Bella Naija

Monday, March 05, 2007

UK STYLEE - DURO OLOWU & NAYO

Hi!!! Happy Monday....lol
How was your weekend?
Hope y'all didnt get up to anything too naughty....
I know the big event this weekend was the Howard Uni. ASA Fashion Show.
I've seen pics from the event soooo huge props to Cranberry! Uber Fab!

I heard about Duro Olowu several years ago when I read about him in the now-defunct Suede Mag - I LOVED tht magazine...I miss it sooo much :(
Anyways, Duro has gone on to bigger things including winning the 2005 New Designer of the Year award at the British Fashion Awards. His oft-celebrated patchwork print silk 'Duro' dresses are a certified cult-favourite. Duro presented his new collection at the Fall 2007 London Fashion Week.
Click on the pic to read about Duro and check out his collection below.

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I've spoken about Nayo before in my Rising Soulstars post. I absolutely love her music! Anyway, she is releasing her 1st official single 'African Girl' from her upcoming album today. Please show some love and purchase the CD in stores or online @ HMV & Amazon or via digital download or via itunes. She has also been getting some major press including a feature in the UK Independent. Good luck and much luv to her. To listen to her songs - go HERE. To see her vid, click HERE

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You know I had to sneak in some Idols West Africa.

Here are the performances from the 1st Group in the Top 24.

F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C!

Lara - She sang Celine Dion's 'Its All Coming Back'

Timi - He sang Roxette's 'Must Have Been Love'

Ibitoru - She sang Madonna's 'Like A Prayer'

Uche - He sang Monica's 'Angel of Mine'

Ekanem - LeAnn Rimes' 'How Do I Live'

Omawumi - She sang Shania Twain's 'That Don't Impress Me Much'

You can vote online as well so go ahead and vote for your favs.

Wow, Lara looks really different from her KUSH days, she had a baby so I guess that's the reason but she did a great job. I'm sorry I could hear some kind of H-Factor in Ekanem's singing...lol but she's not even Yoruba so I cant explain that one. The Omawumi girl is pretty, it'll be easy for the Idols WA people to package her commercially. Ibitoru is such a great performer...luv it! For the guys, I really like that Uche dude but Timi was good too.

That's it!

Have a great week...

I love that 'Mr. So & So' song by Nayo....its so deep and soulful, its almost eerie + I'm sooo happy that Duro is repping Nigeria even tho his new collection is not my absolute fav.

Thanks to Chi Chi and everyone else who sent me the Duro link.

Let us know what you feel about Duro, Nayo or Idols WA!

Friday, March 02, 2007

WEEKEND LUV - THE REBOUND EDITION

Hey Everyone,
I’m sooo glad to be back - to blogging….not work :(
So how was your week? Did you get up to anything interesting?
We would love to hear about your adventures….
Lets get right into it! This is Weekend Luv – The Rebound Edition

The Blogs
Bitchy In The City
I just discovered this blog yesterday. I like it! Strong opinions presented in a witty way….

Yellow Paw Paw **Explicit** **Not Safe For Work**
So my friend calls me while I’m on holiday and says I HAVE TO read this new blog….I read it and honestly its not really my type of thing…but people are talking about it tho…I say check on it. Supposedly the life and times of some ‘mixed race Nigerian girls’.

The Jump-Off
Ruggedman’s Album Release Party @ Planet One

Vagina Monologues presented for the 2nd year running – Joke Silva, Kate Henshaw-Nuttel and Rita Dominic are part of the cast

Laspapi’s new play ‘Anatomy of A Woman’ featuring Stella Damasus-Aboderin – I’m sure it will be fab!

Hot Off The Press
Nigeria’s numero uno rapper Sasha is interviewed by Naijavixen – HERE
Whatever happened to Jay-Z’s UN Water For Life Campaign? Was it just a publicity stunt? – HERE
Aramide’s Blog is 1! Congrats Girl! I am still waiting for my mojito and party pack!– HERE
Dare Art-Alade is married to Deola Ayeni! Congrats Dare and Deola…Dare, Deola is a fab woman…u r lucky to have her. Deola u stole my crush! LOL I wish them a very happy and blessed marriage – HERE
Diana Ross throws a strop at the ThisDay Awards - HERE
Model, Ifeoma Jones gets signed to Ford Model Management New York - HERE
London ‘Black Cabs’ have arrived in Abuja

Nigeria’s New Legal Tender HERE
Not Bad….LMAO @ the pic of the Central Bank VP flashing the cash like he’s in a rap video…

On the other hand, this baby boy is sooo cute…is he wearing lipstick?

This is sooo cute! In Indonesia, a pair of four-week-old Sumatran tiger cubs have become best friends with some baby orang-utans while sharing a room at an Indonesian zoo. They were rejected by their respective mothers...aww :( In a couple of months, when the Tigers start eating meat, I guess the friendship will be over.

The Hits
2Face – See Me So
I like this song from 2Face’s new album, Grass 2 Grace. His new album is hot and has a wide range of songs….u should buy it!

Sound Sultan – Area
I got this song from Uzo and absolutely fell in love with it. I love the melody and the message. Kudos to Sound Sultan!

Daddy Showkey – Diana
This one is from the vaults! Old song but AJ boy Daddy Showkey….I love the message behind it!

Bonus Download: Beyonce & Shakira - Beautiful Liar
I luv the song....kinda different flava from the usual Beyonce stuff but still very hot. The vid is hot too.

That’s it folks! Enjoy!
I’m so glad y’all r back! Leave your comments and let me know what is going on and what you think!
What is the first thing that pops in your head when u see the pic of the Central bank guy 'flashing the cash'...LOL...let us know
I haven’t had a chance to check my email so if you emailed me, I’ll reply you today…
You can hola @ me anytime at bellanaija@gmail.com
I will go and investigate Synteche’s disappearance from Idols West Africa ASAP.

Ciao,

~Bella

Thursday, March 01, 2007

BACK IN THE BUILDING + TINA ATIEMO + IDOLS WA

Hey Everyone!!!!!!!
I am sooooo sorry for my absence. I hope y’all had not completely given up hope and abandoned my blog lol. I really appreciate your patience!
Being the ‘blonde’ that I am, I forgot my laptop charger and phone charger so it was almost impossible to blog or do anything else for that matter.
Anyways, I just got back last night and I’m back to blogging!
Wow! My trip was amazing! I had a really fab time…..I was really busy and running around the place but it worked out in the end. It was just the perfect blend of fun, work and relaxation…
Kisses to my new ‘international’ friend hahah…he knows who he is.
Anyways, maybe I’ll give more details from my trip later but lets get back in the swing of things first!
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Tina Atiemo is a Ghanian designer based in the UK. I first heard about her in December when she was featured in the UN CatWalk the World – Fashion For Food show in Accra, Ghana.
Ever since then, I have been a huge fan of her work. Tina is not just a clothing designer but also a card maker. She makes unique handmade cards with an African twist. Check out some of Tina’s work below. I love how she used a full-figured model (Tieko) in her ads. Luv her and Luv the clothes!

Cards

The Designer

Tina is such a sweetheart plus she's really talented so I really appreciate her work. Please let us know what you think! To visit her website, click HERE

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Back to my current obsession - Idols West Africa! Woooot...I missed so much while I was away. I am sure hardcore fans like me have already seen these but for those who havent, here are some more interesting tidbits from this week's episodes.

Luv It!