The Nation Newspaper

Category: Fashion

  • Men’s suit trend for 2015

    WHAT does 2015 herald for men clothing in term of suits? We are already getting a sneak peak at the fabric, layering and hues.  Men’s suit trend is greatly different to women. Though the pattern, layering and cut may change per season, they never actually go out of fashion.

    So, what suit styles are in fashion for 2015?

    One hot trend that is emerging and spreading like wild fire is the fitted suit design. They are all over the catwalk, everywhere from one-button suits to two-button suits in diverse colours, patterns and textures.

    Another hot item for men in 2015 is the blazer. One good thing blazer has going for it is that it’s wearable for any occasion, whether it’s formal event or something more social.  Most blazers generally are superbly tailored to fit and their lines are flattering on any man, making this a great trend for 2015.

    Blazers wont be the only jacket trend for 2015; military style suits and jackets as well as accessories have been all over the runway and the trend is continuing, leather and tweed jackets would not be far behind too.

  • Fashion designers to watch in 2015

    WE can’t start the New Year without mentioning some of the fashion designers who will set the pace in 2015.

    The fact remains that the story of the fast-growing fashion industry is not complete without the contributions of these designers whose works are winning the respect and admiration of fashion stakeholders at home and abroad.

    Nigeria has its share of talent in the ever-changing fashion industry. Here are just a few designers that are helping keep Nigeria on the map in the world of fashion.

    Deola Ade-Ojo of Deola (Formerly DS)

    THERE is no denying the fact that Madam Deola is one of the highly talented fashion designers who churn out amazing styles all year round.

    The creative director of Deola, popularly referred to as the designer to the rich and famous, stepped on to the then very young fashion industry in Nigeria in twenty five years ago with pieces that instantly caught on with women because they were created to be visually stunning, distinctive with painstaking attention to detail.

    Her custom made designs for her clients and models are each one made to fit the wearer’s personality and body type.

    She is known for her limited and unique designs and creating fashion items of timeless style attitude.

    Folake Coker of  Tiffany Amber

    FOLAKE COKER of Tiffany Amber broke into the fashion scene and took the fashion community by pleasant storm. She sparked a new revolution in the fashion industry some years ago.

    She made a name by churning out fantastic designs. For years, Tiffany Amber has collaborated with both local and international designers.

    Folake has sculpted quite a personal style for herself since appearing on the fashion scene.

    Ohimai Atafo of  Mai Atafo inspired

    THIS award-winning Nigerian male designer, Mai Atafo, is a Nigerian bespoke fashion tailor. He caught the attention of the fashion industry for the creation of his brand, Mai Atafo Inspired.

    With over a decade experience in the fashion industry, Ohimai is arguably the number one clothing line for evening, bridal and runway outfits.

    With a vision to be ranked among the best in the world and the very best in Africa, Ohimai boasts a large number of celebrity figures in Nigeria.

    He has really come a long way. He has received much acclaim for his iconic evening designers which have been seen on notable fashionistas and Funke Akindele’s wedding gown.

    Kunbi Oyelese of  April by Kunbi

    IMAGINATIVE designer, Kunbi, knows the ABC of the fashion industry. The red carpet look designer has carved out a niche for herself. Kunbi worked mainly with high quality and exquisite fabrics, showcasing the beauty of chord, chiffon, satin, etc.

    She uses quality, vibrant and shimmery fabrics together with other mixture of fabrics and accessories to produce eccentric designs that are her signature.

    Almost all the ladies of style have two or more of her designs in their wardrobe.

    Kunbi is one lady who’s changing the way we look at the African fashion designer.  She is one of the most-sough-after designers in Nigeria.

    Lanre Dasilva-Ajayi  of LDA

    AS she is well known, Lanre is one of the Nigeria’s foremost fashion designers that have being rocking the fashion scene for some years now with glamorous regal outfits.

    Talented Lanre woke us from our slumber a few years ago to the world of classic, vintage and Victorian inspired outfits.

    She started the vintage style re-awakening. And a fashion expert says  her collections are distinguished by a diverse fusion of art and history.

    With many nostalgic elements reminiscent of the 50s and 60s, yet simultaneously modern and appealing to the contemporary woman.

    Ejiro Amos Tafiri

    EJIRO AMOS TAFIRI is one of the fastest growing brands in the Nigerian fashion industry, having stormed the fashion world after emerging the best student from the Arts and Garment Technology Department of Yaba College of Technology in 2009.

    She had the honour of designing for top fashion labels before setting up her own.

    That she draws inspiration from a myriad of sources is evident in her skilful blending of styles, textures and fabrics from around the globe.

    Her designs rocked on and off the fashion runway in 2014 both locally and internationally.

  • First Wedding Industry Conference to hold at Eko Marquee

    COME 2015, an epoch-making Wedding Industry Conference will be the cynosure of all eyes as all stakeholders meet in Lagos to deliberate on advancing the industry for optimum dividend to both partakers and participants.

    Akin Eso, the coordinator of the conference, said the coming together of the industry would do good to all stakeholders.

    “This is a conference for the industry by the industry as the central working committee cuts across different aspects of the industry. This promises to be a two-day event owners in the wedding industry will never forget in a long time to come,” Eso said.

    Further, he said: “As we all know, Nigerians love weddings and this has come to stay and the good turn of this is that it has created a whole industry which runs into billions of Naira.

    “The wedding industry in Nigeria has seen tremendous growth over the years and has had a positive impact on the Nigerian economy. Today, the wedding industry boasts of the highest number of entrepreneurs in the country.”

    Eko Marquee, which is located at a strategic spot on the Eko Hotel strip in Victoria Island where Oceanview Restaurant was located before now has been strategically selected, Eso disclosed.

    He said: “The conference promises to be a great one as one of the keynote speakers is Mr Lanre Olushola. There will be a host of speakers/panelists from within and outside the wedding industry.

    “The theme of the conference is The Growth of the Wedding Industry and its Impact on the Nigerian Economy. Attendance at the conference is free, but approval must be given as it is a conference for business owners that offer products or services to weddings.

    Over 500 business owners will gather to discuss, network and engage one another on the state of the industry and how to direct it in the right direction.”

  • Places you can’t resist this season

    Places you can’t resist this season

    WE are in the holiday season, and preparation for the New Year is very much on. This is the period that parents have time for their wards, and it’s also a period that families, friends and lovers besiege beaches and resorts for some fun.

    We went out of our way to get you the best of beaches you can’t resist. Please go along with your beach wear. A beach is a relaxation centre to unwind and be free. Whether you are looking for somewhere to unwind or swim, this list will help you make the right choice. I have selected some of the best waterfront destinations from within Lagos.

    Elegushi & Oniru Beach

    This is a popular tourist destination on the Island because of the astoundingly beautiful resorts and scenery. In most cases, you can stay in a private cottage. If you want to go somewhere to relax without street urchins’ hassle, this is the place to do it.

    Bar Beach

    This is an evergreen fun spot for the whole family. It has one advantage above the rest, although there are no palm trees. It is situated in the city. Some people do not want to travel far for leisure because of the problem associated with traffic. So the place is always full to the brim during the festive period. Be security conscious, Bar Beach is also the hangout of some undesirable elements.

    Badagry Beach

    This is a fantastic place to chill out; it’s very long sea side view and breezy air makes it a lovely place to visit at all times. Everyone knows that Badagry Beach is the home of good and fresh coconut water.

    Takwa Bay

    For its peaceful and serene nature, it’s the most popular tourist destination due to its good climate and natural setting. It is a place to be. Even the ferry ride from Mile 2 to the bay is loads of fun.

    Whispering Palm

    The coconut trees-filled resort has an inviting appeal, and there are lots of fresh coconut water to cool thirst.

  • Woodin opens first flagship store in Nigeria

    FOLLOWING its growing popularity in West and Central Africa, Pan African fast fashion brand Woodin recently opened its first store in Nigeria .

    With 26 stores in African countries (Ghana, Ivory Coast, Benin, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Niger), fashion capital and style city, Lagos, could not be left behind.

    Trendy, modern textiles and ready-to-wear fashion, embodying the rich and beautiful African culture, are now available for stylish Nigerian consumers. The Woodin world can be experienced in the new store where the latest fashion inspiration, service and styling advice is available to consumers.

    As part of its opening ceremony, shoppers had the opportunity to interact and take exclusive selfies with Woodin’s Nigerian Brand Ambassador, Korede Bello. Woodin’s in-store Personal Stylist also gave a free mini-makeover and offered expert style and colour advice to shoppers.

    As the festive season beckons, they have in-store delectable treats for all shoppers throughout the month of December and the New Year. Cutting the ribbon to unveil the store officially was the Managing Director of Vlisco Nigeria, Mr Erik Van Der Staaj, who noted that the unveil was to allow their growing clients the chance of getting the fabric in a cozy environment.

    “Today, we are opening a mega store for our Woodin fabric. Apart from our different distributors nationwide, this will afford clients ease. Woodin had been in Ghana, Togo before.

    “Our in-store Personal Stylist will be available to give fab fashion advice and stylish tips to all our cherished consumers and who knows which celebrity will pop in for selfie-time”, Erik said.

    It was such a colourful atmosphere as ushers wore different Woodin styled by Mimi Mee London, a first-class  fashion designer.

  • Ideal gifts for him for Christmas

    Ideal gifts for him for Christmas

    THIS season of love is a time to share. It is good to show you care by buying him gifts. It’s a general notion that only the ladies love mushy stuffs. Guys appear tough because of their masculinity. I bet you, these gifts will melt his rugged demeanour.

    There are fashion items ranging from clothing to accessories, lovely colours that will bring out that feature in him that makes your heart beat faster. It’s not just enough to cook his favourite dish and expect him to do the buying. Surprise him with any of these gifts. I bet your love will wax stronger, especially if you do not have the habit of getting him gifts.

    Guys, I know you know how to treat yourselves to good stuff, so waste no time in getting yourself gift items to say “well done” for all your achievements this year. In all, remember to attach bells or ornaments to your gifts.

  • LKA clocks 2

    LKA clocks 2

    IT was fun on Sunday, November 30, 2014 as guests, friends and clients of LKA Fabrics gathered to celebrate her second anniversary and eventful years of being Vlisco partner and distributor. It was also a great feat for LKA to become the newest distributor of the Woodin fabric as clients need not travel to Accra, Ghana to get their Woodin.

    The event was held at the exquisite office of LKA in Ikeja, Lagos and it was glamorous and colourful.

    The company was founded by Mrs Ayokunmi Abdul who opened her Ajao Road, Ikeja office to clients recently in celebration of God’s goodness.

  • Da Viva lights up runway at Nigeria Fashion Week

    LEXY Mojo-Eyes’ much-talked-about fashion show, the Nigeria Fashion Week, the annual event organized by Legendary Gold Limited saw Da Viva’s collection from four Nigerian top designers, Theodora Dike, Zapel, Targerine by Ibeleye Egbuson and Tolumi and TFP by Tolumi Abeola rocked the runway.

    Each designer featured 15 fabulous collections made with Da Viva fabrics on the runway. Collection from top and bottom for the guys, beautiful dresses from crop top to jumpsuit and breathtaking evening gowns embellished with Swarovski stones for the ladies. The brand was also well represented at the premium stand where lovely designs of its fabrics were on display and prominent at the stand was the limited edition of Expression embellished with Swarovki elements.   The two-day event also witnessed other Nigerian top designers like Ozuora, Nikky Kay, Zizi Cardow, among others.

  • Scouting for Africa

    Scouting for Africa

    VOGUE Talents, in collaboration with International Business Consortium Nigeria limited, organizers of Africa’s biggest model search and owners of ECOWAS Fashion Week, and Africa International Fashion Week in partnership with Studio 24 launched “Scouting for Africa” sponsored by Access Bank PLC Nigeria and Baileys.

    This is a new international scouting project aimed at emerging women’s wear, men’s wear and accessories designed by African designers and non-African designers based in Africa.

    The profiles of the best designers will appear in Vogue Italia in 2015. One of the selected designers will have the opportunity of presenting their garments and accessories within the marvellous setting of Palazzo Morando in Milan, a showcase of international scouting, in September 2015. During this special event, the chosen designers will be able to show their collections to journalists, buyers and designers.

    The designers, who will be picked, will feature at Africa International Fashion Week with an award night by Baileys targeting women who have made their mark in the African fashion industry.

  • MAKE-UP can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you don’t know what products to use or how to use them. There are certain things that you should keep in mind while applying make-up. Knowing how much to use and what colours you want to wear is the first step in application. Below are basic make-up tips every woman should know to give the impression of being best always. * Apply eye shadow before you put on your foundation. A lot of people wonder about how to apply eye shadow. Putting on eye shadow after foundation can only lead to problems. Flecks from the shadow can fall onto your face, making it impossible to remove it without wiping off some of the foundation just applied. By applying eye shadow first, if any falls onto your face, you can swipe it off very easily with make-up remover. Already applied foundation and in a dilemma? Here is a make-up trick: Grab a piece of scotch tape and gently press it onto the area where flecks are visible. The tape will clean up any excess shadow. * Apply foundation colour that is closest to your skin tone. Some people make the mistake of purchasing a foundation with a face full of make-up which does not help the consultant find your perfect shade. Next time you head to the make-up counter, be sure to go all natural. To attain the perfect shade that is best for you, test the foundation on your jaw line. This will give you the most accurate match for your skin tone. Apply it with a brush or a sponge and never with your fingers as a lot of products get wasted on your hands and also it would not be too hygienic. * Never skip applying a loose/pressed powder after applying a liquid foundation. No one likes to look like a shiny mess, especially if you are attending a social event or working in an eight- hour shift. Too many women forget to apply a powder to seal their make-up. The result? A melting face you could have prevented, if you didn’t skip that one simple little step. * Get rid of mascara that is three months old. Every time you open a tube of mascara, airborne bacteria clings onto the wand. The tube also acts as a breeding ground for bacteria. Toss out mascara that has been open for three months or longer. * Do not go to sleep with your make-up on Sleeping with make-up on is bad for your skin as pores can get clogge., Your skin won’t breathe and you can wake up the next morning with a face full of zits. Next time you plan on spending a long night out, keep make-up remover wipes handy at your bedside.

    MAKE-UP can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you don’t know what products to use or how to use them. There are certain things that you should keep in mind while applying make-up. Knowing how much to use and what colours you want to wear is the first step in application. Below are basic make-up tips every woman should know to give the impression of being best always. * Apply eye shadow before you put on your foundation. A lot of people wonder about how to apply eye shadow. Putting on eye shadow after foundation can only lead to problems. Flecks from the shadow can fall onto your face, making it impossible to remove it without wiping off some of the foundation just applied. By applying eye shadow first, if any falls onto your face, you can swipe it off very easily with make-up remover. Already applied foundation and in a dilemma? Here is a make-up trick: Grab a piece of scotch tape and gently press it onto the area where flecks are visible. The tape will clean up any excess shadow. * Apply foundation colour that is closest to your skin tone. Some people make the mistake of purchasing a foundation with a face full of make-up which does not help the consultant find your perfect shade. Next time you head to the make-up counter, be sure to go all natural. To attain the perfect shade that is best for you, test the foundation on your jaw line. This will give you the most accurate match for your skin tone. Apply it with a brush or a sponge and never with your fingers as a lot of products get wasted on your hands and also it would not be too hygienic. * Never skip applying a loose/pressed powder after applying a liquid foundation. No one likes to look like a shiny mess, especially if you are attending a social event or working in an eight- hour shift. Too many women forget to apply a powder to seal their make-up. The result? A melting face you could have prevented, if you didn’t skip that one simple little step. * Get rid of mascara that is three months old. Every time you open a tube of mascara, airborne bacteria clings onto the wand. The tube also acts as a breeding ground for bacteria. Toss out mascara that has been open for three months or longer. * Do not go to sleep with your make-up on Sleeping with make-up on is bad for your skin as pores can get clogge., Your skin won’t breathe and you can wake up the next morning with a face full of zits. Next time you plan on spending a long night out, keep make-up remover wipes handy at your bedside.

    MAKE-UP can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you don’t know what products to use or how to use them. There are certain things that you should keep in mind while applying make-up. Knowing how much to use and what colours you want to wear is the first step in application. Below are basic make-up tips every woman should know to give the impression of being best always.

     

    * Apply eye shadow before you put on your foundation.

    A lot of people wonder about how to apply eye shadow. Putting on eye shadow after foundation can only lead to problems. Flecks from the shadow can fall onto your face, making it impossible to remove it without wiping off some of the foundation just applied. By applying eye shadow first, if any falls onto your face, you can swipe it off very easily with make-up remover.

    Already applied foundation and in a dilemma? Here is a make-up trick: Grab a piece of scotch tape and gently press it onto the area where flecks are visible. The tape will clean up any excess shadow.

     

    * Apply foundation colour that is closest to your skin tone.

    Some people make the mistake of purchasing a foundation with a face full of make-up which does not help the consultant find your perfect shade. Next time you head to the make-up counter, be sure to go all natural. To attain the perfect shade that is best for you, test the foundation on your jaw line. This will give you the most accurate match for your skin tone. Apply it with a brush or a sponge and never with your fingers as a lot of products get wasted on your hands and also it would not be too hygienic.

     

    * Never skip applying a loose/pressed powder after applying a liquid foundation.

    No one likes to look like a shiny mess, especially if you are attending a social event or working in an eight- hour shift. Too many women forget to apply a powder to seal their make-up. The result? A melting face you could have prevented, if you didn’t skip that one simple little step.

     

    * Get rid of mascara that is three months old.

    Every time you open a tube of mascara, airborne bacteria clings onto the wand. The tube also acts as a breeding ground for bacteria. Toss out mascara that has been open for three months or longer.

     

    * Do not go to sleep with your make-up on

    Sleeping with make-up on is bad for your skin as pores can get clogge., Your skin won’t breathe and you can wake up the next morning with a face full of zits. Next time you plan on spending a long night out, keep make-up remover wipes handy at your bedside.