Monday 11th of May 2026

Nairobi, Kenya

Tag: Fashion House

The Oscars Awards Are Set To Return To Normalcy, With The Exception Of All The Changes.

Posted on by Oscar Alochi

The Academy Awards are rolling out the red carpet at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre for the first time in two years in what the film academy hopes will be a return to normalcy at the Oscars. Except for everything that has changed.

The 94th Academy Awards will air live on ABC at 8 p.m. EDT, as is customary. However, little else about how this year’s Oscars will begin is traditional. Attendees will gather in the Dolby an hour before the broadcast begins for the presentation of eight awards and acceptance speeches, which will be edited into a broadcast that producer Will Packer has promised will be a tight three hours.

It’s just one of many changes, both minor and seismic, taking place in the run-up to this year’s ceremony. Following two years of pandemic and a socially distant 2021 edition with record-low ratings, the Academy Awards will attempt to reclaim their exalted place in pop culture with a revamped telecast that is expected to see a streaming service win the best picture for the first time.

It will be difficult. The film industry recovered significantly from the pandemic by 2021, but despite one of the year’s biggest hits, “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” the recovery has been patchy.

According to the Motion Picture Association, the global movie industry sold roughly half as many tickets last year as it did two years ago, $21.3 billion in 2021 compared to $42.3 billion in 2019. Hollywood pushed more of its best films into people’s homes than ever before; half of this year’s best-picture nominees were streamed at or very close to release. Even the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has shifted entirely to a streaming platform for voters, rather than DVD screeners.
Then there’s the difficulty of commanding global attention for a night of Hollywood self-congratulation after two years of pandemic and while Russia’s war ravages Ukraine. Packer has stated that the war in Ukraine will be acknowledged respectfully during the broadcast.

Netflix’s “The Power of the Dog,” Jane Campion’s gothic western, leads the pack with 12 nominations and a strong chance of winning the top prize. But all of the attention is on Sian Heder’s deaf family drama “CODA,” which, despite only three nominations, is considered the favorite. A win would be a big win for Apple TV+, which bought the film out of the Sundance Film Festival last year and has spent a lot of money promoting it to academy members.

But “Dune,” Denis Villeneuve’s sweeping science-fiction epic, is expected to win the most awards on the night. It’s the odds-on favorite to sweep the technical categories.

After several years without a host, the Oscars will be emceed by the trio of Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, and Regina Hall, which will also be streamed on platforms such as Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, and ABC.com with provider authentication.

A star-studded lineup of performers, including Billie Eilish and Beyoncé, will perform nominated songs, while the “Encanto” cast will perform Lin-Manuel Miranda’s breakout hit “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.”

It will be a staggered start, with different stars entering the Dolby at different times. The red carpet preshow will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with the first hour of awards taking place inside the theater from 7-8 p.m.

The winners’ names will be announced first on social media and then woven into the telecast. The red carpet will also open an hour earlier than usual, at 4 p.m. Eastern, to accommodate the shift.

The new approach, which has been widely panned by some academy members, is likely to complicate red-carpet logistics.

The academy is urging attendees to arrive at their seats by 7 p.m. in order to give each winner an uncompromised moment. Some celebrities, such as “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” nominee Jessica Chastain, have stated that they will not participate in red carpet interviews if it means missing the presentation of awards such as best hair and makeup, which the artists of “Tammy Faye” are nominated for.

This is one of eight pre-show categories that will be awarded during the “golden hour,” as the producers refer to it. Film editing, sound, original score, production design, live-action short, animated short, and documentary short are the others.

More than 70 Oscar winners, including James Cameron, Kathleen Kennedy, and Guillermo del Toro, warned earlier this month that the change would make some nominees “second-class citizens.”

The reason for the shift is concern about the Oscars’ rapidly declining ratings. While drops have been common for all major network award shows, last year’s show drew only about 10 million viewers, less than half of the 23.6 million who watched the previous year. It was closer to 40 million a decade ago.

Some argued in the run-up to this year’s Oscars that a blockbuster like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” should have been nominated for best picture. It is only for visual effects.

Instead, a diverse range of films are in the running, including the popular Netflix apocalyptic comedy “Don’t Look Up” and the critically acclaimed three-hour Japanese drama “Drive My Car.”

One thing the producers have promised us is that the night’s final award will be for best picture. Last year’s show ended awkwardly with the unexpected awarding of the best actor to a non-present Anthony Hopkins.

Content courtesy fo Association Press & NFH 

Oscars Awards 2022 Red Carpet Fashion: Live Updates Outfits and Looks

Posted on by Oscar Alochi

The 94th Academy Awards ceremony has begun! Today, Hollywood’s top talent will walk the red carpet before heading inside L.A.’s Dolby Theatre for the grand ceremony, where 2021’s best films and actors will wait to see who took home this year’s awards.
Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes will be the hosts of the event.

The Power of the Dog, West Side Story, Belfast, and Licorice Pizza are among the top films nominated for Oscars in 2022.

The evening will undoubtedly produce numerous memorable and viral moments. After all, it’s not every day that some of the world’s most famous people congregate in one room (perhaps we’ll even see a remake of that infamous, star-studded selfie in 2014?).

Better yet, all of the glitzy fashion that will take over the step and repeat beforehand will be even better. After all, the Academy Awards have a long history of producing iconic fashion moments that continue to live on.

For example, two decades later, we’re still talking about Halle Berry’s embroidered, mesh Elie Saab gown from the 2002 Oscars. Who could forget Billy Porter’s Christian Siriano gown in 2019 or Amanda Seyfried’s red-hot Armani gown just a year ago?

These outfits are fantastic.

Whoever wins big this evening, what the stars wear will be just as much of a talking point as who may or may not take home a trophy. So, keep checking back here throughout the night for all of the red carpet’s most stunning fashion moments, which will be updated in real-time so you don’t miss a thing.

The biggest stars in Hollywood arrived at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday, March 27 for the 2022 Oscars.

The live telecast, hosted by Regina Hall, Wanda Sykes, and Amy Schumer, will honor the best in film from the previous year. While many actors and actresses are expected to attend, viewers can also expect a few surprises.
Beyoncé, Sebastián Yatra, Billie Eilish, and Reba McEntire will perform Oscar-nominated songs. Athletes such as Shaun White, Venus, and Serena Williams will also serve as presenters.
Each celebrity must do one thing before the awards are presented: walk the red carpet. From custom jewelry and eye-catching shoes to designer gowns and tuxedos, these celebrities thought of everything before stepping out in style.

Content courtesy of Vogue Magazine, E News & NFH 

Black Influence Should Be Represented At All Levels Of Fashion.

Posted on by Nairobi Fashion Hub

African Americans have always prided themselves on their clothing. Ralph Lauren Corp. recently paid homage to the elite style of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with its first all-Black fashion campaign, where the models, photographers, and creative directors are all Black. A multibillion-dollar fashion brand celebrating Black pride, style, and history are extremely rare, and while we applaud this, much more work remains to be done.

Recently, there has been a lot of talk about how we should celebrate diversity. In 2020, we watched on television as the Black Lives Matter movement highlighted the global inequities that Black people face. These injustices are not limited to policing; they also affect the fashion industry, including manufacturing, sales, and advertising.

However, while the world was grappling with the pandemic over the last two years, much to the surprise of the fashion industry, eyewear sales reached a new level of attention. The world has finally begun to see Black fashion designers in a new light.

The fact is that Black people continue to be underrepresented in the fashion industry. This underrepresentation includes a lack of Black people in major fashion houses’ boardrooms and executive teams of major fashion magazines. Despite the growing recognition of the value of diversity, the marketing materials of brands that Black consumers financially support are devoid of people of color.

Furthermore, the lack of Black representation is disheartening given the obvious Black influence on the products produced. For far too long, Black designs and trends have served as a model, but Black people have been excluded from the production, distribution, and display of fashion.

At every level of fashion, legitimate Black influence should be represented. It is not enough to simply include Black models in advertising campaigns. J. Franklin Wood You Specs and Lady E Specs, two Black-owned fashion businesses in our community, are challenging the status quo.

For our eyewear, we hire Black designers, Black executives, and multicultural models. We do this to give people of color the opportunity to thrive at all levels of fashion, as well as to help ensure diverse representation.

Fashion brands must incorporate the voices of people of color at all levels of fashion organizations in order to legitimately represent the populations they serve. While we applaud Ralph Lauren’s HBCU-focused fashion campaign, there is still a long way to go in terms of equity and equality in the fashion industry.

When all fashion brands embrace that representation, we will see the true influence of Black culture on fashion for generations and begin to reverse years of inequity in an industry that takes great pride in reflecting culture.

Content courtesy of Jackson Ville & NFH

LaLiga Goes Cool And Sporty With South African-inspired Fashion.

Posted on by Oscar Alochi

LaLiga has cemented its position in the South African football market even further by introducing a new streetwear collection inspired by Mzansi’s streets.

The Spanish league has a reputation for local activations and initiatives that resonate with the local market, and it has now released a classic LaLiga bucket hat, T-shirt, water bottle, and mug.

All of these items feature a bright pattern inspired by South Africa, making them a relatable product for any LaLiga fan in the area.

The bucket hat, which is popular on South African streets, stands out most from the collection. Marcos Pelegrin, managing director of LaLiga in Southern Africa, stated:

We’re ecstatic to have created this exciting local streetwear collection specifically for the South African market. LaLiga is a global league that is well-liked all over the world, but our goal is to bring the league closer to fans and to be relevant in local markets.

What could be more South African, cool, and sporty than a spottie?

We love the collection, and we hope that South African football fans and those who enjoy entertainment, fashion, and fun will love it as well and proudly wear it from Mamelodi to Madrid.”

The streetwear collection is just one of many local activations carried out by the league’s Southern Africa office this season.

LaLiga has also recently become the official league sponsor of the fast-growing Fives Futbol franchise, which is popular in communities across the country for its fast-paced kasi style football, as part of LaLiga’s efforts to engage directly with local football communities. The merchandise is available for purchase at LaLiga’s Experience store in Johannesburg’s Fourways Mall.

Teko Modise, Atletico Madrid’s Banyana Banyana striker Thembi Kgatlana, and former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Brian Baloyi are among the local stars who supported the launch of the streetwear range, as are prominent local personalities such as sportscasters Carol Tshabalala and Julia Stuart, musician Chad Saaiman, DJ NV Funk, and former Western Province rugby player Ricky Schroeder.

Content courtesy of The South African & NFH

Lagos Fashion Week Teams Up With Industrie Africa For A Special Retail Partnership

Posted on by Oscar Alochi

Lagos Fashion Week has formed a special retail partnership with Industrie Africa, a renowned African luxury fashion e-tailer.
The ground-breaking collaboration between two major African fashion industry fixtures both of whom have tirelessly championed, elevated, and curated Africa’s strongest designers to a regional and global community will launch on March 15, 2022, and will allow patrons to shop from a number of talented brands that presented at Lagos Fashion Week’s tenth-anniversary showcase last October.

Industrie Africa will surface a new wave of designers from the continent as well as the latest collections from iconic African brands over a three-month campaign, with new styles delivered each week, demonstrating its commitment to the platform’s mission.

Andrea Iyamah, Emmy Kasbit, IAMISIGO, KikoRomeo, NKWO, Orange Culture, Lisa Folawiyo, Studio 189, Babayo, Cynthia Abila, Gozel Green, Maliko, Niuku, and Pepper Row are among the brands participating.

Omoyemi Akerele, the founder of Lagos Fashion Week, said of the inaugural collaboration, “We’re excited to be rolling out this collaboration with Industrie Africa under the Lagos Fashion Week Presents platform, which focuses on expanding access to market pathways for African brands.”

 

It also allows us to take advantage of a model that best combines the physical experiences of the Lagos runway shows and the emotions they evoke with opportunities for a global audience to shop some of the designers’ collections digitally after the show.”

“The inception of Industrie Africa in 2018 was predicated on a desire to grant intimate access to the continent’s exceptionally diverse designer landscape to the world at large,” said Nisha Kanabar, Founder and CEO of Industrie Africa.

We’re now taking this concept a step further by offering a limited-time opportunity to shop a curated selection of the newest Spring ’22 collections from Lagos Fashion Week’s electrifying 10th-anniversary runway. We can’t wait to see what our fashion-conscious Industrie Africa customers will gravitate toward from our biggest launch yet.”

The first phase of the Lagos Fashion Week X Industrie Africa is exclusively available on Industrie Africa.

Visit here for more information and to stay up to date on all things Lagos Fashion Week.

Content courtesy of Lagos Fashion Week, Industrie Africa & NFH

Nisha Kanabar, A Tanzanian Storyteller Entrepreneur, And A Fashion Designer.

Posted on by Oscar Alochi

Contrary to popular belief, African fashion is more than just patterns and traditional garb, it is modern and evolving. This is how Nisha Kanabar, a fashion entrepreneur, describes herself.

A fourth-generation Tanzanian and graduate of New York’s Parsons School of Design sees it and is determined to change the dominant narrative from her base in Dar es Salaam.

When she began her career, this view of African fashion, if it existed at all, was either non-existent or painted with broad brushstrokes. It was almost as if there was a need to deconstruct Eurocentric standards, engage with cultures outside of homogeneous cliches, and curate for specific locations and audiences.

She noticed how storytelling could connect audiences to creatives while working in the fashion industry abroad, including for reputable fashion magazines in the United States, India, and the Middle East.

This was the inspiration for Industrie Africa, her global retail destination for contemporary and luxury African fashion founded in 2018, which drew on her Tanzanian upbringing and her views on diversity, identity, and culture, all of which she considers inherently pluralistic.

“What hopping around different markets taught me was the power of the media to change perceptions,” says Kanabar, who has worked in both fashion editorial and commercial fashion.

Her first experience in an emerging market, while working at Vogue India, taught her the importance of context and detail as a powerful voice of creatives and designers.

According to her, Industrie Africa showcases luxury pan-African brands through the principles of storytelling, thought, leadership, and education, collaborating with its designer community to deliver directly from their studios to anywhere in the world.

“When I returned to Tanzania in 2016, I became aware of the gaps in the fashion industry.” “There was a lack of accuracy and a regional disconnect in how it was portrayed globally,” she emphasizes.

“There is a general lack of diversity on a global scale.” So, in order to truly offer something to this fractured, underrepresented fashion industry, this was created.

The media and fashion stakeholders will have clear, cohesive access to the market in ways they have never had before.”

Starting Industrie Africa also entailed determining who the audience for luxury pan-African fashion was and what they desired in terms of sectorial knowledge.

Kanabar also mentioned a lack of access and infrastructure. How could she build a retail platform without even the fundamentals in place?

“From the beginning, we began to cultivate this really engaged community and then just started digging deeper and realized that there was an overwhelming demand for consumer products when it came to Africa, and African luxury in particular, as well as African-led content.”

This resulted in the launch of Industrie Africa’s e-commerce platform in 2020, challenging people’s perceptions of stereotypical African fashion and highlighting pan-African voices through an intuitive global editorial framework and lens.

“It’s kind of to raise the bar in storytelling when it comes to our continent because I don’t feel like we have the right voices from within to gather, supercharge, and create content in an elevated way, so that was kind of part of the mission,” she says.

“The way we work with our designers is that we curate in a way that elevates them, elevates our product narrative, and elevates everything to an international standard.”

There’s also a focus on long-term viability.
There are few content platforms and knowledge-sharing opportunities in Africa’s high-end fashion industry.
Kanabar believes that you can’t push retail without telling a story, and you can’t cultivate engagement without it.

” Industrie Africa is uniquely tailored to the ecosystem to which we belong, so it’s not a copy-paste model by any means, it’s very much integrated like a puzzle piece within our environment…

what we do is contextualize the African fashion experience in a very authentic way that hasn’t been seen before.” This immersive experience allows you to engage with the industry on your own terms, whatever that may be.”

Content courtesy of Industrie Africa & NFH

DHL Has Announced A Partnership With The Footwear Brand Veldskoen.

Posted on by Oscar Alochi

DHL Express, the logistics company, is expanding its foray into high fashion with its first collaboration with an African brand, Veldskoen, the footwear company.

DHL has released a number of unexpected fashion collaborations over the years, including a T-shirt with Vetements that debuted on the Paris catwalk in 2016, and a limited-edition sneaker with Budapester to commemorate its 50th anniversary.

DHL’s most recent fashion collaboration is with South African footwear company, Veldskoen, with the release of a new limited-edition shoe dubbed “Dear Everyone,” which will be available via a drop lottery system, with those interested in purchasing having until April 15 to register at DHLxVeldskoen.com.

There are only 365 pairs of one-of-a-kind, handcrafted shoes available, which were unveiled in London on March 17 and will be on display at Selfridges for four days within two exclusive branded windows.
Each pair of DHL x Veldskoen’s Dear Everyone shoes is handcrafted by 66 pairs of hands in Durban, South Africa, and features a mural on the side panels by local artist Reggie Kumalo that incorporates campaign messaging as well as subtle South African references.

DHL Express has a partnership with Veldskoen
“For decades, we have made designers and fashion labels more successful worldwide by creating tailor-made shipping solutions and using our unique logistics network to connect them with a larger, global audience,” Megan Collinicos, vice president of marketing at DHL Express Sub Saharan Africa, said in a statement.

Following the success of our previous fashion collaborations in Europe, North America, and Asia, we were looking for an African brand for our next exciting collaboration.

“Veldskoen created a modern take on an iconic South African shoe by adding a pop of color to the soles and laces, and have amassed an impressive customer base around the world since their inception in 2016.”

And over the last few months, we’ve been working with the Veldskoen team to reinvent the traditional veldskoen once more.”
In a statement about the collaboration, Veldskoen CEO Nick Dreyer said, “When DHL approached us with the idea of collaborating on a limited-edition shoe to highlight South African fashion, it was a no-brainer for us.” Their previous fashion projects pushed the boundaries with some unexpected pairings, so being chosen as the first African brand for the next collaboration was a huge honor.

There were immediate synergies between our two brands, the most obvious being a desire to make a difference in the communities where we operate.

Content courtesy of DHL & NFH

​​​​​​​Carole Kinoti Establishes the Mavazi Executive Fashion Program in Collaboration with Strathmore University.

Posted on by Fashion Tribe Influencer

Carole Kinoti Brands, an iconic fashionista and designer brand, has partnered with Strathmore University Business School to offer the Mavazi Executive Programme.

The program will bring together various fashion industry stakeholders, creating a platform for creatives in the Kenyan fashion industry to discuss the changing face of the fashion industry in Kenya and Africa as a whole.

“This training Programme will instill enhanced design and business skills among established and upcoming designers, fashion industry distributors, and all other players in the fashion value chain,” Carole Kinoti Brands said in a statement.

The “Mavazi Executive Programme (MEP)” is a training program that will instill improved design and business skills in established and aspiring designers who participate.

Participants will also have the opportunity to develop and improve their networks, business structures, systems, cultures, and brand visibility through the program.

Participants will benefit from an expanded customer base, a rich network in the fashion value chain, increased revenues, and potential access to financing with these new skills, opportunities, and information.

Participants who successfully complete the program developed by Strathmore University Business School in collaboration with Carole Kinoti Brands will have the opportunity to join the Mavazi Hub, an exclusive network of Fashion Value chain players committed to creating sustainable ‘Made in Africa’ fashion trends.

Shared regional marketing, supply, and distribution channels will generate valuable synergies, resulting in economies of scale and a stronger negotiating platform in the Fashion Value Chain.

Among the key benefits that participants will receive are increased overall revenues through the use of new marketing, design, and networking insights; extended networks amongst Fashion Value Chain players; enhanced design and business skills; the opportunity to be a part of an exclusive Fashion Value Chain community; and creating and elevating the brand visibility of the participants’ businesses.

Content courtesy of Carole Kinoti Brands & NFH

LIORE’e Establishes Itself As The Industry Leader In African Infant Clothing.

Posted on by Ann Mumbi

The luxury goods sector has been one of Africa’s fastest expanding markets during the last ten years. Within this sector, premium baby clothing has established itself as a must-have item.

The New York-based luxury baby boutique LIORE’e has positioned itself as one of the first companies in the field, recognizing the sector’s rise. It is now set to make substantial land grabs of market share in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and others.
Daniella Zoharetz, a young mother, founded the business in 2017 with the goal of creating entertaining, elegant accessories, cosmetics, and clothes for newborns. Zoharetz founded LIORE’e with a passion for infants, fashion, and luxury.

There she was a huge hit and received a lot of praise. While LIORE’e is best known for its custom-made rhinestone embossed accessories such as pacifiers, bottle caps, pacifier clips, and baby sandals, the brand’s latest venture includes a new range of clothes.
“I wasn’t pleased with the alternatives available before I joined LIORE’e. Sure, some of the apparel lines looked fantastic, but they lacked luster! “They didn’t make an impression,” Zoharetz adds.

“I wanted to make something that merged infants and fashion as a mother.” So I founded LIORE’e, with the goal of creating one-of-a-kind luxury things and accessories of the highest quality that you won’t find anywhere else.”

The brand’s new baby clothesline will be made of superior pima cotton and will be suitable for children aged newborn to two years old. Clothing sets will be available, complete with high-quality packaging and branding, and will be ideal for presenting to new moms and their babies. LIORE’e is excited to share their latest designs, which guarantee elegance and shine in every product, when they launch in March 2022.

Welcome to LIORE’e, a baby shop situated in New York. On LIORE’e, we have everything a parent may want for his or her children – all in one place.
We understand the fads and evolution that children go through, which is why we update our store with new brands and items on a regular basis to keep parents and their children pleased at all times.

On LIORE’e, we have the world’s largest selection of handcrafted baby Swarovski crystal items. We are completely committed, and as a result, we go above and beyond to provide you with elegant, trendy, yet very inexpensive items for small children, newborns, and expecting mothers.

We are not simply another online business. We are a brand that shares a parent’s love for their children. All of our goods are sourced and certified by genuine moms and fathers who understand what parents desire for their children in order to properly beautify every newborn. As a result, we always have everything every parent wants for their children.

We don’t stop there; we make sure that every step of the procedure, from placing an order to having it delivered to your door, is painless. Please have a look at our timeless items that will make your child stand out!!!

Content courtesy of LIORE’e & NFH 

Fashion Designers Are Invited To Apply For A Mentorship Program At The Durban Fashion Fair.

Posted on by Oscar Alochi

DURBAN – The eThekwini Municipality has invited young fashion designers to register for a mentoring program for the 2022 Durban Fashion Fair (DFF).

The DFF mentorship program, which is now in its 11th year, is part of the city’s fashion development initiative.
The DFF mentorship program focuses on technical skills, business growth, and market access, as well as giving networking opportunities, to help designers break into the fashion industry.

Msawakhe Mayisela, a municipal spokesman, indicated that applications for 2022 are currently available.

Mayisela explained that the DFF mentoring program will provide fashion designers access to the market, allowing them to sell their wares at the city-owned DFF emporiums in uMlazi Mega City, Midway Crossing, and a few pop-up stores such as the Pavilion Shopping Centre as well as online platforms.

• A storyboard displaying a clothing line you’re working on or have recently released.

• Documents proving residency and credentials.

Applications must be sent to the 7th floor of the Embassy Building, 199 Anton Lembede Street, Durban, by 3 p.m. on March 25.
Call 031 311 4497 or contact nondumiso.mthembu@durban.gov.za for more information about the DFF mentorship program.

Content Courtesy of IOL & NFH

Minnie Dlamini to Show Off French-Xhosa Range at Paris Fashion Week 2022 with JessicaJane

Posted on by Fashion Police

South African media personality Minnie Dlamini will be walking the ramp for JessicaJane to show off the French-Xhosa Range at Paris Fashion Week in early March 2022 in a fabulous case of women supporting women on their journeys… whilst making South Africa proud and making dreams come true.

Little did JessicaJane know that when she fell in love and married Wandile Molebatsi who is half Tswana and half Xhosa how this would impact her fashion design journey, culminating in an invitation to the famous Paris Fashion Week.

After receiving the invitation and after much thinking during Covid lockdowns, Jessica decided to create a range that would mean something to all South Africans. Her range embraces the past and present, as well as racial and cultural differences… and is particularly personal to Jessica because of her multi-racial family.

After marrying Wandile, Jessica’s social circle expanded, and she started having women approach her to make their traditional South African wedding dresses. After making a few, Jessica found herself gravitating towards Xhosa attire… drawn by the impactful monochrome nature of the garments.

Jessica’s heritage which is French, Norwegian, Scottish, and English still flows through her designs, whilst maintaining a deep respect for the traditional cultural garments she was being commissioned to design and make.

Having studied a BA Degree in Fashion Design, Jessica always brings couture elements into her traditional garments and believes that a traditional wedding dress should be treated with the same care and attention that one gives to a civil wedding dress.

Whilst developing this love of Xhosa attire and having an affinity for all things French, Jessica started to imagine how her designs could creatively merge these two styles’ aesthetics. This creative design process had already begun when JessicaJane received an invite to show during Paris Fashion Week and she knew instantly that she would want to show a French-Xhosa Range.

When marrying into the Molebatsi family. Jessica received her “given” name from her Xhosa aunts which are NOLUTHANDO (The One that gives love). Jess felt that to name the range NOLUTHANDO would be perfectly fitting; as this range would go out into the world and show, give and portray love for South Africa.

The SA Department of Sports, Arts and Culture intervened to make sure that JessicaJane can indeed show at the Paris Fashion Week on 4th and 5th March. (The Paris Fashion Week runs from 28 Feb to 8 March.)

To view JessicaJane’s current collection 2021 Here

With dynamic South African celebrity Minnie Dlamini modeling the beautiful collection in Paris, it’s sure to be a show-stopper.

Staying with weddings and love, Dlamini’s latest film project No Love Lost which her company Beautiful Day Productions produced, has just started streaming on Showmax (available to Showmax International subscribers abroad too). The wonderfully romantic feature film was launched on Valentine’s Day.

Content Courtesy of SA People & NFH Digital Team 

Conde Nast College of Fashion & Design In London Aims To Nurture Diversity In The Industry

Posted on by Nairobi Fashion Hub

Changing the fashion business and bringing a more diverse representation in relation to race, gender and body starts in the classroom, said leading industry educators, advocates, and creatives, as the curtain has fallen on London Fashion Week in the British capital.

In the heart of central London’s energetic and eclectic nightlife district Soho on Tuesday evening, the Conde Nast College of Fashion & Design launched its “Global Fashion Perspectives” initiative in a bid to better promote diversity and inclusion across the sector.

“The idea is to explore ways to bring about new international collaborations in the fashion industry through bringing together views from diverse global and regional voices,” Nick Isles, CEO of the college, stressed. “There will be a lot of elements to this including events, symposia, research, publishing, student engagement, new curricula, and new policy ideas.”

The program is developed with the African Fashion Foundation (AFF) and the Council for International African Fashion Education and will be marketed specifically to the African fashion and media industries and the professionals who work therein, Isles explained.

“The first part and this is really exciting for us, is the launch of a bespoke trio of online programs created for and targeted specifically at Sub-Saharan Africa. These course modules will be about, styling and creative direction, the business of luxury and digital content creation, and contemporary marketing strategies,” he said.

The college, opened in 2013 by the global media giant Conde Nast, provides students education for a career in the fashion, media, and luxury lifestyle industries and works closely with the teams at Vogue, LOVE, Glamour, GQ, and other Conde Nast magazines.

Lisa Mann, director of postgraduate, professional, and online programs at the college, told Xinhua on the sidelines of the initiative’s launch that an area of focus will be attracting creative talent from China.

“China is definitely of interest. We need to encourage more people from China to come and collaborate with us, we would love that,” she emphasized.

“London is a place where we can really make big strides towards being more diverse, more accessible, more inclusive, and more equal, with opportunities for so many people,” said the director. “The Chinese designers are just incredible, they are amazing. There are a few to watch.”

But still, creating a lasting reset in an industry that has long suffered from a lack of diversity remains a challenge.

Roberta Annan, a Ghanaian investor and the founder of the AFF, is one of the pioneers making headway.

“The old norm has to stop and we have to be more inclusive and open to other people and the fact that they are different. I hope this initiative really motivates people to think outside the box and take bold moves,” she told Xinhua.

“I am African and I’m a big advocate and proponent for the development of the continent. The conversation I’ve had with the college has been around how to make the curriculum more inclusive and more global,” said Annan, who also sits on the advisory council of the college.

The Global Fashion Perspectives program is designed to be in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, as well as achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls, according to the college.

Content Courtesy of Xinhua & NFH Digital Team 

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