The Heineken Lagos fashion week started with its first runway show as an off-site event by Eki Kere at Alara Lagos. The stage was designed by Eki with raffia, tie-dye fabrics to depict an African village setting. The rest of the space was beautifully adorned with some of Eki Kere’s pieces and woven accessories.
The collection was titled ‘Good girl’, and the creative director- Eki spoke to us about her inspiration behind the collection. She said she was trying to play out her childhood memory, recall the beauty, fashion, art, nature, and how good it used to be before this era. Her choice of music-Forest and set design were influenced by nature in the village. For this collection in line with the brand’s sustainability policy, local artisans in the villages were used to improve their earnings and preserve their craft.
The collection featured lots of tie-dye fabrics in bright hues with loose silhouettes mixed with raffia details on the fabrics, and accessories. Weaving was done on the scarfs to depict braided hair and the tassels were also made out of raffia. The collection had a lot of artistic and versatile pieces.
Cute Saint Spring Summer 2023 show titled ‘OMO EKO’ started with an Eyo masquerade dance and went ahead to display its collection in soft breathable flowing tie-dye fabrics, while paying homage to Eyo Festival.
Looking good gives you a lot of confidence. Having the right lingerie with each outfit gives you an extra dose of confidence. Lingerie wardrobes come in various forms such as loungewear, corporate wear, date night, bridal wear, etc.
A lingerie capsule wardrobe is an intentional collection of necessary lingerie that fits your style, daily wear and are versatile for most of your current outfits.
BENEFITS OF HAVING A LINGERIE CAPSULE COLLECTION
You have the right lingerie for each outfit.
You save time while dressing up.
It boosts your confidence from within knowing your total outfit is well put together.
You’ll have a versatile lingerie wardrobe.
You don’t have to worry about a wardrobe malfunction while wearing the right lingerie.
You’ll have an overall effortless look irrespective of your style.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHILE SHOPPING FOR A LINGERIE
Take into consideration your current wardrobe and essential lingerie for each outfit.
Know your measurement for each type of undergarment by measuring yourself or getting someone to help you.
Try on your lingerie before any purchase to know if you like the look, color, and feel of the fabric on your skin.
Make sure each bra is well-fitted taking into consideration comfort and no excesses at the top or sides of the bra.
Invest in quality undergarments over quantity to have pieces that can’t be easily replaced.
For a capsule lingerie wardrobe, a woman should own between 8 to 10 bras and between 15 to 20 pairs of panties and briefs in various styles and mix. The mix of the lingerie capsule wardrobe should consist of:
Bras
Panties
Shape wear
Slips
Robes and dressing gowns.
BRAS
Bras are a type of lingerie that serves as a starting point for all types of clothing. It helps you achieve the desired look for your breast whether to increase, or decrease your breast size and add some cleavage when necessary. Always wearing the right bra stops the breast from drooping and keeps it in form and shape.
Types of Bras
Based on a woman’s preference and what’s available in the market, bras come in different forms which form the basis for bra styles. The various forms of bras form a foundation in the selection of the style of bra a woman will wear.
Non-Padded Bra: non-padded bras help to show off the natural shape of your breast and ensure your natural breast shape is maintained making you feel comfortable.
Padded Bra: as the name implies, padded bras use extra material to make the breast appear fuller.
Wired: wired or underwired bras are made from a thin strip of wiring stitched into the fabric of the bra. This thin wiring helps give the breast a well-rounded and voluminous look.
Non-Wired Bra: this is the opposite of a wired bra. It doesn’t have any form of wiring but uses advanced seam work to give a more comfortable bra that attains some level of comfort.
Bra Styles
After choosing your preferred form of bra, you move on to pick the appropriate style of bra for your personal style, and wardrobe. Here are some bra styles to consider:
Neutral Bras
Plunge Bras
Multifunctional Bras
Strapless Bras
Sports Bras
Neutral Bra
Neutral bras often referred to as t-shirts or basic bras come in white, black, and beige depending on your skin tone. They are comfortable, great for regular use, and give a clean look when worn as an undergarment when wearing t-shirts and tops.
Plunge Bras
These kinds of bras are good for outfits with a deep neckline. They are elegant and sexy, ideal for occasions and parties.
Multifunctional Bras
Multifunctional bras are known for their versatility and comfort. They have detachable straps that can be worn in various ways when wearing a halter-top, backless dress making it discrete.
Strapless Bras
Strapless bras a great for tube tops and gowns while giving the desired look and comfort.
Sports Bras
Sports bras are very unique because they provide the adequate amount of comfort and firmness the breast needs while doing your workout. They help keep the breast in place while doing rigorous exercise.
PANTIES
A pair of panties help to stop the outer garment from getting dirty and prevents any embarrassment during any wardrobe malfunction. Panties to be picked should be seamless for most outfits which can come in various styles such as thong, G-string, and full seamless panties. Other panties to be considered are the ones to be used during your monthly period in other to keep the others in good use.
SHAPEWEAR
Investment should be made in good shapewear to help accentuate the body curves for days they’ll be needed. When choosing the appropriate shapewear comfort should be considered as wearing one which is too tight will make you feel uncomfortable and less likely to concentrate wherever you are.
SLIPS
Slips as an undergarment are necessary when wearing lightweight fabrics like silk, satin, chiffon, or anything static. It offers extra coverage and provides a smoothing layer underneath your outfit.
DRESSING GOWNS
Dressing gowns are worn as a suitable covering over nightwear when out of bed. It could be worn alone, with nightwear or other clothing.
CARING FOR YOUR LINGERIE
It’s best to handwash your lingerie whenever possible but, if you must put them in the washing machine make sure you use a lingerie wash bag so that hooks, buttons, clasps, and other delicate details are kept undamaged.
Always use cold water for your lingerie because hot water will shorten the lifespan of the undergarment and spoil its elasticity.
Use detergents that are suitable for lingerie because harsh detergents can wear out the fabrics used.
Separate colors when washing undergarments although most are not supposed to bleed, separate colored lingerie from white or light colors.
Don’t twist or squeeze lingerie with wire as it may damage the form of the lingerie.
Lingerie should be stored separately from clothes and in a proper manner for visualization when deciding on what lingerie to wear.
The world is colorful and beautiful, and as humans, we have a way of translating it into our daily lives. One way we do this is through our outfits. One designer who gets the perfect blend of color and prints with an interesting mix of African and Western Cultures is Banke Kuku ‘’Queen of Color and Prints”.
The creative director of Banke Kuku textiles, the eponymous brand that creates luxurious, stylish, and comfortable lounge and occasion wear was established in 2011 and produces textiles for the fashion and interior industry
In 2014, She won a competition organized by Triumph International underwear manufacturer founded in 1886 in Germany. One of the world’s most famous trend forecasters Lidewij Edelkoort described Banke Kuku’s prints as an ‘’exquisite piece of art’’.
Creative Director, Banke Kuku- Tribune online
Banke Kuku first started as a textile design brand and later expanded into fashion design. Banke has collaborated with major fashion brands including Burberry, Lisa Folawiyo, Duro Olowu, Selfridges, Swoon, and Jasmine Di Milo. One of her latest collaborations was with Celebrity actress Gabrielle Union.
Gabrielle Union x Banke Kuku
Banke Kuku was born in the 1980s in Lagos and moved to the United Kingdom at age 8. Her love for fashion can be traced back to the age of 5 when she started knitting and she was also inspired by her mother. Her parents recognized her creativity and supported her.
She obtained a diploma in fine arts from Central St. Martin and a bachelor’s degree with a specialization in woven textiles from the College of Art and Design. Queen of color was the name given to her by Jasmine Al fayed the creative director of Jasmine Di Milo due to her perfection in dying fabrics while working for Jasmine Di Milo before Jasmine Di Milo ceased operation.
Her outstanding designs come in unique ways of being able to create a balance between her western and African influence. Also being able to capture moods through patterns, color, and silhouettes.
Fruche made an exquisite return to the Lagos Fashion week 2022 runway with an attractive palette of warm pastel colors, his signature knot detail, asymmetrical cuts, and form-fitting silhouette. The collection also had some raffia details and stand out collars. The show ended with a beautiful live spray paint artistry on one of the dresses by @dricky_ in a loving tribute to the designer’s late father.
Kadiju opened the onsite runway at the Heineken Lagos fashion week 2022 show with its collection called “004”. It used pleats in some of its designs in various artistic ways on different parts of the garments that looked stylish.
The organizer of Nigeria’s most influential fashion brand, Pan African Fashion Runway has disclosed plans to hold their 8th Annual Music Fashion Runway (MFR) on Dec. 3, 2022, in Lagos.
Their main objective as always is to produce in a safe and secure environment, a first-class event of live music excellence, whilst showcasing Pan African Fashion, established designers, and international runway models. “Our invaluable experience and hindsight gives us the unique privilege to create and deliver an event without compromising on entertainment value.”
This year’s theme is Fashion forward: A call to action for a green and sustainable continent, which empowers and unites young Pan-African creatives.
Game Changer Africa Acknowledgement (GCAA)
In recent years, pioneers and ground breakers who have contributed significantly to the creative industry have been honored by the Game Changer Africa Acknowledgement (GCAA) Award platform.
Some of the past recipients are:
Omotola Jalade Ekehinde (Best Actress AMVCA) global icon and movie legend,
Kunle Afolayan- Legendary film director,
Lanre Da Silva: iconic fashion designer,
Guy Murray-Bruce President: Silverbird Group and more.
The Organizer, Dr. Ngozi Omambala Group MD/CEO NMO Management Limited said that they plan to have their signature contemporary/cultural showpiece experience as usual and that they have also expanded the platform to include Pan African satellite activities in the lead-up to MFR2022 with open days in the Art and Cultural community at iconic venues Museums and Galleries across Lagos.
Designer of Couture, London, Ade Bakare (left); Show Producer, Xa International, Ovo Ogufere; Managing Director/CEO, NmO Management Limited, Dr. Ngozi Omambala; Communications/Advancement Manager, Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, Pan-Atlantic University, Madonna Iloba and the Chairman, Creative Section, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry/CEO, Visual Collaborative, New York City, Ade Olufeko at a press briefing to announce the 8th edition of the PAN African Music Fashion Runway and Game Changer Africa Acknowledgement Award 2002 held in Lagos on Wednesday- guardian.ng
Pan African 8th annual Music Fashion Runway will be streamed Live via our social media Platforms – as was last year’s successful event – which opened the pioneering music and fashion platform to a global virtual international audience of over 10,000 watching live.
This year’s 2022 hybrid edition (fully physical and Virtual) will still embrace their international online fan base as well as physical guests.
Music Fashion Runway #MFR for the second year in succession has selected two Ambassadors: OYINDAMOLA OKUFUYE and MAYOWA ADEDUGBE. Both have risen to walk international runways and are well-deserved winners of #MFR Model of year Award 2021. Check out the stunning campaign visual for 8th annual Pan African Music Fashion Runway #MFR and Game Changer Africa Acknowledgement Award #GCAA
Location: UK Deputy High Commission residence Lagos, Nigeria
Concept and copyright: NMO MANAGEMENT LIMITED
Golden Break Through (GBT) Auditions #MFR Model Search 2022 – Youth Empowerment initiative:
The NMO Management #Golden Break Through (GBT) AUDITION platform, is a youth empowerment and social responsibility talent hunt initiative which supports upcoming creative talent.
The GBT #Music Fashion Runway online Model Search 2022
The GBT #Music Fashion Runway online Model Search 2022 as with last year, will select two upcoming models – who will be given a once in a lifetime opportunity- to kick start their modeling careers by walking the #MFR 2022 catwalk.
An iconic award-winning veteran broadcaster Brenda Emmanus OBE has been confirmed as host of 8th annual Pan African Music Fashion Runway #MFR 2022 Saturday 3rd December in Lagos, Nigeria to be live-streamed globally.
Legendary award-winning broadcaster Ms. Brenda Emmanus OBE – has a career history spanning over 20 years and is the international face of fashion, arts, culture, and media. Brenda Emmanus OBE made her mark as one of the main presenters of ‘The Clothes Show’ the BBC’s iconic flagship fashion program for 5 years, watched by millions of viewers. Her impressive career history to date spans Television, Journalism, and radio, having interviewed the likes of Oprah Winfrey, and Michelle Obama to name a few. In 2019 Brenda Emmanus – of Afro-Caribbean descent- was awarded OBE from late HRH Queen Elizabeth II of England for her services to broadcasting and diversity and received an honorary Doctorate in 2020. She has a passion for supporting women in business.
Dr. Ngozi Omambala Group MD/CEO NMO Management Limited says
“Brenda Emmanus OBE brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our Continent rivaled by none on the planet. NMO Management is honoured and filled with pride to welcome Brenda Emmanus OBE back for second year as host of 8th annual Pan African Music Fashion Runway show 2022. She adds priceless value to an already successful proudly Pan African entertainment platform. Her involvement further opens up the diaspora and its connectivity across UK, Europe, USA and beyond, showcasing Africa to the world.”
MFR2022 THEME SONG
A feel-good anthem called ‘AMAKA’ by SQIU courtesy NMO Music Inc. and LoudNProudLive to add to your playlists because music is a Universal language and a fundamental aspect of the #MFR platform.
NB: Live stream platforms and social media handles to watch #MFR Saturday 3rd December at #7 PM
#MFR Social media Platforms: Live Streaming event: 7 pm
Immediately this show started you could feel the African strength depicted in each piece in a luxurious way. The name of the collection ‘’Return to Earth’’ as described by the designer was Inspired by the manipulation technique of aPuzzle. The “Return to earth” collection is an invitation to return to sources and nature in African materials such as loin and warm colors that reflect light, sun, earth, green, and nature. The outfits presented dazzled the Nigerian audience and all fashion lovers. Made in Africa and African chic is valued in all its splendor.
Algueye Dakar Spring Summer 2023 at Heineken Lagos Fashion Week.
Lagos fashion week (LFW) which focuses on Collaboration, Co-creation, and community started on the 26th of October with the Press Cocktail held at Art Hotel Lagos. It also has several lines up of activities such as daily retail therapy with Zinkata which stocks authentic meticulous African fashion brands.
LFW SCHEDULE
LFW is hosting a swap shop with Global fashion exchange from the 27th to the 29th of October where people can exchange or sell clothing especially preloved ones thereby supporting sustainability.
Mr. Patrick Duffy @ LFW Swapshop
The Runway presentations this year are digital and physical, this year sees an increase in the number of offsite shows that some brands believe relate to or express their brand more. This event is reconvening fashion enthusiasts, designers, consumers, and fashion buyers from around the globe.
This year’s Business series is a collaboration between LFW and Crossboundary an investment firm that opens up capital for sustainable growth and huge returns in underserved markets that have fewer goods or services available to them. This will be carried out with a panel of experts in their various fields to talk to various stakeholders about financing the African Fashion industry.
Guests at the Heineken Lagos Fashion Week 2022 Press cocktail Dinner- Bellanaijastyle
Green access is a collaboration between LFW and Style House Files is a talent discovery platform and sustainable fashion accelerator program. Green Access nurtures young designers and steers the redelivery of resource efficiency, longevity, recyclability, and biodegradability as its basis for fashion design and production. Green Access was launched in 2018 to focus on the fashion industry by reconstructing their business models and taking up a more ethically, environmentally, socially, and deliberate form of production.
Green Access has been philanthropically sponsored since 2015 by BESTSELLER Foundation (BSF). After months of rigorous training this year Green Access finalists Themba Paulo Shezi, Lu Adesola, Kwaku Kyere, Adaora Soludo, Sipho Lushaba, Peter Acha, Essrhir Scheherazade,Nneji Akunne, Peter Oshobor, and Akoth Otieno will showcase their work on the runway.
Sustainable fashion simply put is when brands, consumers, and other stakeholders in the fashion industry take into consideration the whole ecosystem and their social environment when producing and consuming fashion.
This awareness starts from the production of raw materials used in making clothing and accessories to fashion brands using such materials in producing their garment while taking into consideration the lifespan of the garment and how the consumer will dispose of it.
Sustainable fashion is important for the preservation of our planet and social equality. Here are some sustainable fashion brands in Africa:
NKWO
Nkwo is one of the leaders in sustainable fashion in Nigeria and its ethics is based on the preservation of the environment and its natural resources. The brand’s focal point is on scaling down on waste, using cotton produced in Nigeria, end-of-the-line fabrics, and repurposed denim to make limited edition pieces.
The label aims to utilize old and modern technology to maintain a sustainable form of craftsmanship through research and study with innovative techniques. From placing priority on waste reduction, it has led to the invention of a new African fabric called DAKALA CLOTH. The cloth draws inspiration from the lives of the people who roam the great plains of the African deserts.
This global event seeks to recognize brands making a conscious effort to better the environment and people. For this award, Nkwo and thirteen other recipients of the CNMI prizes were given a reproduction of the Venere Degli Stracci- an iconic piece of 20th-century art that was repurposed into a 3D-printed plastic.
Earlier in September, NKWO was featured on the Nasdaq billboard alongside ten female pioneers advancing the fashion industry change for the Conscious Fashion Campaign which increased awareness of leading women in the fashion industry toward a more accountable and responsible future.
Dakala Cloth- design museumNKWO holding Venere Degli Stracci for the Bicester collection Award for ‘Emerging Designer” CNMI sustainable fashion Award 2022- Nkwo_officialNKWO featured on the Nasdaq billboard-Nkwo_official
MARGAUX WONG
Margaux wong founded by Margaux Rusita is a responsible luxury jewelry brand that uses sustainable materials sourced locally to make its jewelry, it partners with local artisans to preserve the local craft and reduces waste by using Amazonian low-waste technique combined with East African values in its production process to produce opulent jewelry.
Studio oneeightynine is a sustainable fashion brand that was co-founded by Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah. The brand produces African-inspired clothing and it uses hand batik, kente weaving, and plant-based dye when working with local artisans in Accra, Ghana. Studio oneeightynine has worked with LVMH and Net a Porter, the brand also partners with the United Nations ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative, NYU School of Business. It has also won the prestigious CFDA Lexus Fashion Initiative for Sustainability.
Alledjo is a sustainable menswear fashion brand founded by Kassim Lassissi which uses local artisans in manufacturing and incorporating the diversity of the world into its garments. The brand expresses people on the move, preservation of culture, and deep respect for ethics.
Hazem and HenRiad are co-founders of Reform Studio a re-purposeful sustainable brand based in Egypt. Reform Studio has upcycled discarded plastic bags and invented a new product called plastex. It uses local artisans to produce its Bags, shoes, furniture, and furniture accessories.
Bags, Shoe, Furniture, and Pillows made from upcycled discarded plastic bags- Reform Studio
SOLEREBELS
The Ethiopian-based sustainable footwear brand founded by Tilahun Alemu produces the world’s finest handmade footwear with exquisite craftsmanship and upcycled materials. Solerebels has been recognized as the world’s first World Fair Trade Federation (WFTO) and Fair Trade-certified company.
