Fashion

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Inauguration of Giordano New Store in Algeria as it Marks Debut.

Giordano, the renowned Hong Kong-listed apparel retailer, just embarked on a new phase of expansion by opening its first store in Algeria. The store, located within Algiers’ City Centre Shopping Centre, signifies Giordano’s growing footprint in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Spanning an area of 139 square meters, the L-shaped store showcases a contemporary design concept that is characterized by clean lines and a predominantly white color scheme for fixtures and fittings. The entrance of the store is particularly wide, welcoming shoppers into an inviting retail environment with wood panel flooring adding a touch of warmth.

City Centre Shopping Centre, a prominent retail destination in Algiers, provides an ideal location for Giordano’s entrance into the Algerian market. The mall covers an impressive 32,000 square meters of retail floor space and accommodates 800 parking spaces, offering visitors a diverse selection of international fashion labels, a variety of dining options, and indoor entertainment facilities.

Hoying Lee, Giordano’s Associate Director for Global Franchising and Licensing, expressed his confidence in the company’s continued success in North Africa and beyond, citing the strategic establishment of their first store in Algeria. This achievement comes on the heels of Giordano’s existing presence in Egypt and the positive sales momentum across its key markets, including Greater China, Southeast Asia, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Founded in 1981, Giordano has now reached a significant milestone of over 2,100 stores and counters across a multitude of regions. These regions include Greater China, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia, India, Africa, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. The brand’s consistent growth and expansion highlight its commitment to delivering quality apparel and contemporary designs to diverse markets.

Giordano’s entry into Algeria not only underscores its dedication to meeting the evolving fashion needs of consumers but also its strategic vision for expanding its global presence. As the company celebrates the opening of its Algiers store, anticipation grows for the impact it will make on the Algerian retail landscape and its continued journey in the MENA region.

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Tanzanian Plans to Market Fashion as New Tourism Draw.

The Tanzanian government plans to give more push to fashion as a tourism product with great potential. This will be a component of efforts to diversify the nation’s current abundance of wildlife-centric tourist attractions.“We want to see cultural tourism climbing higher. It can turn around our tourism,” said the deputy minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mary Masanja.

When the Tourism Deputy Minister attended the Maasai Fashion Night at the Gran Melia Arusha, she noted the vibrant Maasai traditional fashion as something that ought to be conserved and promoted for both the benefit of future generations and tourists.

Ms. Masanja, who was dressed as a Maasai woman and joined in the traditional dance, was certain about the importance of promoting cultural tourism.“The government will fully support such initiatives. We should position cultural tourism as top of our priorities,” she explained.

The Maasai Festival, which will take place in Arusha in October of this year, is preceded by the Maasai Fashion Night, which drew large numbers of members of the ethnic community dressed in elaborate garb.

The Festival will be put on by Wonderland Travel, a Dar es Salaam-based company whose CEO and founder Saidi Rukemo stated: “Culture should complement wildlife in Tanzania’s tourism scene. Today is a day to honor Maasai attire. Any of our 120 tribes should represent us the following time.

He claimed that if they are not kept or passed down from one generation to the next, Tanzanian cultural artifacts such as music, clothing, and artifacts may be lost. An exhibition of decorated Maasai cultural artifacts, including headdresses, necklaces, earrings, and ankle bracelets, took center stage at the fashion show.

The vibrant event drew supporters of the cause from as far away as Houston, Texas in the United States of America (USA). Ms. Asia Idarus Khamsin, who owns a store in the US named “Mother of Fashion Tanzania,” did not try to hide how pleased she was by “the beauty of the Maasai.” “The Maasais are rich in culture. Let us stick to our culture. Many artists here are putting on nothing else but the colorful Maasai attire,” she told The Citizen.

The Zanzibar-born Ms. Khamsin dressed out in all the typical Maasai celebration decorations, including jewelry, necklaces, earrings, headbands, and other items. Given Tanzania’s vast collection of cultural artifacts, the 64-year-old fashion designer claimed that the fashion business holds significant economic potential for the nation.

For the past 15 years, she has spent her time in the US, Tanzania’s top source market for tourists, promoting the nation’s fashion designs. She has worked in the fashion industry for nearly 40 years in total.

The director of Maasai Fashion, Mr. Lekoko Lepilal, spoke at the well-attended event and pleaded with the tourism stakeholders to support cultural trends in addition to wildlife-based tourism. He pointed out that “Cultural tourism is not confined to fashion (traditional attire) but cuisine, songs, lyrics, and artifacts.”

According to him, Tanzania won’t reach its goal of five million tourists (per year) by 2025 unless it adds some fresh products to the state’s well-known tourist attractions, adding that the promotion of Tanzania as a top tourist destination in Africa would be sparked by fashion designs and other elements of cultural tourism.

Without introducing some new items alongside the well-known tourist sites, he claimed Tanzania will not reach its goal of five million tourists (per year) by 2025.

He pointed out that the promotion of Tanzania as a top tourist destination in Africa would be sparked by fashion designs and other aspects of cultural tourism. Mr. Lepilal asserts that the fashion sector has the ability to employ fashion designers and other individuals involved in its value chain.

 

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Congo Fashion Show Hopes To Inspire Peace and Creativity

A fashion show was held in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo aimed at inspiring peace and creativity in conflict-ridden region.

 

Longing for peace, Goma workshop owner, Flore Mfuanani Nsukula, put the finishing touches on her newest collection to recognize the conflict-ridden Democratic Republic of Congo. In her words, “We want peace to be restored in our country, especially in North Kivu.” 

 

 “Through art, all colors that we will express, through our clothes, it will be full of emotions, trying to explain what we are going through in our country.”

 

For decades, more than 100 armed groups in eastern Congo have been fighting for control of important natural resources. There are frequent mass killings, and the bloodshed has caused a refugee exodus.

 

In lieu of violence, the Liputa fashion show on Saturday night promoted peace and creativity within the region. 

 

According to organizers, it is an opportunity to send a message of peace and peaceful cooperation during a time of heightened tensions.

 

Creative stylists, models and designers from Cameroon, Senegal, Burundi, France and the U.S. took to the catwalk in hopes of spreading joy and beauty in the wake of a tumultuous chapter in the Congo’s history.

 

Cameroonian fashion designer Délia Ndougou stated, “Africans must be one, be united. It is true we  have a very wide cultural diversity, but this diversity must bring us together.” She presented a collection inspired by her national flag.

 

“We really wanted to convey joy in the clothes, peace in the clothes, very cheerful styles, a question of making the world smile,” Chadrac Lumumba, a creative stylist from Kinshasa added. 

 

Flore’s collection sought to recommit to the quest for peace in the area, while also showcasing the fashion industry’s continuous potential in the Congo. 

 

Organizer David Ngulu knew the show was, not only to sell these images of creators, but to show that in Africa and in the DRC, peace is possible.

 

“We presented these collections, not only to sell the images of these creators, but to show that in Africa, in the DRC, the areas that are considered ‘red,’ we can do things there that we see in other countries that have peace,” says David Ngulu.

 

“I think that each creator contributed to love, peace and living together.”

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Egypt: Artisans Carve Path to World Luxury Market.

Egyptian luxury brands are harnessing traditional craftsmanship from jewelry design to carpet weaving to bring the country’s ancient cultural riches to the world.

According to experts in the sector, the global appeal of Arab and Islamic designs from other countries shows Egypt could do more to promote its rich, millennia-old artistic heritage.

One pioneer has been master jeweler Azza Fahmy, whose signature Islamic art-inspired pieces have graced the world’s rich and famous including US pop star Rihanna and Jordan’s Queen Rania.

Fahmy, who started in an Old Cairo workshop about 50 years ago, said her focus has been designs that “resonate with Egyptian identity.”

Artists and artisans in Egypt, the Arab world’s most populous country, draw from a history that spans ancient Pharaonic times, the Mamluk, Ottoman, and modern eras.

“We are lucky to be able to draw on 6,000 years of history,” said textile designer Goya Gallagher, founder of Cairo-based Malaika Linens, which makes high-end household pieces.

“The main challenge is making sure our pieces are timeless, that they’re very well made and always hand-made,” she said at the company workshop on the western outskirts of Cairo.

But while Egypt boasts some business success stories, many more luxury goods makers say they labor against myriad odds to eke out a market both locally and internationally.

In the era of global mass production, Egypt’s once expansive pool of skilled artisans has shrunk, with many young people turning their backs on family skills passed down through the ages.

As businesses struggle to fill the talent gap, they also face the headwinds of a painful economic crisis that has tanked the local currency and restricted raw material imports.

The state’s efforts to support the handicrafts sector, meanwhile, have been “limited and sporadic”, says the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation.

Culture consultant Dina Hafez agreed that Egypt offers little in the way of formalized arts and crafts training.

“The training of artisans is still essentially based on informal education and networks of apprenticeship,” said Hafez of Blue Beyond Consulting.

“The sector lacks any structure. We need a real ecosystem. But for the moment, it’s all based on personal initiatives.”

She said Egypt could learn from Turkey and Morocco, “where the opportunities and obstacles look a lot like Egypt”, but which had managed to launch “their designs onto the international scene.”

Still, change is afoot.

Fahmy, the jewelry designer, said there is always space in the market for works made by skilled artisans and “good designers with creative minds and quality education”.

Many designers hope to benefit from government initiatives to draw in investment and tourism revenue from its ancient wonders.

At the Grand Egyptian Museum at the foot of the Giza pyramids, Egyptian luxury stores enjoy pride of place.

Although its official opening has been long delayed, the museum offers limited tours and events, and the shops already “showcase the best of Egyptian crafts”, said the owner of one, Mohamed al-Kahhal.

In Cairo’s historic center, linen company Malaika trains women from marginalized backgrounds in embroidery and sells the wares to its customers and other fashion and textile brands.

Carpet maker Hend al-Kahhal works in the same spirit, of bringing Egyptian identity to global frontiers.

Standing on the factory roof, where wool and silk creations hung out to dry, Kahhal said the family business works with designers “to give a contemporary touch to Pharaonic and Mamluk motifs.”

The Egyptian Handicrafts Export Council, under the Trade and industry ministry, has long been working to showcase such Egyptian creations internationally.

But Hafez, the culture consultant, said she hopes for more progress in the future, as often “budget constraints, red tape, and customs regulations don’t exactly make things easier”.

The question, she said, is whether Egyptian “authorities are aware of the soft power these creators can have.”

 

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Algerian Designer Launches Brand to Support Local Seamstresses.

  • Asma Mokhtari has always believed in the potential of entrepreneurship to empower women but due to the difficulties of it, she took a traditional path.
  • She later started working with ASCE, witnessing and learning from trainers till becoming a trainer herself.
  • She teaches employees empowering skills to help them better assert their labor rights, including obtaining their craftswomen’s card.

Asma Mokhtari has always believed in the potential of entrepreneurship to empower women but due to the difficulties of it, she took a traditional path.

Asma by Am is a fashion start-up that was established in 2020 by the 31-year-old entrepreneur, Asma Mokhtari. Due to her upbringing, she has always believed in the potential of entrepreneurship to empower women, she said, “I grew up surrounded by seamstresses, including my mum and aunt, and I had always been fascinated by fashion. But I was also painfully aware of the difficulties to make ends meet in this sector, especially in Algeria.” This made Asma decide to follow the traditional path and went ahead to study architecture in Algiers. “Since there are no higher education courses for fashion designers in Algeria, you have to make it on your own and go off the beaten track. I wasn’t ready or even brave enough for that,” she admits.

She later started working with ASCE, witnessing and learning from trainers till becoming a trainer herself.

She started working with the Algerian Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, for whom she organized training sessions on social entrepreneurship. This allowed her to witness and learn from trainers until she became a trainer herself.

ACSE is one of the seven incubators and accelerators supported by the EU-funded SAFIR project as part of its Innovative Entrepreneurship Support Structures (SAEI). Implemented in 9 countries across North Africa and the Middle East, SAFIR aims to back the establishment of a regional ecosystem that favors the development of projects with social, cultural, or environmental impact. “ACSE is a pioneer in social entrepreneurship supporting innovative solutions to social and environmental problems in Algeria,” explains ACSE Director Mériem Benslama, noting that the launch of the first Algerian incubator of social entrepreneurism back in 2018 aimed to enable young social entrepreneurs like Asma to “act positively in favor of their country by giving life to projects with social impact”.

Backed up by the support of the ASCE, Asma felt ready to dive in and enroll in a training program on clothes making. “I already had the idea of ‘’Asma by am’’, but it was still taking shape in my mind. I also wanted to ensure that I wouldn’t end up in a financially unstable situation that wouldn’t allow me to offer decent working conditions to my workers. This is when the idea of children’s fashion came in.”

She spent six months learning how to formulate value proposals, conduct market research, test prototypes with samples of potential customers, and attend finance training. “One should never rush into incubators. I truly believe people should take the time to know which areas they need support for and think everything through. I joined the SAFIR program because I was aware of my shortcomings in financial and management skills,” Asma stresses, adding that she never lost sight of her initial goal, which was to use her skills to help women and make something positive out of it. Without a proper business plan with detailed tables, predictions, and costs, you risk putting your employees at risk and jeopardizing the quality of your brand, the young entrepreneur warns.

She teaches employees empowering skills to help them better assert their labor rights, including obtaining their craftswomen’s card.

 Asma by Am prides itself on creating premium quality children’s clothes with traditional designs. “We want to help our clients consume less, by delivering the longest-lasting, top-quality products,” the fashion designer explains. A reality confirmed by the satisfied customers who share her designs across social media. “The quality is impeccable and the designs very refined,” wrote one mother who ordered a blouse for her kids, adding that “you can feel the love and passion she puts in every stitch.”

She has taught her employees several empowering skills to help them better assert their labor rights, including obtaining their craftswomen’s card which entitles them to retirement, benefits, or even to find a new job. Apart from her employees, she also delivers training to fellow designers and female entrepreneurs, who have also confirmed that she constantly helps and teaches others. 

Aware of the difficult business environment she has to evolve in, Asma remains proactive and hopes that she will ignite the change needed in the way fashion is being produced and consumed.

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Kigali hairstylist’s artsy videos put him atop.

  • African youths are prominent for creativity.
  • They find available ways to showcase the diverse beauties of the continent.
  • Young hairstylist, Safari Martin, has defined himself as an unusually creative barber.
  • His regular social media videos have drawn attention to the precision with which he presents his creative haircuts.

Either by word of mouth or by watching some of his delightful videos on Instagram one may have come across the thrilling tale of 23-year-old Martin Safari, a creative young man who, in his spoofs, cuts clients’ hairs with all types of tools, hammers inclusive. Surprising as it may, Safari finds hammers, knives, forks, and other weird tools useful in doing a remarkable job.

 

In his videos, actually acted out, the young barber dresses for each part, sometimes he simulates a mechanic trying to fix a spoilt car, other times he explores other roles. Safari mentioned that, as a child, he always imagined himself living the life of an extraordinary artist using pencils, brushes, pallets, and paint. But his parents had nudged him into the sciences because they expected a doctor to emerge from their son.

 

Many years later, neither medicine nor artistry has kept Safari gainfully engaged; though he has found a unique way to bring art into his work.

 

Safari talked about how he obeyed his parents at first and closed in on the sciences, deserting his interest in arts until, one afternoon, in his boarding school in Uganda, a friend asked for help with tidying up their hair because a proper haircut outside the school was quite beyond most students’ budget. That was destiny’s call; Safari answered the call wholeheartedly. From then on, without fully understanding what he was getting into, he found a new interest. For him, it continued as a simple hobby, just a courteous service to his peers. But, when the demand for this hobby of his began to swell, he joined heads with his school friends, and they smuggled in a clipper after which he began to attach stipends to his services.

 

Most of his needs in school were met and he stopped asking his parents for pocket money. He explained that “when I went back home for the holidays, I decided to take it to another level. I subscribed to some of the biggest barbers’ YouTube channels and took some online courses. “Safari substantially added to his skills during holidays so much that his school noted his improved talent and hired him as the official school barber. Just after his graduation, he set up a small-scale barbershop in that Ugandan neighborhood. Eventually, he returned home to Rwanda.

 

Safari has gone ahead to carve a brand in Kigali as one of the most skilled barbers in town. He leverages on the internet; he picks ideas, shares his unique works, as well as secure clients’ appointments online, through his Instagram handle, @safro_fades. Currently, he does not operate from a fixed address, he has niched himself as a pro barber who is accessible online and available for home services. Safro, as he is fondly called, charges from 15,000 Rwandan franc upward; his distinct home package goes for about 20, 000 Rwandan franc and above, depending on factors like location, clients’ preferred style, and other cost influences like dyeing, tinting, etc.

 

Averagely, Safari’s cuts usually take about 40 to 50 minutes. He believes he is still an artist and his art manifests in his haircuts, he says “I think my talent didn’t fully disappear. People tell me that they see my art just by looking at how I present my content and the way I make a haircut. This gives me the ultimate satisfaction”. He says that the ‘beauty of existing in this era’ contributes immeasurably to some of his successes in the barbing trade. “I can imagine that if this was a decade ago, I would just be some other barber. But because of technology and social media platforms, through proper content creation, I’m able to reach my desired audience, willing to pay adequately for my services,” he pointed out.

 

While a lot of people see Safari as a skilled barber, he looks beyond the trade, he works to establish himself as a captivating content creator, consistent and creative. “Most of my clients are Rwandans, but considering their conservative nature, I usually have a hard time convincing them to let me post them on my online page,” he mentioned while explaining probable reasons for a possible delay in his global exposure. Safari opines that anyone can prosper in any career path they pick to pursue, whether they originally dreamt of it or not. He admonishes young African talents by saying “make sure you master your craft, attract and keep your clients coming back and then promote your craft and then, make money.”

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FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO WIN 2 OSCARS

  • Carter in her Speech to Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences “for recognising this superhero that is a Black Woman”. “She endures, she loves, she overcomes”
  • To Chadwick Boseman “She is my mother, please take care of mom”.
  • “I hope this opens the door for others… that they can win an Oscar too” … Carter to women of color.

 

 

Ruth. E. Carter at the age of 62 broke history on the 12th of March, 2023 to become the first African American woman to win 2 Oscars at the 95th Academy Awards held at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Carter who is an American costume designer for film and television won her first Oscar for Best Costume Designer for Black Panther (2018) and her Second Oscar for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022). In her 30 years plus career, Carter has 40 films credited to her. They include: Malcom X (1992), Selma (2014), Four Brothers (2005), Chi-Raq (2015), The Butler (2013), Being Mary Jane, Dolemite is my name (2019), Coming 2 America (2021). Carter has also designed costumes for Chadwick Boseman, Eddie Murphy, Angela Basset, Forest Whittaker, Denzel Washington and Oprah Winfrey.

 

 

Carter was born April 10, 1960 in Springfield, Massachuetts. She and her seven siblings were raised by her single mum. Carter was inspired by her mum who was a designer and a seamstress. In her homage to Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, who died after fighting colon cancer for four years… “she is my mother. Chadwick, please take care of mom”. Carter had an early start in her career as an intern at Santa Fe Opera in New Mexico and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Hampton University. She later moved to New York where she earned an Associate Degree in Fashion Design in the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.

 

 

In her Acceptance Speech she thanked the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences “for recognising this superhero that is a Black woman. She endures, she loves, she overcomes. I pulled myself up from my boot straps, I started in a single parent household. I wanted to be a costume designer. I scraped, I dealt with adversity in the industry that sometimes didn’t look like me and I endured. So, I feel that this win opens the door for other young costume designers that may not that this industry is for them and hopefully they’ll see me and they’ll see my story and they’ll think that they can win an Oscar too”.

 

 

She also addressed women of color “… I hope this opens the door for others,… that they can win an Oscar too”. Coincidentally, Michelle Yeoh who is a Malaysian at the age of 60 became the first Asian woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress. In her speech, “For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is a proof that dreams… dream big… and dreams do come true. And ladies, don’t let anybody tell you, you’re ever past your prime. Never give up”.

Carter who is a Afrofuturist stated that “I would have to represent images of beauty, forms of beauty from the African tribal traditions so that African – Americans could understand it, so that (non-black) Americans can understand African – Americans better; so, we could start erasing a homogenized version of Africa.

 

 

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MOROCCO’S FASHION WEEK SET TO CELEBRATE WOMEN.

 

      • Morocco’s fashion week is to be held from the 8th to the 11th of March.
      • The event will tie in with the celebration of women.
      • The event will promote upcoming designers.

The 2023 edition of Morocco’s fashion week will be held from the 8th to the 11th of March. This year the event will be hosted with Riad la Brillante, a hotel nestled in the heart of the medina where traditional craftsmanship and modernity meet harmony and elegance. 

This edition ties in with the worldwide celebration of women, including International Women’s Day on the 8th day of March.

This occasion is organized and supported by the Oriental Fashion Show and it is chaired by Hind Joudar in partnership with M Avenue. The partnership is dedicated to building a lasting anchorage within the kingdom. 

The fashion runway will be at M Avenue, which would not be the first time the fashion runway is hitting one of the city’s must-see attractions developed by Nabil Slitine.

The fashion shows are slated for the 10th of March, starring special exhibitions on Morocco’s iconic caftan. This is intended to pay tribute to the craftswomen on the occasion of World Women’s Rights Day.

The primary aim of this event is to promote young and upcoming designers with a prize allowing winners to travel to a parade in Paris. The competition is organized in conjunction with the styling and modeling schools Casa Moda, Lasalle College, and Escom in a joint partnership. There will be judges like Saher Okal, the founder of the Academia Moda school in Nazareth, Morocco’s Said Mahrouf, and Zineb Joundy as well as Egyptian dressmaker Hany El Behairy on the panel.

From the 9th to the 11th of March, other works of art will be shown throughout the day in collaboration with the association “Dam Lmaalma.”

Then on the final day, a gala dinner will be held within the mythical Royal Mansour palace. It will be preceded by a parade featuring the creations of big names in fashion from international regions. The dinner will benefit Atlas Kinder, an association that takes care of orphaned children.

Marrakech was chosen as the permanent establishment for this bi-annual event celebrating the city as an international fashion capital.

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NDAVI NOKERI FINISHES AMONG TOP 16 AT THE 2022 MISS UNIVERSE BEAUTY PAGEANT.

Ndavi Nokeri is a South African model and beauty pageant that was born on 25th January, 1999. She comes from a christian family and she speaks four languages.

 

In 2022, she competed for Miss South Africa, which was her first attempt and she won. In 2019, she won the Miss Jozi title.

 

She holds a Bachelor of commerce, Investment and Management degree from the University of Pretoria. She also held a job at an asset management firm.

 

She is an advocate for educational equity for all children and students in South Africa. In her interview with Glamour she revealed her struggles, she said “growing up, I struggled with mathematics in school. With every bad result I received, I started believing and accepting that it was something that I could not do until I decided to approach it with a different attitude. I decided that I am the author of my own story and so I redefined myself as a woman who is capable of doing all things she sets her mind to with excellence. This is the attitude that I carry with me into every journey and it has shaped the person I am proud to be today.” 

 

She prepared for the Miss South Africa, 2022 for two years which shows how passionate she is about preparations and winning.

 

She represented South Africa in the 71st Miss Universe beauty pageant and she was among those that finished top 16.

 

She will also go on to represent South Africa in Miss World 2022 and Miss Supranational 2023.

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HANNAH IRIBHOGBE REPRESENTS NIGERIA AT THE 71ST MISS UNIVERSE BEAUTY COMPETITION.

Hannah Iribhogbe is a Nigerian actress, model and beauty queen, she hails from Edo State. She is professionally known as Montana Felix. The name Montana came into existence during her secondary school days when she realized she was multi talented and Felix is her father’s last name.

 

Hannah is a student of North Lake College in Dallas, Texas, majoring in business management. She is active in charity work as she works with NGOs and orphanages. She is also intentional about women empowerment and getting more women into government and politics and also taken kids off the Nigerian streets. Personally, she is responsible for two girls. She has established a foundation called the Montana Initiative, an organization working to feed 10 million children all over Africa.

 

She began her professional modeling career in 2020. In 2022, she was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2022 at the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant in October, 2022.

 

The 71st Miss Universe beauty competition just took place and Nigeria was ably represented by current Miss Universe Nigeria, Hannah Iribhogbe or Montana Felix as she is popularly known on stage. She is currently in New Orleans, USA for the beauty pageant which officially kicked off on the 11th of January.

 

The competition was hosted by Jeannie Mai and Olivia Culpo, Miss Universe, 2012. At the end of the event, Miss Universe 2021, Harnaaz Sandhu of India crowned her successor.

 

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FRENCH LUXURY BRAND TAPS THE NIGERIAN FEMINIST WRITER FOR THEIR NEW BAG CAMPAIGN.

Chimamamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian writer and feminist. She was born on the 15th of November, 1977. Her works include novels, short stories and non-fiction.

 

In 2015, Chimamanda was awarded a MacArthur Genius Grant, she received the PEN Pinter Prize in 2018 and she was also described in the Times Literary Supplement as the most prominent of a procession of critically acclaimed young anglophone authors who has succeeded in attracting a new generation of readers to African literature.

 

Throughout her lifetime she has received so many awards and has been recognized on so many occasions in line with her work or beliefs. She was recently made the Odeluwa of Abba, a Nigerian chief, by the kingdom of Abba in her native Anambra State. She was the first woman to receive such an honor from the kingdom.

 

 Chimamanda has just recently featured in Dior’s bag campaign. The French luxury house used the Nigerian feminist writer for the campaign of “The Lady 95.22” which is dedicated to a new variation of the classic Lady Dior bag that was made popular by Diana, Princess of Wales. 

 

Chimamanda posed in a black pantsuit and a white T-shirt emblazoned with the words “We Should All Be Feminists” which referenced one of her more famous works and first collaboration with the fashion house.

 

The bag launched on the 12th of January, 2023 and featured a cast of exceptional women from different realms like art, cinema, sports, literature, fashion and music.

 

 

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CRYSTA ASFOUR; THE LARGEST CRYSTAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY IN THE WORLD.

Crysta Asfour is an Egyptian crystal manufacturing company that produces crystal pieces. It was established in 1961 in Cairo, Egypt.

The company produces crystal for different purposes like, accessories, fashion pieces, chandeliers and some special projects.

It is the largest crystal manufacturer in the world as it has a production capacity that exceeds 100 tons of crystals per day and exports to more than 50 countries across the globe. It also has its branches in more than 70 countries around the world.

Crysta Asfour adorns so many facilities, the most luxurious of palaces around the world are equipped from this company. They produce the largest, most expensive and one of the rarest crystals in the world.

Its uniqueness is one of a kind as it contains precious rocks that are unparalleled in the world. It is also formed from more than 12 types of stones that merge with the crystal to give a lovely natural appearance.

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TWO RIVERS MALL UNVEILS THE BIGGEST CINEMA SCREEN IN THE REGION

“The bigger the better” Two Rivers mall in Nairobi, Kenya had this saying in mind while they installed the biggest cinema screen in the region. The screen measures 19.5 meters in width and 8.7 meters in height and features a Dolby Atmos 4k screen and sound system. This was opened in partnership with Century Cinemax. 

 

This screen was installed with the movie enthusiasts in mind, to give them a fully immersive cinema experience. Two Rivers managing director, Theodoros Pantis said “this is a premium luxury movie watching theater. You’d have to experience it to feel the difference”

 

The now opened cinema complex also features a VIP kids’ cinema designed for fun, comfort and safety. Quoting the Centum Real Estate managing director “Two Rivers development is about integrating residential, retail, entertainment and lifestyle facilities in one location. The opening of this Cinema is yet another step towards fulfilling this goal”

 

Dubbed Two Rivers extreme, it is a complex housed in a premium auditorium equivalent to a four stories tall building to accommodate the massive screen.

 

The 7.1 digital surround sound provides deep absorption, the ultimate movie viewing experience. 

 

It was also finished with a premium, extra wide, high-back rocking chairs for the ultimate comfort of movie enthusiasts.

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20 YEARS OF DAKAR FASHION WEEK CELEBRATED IN STYLE

The Senegalese 20 years of Dakar Fashion Week was celebrated in style on Saturday 3rd December, with a show at the historic Island of Goree once known for slave trade. 

 

The show was put together by Adama N’Diaye who is a French designer with Senegalese roots and owner of the French label Adama Paris. 

 

The designer and organiser of the Dakar Fashion week was completely elated for the growth the Dakar Fashion week has experienced over the years, which had a very nice party with 20 exceptional designers. She said African fashion is inspiring, diversified, beautiful and daring. 

 

The show had a runway of 20 designer’s work from African countries including Angola, Morocco, Mali, Mozambique and South Africa.

 

One of the designers from Morocco, Karim Tassi said that the originality is to be in Africa and bring together all the African designers, with each of them displaying their own cultural identity and putting everyone on the same catwalk, which is magnificent. 

 

The show helps boost the local fashion industry in Senegal, motivating and encouraging more younger people to follow a career in this business.

 

The event ended on Sunday evening with an all “white night”.

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NIGERIA EMERGED AS TOP 3 WINNERS OF THE MISS PRIDE OF AFRICA BEAUTY PAGEANT

At the Miss Pride of Africa Beauty Pageant that was just concluded, Nigeria emerged as one of the top winners in the competition which was held in London, United Kingdom.

 

The  Beauty Pageant took place on 26th November, 2022 and was organised to empower African women by providing a platform that would encourage them to further give an in-depth humanitarian service on the continent. 

 

The competition had a number of African countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, Mayottee and Sierra Leone, with representative beauty queen aspirants.

 

Nigeria’s Akerejola Itiafa was one of the top 3 winners after a total of 17 candidates contested for the ultimate crown and several stages of assessment.

 

Itiafa said that: “As Queen, my charitable campaign would be focused on promoting financial literacy in Africa, especially for low-income enterprising women, women with small business”, as she spoke on her plans for the crown.

 

Asides from being crowned the People’s Queen, she also earned other awards such as second princess, an ambassador of the pageant and the award of the best swimwear.

 

During the contest, her incredible manifesto was targeted at increasing financial literacy among low-income enterprising women in Nigeria and also, she showcased the multi-faceted aspects of the Nigerian culture through food and various cultural attires.

 

The newly crowned Miss Pride of Africa Beauty is a proud Nigerian from Ogori-Magongo in Kogi state. She is a graduate of the University of Lincoln with a B.A. in Business Marketing and Masters Degree holder in International Trade, Strategy and Operations from the University of Warwick.

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2022 MTV EMAs: NIGERIAN SINGER BURNA BOY WINS ‘BEST AFRICAN ACT’

Popular grammy award-winning Nigerian singer, Burna Boy has been awarded the winner of the ‘Best African Act’ category at the 2022 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) on Sunday.

The Grammy-award winner was nominated in the category alongside Ayra Starr (Nigeria), Black Sheriff (Ghana), Tems (Nigeria), Zuchu (South Africa) and Musa Keyz (Tanzania).

He was announced the winner of the category during the pre-award ceremony and the recognition followed a widely successful 2022 for him, although he was not present physically to receive the award.

The MTV EMAs 2022 was held at the PSD Bank Dome in Dusseldorf, Germany, with Taylor Swift recognised as the queen of the night for earning four awards at the event. 

Taylor received top awards including ‘Best Artist’, ‘Best Video’, ‘Best Pop’ and ‘Best Longform Video’ for ‘All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)’.

‘Best song’ and ‘Best Hip Hop’ was awarded to Nicki Minaj for ‘Super Freaky Girl’, while Harry Styles won ‘Best Live’.

The live global music celebration was hosted by Rita Ora and Taika Waititi and it featured electrifying performances from chart-topping artists and honoured fan favourites across 20 categories, as well as a moving performance by Ukrainian Band Kalush Orchestra with a powerful display of support for Ukraine.

The show host Rita Ora won the award for ‘Best Look Personal Style’, while ‘Video for Good’ went to Sam Smith feat. Kim Petras for ‘Unholy’.

Nigerian Disk Jockey, DJ SPINALL, Ayanna and Nasty C (South African rapper) closed the night performing by roller skaters with tracking devices that the lights on the stage form funky patterns.

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November 2022 Edition of the Photogenic Stride Contest by AfriSQuare Kicks Off

The November 2022 edition of the  Photogenic Stride Contest by AfriSQuare has kicked off today as a winner and other runner-ups emerges from the October edition. This contest which was created to showcase the true beauty of the African woman has proven to be a starting point for aspiring models in Africa, which is evident in the past editions.

 

 

 

Tricia Andong from Nigeria who contested in the October edition  with 80 ladies from other African Countries is the winner with 3,149.5 votes. She is now an AfriSQuare model as she joins the league of other AfriSQuare models, like Princess Monic from Kenya who contested with other 99 ladies from across Africa in the September 2022 Photogenic Stride Contest edition and won with 5,521 votes.   

 

 

Currently, ladies from across Africa are warming up to win this November 2022 edition as the contest to showcase the true beauty of the African woman intensifies. The AfriSQuare photogenic stride contest is one of a kind as contestants of the previous editions have benefited either as winners, runners ups or via the consolation prize. But you must have at least shared your links with your family and friends for you to be voted for, as you can have a chance to become the winner.

 

The AfriSQuare monthly photogenic stride contest is based on pure merit as it is a virtual event with transparency in operations. The more you share your link with your family and friends to vote for you, the higher the chances you have to win. If are you an African lady, then click here to contest for the November 2022 photogenic stride contest.

 

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SENEGAL TO HOST THE UPCOMING 8TH AFRIMA TAGGED “THE TERANGA EDITION”

At the host country unveiling, the Senegalese government accepted to host the 8th edition of All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) at a Joint World Media Conference held at the Hotel King Fahd Royal Palace, in Dakar, Senegal on Friday 4th November, 2022.

 

The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) is an innovative awards platform that rewards the excellence in the African music industry and showcases the cultural and entertainment uniqueness of Africa to the rest of the world with partnership with the African Union Commission.

 

The award ceremony was scheduled to be held on December 8 to 11, 2022, but has been postponed to hold from January 12 to 15, 2023, in Dakar Senegal, as jointly announced by The International Committee of AFRIMA, The African Union Commission and The Republic of Senegal. This also changes the voting deadline for the nominees which will be shifted till January 13, 2023, at 23:00 (CAT). This is also a limelight for Senegal, as this is the first time the main awards will be held in a francophone country after past editions.

 

Many notable and high ranked personalities attended the conference, amongst others were; the Representatives of Senegalese Minister of Culture and Communication; and the Minister of Tourism and Air Travels, Special Adviser to the President of Senegal, Dr. Massamba Gaye alongside local and international Media Professionals; AFRIMA delegates; African Union Commission officials; African music stakeholders; 8th AFRIMA nominees and African artistes, Iba One (Mali), DJ Neptune (Nigeria), DJ Moh Green (French-Algerian).

 

Angela Martins, The Head Culture Division, Social Affairs Division, African Union Commission (AUC) said that the African Union is excited to have the awards hold in a francophone region, also stating that the awards is happening at a time when “Senegal will still be the Chairperson of the African Union and it is an opportune occasion to close its chairmanship by promoting our rich arts, culture and heritage.

 

Mike Dada, the President and Executive Producer of AFRIMA announced that the 8th edition of AFRIMA is officially tagged the Teranga Edition which encompasses the good hospitality, warmth, generosity and sharing that is the core to Senegalese life.

 

The 4-day event will commence on Thursday January 12, 2023 with a courtesy visit to the President of the Host Country, a host city tour, school visit and gift presentation (AFRIMA’s CSR) as well as a welcome soiree will be held the same day. The African Music Business Summit and AFRIMA Urban Music Fest will be held on Friday January 13, 2023, while the main rehearsals and nominees exclusive party will be held on Saturday January 14, 2023 with the live awards ceremony broadcast by 104 TV stations to over 84 countries around the world.

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MWILA WOMEN AND THEIR BEAUTIFUL HAIR CULTURE

Mwila is an ethnic group that is part of Nyaneka which is a larger ethnic group living in southern Angola. They settled in the area of Huila during the 17th century because of the drought that made them abandon their lands in the country of Quilengues.

This tribe rarely eat meat, they only kill their cattles on special occasions.

The women of this ethnic group take great pride in their hairs and it could be used to pass a message. For instance, when a woman has just three dreads, it means there are dead people in the family. The usual number is 4-6.

They coat their hairs with a red paste called Oncula. Oncula is made with crushed red stone, mixture of oil, crushed tree bark, dried cow dungs and herbs. Their plaits like dread are called Nontombi.

The beautiful decorations are done with beads, cauri shells either real or plastic and dried foods. In this ethnic group, a shaved forehead is considered a sign of beauty.

These hairstyles are protected with a headrest. Hair means a lot to the women of this ethnic group.

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SCAR APPRECIATION DAY IN KAMPALA, UGANDA.

     

31 year-old Monica Khatokho, founder of Khatz Moniq Apparel fashion store in Kampala,Uganda hosted a charity event with regards to scar appreciation day which was on 22nd October. Monica was diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome in 2016 and she had to undergo two major life saving surgeries which left her with scars on her belly. In her interview with Africa news she said “I hated myself before, because of the scars. But the moment I accepted that, yes, this is something I cannot change about myself, that acceptance was healing to me”. She wanted people that shared the same journey with her to get the same closure she had gotten and heal from their traumas hence, she hosted the event to celebrate every scar because every scar tells a story. 

 

This event was hosted at Mestil Hotel in Uganda’s capital, kampala. Plus size people and people with other rare body conditions like vitiligo were also represented at this event. For this first edition, there was a one day audition for the male and female models before the shortlisted models paraded on the catwalk.

 

Lucy Kemisiga was one of the models that paraded the catwalk and she is a burn survivor. In her interview with Africa news she said “I got my scars in 2011, It was a fire accident. The house at home caught fire from a candle, and I was in there sleeping. I got burnt. I spent a few months at the hospital, and that’s how I got the scars”. 

 

The message the event was trying to pass was that scars do not make one ugly, each scar tells a story and your trauma does not define you. The most important message for the models was that each scar has a story. 

 

The theme of the event was “My scars are beautiful”. It was obvious that Monica Khatokho took utmost pride in this event as the creative director.

 

Proceeds obtained from this event was slated to go towards the Dirare Organization, this organization has been set up to offer support to individuals with scars.

 

She has decided to make this somewhat of a culture to help people with similar experiences.

 

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