The Curvy Black Fashionista: March 2011

Wednesday 30 March 2011

Nobody does Editorial like Vogue Latin America

April 2011

Photographer: David Roemer

Model: Crystal Renn

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Tuesday 29 March 2011

If I had Money I would Buy edition # 4

If I had Money I would buy....

Camilla Skovgaard Shoes!!!!!!

blast from the past - 70's trend

I shouldn't have to tell you that the 70's look is the new hot trend for S/S 2011

...thought I'd give you some original 70's stlye to help inspire you...

(love these colour!!)

Swagga is genetic and to prove it I'll be showing you some old pic's I smuggled from my crib in Lagos of mummy, daddy and a few of my aunties and uncles ...

enjoy!!!

Saturday 26 March 2011

ArchiNaija - Eko Atlantic

ArchiNaija

So as an architecture student I spend the other part of my life engrossed in architecture ... I went on a search a while back and just started researching architecture in Nigeria, well specifically the new project going on. I found quite a lot of stuff and was thinking about making a new blog just on New Nigerian architecture projects but thought that would be for another time.....

Anyway believe me when I say Nigeria is Africa's Dubai... we reclaim land like no-mans business and on top of that apart from Brazil can you name another country that rebuilt its capital city from scratch ......

Anyway I just wanted to spread the word about up an coming project in Nigeria enjoy

Located along the Atlantic coast of Lagos, Nigeria is a dynamic new city currently under construction. Adjacent to Victoria Island in West Africa's fastest growing region is Eko Atlantic. This project will transform 9 square kilometers of eroding coastal land into a thriving twenty-first century city.

Eko Atlantic combines an impressive blend of aesthetic beauty and seamless practicality. The city will be spread across seven districts, combining residential, commercial, financial and tourist development. They will all share the same high standards of urban planning, infrastructure and architectural excellence. The new city will feature tree-lined boulevards, waterways, manicured gardens, elegant plazas, three marinas and a stunning ocean front promenade. Eko Atlantic will be a city in which to live, work and play.

The Financial District, with towering skyscrapers, will attract multinational companies, especially in the oil and gas industries. It will become home to many of Africa’s banks, financial institutions and business leaders and will help to establish Lagos as the financial capital of Africa.

Eko Atlantic will raise the standards of infrastructure in Lagos to sophisticated levels through a finely-structured urban plan that creates a balanced, environmentally friendly and efficient blueprint for a comfortable, healthy, safe and efficient style of life. Each of the seven districts of Eko Atlantic will display their own unique characteristics, but the infrastructural design will be standard throughout the city.

The city will have its own independent service island with an electricity generating plant and water management for drinking and irrigation, as well as sewage control. Eko Atlantic will be self-sufficient in power and vital telecommunications.

Transportation includes an eight-lane coastal highway, a tramway system, a ferry system, 20 km of internal waterway, and a 100 km internal network of roads connect all districts. Eko Atlantic also includes a pedestrian and transport strategy that is designed to reduce road use, minimize traffic congestion and create off-street parking for all vehicles.

In essence, Eko Atlantic is a huge reclamation project, replacing land that was lost during a hundred years of severe coastal erosion. Consultants and contractors from all over the world are working together in an attempt to roll back surging waves from the Atlantic Ocean. Valuable land that was lost to generations of Nigerians has already begun to reappear and is expanding every day. A 7 km long sea wall will be constructed to protect the city from damaging storms. Eko Atlantic is turning a liability of coastal erosion into a national asset.

Eko Atlantic will become home to at least 400,000 residents, with commuter volume expected to exceed 250,000 people daily. Eko Atlantic will help Lagos transform itself into a successful mega city-state of 25 million people by the year 2015.

The project is being developed by South Energyx Nigeria Ltd, a subsidiary of The Chagoury Group.

Source: http://www.theworldedition.com/news/eko-atlantic-city-lagos-nigeria.php

For more information on Eko Atlantic visit their site: http://www.ekoatlantic.com/

Wednesday 23 March 2011

R.I.P.

I have always been a big classical movie fan ...I remember there was a time in my life where the channel was always on TCM (or FTV) anyway back to the point the ever so fabulous queen of classical movies has passed away ...my her extraordinarily fabulous self rest in peace.

Elizabeth Rosemond "Liz" Taylor, (February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011)

If you need me I’ll be busy having a Elizabeth Taylor re-run session in my living room (yes I have her box set if I remember correctly it's between my Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn complete collection box set) ...lol...don't judge me

Tuesday 22 March 2011

Ten:10 Edition 2: NS1463 Clothing Co.

NS1463 have been in the game for a while now but I had to feature them on my Ten:10 because of the waves their making in the industry. If you haven't heard about them its time to clean your ears...I'm going to go out on a limb here and say they are the pioneers of the Nigerian T-shirt design industry. By using the Nigerian/African culture as a source of inspiration for their designs, NS1463 was the first to fill this cultural void in the fashion industry and set the standards that we now see so many following.

I got an exclusive interview with the NS1463's Olumide

Enjoy!!

1) Who is NS1463 Clothing Co.

“We are all Ns1463. It’s for the people by the people, just so happens that we are the guardians of the Brand.”

Ns1463 is Clothing Co. started back in 2003, we moved to Nigeria in 2008 and opened our first store. Ns1463 came about because of a need to fill out the void in the global fashion industry. I will go on a limb here and say when the major clothing manufacturers run their collections, Nigerians and Africans are usually not the source of inspiration and if at all we are, it’s on some save the people tip. We are not saying this isn’t needed, we are just saying Nigerians/Africans culture are rich enough to inspire more creative designs that can be marketed globally and first and foremost they are fashion forward not charity inclined.

2) How did you start your company?

Well I was tired of seeing Nigerians in the states wearing t-shirts with Brazil or Italia on it... I was thinking would you ever see it vice versa?

3) What are your future plans for the Brand?

Well to be a nationwide brand and eventually be a lifestyle company that becomes the industry blue print in Nigeria and Africa.

(look who I found wearing NS1463)

4) Who is your ideal customer?

You!

What we have come to realize is our customers come from all works of life and age group. The positive thing about the brand is for so long Nigerians weren’t considered when it came to designing process., nothing wrong with us taking a fashion queue from the states and UK but why can’t I rock an Ik Dairo tee shirt as suppose to a Beatles tee?

5) Who is your creative designer?

The people, like I said earlier we are just the guardian of this brand but the people are really the ones directing the creative process of the brand. It’s a case were the sculptor says his job is to just carve out the work of art that is hidden in the block of stone. That’s really how I see this. The inspiration comes from the people.

6) How/Where do you manufacture your products?

Production is sourced around the world to make sure we are providing the best quality products.

7) What inspires your designs (t-shirts)?

The people and the need to serve the people

8) What roles do you and the others behind NS164 each play from the creation to the selling aspect of the clothes?

I create the designs and my associates Bayo and Bassey rate the designs, It goes like this. I get an idea, spend time coming up with a design then I send it to Bayo and Bassey they grade the designs on a scale of 1-10. if the design is above a 7 , I bank the design and figure out where to put in a collection. If the design scores low I will either curse them out or put my tail between my leg and say they don’t know shit.

(I got Bayo to answer this question as well)

"Olu wouldn't admit it but I am his ears on the streets, I am his motivator, I am his go- to- guy, you ever watch the Godfather? Well I am his Tom Hagen. As per business wise, I basically do everything needed, organizing shoots, to creating an online presence, to marketing, to looking for models in the club lol!"

(Bayo seen organizing a shoot in London)

9) As up and coming (Nigerian) Designers what are your biggest challenges?

I don’t like the term designers. For one it’s been used so freely nowadays and two, I don’t really think I am a designer I definitely don’t qualify to be one so I shouldn’t lie to myself. To answer your question, parts of our challenges are the production processes needs to be streamlined, and we often find ourselves playing catch up. The government policies, work force and the business culture of Nigerians can be rather challenging as well.

10) What advice can you give to people that wish to pursue a career like yours?

Truthfully, passion should come first; monetary gains should be the last thing on your mind. Plus open your mind up and understand your weaknesses and focus on your strengths.