Africa Fashion Week 2012

Magazine

bronze Africa Fashion Week 2012

Special Issue

JULY 2012

VISIT BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM

Model: Riyike Faleti Photographer: Mike Morones Photography assistant: Jenn Pang Designer/stylist/Makeup: Ayo Shittu

Contents 6 8 12 14 18 24

Model: Molly O'Connell (ANTM Cycle 16) Photographer: Seth London MUA: Renada Joy Hair: Kathy Louis Designer/Creative Director: Toriola

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Nilaja by Cheryl Woodruff-Brooks Tori Famuyiwa Aso Damisi GUSA by Vicotoria AFW Model Spotlight Menogu Designs

bronze magazine Founder and Editor In Chief

Shawn Chavis Publisher

Barry Stuldivant Marketing Assistant

Trisha Stukes

Special Dedication: This issue is dedicated to our special friend, Ayo Shittu, whose mentorship and guidance was instrumental in this issue’s evolution.

You are truly appreciated.

-Bronze Magazine Team

On the Cover: Model: Riyike Faleti Photographer: Mike Morones Photography assistant: Jenn Pang Designer/stylist/Makeup: Ayo Shittu

Stay Inspired!

Visit our website bronzemagonline.com Like us on facebook companies.to/bronzemagazine.com Follow us on twitter @bronzemagazine Search our job board jobs.bronzemagonline.com

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Nilaja by Cheryl Woodruff-Brooks

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TORI FAMUYIWA Tori Famuyiwa possesses an undeniable passion for fashion, art and design. This trait is derived from his natural sense of beauty and the ability to apply his art form to any canvas. His zest for creativity, coupled with his pride for his Nigerian heritage, drove him to create Toriola.

Some of his fusion couture designs have been featured in Bloomingdale's, Africa Fashion Week, Essence Magazine, Munaluchi Bridal Magazine and other choice fashion publications. The results of his creations are exemplified by a smart combination of Afro-chic style and contemporary elegance.

Prior to creating Toriola, Tori was a creative director with over 14 years of experience in the fashion industry. He worked as the creative director for American Eagle for 10 years before moving on to Victoria’s Secret, where he served as their flagship creative director before venturing out on his own. Tori has a wealth of experience in fashion styling, visual merchandising and show production and has worked with some of the best talent in the industry. He graduated with a major in international business and a minor in economics from Towson University, which has aided him in integrating his business acumen with his fashion savvy.

In April 2012, Tori presented “FEAST” in New York City, which showcased the evolution of Toriola, beginning with Tori’s Inspirational collection and progressing to his Tribal Princess collection, Damask Inspiration collection, and his latest collection, Diamond in the Rough, inspired by his recent trip to Nigeria. Tori was taken by the gorgeous array of colors and cuts he saw at the marketplaces. He was moved by the struggling women who, despite hard times, always find a way to look beautiful. This observation led Tori to create Diamond in the Rough, a delicate mixing of African, Swiss and French lace which blends into exquisite pieces that possess a universal appeal. www.toriola.com | www.twitter.com/toriolainc | www.facebook.com/toriolacustomdesigns

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Model: Nyamuoch Girwath Photographer: Kaneo Biggs MUA: Renada Joy Hair: Kathy Louis Designer/Creative Director: Toriola

Model: Nyamuoch Girwath Photographer: Kaneo Biggs MUA: Renada Joy Hair: Kathy Louis Earrings: Fatima Samad Hair Fasinator: Toriola Designer/Creative Director: Toriola

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Model: Brittany Hall Photographer: Kaneo Biggs MUA: Renada Joy Hair: Kathy Louis Earrings: Fatima Samad Designer/Creative Director: Toriola

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so Damisi (ah-SHAW DAH-me-see) is a global fashion company that develops unique and vibrant African inspired textiles used to create sophisticated and feminine silhouettes for the modern woman. The company was created by two sisters, Latifat and Moriamo.

Both sisters were born in Nigeria, and they relocated to the United States at a very young age with their family. Moriamo and Latifat originated from the Yoruba speaking tribe in the West African nation. In the Yoruba language, "Aso" means cloth or clothing and "Damisi" means prosperity. The colorfulness, vibrancy, and styles of the clothing worn hold significance as they can represent social standing, age, tribal orientation and marital status.

The talented duo are self-taught designers. They both share true passion for fashion and entrepreneurship. Our philosophy at Aso Damisi is to create silhouettes that any woman would feel amazing wearing. The vision for the company comes from the designers' love of the African and western cultures. Aso Damisi creates timeless and classic designs with African inspired textiles. The collections set to inspire every woman to embrace her femininity and to feel confident enough to wear bold, bright, and beautiful garments.

http://asodamisi.com/

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Gusa by Victoria 14 | BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM JULY 2012

Founded in 2010, Gusa is a line driven by trends in the world of women’s fashion. Using authentic African fabrics, tailored into modern designs fused in with vintage flare, Gusa aims at pleasing women over 25 years old.

College age & professional women seeking handmade tailored outfits will be well pleased by our product. Creating unique garments transcending a fad, empowering women one stitch at a time.

Victoria Kageni is the principal designer and owner of ‘Gusa by Victoria’.

With a creative inclination instilled in her while growing up in Kenya, Victoria begun constructing clothes for friends at the tender age of 13. Recognizing her natural ability in creating things, she earned a sewing machine from her parents. She has never looked back since. That creative talent in her brings us to where we are today.

Gusa, a Swahili term for ‘Touch,’ invites her clients to be blessed by her creative spirit.

Please visit WWW.GUSABYVICTORIA.COM for exclusive items and all her expanding retail products

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Pictures : Jadil Photography,Allentown PA Designer : Victoria Kageni Make up : Victoria Kageni Jewelry : Love's Hangover,Noblesville,IN

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AFW Model Spotlight 18 | BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM JULY 2012

Michelle Lawson is a woman of diversity, with a zest for life. She is a manager, entrepreneur, mother, fiancée, actress and model. Michelle’s life revolves around her family and the things that she is most passionate about pursuing. Her belief is that life is what you make of it and you should invest time in the empowerment of others.

Michelle loves to dance, write poetry, photography, horseback riding, traveling and taking long walks. She also likes walking on the beach, in the park or just walking through a quiet place. Michelle believes that walking opens up your mind to the possibilities in life, of which the possibilities are endless.

Photographer: Horace Robinson Designer: NSAA House of Designs MUA/Hair: Grace Elsa

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AFW Model Spotlight Model: Angelica R. Moore https://www.facebook.com/pages/Angelica-R-Moore/152999868105010 Photographer: Brandon Barnard

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Menogu Designs

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enogu Designs started based on the natural talent to craft and construct custom-designed accessories & clothing for its uniqueness & striking abilities towards the outside eye. The founder and designer is Uchechi Emenogu, a 22 year old Nigerian female from Gardena, California (Los Angeles area) aspiring to break out into the world of fashion. Initially, crafting was just for fun and personal delight, but now it has blossomed to a very distinctive collection of items that continue to capture art in a very abstract way.

All of the pieces from Menogu Designs are custom, authentic, and 100% hand-crafted. All of the fabrics are also in some way inspired by Africa and ethnic textures from Uchechi’s Nigerian background. Browse, shop, and explore the work & craft of Uchechi Emenogu at www.etsy.com/shop/menogudesigns and feel free to e-mail her at u.emenogu@gmail.com for specialized/custom requests, questions, or additional information.

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Model: Riyike Faleti Photographer: Mike Morones Photography assistant: Jenn Pang Designer/stylist/Makeup: Ayo Shittu

www.sarahi.com