FASHION FOR A CAUSE

If there's anything in this world I love it's FASHION, and if there's anything I believe in, It's Charity. When these 2 things come together, I am always overwhelmed with pride and joy.

Here are TWO of the Charity organizations that participated in this phenomenon during XMAS of '06.

AIPA (Against Illiteracy Poverty and AIDS) is non-governmental organization formed by four college students in the United States of America Gozie Coker (Baylor University) , Isioma Coker (Baylor University) & Ify Egbunike (Howard University), Fona Osunloye (Farleigh Dickinson University) driven to make a change in their society.

The first event they had was called FUSION - showcased up and coming fashion designers, musicians, dancers and the current headliner in Nigerian music and comedy. It was targeted at the youth in an attempt to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and to give everyone an opportunity to give back in their own way. FUSION was a great success, they raised over two and a half million naira from just ticket sales, and the money donated a million naira to the Women’s Health, Education and Development Organization (WHED)

Some designers Featured at the show are:

Amaka Osakwe


Motara Thomas








DSPN (Do Sumthing Positive Nigeria) is a non governmental body set out to encourage youths to make positive changes in Nigeria, with a focus on bad roads. It is founded by, Dumebi Agbakoba who was recently featured in Sons and Daughter of Thisday by Chude

DSPN thought it would be nice gesture to host their event at the Friends of the Disabled Charity, Lagos Island, Nigeria bringing Christmas to them because they are not as fortunate as us to have presents. The event featured a noon of fun, dance, drama and top notch entertainment coupled with a fashion show which will showcase the designs of young fashion designers.

DSPN website HERE

Young fashion designers include:

Dakou Collection


Steve Ray








WHAT'S NEXT?
On September 15, 2007 RUNWAY AFRICA is scheduled to hold, it works to highlight and support the creativity and highly marketable lines of African fashion designers while generating greater awareness of Africa’s booming fashion industry in international circles. This year Runway africa supports Keep a child alive

Designers to be featured are:
Blokes 'n' Divas and Ruby for the show Harriet's Alter Ego, bebenoir and some more!!

Featured Model: Angela Asare, the 6”2’ Ghanaian contestant at Miss Universe 2006 and winner of Miss Congeniality.

FUN FACTS:
The Model in the red ribbon dress is Adeola Ariyo, Finalist of Nokia face of africa 2005, She is wearing an AIDS inspired dress by Amaka Osakwe. She is signed to Faith Model Agency to see her portfolio click HERE

So what do you think of this phenomenon, are fashion shows becoming overrated?

I'm also sorry for not being able to do my regular weekend luv, I forgot my charger!...but it'll be back this weekend!!

Much Love

~ BELLA ~

GENEVIEVE MAG @ 4

I can't believe its been 4 years but one of my fav mags - Betty Irabor's Genevieve Magazine is 4 Years Old.
I thought it was a good idea to take a little walk down memory lane by viewing all their previous covers.
My fav issue was the Nike Osinowo issue. I just loved it.

The rest of the covers

Modupe Ozolua ~ KUSH ~ Femi Oke

Genevieve Nnaji ~ Hafsat Abiola ~ Nwando Okwuosa, Celia Ohumotu Bissong, Nkem Ituludiegwu

Funke Kuti ~ Joke Silva ~ Adesuwa Onyenokwe

Sylvia Edem ~ Funmi Iyanda ~ Patricia Leon

Abike Dabiri ~ Omotola Ekeinde ~ Aisha Babangida Mohammed

Bimbo Odukoya (RIP) ~ Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ~ Kehinde Gbelee

The Pink Ball ~ Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli ~ Ara

Marita & Maria Ayodele ~ Funke Adedoyin ~ Nike Osinowo

Chris Anyanwu ~ Mary Onyali ~ Mo Abudu

Joke Silva, Omonor Imobhio, Iyabo Amoke & Ireti Doyle ~ Michelle Dede ~ Eme Akenzua

Dora Akunyili ~ Stella Damasus Aboderin ~ Nike Ogunlesi


Click HERE for their website and here is a recent newspaper feature on the Editor, Betty Irabor.


Oh by the way, here are some more auditions from my new obsession - Idols West Africa.
This show is CLASSIC!
The Exellent
Syntyche
The Awful
Ruban
The WTF?
Onyeka
If you missed it, Check out my Idols West Africa post from yesterday - HERE

Let us know what you think about Genevieve Mag.
Hot or Not? Which is your fav cover? Let us know!

UPDATE: Hey People - I forgot my laptop charger at home, that's y I havent been able to blog.
I'll work on looking for a new charger this weekend and will be back to blogging on Monday.
Much Luv...
P.S - Wooooot! I am having so much fun..its shocking! lol. Ciao

IDOLS WEST AFRICA

Hey Everyone,
How was your weekend? Hope y’all had fun!
What did I do? Hmmm…slept, hung out, went to see a movie, got my hair ‘did’…That’s basically it! Not that exciting right really…
So I’m going to London tomorrow…just for a couple of days though. Jeeez, I miss real holidays. You know those 3-month holidays! The type u get in uni…I miss that soooo much! I’ll take my laptop with me and try my very best to blog.
Idols West Africa started on Sunday! That show is sooo funny. Did anyone get a chance to watch it. Anyway, I’ll fill you in on the 411 below. ENJOY.

Idols West Africa is a brand new reality show. Basically, American Idol for Nigeria, Ghana and the other West African nations.
The judges are Dan Foster (Cool FM Presenter), Abrewa Nana (Ghanian Musiciain) and Fela Kuti protégé Dede Mabiaku. To read more about the judges, go HERE
The presenter of the show is Mike Majic. A young Nigerian radio DJ.
Auditions were held in Lagos, Abuja, Calabar and Accra and thousands of people turned up for their chance to be a STAR~

Anyways, here are some pictures from the West African Idol auditions


Here are pics of some the contestants who have gone through to the next round

Axie Okwuosa - Somto Akunyili

Riel Uzamere


Check out some video promos of the auditions – TOO FUNNY
Lagos
Calabar
Abuja
Accra

Check out some full auditions:

The Good
Casiana
Confidence
Nana

The Bad
Cylas – LMAO!
Vanessa - I'm Speechless

The ummm…Special!
Tony
Juliano

To follow all the West African Idol magic – Stay locked to their website - HERE
You can also catch all the latest Idol episodes on MNet's Channel 37
The show is good so far - Dede is like the 'Simon Cowell', Nana is like the Paula (although she makes much more sense than Paula), Dan is sooo like the 'Randy Jackson' of the show. I expected him to be harsh but he's very nice to the contestants.

Anyway, please let us know what u think! Would you audition for a show like Idols West Africa? Do you think these reality shows are good for Nigeria, Ghana etc.. or a waste of valuable resources? Let us know!

Ciao