FDC Young Designer Show Presents the Crème of Young Fresh and New Fashion Talent

Fashion Designers and Craft makers (FDC) Young Designer Show takes place on Saturday 26th March at the Nobel Suite of the Novotel London Hotel St Pancras at 100 -110 Euston Road London NW1 2AJ the event starts at 4pm - 9pm. The gala evening will be hosted by Annaliese Dayes (from Britain’s next top model) and Chyna Desveaux. Selected young designers from all over the UK who have excelled creatively and have the potential to be the next big stars of the international fashion stage will be competing for the coveted Young Designer Award ages 9-25 year and the Radical Collections Award any age over 21 years. A very special showcase at Seattle Fashion Week USA is being offered to one of our 2011 winners.

This year the young designer show participants have also been offered the fantastic opportunity to debut a collection in The Fashion Designers Expo Week based in Florida.

Fashion Designer Expo Florida is an exciting Fashion Week designed to show the world new fashion superstars, showcasing the best emerging talent from all over the world, FDE Florida offers the excitement and exposure that the emerging fashion talent need from extravagant runway shows to lavish parties.

Joanna Marcella the founder of the show and awards says “Our unique selling point is that our events recognises young multicultural design talent and catapults young fashion designers right on to the international fashion stage.”

At the young designer show on the 26 of March a special announcement will be made about fantastic opportunity for a group of designers to take in part in a all denim fashion show in Monte Carlo Monaco. Some on the designer names participating are: Leeanne Ripley-Garrett, Hannah Bloxham, Gbemisola Okunlola, Teresita Auguste, Gabriele Bernotaite, Keni Magma Puplampu, Kanyinsola Onalaja, Temila Jones, Jessy Sakala and Antoinette Oshodi.

Joanna continues “The FDC Young Designer Show and Awards has been growing from strength to strength and our reputation has reached all corners of the globe, any young designer who would to be part of the great project can still apply to come on board providing they have a collection ready to show and they meet all of the other criteria.”

Joanna and her team are looking for designers who have the potential to be future icons like John Galliano, Vivienne Westwood or Alexander McQueen. For entry details, to models sponsor or attend the show contact Joanna Marcella on email:joanna_marcella@hotmail.com or call: +44 (0) 7940 647 102 / +44 (0) 20 8986 8411.

 

FELA! IN LAGOS

TONY^® AWARD WINNING SENSATION

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 20^th to 25^th.  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.”

For sponsorship, advertising and brand affiliation opportunities, please email sponsorship@felainlagos.com

For more information on FELA! please visit http://www.felainlagos.com

For all press and public relations matters please email pr@felainlagos.com

For more information on ticketing and group sales please email tickets@felainlagos.com

FAB LOVES OHEMA OHENE

Everybody knows how much I love being African as well as British, so anytime I have the opportunity to showcase Africa in good light (unlike the BBC) I don’t hesitate to bring out my trumpet (more like vuvuzela) and blow it as loud as I can.

During one of my endless searching for pieces for a photo shoot for the upcoming issue which - if I may add - should be mega good, I stumbled on Ohema Ohene and it was love at first sight. After being commissioned to style a shoot, I called the store and headed down to Brixton to get pieces for my task.

I stepped into the store and it was nothing short of impressive. The store gave out an Afrocentric vibe with a touch of class, the attention to detail was to impeccable.

Ohema Ohene is an urban fashion line which infuses African print into modern ready to wear pieces.

From afrocentric trainers , t-shirts, dresses,  jumpers to accessories, Ohema Ohene has somehow found the perfect equilibrium which most of African urban print designers try to find when infusing prints into urban designs.

My personal favourite are the OH! Trainers, they are cute, very well made and absolutely irresistible, I couldn’t help but want a pair. 

I was filled with both pride and admiration in short Ohema Ohene won me over and I became a fan instantly. The beauty and brain behind this brand is Abenaa Poukaa, I asked her a couple of questions this is what she had to say:

Ohema Ohene in one sentence and your role: Ohema Ohene meaning Queen and King in Twi (Ghanaian language) is a sophisticated fashion line for all those who like to look dapper!

Where do you draw inspiration from: London

FAB thing about your job: I am the queen of my castle! I get to transform people.

Least likes but still FAB part of your job: No sleep!

What should we expect from Ohema Ohene in the nearest future: Only the very best! Stay tuned for more ranges…

Best advice you can offer: Plan, stay focus, trust in God! 'Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.' Proverbs 12:24

Roses are red violets are blue; if you don't fancy a bouquet, Ohema Ohene should do... Yes, I am cheesy; I can't help it, ok? Bye… xoxo Sherie

For more info go to www.ohemaohene.co.uk