Friday, January 7, 2011

MUSIC MEETS FASHION AT 'GAGA FOR FASHION' OMOTOLA, TONTO DIKEH, LAIDE BAKARE LEAD RUN WAY

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What better way would you define an excellent fashion show than an event where top celebrities alongside established models strut the runway.  This was the case at the “Gaga for Fashion” fashion show and runway display where top celebrities and A ‘list actresses like Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Tonto Dikeh, Laide Bakare and some star “models” strut the runway.

Acknowledging God as the hand behind all good things, the 'GAGA FOR FASHION SHOW' started with a prayer by Mrs Soneye and the national anthem soon followed suit.

The two anchors for the night Missi and Oreka were really at their best and from their attires the show itself needs no introduction as a fashion show.  The anchors soon invited Barrister (Dr) Afolabi, the chairman of Aishat Ajoke foundation to the stage to give a welcome address; the Barrister gave a moving address on the reason for the event and the Aishat Ajoke foundation.

The show thereafter kicked off properly with the first set of collections on the runway called “Aunty give me cake” and it was a sign of good things to come from the designers. This was followed by the first performance of the night from Lax, who rendered some hip hop tracks which brought the crowd to their feet.  Another set of models were ushered in again on the runway for another set of collections called “Bimpe in wonderland” through which beautiful actress, Tonto Dikeh led other models to transport the audience to wonderland.

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Coming after displays by “Bimpe in wonderland” was Godwon who came on stage and left everyone dazzled with his body movement and moves. His performances heralded the next collections called “crazy casuals” and the men were not left out with male models coming up with magnificent designs that were worth having in your wardrobes.



And if all the performances by the previous singers were fascinating, then the performance of the main act of the night, Banky W was hyper-fascinating as the crowd was unstoppable as the ladies’ man took to stage. Banky W did not disappoint them with tracks like you wan “Thief my kele”, “Capable”, the crowd couldn’t help but ask for more so much that one would think he’s in a musical show.

Then we have the evening casuals and collections being show cased. Paul Play was also in the house and his performance was proof of why people love him. And then came the moment everybody has been waiting for; the celebrities on the runway where we had Laide Bakare, Righteous man and the star of the runway Omotola who nearly stole the show away from the designers.

The conveners of the fashion show, Funke and Mariam Afolabi came on stage to give their votes of thanks and that brought the evening to an end and indeed it was a night when fashion and music came to town together.

The fashion show was well attended by eminent personalities like Ambassador Olusola, Barrister (Dr) Afolabi (MON), Agatha Amata, Foluke Daramola and many others.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

LADIES COME LETS TALK WITH LISA FOLAWIYO, FUNMI OMOTOWOJU, BUKKY GEORGE AND OMOTOLA



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The  first edition of The Leading Ladies female mentorship summit will take place God's Willing on Sunday 16th January 2011 at the Knot Centre Yaba. The event is primarily capacity building and motivational seminar for women aged 16-35.


Confirmed speakers for the event are: Funmi Omitowoju, Former COO UBA Prestige, Bukky George, MD CEO HealthPlus Pharmacy and CasaBella International Limited, Lisa Folawiyo, Creative Head Jewel By Lisa and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Internationally acclaimed actress and activist.



The core objective of the summit is to equip young women with useful leadership qualities, professional skills and tools, through direct mentorship sessions from the aforementioned that point them positively towards the path of achieving their life-long goals and aspirations of becoming successful entrepreneurs and business women.

So ladies, come lets talk! You can email :

leadingladiesng@gmail.com

ARTFUL AND CHIC...HERE COMES CHLOE BAGS 2011

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By Niyi Tabiti

To those who know the true meaning of style and class, quality and creativity, then Chloe Collection of handbags 2011 would definitely be appealing. According to the company, the bags are artful and chic. For the fashion sophisticate who need a glamorous look anytime she steps out at event, Chloe bag would no doubt add a shinning 'flavour' to that look. We have seen some and trust that the new editions are indeed items of complete fashion.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

MARIFA WHYTE EXPECTS BABY



Abuja socialite, Marifa Whyte is expecting a baby for her lover. according to the news making the rounds among top celebs in the federal Capital Territory, the young lady might put to bed very soon.Marifa is pregnant for the husband of a popular designer,Fati Asibelua of MOMO

NIGERIAN IDOL: TEN FRESH CONTESTANTS SLUG IT OUT ….As Glory and BB make it to top 10 phase

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Abuja based Glory Oriakhi and viewer’s favorite Biodun Bello (BB) have joined Naomi and Ola at the top ten phase, each returning home with smiles on Thursday December 30, 2010.

Based in different locations of Nigeria, the young hopefuls are not only childhood friends but are also final year Law students in different Universities in Nigeria.

Glory, the first contestant to get a golden ticket at the Abuja auditions has lived in the Federal Capital all her life and has been involved in music right from her early years in the children choir. She is a final year Law student at the University of Abuja

BB, a 400 level law student at Igbinedion University is based in Kano. Also a dancer and a Choreographer, Miss Bello started singing in church at the age of seven. “I’m so excited I made it to the top 10. I missed classes for Nigerian Idol. And I am glad it’s not in vain” she says

Meanwhile, as Glory and BB return to their various destinations in preparation for the big stage on January 23, 2010, the producers continue on the journey of sourcing for two of the viewer’s choice weekly till they get the final 10 contestants who will slug it out for the grand prize of 7.5 million Naira and a record deal with Sony BMG.

Last Sunday, January 2, 2011 Jessica, Godson, Graycee, Faith, Toyosi, Zoe, Chuxy, Jumoke, George and AJ performed in front of the judges and viewers. Two notable contestants who the judges couldn’t hide their excitement about are Zoe and AJ. Infact Yinka Davies was short of words after Zoe’s performance- she just kept on screaming!

AJ on the other hand has dedicated two of her renditions to Jeffery Daniel. During her audition in Calabar, she sang with a guitar and devoted the song to Jeffery. “He will be my sweet love today” she said to Misi back stage minutes before performing on Sunday.

“Cool little AJ, from the day you sang to me with a guitar in Calabar, you have grown. It’s really good to see a lot come out from that cute little body of yours” Jeffery Daniel said amidst cheering from the crowd.

It doesn’t stop there, the online world is booming with comments; “I want AJ to win Nigerian Idol” an observer puts up on micro-blogging site Twitter. “Zoe just stole my heart with the performance of Celine Dion’s River Deep” another viewer posts on twitter

“Just watched Nigerian Idol, well done AJ” another says “Zoe left an impression; I even know her voting line off hand.”

Interestingly fellow contestant Glory Oriakhi endorses both contestants “AJ and Zoe all the way, 10 votes for each of them from me” She puts on Nigerian Idol’s official facebook page on Monday January 3, 2010.

Nigerian Idol, the producers say, will produce the biggest Nigerian music star this year. The man or woman who’ll sing Nigerians to sleep and wake them up the next morning. The one singer that’ll in a matter of months, move from obscurity to celebrity; the one singer who’ll move from the back seat to the A-league

“They are all talented, and we know that they are going places, but the truth is that there is only room for one Nigerian Idol, and every week, we will keep evicting till we get the viewer’s choice” Lillias Bode Producer of Nigerian Idol said last week.

There’s a lot of surprises; we are going to infuse a lot of excitement into the show and make sure viewers enjoy and look forward to watching the show while not compromising on the show’s original format. Our dream is to give Nigerians the best home entertainment possible, while using the platform to empower talented music stars who will go on to do Nigeria proud all over the world. Rotimi Pedro MD of Optima Media Group adds

The fourth group of ten have arrived the Dream Studio gearing up to perform on Sunday January 9, 2011.

Sponsored by Etisalat in association with Royal Exchange and Pepsi, Nigerian Idol airs on 20 broadcast stations in Nigeria, UK and USA. Transmission details are available on www.nigerianidol.com

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

REPORTER's DIARY:STYLE PEOPLE...LETS DO IT AGAIN IN 2011

By Niyi Tabiti

In 2010 the African style industry moved up another level. Our designers and stylists just like the entertainers are gaining weights amongst their own people.Their brands are getting applauded with patronage here and there.

In South Africa, major cities such as Johannesburg (particularly Sandton), Durban and Capetown continue to play host to the world as top designers from converge at their various fashion weeks. This no doubt have enhanced the tourism potential of South Africa. I strongly believe that the structure of that country has helped a lot.

In East Africa, it was all about the Swaili Fashion week in Tanzania. It was a beautiful outing for the organizers. The event took place in November 2010. The event paraded designers of East Africa origin. The event was sponsored by Southern Sun, Origin Africa, East Africa Radio, USAID Compete and so on.

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In West Africa, Lagos the style capital continue to bubble with the right connection. To me its the year of the fashion and style. There seems to be a wake up call amongst Nigerians to patronize their own thing. Before now, most people and event organisers would not think of engaging the services of a stylist but all that seems to have changed. celebrities need 'em more. Small shopping carnivals are also making progress in  the country.

Everywhere you turn in Lagos, you see everyone trying trying to prove the 'I am stylish' point. It is good for the country, good for style workers and good for the economy.

As for me, I believe the style industry need designers of sellers of good clothes without you robbing the bank. That is the vision of Leila Fowler and we love her for that.   The fashion designers should be more united. Instead of staging some kind of 'mushroom' fashion shows, they can come together and give us a worthwhile event. When you go to some fashion shows, you will me very disappointed that you left your home in the first place. Make up artist and magazine publishers need to brace up for the challenges of  2011.

What i hate most about the year? It was the quarrel between a female journalist and the  organizer of an annual modelling event. The tension was unwarranted. I pray that it would be settled but the whole thing escalated when people started dabbling into it.

FINALLY NOLLYWOOD ACTRESS DAKORE AND SON OF AFRICA BILLIONAIRE,OLUMIDE AKANDE PICK WEDDING DATE

[caption id="attachment_2945" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="actress Dakore Egbuson and her man, Olumide Akande"][/caption]

By Niyi Tabiti

The much awaited celebrity wedding is about to happen. Popular actress and presenter, Dakore Egbuson and her boyfriend, Olumide Harry Akande have finally picked a date for their wedding. Maestromedia hinted us that the date of the wedding have been set for January 16 2011.

Though the star actress granted an interview in a recent edition of Genevieve Magazine, where she revealed her love story and plans for marriage with Olumide son of African billionaire, Chief Harry Akande but she was not explicit enough.She also talked about how Olumide formally proposed to her.

Gistmaster.com believe gathered that apart from the romance of Genevieve Nnaji and Preddy Wyse (some years ago), Dakore Egbuson and Olumide Akande's romance would go down memory lane as one of the most talked about in Nollywood.

So far, details of venue venues and who will do what and how have not been revealed but trust us to crack it out soonest!

2027: Itsekiri Group Pushes Alliance With Urhobo, Ijaw For Common Interest

 The Itsekiri Grassroot Coalition has called for a united political front among Itsekiri people across Delta and Edo states, stressing that ...