Allure 26072015

July 26, 2015

D.I.Y TREATMENTS; OILY AND COMBINATION SKIN

RONKE ADEMILUYI

- On 5 years of Africa Fashion Week London AFWL

CON

T S N E T e m a i l : a l l u r e fo r t h e wo rl d @ v a n g u a r d n g r. c o m

JULY 26 AUGUST 1, 2015

4-5

15

COVER

RONKE ADEMILUYI

8-10

FASHION

4-5

• Tom Ford Shares His 10 Ultimate Style Rules

12

FEATURE

• Get Captivated

TEAM EDITOR REMMY DIAGBARE DEPUTY EDITOR JEMI EKUNKUNBOR ASST. EDITOR YEMISI SULEIMAN STYLE REPORTER PAMELA ECHEMUNOR CONTRIBUTORS PRINCESS KATE EMIKO BAMIYO ISELEMA EMINA JEROME CODJO-YAOVI ONIPEDE

CONT. EDITOR LATASHA NGWUBE COPY EDITOR DODOIYI WILLIAM-WEST CORRESPONDENTS FATIMA GARBA DAVINA AYODELE LAYOUT / DESIGN GREGORY OBI OLAYIWOLA AJAGBE PHOTO OSCAR OCHIOGU (08034746487)

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PEOPLE

15

• Vlisco opens at City Mall • Ebonylife TV Hosts Semi-Final Round of Emmy’s Judging process

From the editor...

It’s great to be back! Two months off and I have become rustic. It’s so true that anything you do not use atrophies. Excited as I am to be back, I still need to kick start myself into work mode.

So here goes: on our cover today, we feature Ronke Ademiluyi, whose vision of promoting African fashion in the Diaspora gave birth to Africa Fashion Week in London. This year, July 7th to be precise, AFW will be 5 years since that historic step.

As partners with the AFW project, Allure has contributed space and personnel to the success story of AFW. Naturally, Ronke is ecstatic about the milestones of the show and, in this interview with Yemisi Suleiman, she speaks on the achievements of AFW, the July 7 show coming up at the

QUOTES...

“No matter how much you love someone, you still want to have you own way.”

- Chuck Palahniuk

“Every relationship is a tug of war, and I hope the scaffold wins.”

- Bauvard “Y ou can’t truly hate someone until you’ve cared about them.

Until you’ve loved them.”

- Kirsten Hubbard

Olympia in London and more. See pp. 8-10.

On our fashion pages, the king of sexy, Tom Ford’s 10 Ultimate Style Rules, holds sway. The renowned designer recently released his debut collection on Net-a-Porter, the online designer clothing store with a feature on his ultimate rules. I found them so, so encapsulating that I just had to let you see. Please, turn to pp. 4-5.

And, on beauty, Pamela Echemunor, our in- house beauty enthusiast, has compiled a list of items that show how everyday stuff in your kitchen can transform your skin. Get ready to rummage through your fridge. See pp. 6-7.

This is where I wrap up but not without commending Jemi Ekunkunbor who did a very good job of holding forth. She did a fantastic job. Yes? Also, I want to thank the entire team, especially assistant editor, Yemisi Suleiman, correspondents, Pamela Echemunor and Fatima Garba.

R.

Remmy Diagbare @ Vanguardallure1

FA S H I O N

Tom Ford Shares His Ultimate Style Rules

1

DON’T LET FASHION DICTATE TO YOU I always feel a little sad when I see a woman head-to-toe in a runway look.

Women also change their hair a lot, but if it’s done in an insecure way, that makes me feel sad, too. You need to make what you are wearing your own.

2

NEVER TRY TO BE OVERLY SEXY

I’m more interested in a little bit of mystery.

Maybe it’s my age… Or maybe it’s because the women in my life are starting to wear stockings now because they think the skin on their legs isn’t as good as it used to be!

FIND YOUR UNIFORM

If you have five outfits that you love wearing and always make you feel your best, which are comfortable and confident and just work, why do you need all the others? Yes, you need some variations on the theme – you don’t want to wear the exact same clothes every day – but I think it’s very important for everyone to figure out what their look is.

4

MAKE AN EFFORT

No matter what your personal style, people have to look at you in the same way they have to look at a building, or a piece of art, or a table, or a new car. You become a part of the photograph, the landscape, someone’s vision.

7

DON’T BELIEVE YOU NEED WARDROBE ESSENTIALS...

It isn’t about owning a classic white shirt or a black blazer – I know women who wear that and look like they’re doing a chic androgynous thing, and other women who look immediately like they work on Wall Street. It’s about your own taste; camouflaging the things you don’t like and accentuating the things you do.

8

“Dress with mystery and don’t rule out black for a wedding: the designer known as the King of Sex, shares his ultimate style rules”

TOM FORD

5

Because you never know when you’re going to have to go to a funeral, or a job interview, or a last-minute wedding (maybe you’re not supposed to wear black to weddings, but I would). It’s perfect for everything: you can wear it with sandals and it’s a summer look; heels, it’s an evening look. Long, short, fitted, loose, it’s such a key piece. It is always chic.

6

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF MAKEUP

By changing your makeup you can channel the 1920s, ’30s, ’40s, ’50s, ’60s... You can do everything with beauty because it’s the character; it’s who you are. I find that fascinating. There was a trend a couple of years ago that saw women dressed casually in jeans, T-shirts and sneakers with mega makeup – I loved it. It’s a great way to express yourself that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to have a lot of money.

BUT EVERYONE NEEDS AT LEAST ONE LBD

FOCUS ON ONE FEATURE

ONE SHOULDER ARM DRESS

9

I don’t like to see a major lip and major eye statement [at the same time]. I think if you’re going to accentuate your eyes, great, but then you need a neutral lip. If you’re going to do a bold red lip, it looks the best with almost nothing on your eyes, except maybe a little bit of mascara. I really like to see one makeup statement and just beautiful, glowing skin.

10

MINI TOTE BAG

REASSESS YOUR STYLE EVERY FIVE YEARS

Bodies change, looks change, everything changes, so every five years you need to take off all your clothes and reassess yourself. Try your clothes on and see what still works and what should be re-thought – not in an emotional way but in a detached way. Also, do it on your own, because it’s not about what your friends or partner think, it’s about how you feel.

FASH IO N

REMEMBER: SEXINESS IS ABOUT CONFIDENCE

Sexiness comes from the way you move and the way you handle yourself.

It doesn’t come from short skirts and low-cut tops

TOM FORD PATENT LEATHER SANDAL

NAOMI CAMPBELL MODEL ON THE RUNWAY

4

/ July 26, 2015

Adapted from net-a-porter July 26, 2015 /

5

FA S H I O N

Tom Ford Shares His Ultimate Style Rules

1

DON’T LET FASHION DICTATE TO YOU I always feel a little sad when I see a woman head-to-toe in a runway look.

Women also change their hair a lot, but if it’s done in an insecure way, that makes me feel sad, too. You need to make what you are wearing your own.

2

NEVER TRY TO BE OVERLY SEXY

I’m more interested in a little bit of mystery.

Maybe it’s my age… Or maybe it’s because the women in my life are starting to wear stockings now because they think the skin on their legs isn’t as good as it used to be!

FIND YOUR UNIFORM

If you have five outfits that you love wearing and always make you feel your best, which are comfortable and confident and just work, why do you need all the others? Yes, you need some variations on the theme – you don’t want to wear the exact same clothes every day – but I think it’s very important for everyone to figure out what their look is.

4

MAKE AN EFFORT

No matter what your personal style, people have to look at you in the same way they have to look at a building, or a piece of art, or a table, or a new car. You become a part of the photograph, the landscape, someone’s vision.

7

DON’T BELIEVE YOU NEED WARDROBE ESSENTIALS...

It isn’t about owning a classic white shirt or a black blazer – I know women who wear that and look like they’re doing a chic androgynous thing, and other women who look immediately like they work on Wall Street. It’s about your own taste; camouflaging the things you don’t like and accentuating the things you do.

8

“Dress with mystery and don’t rule out black for a wedding: the designer known as the King of Sex, shares his ultimate style rules”

TOM FORD

5

Because you never know when you’re going to have to go to a funeral, or a job interview, or a last-minute wedding (maybe you’re not supposed to wear black to weddings, but I would). It’s perfect for everything: you can wear it with sandals and it’s a summer look; heels, it’s an evening look. Long, short, fitted, loose, it’s such a key piece. It is always chic.

6

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF MAKEUP

By changing your makeup you can channel the 1920s, ’30s, ’40s, ’50s, ’60s... You can do everything with beauty because it’s the character; it’s who you are. I find that fascinating. There was a trend a couple of years ago that saw women dressed casually in jeans, T-shirts and sneakers with mega makeup – I loved it. It’s a great way to express yourself that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to have a lot of money.

BUT EVERYONE NEEDS AT LEAST ONE LBD

FOCUS ON ONE FEATURE

ONE SHOULDER ARM DRESS

9

I don’t like to see a major lip and major eye statement [at the same time]. I think if you’re going to accentuate your eyes, great, but then you need a neutral lip. If you’re going to do a bold red lip, it looks the best with almost nothing on your eyes, except maybe a little bit of mascara. I really like to see one makeup statement and just beautiful, glowing skin.

10

MINI TOTE BAG

REASSESS YOUR STYLE EVERY FIVE YEARS

Bodies change, looks change, everything changes, so every five years you need to take off all your clothes and reassess yourself. Try your clothes on and see what still works and what should be re-thought – not in an emotional way but in a detached way. Also, do it on your own, because it’s not about what your friends or partner think, it’s about how you feel.

FASH IO N

REMEMBER: SEXINESS IS ABOUT CONFIDENCE

Sexiness comes from the way you move and the way you handle yourself.

It doesn’t come from short skirts and low-cut tops

TOM FORD PATENT LEATHER SANDAL

NAOMI CAMPBELL MODEL ON THE RUNWAY

4

/ July 26, 2015

Adapted from net-a-porter July 26, 2015 /

5

B EAU TY

BEAUTY Salt Salt is a gift from nature with a vast variety of uses. One of the uses is it acts as a desiccant and rids skin of excess oil. To use salt, fill an empty bottle with lukewarm water and add a teaspoon of salt to it, shake well, then close your eyes and spray solution on your face (Do not rinse). Repeat this process daily and see your skin improve.

Lemon Juice Lemons are highly recommended when it comes to skin treatment. It refreshes skin and brightens skin tone. It rejuvenates and helps remove excess oil. To use take two lemons and extract juice, juice a cucumber as well and add water of equal quantity. Apply mixture to face and allow to dry for a few minutes, after it dries rinse off with warm water first and then cool water.

Tomato

D.I.Y TREATMENTS

For

OILY And

Vinegar Vinegar is a fantastic way to exfoliate. It balances hormones which cause oily skin and it helps prevent pimples. To use it dab a cotton ball with a small amount of Vinegar and apply it to face, leave for about 5-10 minutes and wash off after. Do this every night before bed.

COMBINATION

SKIN 6

/ July 26, 2015

Apple Apples are beneficial toning, moisturizing and softening agents. This fiber rich fruit is loaded with alpha hydroxy acids which moistens and clears the pores. Take ½ cup of mashes apple, ½ cup of cooked oatmeal, a tablespoon of lemon juice and one egg. Mix ingredients together to make a smooth paste. Use paste as facial mask and allow to dry for 15- 20 minutes. Wash with cool water and repeat process regularly to prevent oily skin.

Milk Milk is perfect for cleansing skin, it makes skin soft and supple and minimizes sebum and oil. Mix 2 teaspoons of oil with 2-3 drops of lavender oil. Wash face thoroughly and dab dry, dip a cotton ball in solution and gently massage skin with mixture, leave overnight or until it dries completely.

Wash it off with room temperature water , repeat process daily for best results.

By Pamela Echemunor

There’s nothing more depressing than having excessive oil on the face, which causes pimples and ruins makeup. Due to the African environment, it has become a very common condition. Dermatologists have come up with various chemical compounds to treat oily and combination skin, but these chemicals contain little natural ingredients, which are more effective. Here are a few trusted natural products that work wonders.

Tomato juice helps reduce open pores by removing excess oil and tightening the pores. Take a ripe tomato and mash into a paste till smooth. Dab a cotton ball with paste and smooth over face.

When mask dries wash off with warm water. Repeat process once or twice a week for amazing results.

Almond and Honey Scrub Almonds and honey are amazing facial scrubbing agents. These two help remove excess oil and dead skin cells. Mash almond till smooth and mix with natural oil, use solution as mask for 5-10 minutes and rinse off with warm water and repeat process once a week.

Clay Mask Clay masks are amazing pore tightening agents; they refine the pore by removing dead cells, dirt makeup and also controlling oiliness on skin. Take 3 tablespoons of organic facial mask, mix with rose water and make a fine paste, apply mixture and leave on for about 20 minutes. Rinse off thoroughly, use remedy once a week for best results.

Ice Cube and Milk The best part of the ice cube is it has a soothing effect on tense facial nerves. It also tightens the pores and helps reduce strain that causes oily skin.

Take a small bowl of milk and dip an ice cube in it, rub in circular motion all over face while dipping ice in milk. Continue process for 5-10 minutes and leave on face.

July 26, 2015 /

7

B EAU TY

BEAUTY Salt Salt is a gift from nature with a vast variety of uses. One of the uses is it acts as a desiccant and rids skin of excess oil. To use salt, fill an empty bottle with lukewarm water and add a teaspoon of salt to it, shake well, then close your eyes and spray solution on your face (Do not rinse). Repeat this process daily and see your skin improve.

Lemon Juice Lemons are highly recommended when it comes to skin treatment. It refreshes skin and brightens skin tone. It rejuvenates and helps remove excess oil. To use take two lemons and extract juice, juice a cucumber as well and add water of equal quantity. Apply mixture to face and allow to dry for a few minutes, after it dries rinse off with warm water first and then cool water.

Tomato

D.I.Y TREATMENTS

For

OILY And

Vinegar Vinegar is a fantastic way to exfoliate. It balances hormones which cause oily skin and it helps prevent pimples. To use it dab a cotton ball with a small amount of Vinegar and apply it to face, leave for about 5-10 minutes and wash off after. Do this every night before bed.

COMBINATION

SKIN 6

/ July 26, 2015

Apple Apples are beneficial toning, moisturizing and softening agents. This fiber rich fruit is loaded with alpha hydroxy acids which moistens and clears the pores. Take ½ cup of mashes apple, ½ cup of cooked oatmeal, a tablespoon of lemon juice and one egg. Mix ingredients together to make a smooth paste. Use paste as facial mask and allow to dry for 15- 20 minutes. Wash with cool water and repeat process regularly to prevent oily skin.

Milk Milk is perfect for cleansing skin, it makes skin soft and supple and minimizes sebum and oil. Mix 2 teaspoons of oil with 2-3 drops of lavender oil. Wash face thoroughly and dab dry, dip a cotton ball in solution and gently massage skin with mixture, leave overnight or until it dries completely.

Wash it off with room temperature water , repeat process daily for best results.

By Pamela Echemunor

There’s nothing more depressing than having excessive oil on the face, which causes pimples and ruins makeup. Due to the African environment, it has become a very common condition. Dermatologists have come up with various chemical compounds to treat oily and combination skin, but these chemicals contain little natural ingredients, which are more effective. Here are a few trusted natural products that work wonders.

Tomato juice helps reduce open pores by removing excess oil and tightening the pores. Take a ripe tomato and mash into a paste till smooth. Dab a cotton ball with paste and smooth over face.

When mask dries wash off with warm water. Repeat process once or twice a week for amazing results.

Almond and Honey Scrub Almonds and honey are amazing facial scrubbing agents. These two help remove excess oil and dead skin cells. Mash almond till smooth and mix with natural oil, use solution as mask for 5-10 minutes and rinse off with warm water and repeat process once a week.

Clay Mask Clay masks are amazing pore tightening agents; they refine the pore by removing dead cells, dirt makeup and also controlling oiliness on skin. Take 3 tablespoons of organic facial mask, mix with rose water and make a fine paste, apply mixture and leave on for about 20 minutes. Rinse off thoroughly, use remedy once a week for best results.

Ice Cube and Milk The best part of the ice cube is it has a soothing effect on tense facial nerves. It also tightens the pores and helps reduce strain that causes oily skin.

Take a small bowl of milk and dip an ice cube in it, rub in circular motion all over face while dipping ice in milk. Continue process for 5-10 minutes and leave on face.

July 26, 2015 /

7

REPORTAGE

REPORTAGE

Ronke Ademiluyi

in Nigeria. It was during the period of fuel scarcity yet people turned up. For over two days, we had over three thousand people; which was also a memorable moment for me.

Collection from AFWL 2011

- On 5 years of Africa Fashion Week London AFWL

By Yemisi Suleiman

8

/ July 26, 2015

VK WISE 2014

What are the activities you have lined up as part of your fifth year anniversary?

As part of our fifth year anniversary, we have country pavilions representing each year of Africa Fashion Week London. Apart from the runway shows, there are different countries exhibiting and showcasing their works while showcasing all the attributes of their (respective) country.

This time, we have five countries that will be showcasing during the Africa Fashion Week, each representing each year of the Africa Fashion Week. On board already, we have South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and one (each) from East and North Africa as well.

Let us talk about one or two memorable moments since you started AFWL? Well, the first one would be in 2011, when we started. When I saw the crowd and the queue almost reaching Liverpool Street, I was amazed. That’s because, when we started, we didn’t expect it to be that big; we were expecting a crowd of less than five hundred and we had over 4,500 people queuing up! That was amazing.

That was one good moment. The other one will be in May this year; actually, when we had the Africa Fashion Week

How did you find the experience then?

Then, I would say it was very challenging, very difficult. But now, it has kind of normalised. I know how to manage people well now unlike when I first started. So, I scream less now.

Why? It was very stressful. What you see at the two or three days of the event is just the end product. Before then, a lot of planning, organising, goes into it. It takes about six to eight months to get to what people see on the two days. It is not something you wake up and plan within two or three weeks.

REMI LAGOS 2012

•Ademiluyi

Five year on, how has it been so far? Would you say that you have achieved the aim for which AFWL was established?

Well, I won’t say that I have achieved everything but I have, kind of, achieved a bit of it. Initially, when we started, it was a platform for emerging talents, emerging creativity; to launch them into the fashion industry. That is what my team and I have been able to maintain.

It is still a platform for emerging designers who want to launch themselves into the fashion industry. This year, we have student-designers and more emerging designers from Africa and Thailand who will be showcasing (their works). Like I said, a lot of them use it as a spring board to launch into the global fashion industry. We have some big names who have passed through us; we have had designers like Frank Osodi, House of Nwocha, Ella and Gabby, Zizi Cardow, Adebayo Jones, Ade Bakare. They see our platform as one that adds value to what they do, which is good for us as well.

What were some of the challenges then?

Well, the little challenge is getting a dedicated team; working with people who actually share your dream and who are in it for the long term as opposed to just coming in because they feel it is glamorous or that there is a lot of money involved.

Did you at anytime feel like quitting?

Yes, I did.

TUMISOLA LADEGA 2013

F

ive years ago, it was just a burning desire to promote African fashion internationally while providing a platform for young and upcoming designers to be seen by the international world. Today, Africa Fashion Week London has grown to be Europe’s largest African fashion event, providing relatively unknown designers a platform to showcase their Africa-inspired designs to an international audience.

For Ronke Ademiluyi, Lawyer and Founder of Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) this half a decade show, which holds on August 7th and 8th at the London Olympia, will be bigger with country pavilions representing each year of AFWL. Here, Ronke talks to Allure on the journey so far as well as her hopes and aspirations for the African fashion industry.

Take a flashback. What has changed from when you started and now?

When we started and where we are now, I would say our production has improved. The models we use have improved as well and our designers have improved as well. The team, working with us, has also improved. We have a more stable, more reliable team.

So, a lot of things have improved. It is just like a oneday old baby that is now five years old.

Why are you particular about African fashion?

I love African fashion and I love to wear mostly African fabrics. African fashion is the main thing that portrays Africa in a positive light because what people see in the Western world is the negative side of Africa. They see hunger, they see kids dying but we are more than that. We need to prove that Africa has a lot to offer. We have talented designers, vibrant colours and lots of emerging talents, especially in Nigeria. I can tell you that when it comes to fashion, Nigeria sets the pace.

But a lot of people are of the opinion that the fashion and textile sub-sectors in Nigeria are collapsing?

The textile sector, I can say yes; because, decades ago, we had lots of textile fabrics in Nigeria which we don’t have any more. However, I won’t say the fashion (industry) is collapsing. We have a new generation of Nigerian designers who produce apparels that can compete globally so I can’t say that fashion is collapsing.

Textile, maybe yes; we only have a few textile companies like DaViva who have been part of the Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria since inception. So, I don’t see the fashion sector collapsing.

We have different fashion weeks, fashion shows and fashion exhibitions. After these shows, designers usually say they don’t make sales during and after the event.

What efforts are you making to help change this perception?

I think because we are using the platform that supports upcoming (designers) – and that is what our platform is about and that is why we decided to do Africa Fashion Week in Nigeria as well. A lot of designers now use our platform as a spring board to launch out. We have had designers come back to inform us that if it wasn’t for the fashion week platform, nobody was willing to support them or create awareness for them. It is a gradual process. The private sector and the government as well need to invest in the sector because if they invest in the sector, it will help the economy to grow.

July 26, 2015 /

9

REPORTAGE

REPORTAGE

Ronke Ademiluyi

in Nigeria. It was during the period of fuel scarcity yet people turned up. For over two days, we had over three thousand people; which was also a memorable moment for me.

Collection from AFWL 2011

- On 5 years of Africa Fashion Week London AFWL

By Yemisi Suleiman

8

/ July 26, 2015

VK WISE 2014

What are the activities you have lined up as part of your fifth year anniversary?

As part of our fifth year anniversary, we have country pavilions representing each year of Africa Fashion Week London. Apart from the runway shows, there are different countries exhibiting and showcasing their works while showcasing all the attributes of their (respective) country.

This time, we have five countries that will be showcasing during the Africa Fashion Week, each representing each year of the Africa Fashion Week. On board already, we have South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and one (each) from East and North Africa as well.

Let us talk about one or two memorable moments since you started AFWL? Well, the first one would be in 2011, when we started. When I saw the crowd and the queue almost reaching Liverpool Street, I was amazed. That’s because, when we started, we didn’t expect it to be that big; we were expecting a crowd of less than five hundred and we had over 4,500 people queuing up! That was amazing.

That was one good moment. The other one will be in May this year; actually, when we had the Africa Fashion Week

How did you find the experience then?

Then, I would say it was very challenging, very difficult. But now, it has kind of normalised. I know how to manage people well now unlike when I first started. So, I scream less now.

Why? It was very stressful. What you see at the two or three days of the event is just the end product. Before then, a lot of planning, organising, goes into it. It takes about six to eight months to get to what people see on the two days. It is not something you wake up and plan within two or three weeks.

REMI LAGOS 2012

•Ademiluyi

Five year on, how has it been so far? Would you say that you have achieved the aim for which AFWL was established?

Well, I won’t say that I have achieved everything but I have, kind of, achieved a bit of it. Initially, when we started, it was a platform for emerging talents, emerging creativity; to launch them into the fashion industry. That is what my team and I have been able to maintain.

It is still a platform for emerging designers who want to launch themselves into the fashion industry. This year, we have student-designers and more emerging designers from Africa and Thailand who will be showcasing (their works). Like I said, a lot of them use it as a spring board to launch into the global fashion industry. We have some big names who have passed through us; we have had designers like Frank Osodi, House of Nwocha, Ella and Gabby, Zizi Cardow, Adebayo Jones, Ade Bakare. They see our platform as one that adds value to what they do, which is good for us as well.

What were some of the challenges then?

Well, the little challenge is getting a dedicated team; working with people who actually share your dream and who are in it for the long term as opposed to just coming in because they feel it is glamorous or that there is a lot of money involved.

Did you at anytime feel like quitting?

Yes, I did.

TUMISOLA LADEGA 2013

F

ive years ago, it was just a burning desire to promote African fashion internationally while providing a platform for young and upcoming designers to be seen by the international world. Today, Africa Fashion Week London has grown to be Europe’s largest African fashion event, providing relatively unknown designers a platform to showcase their Africa-inspired designs to an international audience.

For Ronke Ademiluyi, Lawyer and Founder of Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) this half a decade show, which holds on August 7th and 8th at the London Olympia, will be bigger with country pavilions representing each year of AFWL. Here, Ronke talks to Allure on the journey so far as well as her hopes and aspirations for the African fashion industry.

Take a flashback. What has changed from when you started and now?

When we started and where we are now, I would say our production has improved. The models we use have improved as well and our designers have improved as well. The team, working with us, has also improved. We have a more stable, more reliable team.

So, a lot of things have improved. It is just like a oneday old baby that is now five years old.

Why are you particular about African fashion?

I love African fashion and I love to wear mostly African fabrics. African fashion is the main thing that portrays Africa in a positive light because what people see in the Western world is the negative side of Africa. They see hunger, they see kids dying but we are more than that. We need to prove that Africa has a lot to offer. We have talented designers, vibrant colours and lots of emerging talents, especially in Nigeria. I can tell you that when it comes to fashion, Nigeria sets the pace.

But a lot of people are of the opinion that the fashion and textile sub-sectors in Nigeria are collapsing?

The textile sector, I can say yes; because, decades ago, we had lots of textile fabrics in Nigeria which we don’t have any more. However, I won’t say the fashion (industry) is collapsing. We have a new generation of Nigerian designers who produce apparels that can compete globally so I can’t say that fashion is collapsing.

Textile, maybe yes; we only have a few textile companies like DaViva who have been part of the Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria since inception. So, I don’t see the fashion sector collapsing.

We have different fashion weeks, fashion shows and fashion exhibitions. After these shows, designers usually say they don’t make sales during and after the event.

What efforts are you making to help change this perception?

I think because we are using the platform that supports upcoming (designers) – and that is what our platform is about and that is why we decided to do Africa Fashion Week in Nigeria as well. A lot of designers now use our platform as a spring board to launch out. We have had designers come back to inform us that if it wasn’t for the fashion week platform, nobody was willing to support them or create awareness for them. It is a gradual process. The private sector and the government as well need to invest in the sector because if they invest in the sector, it will help the economy to grow.

July 26, 2015 /

9

HEA L T H

HEALTHY LIVING101 By - Teri Mendes

8 Healthy Foods You

e t o u week Q of the

Should Eat Every Day (2) …CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

5. CARROTS: Most red, yellow, or orange vegetables and fruits are spiked with carotenoids— fat-soluble compounds that are associated with a reduction in a wide range of cancers, as well as reduced risk and severity of inflammatory conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis— but none are as easy to prepare, or have as low a caloric density, as carrots. Aim for 1/2 cup a day.

Substitutes: Sweet potato, pumpkin, butternut squash, yellow bell pepper, mango Get your fix: Raw baby carrots, sliced raw yellow pepper, butternut squash soup, baked sweet potato, pumpkin pie, mango sorbet, carrot cake Whip this up: Baked Sweet Potato Fries. Scrub and dry 2 sweet potatoes. Cut each into 8 slices, and then toss with olive oil and paprika. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Turn and bake for 10 minutes more.

6. BEANS: All beans are good for your heart, but none can boost your brain power like black beans. That’s because they’re full of anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds that have been shown to improve brain function. A daily 1/2-cup serving provides 8 grams of protein and 7.5 grams of fiber. It’s also low in calories and free of saturated fat Substitutes: Peas, lentils, kidney beans, fava, and lima beans Get your fix: Wrap black beans in a breakfast wrap; use both black beans and kidney beans in your chili; puree 1 cup black beans with 1/4 cup olive oil and roasted garlic for a healthy dip; add peas to pasta dishes.

A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools.

- SPANISH PROVERB

Whip this up: Black Bean and Tomato Salsa.

Dice 4 tomatoes, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 2 jalapeños (green hot chilli), 1 yellow bell pepper, and 1 mango. Mix in a can of black beans and garnish with 1/2 cup chopped cilantro and the juice of 2 limes.

7. NUTS: Richer in heart-healthy omega-3s than salmon, loaded with more anti-inflammatory polyphenols than red wine, and packing half as much musclebuilding protein as chicken, the walnut sounds like a Franken food, but it grows on trees. Other nuts combine only one or two of these features, not all three. A serving of walnuts—about 1 ounce, or 7 nuts—is good anytime, but especially as a post-workout recovery snack.

Substitutes: Almonds, peanuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts Get your fix: Sprinkle on top of salads; chop and add to pancake batter; spoon peanut butter into curries; grind and mix with olive oil to make a marinade for grilled fish or chicken.

Whip this up: Mix 1 cup walnuts with 1/2 cup dried blueberries and 1/4 cup dark chocolate chunks.

TERI Speaks Dear Teri, Thanks for your advice on the danger of leaving plastic bottle water in parked cars. However, going by your counsel, how about the big plastic bottle water: C Water & others that are left in the open by retailers, exposed to very intense sun shine daily. Are there no toxins leakage?

Thanks Dan

8. OATS: They are packed with soluble fiber, which lowers the risk of heart disease. Yes, oats are loaded with carbs, but the release of those sugars is slowed by the fiber, and because oats also have 10 grams of protein per 1/2-cup serving, they deliver steady, muscle-friendly energy.

Substitutes: Quinoa, flaxseed, wild rice Get your fix: Eat granolas and cereals that have a fiber content of at least 5 grams per serving.

Sprinkle 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed on cereals, salads, and yogurt.

Whip this up: Quinoa Salad. Quinoa has twice the protein of most cereals, and fewer carbs. Boil 1 cup quinoa in 2 cups of water. Let cool. In a large bowl, toss it with 2 diced apples, 1 cup fresh blueberries, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, and 1 cup plain fat-free yogurt.

BEAUTY BYTES:

Drink 2 litres of bottled water everyday for amazing skin.

That is it for today my readers! Hope you enjoyed this piece! Remember you read it here first!

For comments and questions please email terimendes@gmail. com, @terimendes. I would love to hear from you, till next week. - it’s ta ta for now! XOXO

Dear Dan, Thank you for your mail and comment. According to research, the big plastic bottles i.e. C Way etc are made from a different and tougher kind of material that is not as vulnerable when placed under hot temperatures like the normal PET plastic water bottles. So they do not hold the risk of toxins leakage like the normal PET. Have a great week and keep writing in!

Teri M. July 26, 2015 /

11

F EAT U R E

Get Captivated By - Jerome Onipede

ARE YOU WITH SOMEONE LIKE THIS? Match making has taught me so much about people, especially people believing that they are ready for something when, in the real sense, they are not ready at all. People would rather spend more time fantasizing about being ready than GETTING READY. I have met people who have become very stingy because, they claim that others have taken so much money from them in previous relationships; so they are not ready to spend a dime before and after getting married to someone. It’s obvious, such people may be ready for other things but not marriage because, in marriage, you GIVE and RECEIVE; irrespective of what has happened to you in previous relationships.

Although, as far as I know, a giver is always a giver; so, you probably assumed that you were one.

However, what can be worse than that is when you are married to a partner with poor hygiene; someone who cares nothing about body and mouth odour. There are countless people out there who are going through hell because they are married to such people.

How many of you work in an office where someone with strong body odour pays a visit, stays a short while doing a transaction and as soon as he or she leaves, you have to turn off the air conditioner, open the windows for fresh air and use an air freshener? Isn’t it sad that this person doesn’t have the slightest idea about the agony he or she put you through because of his or her unhygienic lifestyle?

10

What about when you have to look through a document with someone who has mouth odour? I bet you probably almost die from holding your breath! Does this person really know what you had to go through because of his or her foul breath?

Now, you can’t even imagine what people who get married to partners with poor hygiene have to go through daily. I know lots of people who have called off their wedding because they couldn’t live with it. I also know of marriages that have ended because of poor hygiene.

May I advise that before you judge such people, try and experience what they have gone through and you will realize that IT IS TORTURE! Why does a relationship or marriage have to break up for this reason? From experience, it happens mostly because the partner with the poor hygiene just does not care or has become helpless! Some of these people were victims of physical neglect when they were children. They were never brought up to bathe regularly, wash their mouth day and night or rinse their mouth after eating.

I have met countless ladies who don’t even know that they have to clean their vagina after urinating so they don’t smell down there. We also find men who wear the same shirt for 2 or 3 times before washing, despite the fact that they sweat a lot from the armpit, causing a stench.

Some dry cleaners almost go crazy when some clothes are brought to them for washing because of the stench that comes from some stack of clothes customers with poor hygiene bring to them. Then, you have men who wear the

POCKET FINA By - Omilola Oshikoya COMMON BAD MONEY HABITS

…CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

4. Impulse spending or buying: You go to the mall to buy batteries and you end up buying a new phone or you go to the beauty store to buy a lipstick or clothing store to buy new socks and you end up buying perfume or trainers because there is a “sale”. A new store is opening and you go to support your friend but end up buying half the store. This is called impulse buying.

Solution: •Don’t carry your cards or cheque book with you, use cash and carry only the cash you need.

Window shop. Give it sometime atleast 24 hours before making a purchase.

• Decide whether it’s a need or a want.

•

Know your weaknesses and avoid them.

5. Combining business and personal expenditure: A lot of entrepreneurs don’t differentiate between business and personal expenditure.

This stifles growth of the company.

Solution: •

Keep a separate bank account for your business and for yourself.

•

Pay yourself a salary

6. Waste money by not understanding the value of time.

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/ July 26, 2015

same underwear over and over so that their penis and the rest of their private parts smell out from the trouser; because, as children, no one enforced the rule that they MUST wash their underwear regularly. For this reason, most of them endure much itching, constantly scratching that part of their body.

This situation is so serious because it has its foundation in their childhood. Some of these adults will need rehabilitation to actually break out from their poor hygiene lifestyle.

Let me state here that if your partner has complained to you about your foul breath or body odour, you need to do something about it, and urgently too, because you can’t claim to love someone and make them to go through the torture of absorbing all that foul smell!

By the way, are you aware that poor hygiene also affects the person carrying it and may hinder so many good things from happening for him or her? People will begin to overlook the great virtues the person may have and tag him or her as that ‘man or lady with the foul breath’ for instance; which makes them start avoiding him or her.

They may also avoid inviting such a person to their homes or offices because, they can’t stand how his or her body odour destroys the freshness of the atmosphere!

After a while, low self esteem will set in and gradually become re-enforced. Then, the person begins to settle for less and continues like that for the rest of his or her life.

He or she would rather wallow in self pity than change his or her lifestyle even with so much resources at his or her disposal!

Do you also know that visiting the doctor about your foul breath is not a bad idea; the doctor might find out that it is caused by an internal problem that needs urgent attention.

Finally, I advise that you Google ‘A Guide to Good Personal Hygiene’ and read up everything you can on it and start to work on yourself. It will expand your world view, open new doors of opportunities for you, attract genuine friends etc. All these because, you decided to come clean.

Now don’t you think it’s worth the effort? #jeromeistalking #getcaptivated Counseling inquiries on Marriage, Relationships, Career and Matchmaking >> @jeromeistalking on Twitter. “Like” Jerome Yaovi Onipede on Facebook.

NCE

When you know your purpose or know your worth you will value time and so you want to use every minute wisely. You will understand that a minute wasted could be a minute earning money. So for instance if you value your time you wouldn’t want to drive yourself in traffic for 4 hours each day. You would do a cost benefit analysis of how much money you are losing sitting in traffic or how much money you could have earned and how much it would cost you to get a driver. That way you can read a book, write a book, reply emails and even rest during traffic time.

Solution: •

Value your time in monetary terms. How much are you worth per hour?

• Determine how best you can use your time by conducting a cost benefit analysis. You may end up reducing your costs and also increasing your revenue.

7. Dipping into savings or investments: This occurs when you keep taking money from your savings or investments to meet your daily expenditure. Also a lot of people do not have emergency funds. An emergency fund is an account that is used to set aside funds to be used in an emergency, such as a loss of a job, an illness or a major expense. Typically financial planners recommend that your emergency fund should be able to cover at least 3-6 months of living expenses. A vital point is that an emergency fund reduces the need to use high interest debt, such as credit cards as a last resort. Life happens it is better to be prepared than to be sorry. The truth is that everyone has an emergency fund; the difference is that you are either earning interest or paying interest.

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK…

Omilola is a UK certified life coach, financial/wealth/business coach, public speaker, entrepreneur, media and publications specialist. Omilola spent the last 12 years in Finance/Investment banking and Accounting in different sectors such as Healthcare, Aviation, Hospitality and Retail, Financial Services, Infrastructure etc.

For comments and questions please email pocketfinance101@gmail. com. Follow @pocketfinance and @omilola on twitter. Also visit www. pocketfinance101.blogspot.com www.omioshikoya.blogspot.com

F EA T U R E

luxury

FOOD E

wines spirits

By Pamela Echemunor

with Maria Martinez

Delicious Recipes For Cooking With Bread

What Do They Drink?

Making a statement with what your choice of drink, as we know Is as important as what you wear in these circles. What does every A-lister have in common? They play host to some of the best parties in town. They also know the latest trends in every aspect of lifestyle and set the tone for what is in. In this series of Luxury Wines and Spirits, various celebrities and high society people will be sharing with us what they choose to drink and why and most important when. We will also give you some signature cocktail recipes and tips.

Today we feature Patroranking. Patoranking stands out as one of the younger, bolder and newer voices taking the music industry by storm, creating buzz and getting a lot of attention from fans and industry people alike. He remains determined to forge new paths with his music and introduce Africa’s new class of talent to the world, creating music that is vastly appealing and relatable. Patoranking’s energetic and unique approach to the established Dancehall genre is second to none.

Patoranking

Certainly there are some obvious choices when you think of drinks of the rich and famous (the Fabergé Eggs of this world), but everyone knows a well-mixed cocktail is always a recommended offering.

Patoranking’s drink of choice is definitely vodka from what we saw by spending time with him and his crew. Ever wonder what Patronking’s favourite drink is? He shares with us his favourite cocktails and their recipes. Enjoy!

Deciding what to have for breakfast can be incredibly annoying; sometimes one feels like options are limited. Bread is the closest food to turn to and its one of the most versatile meals to work with, it can be used to make sandwich to snack on, topping for other foods etc. Here are a few recipes made with bread to consider for breakfast.

FRENCH TOAST Ingredients • A loaf of Bread • Salt • 2 Table spoon Cinnamon • Eggs • Vegetable Oil or Olive Oil • Honey or Syrup • 3 Tbsp Milk

A. PASSION PUNCH: (1/ part Passion fruit or mango puree, 2 parts X-rated, 1 part Skyy Passion and top with Bollinger Champagne). Garnished with pink/red sugar rimmed glass and served in a high ball glass

C. SKYY BERRY SPARKLE: 2 oz. SKYY Infusions Raspberry 1 oz. Cranberry juice ¼ oz. Lime juice ½ oz. Honey syrup Fill with Club Soda Garnished with Lime wedge and serviced in a Martini glass.

Procedure Beat eggs in bowl, add milk (could be powdered or condensed), salt and cinnamon, whisk together. Place a non stick pan on the fire, add vegetable oil (Just enough to grease pan). Drench bread in mixture until fully covered, serve with honey or syrup.

GARLIC BREAD Ingredients • 1 long loaf of bread • 4 garlic cloves, crushed • 2 Tbsp butter, softened • 1 tsp dried thyme

D. VODKA LEMONADE: 1 1/2 oz vodka, 6-8 oz cold lemonade, lemon slices.

B. SKYY BLUE: 1 oz. SKYY Infusions Citrus 1 oz.

Blue Curacao 1 oz. Lime Juice 1 oz. Triple Sec. Garnished with a sugar cane stalk and served in a highball glass

You don’t have to be a celebrity to drink like one. Try these recipes at home.

Maria Martinez is the Managing Director of Luxeria, Nigerian based fine wine and luxury spirit merchants. maria@luxeria.ng | www.luxeria.ng

Procedure Make small slits horizontally across bread. Mince garlic and mix the garlic and thyme together. Use a knife to place the butter in between the slits of bread and around loaf. Wrap the bread in foil paper and place in the centre of the oven for 10-15 minutes until bread turns golden.

Email: pamela.echemunor@gmail.com, Instagram: @nanya2207, Twitter @nanya2207.

July 26, 2015 /

13

FA S H IO N

R E V E R FO

Trending By - Yemisi Suleiman

CLASSIC WHITE SHIRT

HERMES BAG For status and craftsmanship, few handbags rival the Hermès Birkin. Birkins are the most sought- after bag in the world and have been for a long time. While you’re paying for the name, you’re also getting superior quality; it’s still a good investment that will last forever.

In a closet full of seasonspecific trends, the white dress shirt is the great equalizer; it is the very definition of a wardrobe staple. Paired easily with anything from boyfriend jeans to printed trousers or a ball skirt, it instantly adds a touch of cool masculinity.

Hermes Grizzly Birkin-Bag

CLASSIC WHITE SHIRT

JEANS Your favourite pair of jeans can take you from office hours to a date, to a relaxing weekend.

SLIM LEG JEANS

FLORALS To get your wardrobe to flourish, look no further than the petal power.

Floral patterns are everywhere always and they are pretty as well as romantic.

ANIMAL PRINT DRESS

ANIMAL PRINTS Animal prints are like neutrals, they are made up of brown, beige, and black.

They transcend seasons, and you can wear them with almost anything.

ANIMAL PRINT SHOE

H&M FLORAL TROUSER

PLATFORM HEELS

LBD

They never go out of fashion.

These are a comfortable choice when a woman has to wear heels for extended period of time.

ROSSE

LBD high-heel shoes

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/ July 26, 2015

Every girl needs the perfect little black dress in her closet. Whether you are going to a semi formal, black tie event, or just on a hot date, a black cocktail dress is always the right choice

PEOPL E

“ O N E PA RT Y AT A T I M E ! ”

Vlisco opens at City Mall

By Yemisi Suleiman

If you are fan of the rich colour and style of the African fabric, then you are bound to get excited about the latest offering in Lagos, as Old Dutch Wax Brand, Vlisco opened shop for the first time in Lagos, at the Ikeja City Mall.

The store opening which held last Saturday July 18, amidst glitz and glamour was a culmination of 170 years of colour and style expertise, love for the African woman by the Dutch Wax Brand.

Lovers of the brand can now shop their new collection at the East wing of The Ikeja City Mall, Lagos, which has on display trendy, modern textiles, embodying the rich and beautiful African culture, all available for stylish Nigerian consumers.

Speaking at the event, Hans Ouwendijk CEO of Vlisco Group says there are plans to open up shops in other malls across the country. “We want to be in other malls in Lagos, and different places. In five years, we will see, not only Vlisco but Wooding and other brands would have strengthened throughout the country.” As part of the day’s in-store activities, shoppers had the opportunity to interact and take exclusive selfies with celebrities and Vlisco’s Nigeria Brand Ambassador, Stephanie Linus. Other celebrities present at the opening were Nollywood’s icon Sola Sobowale, Ireti Doyle as well as press and other style enthusiasts..’

Ayotunde Odebunmi WITH a Vlisco rep.

TITI AND A FRIEND

Akande Adedotun, Stephanie Okereke, Sola Sobowale and Hans Ouwendijk

Adaeze Alilionu

nayosoul

Vlisc OFFICIAL

a guest

denrele edun

Vlisc OFFICIAL

a guest

Iretiola Doyle with a Vlisco REP

Ebonylife TV Hosts Semi-Final Round of Emmy’s Judging process

By Pamela Echemunor

As preparations for the 2015 International Emmy Awards scheduled for Cannes in October this year gets underway, EbonyLife TV Network, has successfully hosted the semi final round of the judging process.

The judging event which took place at Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria, Island was held in conjunction with the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The event brought together an assemblage of the biggest and brightest minds in TV and Film; a list of the judges include: Mo Abudu, Tunde Kelani, Quinty Pillay, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Biola Alabi, Keith Shiri, Femi Odugbemi and Tope Oshin-Ogun. Others include, Kunle Afolayan; Gregory Odutayo, Ireti Doyle and Yinka Ogun.

CEO, EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu, says, “EbonyLife TV is very proud to host this cobranded event. She added that ‘we are excited to be contributing to the Academy’s mission of recognizing excellence in the global television industry.”

The event was also attended by Emmy Judging director, Mr. Nathaniel Brendel.

Adeola Adeosun

Uzoma

Greg Odutayo

Keith Shiri

Temi Abudu & Adebola

Mahmood Ali-Balogun

Nathaniel Brendel

Mo abudu

Tunde Kelani

Kunle Afolayan

Yinka Ogun

Ireti Doyle

Quinty Pillay

Biola Alabi

Tope Oshin-Ogun

Jide Olaoluwa & Lawal Lanre-Idowu

Femi Odugbemi

July 26, 2015 /

Lanre Olusola

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