The British fashion industry gathered on Monday 28, 2011 to celebrate the success and contributions of designers, models and the industry’s influential creative people   to the development of the industry as a whole.

SHF spotted River Island’s PR Manager Arieta Mujay at the event which was well attended by the British Fashion Industry’s elite.

SHF Credits Arieta Mujay and British Fashion Awards

Inspiration for the Sring Summer 2012 collection is from architectural structures. Elements of rigid and edgy stuctures were combined then transformed to softer fluid lines placed in ways that complement the female form. Silk,chiffon,taffeta,organza and embriodered lace are fabrics used for this collection.

Buba and sokoto, Agbada, Safari suits, Fila and a healthy dose of print which is ALOT, the Jewel by Lisa Spring Summer Collection 2012 takes us back to Nigeria in the 60′s. The Nigeria that had a new voice,the voice of independence and growth.

Inspiration for this collection for the Africa Fashion International Designer of the year winner, Lisa Folawiyo, the head of PR says “is from a visit to the home of legendary photographer and historian, Okhai Ojeikere, one with over 5,000 photographs in archives and a career spanning 60 years documenting post colonial Nigeria’s socio-political landscape. The heart of the inspiration – Ojeikere’s popular University series featuring Nigerians in the 60’s at University College Ibadan and University College Hospital. The men – in traditional garb; bubas and sokotos with agbadas thrown over, safari suits; the women in print dresses and full skirts.Black and white, and set in the backdrop of a new, modern Nigeria, the images represent a yearning for colonial western influences whilst embracing tradition. Merged together, they form and define a unique moment in fashion. The collection revisits this past, celebrating heritage and culture, as it reworks & reinterprets traditional Nigerian menswear and key pieces within that era into modern female silhouettes.”

For the Spring Summer 2012 Collection, Jewel by Lisa collaborated with Textile Designer Banke Kuku for the brands custom-made luxury prints which come in cotton, heavy silk satin, silk chiffon check, silk habotai and crepe silk. Jewel by lisa also collaborated with Tolu Shonubi and other local artisans for the accessories line which this time is a range of beautifully handmade beaded bags.

Yet again,we are wowed by the creativity exhibited by the Jewel by Lisa brand. This Spring Summer Collection takes the Nigerian culture and heritage on a global trip…a global trip well deserved. View the collection Below.

Bridget Awosika: MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week

Bridget Awosika’s SS 2012 Collection as seen at MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week  was recently featured on Vogue Italia. Bridget shares her inspiration for the new collection with Robb Young (fashion business journalist, author, luxury industry editor and strategic consultant) “It meant so many things to me… innocence, growth, beauty, and healing. I guess I was thinking of ‘new beginnings’ and ‘cycles’, exploring relationships, a woman’s stance in life, and where I live again – Nigeria – now that I’ve moved back here a couple years ago.”  Read more —-> here.

SHF Credits Vogue Italia and Robb Young

Photo Credit – Persnickety Media

Vlisco recently launched its new season’s collection “Delicate Shades” to retailers, designers and the buying public -   on November 13, 2011 at Protea Hotel  Ikeja GRA with a 10 piece collection by Lanre Da Silva Ajayi.

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi for Vlisco's Delicate Shades: Look 1

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi for Vlisco's Delicate Shades: Look 2

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi for Vlisco's Delicate Shades: Look 3

LDA for Vlisco Delicate Shades 4

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi for Vlisco's Delicate Shades: Look 5

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi for Vlisco's Delicate Shades: Look 6

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi for Vlisco's Delicate Shades: Look 7

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi for Vlisco's Delicate Shades: Look 8

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi for Vlisco's Delicate Shades: Look 9

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi for Vlisco's Delicate Shades: Look 10

Three dimensional illustrations take centre stage in Vlisco’s new collection Delicate Shades. The ad campaign is the result of a collaboration with fashion illustrator Sabine Pieper and photographed by James Powel.

SHF Photo Credits: Kola Oshalusi for Vlisco Nigeria

Temple Muse - Moet Bar

Temple Muse officially launched its new luxury flagship store on November 5, 2011 with an exclusive event co- sponsored by Moet and Chandon at 21, Amodu Tijani Victoria Island – new home to the luxury boutique departmental store.

Walking into Temple Muse, the distinctive luxury boutique lends an ultra chic and modern air to the art of shopping in Lagos. Why not? With two floors of shopping – “select & exclusive mix of high-end luxury products & services within Home & Gift, Fashion & Accessories and Food & Drink by housing some of the world’s top brands in these categories“, gourmet treats from our friends CamCam Sweeties, divine signature cupcakes and canapes, accompanied with the latest servings from a signature Moet & Chandon bar, Temple Muse is set to be on every Lagosian’s orbit who’s got a knack for shopping in style.

Avinash Wadhwani,  Co – Owner Temple Muse on the departmental boutique’s look and fell “ we believe the brands we showcase should speak for themselves when it comes to quality, look and feel, thus the clean white lines in the store provide a blank canvas for designers to showcase their products. Mirrors, glass, handmade be spoke fixtures (all made in Nigeria by artisans) and the perfect lighting also add in helping to create a feel of glamour, chic and elegance. We used the natural features of the new store (skylights at the entrance and the old balcony of the 1960s structure) to the max, enhancing the open spaces to give a sense of ease and comfort creating a unique shopping space in the hustle bustle of Lagos Life“.

What I love best? Totally adore the fact that you can walk in and find the best of Odio Mimonet nestled with Wilbur and Gussie, Sunny Rose, Eki Orleans and Nkwo with Zooni, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi alongside Amrapali, Tebazile and Lara Bohinc and many more… a vision of things to come in Africa and the rest of the world. Nigerian brands will be found in luxury departmental stores that house other designers worldwide! We look forward to that!

At a Glance: Temple Muse' First Floor

Odio Mimonet, Wilbur and Gussie

Temple Muse

Zooni, Eki Orleans

Temple Muse

Temple Muse - CamCam Gourmet

Temple Muse - Eva Sonaike

Temple Muse - Sunny Rose

SHF Photo Credit – Temple Muse

MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week: Amede Day 3

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

MTN LFDW Day 3 - Grey

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

12►

MTN LFDW Day 3 - Kelechi Odu

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

MTN LFDW Day 3: Jewel By Lisa

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

12►

SHF CREDITS

Photos: Persnickety Media

Hair: Bobby’s Signature using Sleek Hair and Nature’s Gentle Touch Products

Make Up: House of Tara and Bimpe Ogunmakin using House of Tara

Models: Beth Models

Styling: Terence Sambo, Kike Soyode, Eve Tawo, Veronica Ebie

LAGOS, home of MTN British Council Young Creative Entrepreneur of The Year Award WINNER – Ayotomi Rotimi of Xclamations! was within minutes, spilling with models, designers and Young Creative Entrepreneurs at the British Council. Everywhere was packed and the excitement in the air was infectious.  On the panel to screen the today’s applicants were Dola Bamgboye of MTN, Remi Fagbohun of The Versatile Shopper, Elohor Aisien of Beth Africa and Omoyemi Akerele of Style House. They were later joined by Ojoma Ochai of the British Council, Folake Folarin Coker of Tiffany Amber and Uche Eze of Bella Naija. Of the hundred models that turned up, only a handful were eligible.

Day 2, The final day of the MTN LFDW Awards screening process started with the judges agreeing to screen some models and designers before commencing the rigorous interviews for the Young Creative Entrepreneurs. Folake Folarin Coker of Tiffany Amber, Dola Bamgboye of MTN, Ojoma Ochai of the British Council, Uche Eze of Bella Naija and Omoyemi Akerele of Style House were on today’s panel. Among a pool of models, 17 year old Oluwatobi Fadeyibi dressed in a black tank top and black skinny jeans impressed the judges with her catwalk and intelligent answers and was the only one shortlisted for the MTN Young Model of the Year Award.

I smiled because I cottoned onto this fact a long time before the fashion bible, Vogue, hailed it as ‘official’.  What I love about jumpsuits, is that they allow me to bring out my inner Seventies Diva, and whilst I am in them, I can pretend that I am going to Studio 54, as opposed to, let’s say, a club down the road.

What keeps me coming back to the jumpsuit is the freedom it allows me in movement, as opposed to a dress, which can limit one’s more ‘flexible’ moves on the dance floor.

Catwalk aka High Fashion

This A/W ’11, international designers like Michael Kors, Hakaan and Osman offered pretty seductive versions of this number, but being a fan of the ‘razzle dazzle’, I have opted to show Balmain-

Courtesy of Style.com

My Reality aka High Street/Vintage

This black silk draped jumpsuit with sequins detail is one of my favourite pieces in my wardrobe and is from the vintage section of Topshop- Peekaboo, which happens to be my Fashion Mecca.  Opting to pick a piece that fits the trend from the High Street means that I can join the Seventies Glam brigade, at just a fraction of the High Fashion Designer price.

 www.bikijohn.com

After receiving encouraging feedback via twitter and through emails, the Judges were confident that the competition was only going to get fiercer in Abuja and Lagos. Within an hour of starting the screening process, the waiting area at the British Council was teeming with models, designers and young creative entrepreneurs. Today’s panel had Bisola Edun of TAE, Aisha Augie-Kuta of AAK Studios, Shehu Abubakar of MTN and Omoyemi Akerele of Style House. The models were up first. They came in all shapes and sizes with different views about fashion, beauty and modelling.

Day 2.

While still on the hunt for talent, the panel of judges were joined by Olamipo Bello of the British Council and they all decided to screen some models and designers before commencing with the in-depth interviews for the MTN British Council Young Creative Entrepreneur Award. There were some strong candidates among the models but none could really compare with those already selected the day before and in Port Harcourt with the exception of latecomer Jill Odeh. She impressed the panel with her confident walk and intelligent answers about modeling and fashion.

MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week Screening – Produced and Directed by Bola Balogun for Glam Report

Watch —->Lagos Fashion and Design Week Promo

Abuja Screening Part 1

Abj part 1 –

Abuja Screening Part 2

Abj part 2 –

SHF Credit: Photos Kola Oshalusi; Words – Isabella Akinseye