THISDAY STYLE MAGAZINE 6TH DECEMBER 2020

...NOT IN THISDAY STYLE? THEN YOU’RE NOT IN STYLE

SUNDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2020

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THE AFF ROUNDTABLE 2020 finale Join over 1,000 African tech entrepreneurs to discuss the post-pandemic future of tech in Africa.

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CONTENT Fashion MEN STYLE GUIDE TO LOOK TALLER PG 4 • FAT SHAMING • BEADED BAGS PG 6

FLORALS PG 8-9 POWER OF TWO CO ORDS PG 10-11

360 ON THE POSITIVE WITH DR IFEYINWA PG 18 CLASSY ON A BUDGET

PG

20

OWAMBE’

It’s that time again, ARISE FASHION WEEK ‘30 UNDER 30’ commences next weekend, 10th-12th December. The New Stars feature 30 uprising designers showcasing their collections with $500,000 cash prices on ground for some lucky recipients. And of course, no AFW is complete without some world renowned models gracing the catwalk which will be the highlights. We look forward to the spectacular virtual show next weekend as AFW takes the fashion industry to the next level! FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI, KONYE NWABOGOR & ZINA ANUMUDU report...

THISDAY STYLE FASHION DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE EDITOR RUTH OSIME

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EDITOR PRINT OLUFUNKE BABS-KUFEJI EDITOR DIGITAL KONYE NWABOGOR

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SENIOR ART DESIGNER MATHIAS ARCHIBONG 07054965500 CONTRIBUTORS RUKY SALAKO ISIOMA USIADE IYANU AYODELE GUEST CORRESPONDENTS AZUKA OGUJIUBA ZINA ANUMUDU JOANNA MACGREGOR SEYI ALAWODE PHOTOGRAPHER TY BELLO DIRECTOR, PRINT PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO 08077092196

PG 21

TIFE’S HOLIDAY COLLECTION PG 22

The much anticipated and much awaited show, ARISE FASHION WEEK, 30 Under 30, will take place next weekend, 10-12th December at a spectacular location and will be virtual. Every year, AFW raises the ante and this time around, there will be $500,000 worth of cash prices to be won. For us, it is not just about launching the next generation, it is about providing monies for them to take their brand to the next level. As with every business, beginners face various challenges along their path of growth. So getting seed monies in pursuit of their dreams must be very uplifting for them.

The Queen of Catwalk, Naomi Campbell, has played a significant role in creating global awareness of African creatives and lending her voice to its narrative has yielded astonishing results. Brand names like Gucci have provided platforms in Africa to harness talents within. Not only that, some designers have also been able to showcase their collections in global Fashion Weeks...no small feat curtesy of Naomi Campbell so her role in the growth of the African brand can not be undermined.

Her partnership with AFW over the years, has raised the stakes in the fashion industry. Other renowned models like Alton Mason and Alpha Dia have also lent their presence to AFW giving it even more credibility on the global platform.

Needless to say, these young designers are working frantically back to back to put their best foot forward in this upcoming show which promises to be very exciting. It will be another landmark occasion for AFW as we continue to do what we do best...promote Africa and its creatives. Tune in for the show which will be streamed on all our global platforms.

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Fat SHAMING!

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9341 Sunday, December 6, 2020

STYLE & DESIGN

BATTLE OF THE BULGE Recap and vital statistics: I am 5 feet and 10 inches tall and 61 years old. I was an effortlessly super-slim 70kg till my late 40s, then the weight started to pile on. By my early 50s, I was 85kg.

But I didn’t become obese till my mid-50s.

I started this battle of the bulge on March 16th, when I weighed a whopping 120kg and measured 49-47-51 (chest-waist-hips) inches. And I’ve been struggling to shed the excess lard since then.

I was at my happiest and most elegant when I was 70kg and a size 10 (UK sizing). But I think that a woman of my current advanced age will look haggard – ill/ starved even - in a totally fat-free body zone…and that a bit of genteel padding does a sexuagenarian no harm.

So, since I didn’t feel or look too bad when I was 85kg and a size 14, that’s the compromise I am aiming for.

And it’s been a yo-yo ride.

My weight has, alas, fluctuated since I started this journey. I’ve had weeks when I’ve lost a couple of kilos, weeks when I’ve regained every lost kilo and weeks when I haven’t gained or lost an ounce.

At one point in the summer, my weight dropped to 106kg, but it had crept back up to 115kg by the beginning of November. So I fasted on-and-off for a couple of weeks and weigh 112kg at the moment.

Now that the end of 2020 is nigh, it’s tempting to throw one’s hands up and abandon all thoughts of dieting until the New Year.

Why? Thanks to the Covid 19 pandemic and other disasters, this has been one of the worst years in my lifetime. The world is in crisis. Too many people have died because of the dreaded virus. And America, which once seemed so

BY DONU KOGBARA

PART 33 (Week 34)

reassuringly invincible, is the biggest death trap.

Meanwhile, Europe is also struggling with Covid.

Seven famous shops in the UK – where I grew up – have gone bankrupt in the past 7 days because lockdowns have triggered off a deep recession.

Yesterday, a traumatised British entrepreneur committed suicide because he couldn’t cope with the collapse of a previously thriving business he’d spent 3 decades building.

As for Nigeria – where I’m based now – good news is extremely scarce, barbaric slaughters of innocent citizens are commonplace, the government is not doing its job properly and the economy is so messed up that one now has to shell out 500 naira to buy one dollar.

With such depressing developments taking centre stage both here and in many foreign countries that my friends and I once regarded as sanctuaries, it is tempting to start celebrating Christmas early and excessively, in a desperate bid to cheer oneself up.

It is tempting, in a nutshell, to indulge in no-holdsbarred socialising, eating and drinking as from like NOW…and to give myself permission to totally forget about weight loss until January lst.

In other words, I yearn to see 2020 off with a relentlessly hedonistic splurge that will involve vast quantities of delicious dishes and favourite tipples… and yearn to then commence 2021 feeling so sated that there will, I hope, be no reluctance to strictly diet and exercise.

The temptation to completely abandon discipline is exacerbated by the fact that I will, this week, be returning to London for the first time in a year…and spending Christmas with my darling only child and

siblings…whom I haven’t seen since December 2019.

One of London’s strengths is that it is, alongside New York, the most cosmopolitan city on earth, foodwise.

London offers a level of culinary variety that is simply not available in Nigeria; and I’m an adventurous gourmand/gourmet who loves to sample the cuisines of many nations.

London also has great food shops like Selfridges and Harrods food halls and supermarkets like Waitrose and Sainsburys.

So there we are: In addition to being surrounded by fab restaurants and food emporia, I’ll be going through emotional reunions with my nuclear family and beloved London pals I haven’t seen for ages. And these reunions will definitely call for plenty-plenty celebration.

So should I eat away to my heart’s content, regain several kilos in the process and be back at Square One on January lst?

Or should I pull myself together and quit looking for excuses for going on a massive December food-andbooze spree. And watch what I eat – as in still eat special London treats, but in small quantities? And only let myself off the hook on Christmas and Boxing Days? And go for long, brisk winter walks to burn calories and shed as much weight as possible this month?

What would ThisDay style readers do if they were in my shoes?

Throw in the towel? Or be mature and controlled?

DONU KOGBARA IS A VANGUARD NEWSPAPER COLUMNIST. Please feel free to share your thoughts about her weight loss journey on 0805 404 6887 or donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk

Beaded

BAGS

There’s a compelling reason for the beaded bag’s resurgence: It elevates any outfit with a splash that’s equal parts edgy and playful.

Designer Lisa Folawiyo is at the fore front of giving everyone’s favorite ‘90s bag a big come back in 2020.

She has a full range of sizes, shapes and colour that makes you just want to covet one for yourself.

BY FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI

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BOUTIQUE ABUJA Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja, 1 Aguiyi Ironsi St Tel. +234 9 291 4615 • abuja@hublot-boutique.com

SPIRIT OF BIG BANG MECA-10 18K King Gold case. In-house manual movement, with a 10-day power reserve.

FLORALS

STYLE & DESIGN

all yearround print

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9341 Sunday, December 6, 2020

Pick any time of the year, floral prints will always be in vogue. Easy, breezy and uplifting, florals patterns can weave a fresh wave of enthusiasm, excitement and a renewed sense of purpose into your day, be it at work or leisure. The wardrobe is incomplete without a lot of colour and print to keep the days bright. Florals are a signature print. There’s always a way to pull it off, and make it your own, with the proper styling. With florals back on the runaway, it’s time to ensure you have this style back in your everyday wardrobe!

STYLE & DESIGN

BY USIADE ISIOMA

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9341 Sunday, December 6, 2020

Historical Fashion Trends

Over the centuries, humans have come up with some weird fashion stylings. Whether out of practicality, vanity, or a mixture of the two, historical fashion can look hilariously bizarre to modern eyes. In all likelihood though, some of the things people wear today will end up on a list of ‘bizarre’ things worn for our century! While we’re still in the 21st century, let’s have a look at some of the historical fashion trends.

BY USIADE ISIOMA

Bombasting

body. One theory is that they got bigger century before the campaign speaking out against it finally succeeded. because of a raging syphilis epidemic, which resulted in men needing space for bandages and medical dressings.

Everyone has seen their fair share of badly placed shoulder pads, but the upper classes of the 16th century took ‘bombasting’ to a whole different level.

They would use bombast, a mixed form of stuffing that could be made of cotton, The big white wigs that symbolized high class from the Baroque period and beyond found their start with King Louis XIII of France, who started wearing one to hide his premature baldness. The fashion quickly spread and made its way

Powdered wigs

PLACE IT SMART The pattern will call BRING OUT THE CHICNESS When it comes to attending meetings, subtle dressing is the first to pop into our heads. The monochrome floral print is both, chic and edgy, at the same time. It creates a mysterious look that will instantly make you stand out amongst the others. Make a style statement by adding a pop of colour to your look with accessories like a headband or a bag. Model for GAVIN RAJAH

BLAZE IT WITH A FLORAL BLAZER

If you want to make a bold statement and at the same time want to be fairly easy on the eye, then a floral blazer paired with plain trousers will be the right choice. You need to keep in mind what type of floral you will be going for. It is advisable not to choose something too much in your face but you also don’t want to wear a floral blazer that skips the whole floral trend entirely. Model for MAI ATAFO

SCALE IT TO FLATTER Large

prints give the impression of a greater surface area. On that same note, the smaller the print, the smaller the frame appears to the untrained eye. If you are of more generous proportions and want to appear smaller, go with smaller patterns, and vice versa. Model for Thebe Magugu

TURN HEADS WITH TIE-DYE The tie-and-dye

floral trend has taken the fashion world. Not only are they colourful and vibrant, but also a breath of fresh air. Revived from the ’90s, these come with some modern alterations and statement piece. From one shoulder statement tops to gowns, it will be your go-to casual wear this season. They go pretty well with accessories too! Model for LANRE DA-SILVA AJAYI

attention to where it is placed. Put that print to work! Use it to direct attention where you want it, and take it away from where you don’t. Don’t like your thighs but want to try wearing white pants? Wear them with a floral print top and that will distract from your bottom half. Having a bloated day? Wear a solid black top with some floral print pants.

We’ll call it the floral shuffle, and it can work to your advantage if you do it right. Model for HOUSE OF DIVAS

If this is your thing and you just can’t help yourself, keep it short and show some leg, or find a way to cinch the waist to show there’s a body in there. Model for SELAM FESSAHAYE

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GO RETRO There’s floral trend which revisits us from the past, and that too from the great ’70s.

Vintage florals, which are also known as sofa print florals will make you reminisce sunny days. The next time you’re heading out for a Sunday brunch with your girls, don a vintage floral print outfit.

Model for GOZEL GREEN

STICK TO ONE PRINT We are all about

being fashion forward and mixing prints, however mixing prints when a floral is involved is only for the brave and seasoned fashionistas.

If you want to be bold, add an edgy piece like a jacket, to your floral, but don’t add another print that competes. Model for KLUK CGDT

FLORALS ARE NOT SEASONAL Just because you can’t grow flowers in your garden year-round, does not mean you can’t incorporate them in your wardrobe. Florals are a year-round print. The key is, like with any print, choose the styles and colours that are season appropriate. Model for ESTEBAN CORTAZAR

For some reason, in the 1940s, someone decided that it would be nice looking if women had cone-shaped breasts, so they created the bullet bra. By the 1950s, it was quite a popular fashion, which surely gave rise to dozens of movies featuring fem-bots whose bullet bras owned that name in a much more literal sense. They had mostly gone out of fashion until 1990, when Madonna famously wore them on tour; they are now produced by several lingerie manufacturers.

wool, sawdust, or horsehair, to make certain parts of their bodies seem larger - like their arms, legs, shoulders, or in the case of some rich men, bellies. In some cases, people would carry around six pounds of the stuff inside their clothes.

Codpieces Imagine men today wearing ornamented athletic cups outside the crotch of their pants. Coded pieces were an integral part of men’s dress in the 14th-16th centuries. While they started

across Europe by the late 17th century.

By the 18th century, men had started powdering them so that they would stay bright white. The British government, however, started taxing hair powder in 1795, a decision that eventually led to the end of that particular fashion.

Foot binding This is a case where fashion caused not only certain days of discomfort or pain but also whole lifetimes.

Beginning around the 10th century in China, upper-class women who did not need to work would bind their feet as young girls so that they would not grow more than about four inches

AVOID OVERSIZED GARMENTS WITH OVERSIZED PRINTS

Bullet Bras

Crakows The Crakows were a style of shoes that were popular in the 15th century; the shoe tips were extremely long and pointy. The shoes were named after the city in which they originated from and were everywhere in Europe at that time. They were worn by both sexes, but the Crakows for men were thought to be extravagant. The physical evidence shows that the length of the shoe soles was usually more than 50 percent of the length of the foot. They had whalebone or strings at the end that were tied to the knees to enable walking.

LESS IS MORE Keeping the overall

look balanced is key. When you wear something floral; in particular a one-piece such as a dress, romper, or jumpsuit, you got your flare covered. Keep accessories to a minimum. Model for ORAPELENG MODUTLE

out as merely extra fabric to cover up an area that normal pants left relatively bare, they eventually grew into padded and decorated objects that inevitably drew attention to that region on the

long. This involved forcibly breaking the arches and then constantly binding and re-binding them so that they would not heal properly. This fashion, unfortunately, lasted until the early 20th

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EXPENSIVE PMOST O W E R o f ALCOHOLIC DRINKS TWO STYLE & DESIGN

D L R O W

HENRI IV DUDOGNON HERITAGE COGNAC GRANDE CHAMPAGNE The cost price: $2 million

It has been aged for 100 years. The bottle is coasted in 24 karat gold housed in a platinum casing and covered with diamonds.

RUSSO-BALTIQUE VODKA The cost price: $1.35 million

The bottles are made to look like vintage automobiles. Each bottle top is made from 100% pure gold with inlaid diamonds. Russian luxury car maker

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HENRI IV DEOLA SAGOE DUDOGNON HERITAGE COGNAC GRANDE CHAMPAGNE THE COST PRICE: $2 MILLION

DALMORE 62 The cost price: $215,000

The Isabella Islay Special Edition Whiskey showcases the finest British craftsmanship in Crystal, White Gold, and diamond lettering with also the Very Old Single Malt cask strength Islay whisky inside which is also available in refills.

The Isabella Islay Whiskey ‘special edition’ showcases the finest craftsmanship of the British Isles. The decanter is made of the finest English Crystal with the neck ridged to an ancient design and then hand crafted into an intricate leaf by a master English Crystal maker. The body of the decanter is the covered in the highest grade of white gold and then the pinnacle of the neck and decanter are hand crafted in diamonds, these diamonds being hand placed, one by one by London’s leading jewellers. As a final touch, the diamond encrusted wording is added to bring this stunning piece to its marvellous conclusion

MACALLAN 64 year old LALIQUE The cost price: $625,000

The Macallan 64-Year-Old Lalique Cire Perdue is world’s most expensive whisky sold at auction – that’s official. Guinness World Records has awarded The Macallan 64-Year-Old the accolade of ‘most expensive whisky sold at auction ’for US$460,000 (£291,125), with 100% of the TIFFANY AMBER proceeds going to charity: water.

Only four bottles were created.

MENDIS COCONUT

THE SAPPHIRE REVELATION

BY BOMBAY The cost price: $200,000

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE

ISABELLA ISLAY SPECIAL EDITION WHISKEY The cost price: $740,000

It is still the mystery from where it gets its name. It is one of the worlds expensive alcoholic drinks. There were TIFFANYonly AMBER12 bottles created, so limited numbers play a big part in its prices.

Interestingly the last known bottle to be spotted in public was purchased at Singapore’s airport.

DAMORE 62

Released in 2007 Mendis CoconutODIO MIMONET brandy was the world’s first clear brandy distilled from coconut and matured in special Halmilla wood casks. Distributed by luxury brand Luxe Coterie, its first release was sold for $1 million, a bottle which was signed, numbered and dated by the House of Mendis’ founder, WM Mendis.

SCOTTISH DIVA

MENDIS COCONUT FACTORY VS The cost price: $1 million

PENFOLD AMPOULE

It is expensive because of the claim that the 6,400 different diamonds on the bottle help to improve the flavour of the tequila. However, it remains unsold so it might end up selling for a lot less in the future.

ARMAND DE BRIGNAC MIDAS

The cost price: $265,000 It is a popular drink amongst rappers and sports stars. It’s been aged for around 30 years and uses some of the finest grapes to achieve its distinctive flavour.

BLACK PEARL REMY

THE PASIÓN AZTECA, PLATINUM LIQUOR BY TEQUILA LEY .925 The cost price: $3.5 million

Majority of its value is found on its bottle which comes adorned with crystals and gemstones. Diva Vodka is a triple filtered expression ice filtered through Nordic birch charcoal and then filtered again through sand peppered with precious and semi-precious stones. A swathe of Swarovski crystals runs through the centre of the bottle which can be used to ‘garnish’ the drink.

ISABELLA SPECIAL ED

THE PASIÓN AZTECA, PLATINUM LIQUOR BY TEQUILA LEY .925 THE COST PRICE: $3.5 MILLION

It has become the king of collectable wines and 1945 is considered its most prized vintage. They only produced 600 bottles in 1945 which is also significant because this was the last year before they replaced their vines.

The wine was on sale with Sotheby’s and they described it as “concentrated and exotic with seemingly everlasting power, a wine at peace with itself.”

SCOTTISH DIVA VODKA The cost price: $1 million

MACALLAN LALIQUE

Having billionaire in the name is right for this one. Each bottle uses a topsecret Russian recipe and is made BYsmall FUNKE in micro-batches to ensure BABS-KUFEJI exclusivity. The huge five litre bottle is covered in approximately 3,000 diamonds and swarovski crystals and designed by Leon Verre.

BILLIONAIRE VODKA THE COST PRICE: $3.7 MILLION

1945 ROMANEE-C0NTI WINE The cost price: $558,000

RUSSOBALTIQUE VODKA THE COST PRICE: $1.35 MILLION

ROMANEE CONTI

ity

for ‘co-ordinated outfit’ - matching separates that ISABELLA ISLAY WHISKEY can workVERSION better ORIGINAL than anything The cost price: $6.2 million elseIsabella in your The Islay Whiskey Original wardrobe, version has over 8500 diamonds, almost providing 300 rubies and a thejustequivalent of two thrown-on, readybars of white gold all covering a fine English decanter built Crystal ensemble, asand the Very Old Single Malt cask strength Islay well as a plethora whisky inside which is also available in of combination refills.

This product was crafted to take possibilities. the whiskey and beverage market to a Designers are new level for the first time combining churning out premium whiskey and finest crystal with tones of these gold and diamonds encrusted by the co-ords and it’s most respected jewellers in London, this no-first brainer isathe time this has been done in the outfit for market. Each individual world whiskey anyone Isabella Islaywho is handcrafted to the is always on wishes of the customer. the go!

BILLIONAIRE VODKA The cost price: $3.7 million

Russo-Baltique is said to have created the vodka to commemorate the centenary of the company’s factory. The front of the bottle is decorated with leather and has a replica of the radiator guard used for Russo-Baltique cars. The cap is shaped like a Russian imperial eagle and is encrusted with diamonds.

ARMAND DE BRIGNAC

ISABELLA ISLAY WHISKEY ORIGINAL VERSION THE COST PRICE: $6.2 MILLION

CO ORDS

Whether it’s a bottle of ancient champagne, Thecocktails most-wanted or being and wearable served upnow in posh bars item right throughout is not a one the world, the piecefollowing but a two- drinks piece ranked set calledon lists have Co-ords.

For the as the most expensive uninitiated, codrinks in the world at ord is shorthand one time or another.

STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style December 6, 2020

Vol. 22, No. 9

One of the most recognised gin bottles in the world is from Bombay, London’s most well-known gin company. For $200,000, you will receive a jewel shaped bottle, made from Baccarat crystal, diamonds and Sapphires filled with the best gin the company has ever created.

After finishing the gin, you can resell the bottle or can keep as a house ornament.

PENFOLD AMPOULE

The cost price: $170,000 Its hand blown and makes one hell of an impact, which certainly helps justify its insane price tag. There are only twelve handmade bottles of this expensive wine on the plane, all are individually numbered and all were crafted by south Australia’s finest craftsmen.

THE BLACK PEARL LOUIS XIII ANNIVERSARY EDITION BY REMY MARTIN The cost price: $165,000

In this alcoholic drink, some ingredients used are 100 years old.

The bottles are made in astonishingly LISA FOLAWIYO small numbers to maintain exclusively and are all inlaid with gemstones.

They were also constructed using a special technique and process, which is thought to be locked away in a secret vault somewhere.

Fashion has been influencing lives of people all around the world in one way or the other. The fashion trend keeps changing according to the seasons and wants of the society at the times. It is taken as a mood lifter for most of the women. We all love fashion, but some of us are not as aware of some interesting fashion facts that prevailed in the history.

Here are a few of them...

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9341 Sunday, December 6, 2020

DID YOU

KNOW?

BY USIADE ISIOMA

Hoop skirts

On the other end of the leg-space spectrum when it comes to skirts, there is the hoop skirt or crinoline. The hoops under the skirt started out as a practical way to keep the legs free, be it for cooling purposes or to save women from tripping, and then caught on as haute couture. They’ve taken various forms throughout the years, including the pannier or ‘side hoop’ in the 18th century, which made the skirt into a sort of horizontal oval shape. Those and other grand circular ones are often so wide that it’s difficult to walk through doors wearing them.

Mullets

The mullet isn’t exactly a historical fashion trend, as it’s still eminently possible to run into one on the street today.

However, it had its biggest moment in the 1970s and 1980s when many famous musicians like David Bowie and Paul McCartney started wearing them. The hair cut was referred as a famous description of ‘business in the front, party in the back.’

MULLETS

PERFUME CONES

EGYPTIAN EYE MAKEUP

HOOP SKIRT

Perfume cones

These cones are thought to be made of perfumed animal fat, and they would gradually melt, releasing their pleasant scents as they went. If you imagine a warm roomful of people having come in from the desert sun with no deodorant, then you can probably imagine why these cones would have been so necessary!

Chopines

Chopines were originally used as a way to protect shoes from the mud and dirt off the street, but they gradually grew into a fashion item, also growing in height. The higher the chopine, the higher class the wearer; some chopines, therefore, were up to 20 inches tall. While walking in them would have been quite treacherous for the novices, experienced chopinewearers could even learn to dance in them.

Egyptian eye makeup

The typical Egyptian eye makeup is the heavy black eyeliner encircling the eyes of pretty much everyone in the paintings.

More than just looking fly however, this makeup, usually made of kohl, had a set purpose. The purpose of the make-up is to cut down on the glare from the sun.

Bliauts

CHOPINES

Bliauts were dresses with extremely long sleeves mostly floor-length usually to indicate the inactive hands of societies upper ‘echelons.’ It was popular between the 11th and 13th centuries and was very trendy among the elites. The wearer couldn’t perform many domestic tasks; therefore, activities were limited to ones that didn’t require much movement of the arms, like crocheting and embroidery making.

Male Corsets

Men wearing corsets is nothing new, as several notable men in history have been known to wear corsets or corsetlike garments for therapeutic or aesthetic purposes. They were worn in the 19th century to promote proper upper body posture while on horseback, help soldiers fit into their uniforms, and to protect the spine if they were ever thrown off the horse. It also served to prevent the bruising of the kidneys as the soldiers were galloping along.

BLIAUTS

MALE CROSET

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COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9341 Sunday, December 6, 2020

COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9341 Sunday, December 6, 2020

Naomi Campell 10 -12th December 2020

STARS TO WATCH

BY FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI, KONYE CHELSEA NWABOGOR & OZINNA ANUMUDU

Alton Mason was discovered on Instagram by an agency in 2015 and has since then walked kilometers worth of runway all over the world.

“We’re on our way, and though we’re not there yet, we’re getting the platform we deserve to have or rather, the platform and recognition African designers deserve to have. They are also getting the opportunity to learn more skills and work with big brands. When people say ‘global’ to me, l ask them if they are they in Africa. If they say no, then they’re not global to me” - Naomi Campbell

Alpha Dia is a top Senegalese model distinguished for walking the runway for several top brands such as Hugo Boss, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Calvin Klein, Kenzo, Fenty x Puma, Givenchy, and Versace to mention a few.

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Credited to having one of the longest and most successful careers working in the fashion industry today, Naomi Campbell is one of the elite group of models directly responsible for the term ‘supermodel’ being coined. It would forever be on record that she was the first black model to appear on the covers of French Vogue and Time magazine.

And also the first black model on the cover of American Vogue’s key September issue.

As a woman of colour, her love for Africa and it’s growing fashion industry is evident in the role she plays in supporting young African talent.

Joining hands with one of Africa’s most respected fashion showcases, ARISE FASHION WEEK as a CoProducer, Naomi was very much present as Africa took its longoverdue place on the global stage.

An feat that pushed the likes of Kenneth Ize on to the international fashion scene. Naomi’s voice has been very strong in changing the African narrative and her relentless pursuit of its global presence has yielded fruits opening doors for several African designers. She has not rest her oars since her collaboration with AFW and this upcoming one is no different as she has used her global influence to draw more focus to the talents within the African continent.

This year, she’s back again as a judge to put her wealth of experience in the industry towards picking a winner of the ARISE FASHION WEEK, ‘30 under 30’ competition.

LDA

KENNETH IZE TIFFANY AMBER

MAI ATAFO

15

COVER

Alton Mason Mason’s first major modelling gig was for Kanye West’s Yeezy Season 3 collection at New York Fashion Week held at the Madison Square Garden in February 2016.

The following year, he presented Gucci’s Cruise 2018 collection and subsequently, Gucci’s 2017 Pre-Fall campaign.

Alton Mason has since then walked the runway for many reputable brands including Chanel’s 2018/2019 Métiers d’Art show; becoming the first black male model to walk for the luxury house in its then 108-year history.

He was awarded the title of Model of the Year for 2019 by Models.com, named male Model of the Year by GQ Australia in 2019 and listed in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 2021 for Art & Style.

Alton Mason is an advocate for the recognition of Africa’s contribution to the global fashion sphere. He graced the ARISE FASHION WEEK Lagos in 2019, walking alongside Naomi Campbell for Nigerian designer Kenneth Ize and in his words described it as “One of the greatest experiences of my life!”

Alton is her again for this recent AFW and will no doubt make the dream of some of the uprising designers come true as he adorns their clothes.

To borrow his comment, that would also certainly be “one of the greatest moments” in the designer’s life!

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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9341 Sunday, December 6, 2020

COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9341 Sunday, December 6, 2020

Alpha Dia

He is also distinguished for having worked with high end designers like Ann Demeulemeester, Christian Pellizzari, Roberto Cavalli, and Christian Dada. Alpha has also been featured on the cover of several highly regarded magazines such as Numéro Homme, Document Journal, Italian Vogue, Another MAN, Kein and MFF Magazine.

His career as a model started when he was only 22 working as a barkeeper in a bar when a photographer named Christian Bendel spotted him and asked to take pictures of him and his career in modeling took off from there.

Since then, Alpha has gone on to be one of the most sought-after male models in the fashion industry. His first major jobs were for designers Iceberg and Prada, which is not bad for just starting off in the modeling industry.

He stands at towering height of 6 ft 2” (188 cm) and weighs 83kg. Not to forget, his broad smile, as well as tall height are the distinctive features that gets him noticed a lot. Besides that, his natural black hair, along with his dark brown eyes, plays a vital role in completing his outlook. He currently calls Hamburg, Germany his home but he is rarely ever there since his career demands he travels all over the world.

Alpha will, for the very first time ever, grace the ARISE FASHION WEEK ‘30 under 30’ taking place next weekend.

The virtual show and competition will have distinguished judges who will change lives of the winners when they cart home their collective $500,000 cash prices to be won. Alpha has never been to Nigeria so this will be an ample opportunity for him to experience the AFW show and also the warmth of the people not to mention giving delight to the designers and those who watch him do what he does best...model!

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STYLE & DESIGN

ON

360

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9341 Sunday, December 6, 2020

THE POSITIV E

Living A Phenomenal, Healthy, Happy And Fulfilled Life.

DR IFEYINWA NWAKWESI

Being the Best Version of Yourself Celebrating Big Chy Ngonadi A Phenomenal Woman She knew how not to allow challenges to overwhelm her. She was sometimes unhappy like many other people but she would quickly get out of the unhappy state and start dancing or laughing. She was an encourager of many people and focused mostly on people’s strengths, deemphasizing their weaknesses, helping them to grow and be successful.

My life’s passion as an integrative care practitioner is to encourage people to live their best lives and become the best versions of themselves. To achieve this objective, my company Healthy Living Services in collaboration with an Amazon Hajia Lami Tumaka, set up THE PHENOMENAL WOMAN (TPW), a Community of women, who have committed to living their best lives and become the best versions of themselves.

Life is full of challenges, and if we do not consciously focus on the positive side of our lives, we would be easily overwhelmed, our high stress levels will lead to deleterious effects on our bodies.

As an integrative care practitioner I realize that our spiritual, mental, emotional and physical lives are all inter-related and an imbalance in one will definitely affect the other.

One of he best ways to have a successful life, is to constantly improve all areas of our lives in order manage our thought processes to make us phenomenal personalities.

Being phenomenal, means we keep searching for effective methods that can help us empower our members to achieve the objectives for setting up the community.

Women are a very important segment of any society. They are wives, mothers, career women, and business women. They give birth to children, nurture them, are caretakers of their families and in some cases, the providers of the home.

Women’s holistic health is very important, because when a woman dies, it could be very destabilizing for her family. Many men find it difficult 18

to cope when they loose their wives.

My focus in this write up is to share my perspective on the topic - BEING THE BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF - BECOMING PHENOMENAL showcasing the life of a phenomenal woman- BIG CHI NGONADI. It is often said that it’s not how long one lives, but how well.

We recently lost one of our members of the THE PHENOMENAL WOMAN TPW and the WOMEN ALLIANCE GROUP ( WAG ). Mrs Chinwe Ngonadi popularity known as Big Chi. WOMEN ALLIANCE GROUP is a community of women who are passionate about putting in place Prine sew that can enable our youths earn a living and promote the election of women and youths into various leadership positions in Nigeria. We are shocked beyond words at the death of this beautiful woman, who was beautiful inside out.

In this society we focus mostly on external looks forgetting that inner beauty is more important.

Big Chi as she was fondly called, had a beautiful inner being and was very positively programmed. Her inner beauty sprang forth several fruits of the spirit. She was a happy, kind, loving, dependable, honest, caring, warm, energetic, passionate and hardworking woman.

She was a committed wife, amazing mother and grandmother.

She was very supportive of her husband and together, they built a happy home.

They nurtured children that are all very successful in life.

Her daughter Ngozi Nkwoji is a top executive of Nigerian Brewery.

She had two amazing sons and another daughter in America. She often sent me videos and pictures of memorable moments spent with her adorable grandchildren and her daughter in law who gave her so much joy and happiness.

Big Chi and her daughter Ngozi are members of their church choir, because she loved to sing.

She had numerous friends, that cut across all strata of the society.

She knew how not to allow challenges to overwhelm her.

She was sometimes unhappy like many other people but she would quickly get out of the unhappy state and start dancing or laughing. She was an encourager of many people and focused mostly on people’s strengths, deemphasizing their weaknesses, helping them to grow and be successful

She was a philanthropist, a peace maker, bridge builder, empathic, and a supportive friend. She never spoke evil of any one. If she was angry with you, she would engage you constructively and immediately resolve the issues.

Big Chi never lived a lie. She would call a spade a spade. Her inner being reflected mostly positive emotions. She knew how not to allow challenges to overwhelm her.

She was sometimes unhappy like many other people but she would quickly get out of the unhappy state and start dancing or laughing. She was an encourager of many people and focused mostly on people’s strengths, deemphasizing their weaknesses, helping them to grow and be successful.

Big Chi supported numerous people, so it’s not surprising that many people are giving very positive testimonies about her.

Out late member was a committed and dependable friend. Her communication skills was first class.

To show how caring she was, she created a bulk messaging system, where she constantly sent uplifting messages to her numerous friends and family members.

She was a very happy-go-lucky, boisterous energetic woman.She was the life wire of most parties, and radiated a beautiful inner being.

Her company was sheer pleasure and I must say she helped many people learn how to be happy and enjoy life.

Many people look beautiful or handsome in their external being, but their inner being is in chaos.

They are usually bitter, envious, unhappy, frustrated with inner conflicts. Big Chi often told me “Ify I run away from these kinds of people, as my spirit gets unsettled, in the

midst of such people, so I keep my distance from them” Big Chi had a successful career in the Nigerian Customs Service, but I will leave that for people who knew her then to speak professionally about her. I can recall when her friend Adaugo lost her son, Big Chi was so devastated, she co-opted me into feeling as bad as she did even though I was not very close to Adaugo at that time. She did same thing when another friend lost her only son. She grieved so much you would think it was her own son that died. Big Chi was honest and genuine. All that glitters was gold with Big Chi. It is from the likes of her that phenomenal families, society and Nigeria can be built.

Let me conclude that Big Chi’s life is a lesson for many women to learn from. She had leadership qualities.

Her life was love, peace, unity and harmony. No wonder Igwe Gerald Mbamalu of Ojoto is personally involved in the arrangements for a befitting burial for her. I want to salute Igwe for his passion and commitment to Big Chi and her family. She was a great daughter of the Ojoto family and was greatly respected and adored.

My condolences to her husband, children, the Okoro people, all inlaws and her friends. Her legacies will continue through her amazing children.

Adieu, a great woman Ugegbd Ojoto Good night.

Dr Ifeyinwa Nwakwesi Stess, Cell - revitalization, Integrative medicine and Personal Development Specialist.

Healthy living services Co - initiator THE Phelomina woman ( TPW) Co - initiator Women alliance group ( WAG)

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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9341 Sunday, December 6, 2020

STYLE & DESIGN

CLASSY

ON A

BUDGET

Do you want to look like a million bucks, but think you can’t because you don’t have the money? You don’t have to be rich to look expensive! And, when you wear clothes that you love and fit well, you have confidence!

Follow these tips to look expensive while on a budget:

If it’s not on a weekend, it’s not owambe: In Nigeria, no owambe is done on weekdays, except in rare cases, but not always common. If it is not on a weekend (especially on Saturdays), it is not an owambe.

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Party jollof rice: At a typical Nigerian owambe, food flows in abundance. Varieties of foods are usually served but the signature dish at any owambe is jollof rice. Some people will even say the success of a party hinges on how tasty the Jollof rice is, and this is very true. While the emphasis is being made on food, an owambe is not complete without drinks of all kinds especially Champagne which Nigerians at Notoriously known to serve in abundance which is why the phrase “Champagne Dey flow like water!” You might need a ‘little connection’ though to be served food and choice drinks at some owambes.

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Interesting facts about Owambe

BY FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI

Bag

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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9341 Sunday, December 6, 2020

STYLE & DESIGN

MODEL FOR ODION MIMONENT

Aso Ebi: Aso Ebi is an attire sewn from matching clothing materials that a group of people wear to a ceremony in uniformity. Aso Ebi is special and the people who wear them understand the significance of the attire. Some even canvas for it so as to be seen ‘to belong’. Buying Aso Ebi can be a very expensive habit especially if you attend a minimum of 10-20 a year!

The Uninvited: If it a top notch party where the invitation is as hard as getting a British visa, some die-hards hang on to the coattails of invited guests. They beg for a spare headgear from the invited guests as these head ties usually comes in two, they then get a fabric as close to the colour as the Aso Ebi. In such cases, you find that the estimated crowd of say, 300, can easily run to 500. These uninvited guests are called are called “Mogba-Moyas” (I heard, I came).

When you ask them about their relationship with the host, the response is usually something like “I’m a friend to the brother of the host’s aunty’s cousin’s sister’s nephew’s mother’s sister.”

Loud Music: If the music isn’t loud, it is probably a gettogether. Owambes feature loud music. Without music, there won’t be dances. Music precedes the dance. Dance precedes spraying of money. Some Nigerians hire DJs to play trendy jams, while others make use of live performers.

The influential ones usually prefer top musicians like King Sunny Ade, Saheed Osupa, Wasiu Ayinde, Pasuma Wonder, among others to entertain guests at their functions.

Overdressing is allowed: Everyone is on the wave to look very good at any event they attend. However, some people take this to the extreme. There are people who actually come to other people’s parties to stand out. Some do this by not following the dress code and picking their own material for the event while some just have a lot of accessories on, that you would think they were the assistant celebrant.

Their plan is to come and kill it at the party.

Single and Searching individuals doing a partners’ hunt: A lot of times, you’d meet some people at events and ask them “So, why did you come here all the way from Ibadan.”

They’d probably smirk and reply with “You don’t know where God would answer your prayers “. There are a lot of people who go to parties with other motives other than celebrating with the host. At the reception of a wedding, you would see some of them getting phone numbers of someone they saw on the dance floor or that they talked to by chance.

Souvenirs: For an owambe to be interesting and end colourfully, it must feature good souvenirs as parting gifts.

Souvenirs are items used to remember the event; hence, Nigerians strive to give their guests the best gifts during owambes. Among such gifts are branded notepads, pens, utensils, etc.

CHIOMA IKOKU

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21

S

DESIGN

Vol. 22, No. 9341 Sunda

TIFE’S

Holiday Collection While 2020 has been utterly unpredictable, the most wonderful time of the year is upon us and in the spirit of holding onto some happy traditions and ending the year in high notes, fashion label TIFÉ unveiled her 2020 holiday collection. The collection features a variety of ensembles that is bold yet understated, invariably imbued with warmth and depth that accompanies all the elegance of the TIFÉ woman from day to night. The simple yet elegant design with glamorous details is crafted to satisfy the desire to be demure with an edge; with just enough elements to stand out of the pack, compliment the wearer with an interesting fashion angle and adapt perfectly to a modern lifestyle that guarantees both comfort and elegance to be cherished for seasons to come.

BY FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI

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DAY Style er 6, 2020