October 20 , 2013

UDY UMONDAK- On trials and triumphs

Bright Colour TrendsGHANA FASHION & DESIGN WEEK REPORT

From the editor...

e m a i l : a l l u r e f o r t h e w o r l d @ v a n g u a r d n g r . c o m

October 20 -October 26

CONTENTS

I met Udy when she was in her prime. She had just ended

COVER

PEOPLE

FEATURES

FASHION

8-10

4-7

15

14

EDITORREMMY DIAGBARE

DEPUTY EDITORJEMI EKUNKUNBOR

ASST. EDITORYEMISI SULEIMAN

CONTRIBUTORSPRINCESS KATE EMIKO

BAMIYO ISELEMA EMINAJEROME CODJO-YAOVI

ONIPEDE

CONT. EDITORLATASHA NGWUBECOPY EDITORDD WILLIAM-WESTCORRESPONDENTSFATIMA GARBADAVINA AYODELELAYOUT / DESIGNGregory ObiPHOTOOSCAR OCHIOGU

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Vanguard Avenue Kirikiri Canal;P.M.B 1007 Apapa, Lagos.

For advertisement / enquiries,call DEBBIE: 08039675880, OGE: 08039777910

TEAM

6-7

15QUOTES...

“Fall in love when you’re ready, not when you’re lonely”

“Love means giving someone the chance to hurt you, but trusting them not to”

“A silent hug means a thousand words to the unhappy heart”.

R . BAMIYO ISELEMA EMINA

IThis is not only a huge color for the season but also for the rest of the year. It adds colour to your wardrobe,So

a lot of this color all around the fashion circle.

Poppy Red is a bright almost neon red. I love red on its own, but I also love red paired with blue for a nautical feeling!

Popalmon red p

utical feeling!nau

FASH ION

/ October 20, 20134

BRIGHT COLOURTrends

by - Fatima Garba

d

color trend of the season.I think light blue goes perfect with any other pastel colors, or could be paired with bright neon pieces.

Instead of pastel yellow, neon yellow is huge this year. Neon yellow is quickly becoming one of my favor-

ite colors for the season. A bright yellow bag or

necklace can add to

nice to have a pop of color.

Lilac also known as violet color is another pastel that is popular.And above all it is chic and very girly colour and could go great with any other pastel, or the pastel blue men-tioned.

Nectarine is very similar to the most popular color trend which is tangerine. Except nectarine is a lighter toned down orange, instead of a bright neon orange.

cothiwitor

year. Neon yellow isbecoming one of m

ite colors for the sA bright yellow

necklace can

nice to havof color.

wn r isel r. it is girlyuld

ery most

cept

down ad on

ect y other pastel colors,

could be paired with bright eon pieces.

or ne

Yellow

Lilac

Emerald

Poppy red

Nectarine

Light blue

BOLA BALOGUN

ALEXANDERMC QUEENSKULLNECTARINESANDALS

RIVERISLAND POPPY RED OENCIL SKIRT

TORI BURCH POPPY RED TOTE

BCBG EMERALD BLOUSE

CAROLINEEMERALD-NECKLACE

ELLIOTRHODESEMERALD BELT

CAROLINEEMERALD-NECKLACE

ARDEN B NECTARINEMAXI DRESS

LIGHT BLUE PRADA BAG

TOPSHOPLILAC CHIFFONDRESS

DIESELLILAC STRETCH PANTS

MICHEALKORS YELLOW STRAPBAG

MONSOONYELLOW DRESS

IQIQTell us about yourself; early childhood, growing up, education, family life, career history?My name is Francisca Pablo-Amaran. I am married to Pablo Amaran. I had a great childhood with my 8 siblings and very fashionable parents. I left banking after 17 years to pursue a career in Human Resources. I have a B.Sc. in Sociology from the University of Ibadan and three Masters degrees; the last being an M.Sc. in International

When did you decide to start up PFLuxuries.com and why?

Who inspired you to go into online retailing?Natalie Massenet and her success story have always inspired me and so do those of many men and women

They all inspire me.

How has it been setting up an online retail store in Nigeria? Can you shed light on some of the challenges you have faced so far?

businesses in Nigeria. I thank God for a great team as well as improved internet connectivity. There is still a lot to be done in engendering trust and increasing acceptance of online business as a way of life and the future.

How have you been able to overcome these challenges?Taking one day at a time and constantly innovating.

What has been your greatest disappointment when it comes to being an entrepreneur and running a successful business?

understand the market and go into it with modest and

Francisca Pablo-Amaran is the

a joint-venture business she co-owns

in the Nigerian and African fashion and

shopping.

Francisca Pablo-Amaran confesses that she was inspired by Natalie Massenet of UK online retail store Net-a-Porter’s success story and tells us why PF

online shopping empires in Nigeria.

IQIQPABLO-AMARANFRANCISCA

up a similar business as yours?

in the early months when sales are typically low.

What has been your greatest disappointment when it comes to being an entrepreneur and running a successful business?

understand the market and go into it with modest and

strategy. How are you able to meet this with so many challenges we face with delivery in Nigeria? Do you work with dispatch companies or everything is done in-house?

by - Fatima Garba

- CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF PFLUXURIES.COM

partnership with an international courier company. Their e-commerce solutions make delivery seamless. This is

In the few months you have been operating

been?

convert a lot of the visits to the site to purchases – actual and aspiration.

consumer that your competitors already in the market are not bringing?

– for individuals and corporates – to reward their talents;

Your husband is a co-owner of the business. Can you explain yours and his roles in the day-to-day running of the business?My husband is totally committed to his legal practice. He is

From your experience, what are the pros and cons of running a business with your spouse? What qualities do they need to make it successful?

addition to our passions – legal practice and HR consulting. The lines are really very clear and unambiguous and must be so for all business relationships.

Can you shed light on the short-term plan for

remain on activities to grow our customer base and

shopping in Nigeria as well as encourage other creative

What is the greatest achievement of your life so far?Greatest achievement? Is there anything like that? I am

Now to fashion, you must have a good eye for style. Tell us about your personal style?

Are you a shoes or handbags lover?

What designers do you favour?

Finally, how do you unwind after a hard day at work?

October 20, 2013 / 5

As in keeping with fashion weeks around the world,

the atmosphere was fast paced and the styles

know what we mean, we are talking about the recently concluded Ghana Fashion & Design Week held at the

The show started on the 11th and ended on the 13th, showcasing designers from across the continent as well as a trade exhibition that turned out a host of talented fashion entrepreneurs and their

were fashion seminars and interactive sessions between top industry heavyweights, budding designers, journalists

Of course, wherever fashion is found, Nigerian talent cannot be too far away and GFDW proved to be no

Latasha Ngwube was live on the scene and

on the four designers

GHANA FASHION & DEFASH ION

by - Latasha Ngwube

This fashion house is relatively new on the scene

Owned and run by Joan Ibuzo, the collection for the GFDW was feminine and stylish with a hint of

predominantly black and white with infusions of lime green, cleverly tailored laces and creative

offerings at the GDFW were a breakout from her usual long draped silhouettes and Ankara

was created with the modern, vibrant black

we saw power laces as well as sexy fringes, tailored trousers and elegant evening

were black, silver, blue

6

HOUSE OF MARIE

TRISH O COUTUREPatricia Onumonu

Joan Ibuzo

SIGN WEEK REPORT FASH ION

the daring goddess in every

champagne nude never looked so good while we got a good

Yvonne new collection was a

colourful departure from her trademark blacks into a feminine and sexy but yet classy catwalk

This label is the collaborative effort of Adeosun Toluwalase,Thorpe Weyinmi and Patrick

and bold as the models bared skin via crop tops, baby doll dresses, shorts and plunging

ready to wear fashion brand also focused on black, white, soft

7

TAP DESIGNS

VONNE COUTUREYvonne Nwosu

REPORTAGE

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/ October 20, 20138

UDY UMONDAKREPORTAGE

- On trials and triumphsBy - Remmy Diagbare

Oct 20, 2013 / 9

She has always been colourful. Effervescent and quite often animated. So, when in the ‘80s, she named her fashion house ‘Colours’, everyone applauded. Not long after, the applause stalled and all suddenly went silent; the deafening silence of a grave yard.

Udy literarily passed through the valley of the shadow of death. She went through the vicissitudes of life: alone, hungry, humbled, despondent; when the only seeming sensible thing to do was to end it all. But, she says, life was only a phone call away. A call that God used to get her back on a trail that led her to Him and a walk that she jauntily walks, with a bounce and a swing that only a Greater Hand could have directed.

Today, Udy Umondak is celebrated. More than anything, she turned her trials to triumph and is helping others with her television programme ‘HIS WORD MADE FLESH’.

Come Sunday, October 27, 2013, Udy will roll out a white carpet at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, to mark 6 years of touching lives on television through the God inspired programme and the launch of the special 1o6-episodes DVD of the series. In this interview, Udy talks about the journey and what every woman should know about looking good all the time…

How has the journey been since you started your television show – His Word Made Flesh?

Starting the programme has been an inspiration. It shows how God can take you from nothing and

personal experience. Fire gutted Colours (my fashion house) and I lost everything.

Then, I went into deep depression. I think at that point, God was taking me somewhere because my reputation was in tatters. I was faced with all kinds of controversies. I lost everything; it was a word from God that kept me. One day, I wanted to just end it all, commit suicide, but a phone call from a friend saved my life.

Then, I realized that a lot of people who have gone into depression, who have attempted or committed suicide have done so out of hopelessness.

reaching out – a touch, a smile, a phone call can actually touch someone in moments like that.

And what better way to have people tell their stories? Where they were, the shame that became fame, how they weathered the storm and how, today, they can tell their stories. Because, you realize that adversity has no gender or race or status; you realize that it cuts across.

What is happening to this person today is happening to someone elsewhere. When you have

encourages anyone watching, who is passing through

that person went through it and is here today, then I

What could possibly make a person get to a stage in life that he/she wants to end it all?

you get to a place in life where you say to yourself

could possibly go wrong and then you lose everything!

time, I did not even have money in my bank account. Then, I had all those controversies, accusations and scandals. I never thought I would be able to walk

you can go through any situation. And telling people the story, knowing where you were and what God has

people realize that it is God. There are some things you must go through. I

most people want to go to heaven but nobody wants

there is a cup you must drink, that is not pleasant, to get the blessing that God wants you to have. But you want to get that blessing without drinking that cup. Whatever anyone is going through, no matter how bad and terrible the situation is, I say to that person, keep hope alive and see it as a process of going somewhere. If you see it that way, you take it one at a

time, what do you think would have happened?

it all wrong. Walking the walk is a different step

those things. It took me getting into that wilderness to start the walk and that was when it really dawned on me that there is God and every word in the Bible is

have that experiential knowledge, being born again is just talking the talk; walking the walk is a different thing.

So being born again is not a physical or appearance thing?

Oh No! Absolutely not, because if it is an

I always say to people that my God is a beautiful God. There are people who talk Christ to me and when I

the God I know is a beautiful God. Look at a lot of things God created. Start with the

giraffe. See how God painted the giraffe. Look at how beautiful the giraffe is. Look at the eagle, how elegant

peacock. If God can take time to make animals that beautiful, how much more human beings?

When people see the way I look and I start talking about God, I like the surprise (on their faces). Before God gave me this vision for the programme, I went to him in prayer. I asked if I should change the way I look

said I should use but I decided to use you because I want to use somebody like you to reach people like

I mean, people tune in to my programme to see fashion but they hear me talk or they listen to a story and they no longer remember the shoes they wanted

to look at. So, it takes something to draw people in.

What does it take to hear from God?It takes you staying still. When you are going

through that wilderness journey, you get to a point

and when you look up, God has your full attention.

hear God speak to you. And you hear him from your heart.

my heart. He speaks to me in my dreams, from his

What was it you had in mind when you started the programmes 6 years ago and has it achieved that purpose?

hope. So many people are going through stuffs, so

tell the next person. So many people are going through things that they are ashamed to share. One thing this programme has done is that, it has brought people to a point where they realize that they are not

this person, he will do it for me. When I walk through airports or when I go out,

smile.

How have you managed it for so long?

in the past six years.

title.

106 of some of our best stories, not just human

Tell us about the DVD launch?

Mathew Ashimolowo will be talking a little on hope.

Are you going to televise the programme live?

How do you manage the way you are? What do you do?

food. I eat all the wrong things and the right things too.

foods, maybe like two weeks and spend the next two eating healthy. When I turn 60, in the next four years, I

How do you manage with your grandson?

this… I always say to people that there are things I

slept beside me. I look forward to seeing him most of

What would you advise women who want to look good as they are aging to do?

Some Nigerian women, as they get married and

to retain your shape the way it was before you started

know is that I work out. Some of our women would

body. But there are people you see who make genuine effort at losing weight, looking good.

stage. Nigerian women should make a lot of effort in looking good. A lot of them are trying these days. I tell

and start doing something about it. Buba, kaftans, all

what I wear). I buy it and hang it and say (to myself) I

present themselves to the public?

you and they want to emulate what they see.

Ibom. I attended a fashion show and I said to the

also about them.

there and not be part of what is happening as a

ability.

* His Word Made Flesh DVD, is available at Glendora.

REPORTAGE

10

Day two of our wine lands tour began with a visit to Overhex where we were supposed to have wine tasting and light lunch.

The weather once again had dipped when we took off that morning from Kleine Zalze our hotel. But it did not mar our excitement as we all seemed ready for more adventure. At this point, having had one full day of wine tasting, we were already

and swirling the wine and then drinking. With that always at the back of our minds, we were to do better in the wineries yet to be visited.As our tour Van tore through the highway, we were once again treated to the beautiful mountainous landscape and the greenery that always spread out below the mountain. One never gets tired of looking at this beautiful work of nature.

We go to Overhex where we were received by Liezle de Jong, marketing and Sales Manager, international markets. She was warm with a huge

was very hospitable as she welcomed us with cups of hot delicious cappuccino. After a formal introduction, we then went into the tasting room

-ties.Like many other wineries, getting South African wines into the Nigeria market is the focus of Overhex. The company which started in 2006 is already distributing its products in Ghana and hopes to enter Nigeria in December, says, Lisle. Overhex produces wines from entry level to premi-um brands. But for Christmas, it will introduce its sweet wine, Nexus into the Nigeria market. Leizle made lunch enjoyable and her hospitality extend when she presented each one of us with two nice-ly packaged bottles of wine. We were in good spirit when we said good bye hoping we would one day see her in Nigeria.

Our next port of call was to Robertson Winery. Although we had had so much fun but a glance at our tight programme shows we may never get a chance to do a little shopping before we left this beautiful country. We thought if we skipped the formalities, we could buy close to an hour for a bit of shopping. Our host, Marinell Basson, clearly understood us, made her presentation brief and allowed us to ask relevant questions. Established in 1941 by a Scottish minister, Dr. William Robertson, Robertson Winery is the 3rd

wines the Chapel Range was named after the chapel built by the Scottish priest. The cute white chapel which lies just in front of the Robertson tasting room has since become a wine celler! Unfortunately, Marinell could not tell us how the Scottish priest shifted his focus from his calling

nor how a sacred place as a Chapel, became

a store house for wines. One thing however is certain with Robertson winery-the company has a long standing tradition of dedicated grape- grow-ing families, some of whom are 7th generation growers. Today, they have no less than 35 fami-lies cultivating about 2,400 hectares of vine and exporting wines to the following African countries; Angola, Botswana, Ghana, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.From Robertson Wines, we took off for Napier Winery. The sun was already setting when we arrived but bright enough to have a quick tour of the vines that had long been harvested. Walking

struggled to catch up with our host, Wallie Du Toit.

From the grape vines, we were taken on a tour of the tanks and cellers. The procedure was pretty much the same as with other wineries. Although Napier sells to 23 countries and has started the Nigeria leg of the business in 2012, countries like

ESCAPE

Cape Wine Lands Tour:More Than Wine Tasting

by - Jemi Ekunkunbor

France and Spain whose wines have dominated the market for years remains a big challenge but

themselves in this great emerging market.We were joined here by Eric whom Wallie had invited to meet us. He is also a wine producer whose wines the Montino Rose is already doing well in the Nigerian market. He too was excited to meet journalist from Nigeria whose market has become the new bride for South African wine producers. Beyond his hearty smile, he turned out to be a man with great sense of humour as dinner with him proved.

Back in the house, Wallie, welcomed us in the native way with a string of bead which he wore for each journalist. With our eyes lifted to the setting sun which by the way cast a lovely, glow as it dis-appears behind the mountains, he prayed for each one of us to see the sun set tomorrow. Over dinner, conversation shifted to Nigeria and the emerging market. We talked about the wine tasting that WOSA organized in Lagos prior to this tour and the hospitality of the Nigerian people. We also talked about the many night clubs the pos-sible places where their wines could be sold and the spending capacity of Nigerians who love to entertain. Eric who had been to Nigeria seems to agree. Then our friend Konye popped the question that left everyone in stitches afterwards. She had asked Eric, if while in Lagos, he had got a “good-ie bag?” Eric laughed hard in understanding not saying yes or no. Then the searchlight beamed on Wallie as more people pressured him to tell them if he would like a goodie bag when he eventually makes his trip to Lagos, the City of Excellence.We had so much fun, so much laughter that my

most fun evening of the trip.The food and wine tasting went smoothly with

wise cracks to create fond memories of the beauti-ful Napier and the Naija spirit well registered.

“goodie bags”

MARINELL BASSON EXPLAINING A POINT

WALLIE DE TOIT WITH MADI AND ATUANYA

THE CHAPEL NOW TURNED STORE HOUSE FOR WINES

THE NAPIER LANDSCAPE

October 20, 2013 / 11

The International Association of African Non-Governmental Organisations (IAAN) Summit which held recently

at the Hilton Hotel, Rockville, Maryland, USA, was an opportunity for NGOs in Africa,

comparing notes with what obtains in the

IAAN is an umbrella voice for thousands of NGOs in developing nations that are doing

global awareness for its member NGOs through networking regionally and internationally while assisting them in enhancing their programmes

The conference also provided an occasion where women and men from around the world met and interacted with government, consular and business leaders from various countries as well as local community leaders in the

The theme of this year’s summit was “Empowering NGOs through Awareness in the

on September 5 with a formal endorsement

Director of IAAN, he said his government was

together international donors and African

Convener of the summit and president

making her opening statement: “NGOs are at the centre of sustainable social and economic development, poverty reduction and

increasingly important for NGOs, the private sector and governments to work collaboratively to help meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as they relate to issues

developing nations face major challenges in

typically founded by individuals who, despite

In order to create a platform where these issues are treated, the summit strove to create global awareness for NGOs to harness

resources internationally in order to enhance

brought together NGOs, the private sector and political leaders from various parts of Africa, Caribbean and Latin America and philanthropists to engage in discussions on how to work collaboratively to help meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as they pertain to issues concerning poverty in

The conference also featured international speakers with a variety of topics, ranging from human rights issues to global health, information systems technology, climate

two keynote speakers from the three regions

Partnership Opportunities for Women

Obioma Liyel-Imoke, called on heads of government in Africa to engage with NGOs and other civil society organisations as partners in

She advised NGOs in Africa to move from being mere conduits for Western aid and advocates for policy change to taking the lead in providing practical solutions as a way of achieving sustainable development and economic growth

She challenged NGOs to wean themselves from total dependence on Europe and America for funding and, rather, look inwards for

donors, according to her, would not force their

She described Africa as a metaphor for everything that is good, regretting however that the continent has been bedeviled by all kinds of challenges including poverty, hunger, wars,

Quoting the Vice President, the World Bank Group, Africa Region, Makhtar Diop,

declining, Africa has the highest poverty rate in

She observed that NGOs in Africa have the onerous responsibility to reverse it as a critical

par

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HOW IAAN SUMMIT AIMS AT EMPOWERING NGOs IN AFRICA, CARIBBEAN AND LATIN AMERICA-

by - Remi Diagbare

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AMBASSTATESMARTINSOCIAL

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DR. ELSIE OKOBI – PROFESSOR SOUTHERNCONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITYBOLA FASHOLA & REMMY DIAGBARE

THE SECRETARY OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND –MR. JOHN P. MCDONOUGH AND NGOZI

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part of the development process of the African

Governor of Cross River State in Nigeria, consciously engaged NGOs and international donor agencies as partners in the development of the state as a creative funding option in realization of the limitation of oil as a major

In a presentation titled, “Educate A Rural

gap in rural and urban school children output

the importance of NGOs in providing services

She said that for the overall development of any society, attention must be given to health and education; a matter which was a key objective in setting up the ABC clinics in various local governments of Oyo State and the ‘Educate a

when she showed video clips of well-equipped clinics she established in twelve local

set up to ensure free quality healthcare for the

audience saw the practical demonstration of

schools with unkempt students transforming into pupils in Ivy League-type schools and students, complete with uniforms and school

After the key note speakers’ addresses, the

conference later broke into workshops with a

Issues that were treated through the three days and several workshops ranged from:

Latin American Health

and Universal Primary Health Care in these regions

Panelists discussed new trends of treatment, preventive measures and communication

Also, the panels looked at the impact of

increased attention and commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment, progress in translating these commitments into operational standards and practice

knowledge, skills and capacities to integrate gender dimensions and to engage women

looked at strategies for achieving women’s economic empowerment, equitable access to education, assets and services (land, water, technology, innovation, banking,

discussed gender equality in infrastructure development and barriers in employment

and policy issues surrounding violence

spoke on good practices and lessons learned

of focus included: Capacity building for long-term planning of adaptation or mitigation actions; barriers encountered and overcome in the delivery of capacity building; role and engagement of stakeholders in the delivery of capacity building; NGOs and social accountability; manage like you own

The speakers also looked at how to build a team of leaders for greater impact and increased revenue; understanding leadership positions in the big picture and what that means; learning how to manage up, down and across; getting the most performance and productivity from your disconnected

An award dinner held on the last day, with

receiving awards and grants to enable them

Other speakers at the conference were:

Caribbean Christian Leadership Council,

USAID

President of Nigeria on Ethics and Values,

CIVISCUS, South Africa

Connecticut State University

College and Special Adviser, Obama’s task force on HIV/AIDS

The IAAN conference was sponsored by the following organisations:

(IAAN)

October 20, 2013 / 13

AMBASSADOR OF ST KITTS AND NEVIS TO THE UNITED STATES – HER EXCELLECY JACINTH LORNA HENRY MARTIN & ANNIE EKPE LEWIS – IAAN DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA & EVENT PLANNING

THE AMBASSADOR OF THE OF DOMINICA TO THE US – HIS EXCELLENCY HUBERT JOHN CHARLSE AND PANELIST DR. EMMANUEL O. ORTSEJAFOR

MS. JAYE LOWE, MS. DOLLY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ABC FOUNDATION, PASTOR DIKE AGOROM AND JOYCE ROGERS HALLIDAY.

PROFESSIONAL BASKET PLAYER – RENSO, VARGAARIAS – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FUNDACION ACADEMIADE BELONCECTO DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. JOYCE ROGERSHALLIDAY, DR MICHAEL BARRY DIRECTOR CANCERTREATMENT CENTER OF AMERICA.

by LATASHA NGWUBE

SIDETALKS&CATWALKSA weekly column

You have something to say to me? Send a text to 07069599985 Ff me on twitter @latashangwube

For me, Accra was completely live last weekend as the Ghana Fashion & Design Week kicked off over a three day period. From the moment we touched down in

Moet et Chandon VIP party held at the lavish Villa Monticello Hotel and Spa, it was simply fun, fashion and fantastic food all the ways. My travel companion was Yvonne Nwosu of Vonne Couture, who also showed at the event. We had real life last minute fashion disasters, Oh-my-goodness moments and enough laughter and fashion highs to power a small colony. The fashion week was a blast and I can tell you there are some design-ers to look out for in Ghana! 1981, Jil Boutique, TrishO Couture, Emefa Cole and so many more shut down the runway. Shout out to Em Smith who was our personal tour guide, go-to-girl, runner, translator and google map without whom we would have been lost, Efya and her Gingam crew who came through and showed us love. Of course, the production crew of the GFDW who did an amazing job, the good waiters of the Movenpick who made sure our glasses stayed wet and all the fantastic new friends we made. I almost did not return but well

Two of my very special peeps became a year older

Fatima Garba and Omowunmi Imoukhuede, CEO Urban Dice and initiator of the Creative Focus project (this young lady is a go-getter who inspires me to be

out also to my cousin Ogochukwu Ngwube, fashion retailer and business chic to boot. You ladies are all so beautiful and I love you to pieces!

-

Design Week returns with a bang and also a brand

Design Week from Wednesday the 23rd of October to the Saturday the 26th October; at the Ocean View

Fashion and Design Week, Style House Files will host the Fashion Business Series during the week. Some of the speakers include Francesca Toro from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Simdul Shagaya CEO Konga, Folake Folarin Coker

must give credit to Omoyemi Akerele, the creator of this project, who tireless vision and doggedness has brought life to a brand that is fast proving it is here to stay.

How Accra Stole My Heart…

Yippee!!! Its LAGOS FASHION AND DESIGN WEEK

Congratulations Ruth!

Barely Alive From Hennessey Artistry

Birthday Shout out!!!

Friday night was super glamorous as Ruth Obih, CEO -

tigious Real Estate Unite Awards at the Civic centre. -

ness conference that gathered the African real estate

-nomic Growth” and the gala night saw twelve winners and a great performance by ???*(gift attached to thisanswer) *. Ruth has really created a niche for herself

happy to see many young ladies doing so well and

-lute blast as I predicted it would be. One of the things I love in this town is the ability to throw a darn good party

It really was a great evening and Allure will have full on coverage from the spectacular event next week.

Tell me the name of the artist that performed at the Real Estate Unite Awards for a chance to WINa fabulous AUROE GOODIE BAG. I have another one of these to give a lucky reader. . Send a text like this: #SIDETALKSANDCATWALKS /FULL NAME/ANSWER by 12noon tomorrow. Good luck!

GIVEAWAY!!!

PEOPLE“ONE PARTY AT A TIME!”

WHEATBAKER HOSTS FELICIA LEATHERWOOD

HELLO! MAGAZINE LAUNCHES IN NIGERIA

It was a glamorous evening, penultimate Sunday, as celebrities and other important dignitaries gathered at the Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, to herald the launch of Hello! magazine in the Nigerian and English-speaking West African markets.

According to Zanzile Blay, editor of the newly introduced premium magazine, Hello! Nigeria is a scandal-free publication fashioned to celebrate Nigerian icons, royalties and celebrities on a global platform. She informs that it will help to rewrite the Nigerian story and engender positive perception of the country by the global community.

Speaking at the event, Group Managing Director, True Tales Publications, publishers of Hello! Nigeria, Anne Omezi, said Nigeria is working hand-in-hand with the owners of the franchise in Spain and will ensure the premium standards that go into the publication of Hello! franchises in more than 22 countries is brought to bear on Hello! Nigeria.

As part of its objective towards supporting African and African-related businesses, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc is partnering with True Tales Publication to bring to Africa a one-of-a-kind magazine.

Hello Nigeria! will be distributed in four English speaking West African countries to give advertisers maximum value and further help in fostering the cultural integration of the sub-region.

Felicia Leatherwood, hair expert and stylist to Hollywood stars like, Jill Scott, Viola Davis and Sanaa Lathan, brought her renowned hair workshop to Nigeria. The high profile event held at the Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi. The hair work shop covered hair tricks, tips on maintenance for different hair types, styling and hair product advice. It was a learning experience for attendees of the event.

By - Yemisi Suleiman

By - Oscar Ochiogu

October 20, 2013 / 15

LEILANI LAWANI HAOWA BELLOAISHA BELLO

AGBANI DAREGO

DAME ABIMBOLA FASHOLA

ADAEZEIBECHUKWU

DOLAPO ONI

EUNICEEFOLE

DESMOND ELLIOT

L-R MOZEZ PRAIZ, LAWRENCE NWOKO,CHARLES ANAZODO, MUDI AND BASORGE JNR

NEWTON JIBUNORAND AUGUSTINEIWELU

GREG AND ALICEMBADIWE

TOLA AKINYELEFRANCISCA ADEBAYO

CHRIS IBEAJI

AKI

ADELUKE OBISANFELICIA LEATHERWOOD

LOLAMAJA-OKOJEVOH

ALMA CHUKWU

FIFE

MO ADEGBOYE

BENNIE IRONTA QUEEN ANNE

RONKE

MAYA OLUWAFEMI

DABOJU OGBORU

KEMI