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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

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

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

    CELEBRITY fashion designer Mudiaga Enajemo popularly known as Mudi is the recipient of O’jez Entertainment Awards for February, and the foremost designer who hails from Delta State, has assured he would be present to receive one of the industry’s most prestigious awards on Sunday, February 26 at the celebrity restaurant, O’jez, inside National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Mudi is being honoured for his invaluable contributions to both the fashion and entertainment industries in Nigeria according to O’jez’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Joseph Odobeatu in a statement. “Mudi is one young Nigerian that has made this country proud across Africa. His Mudi label has gained grounds in East, West and South Africa and he makes clothes for all celebrities and all classes of people in the continent. Like I always reiterate, O’jez Entertainment Awards was instituted to celebrate Nigerians that have distinguished themselves in their fields of endeavours. Consequently, we are celebrating Mudi on F

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

As it’s February, the month of love and romance Spice TV has decided to ‘treat’ our lovely readers dearly by giving out fantastic gifts courtesy of six A-list Nigerian designers…Oh did we mention they’re fabulous gifts you will love? Great! It’s simple and precise. Follow the simple steps below and you’ll probably be wining a real gift from amazing Nigerian designers this February. First step: Follow Spice TV on Twitter @SpiceTVOnline Second Step: Join the Spice TV Facebook group here – https://www.facebook.com/groups/206849459354027/ Third Step: Two different questions will be posted daily within the next seven (7) days on Spice TV Twitter handle - @SpiceTVOnline , answer the questions correctly and you stand a chance of winning lovely items from fabulous designers like; Pearl 1130, Ejiro Amos Tafiri, Marayah. O, Viv La Resistance, Alali Boutique, Beatrice Black Atari. Contestants should however note the following; Images of the two pieces to be won daily will be tweeted alongside inf

[caption id="attachment_6712" align="alignleft" width="600" caption="Nduka Obaigbena"] [/caption] 'Now, lets see which of us is the biggest' seem to be the slogan between the organizers of the Arise Africa Fashion week and Joborg Fashion week. Two of the top fashion weeks in Africa has been slated for the same period.While the Joburg Fashion Week is slated to hold between 7 and 10 March 2012, Arise would start one 6 March and ends on 11 March 2012 in Nigeria. A source who spoke with gistmaster.com last weekend said "This could just be another way that African Fashion International and Arise wants to lock up their battle of supremacy. You know they had a major disagreement durning the first Arise Africa Fashion Week in 2009. That is why they have not been able to collaborate on it again. Instead Nduka decided to organise subsequent ones in Nigeria and invited some South African designers and directors for the second one" Another

Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) kicked of f to a f lamboyant star t for i ts debut launch in London dur ing August 2011. With an impressive turnout of over 4,700 at tendees, the 2-day ext ravaganza created an unprecedented plat form for over 50 international designers to showcase thei r col lect ions. Glowing press reviews and high at tendance f igures in 2011 have boosted AFWL prof i le and now led to capt ivate a wider internat ional audience in 2012, benef iciat ing of an est imated 7 mi l l ion London visi tors set to be in the capi tal for the Olympics. AFWL pledged to cont inue of fer ing equal oppor tuni t ies & exposure to designers f rom al l backgrounds whom are inspi red by Af r ican designs, pr ints & text i les. Of fer ing cut t ing edge fashion, inter iors, or iginal ar tworks as wel l as food, Spi tal f ields Market, winner of the 2007 Best New Open Space, is sur rounded by independent shops, cafes, bars and awarding winning restaurants such as Canteen, Galvin

Olufunsho Amosun, wife of Ogun State Governor"] [/caption] By Niyi Tabiti When it comes to Fashuon, most Nigerian women are always in their best. Durning the first and second tenure of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo's administration, Onari Duke was adjudged the most beautiful of all the first ladies. The effortless elegance of Mrs. Onari Duke made her the favorite of many fashion followers. In Our special edition that is coming up soon, Gistmaster.com would be taking a look at the new first ladies and how they they have been promoting the dress African culture. What more?We are also going to take a look at who is truly the Most Beautiful First lady. We are also going to take a look at various projects they are doing to alleviate the lives of the less priviledged.It would be published as part of our special lifetyle package. Click here to read Inside Patience Jonathan's Fashion Cabinet [caption id="attachment_6641" align="alignleft" width="336

[caption id="attachment_6569" align="alignleft" width="479" caption="Imade Ogbewi"] [/caption] After her marvelous debut at the South Africa Fashion Week and subsequent appearance at the Gambia Fashion Week, the new star of Nigeria's runway, Imade Ogbewi is prepared 'hug' the limelight in europe as she look forward to the London Fashion Week this February in the United Kingdom. The 18 year old model from Edo State Nigeria was the winner of the Nigeria Next Supermodel 2011 in Lagos Nigeria.When gistmaster.com met her recently, she was very confident about what the future holds in stock for her with her modelling career. The model told our correspondent that she has not been sexually harrassed but confirmed that since she won a lot of guys have been pestering to date her but for now, she is only going to 'date' her career. Other models from Isis Modelling agency such as Aishetu Bello, Bunmi Ademokoya are also going to feature at

The South Africa Fashion Week winter and summer collections is set to take place between October 2011. According to information sent to gistmaster.com today,the winter collections would be showcased at Crowne Plaza, Rosebank between September 22 and 25. The SA Fashion Week Summer pop up shop 201 collections would hold at Sandton City Fountain Court between October 30 and 2 October. SNEAK PEAK-GUGULUM South African designer, Gugulum dream is to create timeless designs. She was a stylist for Soul magazine before setting up her label in 2008. Where did you study? I studied at the Wits Technikon. How long have you been designing. I have been a designer for many years but my label has been operation for three years now. When you start with a collection do you start from scratch or build on an existing collections? I start my collection from scratch and then pull in some ideas from my other collections if necessary. Does your culture have an influence in your design aesthetic? The world cul

By Niyi Tabiti I spent sometime asking questions about whats next for ex- Fashion Editor of City People magazine, Miss Bola Akinboade recently. Here is the interview Gistmaster : What are the things you intend doing now after resigning from your position as city people magazine's fashion editor? Right now my dream is to have my event outfit and also have a fashion label. I have always loved fashion designing; I have attended a fashion school couple of years back, I am just waiting for the right timing. I didn’t just want to start and end up being like just another designer coming up so for now, I am starting with my event/PR outfit, reason because that is much easier for me to start with and with my years with City People, i have been exposed. I have handled couple of event and it has given me confidence that I can also do that and for the fashion label that is CHANTALLE, I am still hoping to do an advanced training before I start officially. Hopefully, towards the end

[caption id="attachment_6396" align="alignleft" width="388" caption="Agbani Darego"] [/caption]Agbani Darego belong to the league of the swankiest, the sexiest and record breakers. Still pretty and lively as ever, Gistmaster.com spotted Agbani at the autograph session for Mania magazine. Agbani Darego seated quietly at the Natures Gentle Touch corner in the Silver Bird Galleria on Sunday, 17 July, 2011. Agbani who graced the cover of the second edition of Mania Magazine was happy as admirers, both young and old trooped in from every corner to get autographed copies. The elegant-looking beauty recently joined Oluchi Onweagba in becoming a brand ambassador. The former Miss World queen who many believed has been on the quite side ever since her completed her reign, told gistmaster.com in an interview with gistmaster.com that “I have doing modeling jobs abroad and also trying to get education” When asked how long the contract with Gentle Touch is

[caption id="attachment_6346" align="aligncenter" width="319" caption="Omoyemi Akerele"] [/caption]Leading telecommunications company in Nigeria, MTN, in partnership with Style House Files and the British Council Nigeria, has announced the dates and venues of the regional auditions and interviews for the 12 young designers to feature at its high profile fashion and design event slated for October, MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week. According to the General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Kola Oyeyemi, the auditions will hold in Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos to draw up a shortlist of applicants from which the 12 finalists will be selected for the four-day show. Giving more details, Oyeyemi said the auditioning team will first berth in Port Harcourt on the 25th and 26th of July at the British Council Office, 127 Olu Obasanjo Road, GRA Phase 2. He said the next audition and interviews will hold in Abuja on the 28th and 29th of July

By Niyi Tabiti Former Miss World, Miss Agbani Darego would be the center of attraction at Silverbird Galleria on Sunday 17 July 2011 where she would be signing autograph on copies of Mania magazine. Mania Magazine which debuted with Modupe Ozolua is now out with its second edition. The special travel issue which features Agbani Darego- the first black African miss world on the cover, celebrates the achievements of not just a supermodel, but a role model. Mania magazine editors announced that this issue is 212 (Two Hundred and Twelve) pages of holiday fashion, travel destinations, trend and beauty reports, guides on packing right and packing light, makeup to travel with, ageing antidotes, movies and music reviews, events and many more for =N= 1000 only. There is also a 20% discount on all subscriptions.

The organizers of Lagos Fashion and Design Week (LFDW) has formally announced the take off of entries into various competition during the event. MTN British Council Designer of the Year Competition Are you a budding young designer with design talents that can be nurtured and developed to propel you into the Nigerian fashion industry’s limelight, log on to www.mtnonline.com/fashionweek for a chance to win an opportunity to show your designs on the MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2011 runway, a brand new Hyundai Jeep provided by MTN and Master Fashion Design Classes facilitated by British Council. MTN British Council Designer of the Year 2011... Enriching lives. Apply NOW! Deadline for application - 24 th July 2011. Screening will take place across 3 locations in Nigeria - Port Harcourt 25 th and 26 th of July, Abuja 28 th and 29 th of July and Lagos, 2 nd and 3 rd of August. For more details, log on to www.mtnonline.com/fashionweek   MTN British Council Young Creative Entrepre

[caption id="attachment_6158" align="alignright" width="319" caption="La Bendelle Design"] [/caption] [caption id="attachment_6159" align="alignright" width="319" caption="Model"] [/caption] Four designers showcased their works at the Women on Wellness Seminar organized by Allure magazine produced by Vanguard Newspapers on Saturday 2 July 2011 i n Lagos. It is presented here as captured by Gistmaster.com [caption id="attachment_6162" align="alignright" width="319" caption="model wearing native dress"] [/caption] The Four designers are Larry Kay Ojomo of Mon Ami Couture,Ngozi Onyeakwu of Vivis Design, House of Jonah led by Mrs. Joan Okorodudu and Imol Design led by Adeyinka Jonah. The Guests, which included Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, wife of Lagos State Governor and her Ondo State counterpart, Mrs. Olufunke Mimiko, Mrs. Abah Folawiyo, Mrs. Yetunde Onileere, Mrs. Sarah Sosa

NEW YORK COUTURE FASHION WEEK 2011 REVIEW Nigerian models have shown  they have all it takes to be the best anywhere they find themselves in the world. In the recent review of Best of Haute Couture at New York Couture Fashion Week 2011 review by Fashion TV (FTV), Models from Isis, a modelling agency by Mrs. Joan Okorodudu came out to show their ingenuity on the runway. click on the link to see the video

[caption id="attachment_5977" align="alignleft" width="320" caption="Jane Ogbe"] [/caption] Gistmaster.com One of the activities that were held ahead of the ongoing Under 20 Female World Cup is the Miss World Cup Beauty Pageant. Gorgeous Miss Jane Ogbe (former Miss International 2007), represented Nigeria and emerged Second Runner-up at the competition. The event was held last Friday June 17, 2011 in Germany and had beauty queens from different parts of the world in contention. Tracing Jane’s career, we see a young girl who started as a video girl, to a professional runway model for various fashion shows including Omoyemi Akerele & Odion (2006) and Linda Ikeji’s Fashion Show (2007). Her first attempt to beauty pageantry was Miss Earth 2007 where she emerged First Runner-up and crowned Miss International 2007. According to her, this competition really gave her exposure and several opportunities like representing Nigeria at the Miss Globe Inter

[caption id="attachment_5970" align="alignleft" width="317" caption="Lisa Folawiyo"] [/caption] By Gistmaster.com If the name of Nigeria’s hottest trendsetters is to feature anywhere, Lisa Folawiyo would appear in colours. Stylish and talented, her line ‘Jewel by Lisa' has proved to be one of the most outstanding market leaders in the fashion industry. The latest gist about the owner of Jewel by Lisa, says all is set for the release of her brand new affordable diffusion line, ‘The J Label’ Toni Tones and her crew got an exclusive preview of Lisa’s new line of business. You can click here to see exclusive documentary as produced and directed by Toni Tones. "I had a great time directing this documentary, it was all laughs, jokes and sunny smiles on set as the JBL team were a pleasure to work with", said Toni Tones Aside featuring the creative director, Lisa Folawiyo and Makida Mouka a model and face of sleek winner, the documentary a