Hollywood’s newest sweetest and “12 Years a Slave” star, Lupita Nyong’o featured on the February issue of Vogue Italia. Looking stunning and fiercely gorgeous, the 31-year-old black beauty was photographed by famous photographer, Tom Munroe. See more photos below.
Harmony House are pleased to announce a hilarious new play called The Real Housewives of Brixton, coming to theatres across London in February and March, 2014.
Six housewives live in ‘Upmarket Brixton’, atop a meat shop in a luxurious rooftop apartment.
OK they are not housewives, more like housemates, but they act like wives – all competing to be the most successful, unique and fabulous individuals, that they think they are.
Ohso, Rhiyonce, Magibola, Lucy and Bluebelle and one man, yes, one man Jaaz (who is as much a housewife as any) create drama after drama with their back-stabbing gossip mongering and two faced attitude, they fight for ultimate supremacy.
Writer, Lavern Archer says the play’s name was inspired by the popular TV ‘Real Housewives…’ franchise.
“Though I have seen only one episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta…..and managed to miss all the other versions, I could not miss the excitement and popularity surrounding them all,” she explained.
“As a joke I mentioned to my friends that I would write a play based on the series. They all thought it would be a laugh and encouraged me to do it.”
Laughs are pretty much guaranteed with Archer’s new energetic play with an eclectic mix of explosive characters and hilarious comedy.
Catford 22nd & 23rd Feb
Time: 8pm
Tickets: From £22.50
Info: 0208 690 0002
Kentish Town 16th March
Time: 7pm
Tickets: From £22.50
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
www.mamacolive.com
0844 847 2405
Info: 020 8904 5230
Many African designers are stepping up their game and making quality and luxury fashion pieces and accessories. Check out these photos from Inzuri Co’s collection The fashion label is new to the game and these pieces are from its premiere collection. The African owned brand makes fashionable men and women luggage, as well as accessories. And it boast’s of “combining modern aesthetics with African craftsmanship.” According to the brand, the name INZURI, is a Swahili word, and it means stylish or good looking.
See more photos of the brand’s pieces below.
SEE ALSO: 30 Super Gorgeous Ankara Dinner Dresses You Should Be Adding To You Your Wardrobe.
This pink INZURI Shopper is a multi-purpose tote bag. It is made of durable canvas and processed leather. It also has space to carry personal items such as laptops, your wallet and several other kinds of stuff. You can also use it as a shopping bag.
This oversized INZURI co unisex Clutch bag is made for men and women. It is made of Nappa leather and, and finishing touches with a belting leather detail. Due to its large size, the clutch bag can be used to carry several items such as a laptop, documents and various other items. Its inner compartment is fully lined. The create space for smaller items, it has an additional lined zipper pocket. In addition, it has a brass zipper that ensures the purse is securely fastened.
The large and unisex Inzuri clutch bag being rocked by a male model.
INZURI Weekender bag is for various your various types of travel and daily needs. It has adjustable buckle handles to allow increase or decrease them for your comfort. In addition, it comes with an optional shoulder strap to allow give you different options to carry your bag.
Another photo of the pink INZURI Shopper multi-purpose tote bag.
This piece is the same as the Pink INZURI Shopper above. The only difference is in the colour.
If you would like to pick up some of their pieces or find out more information about the brand, you can visit their www.inzurico.com.
Nollywood actresses, Mercy Johnson and Rukky Sanda were the surprise guest at the IROKO TV office. Staffs of IROKO TV were delighted to meet and spend time with the two actresses at their new office in Anthony Village, Lagos. The actresses whose visit was on Wednesday, January 29th, were taken on a tour of the company’s newly acquired premises.
ALSO SEE: 50 of Rita Dominic’s Best Fashion Moments.
Wearing a red and black floral dress with matching red shoes, Mercy Johnson was looking her best. The actress, who had her baby girl, Purity about a year ago was back to her sexy figure 8 shape and is now flaunting it.
Nigerian actress and movie producer, Rukky Sanda rocked a long bodycon dress with pink shoes. She then completed her look with a black bag, sunglasses and a silver belt.
Fashionista Musa had an interview with the founder and CEO of London based street wear brand, Harare Hustler. In the interview, Terri Mahati talked about the brand and how he won a college loan that helped him with jump starting his business and passion. He also went on to talk about the launching of the Kunta Kinte Conscious Clothing in 1995, he the line sold well, his move to London and several other things. Check out the interview here.
More photos and interview at read the full article here.
American and international music star, Rihanna attends the MAC Cosmetics Launch of Viva Glam Rihanna at MAC Store Soho on January 29, 2014, in New York City. The new product is a red lipstick and lipgloss for the MAC Cosmetics Viva Glam HIV/AIDS Fund.
Other people who were at the MAC Cosmetic Viva Glam Rihanna launch are Michel Sidibe, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, John Dempsey, President of MAC Cosmetics and Nancy Mahon, global executive director.
For the launch, Rihanna was seen rocking a shiny purple blazer, a tight navy blue skirt made with the suede material. She also wore a metallic slogan t-shirt under her blazer and her complete outfit is from Lanvin lamé Spring/Summer 2014 collection.
ALSO SEE: Braless Rihanna Parties In Just Bikini Bottoms And Sheer Top Aboard Mega Yacht In The Caribbean.
Zimbabwean born and London based Apparel and Graphics Designer; Terrie “Gunz” Mahati, is out on a mission. He is scratching his name into the fabric of the street wear world!
At age 13, Terrie was scribbling images on his white t-shirt in permanent ink. But as a college student, he won a bank loan competition and the journey began. Armed with graphic designing and pattern making expertise, Terrie launched Kunta Kinte Conscious Clothing in 1995. That range sold so well that he repaid the loan in 3 months. In 2000, he moved to London and gained more recognition in what was then a sportswear market dominated by the likes of Nike, Reebok, Adidas and Puma.
Terrie achieved his biggest achievements so far in 2005, by winning The Zimbabwe Achievers Award and meeting Mark Ecko, one of his favourite designers.
Terrie looked hard and found a niche market for Africans living in diaspora that wanted to be identified with their roots and not all the other expensive Western paraphernalia that everyone was wearing on the street. In 2008, Harare Hustler debuted at Zimfest London where one of the performing rap artists wore one of the t-shirts with the Harare Hustler logo on it and drove the crowd into a buying frenzy. Since then, Harare Hustler is being made in bulk and sold online. It also has distributors in Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Canada, Australia and the world over.
The sister collection called “Top Kosso” (meaning beautiful girl), was also launched to cater for the women as well as accessories in the form of caps and necklaces. Terrie has recently added smart, button down shirts as well as leather products to his collections. A kid’s wear range with the same theme is also in the pipeline.
AfroCosmopolitan caught up with Terrie through a Skype video interview at home in his kitchen cooking. Dressed in Harare Hustler, dreadlocks with a cap to match, he skilfully multitasks between cooking and answering the questions. Below is what he has to say.
ALSO SEE: Meet The Designer: Exclusive Interview With Kemi Farquharson.
AC: Can you define who Terrie Mahati is and what he is about?
TM: “I was born in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1970. I went to Prince Edward School, then the Polytechnical College for 3 years where I studied pattern cutting and design. My mum owned a lingerie company so I would help her out to cut fabrics or patterns and I also did small printing jobs for companies such as Coca Cola and House of Kumali.”
AC: What does fashion mean to you and what is the first article you ever made?
TM:” Fashion to me is about loud, bold in your face designs! I listen to the people and their suggestions. It means trendsetting and making comfortable, practical clothes. I don’t know about other designers, but I am always listening to Hip hop music when I work because that is the music I grew up with and watched how the artists dressed. Personally I like F.U.B.U (now Kuji), Ecko, Maurice Malon and Rocawear. The first article I ever made was a Kunta Kinte t-shirt (Tribe Vibe Designs) in Harare. The quality was not that good then, but I was just buying t-shirts and printing on them – not actually making them myself. Quality is very important. Labels have to be sewn properly, and the graphics and fabric should be durable. Even when you send the finished product, the presentation of the packaging is important.
AC: Where do you source your fabric from and which fabrics do you work with the most?
TM: “From Taiwan, India, Portugal and China. China is a bit frustrating because they are inconsistent in their production and supply. And sometimes, the outcome is not what you had agreed on. This for me is the lowest point in the process of achieving my goals. I travel to the different countries to source the fabrics because I know the manufacturers, but the price of cotton fluctuates so I have to keep that in mind when I do business. I like to experiment with different fabric weights because I have to consider that the climates are different in each continent. For example, I cannot use the same fabric for t-shirts that I sell in South Africa as the ones I sell in Austria because Africa is generally warmer and one will sweat more so the fabric needs to be lighter for Africa, and heavier for Austria. I also work more with black and grey because generally, the male customers do not like bright colours because they get dirty easily. But people are slowly changing and I have managed to convince some to try out light green. Fashion is timeless, you have to keep researching what is new.”
AC: Why do you think you enjoy doing this so much?
TM: “I love seeing people’s reactions when they see my products for the first time. I had a guy walk up to me in town the other day just to tell me how he was really proud of what I am doing in promoting Zimbabwean heritage in the form of street wear. I promote the Zimbabwean Hip-Hop culture and they support me by wearing my clothes. Artists such as Stunner, Metaphysics, Karlprit, Killa and Roby Gee.
I use to shoot promotional photos with models but now the customers send me the photos of themselves wearing my clothes. I don’t really do shows to showcase my stuff but it is done on my behalf. I have had it with going out and people thinking they can just walk up to you when you are in a bar and demand that you sell them a t-shirt on the spot. I am very accessible and so is my product, but I do not want to be overexposed. You are your product so you have to keep it together in public. I would rather stay home working and listening to hip hop.”
AC: How long does it take to make a piece from the idea generation to the finished product and where can customers find your product?
TM: “It takes about a month from sketching, computer, and samples approval. So, about 3 to 4 weeks, but I have branched out and produce in bulk. I do not stock in shops because it is too stressful. So, I sell online because I have an established market and goods move in at least 2 weeks. I discontinue production of each design after production to avoid customers seeing other people wearing the same thing”.
Contact Info
Facebook Page: Harare Hustler
Phone: Phone: +44 07455696125
Email: terriemahati@gmail.com
Whatsapp: +44 7701047535
2014 Prospects
This year, Terrie will open a shop in Harare (Avondale or Newlands), and will make more university gear and school uniforms while expanding distribution in Africa. He and his daughter will make a cameo appearance in Roby Gee’s new video. His advice to aspiring designers is, “Don’t be afraid to come out, there is enough food for all of us to eat”. Enough said Terrie….Respect!
Photo Credits: Terrie Mahati Archive
Broken Families, premiering on Sunday, 2 February 2014 on Al Jazeera English, follows Western Saharan community leader and activist Brahim Dahane as he seeks justice for his community against a range of abuses. Filmed over a six-month period, Dahane finds himself becoming the voice for the families whose sons or brothers have been arbitrarily imprisoned, secretly detained or disappeared, held without trial, tortured and ultimately tried by a Moroccan military court during peacetime.
The 25-minute documentary follows Dahane, a spokersperson for his Saharawi community, in his day-to-day life as he is caught up in one of the world’s longest-running and least-known conflicts, in Western Sahara, which has been occupied by Morocco since 1975.
“Brahim never set out to be an activist,” says Giles Trendle, Al Jazeera’s Director of Programming. “But from his first detention while a teenager, he has been imprisoned three times and undergone severe physical and psychological torture at the hands of the Moroccan authorities. His marriage has been destroyed by the stress of his imprisonments and his family life deeply affected. Now, through his work and voice, he is determined to help reunite other families separated by the conflict.”
“For me, occupation is a synonym for slavery,” says Dahane. “It is injustice and punishment. It is all forms of human rights violations. It is aggression and subjugation.”
In December 2013, Morocco signed a controversial European Union fisheries agreement for Western Sahara waters, which met with resistance. Morocco also has an ambitious solar project planned for the disputed region. Alongside repeated human rights abuses, this has led to mounting pressure and demonstrations across Western Sahara ahead of April’s United Nations’ discussions on the peacekeeping mission there.
Dahane was one of a number of activists assaulted in January 2014 at a demonstration calling for the UN to monitor human rights abuses. “Dozens of Saharawi protesters were injured after police attacked the crowd with their truncheons,” says director Louise Orton. “Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have consistently reported human rights abuses in the Moroccan-occupied zone of Western Sahara. But astonishingly, MINURSO, the UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara, is the only modern peacekeeping mission in the world without a mandate to monitor human rights. People in Western Sahara are eagerly waiting to see what will happen when this is up for discussion in April this year.”
Broken Families premieres on Sunday, 2 February 2014 at 22h30GMT on Witness, Al Jazeera’s flagship documentary strand.
Beyonce and her man, Jay Z were the superstars that opened the 56th Grammys Award event. After a performance of Beyonce’s “Drunk in Love”, the “Crazy In Love” had a change of clothes and stepped out in a white and transparent lacey Michael Costello dress.
See more photos of the iconic music star below.
Annie Idibia in a Guiseppe Zanotti Sandals.
