Category : Fashion & Beauty

The aesthetics of allyship, how veteran Nigerian designer Mai Atafo is marrying gender politics and fashion

On a Thursday afternoon, ensconced at his Lekki studio, Mai Atafo is in his element at a fitting for his upcoming collection for Autumn/Winter 19. Dressed in an over-sized utility jacket and jeans, Mai Atafo is uncharacteristically dressed down and the off-duty Mai is just as striking as his suave alter-ego. With just over half of his collection done, Mai is in understandably high spirits. Known for his impeccable work ethic, it comes as no surprise that two weeks to showtime, Mai is right on track. His methodical approach to creating and his attention to detail are refreshing. In an industry that thrives off the thrill of last minute, to see a creative pace himself and put thought into every detail, it’s clear that we are in the presence of someone who has mastered his craft. In the studio Two statuesque fit models. Jazzy and Natasha, strut through the studio in a series of outfits as his team work together seamlessly to finalise the looks. The whole proce...

Gabrielle Union spotted in green jumpsuit by celebrated Nigerian designer Andrea Iyamah

Hollywood star Gabrielle Union is getting back to work after the arrival of her daughter Kaavia and she chose a stylish look by our very own Andrea Iyamah Gabrielle Union, best know for her roles in Bring it On and Being Mary Jane made a chic return to work as she attended the press junket for her latest show, LA's Finest. Pictured holding her adorable daughter, Kaavia, who arrived via surrogacy a few months ago, Gabrielle was beaming. The actress showed off her toned figure in a forest green jumpsuit by Nigerian designer Andrea Iyamah. Gabrielle paired the unique jumpsuit with a sleek bob and a pair of open-toe sandals. She struck a pose on a balcony and flashed her signature smile as she prepared to attend her event. Take your daughter to work day! @kaaviajames blessed the @lasfinesttv press junket ???????????? Wearing @andreaiyamah ???????????? We spy @gabunion in ANDREA IYAMAH IMAN JUMPSUIT!????❤️ Gabri...

Nigerian photographer Lakin Ogunbanwo new series "e wá wo mi" featured in Vogue

Lakin Ogunbanwo is undoubtedly one of the most talented Nigerian photographers in existence right now and his latest series inspired by the visual imagery surrounded Nigerian brides and marriage is receiving international acclaim. .In his new series 'e wá wo mi' (*come look at me) Lakin explores and reinterprets the visual imagery surrounding Nigerian brides and marriage, representing the traditional ceremonial wear of the Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa-Fulani tribes, amongst others. In 'e wá wo mi' weddings are seen as a performative ritual as well as a transformative one, with direct implications for the representation and construction of the female identity. Vogue Italia features Lakin's work alongside an interview in which he discusses how he developed the series and what can be done to tackle the lack of diversity in the photography world. Nigerian photographer Lakin Ogunbanwo new series featured in Vogue [Credit: Vogue.it]...

Rihanna transforms into a bird of paradise for her breathtaking Haper's Bazaar editorial

The pieces titles 'The Art of Being Rihanna' chronicles the superstar's rise from popstar to beauty mogul and features some pretty amazing couture looks. 'The incredible feat of design that is couture fashion calls for an equally impressive person to wear it. Our cover star, Rihanna, is fully up to the task. The multitalented artist, entertainer, and entrepreneur wears museum-worthy masterpieces ranging from rainbow Givenchyto embellished Chanel with a confident ease,” Glenda Bailey, Editor in Chief of Harper’s Bazaar, said in a statement about the issue. Rihanna's stunning Harper's Bazaar cover [Credit: Harper's Bazaar] For the cover, as well as other photos throughout the shoot, Rihanna rocked a rainbow feathered Maison Margiela Artisanal by John Galliano jumpsuit with embellished accents which matched her bold makeup look. Rihanna, 31, is constantly surprising all of us when it comes to beauty and fashio...

Brand guru Bozoma Saint John is a melanin goddess in her 'The Porter Edit' editorial

Bozoma Saint John is quite the force. The Ghanaian- American brand guru is the woman responsible for turning around some of the world's most prolific brands including Uber and Apple Music. "Boz" a highly-respected businesswoman and marketing executive who is the current chief marketing officer at William Morris Endeavor. Previously, she served as chief brand officer at Uber until June 2018. Bozoma is one of the most well-known black faces in the American marketing space and regularly shares her knowledge on panels; often very vocal about her experience in corporate America. Bozoma has reached star status and is now set to star in her own TV show. Talking to the Fast Company, she describes the show as a cross between Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, Mister Rogers, and The Oprah Winfrey Show, that it will bring a sense of “purposefulness” to a range of topics that span her personal and professional life, from her love of fashion to the challenges of being a single, working mother and widow. Bozoma now features in her own f...

COO of Grey Velvet, Tamara Aihie about the business of fashion

With 4 locations across Nigeria and 7 years in the business, Grey Velvet is undoubtedly one of the most successful and long-lasting premium fashion retail chains in Nigeria. Constantly innovating and evolving, Grey Velvet have managed to stay relevant and as they enter a new phase, we sat down with the Tamara Aihie; one half of the mother/daughter duo behind the popular brand to talk about their secret to longevity and their grand vision. Running a successful business in Nigeria is no small feat, especially when that business spans a significant number of years. Tamara laughs when asked what the secret to their success is, eventually admitting that it’s all about keeping it simple.’’We’re not trying anything too extreme, we're just trying to put women in nice clothes. I also think we're one of the first to try and stock as many different African brands as we can, as opposed to just pushing our own thing, so that’s pretty unique. But it's mainly the fact that we're not trying to do too much.’’...

5 ways to banish stubborn belly fat forever

With summer on the horizon, we’re already think about how we can feel good and look even better. One of the problem areas most people report is from their stomach. Here are 5 surefire ways to blast stubborn belly fat. Losing weight from any part of your body can be hard, as many of us know all too well. But the good news is, shedding belly fat can be a tiny bit easier than slimming down your hips, thighs, or other parts of your body. How? Well, women tend to store more temporary fat in their bellies and those fat stores are gained and lost often meaning that belly fat comes off easier in the sense that it comes off first. That doesn't mean you do not struggle with stubborn belly fat that simply refuses to shift, especially that last bit standing between you and a flat stomach. Furthermore, just because belly fat comes off a bit more easily doesn’t make it less dangerous. Belly fat is unfortunately the most dangerous location to store fat because it's known as visceral fat, or the deep abdominal fat that surrounds your organ...

South African design Talent, Rich Mnisi's latest collection is a celebration of his rich cultural heritage

Insanely talented South African designer Rich Mnisi has released their new collection – NWA-MULAMULA: LOBOLA, a celebration of South Africa's rich cultural heritage. According to a press statement from the brand: Inspiration: In the spirit of imagining an ancestor into existence, this is dedicated to my artistic muse and the place where I draw inspiration – I sought to imagine her into existence, through a daydream of her role as a matriarch set against the backdrop of a Lobola ceremony. Lobola is a ceremonial rite of passage in African culture that brings two families together through marriage. I drew from the visual elements and nostalgia of being a little boy running wild in the midst of a celebration. In this childlike dream, I was engulfed by Nwa-MulaMula’s stature and only awoke to pieces of memorabilia. My pieces reflected highlights of colour, textures, gifts and prints that are reminiscent of this daydream; symbolic of the packaging that transports me back home. Nwa-MulaMula remains the ever towering figure that symbolises the wealth of a family that will grow under her guidance....

5 times Eniola Badmus proved that plus-size women can break all the style rules and still look great

Our Nollywood fave is alive, kicking and looking great whilst doing so. Eniola Badmus proves that plus size women don't have to play by the rules and can still look amazing, here's how! Nollywood extraordinaire Eniola Badmus is an actress, director and producer who has carved out a successful career in the industry. Eniola has always been proudly plus-size and not allowed her size to slow down her style. Be it on set or at an event, Eniola always makes sure she looks her best. When you're not a conventional size, there are a lot of style 'restrictions' put onto your body by the mainstream. It's why the idea of larger women in a mini skirt can seem like a bold move and a big girl wearing a crop top can cause a stir. Looking through fashion websites and magazines, you are inundated by the so-called rules for plus size women but why should a woman need to conceal or drape her curves when she could simply embrace them? Sometimes, plus-size women feel bound to a set of rules when it comes to dressing and showing off their body b...

Did you know Cee-C invented the colour blue?! Here are 7 times she impressed in the cool hue.

Cee-C Nwadiora was one of the most prolific #BBNaija housemates but since leaving the house has turned into somewhat of a fashionista. Here are the 7 times she stunned in blue. Since leaving the Big Brother house, Cee-C has transformed her public persona and grown from being one of the most problematic reality stars to a well-loved regular on the celebrity circuit. As Cee-C has grown, so has her image and she has become on of the most stylish ex-housemates. With her penchant for the bodycon and heels combo, Cee-C gets the opportunity to show off her stunning figure. Speaking to Pulse about her flair for style, Cee-C said, ''I’ve always been stylish, if you look at my pictures prior to Big Brother, I’ve always been someone who likes to express herself through the way she dresses. I like looking good and I like good things so for me, nothing has changed since the Big Brother house.'' She continues, stating the items she couldn't possibly live without, ''A body...

Meet the top 3 Nigerian beauty influencers

Social media has allowed these 3 Nigerian women to grow their platforms and become the top influencers in the world. Here's all you need to know. With the boom of the digital marketing industry, an increasing number of people have started to join the influencer pool and use their talents to make a name for themselves online and particularly, in the beauty space. When it comes to the beauty, influencers have completely transformed the industry and the way people search for and buy makeup products. Whether it's a huge celebrity like Rihanna who has infiltrated the makeup industry and shaken it up with her inspiring message of diversity and inclusion or a millennial influencer using their platform to sway the opinions of millions of fans, the way beauty business operates has been irrevocably changed. If there was a time to be a beauty influencer, there's no better moment than now. So, what exactly is a beauty influencer? Well, they are normal people who happen to understand makeup and beauty products and have used their creati...

5 effective ways to deal with hyperpigmentation and dark spots

Hyperpigmentation is a darkening and discoloration of the skin which is usually harmless but aesthetically displeasing. Here are 5 effective ways to deal with it. Hyerpigmentation is a condition in which patches of skin become darker in colour than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin color, forms deposits in the skin. It’s one of the most common skin problems affecting both men and women, and usually it only worsens with age. The skin is one of the largest and most complex organs and the way it looks says a lot about your overall health, it's important that you pay close attention to it. Being the body's largest organ, it provides protection and structure for your veins, tissue, other organs and bones. For those with great genes and the lucky ones, having soft, smooth, wrinkle-free skin is a given, especially as they age. However, one's lifestyle and dietary habits also have a huge effect on the skin's health and appearance. There are vari...

American Vogue merges couture and black excellence in groundbreaking editorial featuring 3 African models

Even in 2019, race remains a topic of conversation in the fashion industry with minorities fighting for adequate representation. That's why the latest Vogue editorial featuring black and Muslim models is so important. One would think the issue of race would be one that is no longer an issue in the fashion industry which, at this stage, should be a reflection of the multi-cultural world we live in, but sadly not. Black models still speak on the discrimination they face at castings, the lack of makeup and hair options for afro hair and the general lack of opportunities for models of colour. Whilst we have made improvement, a lot of 'diversity' in the modelling industry is mere tokenism and we have a long way to go before we achieve true diversity. Adut and Anok in Lagerfeld’s final Chanel Haute Couture for the April issue of American Vogue. By me and my big brother @mr_carlos_nazario. Love to everyone involved in making this picture Vogue does not have a great history in terms of representing...

A Beyoncé and Adidas collaboration is on its way. Are you ready?

It seems Queen B has chosen stripes over checks as her athleisure brand Ivy Park is set to collaborate with adidas. Would you wear pieces from the collaboration? Beyoncé made her official foray into fashion in 2016 by launching her sportswear brand Ivy Park in collaboration with British retail giant, Topshop. Ivy Park is an active-wear clothing line made for women who want to look and feel at the top of their game. Adidas is a global leader in the sporting goods industry with their core brands being adidas and Reebok. With collaborations with stars like Kanye West and and Pharell Williams, the brand is no stranger to working with music legends and marrying creative avenues. Beyoncé and adidas have announced a new partnership that is set to change the sports world, create opportunities for creators and to initiate business opportunities. The agreement has named Beyoncé as a creative partner for the brand and will allow for her to develop new signature footwea...

Here's how you can nail work wear, remain stylish and make a statement

Looking fashionable at work does not have to be a headache. You can manage to look professional, chic and fashion-forward. Wondering how? Well, let us explain! As the saying goes, ''Dress for success'' and don't forget that dressing doesn't mean your style has to be completely devoid of character and personality. Remember, part of what will make you shine is being your most authentic self. You absolutely can have a keen sense of fashion at the workplace without compromising your professional polish. When getting dressed for work, your ultimate goal should be to project a professional and competent image through the way you pull your look together. For many, professional and fashionable are mutually exclusive and but professional and polished does not have to mean boring and conservative. Of course, your office environment does matter but for regardless of office policy, you can find ways to dazzle. When thinking about how to nail work wear style you have to bear in mind the colour, length, and fit of your pieces. People wil...