NEW YORK, NY – Supermodel, Oluchi, will participate in the March 26^th African Economic Forum at Columbia University in a panel discussion about the growing business of fashion on the African continent. The Face of Africa winner and Africa’s Next Top Model host will be joined by two designers, a fashion reporter and a fashion blogger and is expected to address a group of students and professionals on topics such as what it takes to make it in the industry, opportunities that exist for entrepreneurship and other fashion related topics.

In recent years, there has been a lot of buzz around the emergence of African designers during fashion weeks in major markets. With the FIFA World Cup being held in South Africa this summer and the increasing popularity of African models and designers in the main stream press, the conversation is a relevant and timely one.  The organizers of the forum hope to capitalize on this and generate thought provoking discourse. The panel discussion will be followed by a fashion show and cocktail reception.

The African Economic Forum has grown to be the largest Africa-focused event at Columbia University, and seeks to highlight opportunities and challenges through stimulating discussion, insights and strategies for a prosperous Africa. This year’s forum will also feature panels discussing regional tourism, law and economic development, media, South-South trade, infrastructure development, as well as a Niger Delta investment summit.

To purchase tickets/attend the conference, visit www.aef2010.com

Yves Saint Laurent, 1969. Photographie de Jeanloup Sieff

The first large retrospective exhibition dedicated to Yves Saint-Laurent the fashion designer is set to take place from 11 March to 29 August at the Petit Palais. Discover the first photographs.

The Foundation Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent and the Petit Palais (City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts) are showcasing the first Yves Saint-Laurent retrospective exhibition since the fashion designer passed away. A total of 307 haute couture and prêt-à-porter models are on show, ranging from the designer’s beginnings at Dior in 1958, with the famous “Trapèze” collection, to the splendour of the evening dresses from 2002.

If you are in Paris, don’t fail to catch it:

From 11 March to 29 August 2010

Petit Palais

Avenue Winston Churchill – 75008 Paris
Metro station : Champs-Elysées-Clémenceau or Concorde
RER C, Invalides ; RER A, Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile
Bus lines : 42/72/73/80/93

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday: 10am to 6pm – Late-night opening: Thursday until 8pm.
Closed Mondays and public holidays

Admission:
Full price: €11
Reduced price: €8
Half price: €5.50

Audio guide: €5

To purchase an exhibition pass or reserve a group visit without a guide, buy your tickets

Click on “individuels” (individuals) or “groupes” (groups) in the dialogue box on the left-hand side.

Click on photo to watch Uche on Oprah

From blogger to Oprah! the reception of Uche Eze, popularly known as Bella Naija has been nothing short of overwhelming! “Dreams do come true” she says as she shares with us her experience on making it on Oprah (read here).

She’s truly an inspiration and has made at-least all Nigerian Girls, Ladies & Women proud while looking fly in Tiffany Amber.

“From my Lips to God’s Ears”. Stay positive people! Dreams DO come true.

World renowned artist/painter Kehinde Wiley partner with Puma as part of this years worldcup activities, what do you feel about?

American Designer Maya Lake, Creative Designer of Boxing Kitten; an American label solely inspired by African Culture styled the Bodacious Songstress(es) Alicia Keys & Beyonce Knowles for their new single/video “Put it in a Love song”.

The Ladies on Set of “Put it in a Love Song” video shoot:

 

+ BCBG Max Azria

+Black Coffee

+ Deola Sagoe

+Loin Cloth & Ashes

+Herve Leger

*Click on the images to view the designers Fall 2010 collection, and lets know your favorites!

Also checkout a sneak peak of Yves Saint Lauren’ts Pre-Fall Collection.

Chiwetel Ejiofor in Zegna Suit.

Ermenegildo Zegna, the world’s leading multinational in men’s luxury clothing is arriving in Lagos, Nigeria. This year marks the 100th Year Anniversary of Zegna and coincides with Nigeria’s 50th year celebration. Therefore, it is fitting that 2010 is the year that the first international luxury fashion brand will launch and open a store in Nigeria.

While the store will not be open until later in the year, Zegna will be introducing the brand & offering the Made to Measure/”Su Misuru” in February 2010. This service is the ultimate in personal tailoring and will be by appointment only from the 26th to 28th of February.

For appointments – 0708 737 1101 and 0807 9212421.

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Nigeria is evolving. Less than a decade ago, we did not have functional cinemas, now there seems to be an influx of foreign investment.

It started in other sectors and now the fashion industry is enjoying interest from major foreign brands.

Late last year, an international Spanish retailer launched in Nigeria and now for the first time – an international luxury brand – Ermenegildo Zegna will be launching and opening stores in the country.

This is truly an exciting development.

STYLOGENIC is a show based around the concept of a style team! The contestants are grouped in teams consisting of the various ‘style elements; a designer, stylist, makeup artist, photographer and model. They will compete as a team and will battle it out with fellow teams for the grand prize!

The host of the show is Agbani Darego. The first and only black African winner of the Miss World.

The show will air during the summer after the World Cup and entries for contestants will open in a few months and from what we hear, it will be open to all Africans with casting calls held in various cities.

Stay tuned to here to know when casting begins, and other goodies to follow.

We are proud to announce that Fashion For Relief™-Haiti NYC, 2010 will take center stage at this year’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on the evening of February 12^th. This spectacular runway show and auction will be held in aid of CARE to raise crucial funds towards rebuilding Haiti’s healthcare system for mothers and children. It will be hosted by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and feature internationally recognized designers, celebrities and VIPs. The donation is tax deductible and 100% of the event ticket sales will benefit CARE.

CARE is a leading humanitarian organization, fighting global poverty with a special focus on working with poor women. CARE, with a long time presence in Haiti, and now after the earthquake, is the leading agency working with new mothers to help them with breastfeeding and making sure no babies die from mixing powdered milk with dirty water. It also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives.

Fashion For Relief™ began five years ago as a way to galvanize the fashion community and its generosity in times of need. Fashion For Relief’s™ first show, in 2005, was held during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City and raised $1 million for the Hurricane Katrina relief. In 2007, over £1 million was raised for the Rotary Flood & Disaster and in 2008, Sarah Brown helped us to raise thousands for the White Ribbon Alliance. Last year Fashion For Relief™ was presented during Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai, India and raised funds after the 26/11 bombings. Additional Fashion For Relief™ events were held in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

Proceeds raised this year will go directly to saving lives of women, children and newborns across the recently earthquake stricken Haiti.

For more information on this appeal visit, www.care.org/fashion

Event Details:

Fashion For Relief™-Haiti NYC, 2010

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Bryant Park, New York City

Friday, February 12^th 2010

7:00pm.

*2010 Face of Africa winner, Zambia’s Lukando Nalungwe will be making an appearance on the runway.

caxtonalileCARDS Sweet Lovers contest 2010
contest ends February 11th, 2010

enter to win a box of caxtonalileCARDS – valentine collection

a bottle of Laurent Perrier Champagne

*a Superb date at one of our select Fabulous Restaurants

&

other Sweet caxtonalile gifts!

Questions:
1. What is the number one selling “love and emotions” caxtonalileCARD of all time?

2. What magazine did caxtonalileCARDS feature in a special valentine workshop last year?

HINT for #3:
He is a Nigerian musician, he has some very romantic love songs
He represents Lagos and New York! – winning various competitions and awards including “Albany Idol” in NY and Nigerian entertainment awards!
He is FynNneee

+ Follow caxtonalile on Twitter – http://twitter.com/caxtonalile

+ send responses to the above questions with the subject line Sweet Lovers 2010

contest ends February 11th, 2010

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