Divas of Colour founder, Faustina Anyanwu being made up by fashion fair.
The sensational #DivasOfColour awards ceremony in association with International Women’s Day, took place on Saturday 21st March 2015 at the fabulous Hilton Hotel situated on Rotherhithe Street in South London. In this article, we take a look at who wore what as we cover the best dressed models, guests and VIP’s of the night.
Joliette beauty range
The jam packed event started off with a Trade show from 12pm until 4.30pm, providing access to beauty brands such as Fashion Fair and Joliette for that last minute beauty touch up before show time at 5pm. It gave us the opportunity to speak to national makeup artist Delicia who talked about who the Fashion Fair lady is and thebeauty trends to look out for this S/S15. It also gave us the chance to catch up with the lovely Alicia Thornthwaite – the founder of skincare brand Joilette, who talked about how sponsoring the not to miss event has shown how far their brands have come.
Fashion Fair beauty range
Although the show was running on a late start, this gave us the time to speak to models who will be strutted their stuffs on the catwalk, catch up with VIP’s and watch out for impressive guest appearances.
Remi
We caught up with Remi who was wearing a gorgeous red gown with dimonte’s covered on the collar. She states that this gown was shockily from the market town and immediently caught her eye.
Model Amber Bett
Model Amber Bett appeared on the red carpet wearing a stunning nude dress which sun kissed her complexion matched with sparkling opened toe heels.
Founder of Africa Fashion Week Amstadam Diane Tambe
Founder of Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam Diane Tambe made her appearance wearing a fitted playsuit paired with a pair of classy black heels and fur jacket.
Comedienne Oyinbo Princess
The best-dressed award from us had to go to comedienne Oyinbo Princess who was dressed in African inspired attire and Gele.
Aramatou Toure
Aramatou Toure modelling Eveningwear collection is wearing a classic black bodycon gown with added statement pieces.
Author Ibitola
Author Ibitola opted for a sophisticated look with an edgy navy sequenced dress with matching silver jewelry and a clutch purse.
Rhoda Wilson
Producer of Housewives and Girlfriends Rhoda Wilson is completely rocking that chic blonde cut. We love the sleek finish of this dress whilst the slight cut off the shoulders look brings this ensemble to real effect.
Remi and Phyllis
Models: Remi and Phyllis
Remi and Sade
In red is Remi, while Sade Johnson is in complete white attire. Sade is the fashion editor of AfroCosmopolitan and the founder of Fashion Feast TV.
Fashion has always been an important part of our lives as a people. And If you think fashionable and designer clothes are for adults alone, you need to think again. And according to FrenchWeb, “look, chic attitude is not limited to adults.”
A few months ago, popular online fashion retailer for kids, Melijoe acquired 9 million Euros to expand its global reach.
With the 9 million Euros, Melijoe has expanded its reach and now sells and ships their multi-branded children fashion wares worldwide. Whether it’s to the US, United Kingdom, Germany, China, South Africa, or Nigeria – clients can shop from their wide range of designers clothes for children and now receive them in what ever country they live in.
In a 2013 interview with FrenchWeb, Melijoe’s founder – Nathalie Christen-Genty said the reason they raised the funds was to increase their export to 75%. And the strategy seemed to have paid off. In November 2014, the company announced that 50% of their sales were ordered and shipped abroad.
To make it easier for international shoppers to order luxury fashion for kids, the content on Melijoe’s website has been translated into 6 languages. They also offer a fast delivery service that ensures wares are dispatched within 24 hours of making a purchase. In addition to that, they offer a support service via email and telephone where clients can easily reach them for questions or requests concerning their orders or products.
Founded in 2007, Melijoe.com wants to be the biggest online retailer of luxury fashion for kids. The brand operates from France and stock some of the most well known high-end luxury designers for babies and children such as Dolce and Gabbana, Diesel, Petit Bateau, Kenzo Kids, MonnaLisa, Stella McCartney, Guess, Scotch and Soda, Levi’s, Fendi, Catimini, Cacharel, Tartine et Chocolat, and many more.
If you’re interested in getting information about Melijoe’s offers and stocks, you can sign up to their newsletter. They’re always running a newsletter to inform subscribers about new products, offers, sales and special promotions.
Faustina Anyanwu is the founder of #DivasOfColour and the editor of C.Hub Magazine. Below is her speech for the recently concluded second edition of the annual event that took place in London on Saturday, March 21st.
Today, I would like to thank God for all His mercies and directions, good health and bringing you all safely. Thank you so much, my dear husband, mentor, spiritual powerhouse and my Executive Director. My daughters, Chelsea, Danielle and Jidechi, my mum , my aunt – Mrs Caroline Osuagwu and everyone whose support has made today possible. And thank you all for finding time out of your busy schedule to be with us today as we celebrate our women.
Divas of colour as you all know is a special day to recognise, reward and celebrate the contributions of women of colour from around the globe. It is a powerful day to empower, inspire, motivate and most importantly discover the best of our women. It is a day to remind us who we are and where we stand in the world.
As a woman, you stand at the centre of the universe and you have the ultimate power to control its turns and moves. You are the mother of mankind. As women, we are the powerhouse of life, the key to family and through you, every society is born.
But it baffles me to know that in this day and age 1 in 3 women will be raped, abused and experience sexual harassment in her lifetime.
It baffles me to know that in this day and age, we’re still talking of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). We still talk about forced marriages. We still talk about child bride, honour killing, sex-selective abortion and so many other horrendous atrocities to degrade the woman.
Yes. We still talk about these things because women have refused to stand up for each other. For their daughters and for our girls . Women have forgotten their primary role which is to protect especially our young ones and to hold our families together in love and gentleness.
This is not a time for me to blame the men. Today, I want to remind us, women, that we have willingly given up our power simply because of material things we want to acquire. Because we have refused to take up our primary role which is to nurture and protect. I ask you, who gave birth to the man who rapes , molest and harass women?
We make excuses. We call ourselves vulnerable. Yes, we’re vulnerable, but , our vulnerability is our strongest power to control the world. Our vulnerability is our strongest tool to lead, to help, to understand, and to mend.
Our strength is in our vulnerability. Being vulnerable is no longer an excuse. Our vulnerability can only become a weakness when we as women continue to sit and watch our world turn upside down and crumble beneath us and we still sit. Our Vulnerability becomes a weakness when we see a fellow woman struggling to survive and we neglect or even judge her instead of stepping in to help.
We become weak when our young daughter tells us she’s been raped by a family member and we’re the first to shut her up, victimize, call her a disgrace and tells her she caused the rape.
We are weak when as women in position, we’re part of the leadership that will sit on files of evidence that should give abused girls justice. We are weak because women these days fabricate rape just to earn some more money, gain position or for fame. We are weak because we are happy to gossip and tear our fellow woman down on social media even at her lowest moments. We are weak because we let ego stand in the way of love. We no longer watch each others back.
Today, it is our responsibility to reclaim our power even as we celebrate the contributions we have made. It is our responsibility to highlight the efforts of our women past and present. In doing so we’re able to channel the next generation on the part of real girl power which is to rediscover who we are as women and where our power lies.
As women we are powerful and beautifully made. When my mother was faced with extreme domestic violence, her mother, my grandmother did not judge her daughter or let her rot in marriage in order to protect the family name. She stretched out her hands, takes her daughter and pregnancy plus three little ones. Without the strength and love of these women, there may not have been me today. There may not have been Divas of colour today. This is strength, this is power.
We need to reignite the strength and power that women before us showed . Women like Maya Angelou, Mary Seacole, Harriet Tubman and many others. Even in their imperfection, the showed how perfect a woman’s strength can be. We need to start thinking like the 10,000 women who stood up against the British Colonial masters in Nigeria – The Aba women’s riot till date is one of the most successful stand up against the government in history. We need to start thinking like women and know that for us to keep our glory as queens and princesses, we must take up our primary roles with diligence and grace, pull up our clothes once more and be ladies who change the world for good.
On the 28th of February, AfroCosmopolitan was invited to attend the amazing London Fashion Weekend (LFWEND) shows at the stunning Somerset House where London Fashion week is run every September and February. The LFWEND shows showcase different type of high-street trends that we all love! It’s also a way of discovering new brands and the amazing pieces that have to offer.
After we were given our press passes and directed through the entrance we headed to the west wing where there were many UK brands showcasing their amazing pieces such as accessories, bags and shoes, we couldn’t resist but to do a little window shopping. So here’s a little sneak peak at some of our fav pieces
Cleo B
Cleo B displayed some amazing jewellery pieces, this ring set was our favourite. The emerald green ring would give such an edgy effect and a fantastic statement piece.
Statement pieces!
Necklaces can sometimes be hard to get right with an outfit piece. This gorgeous necklace pieced together from three completely different colours is so unique.
These beauties were exclusively chosen by sensational worldwide blogger Susie Bubble.
How amazing are these coloured handbags, the greatest colour-blocking statement piece, and you guys already know how much we adore brightly coloured pieces. If these bags don’t shout that S/S15 has arrived then we have no idea what will!
SHOWTIME
Florals and prints always make a great entrance and excite us all for the Spring season. Different colours, cuts and statement pieces have given us a real understanding of what we should be expecting in our high-street stores in the next couple of weeks, so get floral and excited for Spring which officially begins on the 20th March. Our favourite piece from the Hyper Floral collection was the floral turquoise midi dress, which displayed different shades of blue as well as stripes of white designed around the dress. Another favourite was the floral berry red blazer matched with a pair of shorts which displayed two shades of green in a floral pattern. At AfroCosmopolitan, we are pro anything sharp, colourful and confident which gives the overall classy ensemble – this piece did just this!
MAKE IT MONOCHROME #TRENDS
When will black and white ever go out of season? It’s perfect for the cold weather as black always gives that perfect classy finish, and great for the SS season as your whites can be easily paired with a chic black and white striped top for that overall sleek look, just how the below model how showcased an example of the perfect black and white Spring look.
HALSTON HERITAGE #DESIGNER
The last collection of the day was the Halston Heritage designer brand. The pieces were nothing but elegant, sleek, simple and edgy. Our favourite piece had to be the ankle length dress with stripes of black and white. We loved the figure-hugging ensemble that the look gave and also the idea of having the neck area in an upside down V neck shape, which brings your attention to the full overall piece.
You can’t end your fashion day without a glass of bubbly. The day was slightly hectic and tiring, but exciting and amazing. We met unknown and up and coming brands who deserve amazing recognition for their spectacular work that they put into their elegantly put together pieces. We now know the two trends to look out for this Spring season. ‘Florals’ and ‘Monochrome’ of course not forgetting to add your own spin and twist to the trends already on display. We love spring, and so should you, so on that note Happy Spring and Happy trends shopping!
Amii Evelyn Bonner is a professional photographer and founder of AEB photography. You can reach her on Instagram : @AEBPhotography15 or on Twitter: @AEB_Photography
The Women’s Bathing Suit: Centuries of Style Statements
Ah, the women’s bathing suit. Few other clothing items have made such a notable impact on popular culture throughout the years, whether on the silver screen or the pages of the latest gossip rag. One thing is for sure, though – from the iconic Phoebe Cates scene in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” to Deborah Kerr’s traditional and demure suit-dress in “From Here to Eternity,” the swimsuit has made its mark in pop culture, and will likely continue to do so for centuries to come.
Traditions That Change With the Times
Would you believe that once upon a time, (from about the 1780s through the 1800s, to be more specific) women actually rode a mobile device of sorts that transported them from the shore to the water so that they wouldn’t have to be seen in their swimsuits by men? It may sound odd, but it’s entirely true. Today’s women aren’t going to that kind of trouble, but they do rely on some style trends of the past when getting ready for a modern beach day.
The infographic below offers a peek into the history of the women’s bathing suit, from centuries ago through the current day. While some trends and traditions of the past have been cast aside for good, others, like the bikini and an overall effort by many women to look their best at the beach, live on.
Follow Afrocosmopolitan on Instagram and like the AfroCosmopolitan Facebook page. Also, take a look at the site for different kinds of style and fashion inspirations. Whether you’re looking for a ball gown for your graduation party, a wedding gown or a wedding guest attire, there are loads of outfits to get you inspired. Both designers and fashionistas will find different looks and trends to work with.
Over 350 guests including celebrities, prominent women and men gathered for the second edition of Divas of Colour in commemoration with International Women’s month. The event which kicked off with a trade show of 20 brand exhibitors, had over 200 foot fall of buyers from across the country. The founder, Faustina Anyanwu gave a heartfelt speech addressing the issues women are still facing in spite of the milestones that have been reached as a result of many decades of fighting for women’s right.
In her speech, Faustina held women responsible for the failures in achieving equal rights for women in this decade. She called upon women to stand up again for each other, stand up for our daughters and emulate women of past in order to restore the glory of the woman.
Guests and high profile women who attended the event included Hollywood movie star Winston Ellis, Nollywood stars, HRH Theodora Ibekwe Oyebade and Rita Nzelu. High profile women included Princess Deun, Princess Betty Makoni (CNN Hero), Councillor Anna Mbachu, Councillor Patricia Ekechi, Mandy Sanghera, Tola and Sam Onigbanjo (founders of Women4Africa), Emer O’Neill Chief executive of Depression Alliance, the chosen charity and 26 delegates from the London chapter of Kiwanis Group. Afrobeat musician, Valentine and award winning dance duo I am Movement – Ayo and Sam, Saxophonist – Saxy, wowed the audience with sterling performances in the evening ceremony.
Fashion designers Kwame Koranteng, Perkin Fashionistas and Graced London showcased their unique and eye-popping collections through the night. Makeup was created by Fashion Fair cosmetics and hair design by Derek Decutter sponsors of the fashion show. Diana Tambe founder of Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam, Emily Blake – current Miss Curvaceous UK and Alicia Thornthwaite, the CEO of Afrodeity and makers of the luxury brand Joliette were the judges. Joliette is one of the sponsors of the pageant.
Guests were treated to food, drinks and canapes. And the night was concluded with the award ceremony celebrating the contributions and achievements of women of colour from around the globe. See the full list of Awardees below.
Lifetime Achiever recipient: Prof Elizabeth Anionwu
Lifetime Achiever recipient: Sherry Ann Dixon
Women of Honour Award: Cllr Ann Mbachu (Also the keynote speaker)
Although marriage can be a wonderful and rewarding institution, some marriages will end in divorce. If you have recently decided that a divorce is the correct form of action for you, it’s important that you attain professional legal assistance from industry experts who can help you dissolve your marriage with excellence and expedience. To put this important process in motion, be sure to look for the following characteristics in the divorce firm:
1. Awesome Online Reviews.
One of the first things you should look for in a divorce firm is awesome online reviews. In today’s world, more and more people are detailing the experiences they’ve had with specific brands in the online world. Therefore, you should take advantage of this reality by reading the online reviews about a specific divorce firm to learn whether they have a primarily positive reputation amongst individuals who have used their services. There are several channels you can utilize to accomplish this objective, including YouTube. In fact, legal firms like Cordell & Cordell have a YouTube video that features a plethora of online reviews from satisfied customers. By watching this review video, you can learn all about how the firm is perceived in the public eye.
2. A Proven Track Record.
In addition to seeking out a divorce firm that has awesome online reviews, it’s important that you seek services from divorce attorneys that have a proven track record. Specifically, this means that you want to look for a legal firm that employs people who are consistent in getting favorable results for the clients they serve. There are numerous ways that you can go about determining whether a divorce firm has a proven track record. You can start by doing a bit of internet research on websites such as the Better Business Bureau as well as the divorce firm’s legal website. You can also request a complimentary consultation, during which you can ask the divorce attorney detailed questions about his or her methodology and success rate.
Conclusion
If you’re a man who has recently decided to get a divorce, it’s important to note that finding the right legal representation will play a critical role in making the entire process pain and problem free. To ensure that you attain the high quality legal care that you deserve, be sure that you’re seeking out a divorce firm that possesses the aforementioned attributes. Good luck!
A video of a mum pole dancing with a baby strapped to her back has sparked furious backlash online. Ashley Wright’s video ignited a debate in which people were questioning her parenting skills and calling on child protection services to look into her case.
In the YouTube video, Ashley is seen performing a series of moves to The Circle of Life, a popular Disney song from the Lion King film, while her baby was strapped to her back with a material sling.”Decided we should do a routine together… And so thankful others could help assist me in capturing and choreographing this moment/experience,” Ashley wrote along with the uploaded video.
For many commentators. Ashley’s routine is too ‘dangerous’ for the child, as they say, she could slip and fall on the child. Reacting to the backlash, Ashley said she couldn’t be bothered about other people’s opinion and said she’s not ready to take down the video.refused to take down the video.
“I’ve been called names like ‘stripper’ and ‘bad parent’ and while I understand, remarks like these are sometimes from people who were taught to shame their bodies. People are mostly supportive, though, and say that I’m teaching my daughter how to love herself unconditionally,” she told Yahoo Parenting.
While you are here, please take a few minutes and visit some of our social networks to follow, like, or subscribe to our media. You can visit the Afrocosmopolitan Youtube channel to subscribe to it so you can watch and comment on what we upload. You can also follow Afrocosmopolitan on Instagram to see everything we post as well as to interact with us. Our Facebook Page is also there for you to check out and like. Afrocosmopolita is also on Pinterest as well. Thanks and keep on looking fab and stylish.
It is unbelievable to see Africans discriminated in their own land. According several Kenya media reports, a Chinese restaurant in Nairobi, Kenya turns back blacks customers after 5 pm. Defending the “No-African After 5 pm” policy, the restaurant management says it’s because Africans pose a security threat to its Chinese patrons.
“Masaa ya Waafrika yameisha,” (The time for Africans is over) a reporter from the Daily Nation newspaper was informed by a guard when he visited the Chinese restaurant said to be located in the Kilimani neighbourhood of Nairobi at 7 pm.
“We don’t admit Africans that we don’t know because you never know who is Al-Shabaab and who isn’t,” Esther Zhao, the hotel’s relations manager told the Nation reporter – alleging their customers feel safer when Africans are locked out. “It is not like it is written on somebody’s face that they are a thug armed with a gun,” she addded.
On why they made such a decision, Esther said: ““Six armed men — Africans — broke into our restaurant and robbed us of Sh600,000. She continued: “They also robbed our patrons of their possessions at gunpoint. A chef was also injured,”
Christian Sankeur celebrates African women with these intriguing set of pictures as part of Women’s History Month this March. Following the events of International Women’s Day, Mothers Day and International Day of Happiness, the Cameroonian photographer and his team took it upon themselves to present images showcasing African women in traditional outfits.
See the full infographic on 
