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  [caption id="attachment_5931" align="alignleft" width="333" caption="Tobi Banjoko, Miss Ondo at MBGN 2011"] [/caption] By Niyi Tabiti/Gistmaster.com The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) 2011 contest ended few minutes ago as Sylvia Nduka was announced winner of the crown. Sylvia represented Taraba State at the beauty Peagent. Sophie Gemel,Miss Bayelsa won the first runner up position. Miss Enugu, Lagos and Gombe won the 2nd, third and fourth runner up positions respectively. The event was held at the New Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, the traditional home of Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Beauty contest.   The contestants were judged based on their look, their carriage, their lifestyle in camp, votes from the public and judgment of the panel of judges. Their swim suit and evening gown segment brought a lot of people to their edge of their seats as they hailed contestants of their choice ceaselessly. [captio

By Niyi Tabiti It was as if Nigeria's First Lady, Mrs Patience Goodluck Jonathan was waiting for the presidential campaign and announcement of results to be over before unveiling her brand new look. On the day of the inauguration, most Nigerians saw their first lady in another light. She was looking , more than ever before, like a sweet sixteen. She's got the true shape of an African woman and the women behind her new look helped unveil the heavenly beauty. At a small editorial meeting of Gistmaster , we decided to caption this week's cover story as "Patience Jonathan's Fashion Cabinet". Talking about some of the women behind the First lady's hot new look. enjoy. BANKE MESHIDA-LAWAL: A top make-up artist, Banke Meshida-Lawal got the super  deal as Mrs. Jonathan’s official make-up artist. It was obvious that Banke did her job well as because she turned Nigeria’s first lady into a model with her brand of BMPRO product. Sources said Banke got the deal throu

[caption id="attachment_5472" align="alignleft" width="160" caption="Ronke Ademiluyi of Rukkies Concepts"] [/caption] Gistmaster.com your favorite lifestyle, brand and social networking blog have announced it support towards the forthcoming Africa Fashion week in London. Gistmaster is now an official media partner to Africa Fashion Week, London. In a statement by Niyi Tabiti, the CEO of Gistmaster.com , the company said " Gistmaster's media partnership with Africa Fashion Week in London is a reflection of our commitment to the development of African fashion culture and business worldwide" Gistmaster.com has covered most of the biggest events in town. AFRICA FASHION WEEK LONDON is now less than two months away. The premiere fashion week dedicated to African and African inspired fashion in Europe is geared to be the biggest African event this summer in London. The event is already eagerly anticipated in UK with over 50 designers and e

[caption id="attachment_5420" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="Romanita and models"] [/caption] Romanita Claudia Iovan, popularly known as Romanitza is set to celebrate her 20 years of fashion designing come Friday16th September, 2011 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, NewYork, America. The former Romanian fashion model launched her fashion house in 1991 and now she’s a fashion household name in Romania due to her inimitable style and work ethic, which is always displayed at her runway shows. She emerged winner at the National Fashion Festival in Romania and in 1994, she became the first Romanian to be invited to open a showroom at the World Trade Plaza in Bucharest while in 1996, her Runway was performed at the same place where she celebrated her 5 years of designing. Romanita opened her second boutique on Bucharest’s fashionable Calea Victoriei in 1999 and became the Executive Retailer of Elegance Paris fabric and the Elegance boutique prêt

  [caption id="attachment_5368" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="cross section of models at the casting of Nigeria next supermodel in Lagos"] [/caption] By Niyi Tabiti 25 girls hoping to become supermodels got picked yesterday after Judges at the 2011 screening and Fashion party said they satisfied the requirements. The casting for the models took place yesterday 5 June 2011 at Scintilla on Lekki- Epe Expressway in Lagos. The 25 models would go through a second phase of screening until they are eventually reduced to 10. The ten models would contest for the crown of Nigeria next supermodel 2011 at the grand finale in November. The founder/Executive Producer of the model competition, Mrs. Joan Okorodudu told Gistmaster.com that she was glad that the turn out was overwhelming. She also expressed her appreciation to sponsors including Daviva, media partners and friends who made the screening a smooth sailing. Guests at the events include form

  Zed Eye Presents...fashion show and Pop Up Boutique taking place for the 2nd year running at the Afro Hair & Beauty Show in London, the biggest trade show for young fashionable black women! The Afro Hair and Beauty LIVE will be celebrating its 30th anniversary on the 29th and 30th of May 2011 at the Business Design Centre in Islington. The Afro hair and beauty LIVE show which attracts over 4000 visitors over the two days, is set to have a bigger focus on fashion with the Zed Eye presents... fashion showcase.  This year, the Zed Eye Presents... will be showcasing the works of over 10 emerging and established designers, whose work draws an influence from Africa. Some of the designers showcasing at the show include Parisian designer Anggy Haif known for his extensive use of  materials like Raffia , Vines and Leaves. Ghanaian influenced designer Oheme Ohene who owns a boutique in South London and new labels such as Adopted Culture by Award winning Ghanaian Model Nana Afua Antwi. As w

[caption id="attachment_4643" align="alignleft" width="320" caption="Oluchi Onweagba Orlandi"] [/caption] Ambassadors of Recare’s Natures Gentle Touch, Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandi and Agbani Darego have obviously been having a ball since they became ambassadors for Africa’s leading personal style brand. In a chat with both ambassadors at the just concluded Arise Fashion Show, both style icons shared their experience with Natures Gentle Touch - a brand that is dedicated to empowering Africans with beauty and style knowledge. “I’ve been working with Recare and Natures Gentle Touch for six years and it’s a relationship I’m proud and excited about. Having a Nigerian brand that connects Africans with international lifestyle through quality products and knowledge sharing is a vision that I’ll always be part of, and so far, it has been very exciting without any regrets working on this vision. And I’m happy that women around Africa have realized the effectiv

The backdrop of Momo's Spring/Summer 2011 collection is a graphic black and white canvas explored in plain silks and brocades. Blends of bold, colourful prints add contrast to the stark canvas. Striking prints include the opulent tie-dye on silk gazar, each panel made individually by hand, bringing a popular street technique to the couture level. Additional highlights include a blue and yellow print in silk satin, based on ancient batik techniques developed by the Dutch specifically for the African market, and a batik-like floral print. These pieces add rich, colourful elements to the collection

What are the qualities to be a model? Is it the look, the height, the strides on the runway or a combination of all these and even more? Here at Zen we always say anyone can be a model if they really believe in themselves. Modeling is an Art not just a job; it's a passion that connects you with your inner zeal to go even farther. Lewinale Debbie Harris is a remarkable and modest model who was born in Monrovia, Liberia at the height of the Liberian civil war and was later moved to America by her parents. She shares a similar passion like other stunning models that have graced our cover from across Africa - they all are inspired by everything Art. Presently, her goal is to win the Miss West Africa USA beauty competition and I must say she has all the qualities to go all the way! Lewi becomes the first Liberian model on our online cover series and we are so honored. We also have in this online issue an exclusive interview with the CEO's of Alex Folzi Fashion Brand, JellyME PR CEO

[caption id="attachment_3881" align="alignleft" width="250" caption="Cynthia"] [/caption] [caption id="attachment_3876" align="alignleft" width="265" caption="Dammy Balogun"] [/caption] [caption id="attachment_3877" align="alignleft" width="224" caption="folashade ogunmuyiwa"] [/caption] By Niyi Tabiti Nigerians love to enjoy themselves. They also love fashion. Here gistmaster.com present you photos of wondrous ankara designs from owambe parties in Nigeria. If you want to appreciate the creative designs of ankara, check out Nigerian women at Owambe parties.