GHANA FASHION & DESIGN WEEK set to launch in 2012

Come next year- 2012 , Ghana will be under the fashion spotlight as she will be holding her first ever Fashion week tagged - Ghana Fashion & Design week -GFDW . The event will see a number of Ghanian's great talent in the field of style and fashion on parade and pushing the envelope . 

Read more about this history making event after the break

About Ghana Fashion & Design Week 

Ghana Fashion & Design Week Show (GFDW), set to take place in 2012 is the premiere fashion and creative business event designed to educate and developGhana’s fashion and creative industry to a worldwide audience. 

This event will epitomize the fashion scene in Ghana, withan annual event that celebrates Ghanaian and international designers.

Africa fashion continue to redefine itself and it’s place onthe global market scene, with a selection of local Ghanaian designers being discovered locally andinternationally recently, with many more aspiring emerging talents across Africa yet to bediscovered!

The annual event, which will take place over a three-dayperiod in 2012, will be the first in three years. This event brings creative Ghanaian designers, and inthe diaspora, alongside international

designers to showcase their collections to national andinternational retail buyers, Africa’s neo-fashion consumers, press and media TV, as well as fashion savvycelebrities.

GFDW 2012 will incorporate international standard fashioncatwalk show, with exquisite on trend collections, mingled with refreshing African inspiredcollections. An inspirational exhibition hub displaying a range of creative brands, and, a fashionbusiness seminar with briefing provided by industry experts, with a networking opportunity. 

This is a great opportunity for both emerging andestablished designers to tap into such an inspiring

venture! AFRICA on the move . . . let’s walk with it!

GFDW

brings you vision, education and creation.

FOR:

DESIGNERS PARTICIPATION

EXHIBITION SHOWCASING

BUYERS REGISTRATION

MODELS ENQUIRIES

Please contact: show@ghanafashiondesignweek.com

FOR:

PRESS & MEDIA REGISTRATION

PHOTOGRAPHY ACCREDITATIONS

Please contact: press@ghanafashiondesignweek.com

For SPONSORSHIP Enquiriesplease contact: sponsor@ghanafashiondesignweek.com

www.ghanafashiondesignweek.com

MAGAZINE PUBLISHING: WHY MOST PUBLISHERS FAIL

By Niyi Tabiti

 Most people love to own their own magazine publishing company but many fail to plan well from the start. Just like every business, the media has its vast opportunities but it comes with a lot of commitment.

 gistmaster know a lot of people who want to be publishers just because they saw Ovation magazine. Instead of bringing new things, they just want to copy what Dele Momodu has done with Ovation. Unknown to them, the reason Ovation magazine became an household name was because Dele Momodu was very creative.I see a lot of 'Jagbajantis' on vendors stand and i can tell that they are imitations.

This is what is happening on Nigeria blog ville too! Most people want to do what you do. My question is-do we all have to write about entertainment? The answer is NO! There are other lucrative areas and no one is looking there.

Contact- Any newspaper or magazine publication depend on contacts. Whether weekly, monthly or daily publication, you need a network of informed people in your area of interest to keep your head up high. For a news publication, getting right sources, phone numbers, email addresses of those who make things happen is the secret.

You don't have to be their friend, you don't even have to like them but you must be able to get them because they are news makers or they know when there is breaking news.

  Magazine Publishing and friendship- Most magazine publishers failed because all they could offer are the photos or the PR stories of their friends only. Every week, I know the names of people that will feature in some magazines,even people they are published.I am sure you too can predict! lol

A good publisher go deeper than that.You can even publish stories of those you consider your 'enemies'- what matter most are  your readers. If they are worth talking about then, go ahead! People don't like Abacha, the former military ruler of Nigeria but the stories surrounding his family still remain 'sold out' till date.

WHO SELLS YOUR COVER?: The cover page of your magazine goes a long way as far as acceptance is concerned. It all depends on your target. Gistmaster research shows a Cossy Orjiakor on the cover of a magazine will sell more copies than that of Blaze,MI,ICE PRINCE and all of them put together.Ini Edo,Mercy Johnson,Genevieve,Tonto Dike,Whizkid and others are likely to sell the papers than most of their colleagues. For now,a whizkid is more likely to get readers than 9ice.Look for what readers want, not just what you want.

DISTRIBUTION:No production is complete without getting to the consumers. Magazine distribution channel in Nigeria is still weak to a large extent. In fact, you spend a lot of money, hosting vendors and agents before they can even agree to display your magazine. In most areas, publishers are asked to pay registration fees before vendors in that area can sell their magazines. In some cases, agents don't even pay back after selling the papers.

I think selling by subscription is a good idea.Get good marketing team, get the subscribers to also win something!Its worth trying.

Advertising- No one talks about magazine publishing or any job involving image without mentioning  branding. Having a good network base within the PR, Advertising and allied industry is key. Building the right connection within the network of the big spenders really matter.

N.B-Where is Bola Attta, the former Editor of True Love magazine? I wish she can start publishing anything,I mean anything- I will buy!!! She use to have one of the best teams in those days. You want to read something? Try GISTMASTER, THENETNG,E247,ENCOMIUM,MANIA, FABS,VANGUARD ALLURE,GUARDIAN LIFE,SATURDAY PUNCH

MERCY JOHNSON's WHITE WEDDING AT CHRIST EMBASSY LAGOS

By Niyi Tabiti
Mercy Johnson and Prince Odinaose Okojie finally got married at the Christ Embassy, Ikeja, today in Lagos. The actress whose wedding have been the topic of discussion in social circuit because of allegations that her man was (is) still married to another woman, Lovelyn Okojie stormed the church in a glittering Limousine vehicle with her father. The security situation at the Church is so tight that so many people were not allowed into the church.Gistmaster sources said the amount used on security is so enormous just to forestall the breakdown of peace and order by those against the wedding.
 Mercy Johnson's wedding make up was done by Unveil Make Up company

MERCY JOHNSON WEDDING PICTURES

The most talked about wedding of 2011 is finally here. Not even the weddings of some children of billionaires have the kind of media interest that the one of actress Mercy Johnson and her man, Prince Odinaose Okojie have generated.
  The traditional wedding has taken place. Mercy look stunning in this picture. Mercy and her husband got married with heavy security measures put in place. "Bet you can't count the number of bouncers following them" , disclosed a source.
 Since the official announcement that Mercy Johnson would be getting married, people started writing to congratulate her until news broke that the man is still married and has two kids. A lot of people, especially women advised Mercy to stop the wedding.
  We look forward to getting more photos from the 'trial of love' wedding today.

Iman Debuts New Platinum Collection

 Iman, The Somali supermodel debuted her new Platinum Collection of accessories and outerwear live on HSN . The lineup is different than her ever-popular Iman Global Chic collection—which currently ranks as the number two bestselling label on the channel—because it features real leather and suede.

In doing so, the prices are slightly higher, though everything is under $300 overall. According to her, .....“What I’m creating is not for the red carpet, it’s for everyday,” Iman told us at the collection launch in New York this week. Preview the Iman Platinum Collection pieces in the gallery, shop them on HSN.com, and tune in to today to catch her on air.

EREDAPPA SHOWCASE LATEST SPRING/SUMMER COLLECTIONS IN NEW YORK

Eredappa will be showcasing her latest Spring/Summer 2012collection during New York market week [Sept 12 to 23] as guest designer at theNexus showroom
Nexus Showroom is the premier luxury fashion and lifestylePR/Showroom located in the heart of Manhattan.

Here are pieces of her A/W 2011 collection - http://www.eredappa.com/collections.php 

Stay glued for more info 

Website-http://www.eredappa.com/index.php 

Follow on twitter - @eredappa

TRENDS - Guys on the BLOCK

Designer - Emmy Collins 

In times past , colors and guts were not in the same sentence . Today the story is different as this trend is not only flaunted by guys with a certain way of life but by guys who know have mastered the color palette and are parading their talent on the red carpet and everywhere they go . 

This trend first came to our consciousness by one of our own - Emmy Collins - an edgy Nigerian  fashion designer based in the Uk who felt guys should go beyond the dark era of greys , blacks and navy blues . Initially not many were ready to toddle his path of "eccentric ideas" but today its all about The new guys on the Block......

 One of Emmy Collins pieces from the Neon collection

Terrence Sambo

Efe Tommy

Lynxx

Noble Igwe
Images - Emmy Collins and Bella Naija

 

NEWS - FLIGHT by MICHEAL JORDAN

:

Famous basketball player Michael Jordan is launching his new perfume named Flight. This perfume is the fifth in Jordan's collection of fragrances for men

The fragrance features a very interesting package which represents the rubber sides of Jordan's Air Jordan sneakers, and the bottle interprets his square shoulders. This interesting packaging was even nominated for the best "green packaging" in the category Fragrance Mass submitted by Five Star Fragrance.
Flight by Michael Jordan can be expected on the market by September 2011, in amounts of 50 and 100 ml.

EVENTS- Marayah O presents... THE ALPHA EXHIBITION!

You are invited to join Marayah O in a fantastic shopping experience on Saturday, August 27, 2011.

Venue: Roberts Cafe, 16 Akin Olugbade Street, off Idowu Martins, Victoria Island, Lagos
Time: 12noon-7pm

Come and experience  vibrancy, fun, adventure, colour, fit, finesse in clothing. Its all about the youthful, urban, chic, happy and adventurous looks. You don't want to miss out on these outfits.
Pieces from Streetstyle Alpha, and the all new Alpha Swan collection will be on display.

For more info/Inquiries, pls call  07030944826, 08059428747

NEWS-EMMY COLLINS SET TO HOLD STYLE WEEKEND

BEZ wearing EMMY COLLINS

London based fashion designer Emmy Collins and West Africa’s foremost Entertainment and Media giant The Silverbird Group today announced their collaboration in the upcoming Emmy Collins Style Weekend. Negotiations on the trade show event had been in the works for some time and the duo have agreed on an official launch of the Emmy Collins Style Weekend. The eclectically creative Emmy Collins brand will be showcasing its “Never in vogue, Never out of vogue” avant-garde inspired fashion philosophy at unique Silverbird locations in Lagos from Friday, September 30 - Sunday October 2, and in Abuja from Friday October 7 – Sunday, October 9 2011. The displays will be showcased between 11am and 8pm daily. Typical with Emmy Collins’ knack for breaking from mainstream expectations, there will be no traditional fashion catwalks. Instead, live models and television screens looping past Emmy Collins fashion events will be on display at exquisitely appointed stands at the concourses of the featured Silverbird locations. The invite only opening night will include a performance by the Nigerian Soul singer Bez and on subsequent days DJ Effizzi will be on the spin machine churning out funky house tunes. This exploration of the Emmy Collins brand will provide the attendee a snapshot into what lurks in the designer’s mind, what inspires his brand of Fashion and the unique opportunity to take a journey through the evolution of the brand. Progressive interpretations of fashion, represented in the Emmy Collins collection, will be available in 200 unique designs to sate the appetite of even the most persnickety and discriminating buyer. The diffusion line “Emmy” by Emmy Collins will be officially launched during the Emmy Collins Style Weekends. Designs in this line were created especially for the tropical market with the massive infusion of short sleeved garments and Kaftans into the collections. Limited women’s wear including shirt dresses inspired by Emmy`s vintage men’s pintuck bib-front shirts will be available as collector pieces. Emmy Collin`s jackets have been described as tailoring on par with London’s Saville Row greats... but with a quirky twist!! Emmy Collins stated: “Early this year I had the premonitions of an upcoming show opportunity but never envisioned collaboration with a company as rich in history as Silverbird. Ben Bruce, because of his singlehanded revolution of the Nigerian entertainment industry, is one of the men I am most impressed with in Nigeria …and it takes quite a lot to impress me. Kudos to Silverbird’s Jide Asumah as well for his professionalism and love for the arts. This truly is a collaboration made in heaven.” Other partners in the Emmy Collins Style Weekend include Aero Contractors, Africa’s reliable and e-innovative airline, operating scheduled flights to major cities in Nigeria and Accra Ghana._ For More Info please contact:Morsi PR +234-8023341846, +234-8138388004 Emmy Collins LondonEmmy Collins is an avant-garde designer with a knack for sitting on the sharpest of edges in fashion excellence. Emmy’s sartorial creations are both fresh and daring, bordering on the debonair but decidedly cutting edge.

THE MAKING LOOKBOOK- WADES

WADES has become quite popular in terms of their production of urban-everyday garments like shirt, t-shirts, Polo shirts, Jerseys (football and tennis), chinos jackets, chinos trousers and shorts, formal trousers for men, suits and blazers.With a mantra of fashion being a blend of several ingredients ( proper finish, straight thread stitch, proper colour combination, nice packaging, good-quality fabrics and the right mix of people to produce the garments), WADES® sees each piece as a project, believing each WADES® piece instils confidence.With target clients of 15 – 40yrs old WADES® was founded in 2009 by 'Wale Adesina a graduate of Microbiology from the Obafemi Awolowo University. A seasoned entrepreneur trained by the Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan-African University, , WADES® is poised to achieve a world-class status and is positioned and steered to achieve its vision.Contact - Wale Adesina – 08086144558 – wale@shopwades.com www.shopwades.com

CREDITS
Designer--- Wale AdeshinaLabel ----- WADES
Location --- GET Arena
Photography ---- Kola Oshalusi
Photography Assistants --- Kunle Haastrup, Peter Bello
Make- up --- David Onyedike
Stylist ---- Joke Aladepase
Models----- Adedamola Cruz, Uyi Ogbeifun, Ayo Adeshina, Taiwo Olufunmilade
Model shoes ---- Luxe Store
Jewelries --- Models own
    Theme: "Fresh out"

NEWS- MAKE YOUR DREAM COME THROUGH WITH BSOF

What is BSOF? Business side of fashion is an annual symposium that has proven to be the biggest intellectual gathering of the fashion industry in Nigeria. It brings together established and upcoming fashion designers, fashion students and people aspiring to be in fashion and related businesses to a forum where top notch professionals and successful international and local designers within the industry educate them about the business side of fashion.

In this year’s edition, we are putting together a stake holder’s forum to discuss the growth of the industry through access to growth of the industry through access to adequate capital and business resources.

What is the fund your future competition? The fund your future competition is targeted to identify fashion industry practitioners who have or can be prepared to access the Bank of Industry garment and textile funds.

What is the bank of industry garment and textile fund? The bank of industry garment and textile fund is a special fund with a low interest rate embarked for the industry. The aim is to support the growth and development of the fashion industry.

The Categories:

Generation Next: These are business owners/businesses that have been in the industry for 3 years or less and have funding requirements of less than 5million.

Next Level: These are business owners/businesses that have been in the industry for 3 years or more and have funding requirements of more than 5million.

Benefits of the competition:

• Free training for shortlisted participants
• Mentorship opportunities with top industry players
• Personal assessment and feedback of your business by top consultants for everyone that registers.
• Free entry to the business side of fashion grand event in October.
• Press coverage/features of the shortlisted participants businesses.
• The top 3 participants in each category would receive 6 months free business consulting services with Nextzon
• Their businesses would be featured and celebrated at the grand event in October.
• Their business case would be packaged and presented to the bank of industry for access to necessary funding.

Mode of Entry:

• Pay registration fee to En-reach limited UBA-01820030007654
• Send teller details to Tokunboh on 08038014453
• Log into our website on www.businesssideoffashion.com and register with your teller number to fill the entry questioner. Registration on website closes on the 31^st of August 2011
• A detailed assessment form and submission deadline would be sent to you.
• Shortlisted candidates in each of the three zones (Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja) would be invited for detailed interviews.
• Screening would take place in Port Harcourt 9^th September 2011
• Abuja 16^th September 2011
• Lagos 23^rd September 2011

 Entry fees:

To participate in the generation next category (see criteria above): N5000

To participate in the next level category (see the criteria above): N10, 000

For more information contact Lara on 08033195297 and Tokunboh on 08025180153 and Tale on 07030023333

Spice Haute Party: Part II

We paraded a few of the guests at the Exclusive party that was Hosted by Spice Tv. here is the final parade and hope to see you at the next one .

Kiki Kamanu

NEWS:Hot new fragrance - Reb'l fleur by RiRi

Daring, sexy and truly memorable, Reb'l Fleur is as much in tune with Barbados-born Rihanna's roots as it is with the glamour of her present life in New York City." The fragrance will be launched in 2011.
The elegant bottle, which glows from within, is beautifully designed in the shape of a high heel. The bottle is adorned with silken ribbons and an golden ring on the stopper. Reb'l Fleur was launched in 2010.

KINABUTI CELEBRATES FERRAGOSTO ITALIANO WITH MARTINI

On 12th August 2011, the fun, fashionable and fly socialites in Lagos at the Kinabuti studio in Ikoyi to celebrate the infamous Italian Rivera holiday Ferragosto Italiano with Kinabuti and Martini. It was a beautiful evening with friends, guests, esteemed clients being treated to music with also a live performance by Tari, freshly made martini cocktails, Italian cusine and a showcase of the Kinabuti collection. It was yet again another Lagos shindig, Kinabuti style.