miss World 2001 Agbani Darego Graduates From NYU

She won the Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria crown in 2001, and also went on to win Miss World that same year but that didn’t stop her from going back to school and grabbing a degree in Psychology from the prestigious New York University. Big congratulations to her as it cant be easy balancing her career

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African designers showcase at the London fashion week

London Fashion Week has come and gone and the African designers didn’t fail to impress the audience. Here are some pictures from some of the designers:

Ayo Van Elmar:

Prints, Stripes and Geometric patterns at Ayo Van Elmar’s show; an interesting array of dress coats which appeared to have to been made out of traditional West African fabrics, the marrying of alternate prints was fascinating, daring color choices considering it was assembled for the A/W season. In all, a very modern and feminine collection!

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CEO of AGU Couture Emeka Chukwu Graces Zen Magazine

This March is all about fashion for us! African fashion is definitely a force in the fashion world where the European & America brands have reigned supreme. There were times when all we could think about were Gucci, D&G, JPG & many others but now we have ours to embrace like Tiffany Amber, Klux CGDT, Deola Sagoe & many more awesome brands. In such an amazing world, African fashion is at that level where we can compete & embrace all fashions as equals worldwide. Gracing our cover this March is an exceptionally good-looking, talented & part of Africa’s creative era who are making us proud globally. His sense of style is smooth, persuasive, & vibrantly catching – We are talking about the CEO of AGU Couture Emeka Chukwu. AGU is a High End Fashion & Jewellery Collection run by two brothers ‘Emeka & Theodore’. The whole idea behind AGU is providing clients top quality costume pieces for all occasions. Inside this issue, we got editorials on Arise Magazine Fashion Week, African beads with Almaz Ohene, The Lingerie Addict, and two of our favourite holiday destinations this month ‘The Victoria Falls Along the Border of Zambia & Zimbabwe’ & Experience Jazz at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. With music features from South African musicians Mi-Casa & Sphum, Nigerian musicians Flavour & Seun Kuti &, Ghanaian artists Ruff n Smooth.

Styled by Emeka Chukwu
Photography by Enrique Ortiz

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