designer's corner magazine (edition 3)

Cover Story 10 Page

Fashion Talk With DEONA

FASHION WEEKS Page 35

THE ART OF MASQUERADES AND PHANTOMS

Art Review

Cover Story 10 Page

Fashion Talk With DEONA

FASHION WEEKS Page 35

Art Review

FOR PARTICIPATION FASHION DESIGNER

ARTIST EXHIBITOR

[email protected]@[email protected]

FOR PARTICIPATION FASHION DESIGNER

ARTIST EXHIBITOR

[email protected]@[email protected]

CONTRIBUTORSEDITORIALPUBLISHER

Elohor [email protected]

GRAPHICS DESIGNERBobby Freeman-John

FASHION EDITORDeona

[email protected]

WEBFreemax Studio

STYLIST Emmanuela John

MAKE-UP Beauty Beyond Borders

SOCIAL MEDIALo-Lo.Inc Pr

MARKETINGLo-Lo.Inc Pr

[email protected]

PHOTOGRAPHYI will like to Appreciate my wonderful team for another job well done ..DC is a By Quarterly Fashion, Photography and Art Magazine. our Aim is to shed more light on fashion and the creative minds behind it.This Edition Features 3 young exciting urban Designers from Nigeria with unique sense of style and creativity ... also a few highlights from fashion weeks happening this season, and offcourse Deoan has a bit to say about the urban trends taking over the fashion cities this season...

Enjoy! see you in December ..

Lai Makanjuola

www.dcmagonline.com

[email protected]

Luciano Uzuegbu ART CRITIC / CURATOR

dcmagonline

Dc Magazine

CONTRIBUTORSEDITORIALPUBLISHER

Elohor [email protected]

GRAPHICS DESIGNERBobby Freeman-John

FASHION EDITORDeona

[email protected]

WEBFreemax Studio

STYLIST Emmanuela John

MAKE-UP Beauty Beyond Borders

SOCIAL MEDIALo-Lo.Inc Pr

MARKETINGLo-Lo.Inc Pr

[email protected]

PHOTOGRAPHYI will like to Appreciate my wonderful team for another job well done ..DC is a By Quarterly Fashion, Photography and Art Magazine. our Aim is to shed more light on fashion and the creative minds behind it.This Edition Features 3 young exciting urban Designers from Nigeria with unique sense of style and creativity ... also a few highlights from fashion weeks happening this season, and offcourse Deoan has a bit to say about the urban trends taking over the fashion cities this season...

Enjoy! see you in December ..

Lai Makanjuola

www.dcmagonline.com

[email protected]

Luciano Uzuegbu ART CRITIC / CURATOR

dcmagonline

Dc Magazine

URAOLA WMAKANJUOLA CEO MarQued wears, an

urban clothing line that's into T-shirt, collared T- shirt and Face cap making/branding.

“I'm a young lady who strongly believes in being true to who you really are, because God made you like that for a reason.”

I come from a generally creative family. We all love fashion naturally and are into one kind of art or the other, my Mum is a professional fashion designer and maybe I picked of my passion for creativity in fashion from her. I wanted to start a clothing line where I was going to be combining all sorts of fabrics into single garments when I was about 17/18yrs old butlots of factors killedthat dream, for me. Never theless I thank God for marQued

wears now

Wura Makanjuola Deola Bembe.Richard Osibajo

URAOLA WMAKANJUOLA CEO MarQued wears, an

urban clothing line that's into T-shirt, collared T- shirt and Face cap making/branding.

“I'm a young lady who strongly believes in being true to who you really are, because God made you like that for a reason.”

I come from a generally creative family. We all love fashion naturally and are into one kind of art or the other, my Mum is a professional fashion designer and maybe I picked of my passion for creativity in fashion from her. I wanted to start a clothing line where I was going to be combining all sorts of fabrics into single garments when I was about 17/18yrs old butlots of factors killedthat dream, for me. Never theless I thank God for marQued

wears now

Wura Makanjuola Deola Bembe.Richard Osibajo

Inspiration for Your Designs?

My inspiration for my clothing is from my love for my roots as a true Nigerian and African lady. Every single one of my designs has a touch of Nigeria or Africa in it despite its urban look. I really love our traditions and this country in general so I try to imbibe something from around into my clothing.

What is urban fashion to you?

Urban fashion to me is the hip hop fashion of that day mixed with bits from the trends of yesterday. Urban fashion

to me is fun, alive, creative, comfortable and has a touch of you

Where do you see Urban life style in Africa? I see it emerging fast and coming back to its roots and also blending with our culture and tradition again, where you can see the 'old' still rock some urban looks and not look silly in them, but still fit right into where they belong.

What influences your designs (new trends, celebrities or Places)?

As I said before my love for my country, comfort and originality, I also

look at other designers’ works and follow most of them like a shadow, but I do that basically to learn and not to copy. I sit with my brother that is also my graphic artist for hours or maybe even days to come up with a single design. What I hope my design does is bring happiness to the people wearing it and those seeing it on them and try to help them connect to their youthful/childish side while still having that urban look of this century. I also hope to help people remember that things should always be seen from different perspectives.

Inspiration for Your Designs?

My inspiration for my clothing is from my love for my roots as a true Nigerian and African lady. Every single one of my designs has a touch of Nigeria or Africa in it despite its urban look. I really love our traditions and this country in general so I try to imbibe something from around into my clothing.

What is urban fashion to you?

Urban fashion to me is the hip hop fashion of that day mixed with bits from the trends of yesterday. Urban fashion

to me is fun, alive, creative, comfortable and has a touch of you

Where do you see Urban life style in Africa? I see it emerging fast and coming back to its roots and also blending with our culture and tradition again, where you can see the 'old' still rock some urban looks and not look silly in them, but still fit right into where they belong.

What influences your designs (new trends, celebrities or Places)?

As I said before my love for my country, comfort and originality, I also

look at other designers’ works and follow most of them like a shadow, but I do that basically to learn and not to copy. I sit with my brother that is also my graphic artist for hours or maybe even days to come up with a single design. What I hope my design does is bring happiness to the people wearing it and those seeing it on them and try to help them connect to their youthful/childish side while still having that urban look of this century. I also hope to help people remember that things should always be seen from different perspectives.

Fashion statement? A pair of heals, with skinny jeans, a

black marQued t shirt, short hair do

and a pair of shades *wink* let's not

forget a to die for fragrance. I can

basically rock any look oo! From

yoruba traditional wears, to church

girl looks, to the Miss Independent

look and so on! But my faves of all

time is still me in house look on a

simple bum short and a tank top or

over sized T-shirt with flip flops and

scattered hair *big grin*Fashion icon, Who and why? Ty Bello! Kai that woman is just the

bomb!!! She isn't what we'll want to

call a fashionista or whatever, but I

love her look cos its original her,

with her afro, her rock accessories,

jeans and sneakers! She also can

rock any look! That's why I

Projections for the future?

Oh Lord help your daughter!!! I want to go into other kinds of urban fashion branding, I want to go into sneakers, socks, denims, back packs and so on! I want to have marQued stores first in at least 10states in Nigeria, then spread to Africa and the world at large! I want the get marqued trend to be felt worldwide! I want them Kirk Franklin, Nas, Kendric, Mary Mary, Snoop, Dr Dre and everybody in the world to get marqued!

You favourite fashion item: hmm… a whole lot of things! Sneakers/heals/a pair of shades/slim fitted jeans/killer perfumes! Lol

“There's something on the inside of

you that the world is waiting to see

and one way you can express it is

through fashion”

Wura..

My fashion philosophy is simple and I think I've said it over n over again... Originality, you

just have to be original, there's something on the inside of you that the world is waiting to see and one way you can express it is through fashion. Simplicity, I believe so much in being simple, calm and nice. Playful, I just love to play and as much as I don't have time to, I express a bit of it in my collections, just to make me and you happy!. And you can't trade comfort for anything, if you aint gonna be any of the others with your fashion style at least be comfortable! There's nothing as good looking as a comfortable person, cos in that you'll be confident too.Watch out for my new collections coming out very soon! Follow me @getmarqued on IG, @goldmarQue on twitter and Wuraola Makanjuola on FB!!! Everybody!!! Get marQued! Love you

Fashion statement? A pair of heals, with skinny jeans, a

black marQued t shirt, short hair do

and a pair of shades *wink* let's not

forget a to die for fragrance. I can

basically rock any look oo! From

yoruba traditional wears, to church

girl looks, to the Miss Independent

look and so on! But my faves of all

time is still me in house look on a

simple bum short and a tank top or

over sized T-shirt with flip flops and

scattered hair *big grin*Fashion icon, Who and why? Ty Bello! Kai that woman is just the

bomb!!! She isn't what we'll want to

call a fashionista or whatever, but I

love her look cos its original her,

with her afro, her rock accessories,

jeans and sneakers! She also can

rock any look! That's why I

Oh Lord help your daughter!!! I want to go into other kinds of urban fashion branding, I want to go into sneakers, socks, denims, back packs and so on! I want to have marQued stores first in at least 10states in Nigeria, then spread to Africa and the world at large! I want the get marqued trend to be felt worldwide! I want them Kirk Franklin, Nas, Kendric, Mary Mary, Snoop, Dr Dre and everybody in the world to get marqued!

You favourite fashion item: hmm… a whole lot of things! Sneakers/heals/a pair of shades/slim fitted jeans/killer perfumes! Lol

“There's something on the inside of

you that the world is waiting to see

and one way you can express it is

through fashion”

Wura..

My fashion philosophy is simple and I think I've said it over n over again... Originality, you

just have to be original, there's something on the inside of you that the world is waiting to see and one way you can express it is through fashion. Simplicity, I believe so much in being simple, calm and nice. Playful, I just love to play and as much as I don't have time to, I express a bit of it in my collections, just to make me and you happy!. And you can't trade comfort for anything, if you aint gonna be any of the others with your fashion style at least be comfortable! There's nothing as good looking as a comfortable person, cos in that you'll be confident too.Watch out for my new collections coming out very soon! Follow me @getmarqued on IG, @goldmarQue on twitter and Wuraola Makanjuola on FB!!! Everybody!!! Get marQued! Love you

Y NAME IS ADEOLA MBAMBE, a graduate of Bells University, and

CEO of the ladies clothing line Bambellina, which was coined from my last name... He he he... I've always been a lover of fashion, and been in the retailing business of it for a while selling other brands, until I figured out after university that I needed to continue this trend in a new dimension and that's what birthed my brand.

What inspires your design? My inspiration comes from the everyday lady, most of us love to work hard to make a living but also look good while doing so... So my designs are basically for the hard working fun ladies... Because that's who I am as a lady. My designs also have the freaky Chic side to it...for those ladies who wants to look sexy, playful and comfortable.. So yeah the brand has two sides to it

What is your take on Urban Fashion ?

Urban fashion to me is basically that kind of fashion for the young at heart and going... The kind of fashion that we want to look good in every single day ... It's street, its pop or even hip hop... It does have a lot of musical influence .To me urban fashion in Africa is huge, this is where it all comes down, this is where the roots are. It comes with different culture trends but it is big without a doubt and the numerous different cultures have also given our urban fashion a diverse way of looking at it. Like I said earlier... It has musical influence ... And music in Africa is massive so it is expected that the urban fashion sense too, will reflect.

Y NAME IS ADEOLA MBAMBE, a graduate of Bells University, and

CEO of the ladies clothing line Bambellina, which was coined from my last name... He he he... I've always been a lover of fashion, and been in the retailing business of it for a while selling other brands, until I figured out after university that I needed to continue this trend in a new dimension and that's what birthed my brand.

What inspires your design? My inspiration comes from the everyday lady, most of us love to work hard to make a living but also look good while doing so... So my designs are basically for the hard working fun ladies... Because that's who I am as a lady. My designs also have the freaky Chic side to it...for those ladies who wants to look sexy, playful and comfortable.. So yeah the brand has two sides to it

What is your take on Urban Fashion ?

Urban fashion to me is basically that kind of fashion for the young at heart and going... The kind of fashion that we want to look good in every single day ... It's street, its pop or even hip hop... It does have a lot of musical influence .To me urban fashion in Africa is huge, this is where it all comes down, this is where the roots are. It comes with different culture trends but it is big without a doubt and the numerous different cultures have also given our urban fashion a diverse way of looking at it. Like I said earlier... It has musical influence ... And music in Africa is massive so it is expected that the urban fashion sense too, will reflect.

Who is or are you fashion icon and why?Agbani Darego and Genevieve Nnaji.. Both ladies stay classy, bold and elegant and at the same time simple with their sense of fashion...Beautiful simplicity

My fashion

statement is really my accessories; I'm a h u g e f a n o f sunglasses and

handbags... But when it comes to looks, I think its all about how I feel at the point in time. I'm a bold person so whatever I wear comes with lots of boldness.My sense of style is basically looks that make you feel comfortable and pretty while running your everyday life. Bold colours and lovely patterns especially when it comes to using African prints fabrics.

W h a t ’ s y o u r f a s h i o n s t a t e m e n t and sense of style?

Who is or are you fashion icon and why?Agbani Darego and Genevieve Nnaji.. Both ladies stay classy, bold and elegant and at the same time simple with their sense of fashion...Beautiful simplicity

My fashion

statement is really my accessories; I'm a h u g e f a n o f sunglasses and

handbags... But when it comes to looks, I think its all about how I feel at the point in time. I'm a bold person so whatever I wear comes with lots of boldness.My sense of style is basically looks that make you feel comfortable and pretty while running your everyday life. Bold colours and lovely patterns especially when it comes to using African prints fabrics.

W h a t ’ s y o u r f a s h i o n s t a t e m e n t and sense of style?

What do you think of the Fashion industry in Africa?

Well I must say its a really blooming industry, an industry that reflects our

culture and who we are as a people. In terms of the business, the industry has grown and will become bigger, as a people(Africans); we are beginning to recognize that we are beautiful. The m o r e t h i s i m p r e s s i o n i s imprinted on the minds of our people, the more we will see t h e m a x i m u m potentials of the industry

Your Projections for the Feature?

My projections for t h e f u t u r e i s basically to grow in the right direction, expand into other elements of fashion, and sell our true African beauty to the world so every young lady from all race and culture would want to have a touch of the African chic.

What is your most daring look? Hmmm, personally that would be wearing tight or revealing clothes, as a young woman I respect who I am, but once in a while I do want to go wild and have fun, that's allowed right?... But for my outfit I know lots of ladies still want to be freaky so there's something for those types of ladies too.

Your Favourite fashion Items?

My favorite fashion item s t i l l r e m a i n s m y sunglasses... Love them to bits and will continue to have them in all kind of styles.

“Be true to who you are in your style”

......Deola

What do you think of the Fashion industry in Africa?

Well I must say its a really blooming industry, an industry that reflects our

culture and who we are as a people. In terms of the business, the industry has grown and will become bigger, as a people(Africans); we are beginning to recognize that we are beautiful. The m o r e t h i s i m p r e s s i o n i s imprinted on the minds of our people, the more we will see t h e m a x i m u m potentials of the industry

Your Projections for the Feature?

My projections for t h e f u t u r e i s basically to grow in the right direction, expand into other elements of fashion, and sell our true African beauty to the world so every young lady from all race and culture would want to have a touch of the African chic.

What is your most daring look? Hmmm, personally that would be wearing tight or revealing clothes, as a young woman I respect who I am, but once in a while I do want to go wild and have fun, that's allowed right?... But for my outfit I know lots of ladies still want to be freaky so there's something for those types of ladies too.

Your Favourite fashion Items?

My favorite fashion item s t i l l r e m a i n s m y sunglasses... Love them to bits and will continue to have them in all kind of styles.

“Be true to who you are in your style”

......Deola

emitope Osibajo, middle Tname Richard. I am A Fashion Designer, Stylist,

Cloth Maker, Consultant, and an Engineer. I am the CEO of The Naija Edition Fashion Company, based in Lagos Nigeria. What more? I am 6ft plus and a Model. Lol. That's me!

emitope Osibajo, middle Tname Richard. I am A Fashion Designer, Stylist,

Cloth Maker, Consultant, and an Engineer. I am the CEO of The Naija Edition Fashion Company, based in Lagos Nigeria. What more? I am 6ft plus and a Model. Lol. That's me!

rowing up was a great Gopportunity for me in the midst of my Indian-Trained

Fashion Designer Mum and her long list of trainees and tailor staffers since in the early eighties. I developed interest early in tailoring and at a tender age of 7years, I was already on the sewing machine, the popular Singer and Butterfly sewing machines, making piece and pieces of cloths however they churned out. The passion grew and I focussed on acquiring professional skills from Bio Garments Institute of Fashion, an institute owned by my Mother. I also studied to be a Mechanical Engineer at the Obafemi Awolowo University. Fashion is first now though.

In 1995, I started the fashion business. I made semi-standard cloths for family and friends. I modelled my outfits and the business started getting neighbourhood recognition. Although I was limited to resources I had then. Basically, it was the birth of me in fashion business and in 2007; we changed the brand name to "Naija Edition" in keeping with my philosophy to also brand Nigeria as a fashion conscious nation.

Inspiration for this collection?

This collection is inspired by my love for check fabrics and the monochrome trends.

What is urban fashion to you ?

Urban fashion is trendy, simple and sometimes yet complicated fashion. Its hippie, casual, comfortable and stylish look. It's the everyday look outside your 9-5.

Where do you see urban life style in Africa?

In Africa, Urban life style has come to stay in short. I am talking urban lifestyle with

respect to fashion. People want to look good in the hippy body cons, fitted

suits. Even if it has to be sassy, no one is tying

leaves around their bum. In my opinion, with respect to fashion

lifestyle,Urban is taking

over Africa.

What influences your designs (new trends,

celebrities or models)?

Models at times. Celebrities lifestyle also, when they tell

us to style for a shoot or events.

Fabrics also influence my designs

Fashion statement?

It begins with my dreads, a plain t-shirt with the

Naija Edition logo, print pants and that's

how simple I make the statement. I wear

anything simple and any other fashion

item that combines effortlessly with it. No serious rules about it.

rowing up was a great Gopportunity for me in the midst of my Indian-Trained

Fashion Designer Mum and her long list of trainees and tailor staffers since in the early eighties. I developed interest early in tailoring and at a tender age of 7years, I was already on the sewing machine, the popular Singer and Butterfly sewing machines, making piece and pieces of cloths however they churned out. The passion grew and I focussed on acquiring professional skills from Bio Garments Institute of Fashion, an institute owned by my Mother. I also studied to be a Mechanical Engineer at the Obafemi Awolowo University. Fashion is first now though.

In 1995, I started the fashion business. I made semi-standard cloths for family and friends. I modelled my outfits and the business started getting neighbourhood recognition. Although I was limited to resources I had then. Basically, it was the birth of me in fashion business and in 2007; we changed the brand name to "Naija Edition" in keeping with my philosophy to also brand Nigeria as a fashion conscious nation.

Inspiration for this collection?

This collection is inspired by my love for check fabrics and the monochrome trends.

What is urban fashion to you ?

Urban fashion is trendy, simple and sometimes yet complicated fashion. Its hippie, casual, comfortable and stylish look. It's the everyday look outside your 9-5.

Where do you see urban life style in Africa?

In Africa, Urban life style has come to stay in short. I am talking urban lifestyle with

respect to fashion. People want to look good in the hippy body cons, fitted

suits. Even if it has to be sassy, no one is tying

leaves around their bum. In my opinion, with respect to fashion

lifestyle,Urban is taking

over Africa.

What influences your designs (new trends,

celebrities or models)?

Models at times. Celebrities lifestyle also, when they tell

us to style for a shoot or events.

Fabrics also influence my designs

Fashion statement?

It begins with my dreads, a plain t-shirt with the

Naija Edition logo, print pants and that's

how simple I make the statement. I wear

anything simple and any other fashion

item that combines effortlessly with it. No serious rules about it.

+234 (0) 808 587 3184

“Quality over everything,

best quality for one item,

best quality for all items in

the production line as

though each is a

sample piece.”

... T.R.O

Who is your Fashion Icon and why?

Not really, I see the works of many designers. I love everything that stands out. I guess I am my own; I dress as I want, classy and true to myself.

What’s your sense of style? Simplicity...with a tribal touch at times.

To become the biggest fashion brand and to oversee the biggest fashion production outfit in Nigeria and in due time, the world. Your favourite fashion item? I derive great comfort in tank tops.

+234 (0) 808 587 3184

“Quality over everything,

best quality for one item,

best quality for all items in

the production line as

though each is a

sample piece.”

... T.R.O

Who is your Fashion Icon and why?

Not really, I see the works of many designers. I love everything that stands out. I guess I am my own; I dress as I want, classy and true to myself.

What’s your sense of style? Simplicity...with a tribal touch at times.

To become the biggest fashion brand and to oversee the biggest fashion production outfit in Nigeria and in due time, the world. Your favourite fashion item? I derive great comfort in tank tops.

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK

2015Spring/Summer 2015

DURBAN FASHION FAIR 2015

26th -29th AUGUST 2015 Highlights form the Durban

fashion Fair South Africa

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK

2015Spring/Summer 2015

DURBAN FASHION FAIR 2015

26th -29th AUGUST 2015 Highlights form the Durban

fashion Fair South Africa

Ladies one key thing you must know when pulling of an urban look is accessorising. Do not over accessorize, let your jewellery be light just the right pieces you need… nothing extra probably earrings only or a nice neck peace that compliments your look … and light make up… trust me you can't go wrong. Do not be afraid to pull a pair of sneakers; it wasn't only made for the guys. The shoes on the left are called Oxford shoes, I call them the refined sneakers, so if you are not comfortable in sneakers try the oxford shoes, either ways, both work.

One other thing that makes an urban look complete are caps, beanies, fedora's and a pair of sunglasses, some say the urban look makes girls look like tomboys, who

cares? lol

Untill next time, have fun with updating your wardrobe with the latest urban trends, one thing for sure I will be here sharing my thoughts one the latest trends with You. Do not miss out!!

Deona xoxo....

Hi! …Deona as always is here to keep you up to the minute on today's fashion

For those who are not familiar with Urban Fashion, get familiar and Deona is here to help youUrban Fashion is also known as Street fashion; pulling an urban trend is the same thing as pulling a street trend. Most

people see urban fashion as raggedy but one thing they don't realize is anything can look good depending on how it is worn.Anyways for those still doubting, no one is here to force a kind of fashion down your throat, we are just in a world were nothing is constant, everything changes, so if you are interested in following trends, then follow the urban movement. Shake off the one way style and be spontaneous.Urban fashion is not a kind of fashion you should stress yourself over, it is a very casual look, here are some looks for you that caught my fancy and I think it will give you an idea of what urban looks like and you will notice raggedy as they say, could look lovely.I mean, from

what I saw designers went mostly urban in the look books and Fashion weeks that were out this year.

Like I said earlier, urban is not only on the streets it's also worn to any kind of event,

asides wedding though; I am yet to see anything on that. You can cop this look for a fashion event as far as you put on your 4 inches or 6 inches you are good to goFor my fine Men out there urban is mostly your everyday thing but here are some trends making waves from Africa to New York this season

TODAY’S FASHIONURBAN FASHION;

Ladies one key thing you must know when pulling of an urban look is accessorising. Do not over accessorize, let your jewellery be light just the right pieces you need… nothing extra probably earrings only or a nice neck peace that compliments your look … and light make up… trust me you can't go wrong. Do not be afraid to pull a pair of sneakers; it wasn't only made for the guys. The shoes on the left are called Oxford shoes, I call them the refined sneakers, so if you are not comfortable in sneakers try the oxford shoes, either ways, both work.

One other thing that makes an urban look complete are caps, beanies, fedora's and a pair of sunglasses, some say the urban look makes girls look like tomboys, who

cares? lol

Untill next time, have fun with updating your wardrobe with the latest urban trends, one thing for sure I will be here sharing my thoughts one the latest trends with You. Do not miss out!!

Deona xoxo....

Hi! …Deona as always is here to keep you up to the minute on today's fashion

For those who are not familiar with Urban Fashion, get familiar and Deona is here to help youUrban Fashion is also known as Street fashion; pulling an urban trend is the same thing as pulling a street trend. Most

people see urban fashion as raggedy but one thing they don't realize is anything can look good depending on how it is worn.Anyways for those still doubting, no one is here to force a kind of fashion down your throat, we are just in a world were nothing is constant, everything changes, so if you are interested in following trends, then follow the urban movement. Shake off the one way style and be spontaneous.Urban fashion is not a kind of fashion you should stress yourself over, it is a very casual look, here are some looks for you that caught my fancy and I think it will give you an idea of what urban looks like and you will notice raggedy as they say, could look lovely.I mean, from

what I saw designers went mostly urban in the look books and Fashion weeks that were out this year.

Like I said earlier, urban is not only on the streets it's also worn to any kind of event,

asides wedding though; I am yet to see anything on that. You can cop this look for a fashion event as far as you put on your 4 inches or 6 inches you are good to goFor my fine Men out there urban is mostly your everyday thing but here are some trends making waves from Africa to New York this season

TODAY’S FASHIONURBAN FASHION;

ART REVIEW

Crucied gods- galoreOil on Canvas

1967-1968Ben Enwonwu

(Nigeria)

ur experience of actors or performers Odonned with masks as appealing costumes is usually accompanied by

a reserved understanding that the whole characters are creating a false but entertaining dramatization. The actors for their masked performance are called masquerades, an appellation I consider only second to the term Phantoms, drawing from my roots as an (Igbo) Nigerian.Time and again, our sense of etymology nags us with the somewhat whispered reminder that 'Masquerade' has its root in French word, 'mascarade' and Italian equivalent, 'maschera.' Yet we can track from experiential studies the spread of the masque rade p e r f o rmance s in the aforementioned parts of the world in the

th18 century as much as we observe Africa's influence in the Caribbean's during the same period. As a major aspect of culture shared by the multi-ethnic groups in Nigeria, the masquerade involves dance performance with costumes including masks and colourful appliqués and its presentation is often tied to other important festivities such as, title coronation, new yam festival and end of the year harvests, all of which provide enough richness of culture to instigate an ethnographic research. Ben Enwonwu stands out as an inspiration amongst several Nigerian artists who have represented the unique culture in their oeuvre. For convenience of artistic understanding as it is imperative, I think of masquerades as a roaming 3-dimensional paintings, combining the two broad genres of sculpture and painting in, which Enwonwu, for instance, has demonstrated excellent and ambitious mastery.

This 3d expressiveness coupled with his

love for music and dance, cannot be denied a link, if not acknowledged as

the prime motivation of his exploits of in different forms and cultures with ogolo and agbogho mmuo series of paintings enjoying the most recurrent visitation, spanning about 5 decades (from 1946 till 1989) out of 6 decades of his illustrious p r a c t i c e . I t i s , p e r h a p s i n acknowledgment of this insight, that Professor Ogbechie favoured the artist's Africa Dances, 1949 agbogho mmuo painting as cover image for his reputed book on the artist titled, Ben Enwonwu: The Making of an African Modernist.We may also make a case for Enwonwu's eagerness to advance negritude as having found gratification in the same masquerade as an unmistakable purveyor of the black culture, after all, he once posited that the essence of his own “ Negritude was particularly characterized in the movement of dancing figures, (African Dances 1952, Maiden Dances 1954, Kano Dance 1958), in the movement of Agbogho mmuo (1951/52, 1978), in the beauty of Black women…” Yet, this position however plausible may be holding up a small banner of inevitability only incidental to his masquerades, if we view his subsequent conclusion critically:

“…My Negritude is shown in Black forms because

at that time in London, Black beauty was an

essential and recognized image of the movement.”

(Ben Enwonwu 1989).Indeed, we know of the main figures in his negritude being consistently immersed in recognizable black paint (and ebony, when sculptures), a tendency i find not necessarily observed in his treatment of masquerades. It becomes safe for us to resolve his preoccupations here as far more tangible than mere advertisement of negritude, and we call to memory (or seek refuge in) Nkiru Nzegwu's

suggestions of the multifarious dimensions characterizing the artist's expressions in the following words“Enwonwu's paintings, sculptures, and drawings became metaphors of identity, encapsulating his personal and ancestral selves in ways that turned that history into art. His art was a fusion and reflection of his multiple identities constructed in response to different political, social, cultural, and economic circumstances” (Nzegwu, Nkiru 2000). This brings me to the ultimate point of 'masquerades' as phantoms, the representations of which calls for the artist's special knowledge of the tradition, or rather, experience of it, since artistic creations are an extension of the artists subliminal personality.

A point has been made of masquerades featuring during major events. However, they may differ from community to community, contriving what relatively symbolizes the community's strength as it also portrays the virtues (from kindness to malicious aggression) of the spirit inhabiting the mask. For the Igbos of south-eastern Nigeria where Ben Enwonwu hailed, masquerade or 'mmanwu' is a notable festival, which easily provides entertainment as it pulls out the phantoms from their doldrums in the somewhat effervescent covers of the masks. For this transmission to occur, it is necessary that a male-adult performer, who is an initiate of the mmanwu secret society, is enlisted as a spirit-persona to be restored to physicality within the mask-imposed identity. The process of nomination (involving sacrifices and invocations) is secretly held by members of the society who are oat-bound not to divulge the real identities of the masqueraders. It is believed that once garbed in costumes, the personalities of the performers are overtaken by the spirits of the dead- the phantom

ART REVIEW

Crucied gods- galoreOil on Canvas

1967-1968Ben Enwonwu

(Nigeria)

ur experience of actors or performers Odonned with masks as appealing costumes is usually accompanied by

a reserved understanding that the whole characters are creating a false but entertaining dramatization. The actors for their masked performance are called masquerades, an appellation I consider only second to the term Phantoms, drawing from my roots as an (Igbo) Nigerian.Time and again, our sense of etymology nags us with the somewhat whispered reminder that 'Masquerade' has its root in French word, 'mascarade' and Italian equivalent, 'maschera.' Yet we can track from experiential studies the spread of the masque rade p e r f o rmance s in the aforementioned parts of the world in the

th18 century as much as we observe Africa's influence in the Caribbean's during the same period. As a major aspect of culture shared by the multi-ethnic groups in Nigeria, the masquerade involves dance performance with costumes including masks and colourful appliqués and its presentation is often tied to other important festivities such as, title coronation, new yam festival and end of the year harvests, all of which provide enough richness of culture to instigate an ethnographic research. Ben Enwonwu stands out as an inspiration amongst several Nigerian artists who have represented the unique culture in their oeuvre. For convenience of artistic understanding as it is imperative, I think of masquerades as a roaming 3-dimensional paintings, combining the two broad genres of sculpture and painting in, which Enwonwu, for instance, has demonstrated excellent and ambitious mastery.

This 3d expressiveness coupled with his

love for music and dance, cannot be denied a link, if not acknowledged as

the prime motivation of his exploits of in different forms and cultures with ogolo and agbogho mmuo series of paintings enjoying the most recurrent visitation, spanning about 5 decades (from 1946 till 1989) out of 6 decades of his illustrious p r a c t i c e . I t i s , p e r h a p s i n acknowledgment of this insight, that Professor Ogbechie favoured the artist's Africa Dances, 1949 agbogho mmuo painting as cover image for his reputed book on the artist titled, Ben Enwonwu: The Making of an African Modernist.We may also make a case for Enwonwu's eagerness to advance negritude as having found gratification in the same masquerade as an unmistakable purveyor of the black culture, after all, he once posited that the essence of his own “ Negritude was particularly characterized in the movement of dancing figures, (African Dances 1952, Maiden Dances 1954, Kano Dance 1958), in the movement of Agbogho mmuo (1951/52, 1978), in the beauty of Black women…” Yet, this position however plausible may be holding up a small banner of inevitability only incidental to his masquerades, if we view his subsequent conclusion critically:

“…My Negritude is shown in Black forms because

at that time in London, Black beauty was an

essential and recognized image of the movement.”

(Ben Enwonwu 1989).Indeed, we know of the main figures in his negritude being consistently immersed in recognizable black paint (and ebony, when sculptures), a tendency i find not necessarily observed in his treatment of masquerades. It becomes safe for us to resolve his preoccupations here as far more tangible than mere advertisement of negritude, and we call to memory (or seek refuge in) Nkiru Nzegwu's

suggestions of the multifarious dimensions characterizing the artist's expressions in the following words“Enwonwu's paintings, sculptures, and drawings became metaphors of identity, encapsulating his personal and ancestral selves in ways that turned that history into art. His art was a fusion and reflection of his multiple identities constructed in response to different political, social, cultural, and economic circumstances” (Nzegwu, Nkiru 2000). This brings me to the ultimate point of 'masquerades' as phantoms, the representations of which calls for the artist's special knowledge of the tradition, or rather, experience of it, since artistic creations are an extension of the artists subliminal personality.

A point has been made of masquerades featuring during major events. However, they may differ from community to community, contriving what relatively symbolizes the community's strength as it also portrays the virtues (from kindness to malicious aggression) of the spirit inhabiting the mask. For the Igbos of south-eastern Nigeria where Ben Enwonwu hailed, masquerade or 'mmanwu' is a notable festival, which easily provides entertainment as it pulls out the phantoms from their doldrums in the somewhat effervescent covers of the masks. For this transmission to occur, it is necessary that a male-adult performer, who is an initiate of the mmanwu secret society, is enlisted as a spirit-persona to be restored to physicality within the mask-imposed identity. The process of nomination (involving sacrifices and invocations) is secretly held by members of the society who are oat-bound not to divulge the real identities of the masqueraders. It is believed that once garbed in costumes, the personalities of the performers are overtaken by the spirits of the dead- the phantom

Contrary to the understanding of the phantoms as figments, Igbo people believe the dead never actually die; rather they remain in a "personal immortal state"(Chiene 10). In the masqueraders , the phantoms return to the earthly world from time to time to offer spiritual advice enforce law and order and perform entertaining extra-human feats of dance movements and acrobatics to reestablish their undying relevance to the living in the face of the ever-encroaching modernity. Of course they are a delight to watch and keen spectators who forget to keep a measurable distance from them, or dared to denounce their performances as negative are warded off by the masquerades with canes. Enwonwu's The Crucified Gods Galore (1967-8 oil on canvas) is one of his collective portrayal of masquerades perceived by most popular world religions as antithetical to their beliefs; hence, these embodiments of the phantoms are condemned or 'crucified.' Some masquerades perform at night as a way o f f o r c ing the i r supposed invisibility. It is from their frightening and thunderous screams that non-initiates, who are made to stay indoors, sense the actions of these masqueraders. Agu mmuo (tiger spirit) is a typical example of such usually fierce-looking night spirits. The more friendly-looking ones are often accepted as public spectacles, who display frenzied-dance in broad daylight. Enwonwu's agbogho mmuo and Ogolo maiden spirits fit in here nicely. Garbed in colourful appliqués and luminous masks, their slim fluid body and movements approximate the graceful conducts of an adolescent girl represented by these masquerades, even though performed strictly by men. I share the intuitive persuasion that an artist is at once, one body and soul with his subject from conception, and this is not limited to visual artists. Creative professionals such as literary artists and

(interior-, fashion-) designers can relate to this intimacy. Therefore, to conceive of masquerades or spirit, as in the case of Enwonwu, is to transcend the physical realm and plunge into invisibility; it is to become a spirit and draw from its transcendental endowments. Enwonwu in painting masquerades, has had to become united with them and express both what is manifested physically and spiritually about them. In other words, his artistic control is essentially overtaken or directed by the (inspiration of the) phantoms so much so that he attains the status of the maquerader. T h i s p e r h a p s e x p l a i n s s u c h verisimilitude that secures the 'spirit-ness' (permit my coinage as an emergent distinction from 'spirituality' in an at tempt to evade the re l ig ious controversy illustrated in the Crucified Gods Galore) of the phantoms in Enwonwu's work.

In Africa Dances, 1949, oil on canvas, an agbogho mmuo, (clad in yellow appliqué with intricate red and black uli-like patterns and a feathery headgear) tip-toes with such swiftness suggestively impelled by an invisible force. The Spirit of Ogolo - Ogolo Metamorphosis – depicts two ghostly bare-figures, one superimposing another, as both levitate in dark-clouds; while Ogolo, 1989, an imposing masquerade with ominously luminous face is captured in its (repeated strokes of) swift dance-movements in blue dark shades of heightened metaphysical energy. All these may well constitute the observer's closest experience and contact with Enwonwu's state of mind at the point of creating Ogolo or Agbogho Mmuo, and also, with the celebration of the masquerade and phantoms as embedded in the Igbo traditional belief system. In conclusion, I seek refuge in one of Enwonwu's explications of his work, (sculptures), where he resorts to such an analogy permeating perceived spiritual borders, and hope it is aids our appreciation of the burden of artists in appropriating such revered traditional elements as Masquerades and Phantoms in their art “The spiritual realm of African art, the hierarchy of the gods, the psychic significance and the veneration, the way we can carve images in order to express our hopes and personify our desires in terms of sculpture, the mystical awareness of the carver, the spiritual world of the trees and animals, and the belief in the existence of a soul in inanimate objects-I have experienced it all” (rpt 1987, 73).

Review by Luciano Uzuegbu

ART CRITIC / CURATOR(Nigeria)

Ogolo. 1989Oil on CanvasBen Enwonwu

(Nigeria)

Contrary to the understanding of the phantoms as figments, Igbo people believe the dead never actually die; rather they remain in a "personal immortal state"(Chiene 10). In the masqueraders , the phantoms return to the earthly world from time to time to offer spiritual advice enforce law and order and perform entertaining extra-human feats of dance movements and acrobatics to reestablish their undying relevance to the living in the face of the ever-encroaching modernity. Of course they are a delight to watch and keen spectators who forget to keep a measurable distance from them, or dared to denounce their performances as negative are warded off by the masquerades with canes. Enwonwu's The Crucified Gods Galore (1967-8 oil on canvas) is one of his collective portrayal of masquerades perceived by most popular world religions as antithetical to their beliefs; hence, these embodiments of the phantoms are condemned or 'crucified.' Some masquerades perform at night as a way o f f o r c ing the i r supposed invisibility. It is from their frightening and thunderous screams that non-initiates, who are made to stay indoors, sense the actions of these masqueraders. Agu mmuo (tiger spirit) is a typical example of such usually fierce-looking night spirits. The more friendly-looking ones are often accepted as public spectacles, who display frenzied-dance in broad daylight. Enwonwu's agbogho mmuo and Ogolo maiden spirits fit in here nicely. Garbed in colourful appliqués and luminous masks, their slim fluid body and movements approximate the graceful conducts of an adolescent girl represented by these masquerades, even though performed strictly by men. I share the intuitive persuasion that an artist is at once, one body and soul with his subject from conception, and this is not limited to visual artists. Creative professionals such as literary artists and

(interior-, fashion-) designers can relate to this intimacy. Therefore, to conceive of masquerades or spirit, as in the case of Enwonwu, is to transcend the physical realm and plunge into invisibility; it is to become a spirit and draw from its transcendental endowments. Enwonwu in painting masquerades, has had to become united with them and express both what is manifested physically and spiritually about them. In other words, his artistic control is essentially overtaken or directed by the (inspiration of the) phantoms so much so that he attains the status of the maquerader. T h i s p e r h a p s e x p l a i n s s u c h verisimilitude that secures the 'spirit-ness' (permit my coinage as an emergent distinction from 'spirituality' in an at tempt to evade the re l ig ious controversy illustrated in the Crucified Gods Galore) of the phantoms in Enwonwu's work.

In Africa Dances, 1949, oil on canvas, an agbogho mmuo, (clad in yellow appliqué with intricate red and black uli-like patterns and a feathery headgear) tip-toes with such swiftness suggestively impelled by an invisible force. The Spirit of Ogolo - Ogolo Metamorphosis – depicts two ghostly bare-figures, one superimposing another, as both levitate in dark-clouds; while Ogolo, 1989, an imposing masquerade with ominously luminous face is captured in its (repeated strokes of) swift dance-movements in blue dark shades of heightened metaphysical energy. All these may well constitute the observer's closest experience and contact with Enwonwu's state of mind at the point of creating Ogolo or Agbogho Mmuo, and also, with the celebration of the masquerade and phantoms as embedded in the Igbo traditional belief system. In conclusion, I seek refuge in one of Enwonwu's explications of his work, (sculptures), where he resorts to such an analogy permeating perceived spiritual borders, and hope it is aids our appreciation of the burden of artists in appropriating such revered traditional elements as Masquerades and Phantoms in their art “The spiritual realm of African art, the hierarchy of the gods, the psychic significance and the veneration, the way we can carve images in order to express our hopes and personify our desires in terms of sculpture, the mystical awareness of the carver, the spiritual world of the trees and animals, and the belief in the existence of a soul in inanimate objects-I have experienced it all” (rpt 1987, 73).

Review by Luciano Uzuegbu

ART CRITIC / CURATOR(Nigeria)

Ogolo. 1989Oil on CanvasBen Enwonwu

(Nigeria)

BROAD STREET

Trends making waves this season ... Prints on Jeans

with a touch or Urban

BROAD STREET

Trends making waves this season ... Prints on Jeans

with a touch or Urban

www.dcmagonline.com

[email protected]

dcmagonline dcmagonlineDc Magazine

www.dcmagonline.com

[email protected]

dcmagonline dcmagonlineDc Magazine

designer's corner magazine (edition 3)

Documents