Welcome to Gistmaster

  Omotola is on the cover of March 2012 of Mania magazine . According to the editors of Mania magazine, it is now a monthly publication. Get a copy fast!

Following his continuous contribution to the development and growth of global fashion, Lexy Mojo Eyes, President/CEO of Legendary Gold Limited has been invited as a VIP Guest Speaker at the United Nations – Commission session on the 2nd of March in New York. He will be addressing a seminar on ‘Empowering Creative Rural Women through Enterprise Development and Global Fashion Opportunities’ This is coming after the very successful hosting of the Nigeria Fashion Week November 16th – 19th, 2011. The event organized in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the World Fashion Organization hosted 42 designers and 39 Exhibitors from 22 countries. The United Nations seminar is being co-ordinated by TCF Global, Belmont BEC and BPW International and is an accredited event being ran during CSW NGO Sessions. TCF Global and Belmont BEC are non-profit community

To many Vannessa Ekeke should be refered to as an ex-beauty queen because she is still as pretty as ever.Graceful and elegant, Vannessa won Miss Commonwealth organised by man about town, Venat Omigie some years ago.  The reason much has not been heard about Vannessa is because she has been busy abroad studying  Documentary, Film and History at the University of Syracuse. When we got in contact with the former Miss Commonwealth, she disclosed that she has been busy with a project that will indeed give her great joy when it is finally released to the public by October 2012.      However, she sent us a 'rough' trailer of the documentary film entitled ' A General's Burden'   The film is in honour of veteran journalist, Mr. Dele Giwa,who was murdered through a letter bomb by unknown persons more than two decades ago. In her words, Vannessa told gistmaster that the film is the story of Dele Giwa and the circumstances that led to his death. -By Niyi Tabiti

Due to the phenomenal response to participate in the much anticipated, ARISE Magazine Fashion Week, which last year hosted 5,000 guests, 51 designers, 81 models, 5 musical acts over three days – ARISE organisers have announced that it will return to Lagos in March 2012, only this time it will feature 77 participants from 6 continents – including designers as far away as India, the Caribbean, USA, Europe and Africa. The ARISE Magazine Fashion Week – Lagos 2012 fashion extravaganza will run for an extended period of SIX days from Tuesday 6th March to Sunday 11th March 2012 in THREE tents on the grounds of the luxurious 5-Star Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria. The much-anticipated designers selected to participate include: Adama-Paris (Senegal/France), Amine Bendriouich Couture and BS (Germany/Morocco), Amrapali (India), Angelo Van Mol (Belgium/Ghana), Be-Grey (Nigeria), Bestow Elan (UK/Ghana), Bridget Awosika (Nigeria), Buki Akib (UK/Nigeria), CHICHIA (UK/Tanzania), Christi

In this interview with Binta Shuaibu, the winner of MTN/British Council designer of the year, she opened up about her strong passion for fashion, her rising profile and how women can be stylish without having to expose their body. You can click here to see the photos and read the interesting interview    To become a successful fashion designer, like Binta, find fashion related courses in online technical schools - Niyi Tabiti niyi@gistmaster.com

Binta Shuaibu is the Creative Director of Vintage Colette (VC), a Kano based fashion house. She believes a woman can be conservative yet stylish, beautiful and very fashionable. Shuaibu won the MTN/British Council Young Designer Award for 2011 at the recently held MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week in November last year. In this interview she shares her passion for fashion and other things. (Excerpt) What does the word fashion mean to you? Fashion means three basic things to me; comfortable, artistic and stylish. Fashion is a personal self expression that reflects the radiance from within one’s individuality. How would you describe the Nigerian fashion industry as it is today? The Nigerian fashion industry has really improved over the decades and is still on the verge for more improvement. Nigeria is a country with a lot of talented and creative minds. The last decade has unveiled a lot of potentials from the Nigerian fashion industry featuring in the most famous

Greta Wallace is an independent fashion design professional who retails the Simply Greta fashion line from a Brooklyn, New York brownstone. Ms. Wallace manufactures some of her clothing in silk charmeuse, and her bias-cut skirts are as luxurious as anything you would find on Madison Avenue. The Simply Greta line tends towards loose-fitting skirts and shirts topped by her signature shrug, long tubular pieces with an opening for the torso, one for the head and two for the hands. If your looking for a resort-wear, or a relaxed style that can transition from work to recreation; Simply Greta has styles that compliment every body figure. SIMPLY GRETA 2012 Studio: 718-257-1283 Mobile: 917 340-2347

Joan Okorodudu the ceo  of  Business Consortium All hands are already on deck to unveil LONDON FASHION WEEK come February 2012 calendar, as INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CONSORTIUM NIGERIA LTD and SOUTH AFRICAN ARTIST MANAGEMENT LLP London has signed agreement to bring Fashion Designers and Models from Nigeria to showcase in the forth-coming London Fashion Week 2012.   The CEO of Business Consortium, Mrs. Joan Okorodudu is very elated about the new deal. The partnership emerged as a result of the success stories of Nigeria fashion industry. "the partnership is important especially now that we are aware Africa can offer so much across the fashion supply chain-not only within the design and manufacturing but also as a supplier of major new talent within the people itself.". These were the words of Errol Hendrickse, the Operation Director of South African Artist Management LLP. The South African Artist Management LLP primary objective is to see the success of its project that wil

Dencia a.k.a Range Rover at Last year's edition of fab Night out Jumai Shaba This Sunday, FAB Magazine will be celebrating a successful 2011 with its annual, highly anticipated awards event – 'FAB Night Out'. A fusion of all things that represent the budding FAB brand, the FAB Night Out will include a unique fashion show from Vonne Couture, Orange Culture, Phunk Afrique and Mimi Lee London - who have crafted a special collection just for the event, entirely from Vlisco fabric - and special performances from Nigerian music stars Wizkid, Soundsultan, Praiz, Yemi Alade, Brymo and Zaina. As if that's not FABulous enough, comic acts Yaw and Ushbebe will also entertain guests at the event, which will be recorded and streamed live on Hibuzz.com The invite-only soiree will be hosted by Jumai Shaba of MNET and Big Brother housemate Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, and is being held at the Landmark Village on Sunday 11th December 2011. African celebrities from the world o

Meg Alabi  By Niyi Tabiti Within the short period that ex-Nigerian top model Meg Alabi launched her own fashion label called ALABI Couture, she has made remarkable impact.  Her label is fast becoming a household name.Just recently, she returned from the UK where her designs was like hot cake as a lot of big girls wanted to have a piece of her work.  The latest news about Meg revolves around her celebrity event, which would be jointly hosted by the house of gold hospice in Surulere under the leadership of Mrs.Laja Adedoyin. It is a charity event that is slated to hold inside the house of gold hospice on 11 December 2011.  It would be a fashion show with celebrities also strutting the runway. The Lagos State Government has also given it blessings to the Heart of Gold charity show. Munachi Abii  The list of celebs expected on the runway includes Mosun Filani, Munachi Abii ,Uti Nwachukwu, Kunle Afolayan,Halima Abubakar,Eucharia Anunobi,Alariwo of Africa, Kate Henshaw ,Frank Mb

Caterina Bortolussi, Kinabuti founder Fashion, entertainment, and business icons converged in Lagos on Saturday, 3rd December at the GREY GOOSE KINABUTI GARDEN PARTY, to mark the first anniversary of KINABUTI - the ethical fashion label that has been garnering frenzied media attention recently for its fashion social responsibility efforts in the ghettoes of Nigeria – discovering talented young models, designers, and tailors from the ghettoes of the Niger Delta, and giving them the opportunity to live a better and glamorous life through life-coaching, skills acquisition and development initiatives - and afterwards, exposing their skills to an international audience with the help of “Kinabuti’s Godfather”.  Led by Caterina Bortolussi, an Italian designer, Kinabuti collaborated with Grey Goose a year ago, to pioneer this initiative which kicked off with the launch of KINABUTI’s first collection. And since then, Kinabuti has discovered and trained many young Nigerian gi

 This is certainly a great year for hot and sexy Nigerian actress,Susan Peters.Winning awards,making more money, upgrading her auto garage and other wonderful things came her way.This month,Susan is the cover face of the popular Zen magazine publsihed by Arinze Nwokolo Anybody who has ever been in the entertainment spotlight before can confidently tell you that fame attracts both good & bad publicity. Sometimes, it seems impossible to escape such media frenzy when your head is on the chopping block but been able to be part of the industry in any way is a very fun experience. 

Imade Ogbewi made her way into Nigeria celebrity league recently as she was declared the winner of Nigeria Next Suoermodel competition organized by Mrs. Joan Okorodudu.  Imade, who was shedding tears of joy shortly after she was declared the winner, was full of praises for the organizers of NNSM for the positive impact in her life within a short time starting from when she was shortlisted at the screening.   She was presented with a brand new car with lot of other juicy prizes courtesy Virgin Atlantic, First Group Dubai, Swarovski, Loreal Paris and several other corporate sponsors of the event. Guest at the event-Linda Ikeji

winner face of sleek Alendra Nwokedi A young Nigerian model Alexandra Nwokedi has emerged winner face of sleek 2011. The event took place at Harbour Point near Silverbird galleria, Victoria Island Lagos.    Gistmaster brings you photos from the event. Thanks to Tyna Ezenna .

Congratulations to Lola Shonowo the beautiful make up artist who goes by the name Lola Shon was delivered of a bouncing baby boy recently .   Lola once contested for Miss Lasu (Lagos State University) and she is doing well in her make up business . She has handled many jobs in the past.   She handled make up for Michael Power when he was in Nigeria some years back on the invitation of Guinness Nigeria Plc . Click here to read Lola Shon on the runway story        -Niyi Tabiti

Jenevieve Aken is a 22 year old orphan from Nnem Alok Ikom Local Government Area in Cross River State. In 2005 she lost her mother at the age of 16 and her father only years later. Her strong will to make something of her life has been the driving force over the years. She entered for the MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week, MTN Young Model of the Year Award competition geared with only this will to excel, and fortune indeed smiled on her. Jenevieve walked away with the award of the MTN Young Model for 2011, N1 million cash prize, contract with Nigeria’s leading modelling agencies, Beth Africa Modelling Agency and a chance to enter for the Beth Model’s Elite Model Look Nigeria 2012. This 5 feet, 7 inches ebony beauty tells ADENIKE SOTADE how it happened. Can you please tell us a little about yourself?? My name is Jenevieve Ebele ken. I was born on the 8th of June 1989, in Nnem Alok Ikom local government, Cross River State. I live in Abuja but I’m currently studying photography in Joh

By Niyi Tabiti  Come december 2011, the duo of Banke Meshida and Ugonna Omeruo would be hosted because of what is considered as their valuable contributions to the Nigerian fashion and beauty industry.  Banke Meshida is one of Nigeria's most successful make-up atists.  She has been in the industry for more than a decade, doing make up for high profile personalities. Just recently, Banke joined the fashion cabinet of Nigeria's first lady, Mrs. Patience Goodluck Jonathan as her official make up artist.  When it comes to make up, believe me you can bank on Banke!   If you want to be a top makeup artist like her, cosmetology schools can help you enter this exciting profession. City People would be hosting Banke @ Ember Creek , Awolowo road, Ikoyi on 5 December 2011.   Ugonna Omeruo would be hosted to a lavish party by City People magazine on 10 December 2011 @ Ember Creek.According to the invitation Ugonna is being hosted because of her remarkable rise in Nigeria