NATURES GENTLE TOUCH TAPS AGBANI AS HER BRAND AMBASSADOR

[caption id="attachment_3915" align="alignleft" width="480" caption="oluchi Onweagba Orlandi"][/caption]

Recare Cosmetics International, owners of beauty brands Natures Gentle Touch and HairSavvy, have signed Ex-Miss World and International model Agbani Darego as her global brand ambassador. As part of the multiyear contract, Darego is to appear in advertising campaigns, in addition to participating in the company's sponsored philanthropic activities. The firm did not disclose further details on the contract with Darego.

"She is a talented woman and a role model to many which fits in with Natures Gentle Touch brand values" said Chika Ikenga, CEO of Recare Limited Africa. Ikenga noted that Darego would represent a number of products across the company's portfolio.

[caption id="attachment_3916" align="alignleft" width="376" caption="Oluchi onweagba"][/caption]

"She is also internationally recognized and that is an important link for us to have, since we are a global brand. She truly embodies the spirit of the Natures Gentle Touch philosophy".

Agbani Darego who has graced the cover of several international magazines joins Natures Gentle Touch Brand Face, Oluchi Onweagba as its spoke person. "I am proud to join Recare and Natures Gentle Touch in their celebration of women and their commitment to delivering the best hair care products for our women," stated Darego.

[caption id="attachment_3962" align="alignleft" width="363" caption="Agbani Darego"][/caption]

By this appointment, Recare continues its established tradition of partnering with the most beautiful and iconic women of Africa to represent the Natures Gentle Touch brand.

ARISE MAGAZINE FASHION WEEK LAGOS , NIGERIA (MARCH 10TH - 13TH)

Finally, the much anticipated and most likely the biggest fashion event in Nigeria, Arise Magazine Fashion Week long awaited list of designers is here . The event which will be holding the vibrant city of Lagos to stand still , will be taking place in about  6 days from today.

With a number of designers from around the continent, both local and international set to unveil their amazing collections, AMFW will be staging this historical event at the prestigiuos Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island. The scheduled times for each designer is as seen below.

*Please note, the  scheduled times and designers are subject to last minute  alterations by Arise Magazine*

Schedule for Arise Magazine Fashion Week:

Day 1: [Thursday 10th March]

10:00 – Arise Magazine Tent

The Business of Fashion Conference

16:00 {Collective Show} – This Day Style Tent

- Nkwo

-House of Nwocha

- Kiki Kamanu

- Grey

18:00 - This Day Style Tent

- Jewel by Lisa

20:00 - This Day Style Tent

-Kluk CgDT

Day 2: [Friday 11th March]

12:00 { Group Show} - This Day Style Tent

- Kemkem Studio

- Autumn Adeigbo

- Madam Wokies Couture

- Viva La Resistance

13:00 {Double Show} - Arise Magazine Tent

- Christie Brown

- Buki Akib

14:00 - This Day Style Tent

- Samantha Cole

15:00 – Arise Magazine Tent

- Mustafa Hassanali

16:00{ Group Show} - This Day Style Tent

- Bridget Awosika

- Korto Momolu

17:00 {Double Show} – Arise Magazine Tent

- Okunoren Twins

- Amine Bendriouich

18:00 - This Day Style Tent

- Gavin Rajah

19:00 – Arise Magazine Tent

- Ituen Basi

20:00 - This Day Style Tent

- Tiffany Amber

Day 3: [Saturday 12th March]

11:00 {Group Show} - Arise Magazine Tent

- Nikki Khiran

- Anne Marie Addo

- Vonne

- Eki Orleans

12:00 {Group Show} – This Day Style Tent

- Mimi Plange

- Bestow Elan

- Ejiro Amos Tafiri

- Jo Black Craze

13:00 {Double Show} – Arise Magazine Tent

- ChiChi A

- Gert-Johan Coetzee

14:00 {Group Show} – This Day StyleTent

- Maki Oh

- Tsemaye Binitie

15:00 – Arise Magazine Tent

- Alexander Amosu

16:00 - This Day Style Tent

- Bunmi Koko

17:00 {Double Show} - Arise Magazine Tent

- Eredappa

- Odio Mimonet

18:00 {Group Show} – This Day Style Tent

- Lanre Da Silva Ajayi

- Laquan Smith

19:00 – Arise Magazine Tent

- Saheed Sulieman

20:00 - This Day Style Tent

- Deola Sagoe

Day 4: [Sunday 13th March]

12:00 {Group Show} – Arise Magazine Tent

- Kastle Designs & Treasure Chest

- Zed eye

- Re Bahia

- Toju Foyeh

13:00 {Double Show} – This Day Style Tent

- Pierre Antoine Vettorello

- Angelo Von Mol

14:00 {Double Show} – Arise Magazine Tent

- Mataano

- Ron n Ron

15:00 – This Day Style Tent

- Lola Faturoti

16:00 - Arise Magazine Tent

- Bside by Wale Adeyemi

17:00 - This Day Style Tent

- Xuly Bet

20:00
AMFW Awards

NIGERIAN MODELS, HOUSE OF JOLA POMP COLOURS AT COUTURE FASHION WEEK 2011

[caption id="attachment_3893" align="alignleft" width="332" caption="Tope"][/caption]



By Niyi Tabiti

For Joan Okorodudu, the founder of House of Jola designs in Nigeria, the 2011  Couture Fashion Week in New York  is yet another wondrous outing as she stormed the runway with a bevy

[caption id="attachment_3888" align="alignleft" width="332" caption="Model, Aisha Olu opening the show at DC Fashion Week"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3889" align="alignleft" width="337" caption="Aisha Bello"][/caption]

of astonishing models and designs with the proudly African

[caption id="attachment_3887" align="alignleft" width="337" caption="Sandra Iwu Moussa"][/caption]

ankara attitude. That is not all. Gistmaster.com gathered that DC Fashion Week and BET rip the runway show in US also had a taste of House of Jola and the models who went, saw and conquered the runway with their talent. Aside Bunmi Ademokoya, Aisha Olu, Tope, Aishatu Bello,Sandra Iwu Moussa and other African models also did well.

[caption id="attachment_3903" align="alignleft" width="237" caption="Bunmi Ademokoya"][/caption]

NIGERIA LADIES SHOWING OFF IN ANKARA DESIGNS AT DR. SIKIRU AYINDE BARRISTER 'GOOD BYE' PARTY

[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.

MOVIE PRODUCER DRAGS THISDAY NEWSPAPERS TO COURT. "IT IS A FACE SAVING PLOY" SOURCES INSIST

[caption id="attachment_3361" align="alignleft" width="327" caption="Daniel Ademilokan"][/caption]

By Niyi TabitiMovie Producer , Daniel Ademilokan has dragged  This Day Newspapers to court over a story he considered injurious to his personality and career. Ademilokan who is married to popular actress and model, Doris Simeon his asking for a retraction and ten million Naira as compesation for the damages the said report allegedly did to his 'reputation'

Inside sources however told gistmaster.com that Ademilokan's threat to sue was all a face saving ploy. According to what gistmaster.com gathered, This Day said that he had problems with some people over the production of the work. He was said to have collected money but did not fufil part of his own bargain. According to a media executive that spoke with Gistmaster.com, the only mistake ws that the reporter did npt quote the right production name but the issue is that Ademilokan has issues with Shola Fajobi, the executive producer of Super Mom, Next Movie Star. He also said to have some unfinished business with Tajuddeen Adepetu, the managing Director of Soundcity.

As part of part of our tradition to cross check, gistmaster.com contacted Ademilokan. He disclosed that his lawyers are already handling the matter.

FELA! MAKES HISTORIC ARRIVAL IN LAGOS, NIGERIA APRIL 20-25, 2011

 The hit Broadway musical about the life and music of Nigerian
performer and political activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti is scheduled to
be performed in his home town of Lagos, Nigeria making it the first
Broadway show to be performed in Sub-Saharan Africa.

FELA!, the landmark Broadway musical, which won three Tony Awards
(Broadway’s highest honor) including Best Choreography (Bill T.
Jones), is coming to Lagos from April 20th to 25th. It will be
performed at the prestigious Eko Hotel’s New Expo Centre, Victoria
Island, Lagos, Nigeria. This critically lauded musical will star its
original Broadway cast with Sahr Ngaujah reprising his Tony-nominated
role of Fela Kuti with music provided by the internationally renowned
Antibalas as well as other members of the New York City Afro-beat
community.Concurrently with the Broadway production, FELA! opened and triumphed
at London’s Royal National Theater for a three-month sold-out run.
That production was nominated for three Olivier Awards, London
theatre’s highest honor, including Best Musical, Best Actor (Sahr
Ngaujah) and Best Choreography (Bill T. Jones). This Nigerian
engagement will be the first since the closing of the Broadway and
London productions and the NTLive performance which was broadcast to
in 370 cinemas worldwide.

The aim of FELA! in Lagos is to unite and connect Africans in spirit
and unity, to serve as a catalyst for cultural revival in Nigeria, and
to celebrate Fela Kuti, for the contribution he has made to Nigeria
and the world. FELA! depicts the true story of the legendary Nigerian
musician Fela Kuti, whose soulful Afro beat rhythms ignited the spirit
of empowerment and cultural awareness in a generation. It is a tale
of courage, passion and love featuring Kuti’s captivating music and
the visionary direction and choreography of Tony Award winner, Bill T.
Jones. FELA! in Lagos is being produced by a Nigerian production
company, Broken Shackles in conjunction with Lagos State Government.

Upon its Broadway opening Ben Brantley of The New York Times wrote,
"There should be dancing in the streets. The hot (and seriously cool)
energy that comes from the musical gospel preached by the title
character of Fela! feels as if it could stretch easily to the borders
of Manhattan and then across a river or two. There has never been
anything on Broadway like this production." The New York Post’s
Elisabeth Vincentelli cheered, "There’s enough energy to short circuit
Con Ed." David Cote of Time Out New York, in giving it 5 stars (out
of 5) raved, "Fela! is more than a musical; it’s an ecstatic
phenomenon." And Jennifer Farrar from the Associated Press exclaimed,
"An exuberant celebration!"

The English critics were equally effusive after the London premiere of
FELA! One critic, Baz Bamigboye of The Daily Mail, summed up the
critical sentiment with his review saying FELA! is a "groundbreaking
show that shook Broadway and London’s Royal National Theatre to the
rafters. Getting Brits to get on their feet and ‘get loose’ as Bill T.
Jones puts it, was a rare feat. FELA! pulled it off by sheer
exuberance and theatrical showmanship. At the same time, FELA!
explored the soul of an artist and the darkness of a government that
tried to block what Fela’s beam exposed."

In addition to rave reviews from critics, FELA! has also won numerous
awards and received standing ovations from such personalities as Mick
Jagger, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Spike Lee, Ben Okri, Janet
Jackson, Denzel Washington, Professor Wole Soyinka, Robert De Niro,
and Hugh Jackman. First lady Michelle Obama, former UN Secretary
General Kofi Annan and President Obama’s Head of Homeland Security
Janet Napolitano are but three of the dignitaries who have embraced
this show.

Bill T. Jones, director and choreographer of FELA!, was recently
honored with the prestigious Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
award along with Sir Paul McCartney and Oprah Winfrey. The Kennedy
Center Honors are awarded annually for exemplary lifetime achievement
in the performing arts. FELA! also won two Astaire Awards for its cast
and choreography.

FELA! on Broadway was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and
Stephen Hendel. Its producers include the entertainment legends Shawn
"Jay-Z" Carter and Will & Jada Pinkett Smith.

A spokeswoman for Broken Shackles suggests that "with a series of
media partners and sponsorships, FELA! in Lagos will be the most
talked about show in Nigeria for years to come. We have created
sponsorship, branding and advertising opportunities for those who wish
to be a part of this historic theatrical event."

PHOTOS FROM CHAMPAGNE CONVERSATIONS PARTY IN LAGOS

[caption id="attachment_3829" align="alignleft" width="319" caption="Linda Ikeji"][/caption]

By Niyi Tabiti

Today in Lagos Nigeria, the pool side of the Eko Hotel and Suites was n festive mood as celebrities, young professionals and those who obviously know the value of networking gracing the Champagne Coversations, an intiative of Sodium Brand Solutions company led by Bisoye Fagade.

[caption id="attachment_3830" align="alignleft" width="247" caption="Tosyn Bucknor"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3831" align="alignleft" width="237" caption="Annie Macaulay"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3832" align="alignleft" width="265" caption="Bisoye Fagade, principal partner Sodiu brand solutions organsers of the event"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3833" align="alignleft" width="245" caption="Actress, Rukky Sanda"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3834" align="alignleft" width="253" caption="Chichi Nwoko of Nigerian Idol"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3835" align="alignleft" width="259" caption="Ebuka"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3836" align="alignleft" width="319" caption="Bella Benson"][/caption]



[caption id="attachment_3839" align="alignleft" width="281" caption="Tamilore Kuboye"][/caption]

Gistmaster.com sighted the likes of Chichi Nwoko, the project director of Nigerian Idol, Tosyn Bucknor, Gbemi Olateru- Olagbegi, Tessy Oliseh, Ebuka,Tobi Banjoko, Shalom Obi, Goldie, Rukky Sanda, Kate Henshaw- NuttalAjibola Ogunjobi, Darey Art Alade, Linda Ikeji, Olumide Iyanda, Annie Macaulay,Yinka Ajose, Tunde and Wunmi Obe,Weird MC,Oke Oris,Fola Annie, Bella Benson, AY the comedian and his wife Mabel. Gistmaster.com also saw popular comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka the first, Tee A and others.

More photos and gist update later!