PEPPER IN THE FAB HOUSE! 50 IS THE MAGIC NUMBER: ARISE MAGAZINE FASHION WEEK

FAB Greetings!!

I'm currently listening to my Africa: 50 Years of Music album which I think is an appropriate soundtrack to end my fashion week marathon. It’s a week since the Arise and the This Day team stormed Lagos and took over Federal Palace Hotel to present the world with 50 of Africa’s greatest fashion talent. Arise Magazine Fashion Week [AMFW] to many, was an ambitious project to embark on so suddenly especially given the “naija factor” which at a point became another tired cliché. When will we start taking responsibility for our own actions and stop passing the buck whenever something goes wrong in Nigeria?...She/he has feelings too…another blog post for another day. 

FAB Team at AMFW

Ambitious it may have been, AMFW is a platform to showcase the exceptional design talent Africa has to offer, [“it’s been a loooong time coming”] an eclectic explosion of individual expression and collective passion for our culture and fashion. For many, AMFW was also a chance to parade the red carpet and rub shoulders with the movers and shakers of Nigeria’s fashion and entertainment industry when your press or VIP pass allowed you into the Belvedere Vodka Marquee sponsored by Temple Muse and Style House Files.

I am now on the last track ‘Aminha’ off my Afrique Lusophone mix by Africa Negra. Coming from Sao Tome Principe, I'm amazed how this song has such a strong Igbo High Life melody…anyway…Africa: 50 Years of Music is an 18-CD set of 185 recordings from 39 African countries that claims to be "the most comprehensive compilation of African music ever achieved". Each track represents each respective country’s culture, way of life and journey, to and after independence. Sometimes musical compositions are distinct to a place and other times musical undertones overlap one and other, further breaking down grand narratives of Africa being one homogeneous block. In the same vain it was beautiful to watch all designers showcase their cultures and flying their flags uniquely yet collectively.

Okunoren Twins

Africa: 50 Years of Music is also a compilation of the political climate of African nations during the independence, giving you a musical insight into the political nature, thoughts and feelings felt during the independence process. Evidently statements were being made from designers through their collections at AMFW from Buki Akib’s salute to Fela and Afro Beat, Ituen Basi’s making riding Okada (for ride or die chicas like moi) fashionable with road safety inspired Ankara helmets, Maki Oh’s innovative stunning yet environmental friendly collection, Deola Sagoe’s exceptional remembrance tribute to Japan and long live vintage inspired collections from so many like; Amine Bendriouich and the Okunoren Twins 

Angelo Von Mol

Though the box set makes for very rich, educating and interesting listening, especially if you are a music and language lover like me, I was disappointed not to hear much from Fela, and our Juju and High Life greats in the West African compilation. Likewise I was disappointed in some of the organizational aspects that could have been avoided which lead to the cancellation of Thursday’s schedule and the no shows from fashion favourites of mine. However, pulling off such a mighty show such as AMFW profiling 50 designers, a first of its kind is no walk in the park.

Bridget Awosika, Ajuma &Flaviana Matata in Bridget Awoskia

Firstly, I was pleasantly pleased to see our models fiercely walking the runway with Africa’s best in the business; Ajuma, Aminta Niaria, Aminat Ayinde, Georgie Badiel, Agbani Darego, Flaviana Matata and second time mother to be Oluchi Onweagba. Secondly, I was also impressed with the amount of hands on support being lent by Nigeria’s budding new fashion generation and Nigeria’s media and press posy all out to cover. Finally, all the early teething problems were made up for with spectacular collections being revealed by Africa’s finest to Africa’s rising star designers. The established and the up and coming stood side by side, rose to the challenge and gave their best for the world to see, sit up and take note. 

Oluchi Onweagba in Xuly Bët

We hope this is a mighty push in the right direction for Africa’s designers to continue in the same pace, to improve quality of production, widen distribution channels and in the words of This Day Chairman/CEO Mr Nduka Obaigbena “Move over Gucci, you have not seen or heard the last of us…fashion is business and not just about entertainment.” So please keep in touch, send through your look books, press releases and update us on your new collections, happenings and developments to fashioneditor@fabmagazineonline.com

Congratulations to all AMFW Award Winners:

Tsemaye Binitie, Jewel by Lisa, Bunmi Koko, Kluk CGTD and Pierre-Antoine Vetterello will represent Africa at the AMFW Gala in New York on September 14th 2011 during New York Fashion Week.

Major honours went to Deola Sagoe (Nigeria), Xuly.Bët (Mali/France), Eredappa (Nigeria), Kluk CGTD (South Africa) and Sade Thomas (Nigeria) for the Lifetime Achievement Awards, whilst South African designer Kluk CDGT scooped Designer of The Year Award.

Best in Creative Designs - Ituen Basi (Nigeria)

Best in Innovative Designs - Pierre-Antoine Vettorello (Belgium/Ghana)

Menswear Designer of the Year - Angelo Von Mol (Belgium/Ghana)

The New Face of the Year – Chika (Nigeria)

The Fashion Brand of the Year - Tiffany Amber (Nigeria)

Emerging Designer of the Year - Maki Oh (Nigeria)

Young Designer of the Year - Buki Akib (Nigeria)

Style Icon of the Year - Nike Oshinowo

Model of the Year - Flaviana Matata

Stay FAB for more AMFW Reports...

I "USED TO" LOVE TRAVELLING

Hello FAB people,

A few things about being FAB is that you tend to work a lot and harder than most; your sleep time is punctuated by beeps on your phone indicating urgent emails and sometimes calls from colleagues who can hardly relate to the time zone you are in; you hardly find time to eat properly; you go to loads of meetings and if you spend seven hours or more travelling, you end up having to respond to over a hundred emails! In all of this you are expected to turn-up at meetings and events looking well-rested, sharp and in control. Permit to shout this out...PERSON GO DIE O!

I refuse to lament about this though as the path of FABness wasn't thrust upon me, she only presented herself and I fell in love. FABness peeped through an opening in my door, I saw half of her face and boy was she pretty! I leapt from my bed, opened the door to let her in and as we lay in bed together, I made a promise to her..."I will never let you go as long as I live!" Sometimes I wonder whether or not I should have done a proper courtship with her before saying, "I do!"

I would usually tell people that I love travelling but about a week ago, I finally admitted to myself that I really didn't like travelling after all. I will tell you my reasons shortly.

I am sure you read about my travel to Sri Lanka, if you didn't search within the blog archives and try to find it. I managed to come into Lagos for 3 nights after my Asian travels with the intent of registering to vote in the elections coming up in April, and yes, I did. I immediately left for Dubai and subsequently New York right after where I attended the New York Fashion Week with our amazing Fashion Editor, Pepper  where we saw over a dozen shows and attended a couple of fashion parties, most memorable was the Patricia Fields after-party (Look at the images and you will understand why).

I spent 10 days in New York and permit to mention that FAB Magazine is now distributed in NewYork and across other states in the US - store details coming soon.

Moved on to Chicago, then Atlanta, then Dallas, then Houston, then Chicago, then Minnesota, then Chicago, then back to New York, then Dubai and finally Lagos! I am positive a lot of you are immediately envious, and yes, I usually spend 5% of my time ensuring I take pictures that will keep you envious for a long time. However, I do not envy myself much! In 3 weeks I have been on 14 different flights! Who the hell does that?! I have taken a total of 18 flights in 6 weeks. I now officially hate travelling as I got airsick on one of my trips and got feverish, with a headache and nausea on a particular flight! I sincerely dread the next flight I will be on  shortly but then it is a price to pay for FABness! Till I update you next, I hope my fun pictures inspire you to envy! Lol!

Have an amazingly FAB week!

Mr. FAB

Outside the Tea Castle in Sri Lanka

The sun setting on the beach right outside my hotel in Sri Lanka

Patricia Fields Party, New York

Patricia Fields Party, New York
(by the way, these are men!)

Patricia Fields Party, New York

Patricia Fields Party, New York

Tadashi Shoji, New York

Tadashi Shoji Show, New York

Let it rain!

Minnesota was all white and mad cold.

The funniest chef I have ever met, Minnesota

Mall of America, Miinesota - so big they have theme park inside!

With the Sulaiman sisters, beauty experts

You can be my first son - it don't matter if you're black or white!

My Houston sons!

Rodeo Parade, Houston

Sick traveller

Stop-over in Dubai

With my twin & FAB Editor-in-chief, Sinem - Milton Keynes

Up, Up and Away: The Highs and The Highs

FAB Greetings!!!

As you know or may not know, I have been here, there and everywhere over the past few months. Life in the FAB lane is causing my body clock to just give up on the attempt of rebooting itself. With so much to say and a lot of proof reading to catch up on for the next issue, I am just going to share with you my highlights from Las Gidi toYankee to JD, [sorry,come again??] Lagos to New York to London in pictures....in a lot of pictures

Lagos City

My favourite Nollywood Actor Mike Ezeronye tied the knot!! (In real life) That's him and his wife tearing up the dance floor

Buy the next issue of FAB to find out which superstar twins this birthday cake belonged to

Mo'Cheddah and I before heading for the birthday cake above.

Apparently it helps

Photographer Moussa  teaching  model Bunmi in Ibadan how to carry a pile of fire wood on her head. That's why she pulled it off effortlessly in FAB Issue 3's 'Analogue Girl in a Digital World' editorial.

Have a break have a Miranda.

Chef Uche @  Bishops Cottage was inspired by my hair and made this for me at the FAB Night Out model fittings. Minus the sultana's the cake was nice

FAB Night Out Models in MAI for Vlisco

Jill Boutique and I backstage at FAB Night Out in Vlisco

 FAB GM Nicola and I chilling at the Milk Bar

New York City....

Lisa Brown [Editor of Ghetto Fashionista] and I after she took me to the famous Serendipity Restaurant in NY for some real good hot chocolate and then onto Crumbs for some yummy cupcakes...Long Live Lisa for taking time out to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Mr FAB and I looking fabulously warm at NYFW

Me, a friend and Mr FAB at Patricia Fields NYFW after party

Only at Patricia Fields

Designer, Prajje Jean-Baptiste and I at his NYFW after party.

During a mild run in with Malaria, I still managed to catch up with uber cool and smooth stylist Ugo Mozie and his super hot assistant Tiffany. Get to know Ugo's creativity in FAB Issue 3 and 4, the guy toh bad joh!

Model Ajak Deng at NYFW for TIBI

FAB on Ice

 Model  Gate Haile from 'Princess and Princesses of Africa' Issue 3 and I @ Duro Olowu AW11 NYFW

Duro Olowu AW11 @ NYFW

Duro Olowo and FAB Fashion Editor - Pepper 

Gambian Music in Times

London Town

Maria Grachvogal AW11 @ LFW

Bora Aksu AW11 @ LFW....I would like to own these tights

Bora Aksu AW11 @ LFW

Beverley Knight and I @ Bora Aksu AW11 LFW

Nikki Minaj and Lil Kim were friends at PPQ AW11 NYFW

The beautiful Jodie Smith, me and our turbans in tight form after so much walking to the PPQ LFW after party.

Me and Uncle Amechi @ PPQ LFW after party

Brudda  Didier, me and Uncle Amechi @ PPQ LFW after party

...and the goodies

Stay FAB!