I just got back from Russell Simmons’ press conference for his fact-finding mission to Africa (Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa). All I can say is Jim Jones?!!! WTF does he have to do with anything. More of my reaction later. In the mean time read up on the blood diamond controversy and hear what LA Weekly’s Nikki Finke has to say about the trip.
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.
Sneaker Pimps in South Africa
Freshness Magazine has some pictures of the Sneaker Pimps 2006 Tour which stop in Capetown, South Africa in March. The Sneaker Pimps Exhibition is the worlds largest touring sneaker show featuring up 1000 pairs of rare, limited, artist collaborated sneakers and a collection of sneaker inspired artwork, fashion and photography.
South Africa is becoming quite the gateway to Africa, with major independent and corporate money going into it’s cultural development. Cape Town in particular is getting a lot of media attention with many article in popular magazines highlighting it’s tourist appeal. This is quite a 180 from South Africa’s previous reputation during apartheid. I hope the South Africans are able to take advantage of the attention and keep the money in South Africa.
African designers go global
The International Herald Tribune published a good article about a new generation of enterprising African artisans who are creating cosmopolitan designs referencing Africana. The article highlights Ethiopian designer Sara Abera and Kenyan Julia Doig who has been successful in redesigning the kikoi, a traditional Kenyan wrap, for the global market.
The article makes a good point about how African brands can compete in the global design market using heritage and local craftsmanship as a selling point. This is a good point considering most African countries cannot compete with Asia when it comes to providing cheap, skilled labor and an robust industrial production. Popular apparel lines are further solidifying this point by looking to African craftsmen for just that. Premium denim line PRPS promotes it’s use of African cotton in it’s $200+ jeans, while Edun, founded by Ali Hewson (wife of U2’s Bono) and denim designer Rogan Gregory, proudly publicizes it’s use of family-run factories in South America and Africa for production of its collection which is sold at stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Fred Segal.
Puma backs African teams for 2006 World Cup
Puma announced that it has partnered with German charity United for Africa to support the African countries who are participating in this summer’s World Cup. The press conference was hosted by Ghanaian football player and journalist Anthony Baffoe (Go Ghana!). Our favorite Senegalese singer Akon was in attendance with his father Mor Thiam, and British/Nigerian artist Maxi Jazz of the group Faithless.
The press conference debuted the Puma Charity Collection designed specifically for the partnership. Additional campaign merchandise include a music CD featuring music from African and Western artists and a book “The African Game†which is a cooperation between the Nigerian fashion photographer Andrew Dosunmu and the author Knox Robinson. The book is “an affectionate and photographic homage to Africa and football”.
As a long time Puma fan, I can’t wait to see what the collection looks like. There’s also a feature on the accompanying book (The African Game) in this months Complex magazine with nice pics. I’m especially happy that Puma chose Andrew Dosunmu for the book. His work is excellent and really captures a distinct African perspective. The collection and book will be available from the end of May @ Puma concept stores.
GO GHANA!