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FRIDAY FASHION:AFRICAN PRINT INSPIRED NAILS DESIGNS

My love for African prints is a never ending story.l have however, with age and living in the diaspora,become a sucker for all things African hence this blog:))So when l came across an article on Emma Zentner, a freelance nail artist from London,England of Boom Nails who creates gorgeous African Inspired nails with her artistic hands, l just had to share as l know that most of you fashion forward ladies will agree that the collection has a design each one of you can proudly rock at some point .Your thoughts?

L’Uomo Vogue releases May 2012 “Rebranding Africa” issue

The May issue of L’Uomo Vogue is dedicated to Africa and this is what the press release stated: “L’Uomo Vogue decided to underline the positive side of the African continent from all points of view that is showing the willingness to succeed in fields such as the textile and the oil industry, from agriculture to the growing of cotton, coffee, cocoa, to tourism and cinema, as shown by Nollywood in Nigeria that produces 200 films every year. Education and health are the two main points the various governments are founding their battle on, building new schools, universities and well-equipped hospitals.

It’s a new representation of Africa – positive, creative and trusting its own assets: this is Africa evolving, that has already brought great changes.The whole issue is a string of portraits of local personalities: Presidents, First Ladies, Queens, but also artists, singers, musicians, actors, fashion designers, writers, models, always portrayed in a positive, joyful way. They have all accepted to be featured in this issue because conveying a positive image of this Continent means bringing everyone’s attention on a world that so far has been “left out”, with the exception of a few African countries that have become a tourist destination.

Conveying a new image is fundamental for Africa also to give hope to the young and to the people who are working hard on their homeland’s economic growth. “Africa does not need charity. Africa needs investment and partnership. Joining forces with civil society and private sector, including non-traditional players, like the fashion industry, has become indispensable. Sustainable development is my top priority“, stated UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon who appears on the cover. Other spotlights include multi-platinum award winning South African vocalist Lira who has already achieved mass success in her homeland and is ready to be introduced to the international market.”
South African songstress:Lira is featured in the magazine

Akuol de Mabior for Annabelle Magazine

Akuol de Mabior,the up and coming model and definitely one to watch in 2012 landed on the cover and editorial for Swiss magazine,Annabelle for their take on African inspired fashion featuring looks Burberry Porsum ,Prada and more

OFFICIAL TRAILER:STOLEN THE FILM

“STOLEN“, a Robert Peters Film. This Nollywood USA flick is a story of Love, Hope, Faith, Patience, Endurance and Forgiveness and it stars some of Nollywood superstars like Tony Umez,Robert Peters, Sana Kanu, Soleil Diva, Andy Koehler, Elechi Wordu, Divine Shaw, Sudana Showalter, Bridget John, Lady Dagashi, Greggory Erwin and many others

The unique storyline evolves around Laura who is married to David Okonto. David is the typical African man. When an African man gets married, the woman is expected to conceive immediately. Unfortunately, Laura cannot. She has suffers 4 miscarriages which leadsto resorting to finding a surrogate mother. The couple hires a young lady name Gia to be the surrogate mother. Gia and David disappear with the baby soon as Gia gives birth to Laura’s daughter named Destiny. Laura is devastated. Her one chance to hold a baby in her arms is taken away from her. Laura gets closer to their family lawyer Alex Toller as they investigate daughter disappearance. This is film sounds like it wil keep us on the edge of our seats!!!!
The diverse cast includes African, African American, and Caucasian actors.Your thoughts?

The song Oliver Twist By D Banj gets to number 9 on iTunes top 100

D’Banj’s Oliver Twist hit no 9 on the iTunes Top 100 in a day beating out Usher,Cheryl Cole.Huge right?lt just goes to show how social media promos pay off because last week,D’Banj was tweeting countless times about the release of the UK remix of Oliver Twist and that paid off with the single climbing to the top of the UK Pre Release Urban and Dance Chart in a day!!

Here is the tweet he sent thanking his fans below:

For those of you who arent familiar with the song Oliver Twist,take a peak of the video below:

Kevin Spacey Debuts South African Short Film

U.S. actor,screenwriter and director Kevin Spacey said he sees opportunity for expanding film making in Africa, Asia and Europe.

Kevin himself has appeared in highly acclaimed movies like LA Confidential,The Usual Suspects,American Beauty and Superman Returns

Spacey spoke about his international outlook during a brief visit to South Africa Saturday for the premiere of a local short film he helped produce and in which he stars.

With backing from a whiskey company, Spacey ran a contest to find talent from the United States, Russia and South Africa.

A script from each country was chosen, and Spacey starred in and helped produce the three films, including South African Alan Shelley’s “A Spirit of a Denture,” which was given a red-carpet premiere in Johannesburg.

The 26-year-old Cape Town writer-director’s movie is about a workaholic dentist who gets a visit from a pirate.

Spacey recently starred in “Inseparable,” by Chinese-American director Dayyan Eng. In the movie, which was filmed in China, Spacey plays an American expat who befriends a Chinese man played by Chinese-American actor Daniel Wu who is bogged down by work and marital problems.

“There is no doubt that as you start to look around the world, you start to look at the Asia-Pacific region, you start to look at what’s happening here, you look at what’s happening in European cinema, there’s a lot going on,” Spacey said in Johannesburg.

Spacey, who is artistic director at London’s Old Vic Theatre, added: “I like the idea of going to as many places as possible and (having) as many experiences as you can.”

Below are some pics of Kevin arriving at the premiere of “A Spirit of a Denture” talking to media in Johannesburg last saturday:

KENZO BEHIND THE SCENES SPRING/SUMMER 2012 SHOOT

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at Kenzo’s fabulous campaign for Spring/summer 2012 which is fabulous and includes some of our African international models:Ajak Deng, Alek Wek, and Nairoby Matos. Shot by Roe Ethridge.Looks like they all had BIG fun during the shoot.

Idris Elba in GQ Britain June 2012

Brit-Ghanaian actor,Idrissa Akuna Elba,famously known only as ldris Elba is featured in the June issue of British GQ magazine and the he looks super fine and dapper in all shots and as he prepares for his upcoming movie Prometheus, Idris proves even alien-fighting tough guys can wear pink!!
Take a peak below:

The Joy Of Music: Congolese Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra

Less than a month ago,l watched a special report by Bob Simon a Correspondent for a USA television station, CBS’s 60 Minutes on “Joy of Music” in the Congo..and l was in awe.l knew a day like today would arrive when l would have ample time to put a post together to share with yall.
The remarkable Kimanguist Symphony Orchestra in made up of 200 musicians defying the poverty of their war-torn country and creating some of the most moving music we have ever heard.

The creator of the Orchestre Symphonique Kimbanguiste, its official name, is Armand Diangienda. He’s an airline pilot by trade, but a musician at heart. When the airline company he worked for went bust he decided to turn his attention to his real passion: music.The group has received and won countless international awards nominations.

Armand belonged to a church, founded by his grandfather back in the 1920s, and they had a brass band and a chorus, so he thought (as anyone would), why not start an orchestra? That was 1992. What is so extraordinary is that his orchestra lived in virtual anonymity for some 17 years until the Germans made a short film about them.
Kinshasa, where the orchestra is based, is a huge city with a population of 10 million. The musicians come from all over the city and for the most part travel on foot to get there!.ln its early days, it started with 5 cellos for 12 people; now the orchestra counts over 200 members! They even compose their own music in Lingala their local language

Armand’s place serves as a makeshift conservatory and it feels like a mini-Juilliard in the heart of Africa. It’s also an oasis from the trials and tribulations most of these musicians face on a daily basis. There is never a start time to rehearse because people trickle in throughout the day and they spend hours losing themselves in music.

I hope that one day soon the orchestra will get what it deserves and frankly needs: a proper school in order for the Orchestre Symphonique Kimbanguiste to grow and show the world that there is more to the DRC than violence. These are good citizens, wanting to do the right thing and enjoy all the things that perhaps we take for granted in the West. One can’t help but want the best for them. They are simply incredible.

Please make time for both or one of these videos of the orchestra below.You wont regret watching:))

SPOTTED:Liya Kebede @ 2012 Met Gala

Liya Kebede always never disappoints when she makes her celeb rounds.Last night she was in attendance at the Met Gala and wore a dark green dress by Tory Burch.Nice!