B
anke draws inspir ation from the abundant colou sights of her native rs and country and transl patterns that evoke ates them into rich the sights and sounds of Niger Working from ia. her studio in West London, she create glorious intricate s fabrics that rushe they were first d off the shelve stocked in Selfri s when dges. “The Selfridges’ buyers originally cushions, think bought the black ing the monochrom and white current taste for e palette would complement the neutrals. They added just a few sold out imme coloured ones diately, to every and they one’s surprise,” the UK when she says Banke, who was eight years moved to old. Now she is in the process of design be in store in the ing a second collec next few mont tion that will hs, concentrati colourful prints ng on , including the Delta design, which her trademark deep colours of the Niger Delta is inspired by the .
Banke Kuku
London’s Hotte st New
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Fif th Chukker
There’s a new nam e on the lips of London’s styleset ters this season , Nigeria-born Ban ke Kuku. From Elle Decoration to Vog ue, the plaudits are pouring in as her vibrant Ankara -style fabrics are find ing their way into the chicest homes in the capital.
WH EN 29 Jun
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“With dig ital printing you can have as many colours as you want – the is no restriction re .”
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Her print design s have also grace New York and d the catwalks her woven interi of London, Paris or fabrics have and shows from Milan participated in to Africa. Her furniture latest fashion prints can soon be seen on ASOS.com. for Virgo’s Loun ge After graduating from Central Saint Art & Design, Martins and Chels Banke went to ea College of work for Duro fashion design Olowu, the Lond er known for his on-based bright hues and on to produce savvy prints. She fabrics went and Burberry before for Jewel by Lisa, Tiffany Ambe r, Jasmine di Milo deciding to specia For her interior lise in her first designs she works love, interiors. using the new with silks, suede medium of digita s and rich cotton l printing which and can be done , is durable, cost in the UK. “With effective digital printing colours as you want – there is you can have as no restriction,” many Her clients includ she says. e Prince Alber bespoke chais t Esiri, for whom es that now have she created two pride of place in Abraka. Work ing
Fifth Chukker
Magazine | may
Choose your R ide
Whether your
taste is for the prancing horse, there are plenty the sleek McLar of supercars to en or the stately tempt your poc Bentley, models, high-e ket. Here we sele nd high-performa ct some of the nce cars that are latest are on the ope as much at hom n road. With mo 77 e in the city as re than enough they horsepower und the ultimate ride er the bonnet, . Take your wal they are let out, put you r foot down and enjoy!
2013
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MCLAREN P1
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Unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, bonnet lies a the McLaren mid-mounted P1 is designed 3.8-litre twin-tu for the track, 0 to 100km/h rbo V8 petrol developed for in less than 3 engine, combi the road. Under seconds and ned with a KERS has a top speed the With an optimu electric motor, electronically m mix of superb that accelerates limited to 350km throttle respon from solely in electri /h. se, day-to-day c mode. It has drivability and RaceActive chassis top speed, the Production is control, front McLaren P1 can strictly limited underbody flaps be driven to 375, and it and active rear costs from £866,0 wing with DRS. 00 on the road.
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2013 Fifth Chukker
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to have first thing was r has said. “The was successful I neve me,” Kanu and once that n.” the operation agai ld not play him through believed I wou and faith saw ation, a ation rmin of rehabilit Kanu’s dete 14 months his to and rned ation the oper er. He retu a sports care ing to Arsenal, where long time in sferr before tran years. Italian team goals in five ired to score 44 very had insp ct on he went on spent in reco my aspe The months lems changed hospital for prob t hear been in Kanu. “My . “If you have No one knows what said has life,” he it does. I started thing, then why s that’ that kind of s and maybe happened the future hold e. When it t others mor all about. to think abou erstand what life was when und it helped me n responsibility, but only y see.” reall take I’ve always ens can you like that happ up the Kanu Heart g ethin som Kanu set and And so in 2000 which helps Nigerian (KHF), need of g adults in Foundation ey to ren and youn African child by raising mon UK for He started the heart surgery. Nigerian children to so the e, g nsiv youn very expe send two ever this was to hospitals surgery. How ed sending children start a project Foundation also trialled carry out India. It has Nigeria to to in Israel and eons iac surg speak for bringing card itals here. The results ed over 500 hosp surgery in KHF has help to date the surgeries themselves: ess rate on waiting a 98.5% succ nts with le, patie 320 peop 0 However with and over 1,00 t, men performed. ad for treat e is ongoing. the challeng to be sent abro heart waiting list, of opening people on the -term goal ently long a plans are curr k Kanu has dluc Africa, and ss Goo t acro iden hospitals d by Pres ria. – supporte underway one in Nige itable to establish record of char ive Jonathan – ress an imp is proud that With such Fifth Chukker to join us in endeavour, agreed Kanu has erprivileged Nwankwo to help und goal Fifth , our help h his meeting ial Nigeria. Wit e a substant children in we can rais confident ort ongoing Chukker is year to supp money this amount of ones. ● fund new projects and
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extreme sports
2013
ME EXTRgE eria !
ker Magazine
Fifth Chuk
zine | may
ker Maga Fifth Chuk
| may 2013
Ni
ers thrill-seekers enture options off te-knuckle adv of Death” to g number of whi g the “Mountain bin clim Nigeria’s growin from terrain. pades, eria’s dramatic lin-surging esca descents on Nig numerous adrena eel -wh two pades and esca jeep , ing sport fish
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evil pursuits, or fun-filled dared Nigeria, r than look no furthe cape offers where the lands ping ng, blood-pum countless exciti clear waters adventures. Deep, for underwater tic opportunity provide a fantas spongescuba-diving the discovery, from elling in the snork to s ing depth freaks are scattered plung ery sands. Speed shallows over powd high-velocity e by dozens of spoilt for choic s such as a based sports quest plunging water and landbumpy bash across into heart-stopping, high up s by 4x4. Trek us rockvalleys and gorge tains along perilo the Mandara Moun a kayak in crocodilee seas strewn trails, paddl re out onto high ventu or s water inhabited h – but watch mammoth sailfis for a battle with ing cattle. thorn and roam out for African THRILLS S AND JEEP ng gorges typify WHEEL SPIN s and death-defyi
awa sensuous curve u on the Adam Undulating deep, Mambilla Platea , dark the picturesque flanked by dense the terrain of 1,524 metres grasslands at flasks of hot drinks Highland. Lofty rs, gloves and d, st to the rugge sitate thick jumpe a stark contra forests neces wind. Forming us oh-sochilly glorio of the , gusts due to countryside s, is a the surrounding its rounded slope rocky peaks of Plateau, with , with potholes of the Mambilla Unmade roads green scenery rers. explo also tial. You’ll intrepid 4x4 t vehicle essen favourite with you stay ans, make a robus ing gear, unless the size of mini-v such as camp ciating gearall the basics, need to pack few hotels. Excru and of the plateau’s ring descents y, bone-judde overnight in one tips, able on the bump Spine-tingling crunching is inevit d like rag dolls. the aroun ngers are all part of passe ising bends but limbs that hurl
“We should be at stage where we the can walk into a sto re and see something we like, just buy it and go.”
ready-to-wear brands like Zara and Mango. “I don’t want to on, from outsid relegate my design e Nigeria. As she s to haute couture runway explains, “The government has designs,” she says not given enoug firmly. “It’s going to be exclus h support to the fashion indus ively high-end try.” ready to wear. Africans are comin Still, despite the g to learn the fact challenges, Adaob don’t have to go that you for her chosen to the market, profession is unflag i’s passion buy material and give it to a ging. even considers tailor to cut and She it a calling. “This sew for you. We should be at is me. It is something I can the stage where do. And it’s not we can walk into a store and about having money and being see something we like, just buy comfortable enoug it and go.” certain point in h at a my life to go into Adaobi consid it. There are some young design ers the current location of ers who did not her business within have money to start with but a gated residential have been able in Lekki, Fores area to make it. God hore Estate, one has given all of us a talent. It’s left of her major challenges. Howe for you search in your heart for ver, based on the what you are good recognition she has got so far, you are on the at and once this doesn’t seem right track, succe holding her back. to be ss come like this!” she exclai Her dream vision ms with day have flagsh is to one ip stores and for Adaobi hasn’t had a snap of her fingers. her clothes to be available in major clothing 2012 and with her any real rest since April outlets. third collection Adaobi also regret set to roll out, it doesn’t look s the fact that she like life will be to get all of her has slowing down for her any raw materials, including the time Ankara fabric most from Vogue it certai soon. But with a nod of her designs are based nly seems that all her hard work and passio n for fashion is paying off. ●
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H CALABAR BEAC hing KAYAKING AT coastline stretc
Magazine | may
art in
focus
2013 Fifth Chukker
d d, wave-soake With its rugge ed sandy ssion of seclud al 850 km and succe visited by nautic ia has long been ered beaches, Niger vessels weath g the shore in adventurers skirtin been used for have s Canoe by the high seas. n villages since lagoo the te transport to naviga in Calabar Beach in the . Today, an ancient times torrents offer y -east, white water e across chopp country’s south invigorating paddl through altogether more and out hing sea spray bravado. rapids in drenc e of seafaring voyag a in provide gaps in the rocks surging pulls ts, eddies and can curren who Strong paddlers inexperienced a challenge to swamp-hemmed power to the journey by blade stretching two new Calabar River, mouth of the amongst reptile 500 ft wide. Here, al miles long by revel in a mystic canoeists can lands, marsh diles as they rich company of croco adventure in the underwater and tidal sweeps sands battle against ary of the soft sanctu the reach canoe? obstructions to celebrate the Really keen to of the beach. mastime to join ar Beach at Christ of Nigeria’s finest Then visit Calab precision of some events the nimble, deft of competitive exciting series at the paddlers in an mas Carnival Christ ar Calab as part of the t. ation Marina Resor Sailing Feder g Canoe and Nigeria Rowin 5977346 Tel: +234 705 d@yahoo.com Email: nigyfe
Magazine | may
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the Rest e v o b A Heads
R EEN DIA N-G N IC FID
e and novativ most in BIRD BEASTS ianSWOOPING Britain’s s of Nigeria Nic Fidd wilderness region ulptor, In the unspoilt ions, the sc g by vehicle emiss tin ain to exci yet to be sullied hawks, once ag prey – including of ed birds t is larges po rs – can still be ion nt s, kites and harrie te eagle d beaks, Green is at fearsome hooke blic’s pu found. With their powerful e legs, th strong , flesh-tearing tactics predatory capture of a new eyesight, these talons and keen of the creation e’s e ing might – and rs terrify th ho boast e birds occur in with worldwide, 48 e of th 233 species found of mammoth sculptur ed wilds. Tales t forests Nigeria’s untam 15-foot striking ing down on ancien vultures swoop ece, the pi rooted in local firmly is n be remai s Th will and gorge to the past. head. aren’t consigned Copper, legend – but s continue gnawing raptor Head in t is rising an For these bonerocks oj om low Tr , ledges and e Econ to nest in caves and can be ara Mountains lay at Th from the Mand prey on disp rt of his ing down to smash sighted swoop g in flight from on as pa ravines, dippin nd rocky st Lo . ty again veloci and Plaza, on to increase n in June a soaring positi eyesight on almost bionic exhibitio s power. Birds rely red, rocky cavitie summer dyingto hunt out prey in shelte dent stu Nigeria’s many
in e was a stu to forested areas Collegclose ses. hilst Nic Chelsea BC tainous and wooded expan list re at the 5th-century moun sculptu engage a specia saw the e birders should from and of Art, he of Selene ofExtrem dress for a mix of humidity, rain a Horse wowed. guide, prepare to be Head of non, which is one It and r conditions m. the Parthe British Museu coole African Ornithological Society se’s y at the the hor West , malimbus.free.fr on displa sculpting 35 feet tall www. Marbles ion with as h n Bird Club the Elgin eria g obsess Africa enormous se wit rg/countries/Nig a lifelon etimes as jesty of the hor dem andafricanbirdclub.o sparked works, som is in www. and ma head. His spirit, beauty His work s around cination. the ibit fas exh don and he capture er alike and rch in Lon ling pow
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