A weekend of contemporary African Fashion

Showcasing contemporary High fashion from the continent through Zed-Eye Presents ...

A selection of 20 emerging African and African inspired designers will showcase their contemporary collections to a global audience on Saturday 22nd May 2010 as part of the fashion segment of the Africa Weekender. Africa Weekender is a first in the UK enabling you to experience an authentic taste of modern day Africa right on your doorstep. The weekender will take place at Camber Sands, East Sussex which is just an hour away from London.

Heading the Africa weekender Fashion extravaganza is High Fashion couture designer Zi of Zed-Eye designs. Zed-Eye's contemporary designs have graced the covers of numerous International magazines and have been worn by the likes of celebrities who include Naomi Campbell and Tasmin Egerton.

During the penultimate weekend in May (21st-24th), a 72-hour entertainment extravaganza packed with engaging activities for all the family will bring a new zest of life to the UK’s favorite family holiday park. From fashion, dance classes to fencing, traditional therapeutic treatments to African language workshops – there is something for everyone.

With the preparation for the World Cup in South Africa and the excitement of 17 African nations celebrating their 50th year of independence – all eyes are on Africa. What better way to exemplify this narrative than to provide a platform in which those from the Diaspora, and friends, can come together to party and celebrate the evolution of the countries that make up of one of the most resilient continents in the world.

Award winning Celebrity hairstylist, Desmond Murrey will be heading the backstage hair team. Desmond has manifested himself as one of the most versatile and artistically accomplished hairstylists in the UK. He has won numerous awards for his hairdressing as well as his photography skills. Throughout the years Desmond has become a sought after educator and has conducted seminars all over Europe and the USA. Desmond has a countless number of television appearances to his name, and has gained a huge celebrity clientele.

Fashion Stylist and high street PR expert Arieta Mudja will be lending her expertise backstage with the styling and boutique set up. She has styled a variety of people from Boy bands like Triple 8 ad Blue to TV presenters like Myleene Klass, June Sarpong, Zezi and supermodel Agyness Denn and LILY ALLEN. Arieta Mudja has styled Paloma Faith, Keri Hilson, Kelis, Solange and will soon be appearing on Britain’s next top model this year. She also styled Deola Sagoe’s Spring/Summer 2007 on line look book and did the same for other up and coming African designers in the UK like, ZED EYE which she is also a creative
Director

Celebrity make-up artist Jo sugar will be heading the backstage make-up team. Jo was the head make up artist on Make me a Supermodel: Extra, categories. having done Ivana Trumps make-up in St Tropez for HELLO! Magazine, she has also done Suzanne Shaws make up for HELLO! Magazine and Scott Henshall and his models for the premier of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

La Geneve North Events will be overseeing the backstage management of the fashion show. Since its launch La Geneve North (LGN) Events have directed and managed Catwalk shows for numerous high profile clients and at venues such as The Charing Cross Hotel, Olympia, The Mayfair Hotel, The Park Lane Hotel and the O2.

Events directed by La Geneve North Events have been featured in various prominent publications such as Cosmopolitan, Glam Media, The Independent and Time Out London to name a few, and opened many doors for emerging UK and International designers.

Designers who would like to position their brand, showcase their talent, access new audiences and take advantage of an outstanding new opportunity in the fashion industry by showcasing at Africa Weekender needs to contact fashion@africaweekender.co.uk

To book tickets visit http://zedeye.express.iristickets.co.uk/

- Ends -

For further information contact:
fashion@africaweekender.co.uk
Pr@africaweekender.co.uk
www.africaweekender.co.uk

Notes to Editor:
Prices:

* £10 discount until April 16th

Based on 3 people (1 Bedroom) or 5 people (2 Bedroom) sharing self-catering apartments for the whole weekend:
Club: £155pp
Classic: £135pp
Standard: £115pp
Price Includes:
• 3 nights accommodation
• A free FULLY CHARGED t-shirt or tank top of your choice (£19.99 RRP)
Visit: www.GetFullyCharged.com to view range
• 1 complimentary meal voucher (African Cuisine of your choice)
• Access to selected workshops
• Access to 18 showcases
Passes to all Parties

IPR Presentation and Lifestyle Bazaar visit...

Today was a fun and exciting day. It's always nice sometimes actually getting out during the day to browse exhibitions and just general fashion happenings.

I headed down to the IPR ( http://www.ipublicrelations.co.uk/ )brand presentation day to learn more about some of the exciting Independent brands they represent.

I managed to film the two below clips of glam-net.com and Religion talking about their current collection pieces and brand direction.

After the presentation at IPR, i nipped just a few doors down to the gorgeous Lifestylebazaar boutique in Shoreditch where my fashion art greeting card collection is stocked.

Below pic: My Fashion Greeting Card collection on display at the shop

I also discovered the below interesting merchandise that made me laugh!

I could not believe what time it was on my way! Why does time fly by so quickly when you're having so much fun hey?

Nite nite xx

Links:

http://www.lovegenevieve.co.uk/

http://www.lifestylebazaar.com/

The ‘No more excuses!’ Career breakfast

So I was invited by Sotonye Diri (Young Entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker) to take part as a role model for her No more excuses career breakfast today. I wasn’t sure what to expect as although I’ve been invited to motivational career days my main role has always been to just talk about what I do and the different areas I am involved in within the fashion industry. I assumed this would be similar except I would be talking directly with young people.

I arrived at the venue early in the morning, I had to have a strong cup of tea as usually I am still in bed at that time on a Saturday-lol. My week is so intense and my working hours are extremely long so I made a pact to myself that I would dedicate my weekends to getting plenty of rest and catching up with family and friends.

The venue was filled with eagerly awaiting young people hungry for advice and direction within their desired career paths. There was an excellent selection of role models with a couple of familiar faces. I thought ‘What a great event!’. I really wish that events like these existed when I was in school or college whereby you can just speak to different successful people from various career fields.

Above pic: Host Sotonye Diri

I spoke about my journey as an entrepreneur and managing to run two successful businesses, which was one of the questions asked by the attended students.

I also stressed the fact that the fashion industry certainly is not for the faint hearted nor about whether you can dress nice or get compliments on your appearance. It is a highly competitive and stressful industry so you really need to be passionate about the industry as a whole and persevere!

Above pic: Me and Celebrity Reporter Janelle

Amongst the role models also included Celebrity actress Antonia Okonma (Well known for her role in Bad Girls’), Debora (PA to British Iconic Fashion designer Zhandra Rhodes), Olympic Winner Tasha Danvers, Celebrity reporter Janelle Oswald and Many more.


Above pic: Myself with Christine from Fashion Girls productions and Maureen Gabriel (Independent massage therapist & Reiki).

Above pic: Deborah (PA to Zhandra Rhodes) and her amazing bow creation

A big congratulations goes out Sotonye Diri for putting on and hosting such a wonderful and successful event. I definitely recommend young people looking to get inspired to purchase one of her fabulous books.

For more information on Sotonye Diri visit: www.sotonyediri.com

TOP MODEL UK 2010

Today I headed down to the TOP MODEL UK event at the Hilton Hotel in Central London to view some of the new collection pieces of designer Omar Mansoor who was showcasing on the catwalk. Omar is one of London's top evening wear couture designers whom I've previously worked with!

For those of you who have not yet come across TOP MODEL UK, the event is the leading fashion industry professional model search campaign and fashion events in the UK, and one of the largest runway fashion show weekends outside of Fashion Week.

I attended the event with Natalie of One PR and the stunning model Alexius.

Below pic: Myself, designer Omar Mansoor, Model Alexius and Photographer Sadiq in deep discussions :)

We met some great people and overall it was a great evening.

I met another amazing designer there called Larisa Katz who has definately added new meaning and life to umbrella's in the world of couture!! She had some of the most amazing dresses I have ever seen and they were all made from umbrella's how fab!!!!!

After hitting the dance floor and exhausting my legs to hideous 80's Madonna moves and tracks I made my way back home, lol

Xx

For more info visit:

www.topmodeluk.com

Lunch...Fashion Week and Sleep please!

So today was a crazy day!!! What should have been my day off to enjoy some of the other fashion week shows and catch up with friends ended up being a day of madness with the unexpected happening.

I somehow managed to squeeze in lunch with famous Mauritian designer ‘Lida O’Reilly’ who had come to London to showcase her Amazing Couture Collection at our ‘Jalouse’ LFW Closing show.

We met up at the V&A museum and had some delicious Salmon yummmm!.

After lunch with Lida I had to dash quickly to try and make it on time for Nico D’s (Nico Didonna) show which I wouldn’t miss for the world! His pieces are so chic and so wearable. For those of you who have not yet come across the Nico D brand should def check out his website http://www.nico-d.com/ to find out more .The unique design and style of each individual garment has attracted clients from across the spectrum of talents and interests, from TV presenters and directors to footballers, artists and musicians are to name but a few.

My favourite piece was a gorgeous grey wrap dress which can easily be dressed up or down. It was also great seeing one of my favourite British models Rachael Williams modelling in the show!

Below pics: Some of Nico D's Autumn/Winter 2010 collection pieces

After Nico D’s show I had to rush and catch the Untold show at the Battersea Arts Centre which is put together each season by founder Maame Baryeh and her team. For more info on Untold visit http://www.un-told.co.uk/

I then headed back home after the show to try and catch up on some sleep before our fashion week closing shows on Wednesday!

xx

Watch Nico D's last season Fashion Week show below. Sorry about the dodgy filming but was still trying to work out my new camera at the time -lol

The Pre-Fashion Week Show at Movida!

So yesterday was the LGN Events pre-fashion week show and party at Celebrity nightspot, Movida .

I have not slept much recently I must say , I mean I’m talking 2-3 hours here and there as I tend to aim for perfection when it comes to work so that includes not sleeping until all the nitty gritty stuff is also good to go! I think I learnt a long time ago that time all that lastminute.com stuff really does not work, so if it means I have to not sleep to perfect something, I won’t.

So the Movida show last night was showcasing 6 amazing International emerging designers from as far as India (Sonya Vajifdar ).

Designers showcasing their collections included Sve by Sally Ellis, Avoh Valentine, Struppets by Nicole Hellrung, Rosie Keating, Sonya Vajifdar and Knitwear designer Lois Porte

You can read more about them here

It was raining heavily, as it always does in London, but even that did not stop the guests from arriving dead on time eagerly waiting for the show to commence.

Backstage was utter chaos during the show as you could imagine but in a fun kind of way. I know you’re thinking chaos and fun do not quite go together but in the name of fashion it‘s possible –lol

Below pics: Some backstage action!

The turn out was fantastic and it’s so great to see the British press really supporting and welcoming emerging talent.

Well I did shake a few dance moves on the dance floor with the limited amount of energy I did have left then realised I was being unrealistic about trying to party after the show when I had to be up early the next day!

I literally crashed on my bed the minute I got into my room so yeah I was shattered!!

Bisous
Xx

“Don’t miss the LGN Events Boujis Closing show next Wednesday 24th Feb”

Links:

www.lagenevenorthevents.co.uk

Photo credits: Harry Wade - www.harrybwade.com

Fashion Week and the start of 2010

“British fashion is self confident and fearless. It refuses to bow to commerce, thus generating a constant flow of new ideas whilst drawing in British heritage”.- Alexander McQueen

Above pic: Me with Latifah Jolie ( Artisic director at La Geneve North Events)

I’ve had a great start to the year with lots of exciting things happening!

My year kicked off with the La Geneve North Events’ (www.lagenevenorthevents.co.uk ) monthly Valmont Catwalk show which showcased Ethical designers Charlotte and Jane’s beautiful pieces and Akosua Afriyie-kumi's African inspired show stopping pieces.

Below are a couple pics from the show

Opening the show was a stunning belly dancer called Farah whose performance was just phenomenal!!!!!!!

I had such great fun as always and met so many new great people and even new investors for the designers we work with which was great.

TV presenter Reggie Yates taking over the decks!

So a couple of weeks ago a friend invited me to a private party in Holborn, bearing in mind my strong interest in the Arts. The party was celebrating a new art collection and I must say I had the most AMAZING!!! Cocktails, seriously words cannot describe!! That’s how good they were!!

TV presenter Reggie Yates was DJ’ing and I must say he put together a fantastic set!!! I was so impressed with his selection of music!!!!

I met so many great people and numerous celebrities. One very stylish person I met was a gorgeous celebrity stylist called Janine Jauvel. Her style was funky yet chic! You can check out her work at www.janinejauvel.com

London Fashion Week!

I was sad to hear the news of designer Alexander McQueen’s death. He was such an amazing designer and his contribution to the British Fashion Industry is one that will live on for centuries!!! It is so sad that he killed himself especially one week before London Fashion Week. I am sure there will be many moments of silence dedicated to him at the shows. Buying his pieces have been a nightmare with Net-A-Porter crashing yesterday and basically selling out!!

London Fashion Week off-schedule shows next week

It’s crazy how quickly fashion week comes by each season!!! I always take a break after Fashion Week before returning to work as it’s so intense and completely crazy. I get invited to so many shows and I try to go to as many or send an assistant on my behalf as i think it’s important to support each other in the fashion industry especially if they’re new talent.

Gosh I can’t believe how many years I’ve worked in fashion already and you bet I love it!! It is a lot of work so don’t get it twisted as most people I meet always tell me how much they would dream of having my glamorous…yes supposedly Glamorous job! Then I tell them all the hard work involved and then they think twice –lol

Below pic: Me and Friends at Fashion Week last season

So we’ve been preparing for all our off-schedule Fashion Week shows and am very excited about the new brands we’re going to be introducing this season!!!

The press have been so supportive and really embraced the new designers we will be introducing during Fashion Week.

Our ‘A La Mode’ show taking place at the Charing Cross Hotel in Strand on Friday 19^th Feb 2010 has been featured on Cosmopolitan this week. You can read the article below:

http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/fashion-&-style/fashion-ideas-a-la-mode-lfw-emerging-designers-show/buzz

For our Jalouse LFW closing show we’ve managed to get one of our amazing designers Angy Morton a feature in the Independent which she is over the moon about! So are we off course-lol

You can read the feature at the below link

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/football-shirt-couture-a-sportfashion-fusion-1897688.html

You can view our full London Fashion Week events schedule at www.lagenevenorthevents.co.uk/events.html

So that’s all from me for now but I will most def be updating you on all the Fashion Week pre preparations and general happenings so stay tuned :)

Bisous

xxxxxxx