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IRENE QUEEN OF INGRESS REVEALS ALL! P07
TOP 5 OUTFITS FOR CHRISTMAS P15
TOKE MAKINWA ON BECOMING P32
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EAST AFRICA'S WEDDING OF THE YEAR! SK MBUGA WEDS! P22
WANDER LUST WITH EPOSI P29 D E C E M B E R
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IRENE QUEEN OF INGRESS ABBEY
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REVEALS ALL TO VAULT!
VAULT Mag Issue 004 December 2016 Cover Image Cynthia Tabe
Contributors Eposi Litumbo, Hilda Ngelo, Aminat, Audrey-Inès Keou, Sylvia Owori, Chishimba Nyambe, Fred Bugembe (Photography SK wedding) For Marketing | Advertising mmprcamer@gmail.com For Subscriptions www.issuu.com/modemaisonpr Write to: mmprcamer@gmail.com Phone: 00 237 670 615687 www.modemaisonpr.com mmprcamer@gmail.com
TLUAV
Editorial Cynthia Tabe Editor Hilda Ngelo Assistant Director (Shoot) Aminat Makeup (Shoot) Angel Sylvester Executive Producer
Published by ModeMaison PR Publishing Group All Rights Reserved.
@ModeMaisonPR | Page 3
VAULT MAGAZINE
editor's note Hello everyone and welcome to the fourth issue of VAULT digital magazine. After a short break caused by exhaustion from travelling and other commitments , the magazine was put on hold but we are back to providing you with our usual 30 paged fun, fashionable fresh reads! Hoorayyy!! Our Christmas issue has the formidable Irene Major on cover and it was such a tremendous experience for us to work with someone with such an open mind and a great soul. We hope you get to see even a bit of who she truly is in our interview. Thank you to Aminat and Hilda for a fab shoot day! Happy reading!
Cynthia Tabe Editor-in-Chief Twitter/Instagram: @brownschuga
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Inside
YOUR GUIDE TO ISSUE 004
07 All Hail The Queen! There is so much more to Irene Major than the Chanel bags and Valentino shoes...
15 Top Five Outfits Fashion blogger Hilda Ngelo of Mammypi helps you choose your perfect outfit this Christmas.
22 SK Mbuga Weds Vivianne! East African millionaire business man SK Mbuga spends USD 1.3M to wed Vivianne in a fairytale wedding. All in pictures!
29 Wander Lust With Eposi... Travelling queen Eposi Litumbo takes us on a journey for Christmas...
32 On Becoming... Nigeria's radio & vlog dahling Toke Makinwa lets it all out in a new book. Here are reviews! VAULT MAGAZINE
@ModeMaisonPR | Page 6
CHRISTMAS COUTURE COCKTAIL CELEBRATION An evening of fashionable fun & networking at Ingress Abbey with Avenard Couture & business & social media influencers.
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THE QUEEN OF INGRESS. Irene Major is not all about the good life. Aside from her collection of Hermès handbags and Valentino shoes, Irene has a lot more to offer the world through her collaborative and philantrophic projects and her great soul.
IRENE MAJOR QUEEN OF GIVING. Irene was born in
Cameroon due to their
Yaoundé, in the West
military father.
Central country of
Now a mother of 5 (four
Cameroon dubbed “Africa
girls and one boy), Irene
in miniature” for its rich
Major married Canadian
cultural diversity, its
oil tycoon Sam Malin in
climate and geography.
Victoria (Limbe),
Growing up, Irene and her
Cameroon after being
family lived in various
introduced to him by her
locations across
older sister.
THE PROFILE SECTION
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Above & right Shot at Ingress Abbey by Cynthia Tabe.
I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS STARTING OUT AND HOW MANY HAD NO TIME FOR ME. @ModeMaisonPR | Page 9
I WANT EVERYTHING! GIVE ME THE WORLD, I’LL TAKE IT. BUT I HAVEN’T FORGOTTEN WHERE I CAME FROM. THE PROFILE SECTION
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After moving to Paris France where Sam was based, Irene and Sam finally relocated to the UK and together with their children live in a multi-million Jacobean-style 18th century country mansion named Ingress Abbey in Greenhithe Kent, England. Although they live an extra luxurious life which includes private jets, first class flights, high end designer fashion items and luxe holidays, Irene and her family remain grounded as she firmly confides that she has not forgotten her roots despite living her dream life. For this reason, Irene has been dedicating her time and money to support and sustain projects for communities and individuals in need of help. Here is her story... @ModeMaisonPR | Page 10
Through my charity “IM Life” that I set up 10 years ago, in reaction to flooding in Madagascar caused by a cyclone which left a huge number of people homeless and their livelihoods destroyed I continue to do my giving work. “IM Life” works directly in various locations in sub-Saharan Africa to provide health and education services and basic amenities and goods for living to those in desperate need. I also strive to help be an inspiration for all those who know me at all levels, from inspiring those back in Cameroon to realise that they can achieve anything, to inspiring young fashion designers in the UK and everywhere. Recently, I was named an ambassador for “International Harbor”, a US based charity that acts directly to save those caught up in human trafficking and domestic violence in Africa and worldwide. My intentions are to continue to broaden the coverage of IM Life and specifically to build more health clinics in addition to those that I have already established. I also intend to boost the profile and intervention of International Harbor within the African continent.
THE PROFILE SECTION
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@ModeMaisonPR | Page 11
I know where I come from. I come from a very humble background and I know full well first-hand the hardships endured by many. I remain grounded. Why? Because God has given me the capacity to help and I have a deep desire and a moral obligation to do so. My parents taught me that success comes through hard work. Also, given that there were nine of us children, they taught me to make the best of very little and that love is the most valuable commodity. They also taught me that everyone is valuable from the street cleaner to the President (or Monarch) and to look past ethnicity and race to the humanity of every individual. They drilled into me the importance of having the ambition to achieve my dreams. I certainly have followed these life lessons with my own children. My children are not simply given everything and anything they want. They know the value of hard work and that everyone should strive for success regardless of their position in society, regardless of creed or of colour. My key messages are the importance of perseverance, of focus and of mutual support. Women in particular should strive to help each other as must members of our community.
THE PROFILE SECTION
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@ModeMaisonPR | Page 12
BECAUSE GOD HAS GIVEN ME THE CAPACITY TO HELP, I HAVE A DESIRE & A MORAL OBLIGATION TO DO SO... Specifically, in fashion, I intend to continue to lead by example supporting young designers, working in collaboration with other designers in establishing my own brand, and also building on my role as fashion and luxury goods advisor to long established aristocratic brand Burke's Peerage. I will also ensure that my fashion event, the first of which was held last month, becomes an annual fixture. What keeps me going on in life? The blessing of being alive is a key element of my foundation. My children and my husband - my being surrounded by loved ones - and my dreams - keep me going - not the big house and not wealth. My key values are the importance of love, faith and charity against which my own material wealth pales. Also, I believe it is important to inspire others. I aspire to inspire.
Those who have thrown stones will come and pick them up when they truly know me. Those who leave their stones will see me pick these up and use them to
The hurtful comments? To be a public figure means that you belong
build a stronger and higher wall around my castle.
to the public and will be a public target. I ignore the comments. Those who come to know my heart, become supportive. THE PROFILE SECTION
If I could change the world in 3 ways, I would specifically eradicate hatred and poverty. Ensure equal opportunity and education for all regardless of gender, preferences, creed and race. Make sure we all
@ModeMaisonPR | Page 13
realise we are the same, we are one world.
IRENE & SAM Those who leave their stones will see me pick these up and use them to build a stronger and higher wall around my castle...
FIND YOUR By Mammypi Fashion Blog STYLE. 5 Must Have Outfits For Christmas By Mammypi Fashion Blog.
With frost settling across the UK and shoppers browsing across racks and online catalogues for best Christmas gift, it is fair to say the holiday party season is fully upon us. With a full blown out party calendar and the right time to make outfit queries and accessories matches is now. From experience, it is a daunting experience concocting a party look for each social invite.
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But which dresses are in this party season? And what’s the smartest way to wear them? It’s Party Season Yup! Let’s look at the showstopping pieces that will keep your look popping throughout the party!
www.mammypi.com Twitter/Instagram: @mammypi @ModeMaisonPR | Page 15
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THE STYLE SECTION
As party invites stack up and style inspiration runs low, where else do we turn to? What better way to celebrate the holiday season better with the most popular party dress trends that have rocked the runways, made it to fashion blogger Instagram feeds and endorsed by A-list celebrities.
The Pleared Metallic Dress
The Velvet Trend - £250
The Sequin Embellished
- £69 Romee Cold Shoulder
Velvet Devore Midi Dress
Dress - $950 Othello Dress By
Midi Dress Sold At
Sold At KarenMillen.com
Unique Sold At Topshop.com
Monsoon.co.uk Work this season's key length, midi, in rich rues and opulent textures, combining razor-sharp pleats with a sumptuous gilded sheen. This metallic pleated dress will deliver a touch of luxe sparkle to this season’s parties.
THE STYLE SECTION
There’s no escaping autumn’s biggest trend which has blown up from around the world. The Velvet trend. Luxury brands like Valentino, Sonia Rykiel and Erdem are just a handful of the big names that reconsidered the textile for daywear, often in refreshingly bright colour such as canary yellow and fuchsia pink effortlessly takes this opulent fabric away from the dance floor and into daywear territory. A fluid silhouette is adorned with a lustrous velvet floral design to give this dress an ultra-feminine aesthetic. Perfect for impromptu dinners, simply style this cold-shoulders dress with pared-back heels.
Christmas is all about glitter from top to toe. The more the better. It is the time of the year when literally everything is sparkling sequins, copiously shiny and metallic from Christmas tree decoration to sequins up the skirt, coat and dresses. Sequins have made a major come back this season and we can’t wait to wear them. Update your party look in this eye-catching sequin navy dress by Topshop Unique @ModeMaisonPR | Page 16
The Maxi Embroidery Dress -
The Floral Print Dress - $425
£150 Warner Embroidered Midi
Seville Printed Josephina Dress
Dress Sold At Oasis-Stores.Com
Sold At Tibi.com
Ever since Gucci presented its Spring Summer 2016 collection covered with embroideries, a new trend was born winter parties calls for a floor-sweeping dress (or two!) Luckily maxi dresses and long dresses have got you covered for every eventuality. Here, we’ll prove it. Wedding? Choose something embroidered. Date night? It's all about the bardot neckline. Holiday? Go for embroidered dress. Told you. They so pretty!
When holiday invitations start inundating your inbox, the first thing that comes to mind is: What am I going to wear? That is why when we come across a dress that is both versatile and chic, it becomes a treasure we keep them close to our hearts. Floral dresses are vibrant yet cold-weather-appropriate pattern and feminine. Valentino‘s modern take on classic porcelain patterns is a gorgeous way to wear florals this winter season, without resorting to brooding black and brown motifs.
This jaw-dropping embroidered mesh dress with blooms puts the SPECIAL in special occasion.
There is too much to buy and not enough time. Which of these sartorial frocks tickles your fancy this Christmas? THE STYLE SECTION
@ModeMaisonPR | Page 17
VAULT MAGAZINE
AMINAT. MAKEUP ARTIST. GREENHITHE KENT I believe that the perfect makeup artist should be able to listen to what you want, advise on the best way to achieve that and then bring your idea to life to give you that perfect makeup look. I work primarily with MAC, but my makeup kit includes Nars, urban decay, Estee Lauder, & Clinique. I can also work with your own makeup or advise on specific products for a particular skin type.
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AMINAT. MAKEUP ARTIST. GREENHITHE KENT Having worked in fashion and print, I fully understand the impact of flash photography on makeup,. The harsh strobe of the camera will often bleach your features, I will balance your makeup to give you a subtle but flawless look. Instagram: @minaoglam | Youtube: Mina O Glam | Telephone: +44 (0) 7817246484
BEST BEAUTY HACK - THREE WAYS TO USE YOUR RED LIPSTICK BY MODEMAISON PR For all those moments you have been caught short of makeup items, here is our best beauty hack, tried and tested - one red lippie, 3 uses!!
THE BEAUTY SECTION
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@ModeMaisonPR | Page 20
THREE MUST HAVE MAKEUP ITEMS FOR BLACK WOMEN BY AUDREY MAKEUP237
We were born under the sun Wherever we are we ought to glow like a ray of sunshine. These are my must have makeup products for black women. The ones I believe should not be missing in our makeup bags... L’OREAL Perfect Slim Liner Pen £6.99 NARS Liquid Illuminator in ‘Laguna’ £30 LA GIRL Glazed Lip Paint in ‘Gleam’ $2.99 Social Media Facebook: MakeUp237 By Audrey Instagram: MakeUp237ByAudrey Website: www.MakeUp237.com
THE BEAUTY SECTION
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@ModeMaisonPR | Page 21
THE COST With designer Sylvia Owori at the helm as wedding planner, this USD 1.3M fairy tale themed wedding held at the Serena Hotel in Kampala was all about classic luxury.
WHAT THEY BOTH WORE Vivianne wore a custom Vera Wang dress while SK's outfit was custom made in India.
THE CARS The groom bought a Rolls Royce for them to ride in and also offered his new wife a Ferrari as a wedding gift.
THE GUESTS
SK MBUGA WEDS VIVIANNE BIRUNGI! Sulaiman Kabangala Mbuga is a young real estate tycoon, one of the wealthiest individuals in Uganda with a love for high end fashion & luxury brands and fast cars. The couple plan on going to magical Zanzibar, their favourite place for their honeymoon & then to Paris.
Over 700 guests including notables such as the most respected Sheikhs and Muftis , government ministers and Vice President Hon. Edward Sekandi..
Lovely Cakes
Wedding Gowns
The Venue
Lovely Cakes
Wedding Gowns
The Venue
I can say my 2016 was a perfect year. I had a lot of experience, challenge, fun, and above all I had the chance to tell Cameroon & Africa & the world that I appreciate their love, respect & care. I will remember 2016 because I met friends, fans, helpers, respected loyal media people and I could hear my own songs on the dancefloor in the USA, Dubai etc Thanks everybody! The secret to my success has been humility, a wonderful team & hard work. Motherland Empire gave me the best support, they walked with me when I almost gave up. My producer DJ ZEE gave all & even more to get me out to the
MAKE WAY MONTESS IS HERE!
world. My family, manager, benefactors, friends. For 2017, I would love to have more great collaborations, get to MTV in both Africa & the USA. Do a tour in Cameroon, bring home an award & also launch my foundation to empower young girls. My Montessians you are my partners, I love you
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all so much! @ModeMaisonPR | Page 25
Lusaka’s PR Girl Media team made up of sisters Chishimba & Monde Nyambe are taking experiential event PR to another level by hosting three events themed around holiday destinations around the world. The first event was Zanzibar-themed and Lusaka residents were entertained by DJ El Mukuka who coincidentally just completed his tour with a performance in Zanzibar. The guests showed up in holiday fashion and the event was nothing short of stylish and classy. As event planners, PR Girl Media hopes to cultivate an appreciation for lifestyle brands in Zambia. It is a necessary step towards re-branding Africa, showcasing the style and luxury that Africa has to offer.
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TRAVEL SERIES TAKING OVER LUSAKA!
CHRISTMAS GETAWAY...
AFRICAN ESCAPES By Eposi Litumbo | ModeMaison PR Photographs by Eposi Litumbo. Instagram: @faadil, @ohheywhereskay, @mel_manie @saskiamrazekphotography
Eposi Litombo is the producer of Eplleseed; an indie short film and video production company. Their digital series 'JANU with Eposi' written and filmed by Eposi on location aims to demystify travel & tourism to mostly lesser known parts of the world, entertain, inform & inspire curiosity in the histories of the people by showing stunning places & vibrant cultures. On the journey menu today, Eposi tells us why Tanzania can work as a Christmas getaway destination. Sit back, relax, and let us make you dream!
Africa, with its enchanting lands, its shimmering colours, its nature, often referred to as "the Cradle of Humanity", intrigues and seduces us at the same time. This vast continent offers a range of atypical and incomparable destinations and cultures. The African continent is after Asia, recorded as having the highest increase in tourist visits with a 6% performance between 2012 and 2014. Africa is so vast and so uniquely beautiful that one cannot afford to stick to the same destination or the same region‌ @ModeMaisonPR | Page 29
CHRISTMAS GETAWAY...
AFRICAN ESCAPES By Eposi Litumbo | ModeMaison PR Photographs by Eposi Litumbo. Instagram: @faadil, @ohheywhereskay, @mel_manie @saskiamrazekphotography
Want to get away from the hustle and bustle this Christmas holiday? Consider Zanzibar! Zanzibar is an archipelago off the coast of the East African country Tanzania. The stunning blue waters of the Pacific show off the wildlife in and around it. The locals enjoy the sun, food and laid back beach life, visitors hop around from Island to Island taking a million pictures and one - just...wow! I started planning my own trip after hearing about how I would have the opportunity to swim with wild dolphins in the deep of the Pacific. I'm not usually one to dive into deep and unknown waters, but it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity I could not say no to. Between the Zanzibar Red Colobus Monkeys (the only place in the world where you can find them), the giant tortoise (Prison Island), the wild dolphins, Dhows (traditinal Tanzanian boats), food, music and culture, I was sure I had found paradise in East Africa. VAULT MAGAZINE
@ModeMaisonPR | Page 30
CHRISTMAS GETAWAY...
AFRICAN ESCAPES www.eplleseed.com Instagram: @eplleseed Facebook: @JANUwithEposi Youtube: Eposi Litumbe
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@ModeMaisonPR | Page 31
"Toke wrote about what most African women dare not say publicly. Thanks for encouraging other women to succeed." WORDS BY A COMMENTER ON AMAZON
Toke never envisaged that she would be a successful media personality. She began her journey as a bubbly child but grew into a lonely teenager after the devastating loss of both her parents. For so long after, it seemed as though she would never find herself.
shares her struggle with blinding betrayal, finding forgiveness and drawing strength from her faith in God. On Becoming is Toke’s journey through pain to victory.
On Becoming is the real Toke Makinwa telling us what it is like to be one of the most talked about celebrities in Nigeria. She reveals the truth behind her 14-year relationship with the man she finally married. A marriage that ended in an atrocious scandal that nearly brought her to her knees. In the wake of the peaks and troughs that characterise Toke’s experiences, she now
"This was a good book, relatively well written. Although the focus was on her relationship and marriage (sensibly as it makes up quite a large proportion of her adult life) there was enough of her early life to understand perhaps why she ended up where she did. Those initial paragraphs were the make or break periods and it's unfortunate how things panned out according to her
Here are a few reviews shared online...
version of events but there are lessons to be learnt. I hope all who read see it as a lecture/seminar and pick what is needed for their own journey to becoming rather than an opportunity (easy to do) to point the finger, ridicule, criticise. Well done Tokstarr, keep becoming and remember your source as you go forward." "I could feel you in every character of this masterpiece. You are a phenomenal woman!...And I want to thank you for this book. Well written, explicitly said and it carries a greater sense of imagery with it. A must tell it is!!!" On Becoming is available to buy on Amazon @ModeMaisonPR | Page 32
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