Oprah Winfrey’s favorite politician,U.S. senator Barak Obama, is the new fashionable public figure to grace the cover of Men’s Vogue. Following previous cover stars, Tiger Woods and George Clooney, Senator Obama, whose name means ‘blessed’ in Swahili, at first thought seems an unlikely candidate for the cover of a fashion magazine. Since he was elected to the U.S. Senate from Illinois on Nov. 2, 2004 in the biggest landslide in state history and became the only African-American currently serving in the U.S. Senate, the fifth in U.S. history, Obama has continued to charm the American public. Senator Obama is currently using his star power to draw attention to Africa’s needs, on a 5-nation tour this week. He touched down in his fathers home, Kenya, yesterday, where he is seen as an inspiration for all Kenyans. Having visited Kenya a few years ago, Senator Obama, rediscovered his roots and made a commitment to the country. With others talking of him running for the U.S. presidency, Seneator Obama is certainly the right candidate to put Africa in the spotlight. To learn more about the Barak Obama’s connection with Africa, read his book, Dreams From My Father.
Namibian Venantia Otto wins Face of Africa 2006
Venantia Otto was announced as the winner of the the 2006 Nokia Face of Africa competition. The Namibian-born Venantia beat out the other 10 finalists from all over Africa and was announced as the winner of the US$150,000 prize modeling contract courtesy Elite Model Management – which has represented models such as Cindy Crawford, Tyra Banks, Iman, and Naomi Campbell. Venantia hopes to take New York by storm when she begins her tenure with one of the world’s biggest and boldest agencies. The Nokia Face of Africa 2006 Final was broadcast to over 40 African countries.
Gwyneth Paltrow declares “I am African like David Bowie”.
As I was perusing the new Fashion Rocks Magazine during my lunch the other day. I stumbled upon this ad of Gwyneth Paltrow, actress/wife of Bono’s humanitarian heir Chris Martin. I must say I was quite shocked. I still haven’t decided if it was a good or bad shock but a shock nevertheless. As someone who actually is African, I am excited to see Alicia Keys’ Keep A Child Alive organization doing whatever it takes to push the envelope and make people realize the seriousness of the African AIDS epidemic. On the other hand I get the feeling there is the usual subconscious pandering which comes from many “humanitarians” who see themselves as saviors of poor helpless Africans. On the previous page of the magazine is a similar ad with David Bowie which seems to be less offensive on sight. The mixed feelings which the Gwyneth Paltrow ad is sure to get will no doubt come because she has been quite private causing the media to create an image of her as an All-American girl to satisfy the public’s need for more information. Paired with her marriage to Chris Martin of Cold Play, her public image becomes even more confusing. While Ms Paltrow might genuinely have a humanitarian streak the ad ends up getting the wrong reactions by the confused American public. We all know David Bowie to be a cause conscious celebrity and the fact that he is married to another humanitarian , supermodel Iman, solidifies his African-ness in our eyes. This should be a lesson to Gwyneth Paltrow and all other celebrities who want to keep their private lives private. You can’t rely on your celebrity to validate your cause if we don’t know who you really are. Thanks for trying though.
Fashion Week African style
Don’t I wish I could’ve attended the recent Nokia Fashion Week in South Africa. But, thanks to Cherryflava.com we got a front row seat. Even Vogue.com was paying attention.
Diamonds are not Africa’s best friend
For the past year and a half the issue effort to stop the trade of conflict or blood diamonds has been kicked into overdrive. With mounting pressure from the UN and many humanitarian organizations especially Amnesty International, diamond manufacturers and retailers have been under severe pressure to clean up their act. Having lived off the sweat and blood of exploited miners for years, the issue was recently exposed when hip-hop artist Kanye West released “Diamonds from Sierra Leone” from his album Late Registration. With an intro from Sierra Leonean hip hop artist Chosan, the video was a powerful one which used images such as a woman’s hand turning to blood when her suitor placed an engagement ring on it.
With many grassroots organizations doing their part to force diamond manufacturers to stop making a profit off of wars in places like Sierra Leone and Liberia, the controversy is about to be thrust into the spotlight yet again with the December release of Warner Bros.’ “The Blood Diamond” starring Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic, The Aviator) and Djimon Hounsou (Amistad, The Island). While films such as Kareem Edouard’s Bling: Consequences and Repercussions do a good job on highlighting the diamond manufacturers’ reliance on consumer ignorance, “The Blood Diamond” is a fictional Hollywood-style movie which could either help or hurt the international effort to make DeBeers and others accountable. All reports, though, point to the movie glossing over the issue altogether. We’ll see in December.
Alek Wek – from supermodel to fashion designer
Since 2002 Sudanese supermodel Alek Wek has been steadily transforming her modeling career to one as a top handbag designer. Back in 2001 Alek’s jet-setting lifestyle gave her an idea to use her love for design (she was studying fashion technology and business at the prestigious London College of Fashion before becoming a model) to develop a line of fashionable handbags.
Since she was “scouted” at a London market in 1995 and scored the cover of American Elle’s November 1997 issue, Alek has become a trendsetter in the modeling business; she’s been named Model of the Decade by i-D magazine, was picked as one of People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People and has worked with some of the most influential photographers of our time including Steven Meisel, Mario Testino, Annie Leibowitz, Nick Knight and the late Herb Ritts.
Everyone knows the modeling business is a cutthroat one and careers are often short. Even though Ms. Wek continues to be at the top of her modeling game, it’s her talent as a designer which is beginning to re-define her success and reposition her in the fashion world for the long term. . Called Wek 1933 (the 1933 is a reference to the day her father was born) the collection of fashionable bags has been featured in numerous magazines and even earned a spot at the Spring 2005 Olympus Fashion Week accessories exhibit . Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld paid her the ultimate compliment by pronouncing the début spring 2002 collection ‘chic’ and backed up the statement by purchasing pieces for his Paris gallery. Wek 1933 bag prices range from $325 to $5,500 and are available at high end stores such as Barney’s and Maxfield and online at Fragments.
Nokia picks the Face of Africa for 2006
On April 22 the Nokia Face of Africa 2006 contest will have its final casting in Johannesburg, South Africa. Having covered 12 cities since February, the contest is in its eighth year of selecting a unique model who will reign as the Face of Africa. In countries such as Ghana, Rwanda, Namibia and Nigeria, a scouting team has already chosen a semi-finalist. The winner of the continent-wide search will be chosen on August 13 in Sun City in Johannesburg.
Though the contest has been long running, with Nokia backing the efforts, the winner of the contest will gain more exposure than the winners of the past. Only one model so far has turned her win into an international modeling career, though others continue to work as models. Since winning the contest in 1998 at the age of seventeen, Nigerian model Oluchi Onweagba was awarded a three-year contract by Elite Models Management. Oluchi (as she’s known in the modeling world) has since graced the covers of Italian Vogue, I-D, Elle, Untold, and Surface and has been featured in Nylon, Marie Claire, Allure, and Vogue while working with the who’s-who of the fashion world.
The Nokia Face of Africa 2006 contest is being filmed by South Africa’s M-Net channel for its African lifestyle program Studio 53 and will dedicate three programs in July to the search for Nokia Face of Africa 2006.
Converse sees RED for Africa
The fight against AIDS in Africa has produced yet another initiative. Converse recently joined Armani, the Gap, American Express, and other major brands in support of Product RED. Spearheaded by everyone’s favorite African spokesman, Bono of U2, and Bobby Shriver (Chairman of DATA – Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa ), Product RED is an economic initiative “designed to deliver sustainable flow of private sector money to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria”. The first model in the Converse RED Collection is the Chuck Taylor All Star mudcloth shoe designed by UK designer Giles Deacon and inspired by Nakunte Diarra, a renowned mudcloth artist and storyteller since the 1950’s who originates from Mali. Bogolanfini, the mud-dyed cloth of the Bamana people of Mali, is a living art form, constantly changing, reflecting new inspirations, while paying homage to the past.
The Converse RED Chuck Taylor All Star African Mudcloth shoe debuted on April 1, 2006 and retails for $295. It will be available at specialty stores in the UK, online globally at the Converse online store and exclusively at Barney’s in the US (New York and Los Angeles). A portion of the proceeds from the Converse RED Mudcloth shoes and will benefit The Global Fund.
Cape Town Fashion Week dates announced
One of the largest gatherings of African fashion talent will take place this July in Cape Town, South Africa. Nokia Cape Town Fashion Week will take place 11th -15th July 2006 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
With the rising interest in African fashion, Cape Town Fashion Week is positioning itself as the gateway to Africa and its fashion talent. Known as the place where many foreigners first experience Africa, Cape Town looks to be the center of African fashion as well. Guest designers, from over ten African countries such as Nigeria, Namibia, Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania, will join local designers such as Stoned Cherrie, and Sun Goddess to showcase their Spring/Summer 06/07 collections.
Duro Olowu site launches (sort of)
For serious fashionistas owning a Duro Olowu dress is a true status symbol. Since winning the British Fashion Awards in November and being “discovered” by Vogue’s Sally Singer and Julie Gilhart, of Barneys, the Nigerian designer can’t seem to keep his dresses on the racks at Barneys and other high-end retailers. Models, actresses, and socialites can’t seem to get enough of his Empire-waisted, kimono-sleeved dresses. Offered in various limited edition combinations of vintage and modern ethnic prints, the 1970’s Nigerian and Jamaican-inspired dresses are ultra wearable and highly original. If you can’t get to his shop OG2 on Portobello Road in London,, check out the new site for stockists and get yours before it sells out again.