Wednesday 6th of May 2026

Nairobi, Kenya

Tag: African Beauty

Serena Williams On Designing Jewelry and Supporting Black Owned Brands

Posted on by Ann Mumbi

Serena Williams is an undisputed icon. The tennis champion has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles and four Olympic gold medals, and is regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. But off the court, she’s taken on a newer role as a fashion designer and, most recently, marked her first foray into jewelry.

Earlier this year, Williams launched her Unstoppable limited edition jewelry collection, with 100% of net proceeds from the collection benefitting Black-owned small businesses through the Opportunity Fund, an organization that provides loans to low- and moderate-income immigrants, women, and other underserved small business owners.

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“I have always had an affinity to jewelry and often I’ll wear it while I’m playing,” Williams tells Bustle. “My background, actually, is fashion design, so this is a whole new world for me. But I’ve always loved jewelry. I’ve even done a few matches in some pretty crazy pieces.”

Her latest collection, called Unstoppable With All Your Heart, features three new designs: a chain bracelet, bangle, and necklace. With each piece, a pavé diamond-accented heart complements sterling silver design elements.

Ahead, Williams shares more about her design inspiration, favorite Black-owned businesses, and current self-care routine.

How did you come up with the name Unstoppable, and what is its significance to you?

I wore a specific necklace [an elegant chain with a circle pendant] the last time I won all four Grand Slams in a row back in 2015. I felt really unstoppable with it on. That’s where the idea came from. The circular design of the Unstoppable collection was inspired by the necklace I wore at the four Grand Slams.

Why was it important for Unstoppable’s proceeds to benefit Black-owned small businesses?

We really wanted to find a way to not only give back, but to find ways that people could feel progressive during a time like this. Everyone is asking what they can do to help fight social injustice. I wanted to create an avenue for people to do that. I wanted consumers to feel good about buying a necklace or bracelet that supports women of color, Black women in particular, who are [subject] to oppression and rejection.

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Which Black-owned small businesses are you shopping from these days? Any brands you’d like to shout out?

Mahmee, founded by Melissa Hanna. Mahmee is a group of technologists and health care industry leaders that connect maternal and infant health care ecosystems together to help fill in the gaps. As you can imagine, this is a cause near and dear to me, given my birth experience to Olympia.

How have these last few months in quarantine affected your personal style? Are you more “comfort over everything,” or do you still get dressed up?

I’m definitely still comfort over everything. I love to throw on my Nike loungewear and have on something I can chase Olympia around in mommy-proof gear.

What’s your go-to look whenever you need to be put together quickly — say, for a last-minute Zoom call?

I am usually in something comfortable between training, chasing after Olympia, or sitting in meetings from my home office. When I need to look more professional, I throw on my S by Serena plaid belted overcoat. I keep it hung up in my office so I have easy access to it when I am back to back and don’t have time to get more dressed up before a Zoom meeting. It’s also a great jacket for travel. It’s light, but warm and versatile for layering in different temperatures.

Your on-the-court outfits are so iconic. What do you love most about fashion?

The reason I love fashion is because we can use it as a vehicle for sharing a powerful message. When I worked with Nike and Virgil [Abloh, CEO of the fashion label Off-White], we were able to create pieces that will inspire a new generation of athletes everywhere.

If you had to pick, what are your favorite on-the-court looks from years past? What did you love most about them?

What immediately comes to mind is the jean skirt I wore in 2004 with the high boots. But I have to say I really loved the Nike x Off-White tutu outfits [from the 2018 US Open]. Tutus are my favorite thing in life. I kept all the dresses and I still wear them sometimes.

Between the pandemic, the protests for racial justice, and general heaviness in the world right now, how are you staying creatively motivated? What does your self-care routine look like?

My self-care routine is never the same. Regardless, I always try to carve out moments to tend to myself and nurture my body  whether I’m trying a new product or staying loyal to my trusted coconut oil. It’s taken a while to fall back into a self-care routine. After having a baby, I didn’t want to do anything for myself. I wanted to do it all for my daughter. It’s a great attitude, but moms don’t treat themselves the way they deserve. So that’s my thing now.

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Serena Williams Jewelry 

Written By Mekita Rivas

Content courtesy of Bustle & Nairobi fashion hub 

Wauzine Cheza Kama Wewe One Project, Two Countries, Eleven Designers, Boundless Creativity

Posted on by Fashion Police

Creative DNA x Fashion Scout present WAUZINE – a digital showcase including three limited edition digital publications, featuring 11 emerging designers from Kenya, and bringing together cross-cultural collaborations between writers, illustrators and creative teams in both London and Nairobi.

The first of our three issues explores Nairobi’s myriad neighborhoods through a fashion story by photographer Maganga Mwagogo showcasing the bold and powerful work of our designers and an in-depth essay by Awuor Onyango revealing the cultural and social ley lines that underpin the Kenyan capital.

WAUZINE is designed and created by the team at Fashion Scout, with Helen Jennings, Co-founder and Editorial Director of Nataal Media as Features Editor and showcases exclusive photoshoots under the creative direction of Sunny Dolat, Fashion Curator and Co-founder of The Nest Collective.

As the UK partner of the British Council’s year-long Creative DNA programme, Fashion Scout is spearheading this online platform in order to give the designers visibility to a global audience whilst celebrating a diverse variety of voices and creativity.

Issue 002 will go live in January and Issue 003 will be live in February just before London Fashion Week when we will feature a Wauzine fashion film on the Fashion Scout’s digital schedule.

Wauzine Cheza Kama Wewe One Project, Two Countries, Eleven Designers, Boundless Creativity

Creative DNA programme supported by the British Council is focused on promoting alternative and innovative approaches to the global fashion system with the ambition of demonstrating that the fashion sector in Kenya is a professional choice for young people and a valuable contributor to the creative economy.

The programme conducted work in six major areas: Research and Insight, Policy and Advocacy, Business Support, NESTA Creative Enterprise Programme, Fashion Incubator as well as #FashionFridays

As part of the Fashion Incubator programme, British Council is working with local fashion designers in Kenya to boost the growth of a sustainable creative industry in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic through a programme aimed at developing their skills, knowledge and global networks.

Creative DNA project is delivered by the Kenyan partner, Metta Nairobi and the UK based partner Fashion Scout, 11 fashion businesses have been immersed in a 12- month incubator programme between February 2020 and February 2021 – including a business bootcamp, personalised mentoring, competitive seed funding and will be showcasing on Fashion Scout’s digital schedule during London Fashion Week.

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Creative Enterprise: the British Council offers individuals and organisations training in business and digital skills, networking events, access to new markets and connections to resources. You can read about the Creative Enterprise programme

Content courtesy of WAUZINE, British Council, HEVA Fund,  Fashion Scout, Mettā Nairobi & Nairobi fashion hub 

Fashion Under The Baobab Trees Dakar Fashion Week takes catwalk outside and into a baobab forest

Posted on by Fashion Tribe Influencer

Given the restrictions necessitated by the spread of the coronavirus, the organiser of last weekend’s Dakar Fashion Week, held in the country’s capital, got creative by hosting it beneath the trees in an ancient baobab forest.

The 18th edition of Dakar Fashion Week was initially cancelled outright due to coronavirus restrictions, but organiser Adama Ndiaye came up with a creative alternative hosting the show outdoors instead of indoors.

Fashion Under The Baobab Trees

The result was a single magical day of sustainable and eco-responsible fashion in the baobab forest of Senegal’s Bandia Reserve.

“With COVID we had to be creative, I had to find solutions, and above all, we had to avoid cancelling the show and here I think there is enough space, so no one feels cramped,” Ndiaye said.

The catwalk was laid out between the gnarly trunks and branches of tall baobabs, a powerful symbol of Africa themselves. Models on the catwalk displayed the latest West-African fashions from both well-known and up-and-coming designers.

 

Sustainability A New Fashion Trend

The message behind the 2020 Dakar Fashion Week was that sustainability is in style. The weekend event was based around the theme of environmental responsibility and featured 20 designers whose collections were all handmade on the continent.

“A lot of the designers had already been doing ‘slow fashion’ but they didn’t know it,” Ndiaye, also a fashion designer herself, said. “It’s made here and it’s not made in huge quantities. We were so ashamed of that for years, but now we are proud of it. This is luxury.”

While the garments are hand-produced in Africa, most of the fabric used the 2020 Dakar Fashion Week was imported from abroad.

“We don’t make everything here, so we can’t create a collection that’s 100% Senegalese,” said Ndiaye, whose own line used imported material from Thailand. “But at least we took the initiative to do certain things.”

Content courtesy of The South African , France 24 & Nairobi fashion hub

Kenneth Ize Wins ARISE Fashion Week ’30 Under 30′ $100,000 Star Prize

Posted on by Oscar Alochi

After two days of fierce competition on the grandest runway in Africa, ARISE Fashion Week, Kenneth Ize has emerged winner of the 30 Under 30 competition.

The emotional winner found himself grasping for words as Naomi Campbell announced him winner of the event that kicked off on Thursday, December 10.

Ize is rewarded with a $100,000 cash prize while runners-up Ré Lagos and South African Mmuso Maxwell receive $75,000 and $50,000 respectively.

The three winners emerged from a pool of eight designers which included Lagos Space Programme, Ziva Lagos, TJWho, Onalaja and Ajabeng.

Known for his use of hand-woven West African textiles and vibrant colours, Ize’s collection boasts colorful striped jackets, tailored suits worn over tights as well as a knitted hat. With the win, the 30-year-old designer continues to expand his growing fame. He was LVMH Prize 2019 finalist.

The finale brought to a close the 2020 Arise Fashion Week which defied the odds of the pandemic and held virtually for the first time.

The theme of this year’s event was ’30 Under 30: The New Stars’ where 30 designers were selected to participate in the competition. It also featured Campbell and Alton Mason modelling for designers like Mmuso Maxwell, Bloke, Tzar Studios, Lagos Space Programme and Colrs

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This year’s event marked the first time the award is attaching a monetary reward to its ceremony and also the first time the focus is solely on young designers.

“We need a breath of fresh air. We need younger people to get into this space, and be given the accreditation they certainly deserve,” noted Ruth Osime, co-producer of ARISE Fashion Week.

She added that the monetary reward is a way of supporting young fashion entrepreneurs.

“We’re looking forward to launching a brand new designer that will also be making waves internationally,” said Osime. “It’s not just enough for us to be known only in Nigeria. One of the ways to be successful is to spread your tentacles across the world.”

Saturday night’s event marked the end of what could be best described as a celebration of African creativity and culture. For the two days, the live shows were held, young designers pushed the boundaries of creativity, showcasing layers of innovation deeply rooted in African tradition.

Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who graced the occasion acknowledged the potential of the Nigerian fashion industry during his speech.

Emefiele reiterated the commitment of the apex bank and the Bankers Committee to growing the fashion industry, stating that “We are fully aware that the fashion industry in Nigeria can provide a positive and beneficial growth path for young Nigerians who seek to utilise their talents in creating products and services that offer value at home. And indeed, abroad.

We will continue to ensure that these skills are harnessed to support the growth of the Nigerian economy, and also support the growth, the businesses of the Nigerian youth entrepreneurs.”

Usually held in the early part of the year, this year’s event was rescheduled to December. It was held virtually and broadcast on www.ariseplay.com and ARISE NEWS Channel on DStv.

The fashion event saw 30 young designers display creativity and ingenuity on the runway. They were selected from a pool of 150 designers who vied for a spot on the show.

They were hosted to a sumptuous dinner on the first day of the event as well as given a participation fee of $5,000.

The second night saw 20 designers including Onalaja, Pepper Row, Colrs, Bloke, Mmuso Maxwell and Bibi display their designs on the runway.

Mmuso Maxwell, Bloke and Colrs had international model Alton Mason and renowned supermodel Naomi Campbell catwalk for them on the runway.

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The final day saw 10 designers showcase their designs. After their shows, the top eight designers were selected. The number was further whittled to the last three where Ize emerged the winner.

They were judged by high-profiled fashion critics and designers, including fashion designers Mai Atafo and Folake Coker; luxury retailer Abisola Kola-Daisi; and Fashion Director of GQ Style magazine, Mobolaji Dawodu; among others.

Their designs were evaluated based on their creativity, quality of design and styling.

Since its relaunch in 2018, ARISE Fashion Week continues to raise the ante and this year was no different. It attracted global attention from global industry experts like United States Artistic Director and Global Content Adviser of Conde Nast, and popularly known as the Editor-in-Chief of US Vogue, Dame Anna Wintour who connected with the event virtually. In her remarks, she lauded ARISE Fashion Event stating that the fashion world needs to start paying attention to new and emerging designers.

“It’s so important to put a light on new voices, particularly where those voices were not listened to before. To highlight not only new designers but photographers, videographers, stylers, art directors and models, and so many more.

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Wintour further commended Arise Fashion Week for bringing young design talents from Africa and beyond to the fore, showcasing their work and allowing them the chance to receive business and development support. She also encouraged the designers to see ARISE Fashion Week as a platform to showcase their excellence, special talents to the world and to use the opportunity to “meet as many people as you possibly can be proud of who you are and what you represent. That always should come first,” she said.

One of the traits of ARISE Fashion Week is the elegant union of fashion and music and music on the runway. Music stars who serenaded the models, judges and designers include Asa, Wizkid, WurlD and The Cavemen.

Content courtesy of Arise Tv & Nairobi fashion hub 

African fashion is on the rise, says Naomi Campbell And it’s about time !

Posted on by Fashion Tribe Influencer

The supermodel speaks from Lagos about inclusivity, her late grandma, and why she flies in a hazmat suit

With high-street brands collapsing and the world wearing sweatpants, 2020 has not been a stellar year for fashion. But at Arise fashion week, in Lagos, Nigeria, which concluded on Saturday, there were green shoots of hope, said Naomi Campbell. “There’s definitely a few stars here. I’m very impressed. Covid has brought out a lot of creativity in a lot of people.”

Campbell flew to Nigeria last week to take part in the African style showcase. “I was going to do it virtually,” she said by phone from Lagos, “and then I thought, you know what? I want to go and bring awareness to their great work. It’s important on many levels, because Arise gives these young designers a platform to be globally recognised, to be embraced by fashion weeks around the world, and really to be included.”

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This year’s event took the socially-distanced format of a talent search. Thirty African designers aged under 30 were selected to show their collections to a virtual audience, with an overall winner chosen by a roster of judges including American artist Kehinde Wiley and South African designer David Tlale. The shortlist included non-binary sustainable label Lagos Space Programme, ultra-chic MmusoMaxwell and the eventual winner, Kenneth Ize, who showed at Paris fashion week for the first time this year. All received $5,000, while Ize was awarded $100,000 and an extra jolt of publicity in the form of Campbell walking in his show on Saturday evening.

Mentoring was also be part of the deal for the winner, said Campbell. It was particularly important as the wider world slowly woke up to Africa’s creativity and spending power.

“There has, in the past, been the wrong perception about the continent and the creativity that comes out of it,” she said. “Right about now, everyone’s kind of got it, finally for example, that Nigeria is one of the biggest emerging markets with the under-30s, so everyone is looking in this direction. But we don’t want Africa to be considered as a trend.

“These designers are finally getting the notoriety that they deserve  and they are going to keep their notoriety.”

Supporting African designers working in innovative and sustainable ways is just one way to propel fashion towards positive change post Covid-19. “People want affordable, sustainable fashion  and that’s what we are trying to do here,” said the model.

The notoriously white and privileged fashion business must also be inclusive if it is to reset in a positive way. Campbell has been speaking out on this subject for decades, long before the industry’s recent outpouring of apologies and diversity strategies in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement.

“It’s kind of embarrassing, in 2020, to finally have all of this happen, to wake up to that. You should have been doing that already – that’s my opinion. I have not really taken part in any of these discussions because I find them a little bit insulting,” said Campbell.

“I’ve been pushing this thing for so many years, so now, for me, there is no change. What I’m doing is exactly what I was doing before this movement started and I’m going to continue. It’s what I believe in, basically.”

Did Campbell feel these latest pronouncements were significant and real? “We’ll see. If they make noise about it, and it’s publicly known, you can hold them to it, can’t you? But I do believe in action and not words. Still, I try to keep optimistic.”

What was exciting, she said, was the global youth movement. “They have found their voices, and they are speaking out and demanding what they want. And they are change.”

Campbell has had a strange, sad year, after the death of her grandmother, to whom she was very close. “This time has been tough for people to grieve together,” she said, with Covid rules preventing a significant funeral. “She was so loved. Once we get the vaccine, or whatever it is that is going to be the new reset, we will give her a proper send-off.”

Otherwise, in lockdown, “I have enjoyed my little cocoon. I’ve tried not to have any expectations – living within one day and then the other day; learning patience, because this is not going to disappear as quickly as we would like it to; and understanding that being alone doesn’t mean you are lonely.”

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She has also spent time filming her YouTube show, No Filter with Naomi, learning to rig her own lights and delving into her impressive contacts book for guests; a recent tete-a-Zoom with Mariah Carey was particularly memorable. While filming, she is as partial to waist-up dressing as the rest of the world: “I have really lived in kaftans and sweats. I only get dressed when I have to do No Filter, and then I’m only dressed from the top up, with my slippers on the bottom – happy feet!”

It was on her YouTube channel in July 2019 that Campbell revealed what now feels like an eerily prescient pre-flight hygiene routine, in which she laboriously wiped every surface of the plane that might touch her body with anti-bacterial wipes.

In March, she took this a step further, flying home for the first lockdown wearing a full hazmat suit accessorised with a Burberry cape. The cape has since been donated to an as yet undisclosed museum where it will be presented as a defining object of this bizarre year, but she will fly in hazmat suits for the foreseeable future, including for the journey home from Lagos: “It’s nice that no one looks at me like a mad hatter any more.”

Written by Hannah Marriott

Content courtesy of The Guardian & Nairobi fashion hub 

 

20 Fashion Designers Walk ARISE Fashion Week 2020 Runway Today

Posted on by Oscar Alochi

After being hosted to a glamorous dinner last night at Eko Hotels and Suites, 20 designers out of the 30 selected will walk the ARISE Fashion Week runway today. The designers will go in four batches, each set consisting of five designers.
Also lined up are music stars that will perform alongside the fashion catwalk.

The electro-fusion singer WurlD will open the show, performing for the first set of designers. For the second set, multi-talented artist and fashion designer Wavy the Creator will take the stage. Since his emergence on the creative scene three years ago, the artist has been on a meteoric rise.

Highlife crooners The Cavemen will accompany the third set, The Lagos-based musical group is made up of two brothers, Kingsley and Benjamin Okorie, who are bent on reintroducing Highlife to a new generation.

Saving the best for last, foremost musician Wizkid will perform to bring the show to an end, Usually held early in the year, the 2020 fashion , event is hosted virtually due to the ongoing pandemic that is still upending travels and social gatherings Also, this year marks the first time the award is solely focusing on young and emerging designers.

Themed ’30 Under 30:The New Stars,’ 30 young designers were selected from a pool of 150 to compete in the show, making it the first time a monetary reward is attached to the grand fashion event.

According to Co-producer Ruth Osime, the seed money provided to the designers is a way of supporting young designers who face pecuniary challenges when setting shop.
Echoing similar sentiments, renowned supermodel Naomi
The event will be live-streamed on Arise Play and Arise TV/THISDAY platforms.

Campbell Wants African Designers Given Global Attention, Meanwhile, at age 50, international supermodel Naomi Campbell who is currently in Nigeria  for the ARISE Fashion Week has one ambition: to see the fashion world embrace African designers.
“I want to see the fashion world embrace African designers and all these young designers from emerging markets. They need to be accepted and given a platform. Whatever I can do to help make that happen, that’s why I’m here, that’s what I’ll do,” she said in a recent interview with UK publication, The Telegraph.

This explains her unflinching support for the grandest fashion event in Africa. Since 2018, Campbell has been a regular face at ARISE Fashion Week, strutting the runway in iconic pieces by designers, including the young designer Kenneth Ize who is participating at this year’s edition.
“Kenneth has had a lot of great attention. It’s been wonderful how he’s been embraced. But we still have a lot to do in terms of getting him set up and recognised worldwide in the way designers should be.”

Her thoughts echoed the theme of 2020 stanza, Ize and 29 other young designers from the continent have been selected to showcase their creativity on the runway while competing for cash prizes.
For the organisers, it is a way of supporting the young designers financially and giving them the exposure they need to compete favourably on the international scene.

“The stuff I’ve seen so far, I’m really happy with. Although this has been a pandemic and a time of loss and sadness for many, it’s also been a time of people really using their minds and being so creative,” she said of the designers.
Other designers participating include Onalaja, Bibi, Pepper Row and Fruche.

Right from inception, ARISE Fashion Week has been keen on taking African fashion to the next level. It continues to push the envelope by introducing emerging designers on its platform while giving established brands the needed spotlight.
The 2020 virtual edition kicked off yesterday and will continue till December 12 when the overall winner will be crowned. Viewers can catch all the excitement on ARISE Play streaming service and ARISE NEWS Channel.

Content courtesy of This Day Live & Nairobi fashion hub 

 Naomi Campbell, Alton Mason and Alpha Dia to Grace ARISE Fashion Week Starting Today

Posted on by Fashion Tribe Influencer

The anticipated largest fashion event on the continent ARISE Fashion Week will commence today and will be graced by prominent international models.

Denizens of African fashion universe can look forward to seeing, a long-time partner and international supermodel Naomi Campbell, American model and first black male to walk for international fashion brand Chanel, Alton Mason, and top Senegalese model Alpha Dia strut the runway in iconic pieces.

As the fashion world adjusts to the challenges of a pandemic-riddled year, ARISE Fashion Week will be bringing the best of African fashion to a global audience virtually. The show will be streamed live on the new ARISEPLAY streaming service and other ARISE/THISDAY platforms throughout the three days it holds.

This year’s event is significant in many ways. First, the spotlight will be on young designers.

Previous editions have mainly focused on prominent fashion designers and spotlight a few rising stars.

About 150 designers across Africa applied to be featured on the most glamorous runway in Africa but only 30 were selected. They include Pepper Row, Onalaja, Kenneth Ize, Fruche and Geto.

Not only will the selected designers have the lifetime opportunity to showcase their creativity, they will also be rewarded for their talents. It is a first for the fashion event.

About $500,000 will be shared among participants in different competitive categories. The designers will be judged based on aesthetics, presentation and market value.

Co-producer of the show, Ruth Osime, revealed recently that the monetary reward was deliberate and is a way of supporting young designers who often grapple with pecuniary challenges when launching.

Content courtesy of This Day A live & Nairobi fashion hub 

Naomi Campbell ‘I didn’t think I’d still be working past 25 Years, let alone 50’

Posted on by Oscar Alochi

Even in quarantine, Naomi Campbell is very busy. The supermodel, speaking from the hotel in Nigeria where she’s quarantining pending a negative Covid test, has a schedule stacked with press engagements, Zoom meetings and shoots for her YouTube channel.

“It’s full-on here,” she says, her voice like honey down a crackly phone line from Lagos. “It’s kind of strange trying to get used to being back in the groove. It’s taking a minute for my mind to switch back into the hustle and bustle of it all.”

For Campbell, the hustle and bustle never really stopped. She’s in Lagos to support Arise Fashion Week, an event she’s backed since its 2018 launch. This season, the main attraction is the “30 Under 30: The New Stars” competition, a showcase of work by emerging designers who will present collections in livestreamed catwalk shows and compete for a grand prize worth $100,000.

“The stuff I’ve seen so far, I’m really happy with,” she says. “Although this has been a pandemic and a time of loss and sadness for many, it’s also been a time of people really using their minds and being so creative.”

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Lagos has become something of a second home for Campbell. Usually she spends five to six weeks a year in Africa, but her usual travel plans, like everyone else’s, were disrupted by Covid. This is the first time she’s been able to make the trip since January. “I’ve missed Africa so much, I can’t tell you.”

Campbell may have been more prepared than most for travel in the age of contagion. Last summer, long before the term “social distancing” entered the lexicon, Campbell posted a video detailing her pre-flight cleaning routine to her YouTube channel. She donned gloves, used Dettol wipes to “clean[s] everything you touch” and draped her first-class seat in a protective cover.

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Her routine has only become more intense since the start of the pandemic. In May, she wore a mask, gloves, goggles, face shield and full hazmat suit to fly from London to Los Angeles. She finished her outfit with a Burberry cape. “A museum wanted an outfit that depicted 2020, and they asked me for my outfit with my Burberry cape, my hazmat suit, my gloves, my mask. So I donated it.”

This time, “I flew the way I always fly, covid or no covid. I flew with my mask… Now I have a few extra bags of PPE and cleaning supplies, a few extra additions. But it’s all good. I’m very cautious.”

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Really she would have done anything to make it to Lagos for the young designers she’s there to support. “I was very happy to come here and to be here for Arise and for these young designers. This is what I care about. I’m thrilled that it worked out.”

Designers participating in 30 Under 30 include Bibi, Lagos Space Programme, Ghetto and Elfreda Dali. For international fashion fans, the most familiar name on the list will be Kenneth Ize.

Ize, a 2019 LVMH Prize finalist and Arise’s designer of the year, creates vibrant, handwoven designs drawing on the artistry and expertise of weavers at his factory in Ilorin, in Western Nigeria. Campbell walked in his Arise-winning show and has become one of Ize’s highest-profile champions.

“I feel great wearing Kenneth’s designs. They’re authentic, they feel easy, I feel like I’m wearing the clothes and can put my own spin on it. I love that he uses the authentic artisan way of making his clothes and making his culture modern for the world,” she says.

“Kenneth has had a lot of great attention. It’s been wonderful how he’s been embraced. But we still have a lot to do in terms of getting him set up and recognised worldwide in the way designers should be.”

Campbell’s ambition is for the world to know a fashion week roster’s worth of African designers, not just celebrate one or two leading lights. “I want to see the fashion world embrace African designers and all these young designers from emerging markets. They need to be accepted and given a platform. Whatever I can do to help make that happen, that’s why I’m here, that’s what I’ll do.”

Speaking about African fashion, Campbell is fully in advocate mode – not a role she foresaw for herself even a few years ago. “All of it is a surprise in a way. There was no strategy or plan.”

But then, so much about her story is unexpected. That a girl from Streatham would go on to become a monomial star outshining and outlasting her peers over a three-decade-plus career wasn’t expected. Nor were her long working relationships with Azzedine Alaia, Karl Lagerfeld, the Versace family… None of it guaranteed or given to her, especially in light of received wisdom about a fashion model’s limited career longevity in the Eighties.

“I didn’t think I’d still be working as a model, because we were always told we would never work past 25 years.”

She’s still at the top of her game at 50, but still not making plans. She doesn’t even know where she’ll be for Christmas.

“I have no idea…. Wherever I’ll be, I just want to be still,” she says. “I’m looking forward to the new year, though. It’ll be nice to see friends and be able to hug them. Not being able to hug people you love is tough. I know we’ll get there.”

Content courtesy of Telegraph Uk & Nairobi fashion hub 

CHANEL Unveils First ever Fragrance and Beauty Boutique in South Africa at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

Posted on by Ann Mumbi

If you’ve enjoyed the little pockets of luxury and pampering that are the Chanel beauty counters at Edgars or Woolworths, then you have probably wished that you could enjoy a little bit more of the Chanel experience. Known for its exceptional quality and standards in fashion and beauty, the brand has always honoured its rich heritage, which is woven into all its product offerings across skincare, fragrances and so on, as well as the ever-present touch of its founder, Mademoiselle Coco Chanel in every sphere of the brand.

December 12 2020 sees the unveiling of the first Chanel Fragrance & Beauty flagship boutique at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town which will be dedicated to fragrance, make-up and skincare. As a start, the store will open as a 61m2 space, which will feature the first stand-alone pop-up concept for SA and in 2021, will see its expansion to 106m2.

Chanel is a brand synonymous with luxury retail experiences, and this store will not be any different. So what can you expect from the flagship boutique? Prepare to embark on a journey of discovery as the décor reinterprets the codes and aesthetics of the House with signature tones of black and white and a touch of gold; with clean, understated lines that subtly define the distinct categories of make-up, fragrance, skincare, and in-boutique exclusives.

The boutique will offer an immersive experience, and a large range of fragrances featuring all your favourites such as the iconic N°5 and Coco Mademoiselle pillars, Les Eaux De Chanel and Les Exclusifs De Chanel  comprising 17 rare fragrances in identical bottles. Skincare fanatics are not left out of the equation, so be prepared to slather yourself with iconic creams, serums and elixirs  and explore Chanel’s skincare experience display featuring the likes of the premium Sublimage range.

Need to transform your look while you’re there? Indulge in the ultimate interactive experience as the make-up display invites you to discover the full range of Chanel make-up, with Chanel beauty advisers always on-hand to assist to provide personalised consultations and make-up tips.

Come 2021, the boutique will also offer a comprehensive selection of Chanel sunglasses (an elegant and modern mix of seasonal and classic styles) as part of its expansion, all embodying the exclusive allure of Chanel.

Make sure you’re the first to experience it all this Saturday and get ready to explore the elegance and audacity of Chanel on whole new level  we know we are.

CHANEL FRAGRANCE & BEAUTY BOUTIQUE
Shop 6206B, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
19 Dock Rd, Cape Town, 8001
+27 (021) 442 7831
Trading Hours
Monday – Sunday: 9:00am – 21:00pm

Content courtesy of Business Day Wanted & Nairobi fashion hub

Rwanda Cultural Fashion Show and Africa Fashion Stakeholders to discuss future of fashion industry in Africa

Posted on by Ann Mumbi

Rwanda Cultural Fashion Show (RCFS) will on December 18, hold a virtual conference during which players in the fashion industry will discuss the current state of the African fashion industry.

Dubbed “The Future of Fashion Industry in Africa”, the webinar will bring together different stakeholders of the fashion industry to share experiences and discuss how private and public institutions can support Africa’s growing fashion industry.

The webinar will include discussions which will be in the form of a series of a thought-provoking panel. Key speakers of the event will include renowned fashion designers, fashion promoters, experts in textiles and fabric dyeing, fashion school teachers and some government representatives.

Celestin Ntawirema, the brains behind RCFS and organiser of the webinar told The New Times that participants in this webinar will share experiences on how to establish a successful fashion concept business, discuss challenges facing the industry and propose some solutions.

Mr Celestin Ntawirema & Miss Rwanda 2020 Umutesi  Denise

“Though Covid-19 halted most activities in the industry, we thought of creating a platform that will bring players in the fashion industry to share experiences and best practices so we can learn from each other how best we can push our fashion industry to another level. We also want to see how designers can go global through African networks,” Ntawirema said.

The African fashion sector is already impressing in the global market, something that industry players hail as a motivation despite the challenges they have faced in the journey.

Ntawirema, who has been promoting fashion for over the past eight years said that, from his experience,  many brands from all over the continent had established themselves among the best globally and are now selling big on the international fashion markets compared to Western fashion despite having few fashion schools that can drive the industry to greater heights.

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He, however, lamented that investors are still reluctant to put their money in fashion-related projects because protection of fashion copyrights and fashion innovations is still low due to the gap in fashion literacy.

The webinar, he said, will be an opportunity for fashion players to show both the public and private sectors the potential that fashion has at its disposal so as to attract their investment and, on the other hand, call for support from the governments to create a conducive environment for fashion to flourish and become a sector which can contribute to the national economic development.

Some of the speakers expected for the webinar include Ruth Jackob, senior lecturer in fashion marketing Eastern London, Karen Uwera, the President of Rwanda Designers Association, John Bunyeshuri, the CEO and Founder of Kigali Fashion Week and Kenyan fashion guru Vinn Clizz, the Managing Director of Vinn Clizz among others.

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Mrs Karen Uwera

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Mr John Bunyeshuri

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Mr Vinn Clizz

Challenges

Though Rwanda’s fashion industry is being contextualized with the ‘Made in Rwanda’ policy but Ntawirema said that it’s a shame that One of the biggest challenges we have is that we have no fashion school that can prepare and raise future designers, models, or fashion promoters by profession.

“This is all down to the fact that Rwanda has no forum bringing together designers, models, promoters and other stakeholders to discuss to the future of this industry. We also need an umbrella or a fashion watchdog for all players in the fashion industry to ensure that the protection of our works is guaranteed,”

Rwanda may have local designers who are becoming successful but under hard conditions which the webinar is also looking forward to tackling.

The webinar outcomes are expected to respond to questions raised around African fashion industry from “who can design?”, “who can sell locally-made clothes”, and “who promotes fashion?” or even “who can basically support fashion sector?”

“We hope the webinar will find share responses to these questions together with the speakers. We also value new ideas from the public from which the future styling and fashion business in Africa can rely on,” he added.

Content courtesy  of The New Times Rwanda & Nairobi fashion hub 

The Brave Heart campaign Designers make a stand Against Child Abuse

Posted on by Fashion Police

Johannesburg – Thirty-six top South African fashion designers have teamed up for to raise money for the national effort to end child abuse.
The designers have dressed over 120 teddy bears in trendy apparel from their collections for the first annual Brave Heart Bears initiative that is part of the16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

The Brave Heart campaign is in collaboration with Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA).

The unique teddy bears were unveiled at the Jenna Clifford Design Studio in Johannesburg last week, and they are up for auctioning.

Spearheaded by jewellery designer Jenna Clifford, some of the labels in the Brave Heart Bears initiative include Scalo, Rubicon, Anel Botha, and Fundudzi by Craig Jacobs. Among leading personalities involved in the campaign are hip-hop artist Riky Rick, ex-Miss South Africa Sasha Lee Laurel, End Girl Hate founder Leanne Dlamini, the Soweto Gospel Choir, and TV host Kim Jayde.

Designer Thokozani Lloyd “TK” Mbatha – who runs the Lloyd Hotsense label – said it was high time society demonstrated that actions were louder than words when it came to ending all forms of abuse.

“The 16 Days are not enough, people need to be reminded about gender-based violence every day of the year. I wanted to make a difference. And as a father, being part of a project such as this, one day my son will understand me as a person and will see what I have done. I won’t have to explain, he’ll see what is the right thing to do,” said Mbatha

WMACA founder Miranda Jordan said violence against women and children had increased during the lockdown period.

“Over the past eight months, we have assisted with 3,500 children’s therapy sessions, 90 parent sessions and 120 family sessions,” she added.

Jordan explained they had settled on teddy bears for the campaign because of te affinity many children had for the stuffed toys.

“Besides being cuddly and cute, they offer unconditional love, reassurance, security and companionship. Even in our high-tech world of gadgets and gizmos, their love affair with the simple teddy bear runs deep, which is why Brave Heart Bears was the perfect initiative for what we are working towards.

“This will help us with a much needed financial injection to help those broken little souls by giving them tools to navigate a positive way through their pain,” she said.

She spoke firmly for the need of mental support for children who become victims of sexual abuse.

“I often refer to it as a lifelong impact, of child sexual abuse may cause a range of negative consequences for the mental health and adjustment in childhood, adolescence and adulthood for the victim.

“The abuse does not only steal the childhood, but it also steals adulthood and that is why our early work at our clinics is often followed by later work with our advocacy team. Important aspects of the abuse include the relationship with the perpetrator, the betrayal of trust, the age and gender of the child and the particular form of abuse; all are significant factors,” she said.

Content courtesy of The Southern Time & Nairobi fashion hub  

African Inspired Ankara Prints Get Modern Makeover

Posted on by Fashion Tribe Influencer

HOUSTON, Texas – African-inspired prints are getting a modern makeover. Ankara, a fabric from West Africa, isn’t just considered cultural attire anymore it’s taking the spotlight on catwalks and red carpets across the world.

Onyii Brown, a Nigerian-born designer from Houston, has always admired the bold, bright colors of Ankara. She first started her brand, Onyii & Co., in her garage, turning vibrant African prints into figure-flattering wrap dresses, skirts, and jumpsuits. Since then, she has shown her colorful styles at New York Fashion Week and even received recognition from Martha Stewart.

Yetunde Olukoya, also from Nigeria, first started sewing designs for her label in her living room in Fulshear, Texas. Like Brown, she drew inspiration from her African heritage, fusing the traditional Ankara prints she loves into Western looks. Her brand, Ray Darten, is manufactured in Nigeria and supports educational and health initiatives in that country.

Localish went behind the scenes with these bold designers to see how they’re turning African-inspired prints into a global trend!

Content courtesy of ABC 7 NY & Nairobi fashion hub 

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