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Tuesday 30th of May 2023

Nairobi, Kenya

Fashion Super Model: Naomi Campbell Knows What She Wants

The world has been attempting to describe her for three decades.
The supermodel and campaigner, though, would rather handle things on her own terms.
Naomi Campbell’s origin story plays a significant role in the mythos around her as a supermodel, activist, fashion star, and occasionally hothead.
I’ll reiterate what you likely already know: Campbell, a 15-year-old schoolgirl from the relatively nondescript streets of London’s Streatham area, was discovered by a model scout while window-shopping in the city’s West End.
It’s a very different narrative from how today’s most successful models appear to be found either via Instagram scouting or being thrust to the head of the line because of their well-known parents.

Together with Kate Moss, another ’90s icon (and close friend), Campbell is to blame for inspiring a generation of British teenage girls to try their hardest to appear “modely” as we browsed the expansive Topshop on Oxford Street in the hopes that we too might be “spotted” while out on a Saturday afternoon.

Campbell’s background gives the impression that a fortuitous encounter is what altered the course of her life as if hers is some type of “right place, right time” Cinderella tale. Then, however, as you’re seated next to her in a hotel suite in a secretive part of Europe, you realize that with a face like hers—those imposing cheekbones reaching upward as though in homage to the celestial entities that must have played a role—there must have been some sort of celestial influence.

Naomi Campbell was destined to become renowned because of how they were made and those full, proportionate lips.
“I’ve been requested to write a book by virtually everyone,” she tells me, sinking into a sofa.
The thought of a Campbell memoir is tantalizing one wonders what her perspective of the countless tabloid headlines that have been published about her would be but so far she’s held off. “It’s time-consuming,” she argues, and anyhow, she doesn’t want to use a ghostwriter. She prefers to tell her own story.

Campbell epitomizes Old Hollywood; she exudes the confidence of someone who has experienced pre-2000 stardom, or legitimate popularity.

She does not engage in the calculated humility or relatability politics that seem to be the norm among today’s rising stars. She constantly mentions the incredibly well-known celebrities and fashion designers she counts among her close pals, and her Instagram is covered in glitz and jet-setting.

She has managed to hang on to her position as the hot spot of fashion for more than three decades, and she will go down in the annals of the business. So of course I agree to quit everything the day after Christmas and board a plane in exchange for just one hour of her time.

Despite her haughtiness, Campbell can also be extremely girlish at times, such as when we sneak outside to her hotel room’s terrace so she may smoke a cigarette. She tells me in a slightly conspiratorial manner, “I’m going to resign on New Year’s Eve.”

Her recent travels included flights from Milan to Miami, Miami to London, London to Egypt (where she sat front row at a Dior menswear show), back to London for the British Fashion Awards, and then on to the Senegalese city of Dakar to see Chanel’s first-ever catwalk show in sub-Saharan Africa.

Saudi Arabia then travels to London. from London to New York. Get back to London.
She will soon travel to the Middle East once again before returning to Senegal for a vacation.

She still puts forth a lot of effort, I wonder why. Most of her countrymen had long since retired, occasionally resurfacing for a legacy campaign but, for the most part, appearing glad to slow down. Campbell, in comparison, is still as booked and active as she was during her heyday in the 1990s; just this past year, she fronted advertisements for Balmain, Hugo Boss, and Pat McGrath Labs. What possible new peaks could she possibly climb?

“I just like what I do,” Campbell claims. “I consider myself fortunate to have the freedom to decide what I do at this stage in my life. And it’s a blessing that I still have access to so many wonderful chances. Why not then?
She goes on to say, “I have nothing to prove. I enjoy doing it, so. Although my work is challenging, I enjoy it.
The fact that you enjoy what you do is crucial. I still find enjoyment in what I do.
For quite some time, that effort has not only involved modeling.

Now, a large portion of Campbell’s time is devoted to activism, philanthropy, and cultural ambassadorship, frequently through Fashion for Relief, the nonprofit organization she established in 2005 to support Hurricane Katrina victims and which has since raised more than $15 million charitable causes around the world.

She introduced Emerge in October with a star-studded gala and fashion show in Qatar, an effort aimed at finding and nurturing the following generation of creative talent from emerging communities around the world. In layman’s words, that refers to internships, coaching, and skill development in the creative industries, which include tech, art, entertainment, and fashion in addition to fashion.

The number of young models Campbell has taken under her wing is another indication of her commitment to supporting the next generation of fashion creatives.
Adut Akech, a doll-faced 23-year-old model from South Sudan who is currently one of the most in-demand faces in the business, is one of those people.

This is large because of Campbell’s backing for her career.

“You know how a mother takes care of her child? I always feel comfortable when I’m around her,” adds Akech. “She’s like a comforter. I feel like I have another mother figure who is raising me even though I’m so far away from my original mother. On the set of Tim Walker’s Alice in Wonderland-themed Pirelli Calendar photo shoot, which famously included an all-Black ensemble, Akech first met Campbell in 2017. That was a “fangirl moment,” according to Akech, “but I was like, ‘Don’t be strange.’ ” A few months later, when she moved to New York City by herself, she contacted Campbell because she had given her phone number. She treats me the same way she would treat her own daughter, says Akech

“She always makes sure I get into my car safely whenever I hang out with her. As soon as you get home, text me. If I don’t SMS her, she won’t go to sleep.
Mothering can be done in a variety of ways. When I bring up the subject, Campbell replies, “I mother a lot of people. She claims that her desire to be one has always been clear. “Always.”

Campbell announced the birth of her daughter in May 2021. It didn’t matter when she claims. “Everyone’s life develops in a unique way. And it’s about who, and it’s a crucial question because you need to be certain that you’re doing that with the appropriate person.

For the rest of your life, you are linked. She takes a momentary pause that seems to last much longer. “For that reason, I decided to go it alone.”
Yet starting out as a single parent at 50 is a big commitment. Was she not afraid of the possibility?
“No.”
In no way?
“No, no.” After some time, she changes her mind. “Yes, I suppose I might be anxious in the sense of wondering if I’m doing everything correctly. Yet, you follow the flow.
The actress Cameron Diaz (or “Cammie,” as Campbell calls her), who Campbell now consults for parenting guidance, was one of the few individuals Campbell told about her plans to have a kid.

She’s someone I’ve known for a very long time, and I genuinely respect and love her. When I told her, she just said, “Alright,” She’s just a solid, trustworthy friend.

Nevertheless, Campbell is hesitant to talk much about parenting because she doesn’t want it to become the focal point of her public persona—a sentiment that many women who become mothers would understand.

The sun is starting to set while we are still outside on the terrace, where we have moved permanently from the hotel room. It is an impossibly lovely scene, perched high on a hill and looking down at the dazzling lights of a nearby town. In light of this, Campbell relaxes.

Though Campbell frequently describes herself as a “global citizen,” it is obvious that this is the region of the world that genuinely has captured her heart. In the coming days, she will travel to Senegal for a holiday. “I immediately sense the absence of racism as soon as I land in Africa. So that’s a big tick off the box,” she says, noting the psychological weight that is lifted when one can simply blend in with their skin folk and not have to worry about the possibility of a racial microaggression (as much as someone as famous as her can ever truly blend in).

Campbell speaks wistfully of Kenya, her home country, and its breathtaking natural beauty.

She talks eloquently about Senegalese dishes like thieboudienne and yassa as she says, “I’m just happy that people are finally understanding how beautiful the African continent is.
(Sensing a chance, I attempt to prod her into choosing a side in the “jollof wars,” a jocular competition between diasporic Ghanaians and Nigerians over which country makes the best jollof rice, but she politely avoids my attempts to coax her to join Team Nigeria.
I won’t be participating.

Content courtesy of  Hapers Bazaar & NFH

 

 

 

 

How to Become a Commercial Model, Modeling Advice for Aspiring Fashion Models

Interested in making a career in fashion modeling? These dos and don’ts from seasoned experienced models give advice on how to succeed as a fashion model.

Do you want to learn the steps to modeling?
Do you envision yourself as the next Gigi Hadid to grace the Vogue cover?
With thousands of hopefuls vying for the title of the next supermodel, modeling has emerged as a highly coveted employment option. The likelihood of getting caught now is one in a million, so the days when you could rely on luck are long gone.
It requires self-control, perseverance, and work to become a role model.
To stand out and get recognized, you must plan, organize, and adhere to a strategy.

How to become a model?
To help you break into the modeling business and launch your modeling career, we consulted with various successful models and agencies and put together the list of recommendations below. So, here’s a guide on how to begin modeling.

  1. Develop your modeling skills
  2. Practice model poses in front of the camera
  3. Get a killer modeling portfolio
  4. Find the right modeling agency
  5. Do your research about the modeling agency you sign up with
  6. Learn to embrace rejection
  7. Make yourself constantly look better
  8. Be safe
  9. Be Professional
  10. Commit to work
  11. Build your social media following
  12. Never let your pride down

1. Develop your modeling skills
Learn the art of posing. Runway walking drills. Posing skills and walking style are what set one attractive model apart from another. It takes art to model.
Whether it’s watching endless episodes of America’s Next Top Model on Netflix, flipping through the pages of Vogue, watching tutorials on YouTube, reading modeling e-books like glamour pictures photography, or picking a favorite model.
On a runway, it can be incredibly uncomfortable to pose and move around. Practice. A piece of advice for modeling is as follows: Get used to posing in front of a camera and another person by having a buddy take photos of you. Alternately, before beginning your path to becoming a fashion model, start small, mount a camera on a tripod, and practice alone until your confidence increases.

2. Practice model poses in front of the camera
Getting practice in front of the camera is the next stage to learning how to start modeling. The supermodels you see in stunning magazine photographs didn’t just stand in front of the lens and hope a talented fashion photographer caught them at the right moment. They assisted the photographer in producing a masterpiece.
A model will use her posture, facial expressions, and artistic sense to help realize the photographer’s vision. They are both equally talented in their respective fields.

An important prerequisite for being a model is having the appropriate posing abilities. To make everything come to life on his end, the photographer will use his understanding of lighting, aperture, framing, etc. It’s a choreographed dance, therefore you should practice as much as you can.
It will be 20 times more difficult to acquire a great image if you can’t pose and don’t feel comfortable in front of the camera. Make an effort to improve as a model!

3. Get a killer modeling portfolio
Having a well-rounded modeling portfolio that highlights your best qualities through gorgeous, high-quality photos is one of the most important steps to becoming a model and building a solid profession.
The modeling portfolio is one of the first things agencies and clients look for in a model to make a good first impression.

It helps to have both a printed copy that you can present when you meet someone in person and an online version (your modeling portfolio website) that you can send to anyone via email. To climb the modeling ladder, you need as much exposure as you can get.

4. Find the right modeling agency
A modeling agency is necessary for every fashion model. Getting seen by a prominent modeling agency in your area is the first step to being signed by one. Snapshots of oneself must be submitted in order to be seen.
In the business, these photos are frequently referred to as “digitals” or “polaroids.”
The most straightforward and unposed photographs are what modeling agencies are searching for so they can see you for WHO YOU ARE. Send in pictures of you with minimal to no makeup on at most a light coat of foundation and mascara.
Include images of both your hair up and down, pulled away from your face, and don’t style it (just make sure it’s clean).

The background must be simple and underacting (standing against a plain wall works best). Use natural lighting when taking pictures; a friend can simply serve as your photographer. If you have friends that are studying fashion design, be sure to heed their suggestions for your wardrobe.
Your digitals should have the following pictures: full-length, up-close headshots, left and right side profiles, smiling (with teeth, without teeth), and non-smiling shots (both facing the camera and turned away from the camera). You should wear pants and a solid-colored t-shirt for your attire.

5. Do your research about the modeling agency you sign up with 
Do your study before submitting it to every modeling agency on the planet and see what sticks.
Do your research about the modeling agency you sign up with Do your study before submitting to every modeling agency on the planet and seeing what sticks. List everything. Is this agency legitimate, which comes first and foremost?
Do they have any negative reviews, and can their company be easily verified? Are models with your appearance and stature now being accepted by this modeling agency?
What is the submission procedure for the modeling agency (detailed instructions differ by agency, but you should be able to obtain this information on their website)? Who are the current and former models for the agency? What are the newest advertising initiatives for the modeling agency? Are they collaborating with reputable brands and businesses?
Do you WANT to be represented by this firm, which would mean that you would also be representing them?

Send digitals to your top choices once you’ve identified the modeling agencies you are convinced will be a good fit for you.
If you get a call asking you to meet with an agency in person after submitting your digitals, do even more research ahead of time.

Learn about notable fashion designers, the ‘it’ supermodels of the time, and recent news in the fashion, beauty, and modeling industries. By no means do you need to be a walking “encyclopedia of fashion models”; just be observant and knowledgeable.

6. Learn to embrace rejection
Prepare your mind to accept a lot of rejection. You MUST be capable of accepting doors closing in your face without hesitation. Even the most beautiful supermodels to ever walk the earth were given the “NO” signal. Numerous people told them “NO” in various ways and numerous repetitions. It comes with the territory to be rejected. You will do better if you realize and accept that as soon as possible. Do not measure your value by how you appear to others or by their approval of you.

Start getting ready by committing to ignoring any criticism you get this week. Find out if it was simple or challenging. You needed to develop tougher skin even more so the harder it was.
Are you offended that I just encouraged you to develop a thicker skin? If so, the point is just that! Start honing your capacity to accept criticism with a smile! But don’t worry, with enough practice, anyone can pick up this skill.
Every “NO” is simply one “NO” closer to a “YES,” so keep that in mind when you encounter rejection.

7. Make yourself constantly look better
Take good care of your physique, health, skin, and hair. Whether you like it or not, modeling is an aesthetically focused industry, and appearance/beauty is unquestionably important. (Despite this, anyone can succeed as a commercial model regardless of physical attractiveness or body type.) The height and weight requirements for fashion models are, however, more stringent and severe than those for any other type of modeling. Although there isn’t much you can do about genetics, it IS up to you to utilize the genetic makeup that was given to you.
You must follow your meticulous beauty routine if you want to become a model. The following routines, which are used by many supermodels, include but are not limited to the following:

Drinking copious amounts of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and maintain supple skin, quitting smoking, and consuming alcohol sparingly. Others include taking a multivitamin, working out 4-5 days a week, according to a strict diet/meal plan, wearing SPF, never going to bed in makeup, exfoliating/washing/moisturizing their face every morning and evening, and many others.
Whether you are looking at it from a business or personal perspective, feeling and looking your best will only be beneficial to you. Win-win situation. But for any aspiring fashion model, having your beauty routine down pat is unquestionably a career benefit.

A model who takes pride in her appearance is far more valuable than one who is unmotivated to maintain good hygiene and attractiveness.

If your height and weight don’t meet the current standards for fashion models, you can still pursue modeling in a variety of other fields. To discover which genres you might be a good fit for, please read this essay on the many types of modeling.

8. Be safe
Being a fashion model makes you vulnerable, especially in the beginning. So be cautious and stay safe. The most crucial advice I can give aspiring fashion models that are working with fashion designers or photographers is this: Avoid being duped by fake modeling schools (you DO NOT need to pay money to attend any modeling school or training, period).
To begin started, you shouldn’t have to pay for any photos. It should be your agency that arranges for test shoots.
Other frauds include modeling competitions, dishonest “agents,” “casting directors,” or “photographers,” phony casting calls that offer thousands of dollars in pay and a photo shoot abroad, etc.

Establish a reliable support system.
The modeling profession might be intimidating, and it’s simple to become a victim of numerous other problems (party scene, eating disorders, etc.). Inform your family and friends about your professional development.

If anything seems off or strange, they can serve as a sounding board. They could take you to a shoot and wait outside for you. When you experience rejection or a difficult time, they can keep you motivated. Have a safety net and an assistive network!

9. Be Professional
It’s not simple to break into the modeling industry. You must act with complete professionalism. Respond to phone calls. Answer emails and voicemails right away.
Being 30 minutes late for a meeting, casting call, or photo shoot is never acceptable. You should, at the very least, arrive 15 minutes early.
Planning and time management are required for this. When aspiring models think, “Well, I’m pretty enough to be a model, so I will just glide by with my looks alone and no effort,” they are making a big error.

Many aspiring models in the past quit the modeling business because their lack of professionalism, bad attitude, and reputation started to overwhelm their attractiveness.

With a diva, no one wants to work. There are many other stunning women in the world who WON’T be disrespectful or snobby.
When you book a gig, you are speaking for your agency as well as yourself.
Treat EVERYONE with respect while you are on set. If your makeup artist followed a precise instruction that was provided to her but you don’t like the way your makeup turned out, it’s too bad. Do your part now that she has finished hers.

Regardless of your preference for cosmetics, take some killer shots and refrain from disparaging the makeup artist in public. In your modeling profession, showing respect and consideration will go a long way.

10. Commit to work
Although modeling may look glamorous and simple, that is far from the truth.
To become a model, you’ll need to put in a lot of effort.
Are you prepared to stick to your diet, exercise, and beauty routine even when you are having a tough time finding work? Are you prepared to work a 12-hour photo session in chilly, windy weather while donning an outfit that provides no warmth, all while obtaining the shot and being compliant?
Have you acknowledged that, after signing with a modeling agency, it can take years before you achieve success (if ever), as your agency works to advance your modeling career?

Are you prepared to spend a large amount of time away from your significant other, your family, your friends, and the comforts of home while taking lengthy overseas trips? When business is sluggish, are you prepared to take a side job that is utterly unappealing? Are you adaptable and willing to undertake a drastic hairdo change if your employer asks you to? By no means are these obligations designed to terrify you; modeling CAN be enjoyable, gratifying, thrilling, and glamorous. Make sure you are prepared to commit regardless of what, and that you are aware of the positive and negative potential on both sides!

11. Build your social media following
If you want to become a fashion model, you probably want to be represented by a modeling agency.
As previously indicated, while you wait for responses from modeling agencies, upload your digitals, practice posing and walking, build a beauty routine, etc.
Amass a following on social media in the meanwhile. Unbelievable as it may seem, it might help you be signed to an agency! Social media following creation is a relatively recent phenomenon.
Nowadays, modeling agencies analyze a model’s online viewership when deciding whether or not to sign them.
Models are frequently used by advertisers, but they increasingly want to hire models that already have a following that they can market to.

Although it is not a prerequisite, having a sizable social media following is a key quality for fashion models. There are currently no indications that this tendency may slow down. So as soon as you can, join the bandwagon. Be judicious in your social media messaging and strategy.

Know your values, be genuine with your followers, communicate with them frequently, and share beautiful photographs! Even further, you can launch a blog, a YouTube channel, or something similar. Due to their massive followings, several unintentional influencers have transitioned into successful professional models.

12. Never let your pride down
You have seen most of the procedures to becoming a model up to this point, but maintaining your pride is just as crucial. You are still a worthwhile person with feelings, thoughts, and opinions regardless of what happens.
Much more than just a gorgeous face, you are.
The majority of fashion models agree to the bookings made for them by their agency, which is acceptable and rather common.
But you must learn to speak out and express your opinion before it is too late if something ever crosses the line or makes you feel uncomfortable. Although we just emphasized that devotion is a crucial quality, there is a thin line.

Never let your career become so important to you that it takes precedence over you and your needs. What do you believe in? Make it clear from the beginning and don’t budge.
The better wealthy you will be, the less anxious you will be about acceptance and approval. Always have your own back and know when to use force. Who will defend you if not yourself, after all?

How many types of fashion models are there?
1. Runway Modeling
2. Plus Size Models
3. Fitness Model
4. Glamour Models
5. Alternative models
6. Parts Model
7. Promotional model

Now that you know how to become a model, you must also know the various career alternatives in modeling and choose the one that best suits you.

1. Runway Modeling
Runway models participate in runway events and are required to routinely change their attire and cosmetics.
A runway or ramp is a platform where models walk to display clothing and accessories during a fashion show. A runway model’s experience affects whether they are hired.

2. Plus Size Models
Plus-size models can be defined as those whose dimensions are larger than editorial fashion models. They participate in the promotion of cosmetics, stylish accessories, and plus-size apparel.
More and more plus-size models are appearing in fashion magazines and working in the fashion business.
The idea of creating clothing for the plus-size market is growing among designers.

3. Fitness Model
A well-defined figure with toned muscles characterizes a fitness model. These models are leaner and heavier due to their increased muscular mass.
These fitness models frequently appear in magazine advertising, but some of them also work as fitness trainers and participate in fitness-related competitions. To find out everything you need to know about how to become a fitness model, read this tutorial.

4. Glamour Models
Glamour model agencies don’t have a set standard for the model’s physical attributes; instead, it varies from location to location what standards they maintain.
These models can be found in calendars, men’s magazines, lingerie modeling, and music videos, with a general focus on a person’s sexual appeal.

5. Alternative models
Alternative models are those unorthodox women who favor participating in punk, goth, and fetish photo sessions and who have unusual physical characteristics.

6. Parts Model
According to a certain bodily part, parts models are used. I can take the form of hands, legs, chest, lips, etc. Unattractive portions are also in demand, despite the fact that attractive parts are the majority of the time. Some representation firms only work with models whose body parts are in demand.

7. Promotional model
A promotional model is a visually beautiful person hired to interact with clients in order to draw them to a product or service. By providing information about the goods, they give customers a real experience. Trade exhibitions, events, shopping centers, nightclubs, and other public locations all feature them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a fashion model?
There are many different categories of fashion models. So the first thing you need to do is figure out what kind of a model you want to be. Once you have a category determined, you would need to start setting up a portfolio which you will need to field to various agencies so that you can start getting modeling gigs.

What should a fashion model be like?
Generally, fashion models are expected to be tall and capable of carrying a lot of different looks and clothing. While being skinny used to be a common enough requirement, plus-sized models are also increasingly in demand these days.

What do you need as an aspiring model?
The most important thing for an aspiring model is to have a good quality professional modeling portfolio. Your modeling portfolio is a curated sample of your previous work or sample shots that can show potential clients what you look like and what kind of work you are capable of doing.

Content  courtesy of Pixpa & NFH

 

Fashion Industry

The fashion industry is a multibillion-dollar global sector focused on the production and retail of clothing. Some analysts make a distinction between the garment industry, which creates “mass fashion,” and the fashion industry, which creates “high fashion,” but by the 1970s, these distinctions were becoming less clear.
The simplest definition of fashion is the type(s) of clothing and accessories that individuals or groups of individuals choose to wear at any particular period.
The high-end designer clothes displayed on Parisian or New York City catwalks may not look the same as the mass-produced sportswear and streetwear found in global markets and malls.

The design, production, distribution, marketing, retailing, advertising, and promotion of all kinds of clothing (for men, women, and children) are all included in the fashion industry, from the most exclusive and pricey haute couture (literally, “high sewing”) to regular, everyday items like lingerie and sweatpants.
The more general term “fashion industries” is occasionally used to describe a wide range of businesses and services that serve millions of customers worldwide.
The contemporary era is what gave rise to the fashion business. Before the middle of the 19th century, almost all clothing was produced specifically for each person, either at home or on-demand from dressmakers and tailors.

With the development of new technologies like the sewing machine, the rise of global capitalism, the growth of the factory system of production, and the proliferation of retail establishments like department stores, clothing had increasingly come to be mass-produced in standard sizes and sold at fixed prices by the beginning of the 20th century.

Although the fashion business originated in Europe and America, it has now become a worldwide, highly globalized sector. Clothes are frequently created in one nation, produced in another, and then sold in a third.
For instance, a U.S.-based fashion brand may purchase fabric from China, have the garments made in Vietnam, have the finishing touches added in Italy, and then have the finished products delivered to a U.S. warehouse for distribution to retail stores abroad.

One of the biggest jobs in the United States for a long time and it still is in the twenty-first century is the fashion sector.
However, employment significantly decreased as production shifted more and more overseas, particularly to China.
A global production estimate of textiles and clothing is difficult to find because data on the fashion industry are normally reported for national economies and expressed in terms of the industry’s numerous distinct segments.
However, it is undeniable that the industry represents a considerable portion of global economic activity by any standard.

There are four layers to the fashion industry: the manufacturing of raw materials, primarily fibers and textiles but also leather and fur; the creation of fashion goods by designers, manufacturers, contractors, and others; retail sales; and various forms of advertising and marketing.

These levels are made up of a variety of distinct but interconnected sectors, all of which are committed to meeting customer demand for garments while preserving the ability of industry players to make a profit.

Key sectors of the fashion industry

1. Textile Design and Production
Textiles are used to create the majority of clothing. One of the early successes of the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century was the partial automation of the spinning and weaving of wool, cotton, and other natural fibers. These procedures are now carried out by highly automated, quick machinery.
Fabrics used in clothing are produced by a sizable portion of the textile industry.
Both natural fibers (such as wool, cotton, silk, and linen) and synthetic fibers (like nylon, acrylic, and polyester) are employed. The usage of eco-friendly fibers like hemp has increased as a result of a growing interest in sustainable fashion, sometimes known as “eco-fashion.”

High-tech synthetic fabrics may drain away moisture (like Coolmax), resist stains (like 303 High Tech Fabric Guard), retain or release body heat, and offer protection from fire, weapons (like Kevlar), cold (like Thinsulate), ultraviolet radiation (like Solarweave), and other dangers. Through the use of dyes, weaving, printing, and other manufacturing and finishing techniques, fabrics can be created with a broad variety of effects.
To design fabrics with colors, textures, and other attributes that anticipate customer desire, textile makers collaborate with fashion forecasters well before the clothes production cycle.

2. Fashion Design and Manufacturing
Few fashion designers, such as Coco Chanel or Calvin Klein, who produce exceptional high-fashion collections, whether couture or prêt-à-porter (“ready-to-wear”), have historically achieved fame as “name” designers.
Contrary to popular assumption, these designers have a significant impact on defining fashion trends, but they do not impose new trends; instead, they work to create clothing that will appeal to consumers.
The vast majority of designers work anonymously for manufacturers as members of design teams, transforming current trends into clothes that can be sold to regular people.

Designers are influenced by a variety of things, such as active sportswear, street styles, and costumes from movies and television.

For the majority of designers, computer-assisted design processes have supplanted or replaced more traditional design procedures like drawing sketches on paper and drapeing fabric on mannequins.
These enable designers to quickly alter the silhouette, fabric, trimmings, and other aspects of a suggested design and give them the opportunity to instantly discuss the proposed modifications with colleagues, whether they are in the same room as them or on a different continent.
Only a tiny fraction of designers and producers create cutting-edge high-fashion clothing.
Even fewer (primarily in Paris) manufacture haute couture. Most manufacturers create affordable or moderately priced clothing.
Most businesses depend on independently owned manufacturing companies or contractors to make the clothing according to the fashion company’s standards, however other businesses employ their own production facilities for some or all of the manufacturing process.

Manufacturers in the women’s clothing industry often create a number of product lines (collections) each year, which they then supply to retailers at specific times of the year.
Even more regularly, certain “fast fashion” producers release new products. Planning a line and creating the designs involves the entire product development team.
To show samples to retail purchasers, the materials (fabric, linings, buttons, etc.) must be located, ordered, and procured.
The transformation of the clothing design into a pattern that comes in a variety of sizes is a crucial step in the garment-making process. Patterns can’t just be consistently scaled up or down from a basic template because the human body’s proportions change as weight fluctuates.

A traditionally highly skilled occupation, pattern creation. Despite advancements in computer programming in the early 21st century, it is challenging to alter larger designs for every figure.

No of the size, the fabric is cut into the parts that will be connected to construct a garment according to the pattern, which may be written on paper or programmed as a set of computer instructions. Fabric is cut using computer-guided knives or powerful lasers that can cut multiple layers of fabric at once for all but the most expensive clothes.

The assembling of the garment is the next step in the manufacturing process. The advent of computer-guided machinery and other technological advancements led to the automation of several garment assembly processes in this area as well.
Nevertheless, stitching is still a labor-intensive operation at its core.

This puts unstoppable pressure on apparel manufacturers to locate their operations in low-wage areas where there are frequent problems with workplace safety and labor exploitation.
Up until the Triangle shirtwaist factory fire of 1911, which led to increased unionization and regulation of the industry in the United States, New York City’s fashion industry was dominated by sweatshops that were situated on the Lower East Side.

Due to its low labor costs and highly organized workforce, China became the world’s largest producer of clothes in the late 20th century.

Clothes that have been assembled go through a variety of steps known as “finishing.” These include the addition of ornamental components (beading, embroidery), buttons and buttonholes, hooks and eyes, snaps, zippers, and other fasteners; hems and cuffs; and brand-name labels and other labels (often legally required) specifying the fiber content, washing instructions, and country of manufacture. Following pressing, finished items are packaged for shipping.

Following World War II, importing nations severely restricted the trade in textiles and clothing by imposing quotas and tariffs. Beginning in the 1980s, these protectionist restrictions that were eventually unsuccessful in halting the transfer of the textile and apparel industry from high-wage to low-wage nations were gradually dropped.

Under the regulatory auspices of the World Trade Organization and other international regulatory bodies, they were replaced by a free-trade strategy that acknowledged the competitive advantage of low-wage countries as well as the advantage provided to consumers in rich countries by the availability of highly affordable clothing.

Production may now be tightly correlated to market conditions even over vast distances thanks to the development of containerization and reasonably priced air freight.
For commercial and statistical purposes, underwear and other accessories like shoes and purses are typically not included in the garment business, but they are nonetheless strongly related to it.

Similar to clothing, accessories come in a variety of price points, from high-end luxury goods to low-cost mass-produced goods.
Similar to clothing manufacturing, accessory production frequently occurs in low-wage areas.
High-end accessory manufacturers, particularly those that make handbags, face intense competition from knockoffs, which are frequently made in the same factories as the original products using subpar materials.

The introduction of containerization and reasonably priced air freight also made it possible for production to be closely correlated with market conditions even over vast distances.
The production and distribution of accessories like shoes and handbags as well as underwear are closely related to the fashion industry, despite the fact that they are typically not included in the clothes industry for trade and statistical purposes.
Similar to clothing, a wide range of products are made for accessories, from high-end luxury goods to low-cost mass-produced items. Similar to the manufacturing of clothing, accessory production frequently occurs in low-paying contexts.
High-end accessory manufacturers, notably those who make handbags, face stiff competition from knockoffs, or fake products that are sometimes made in the same facilities as the real thing but with subpar components.

Despite being forbidden by a number of international agreements, the trade in these knockoff goods is challenging to regulate. Name-brand producers lose hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue every year as a result.

3. Fashion Retailing, Marketing, and Merchandising
After the clothing has been created and produced, it must be sold.
However, how will clothing travel from the maker to the consumer? Retail refers to the industry of purchasing clothing from producers and selling it to consumers.
Three to six months prior to the buyer being able to purchase the clothing in-store, retailers make first purchases for resale.
Fashion marketing is the act of controlling the flow of merchandise with the aim of maximizing a company’s sales and profitability, from the initial selection of designs to be made to the display of products to retail buyers.
The understanding consumer desire and responding with the relevant products are essential for successful fashion marketing.

Marketers inform designers and producers about the kind and quantity of things to be created through sales tracking data, media attention, focus groups, and other methods of gathering consumer preferences. Therefore, marketers are in charge of determining the target market for a fashion company and reacting to their preferences.

Both the wholesale and retail levels of the market are active. Companies that don’t retail their own goods must sell those goods to retailers like boutiques, department stores, and online sales companies at wholesale costs.

To find a good fit between the clients of the store and the items of the manufacturer, they use fashion shows, catalogs, and a sales force equipped with samples of the products.

For businesses that do offer their own items at retail, product compatibility with their own consumer base is of utmost importance to marketers. Marketing includes promotional efforts including print and other media advertising at both the wholesale and retail levels with the goal of building brand awareness and reputation for various traits like quality, affordability, or trendiness.

Merchandising, which aims to increase sales and profitability by persuading customers to buy a company’s items, is closely tied to marketing.

Selling the correct product, at the right price, at the appropriate time and location, to the right customers is the definition of merchandising as it is commonly used.

Thus, fashion merchandisers must rely on marketers’ knowledge of consumer preferences when making decisions about things like stocking appropriate merchandise in sufficient but not excessive quantities, offering items for sale at enticing but still profitable prices, and marking down overstocked items. By using store windows, in-store displays, and special promotional activities, merchandisers can present their products in an appealing and approachable way.

Merchandising experts must be able to swiftly acquire new stocks of the desired product in order to meet spikes in demand.

An automatic order for a given quantity of clothes of a specific sort and size to be delivered in a matter of days can be sent to a production facility in Shanghai by inventory-tracking computer software in a department shop in London, for instance.

Early in the twenty-first century, the Internet had grown to be a significant retail outlet, posing new problems (such as the inability of customers to try on clothing before buying it, the need for facilities designed to handle clothing returns and exchanges), as well as providing merchandisers with new opportunities (e.g., the ability to provide customers with shopping opportunities 24 hours per day, affording access to rural customers).

Merchandising has become one of the pillars of the contemporary fashion business in an era of expanding shopping options for consumers and fierce price competition among stores.

4. Fashion Shows
In addition to merchants (such as fashion buyers), media (such as fashion journalists), and direct customers, fashion designers and manufacturers also market their products to the media.
Paris couture houses started allowing their clientele to examine the newest looks privately as early as the late 19th century.
Starting in the first decade of the 20th century, department stores and couture companies both frequently staged fashion shows with top models. Ready-to-wear designers in other nations started staging fashion presentations in the same way as Parisian couturiers did, for an audience that included buyers, journalists, and private clientele.

Fashion shows played a bigger part in the introduction of new designs in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as they evolved into elaborate theatrical events conducted in larger settings with elevated runways (“catwalks”) specially built for the models.
Fashion shows had become a regular fixture of the fashion calendar by the early twenty-first century.

The official syndicate of couture designers, which consists of the most upscale and expensive fashion houses, hosts two couture shows a year in Paris (in January and July). These shows feature clothing that might be ordered by potential customers but are frequently intended to display the designers’ opinions on current fashion trends and brand image.
Shows of ready-to-wear clothing,

During spring and fall “Fashion Weeks,” of which the most significant take place in Paris, Milan, New York, and London, separate presentations of both men’s and women’s clothing are held. On the other hand, there are dozens of different fashion weeks worldwide, from Tokyo to So Paolo.

These events, which are far more significant commercially than the couture shows, are primarily targeted at buyers for department stores, wholesalers, and other significant markets as well as fashion journalists.
Fashion shows, which receive extensive media coverage, both reflect and push the direction of change in the industry.
Instantaneously broadcast images and recordings of fashion shows are used by mass-market manufacturers to create cheap clothing that is either a direct copy of or an inspiration for runway designs.

5. Media and Marketing
All forms of media are crucial to the marketing of fashion. In the latter half of the 18th century, specialized fashion publications first appeared in France and England.
Fashion periodicals like the French La Mode Illustrée, the British Lady’s Realm, and the American Godey’s Lady’s Book multiplied and thrived in the 19th century.

Fashion magazines, which publish articles, hand-colored illustrations (known as fashion plates), and advertisements, along with other innovations like the sewing machine, department stores, and ready-to-wear clothing made in standard sizes, contributed significantly to the modern era’s democratization of fashion.

Fashion photography and extensively illustrated fashion publications like Vogue grew in popularity as a result of the early 20th-century development of efficient and affordable techniques for reproducing photos in print media. Rapidly, magazine advertising took over as the fashion industry’s main marketing strategy.

People from all over the world can now watch fashion displays and copy the celebs’ styles thanks to the development of newsreels, short films of current events, and the growth of television.
The Internet era saw the dominance of visual media continue, with fashion blogs becoming a more significant channel for the dissemination of fashion news.

Celebrities get the chance to be photographed wearing designer clothing at red-carpet events like award ceremonies, giving the designers important publicity.

6. World Fashion
Today, the majority of people wear what can be called “global fashion,” a condensed and extremely affordable version of Western attire, frequently consisting of a T-shirt and pants or a skirt.
In addition, there are several smaller, more niche fashion sectors that serve certain national, regional, ethnic, or religious markets throughout the world.
The design, manufacture, and marketing of saris in India and boubous in Senegal are two examples.
On a smaller, regional basis, these industries coexist with the global fashion industry.

The widespread adoption of the hijab (religiously suitable attire) by Muslim women in the early twenty-first century, not only in the Middle East but also throughout the Islamic world, was a notable advance in the subject of ethnoreligious dress.

Veiling standards and fashions vary widely because there are millions of Muslim women living in different nations worldwide.

For some people, veiling entails a complete exclusion from the ups and downs of fashion. Other ladies, notably those for whom modest clothing is required in public, might put on chic European fashions under their more traditional street clothes.

Others have aimed for appearances that are stylish yet understated.
The market for modest clothing was expanding internationally at the start of the twenty-first century.
A growing number of suitable and fashionable styles were created by Muslim and non-Muslim designers, and a large number of fashion blogs and magazines specifically for Muslim women were made available.

As seen by efforts to create modest yet functional swimwear and sportswear for Muslims, certain designers and producers faced not just the aesthetics of modest apparel but also the practical issues involved with the conservative dress.

7. The Fashion System
The “fashion system,” which includes the business of fashion as well as the art and skill of it, as well as not only production but also consumption, is a bigger social and cultural phenomenon that includes the fashion industry.

In addition to the individual consumer who chooses, purchases, and wears clothing as well as the language and visuals that influence how customers think about fashion, the fashion designer is a significant factor.
All the elements involved in the entire process of fashion transformation are part of the fashion system. Some aspects of fashion, which involve variety for the sake of novelty, are inherent (e.g., when hemlines have been low for a while, they will rise).

Other elements are outside (e.g., major historical events such as wars, revolutions, economic booms or busts, and the feminist movement).
Individual trendsetters like Madonna and Diana, Princess of Wales, as well as changes in lifestyle like the introduction of new sports like skateboarding in the 1960s and music all, contribute to the development of trends (e.g., rock and roll, hip-hop).

Fashion is a complicated social phenomenon that involves a number of sometimes competing motivations, including the need to both express one’s individuality and to belong to a group, as well as the desire to both follow fashion icons and defy convention.
In order to satisfy any consumer’s desire to embrace or even to reject fashionability, however that term may be defined, the fashion business must be diversified and adaptable enough to do so.

Photo Credit Cynthia Kimathi
Content courtesy of Britannica & NFH

 

Qatar Creates and EMERGE: Naomi Campbell and Qatar Collaborate To Host The Emerge Initiative

Under the patronage of Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani and co-hosted by the spokesperson and founder of EMERGE, Qatar Creates will host a fashion show and VIP dinner. EMERGE is a global charitable initiative devoted to uniting the fashion and creative industries as a force for good. Powered by global supermodel Naomi Campbell and Fashion For Relief.

On October 28, at Ceremonial Court in Education City, a charity gala and fashion show will be held to support alternative education and investments in young creative and business talent from developing regions, with a focus on Africa, the Diaspora, and developing communities all over the world.

 

Fashion For Relief is an organization that unites the international fashion, entertainment, design, and music industries to raise money for a variety of worthwhile causes and humanitarian crises while promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities for all.
It was founded in 2005 and was inspired by Naomi Campbell’s friendship with Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa.
Through their new initiative EMERGE, the event will welcome the biggest personalities in the fashion and creative industries to Doha this year.
Through this effort, new apprenticeships, after-school programs, and university programs will be developed with an emphasis on creative and alternative industries, including general education, fashion, technology, art, agriculture, and environmental innovations.

A big Couture Show will follow three major events that makeup EMERGE. The Fashion Exhibit will highlight a number of celebrated award-winning fashion designers from Africa, the Diaspora, and the Middle East, including Thebe Magugu, Bianca Saunders, and Abdel El Tayeb, while the Art Exhibit will focus on prominent and well-regarded young artists, led by art masters like Kehinde Wiley or Victor Ehikhamenor.
Following a discussion on the value of creativity in business between Naomi Campbell, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa, and Kehinde Wiley, the creative and business event EMERGE Talk will bring together top professionals to examine the future of alternative sectors.

The brains behind Qatar Creates, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, stated: “With the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM, we stand at the verge of an incredible moment for our area.
It is up to us to seize this opportunity and focus the world’s attention on issues that affect marginalized people all across the world.
I appreciate EMERGE joining us, and I have faith that we can take advantage of this chance to uplift and empower people who most need it while setting cultural milestones.

A fashion presentation by well-known designers will be presented at the ticketed charity gala, which will also include an auction and a VIP dinner. Kate Moss, Jane Fonda, Beyoncé, and models Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Winnie Harlow have all walked in the benefit show in the past. The occasion will feature gifted award-winning designers from the Middle East, the Diaspora, and Africa.

The EMERGE gala is one of a record-breaking number of high-profile events that Qatar Creates has planned for the opening of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM and beyond. The executive director of Qatar Creates, Saad Al Hudaifi, praised this significant development in the organization’s quest to become a platform for culture and entertainment, saying:

As curators of the most interesting activities and events for our nation, it is Qatar Creates’ duty to promote cultural exchange.
The EMERGE gala is a major event in our calendar that also serves as a high point for the global fashion and creative sectors, giving us the chance to work together on topical projects that have a real positive impact on other people.

Through Qatar Creates, you may get tickets for the event. Through the Qatar Creates site, One Pass holders can take advantage of privileged access and discounts.

Visit www.qacreates.com for more details on Qatar Creates and the One Pass.

 

African Fashion Model: African Supermodels Iman, Adut Akech, Anok Yai, and Alek Wek Have Been Selected for W Magazine’s 50th Anniversary Issue

Top models have officially taken over W Magazine’s 50th Anniversary Issue. In honor of the occasion, the magazine unveiled 17 captivating stars ranging from the world’s most famous names to women on the verge of total fashion dominance. Among them are four of Africa’s top models: Iman, Adut Akech, Anok Yai, and Alek Wek.

Naomi Campbell, Amber Valletta, Iman, Kendall Jenner, Precious Lee, Cindy Crawford, Bella Hadid, Karlie Kloss, Christy Turlington Burns, Shalom Harlow, He Cong, Loli Bahia, Sora Choi, and Binx Walton are also on the list.

The covers were photographed by a team of photographers. Models wore a variety of stunning looks for the issue and discussed the industry’s past, present, and future.

Naomi Campbell Gives Back

First and foremost, I enjoy what I do. To have a career that actually lasts, you must. Although I don’t have a specific professional plan, I now enjoy using my platform to support up-and-coming designers.

The children I work with are not only in the well-known markets, but also in places like Africa, the Middle East, and India. Because of my reputation and my in-depth familiarity with the fashion industry, I am able to bring these children the recognition they merit. I’ve been given so much by the fashion industry, and I believe in spreading that.

Iman recalls her favorite runway moments

The trajectory of my fashion moment would not exist if it weren’t for Thierry Mugler. Many of the designers at the time were very cautious about how they wanted to present me. Yves Saint Laurent is another favorite of mine. Thierry Mugler, on the other hand, was like an MGM director. His performances were cinematic. He let me play whatever character I wanted on stage. In a world full of trends, I was always the girl who looked classic. But Mugler flipped the script and let me be a wild, African glamour girl, and editors and other designers recognized me as such.

When I first arrived in the United States, there was a widespread belief that there could only be one Black model at a time, which fostered hostility and competition among us.
But my friends and I were able to change that. I never called myself a Black woman in Somalia, where I grew up, because there was no reason to.

The entire country is dark. My identity was based on my worth. On purpose, I began making friends with Black models.
They were going to tell me who was the best photographer for us, the best hairdresser for our hair, and the best makeup artist for our skin. So we formed a tribe, and we are still that tribe.

Adut Akech discusses what drew her to modeling.

I wanted to be a model because I was always inspired by models like Naomi Campbell. One thing that surprised me was how difficult this job is. I never expected it to be easy, but you never know until you try it.

Being the second Black woman to ever end a Chanel haute couture show as the bride in 2018 was one of many remarkable milestones in my career.
Karl Lagerfeld personally selected me.
Models now have a voice thanks to social media. We can criticize brands for lacking sufficient diversity.
Everyone is being compelled to abandon their outdated practices and adopt the proper behavior, which is to include models from various backgrounds.

Anok Yai on the recent changes in the modeling industry

I was unaware that I was the first Black model to launch a Prada show since Naomi Campbell until I did so. Even after everyone congratulated me as I stepped off the runway, I was still unaware. My agency didn’t call me till after that. That was a strange encounter, and it ranks among my most significant professional experiences.

Models have had more creative freedom since the Covid pandemic. I’ve had the opportunity to creative-direct a few shoots, and I’ve realized that at this point in my career, I can be more than just a model I can be an artist. A runway show is, at its core, a collaborative effort.
As a model, you may at times feel like nothing more than a hanger. But it feels like a performance when I’m on the runway. I’ve reached a point where if you don’t give me artistic freedom, I’ll just take it.

Alek Wek discusses how her modeling approach has evolved as she has gotten older.

Everyone has a story to tell, but I believe that mine is particularly insightful into the power of perseverance. I began when I was a little child, having fled a terrible conflict in South Sudan. Alek Wek now represents diversity when you look at him. Alek Wek is accompanied by the sound of doors opening.
I never imagined I would be employed at this age, and I am grateful to my mother every day for that. It is genetics. Similar to Benjamin Button, I am. Teenagers and young adults try to talk to me!

Now I make my own decisions. I don’t have to be in a place where people treat me badly. For the first time, I’m honoring not only my work, but also myself as a human being and a woman.

Credits

Naomi Campbell
Editor-in-Chief: @saramoonves
Photography: @MertAlas & @marcuspiggot
Styling: @mr_carlos_nazario
Hair: @rio_hair
Makeup: @anglomamakeup for Pat McGrath Labs
Manicure: @robbietomkins
Writer: @jennycomita
Casting: @emperor.lee
Production: @januaryproductions

Iman
Editor-in-Chief: @saramoonves
Photography: @inezandvinoodh
Styling: @kegrand
Hair: @hoshounkpatin
Makeup: @kilprity
Manicure: #BojirHasanov
Casting: @emperor.lee

Adut
Editor-in-Chief: @saramoonves
Photography: @rafaelpavarotti_
Styling: @ibkamara
Hair: @EugeneSouleiman
Braiding: @hairbybarbietm
Makeup: @ChiaoLiHsu
Manicure: @EriHandaNail
Writer: @JennyComita
Casting: @emperor.lee
Set Design: @mhs_artists
Studio: @hookstudiobk
Props: @hookprops

Anok
Editor-in-Chief: @saramoonves
Photography: @rafaelpavarotti_
Styling: @ibkamara
Hair: @EugeneSouleiman
Makeup: @ChiaoLiHsu
Manicure: @EriHandaNail
Casting: @emperor.lee
Set Design: @mhs_artists
Studio: @hookstudiobk
Props: @hookprops
Production: @prodn_artandcommerce

Alek
Editor-in-Chief: @saramoonves
Photography: @quillemons
Styling: @Rebeccarams
Hair: @Joeygeorge
Makeup: @MarceloGutierrez
Manicure: @JinSoonChoi
Casting: @emperor.lee

Content courtesy of W Magazine & NFH

African Models: Nigeria Moves To Prohibit The Use Of Foreign Models In Commercials

The ban intends to promote Nigerian advertising and highlight its skills.
Nigeria prohibits voice actors and international advertisers from working on its commercials. Nigeria is the first nation to pass a law of this kind. The prohibition will go into force on October 1; however, active projects using foreign talent that were in progress before to the announcement will be permitted to continue.
The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCOND), which first broke the news on August 23, said that the proposal was in line with government initiatives aimed at expanding the Nigerian advertising business as a whole.

Olalekan Fadolapo, the director general of ARCON, stated in a statement that the restriction is consistent with the Federal Government’s aim to foster homegrown talent and broad-based economic growth across all industries, including advertising.

With effect from October 1, 2022, all advertisements that are intended to be exposed on Nigerian advertising space must not use foreign models or voice actors, according to the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022, which establishes ARCON as the Federal Government’s primary regulatory body for advertising, advertisement, and marketing communications.

The director-general further stated that only Nigerian artists and models should be used in all commercials and marketing communications materials.

He clarified that ongoing advertising and marketing initiatives may continue until the end of their allotted time before the prohibition will be put into effect.

However, the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP) will not approve any further requests for revalidation for the ongoing exposure of such ads, according to Fadolapo.
ARCON advised the public, advertisers, media outlets, advertising communities, and advertising agencies to be aware of the restriction.

Steve Babaeko, president of ARCON, claimed in an interview with the UK’s The Times Newspaper that the new prohibition was a sign of burgeoning national pride.

If you looked at the advertisements from ten to twenty years ago, approximately half of the actors were foreigners, and the voiceovers were all done in British accents, according to Steve Babaeko. “I believe that the law is just now catching up to public opinion.
You could have detected a revival in Nigeria as recently as eight years ago. He added that people were typically dissatisfied in the past when Nigerians had upcoming films that were being shot abroad with foreign actresses.

Babaeko continued by claiming that the decision will increase Nigeria’s advertising influence and noting that other African nations now dominate Nigeria’s market share.
The most recent development has caused social media users in Nigeria to become further divided, with some claiming it was a positive step and others arguing it will have negative effects in the future.

Content courtesy of The Guardian Nigeria, Okay Africa & NFH 

African Fashion Week 2022 Showcases Vibrant Community Talent Hosted By African Fashion And Arts Movement Vancouver

African Fashion Week, hosted by African Fashion and Arts Movement Vancouver, kicked off on Feb. 19 showcasing much more than fashion, with vendors with handmade goods, food, featured performers, and music.

Attendees mingled amongst themselves and a sense of community was built throughout the space, which was something Yao Zeus Mohammed, founder, and producer of AFAM had hoped for.

“The importance of African Fashion Week to me is that it brings the community together, and it showcases the great talents we have in our community,” says Mohammed.

This is the fifth year that African Fashion Week has been hosted, however, last year AFAM could not host the event due to the COVID-19 restrictions. With restrictions eased, they were willing to host it this year even if it meant having only a quarter of the venue capacity.

During the intermission, attendees could buy finger food, Ghanaian jollof rice, pastries, meat, and vegetarian food options made by caterer Delali Adiamah.

“These are foods that you find at a party. So when you go to a wedding, when you go to a funeral … in Africa in Ghana, these are where you will find such food,” says Adiamah.

“[AFAM] brings the community together and showcases the great talents we have, and not only that, but it also shows the world we have a vibrant group of people working together on this west coast and it attracts others to come here and mingle with us,” says Mohammed.

 

The event showcased great talents by giving them space to share their story.

“We are not the only ones in this community, so you need that niche that you can really market your product to that they are interested in. That’s why it’s important not only to me but to the people involved,” says Mohammed.

Hana Woldeyes is the designer for BeadedBody. Woldeyes designs were showcased in the show as the spring collection. Most of the pieces were made from glass, wood, and rock. This year was her first time being invited to the show.

“I used to make my own jewelry. So, I made bracelet beads, necklaces, and amulets for myself, but more people kept asking me about where I got them. So, I started making them for individuals … [then] I started taking it as a business,” says Woldeyes.

Jason Bempong, the fashion designer behind clothing company Sleepless Mindz, was also invited to showcase his work during the event.

“For this particular collection, I’m really inspired by 1980s 1990s NASCAR jackets, a lot of Jeff Gordon pieces … [and] old varsity Disney Looney Tune jackets as well,” says Bempong.

Other designers like Mawogan Fashion, Navoir, Vickendel Style, Rated 18, V12 Fashion Designer, Kabumbe Fashion, and Rita Mary came together to create a fantastic show, with beautiful models walking the runway and performers dancing or singing between a few designs.

“Everyone should just keep following their dreams, even when people tell you ‘no,’ even when people tell you it’s ridiculous,” Bempong says.

“You’ve got to keep that vision alive and never give up.”

About African Fashion and Arts Movement (AFAM Vancouver)

Founded in 2018 by Yao Zeus Mohammed, African Fashion and Arts Movement (AFAM Vancouver ) is the largest African fashion and Trade exhibition in British Columbia.
(AFAM Vancouver) Host African Fashion Week annually during Black history month (February). African fashion designers and Performers from the lower mainland, various parts of Canada, the States and From Africa come together to showcase the true collaboration of art in its purest form: L I V E
Featuring Fashion, Arts, Music, Dance, Awards, Exhibition, and Marketplace.

As one of the most high-profile Africa-focused events in British Columbia, AFAM Vancouver will play host to designers & exhibitors, from Africa, Europe. continues to be the most anticipated event celebrating African Fashion, Arts, Talent, and Culture in Vancouver
With a collaborative catwalk, exhibition, and awards, AFAM Vancouver has commanded the way in highlighting Africa’s emerging designers and apparel industry and has been at the forefront of bringing awareness of Africa’s expanding fashion industry.

AFAM Vancouver aims to shift the narratives about Africa and the African diaspora by re-branding the perception of Africa as a whole. We are committed to empowering and promoting African-inspired fashion and arts by providing a premier event platform that also supports entrepreneurs in building a sustainable business that is internationally recognized and promotes social change in Africa.

Content Courtesy of The Runner & NFH Digital Team 

Meet the Top 20 Finalists Competing at Future Face Africa’s Grand Finale

After a thorough rigorous vetting process, 20 models have been selected as finalists to compete at Future Face Africa‘s grand finale, which takes place at Eko Hotels & Suites on Sunday, the 30th of January 2022.

This maiden competition proves to be a remarkable one as models from eight African countries plus thousands of digital applications worldwide compete for a chance to win the title of Africa’s next future face. Two winners will emerge from the 20 finalists. They will each receive a two-year international modeling contract with a top international modeling agency, as well as a cash prize of five thousand dollars.

The FFA project is spearheaded by none other than Elizabeth Isiorho, a pioneer in the African modeling industry and the founder of Beth Model Management Africa, Africa’s largest modeling agency, and the organization behind Future Face Africa. Over the past 17 years, Beth Model Management has served as an industry pacesetter, helping to launch the careers of dozens of internationally placed models, and has cultivated some of the best talents in the industry, such as Mayowa Nicholas and Davidson Obennebo.

FFA will be equipping selected models with the knowledge and skills to achieve international success and to have long-lasting careers in a very competitive industry. Models participating in the FFA will have the chance to change their lives forever through a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Here are the 20 FFA finalists (divided into male and female categories) competing at the grand finale:

1. Ana Campos

2. Ebiere Macaulay

3. Winifred Esi Sam

4. Eleanor Musangi

5. Juliana T Rugumisa

6. Kimberly Martha Amanya Ngabirano

7. Blessing Endurance

8. Nze Sandra chinecherem

9. Lerah James

10. Oluchi Diamonds

1. Nziza Ken

2. Eneh Michael

3. Akinsiku Chukwuka David

4. Awoliyi Mayowa

5. Ohanado Ikechukwu

6. Alokpesi Frank

7. Okonkwo Sunday Chibueze

8. Echetama Wilson Elochukwu

9. Dike Alex Emmanuel chinweotito

Content courtesy of Future Face Africa 

Don’t Miss Future Face Africa’s Grand Finale This Weekend

After physical castings in eight African countries and thousands of digital applications worldwide, Future Face Africa‘s grand finale will take place at Eko Hotels & Suites on Sunday the 30th of January 2022.

Two contestants will win the title of Africa’s next future face, and the two winners will each receive a two-year international modeling contract with a top international modeling agency, as well as a USD 5,000 cash prize. In addition to providing a career start in modeling, the competition also prepares the winners for global competition.

Championed by former model Elizabeth Elohor, whose agency Beth Modelling Agency has groomed and raised a plethora of successful models through initiatives like Elite Model Look Africa, which offered African models the pivotal push needed both internationally and locally. We can expect an outstanding evening with top celebrities, prominent players in the Nigerian fashion industry, models, and more coming out for a night of glitz and glamour.

For tickets reservations call
07069999919, 08069748761

Content Courtesy Of Future Face Africa 

Future Face Africa, Africa’s Largest Model Search Competition, Prepares For A Grand Finale

Future Face Africa, Africa’s largest model search competition, is preparing for its grand finale event in Lagos. After a rigorous selection process involving physical castings in eight African countries, as well as thousands of digital applications from all over the world, the Future Face Africa judges have selected 18 finalists who will be flown into Lagos for a shot at turning their modeling aspirations into a reality.

The grand finale event will be taking place on Sunday, January 30, 2022, at Eko Hotel & Suites, where models will be competing for a chance to win a 2-year modeling contract with a top international modeling agency, as well as a $5,000 USD cash prize.

The FFA project is spearheaded by none other than Elizabeth Isiorho, a pioneer in the African modeling industry and the founder of Beth Model Management Africa, Africa’s largest modeling agency, and the organization behind Future Face Africa. Over the past 17 years, Beth Model Management has served as an industry pacesetter, helping to launch the careers of dozens of internationally placed models, and has cultivated some of the best talents in the industry, such as Mayowa Nicholas and Davidson Obennebo.

Elizabeth Isiorho previously organized Elite Model Look Nigeria, but after a 2-year hiatus, re-emerged with Future Face Africa to expand her model search beyond the borders of Nigeria alone, and offer a wider range of hopefuls a chance at success. FFA will be giving opportunities to people from various countries, backgrounds, and skin tones, aiming to go beyond the buzzwords of “diversity” and “inclusivity” to create an initiative that truly celebrates the range of beauty that the industry has to offer.

FFA will be equipping selected models with the knowledge and skills to achieve international success and to have long-lasting careers in a very competitive industry. For these models, Future Face Africa will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that could change their lives forever.

Future Face Africa is proudly sponsored by Ecobank, Aquafina, MAC, Haute Couture, and Natures Gentle Touch.

Content Courtesy Of  Future Face Africa

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