On the 24^th of January 2011, African & Black American Fashion Models who paved the way were honored at a Luncheon reuniting the Models of Versailles 1973. A transforming event that happened in Paris, showing Models of Colour on the Runway at a “Fashion Show-off” organized by Americans “to raise money for the restoration of Versailles, five American upstarts were invited to show their clothes alongside an equal number of what some journalists termed the “lions” of French fashion. The New York contenders were a decidedly motley lot: the gifted and imperious Halston; the industry stalwarts Oscar de la Renta and Bill Blass; Anne Klein, the sportswear pioneer; Stephen Burrows, a relative unknown then being touted as the future of American design. The French team, if that is the word for a collection of arch-rivals, comprised Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior (the label was designed at the time by Marc Bohan), Hubert de Givenchy, Emanuel Ungaro and Pierre Cardin.” – NYTimes.

38 years after, the models are still as Gorgeous at their Reunion with colleagues & Friends:

Aminate Warsuma & Iman:

Liya Kebede in LemLem (Her Clothing Line):

And more Fashion Stakeholders:

Tags: Aminata Warsuma, Iman, Liya Kebede, liya kebede clothing line, Met, Versailles 1973, versailles ball 1973

It’s no news it’s awards season, but, this weekend 29th & 30^th of January 2011 we got an  overdose of awards across continents! AH – Mazing!

It started off with the J&B MET – The Larger than Life Horse Racing Event in South Africa, then, The Future Awards – Nigeria’s biggest youth event, celebrating young Nigerians making a difference, and in LA, the Screen Actors Guild awards.

From the Golden Globes, we already knew Fashionistas alter egos were out, and were not holding back, and whilst they failed to dissappoint  here’s what we #Twatched on twitter:

Natalie Portman in Azzaro at the Screen Actors Guild:

Georgina “Eku” Edewor in Bridget Awosika at The Future Awards:

Toni Tones in Bridget Awosika at The Future Awards:

Bonang Mathemba in Gert – Johan Coetzee at The J&B MET:

Omowunmi Akinnifesi in House of Nwocha at The Future Awards:

Katrina Bowden in Max Azria at The Screen Actors Guild Awards:

Genevieve Nnaji in Meena at The Future Awards:

Julianna Margulies in Yves Saint Laurent at The Screen Actors Guild Awards:

Tags: African fashion, Azzaro, biography of eku edewor, Bridget Awosika, eku edewor and twin sister, eku edewor bio, eku edewor biography, eku twin, geogina edewor 2013, georgina edewor, georgina edewor 2013, Georgina Eku Edewor, Gert-Johan Coetzee, Gevenieve Nnaji, House of Nwocha, j&b fashion week 2013, J&B Met, j&b met 2013, j&b met fashion 2013, j&b met in spring, j&b.fashion.2013/, Julianna Margulies, Katrina Bowden, Max Azria, Meena, meena nigeria, Nigerian Fashion, Red Carpet, Screen Actors Guild Awards, The Future Awards, Yves Saint Laurent

{Cover of Issue 2 Pop’Africana Magazine}

Pop’Africana Magazine known not just to be another African Magazine, prides itself in knowing it’s focal point and being able to express any African Fashion or Art lover’s imagination in print. Pop’Africana‘s very first Issue was launched last year and this created a Mega Buzz; the most gripping effect this ”African Book of Style” dished out was the Haute-Couture meet Edgy which you’d have to most likely drive under the sea these days to find in any regular African Magazine. The second issue (Limited Edition) spotlights on the gorgeous Ajak Deng and special content from Nigerian-based designer Maki Oh, Olufemi Terry, Marcus Samuelsson, Nigerian-Born, NewYork and London Based Designer Duro Olowu and a few others.

Blonde Wig + Ajak Deng

Editor-in-Chief of Pop’Africana Magazine - Oroma Elewa {Nigerian-born Designer turned Photographer}, Muse for Maki Oh (Nigerian-based Label) and one time Cover Girl for HauTe Magazine; recently spoke in an Interview with Vogue Italia on growing up and the transition between imagining Fashion in Africa and actualizing her Fashion Creativity in New York. Self-taught Editor, Oroma also speaks on how Pop’Africana came about, her intense love for Africa and the creativity Africa is bamboozled with and where she sees herself if Pop’Africana ever stops publishing.

Stills from the Video Interview with Vogue Italia:

See interview here

Oroma Elewa’s Quotes on Pop’Africana Magazine:

“There is a plethora of fashion/art magazines out there, but I don’t think there is a multitude of non-mainstream, art-driven, inspiring magazines about Africans out there. And if there is, I don’t know of them. But whether or not these publications exist, there can always be more.” – Oroma Elewa in an Interview with Dazed and Confused

“My work with Pop’Africana is inspired by a vision I have for Africa and Africans. A vision of an Africa that shelters and respects individualism and for Africans, that the world’s opinion of us is redirected.” – Oroma Elewa in an Interview with Vogue Italia.

You can pre-order the Issue 2 of Pop’Africana Magazine here.

PhotoCredit: VogueIt

-RomolaSadiq

Tags: Ajak Deng, duro, Duro Olowu, Issue 2, Maki Oh, new york, Nigeria, Oroma Elewa, Pop Africana, pop africana magazine, pop'africana magazine, pop\'africana magazine ajak deng, Pop’Africana, Vogue Italia, web

We were promised couture and the Paris Couture week did not disappoint. Armani Privé so exclusive, hit us with the futuristic; Dior was alluring with soft and sweet full skirts, Chanel, sophisticated and chic as always, had me dreaming… rose florentin. These are the designers that in some way inspired this collage, a fusion of little details and couture trends are reproduced in African fashion.  This is Paris Couture week through my African eyes:

Metallics, full skirts and a scant of neutrals – African fashion you may say, is hardly ever neutral – I beg to differ. Think Samantha Cole, Bridget Awosika, Maki Oh… While we eagerly await JoBurg Fashion Week in a few weeks, we will savour the trends off Paris Couture week the HauTe Route way.

HauTe Route is a mood board carefully designed for you. It serves as your weekly destination exploring the latest runway trends from High End and Ready to Wear Fashion Ideas you can make your own, while encouraging the support of African Designers.

Tags: african couture, Amal African, Anita Quansah, couture afrique, futuristic fashion, haute africaine, myasho.com, Samantha Cole, Sika

Nigerian retail label GREY launches their menswear line with a collection of limited edition shorts. The day also coincided with the birthday of one of its designers, Rukky! Happy Birthday from the Haute Fashion Africa team!

Tags: Grey Shorts

Checkout the Latest Collection from YSL by Clicking on the Image below:

. . . and we LOVE IT!

Tags: Pre, Yves Saint Laurent, yves saint laurent fall 2011

It’s Paris Haute Couture Week, and two of our very favourites are storming the Catwalks!:

Ajak Deng:

Rose Cordero:

Tags: Ajak Deng, Alexandre Vauthier, Codero ROse, Paris Couture week

Lastnight set pace for 3 designer hopefuls; Calvin, Dominique & Jeffery as they showed their collection off to an esteemed Judge Panel: Iman, Mary J. Blige, Issac Mizrahi, Laura Brown & Glenda Bailey at the Finale of The Fashion Show Ultimate Collection Season 2 Finale.

After shelling out collection, after collection weekly for 9 Episodes, it was finally time for it to all end as the last 3 standing put their best 9 looks forward!

They did brilliantly well, with Jeffery Williams coming out on top with his collection of dresses and coats in shades of white, grey and red.

Williams grew up in a large Seattle family and moved to New York to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology, according to his Bravo biography. He was one of 12 contestants in the second season of the designer challenge, besting two other finalists Tuesday for the win. His prize: $125,000.

Williams dedicated his winning collection to his mother, who died of breast cancer in 2004.

View the winning collection below:

. . . What’s next for The Fashion Show Ultimate Collection & Iman?! Stay Tuned!

The Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection split 12 talented men and women into two fashion houses and each “house” worked together, not only to create a cohesive collection each week, but also to produce a live fashion show in every episode; From the set, to the music and lighting, these contestants pushed harder than ever before as they layed it all on the line for a chance to create the ultimate collection and to win $125,000 furnished by TRESemme® Professional Hair Care.

Tags: Bravo TV, contest, Iman, Jeffery Williams, jeffrey williams after fashion show, jeffrey williams winning collection, The Fashion Show Ultimate Collection.

It’s been a gruelling 9 Episodes for the 12 talented Men and Women as our very own Iman, internationally acclaimed designer Isaac Mizrahi and Harper’s Bazaar’s Laura Brown judged 12 professional designers for a runway battle in a first-ever fashion house duel.

The Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection split 12 talented men and women into two fashion houses and each “house” worked together, not only to create a cohesive collection each week, but also to produce a live fashion show in every episode; From the set, to the music and lighting, these contestants pushed harder than ever before as they layed it all on the line for a chance to create the ultimate collection and to win $125,000 furnished by TRESemme® Professional Hair Care.

D-day is here, and we are left with Calvin, Dominique & Jeffery who have had nine looks, constructed in seven days . These final designers will go head-to-head to craft & present a complete collection. Tonight, the stakes are high to create a “wow” factor as new judges: Harper’s Bazaar Editor-in-Chief Glenda Bailey & a surprise Grammy® award-winning artist join the team!

Catch it all TONIGHT @ 10/9c on The Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection Finale on BRAVO! Also, between 7-9pm call 1-866-675-6675 to join TFS radio party with Isaac Mizrahi, Iman, Johnny GWeir, JuneAmbrose and more.

For more details. Visit HERE

Tags: fashion show men and women, Iman, The Fashion Show Ultimate Collection., ultimate collection fashion show, women and men fashion show photos

It’s bigger and better and you don’t want to miss any moment of this year’s JoBurg Fashion Week, with all the new locations, more designers and of course the Freebies. This is one you definitely don’t want to hear about.

So, are you in the “Media” an “Editor” or even Blogger! Visit www.JFW2011.co.za to fill the form and submit online. Don’t miss the opportunity to be Front/Back Stage of all the fun!

Tags: "media acreditation for joburg day, accreditation for fashion, getting acreditation for sa fashion week, joburg day 2012 media accredatiion, JoBurg Fashion Week, joburg september sa fashion week 2012 media accreditation, sa fashion week 2012 media accreditation, sa fashion week accreditation