africa fashion week 2012

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Africa Fashion Week2012

VISIT BRONZEMAGONLINE.COMJULY 2012

Special Issue

Model: Riyike FaletiPhotographer: Mike MoronesPhotography assistant: Jenn PangDesigner/stylist/Makeup: Ayo Shittu

4 | BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM JULY 2012

Contents6 Nilaja by Cheryl Woodruff-Brooks8 Tori Famuyiwa12 Aso Damisi14 GUSA by Vicotoria18 AFW Model Spotlight24 Menogu Designs

Model: Molly O'Connell (ANTM Cycle 16)Photographer: Seth London MUA: Renada JoyHair: Kathy Louis Designer/Creative Director: Toriola

BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM JULY 2012 | 5

bronze magazineFounder and Editor In Chief

Shawn Chavis

Publisher Barry Stuldivant

Marketing AssistantTrisha Stukes

On the Cover:Model: Riyike Faleti

Photographer: Mike MoronesPhotography assistant: Jenn Pang

Designer/stylist/Makeup: Ayo Shittu

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Special Dedication: This issue is dedicated to our special friend, Ayo Shittu, whose mentorship and guidance was instrumental in this issue’s evolution. You are truly appreciated.

-Bronze Magazine Team


Nilaja byCheryl Woodruff-Brooks


TORI FAMUYIWA Tori Famuyiwa possesses an undeniable passion for fashion, art and de-sign. This trait is derived from his natural sense of beauty and the abil-ity to apply his art form to any canvas. His zest for creativity, coupled with his pride for his Nigerian heritage, drove him to create Toriola. Some of his fusion couture designs have been featured in Bloomingda-le's, Africa Fashion Week, Essence Magazine, Munaluchi Bridal Maga-zine and other choice fashion publications. The results of his creations are exemplified by a smart combination of Afro-chic style and contem-porary elegance.

Prior to creating Toriola, Tori was a creative director with over 14 years of experience in the fashion industry. He worked as the creative direc-tor for American Eagle for 10 years before moving on to Victoria’s Se-cret, where he served as their flagship creative director before venturing out on his own. Tori has a wealth of experience in fashion styling, visual merchandising and show production and has worked with some of the best talent in the industry. He graduated with a major in international business and a minor in economics from Towson University, which has aided him in integrating his business acumen with his fashion savvy.

In April 2012, Tori presented “FEAST” in New York City, which show-cased the evolution of Toriola, beginning with Tori’s Inspirational col-lection and progressing to his Tribal Princess collection, Damask In-spiration collection, and his latest collection, Diamond in the Rough, inspired by his recent trip to Nigeria. Tori was taken by the gorgeous array of colors and cuts he saw at the marketplaces. He was moved by the struggling women who, despite hard times, always find a way to look beautiful. This observation led Tori to create Diamond in the Rough, a delicate mixing of African, Swiss and French lace which blends into exquisite pieces that possess a universal appeal.

www.toriola.com | www.twitter.com/toriolainc | www.facebook.com/toriolacustomdesigns

Model: Nyamuoch GirwathPhotographer: Kaneo BiggsMUA: Renada JoyHair: Kathy LouisDesigner/Creative Director: Toriola


Model: Nyamuoch GirwathPhotographer: Kaneo Biggs MUA: Renada JoyHair: Kathy Louis Earrings: Fatima SamadHair Fasinator: Toriola Designer/Creative Director: Toriola


Model: Brittany HallPhotographer: Kaneo Biggs MUA: Renada JoyHair: Kathy Louis Earrings: Fatima SamadDesigner/Creative Director: Toriola


Aso Damisi (ah-SHAW DAH-me-see) is a global fashion company that develops unique and vibrant African inspired textiles used to create sophisticated and feminine silhouettes for the modern wom-an. The company was created by two sisters, Latifat and Moriamo. Both sisters were born in Nigeria, and they relocated to the United

States at a very young age with their family. Moriamo and Latifat originated from the Yoruba speaking tribe in the West African nation. In the Yoruba lan-guage, "Aso" means cloth or clothing and "Damisi" means prosperity. The color-fulness, vibrancy, and styles of the clothing worn hold significance as they can represent social standing, age, tribal orientation and marital status.

The talented duo are self-taught designers. They both share true passion for fashion and entrepreneurship. Our philosophy at Aso Damisi is to create silhou-ettes that any woman would feel amazing wearing. The vision for the company comes from the designers' love of the African and western cultures. Aso Damisi creates timeless and classic designs with African inspired textiles. The collec-tions set to inspire every woman to embrace her femininity and to feel confi-dent enough to wear bold, bright, and beautiful garments.

http://asodamisi.com/


Founded in 2010, Gusa is a line driven by trends in the world of women’s fash-ion. Using authentic African fabrics, tailored into modern designs fused in with vintage flare, Gusa aims at pleas-ing women over 25 years old.

College age & professional women seeking handmade tailored outfits will be well pleased by our product. Creat-ing unique garments transcending a fad, empowering women one stitch at a time.

Victoria Kageni is the principal de-signer and owner of ‘Gusa by Victoria’. With a creative inclination instilled in her while growing up in Kenya, Victoria begun constructing clothes for friends at the tender age of 13. Recog-nizing her natural ability in creating things, she earned a sewing machine from her parents. She has never looked back since. That creative talent in her brings us to where we are today.

Gusa, a Swahili term for ‘Touch,’ invites her clients to be blessed by her creative spirit.

Please visit WWW.GUSABYVICTORIA.COM for exclusive items and all her expand-ing retail products

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Pictures : Jadil Photography,Allentown PADesigner : Victoria Kageni Make up : Victoria KageniJewelry : Love's Hangover,Noblesville,IN


Michelle Lawson is a woman of diversity, with a zest for life. She is a manager, entrepreneur, mother, fiancée, actress and model. Michelle’s life revolves around her family and the things that she is most passionate about pursuing. Her belief is that life is what you make of it and you should invest time in the empowerment of others. Michelle loves to dance, write po-etry, photography, horseback riding, traveling and taking long walks. She also likes walking on the beach, in the park or just walking through a quiet place. Michelle believes that walking opens up your mind to the possibilities in life, of which the possibilities are endless.A

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Photographer: Horace RobinsonDesigner: NSAA House of DesignsMUA/Hair: Grace Elsa


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Model: Angelica R. Moorehttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Angelica-R-Moore/152999868105010 Photographer: Brandon Barnard


Menogu Designs started based on the natural talent to craft and construct custom-designed accessories & clothing for its uniqueness & striking abilities towards the outside eye. The founder and designer is Uchechi Emenogu, a 22 year old Nigerian female from Gardena, California (Los Angeles area) aspiring to break out into the world of fashion. Initially, crafting was just for fun and per-

sonal delight, but now it has blossomed to a very distinctive collection of items that continue to capture art in a very abstract way.

All of the pieces from Menogu Designs are custom, authentic, and 100% hand-crafted. All of the fabrics are also in some way inspired by Africa and ethnic textures from Uchechi’s Nigerian background. Browse, shop, and explore the work & craft of Uchechi Emenogu at www.etsy.com/shop/menogudesigns and feel free to e-mail her at [email protected] for specialized/custom requests, questions, or additional information.

Menogu Designs

Model: Riyike FaletiPhotographer: Mike MoronesPhotography assistant: Jenn PangDesigner/stylist/Makeup: Ayo Shittu

www.sarahi.com

africa fashion week 2012

Documents

tori famuyiwa tori famuyiwa

fashion industry

fashion styling

fashion savvy

choice fashion publications

evolution of toriola

flagship creative director

riyike faletiphotographer