What do you think about wearing colourful ,ad print? Prints are not for everyone, some women prefers monotone and quite colours. But if you’re the type who can handle loud colours and prints – you’ll surely be getting some attention and compliments from these pieces. These colourful mad prints are bright, there are big florals and bold graphics that are also very favourable to those who like the ankara African print.
Check them out below and make sure your wardrobe is getting some pieces. The pieces are from the ready to wear autumn/winter 2012 collection from Peter Pilotto.
The 2Inspire Network is proud to announce its first annual “Ladies Day” event which is taking place on the 19th August 2012 at the Crowne Plaza, Docklands. The event is a free exhibition which will showcase businesses whose products and services meet the needs of women. The day will consist of a range of activities including inspirational lifestyle workshops that will demonstrate how to look and feel good as well as business workshops for those aiming to start their own SMEs. Personal development sessions will be taking place to empower and support women in creating a crystal clear vision for success.
The 2Inspire Network is proud to announce its first annual “Ladies Day” event which is taking place on the 19th August 2012 at the Crowne Plaza, Docklands. The event is a free exhibition which will showcase businesses whose products and services meet the needs of women. The day will consist of a range of activities including inspirational lifestyle workshops that will demonstrate how to look and feel good as well as business workshops for those aiming to start their own SMEs. Personal development sessions will be taking place to empower and support women in creating a crystal clear vision for success.
The 2inspire network was founded by Hazel Chawapiwa in 2012 to provide a platform for women in the form of forums and events that will empower and inspire them to succeed. “The aim of the Ladies Day event is to provide an environment that encourages all attendees to recognise their potential be it through establishing a business or re-defining their personal goal. Our guests will discover educational and business opportunities in a positive and vibrant environment” states Hazel.
The exhibition will have an estimated 300 delegates and up to 30 exhibitors whose products range from fashion and beauty to artwork making the event the ultimate one-stop shop for ladies. There will be stands from educational institutions and a home based business corner that will see representatives from organisations such as the Bodyshop, Avon and Mary Kay.
“Ladies Day” guests will leave the event with tools to achieve great things!
Time: 11am-7pm
Entrance is free but pre-registration is essential (or £5 on the door). Register here
London, UK – Brides of Culture (BoC) is back for the sixth installment of its unique free multicultural Bridal Exhibition.
Taking place on Saturday 8th September 2012, this free bridal exhibition will be held in the luxurious surroundings of The Crowne Plaza Hotel in East London’s sophisticated Docklands, home to London’s new Emirate’s Airline Cable Car.
With a dedicated website serving as an interactive e-channel for brides and grooms from all ethnic backgrounds, Brides of Culture goes beyond the usual, mainstream wedding planning portals. With the exclusive use of one floor of the hotel, more than 35 exhibitors, including internationally renowned couture bridal and evening wear label Kosibah, Brides of Culture is expecting at least 600 brides and grooms-to-be at this Autumn’s exhibition.
Its founders, Abi Laditan and Kemi Osinloye discovered that there was a definite niche in the wedding industry through their own experiences. From planning their own ‘Big Days,’ they found that it was extremely difficult for brides and grooms from ethnic backgrounds to have easy access to information and services related to their culture. They created the BoC website in 2009 to provide useful tips, information, and advice, as well as details of local and regional vendors to meet the wedding needs of a diverse mix of brides and grooms; from across Africa, the Caribbean and Asia.
The Brides of Culture Bridal Exhibition soon became a much-needed addition to the e-channel; with it now attracting high caliber wedding vendors who are keen to tap into this niche market. The last exhibition held in March 2012 drew in nearly 600 attendees and 33 major wedding suppliers, and September 2012 is set to be the best and biggest edition.
Testimonials and feedback from attendees and vendors alike have encouraged Abi and Kemi to continue to make the Brides of Culture Multicultural Bridal Exhibition grow from strength to strength, with September 2012 set to be the most successful yet.
Important Information
The event will take place on the 8 of 8 September 2012 between 11:00 – 18:00 (GMT) at Docklands Crown Plaza in London, UK.
About Brides of Culture (BoC)
Founded in 2009, Brides of Culture (BoC) aspires to be the largest multicultural focused Bridal Exhibition in the UK. BoC is also an interactive e-channel providing information on services, products, and vendors for members of the ethnic minority community on all aspects of planning a wedding.
According to the last census (2001), with a total of 1,148,738, the largest ethnic minorities in Britain are those categorized as Black or Black British, with the next largest being Indians (1,053,411). Overall, ethnic minority groups represent just under 6 percent of the population of Great Britain, with over 235,000 weddings occurring each year.
BoC is available for any bride-to-be who lives and is planning to get married in the UK, providing them with any help we can to make their day a special one. There are currently many resources available to those planning a wedding in the UK, but very few for those planning one with a cultural twist. This is the area where BoC is invaluable in providing solutions to regular issues and problems that are common in ethnic minority weddings but may not be so common in mainstream ones.
On Saturday June 30 2012, a colorful national Ghana cultural festival was held in Stuttgart, the capital of the German State Baden Wurttemberg by UGAG – Union of all Ghanaian Associations in Germany. The theme of the festival, which was also dedicated to the Ghanaian Youth in Germany, was “integration through intercultural dialogue”. The festival was attended by the representative of the Ghana Embassy in Berlin, Mr. Quaye, Presidents of all Ghana Unions in Germany, Chiefs and Queens from Stuttgart. Togbe Cephas Bansah, the Ngoyifia of Hohoe and Nana Brewuo, Tudwonu of Manhyia-Kumasi as wells as Ghanaians in and around Stuttgart, Germany crowned the occasion. The festival was also attended by the Patron of the African Union Stuttgart, Africans and German nationals as well as Indians in and around Stuttgart.
The President of Ghana Union, Stuttgart Mr. Alexander Okai Anane in his speech stressed the importance and benefits of education, integration and the need for unity amongst Ghanaian living in Germany. Mr. Anane used the occasion to appeal to all Ghanaian institutions, tribal unions and churches to support the educational, social and integration projects of the Ghana Unions in Germany. We must unit and co-operate with one another in order to achieve the maximum benefits of our endeavors here in Germany and back in Ghana, he added.
Mr. Rex Osei Fley and Mr. Samuel Sasu who are the mentors and leaders of the Ghana Youth Association in Stuttgart introduced and presented the visions of the newly formed Youth Association in Stuttgart and outlined some of the benefits and motivating factors of the Association. They also appealed to the parents to allow and encourage their children to join the Ghana Youth Association.
Mr. Daniel Dake, the President of UGAG, in his speech, thanked the Ghana Union Stuttgart for the planning and sponsoring of the Ghana Festival. Mr Dake also stressed the need for Unity among the various Ghana Unions. He encouraged the Ghanaians in Germany to rally behind UGAG in its effort to petition the Ghana Government to enter into a bi-lateral agreement with the Republic of Germany on the Old Age Pension Scheme.
At moment Ghanaians living and working in Germany will receive less than 70% of their old pension, if they choose to relocate to Ghana or any other non-EU member country. The bi-lateral agreement on the old age pension scheme is aimed at enabling Ghanaians who have worked in Germany get 100% of their pension at the time they choose to become permanent residents of Ghana.
Mr. Dake also pointed out the need for Ghanaians in Germany with German Passports be issued identity cards which will enable them to travel to Ghana without visas. He said countries like Ethiopia, India and Mexico issue special identity cards to their diaspora natives. India issues a Person of Indian Origin card that allows for entry without a visa during the period of its validity India ID-cards, Ethiopia issues a yellow card Mexico issues matrícula consular to Mexicans for identification. A petition will also be sent to the Government of Ghana on this issue by UGAG.
Among the highlights were the performances of “Adowa” dance by the Adowa Cultural Troupe in Stuttgart and the Mannheim-Ludwigshafen Youth Cultural Group supported by the Edikamfo Cultural Group from Berlin, whilst the Ewe Dukor Cultural Group from Frankfurt dynamited the festival with Bobo and Agbaza dance.
Since apart from language, food forms a major pivot of every culture, one could smell the sweet fragrance of the varieties of delicious Ghanaian dishes that were served at the festival.
The festival, which ended at about 22:00 CET was attended by circa 500 people.
Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman said something Thursday that though true is destined to shock many Americans.
Speaking on NPR, Freeman said Barack Obama is “not America’s first black president. He’s America’s first mixed-race president” (video follows with transcribed highlights and commentary):
In the middle of a “Tell Me More” interview, host Michel Martin asked her guest where America is now historically with its first African-American president along with “racially-charged episodes in the news. Do you see a film in this?”
“First thing that always pops into my head regarding our president is that all of the people who are setting up this barrier for him – what’s his name, Donald Trump and this who thing that he’s resurfacing. They just conveniently forget that Barack had a mama, and she was white — very white American, Kansas, middle of America,” Freeman said. “There was no argument about who he is or what he is. America’s first black president hasn’t arisen yet. He’s not America’s first black president. He’s America’s first mixed-race president.”
“I told Bill Clinton that he was the first black president,” Freeman joked.
“I don’t know what to say any more about this whole situation,” the actor continued. “He is being purposely, purposely thwarted by the Republican Party, who started out at the beginning of his tenure by saying, ‘We are going to do whatever is necessary to make sure that he only serves one term.’ That means they will not cooperate with him on anything. So to say that he’s ineffective is a misappropriation of the facts.”
“Are you heartened or disheartened by our current circumstances,” asked Martin.
“I’m disheartened,” responded Freeman. “I am thoroughly upset by it. But we will prevail. I think that the public at large watching, listening, when it comes down to it will say, ‘Well now, wait a minute. What they’re talking about is nonsense.’”
“When Barack was elected president,” Freeman continued, “a good portion of the country broke into tears because it was proof that we are really Americans, that we are who we say we are. And I thought at the time, okay, we can pretty much stop talking about race here in this country, and concentrate on growth. Well, it didn’t turn out that way quite.”
A collaboration of African and western musicians, Africa Express is now headlining festivals and planning a huge train tour of the UK this year. Damon Albarn and Baaba Maal explain how it came about.
Baaba Maal performs at the Africa Express show in 2008 with other African and western musicians.
‘It’s always felt like a journey on an African train,” says Baaba Maal of his involvement with the organisation known as Africa Express. “You set off without any sense of expectation whatsoever,” he continues, speaking down a crackly line en route to a gig of his own in Mauritania, “but along the way you meet some amazing people.”
The Senegalese singer has long been one of African music’s superstars, and in a career stretching back to the late 80s (he is now 58), he has worked with a host of musicians from the rest of the world. But the Africa Express project especially seems to have galvanised him, so much so that this autumn, he is prepared to spend a week on board a real train, travelling across the UK, in the company of several dozen acts.
Damon Albarn, who helped found the enterprise, says: “It’s just going to be so much fun – we’ll be rehearsing on the train and playing all over the country. It’s crazy, but you have to try something different.”
(And he adds, his head still in his current project, Dr Dee, “it should be a bit like a Mummers play.”)
Before then, the Africa Express Soundsystem – an offshoot band – headline the Great Escape festival in Brighton this Saturday, further evidence that what started as a well-meaning pipedream has now, over the course of more than five years, developed serious momentum. The gig features several emerging African stars such as Spoek Mathambo – the South African originator of what he describes as “township tech” – and Ghanaian rapper M3nsa, alongside the likes of Noisettes vocalist Shingai Shoniwa, who is British but of Zimbabwean descent. The train metaphor is re-employed by M3nsa: “It feels like we’re picking up super-talented artists at every stop – each bringing something special for a party going on in the last caboose!”
The origins of Africa Express lie in a trip Albarn made to Mali in 2002 and his subsequent dismay at the glaring absence of African acts at theLive 8 concerts in July 2005 (Hyde Park saw Youssou N’Dour singing his part on 7 Seconds when Dido covered the old Neneh Cherry hit, but that was it). In the aftermath, the then Blur frontman and a small group of promoters, managers and likeminded individuals considered how to foster a new dialogue between some of western pop’s more open-eared acts and their counterparts in Africa.
First came another trip to Bamako in Mali, bringing Fatboy Slim, Martha Wainwright, Jamie T and Martina Topley Bird to jam with the likes of the blind duo Amadou and Mariam and the ngoni player Bassekou Kouyate. Following a session at the house of the great singer Salif Keita, the journalist Ian Birrell, another founder of the enterprise, remembers Fatboy saying: “That was like the greatest ever edition of Later … with Jools.”
Suitably inspired, a pub gig in Brixton followed, with Albarn’s new band the Good, the Bad and the Queen making their debut alongside Amadou and Mariam. Then came an epic gig at Glastonbury in 2007, an unannounced five-hour spectacular on the Park Stage, involving Baaba Maal and Somalian rapper K’Naan alongside the Specials’ Terry Hall, Billy Bragg, Hard-Fi and many more. Further shows followed, including amind-boggling nine-hour marathon involving 134 artists in Liverpool, a gig that opened the Electric Proms in London, a gig in front of 25,000 people in central Paris and another on a beach in northern Spain with an audience twice that size. Typical of these Africa Express gigs was one performance at that last show when Algerian star Rachid Taha was joined on stage for a cover of the Clash’s Rock the Casbah by Mick Jones – ex of the Clash – and Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, among others.
There have also been trips with further handfuls of western acts to Africa: on his return from Kinshasha in Congo with Africa Express, Robert del Naja of Massive Attack said: “Everything about Africa is normally preceded by clichés … until you go there and realise the energy and beauty of the people. It’s there in the music, and once you hear it, you’re never the same again.”
Such enterprises have inspired ideas and collaborations that lie outside of Africa Express – Amadou and Mariam‘s hook up with acts like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Nick Zinner, for instance; while anyone wondering about a track called Ethiopia on the latest Re Hot Chili Peppers’ albumshould know that Flea and Josh Klinghoffer from the group traveled there with Africa Express – and now the Soundsystem offshoot.
Rather than a full sprawling gig involving a cast of several dozen, the Soundsystem shows are tighter, with Brighton’s falling under the musical direction of Gorillaz keyboard player Jesse Hackett. But an impressive cast, including Senegalese kora player Diabel Cissokho and Africa Express aficionado Reverend and the Makers‘ John McClure, and soul singer Terri Walker will also feature.
McClure played the first Africa Express gig at Glastonbury, one result of which was that he invited the n’goni player Bassekou Kouyate to play on one of his albums,and he describes the liberating effect it had on him: “There’s a real stigma attached to world music, and even that term is one I find really problematic. But when Damon Albarn first talked to me, it was on a really geezerish level, for want of a better word. It encouraged me to see these guys from Africa simply as musicians; everyone’s there as equals at the shows.”
Spoek Mathambo dismisses the idea that Africa Express might serve a didactic role. “I’m not interested in any mission,” he bristles. But he says that the music he makes couldn’t be further from the “trad” sounds of what many still think of as African music – and the club-focused Soundsystem shows illustrate the several mutant strains of techno and huge amounts of hip-hop that Africa encompasses.
“It goes without saying,” agrees M3nsa. “There’s so much good music coming out of the continent. There always has been. And a lot of it is actually the source of what we call pop music right now.”
For Ian Birrell, “part of what we’d always hope to show was that Africa isn’t a continent that needs our pity: six of the 10 fastest growing economies in the world are there. It’s more like we need their help these days.”
Or in Albarn’s more poetic formulation: “African music is the future of music … that’s what you’re hearing here, the future.”
It is the artistic opportunities that most excite those who’ll embark on the actual Africa Express train in the autumn, when – as part of the London 2012 festival – more than 100 musicians will tour the UK by rail, stopping to play impromptu gigs in schools, factories, homes and local clubs. The itinerary takes in Bradford and Leeds, Middlesborough, Glasgow, Carlisle – where the station master has given permission for a gig to take place on the platform – Manchester, Cardiff and Bristol, before a show in London.
There is precedent: in 1970, the Festival Express crossed Canada with acts including the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and the Band; in 1978, Stiff records hired a train emblazoned with the label’s logo for their “Be Stiff” tour, featuring acts such as Wreckless Eric; while Manu Chao did much the same for a jaunt across Colombia in 1993, with a train that carried his band and a fire-breathing dragon and an ice museum as well. But the scale of the Africa Express trip is something else. “It’s the sheer number of musicians that makes this so crazy,” says Lauren Roth de Wolf, the logistical brains of the operation, “coupled with the fact that it turns out that it’s ridiculously complex to hire a train” in this country. (In the end, despite the likes of pop impresario and locomotive enthusiast Pete Waterman showing an interest, they are working with freight haulage specialists Direct Rail Services).
Nonetheless, the promise is of household names from Africa and the west. In fact, Albarn has even invited his old nemesis to join the fun, saying recently that Noel Gallagher “should come on the Africa Express train in September. That’d be a nice chance to collaborate.”
“The gigs are special,” says Baaba Maal, “but so are those moments hanging around a hotel lobby, when you can share your own perspectives on the music business, and share your own rhythms and melodies.”
One last question: why would a superstar want to put himself through the pain of an extended British rail journey in the dog-days of summer?
“I know!” he laughs. “Normally I’m used to a bit of comfort when I travel. But sometimes,” he concludes, “it’s good to test yourself – it’s good to be uncomfortable some times, to be a human being.”
The Africa Express Soundystem headlines the Great Escape Festival in Brighton on 12 May. The Africa Express train will depart Euston for a week-long journey on 1 September, with the Guardian as its media partner.
Take a look at these glamorous African styles. The beautiful attires were showcased on the runway at South Africa Fashion Week 2012.
In the last few years, African fashion has been tasking the centre stage as more and more people are embracing the colourful and bold prints love by African men and women. As such, fashion weeks like this one and several other ones are spring up to provide a platform for African and African inspired designs and designers.
Today’s African designers are combining African fabric with western fabrics to give Africaan styles a more cosmopolitan look.
African styles being made today are not only typical native styles that can only be worn at traditional African events but to almost any type of gatherings.
The African styles we see today can be worn by a bride for her wedding. The can also be worn by bridesmaid, on the red carpet, to a prom party and much more.
Almost any style that you can think of, can be designed with the African print fabric, which was something that was not done some years ago.
Apart from the styles, a lot of African designers are upping their game. Gone are the days the most of them were just tailors. The new generation African designer is attending fashion schools and some are even gaining experience in top fashion cities like Paris and New York before setting up their own brand.
Do think these pieces are glamorous African styles? Share your views by leaving a comment below. If you have a favourite style among them, also let us know by dropping a comment as well.
Take a peep at the Afrocosmopolitan Youtube channel and subscribe to it so you can get our video updates as soon as they are uploaded. You can also follow Afrocosmopolitan on Instagram and like our Facebook Page.
CHICAGO — Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday introduced the “Safe Families Ordinance” to prevent police from asking about the immigration status of those who have not committed a serious offense.
“The history of this city is written by immigrants and this ordinance is consistent with our values, our economy and personal interests,” Emanuel said during a press conference in front of a school in the city’s Mexican neighborhood Little Village. Emanuel was joined by Congressman Luis Gutiérrez, D-Ill.
The Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights said the ordinance is the direct result of protests against the detention of an African immigrant woman in February.
Rose Tchakounte, 54, a native of Cameroon who had a pending asylum claim, was detained for a minor traffic violation. When police discovered that she had a pending deportation order, they turned her over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Tchakounte was detained for two days and then released as a result of negotiations by the mayor, but her case inspired protests by immigrant rights groups who say the police had violated the spirit of a 2006 city ordinance and a 1985 executive order by the mayor that prohibit Chicago law enforcement agents from carrying out immigration duties.
Usher’s stepson declared brain dead after being hit by jet ski while celebrity pals has taken to Twitter with prayers to outpour their support following the singer’s terrible tragedy this past weekend.
Usher and ex-wife Tameka Foster
The singer’s 11-year-old stepson Kyle Glover has been declared brain dead after he and a 15-year-old gal pal were admitted to a hospital following a boating accident Friday, TMZ reports.
The pair were floating on inner tubes in Georgia’s Lake Lanier Friday when a Jet Ski struck the two youngsters.
Glover, whose mother is Usher’s ex-wife Tameka Foster, was reportedly struck in the head and was knocked unconscious, according to Department of Natural Resources Sergeant Mike Burgamy.
The girl also suffered serious injuries.
UshernRaymond & 11 year old stepson, Kyle Glover
Both children were immediately airlifted to Children’s Healthcare at Egelston Hospital in Atlanta.
“Everyone PLEASE pray for Usher and Tameka’s son! This is the time they really need your prayers,” singer Fantasia tweeted Saturday.
“Praying that Usher and Tameka’s son is ok…” Russell Simmons added.
The cause of the horrific incident is still under investigation, which could take months to complete, according to TMZ.
So far, officials have ruled out alcohol as a factor in the accident, but Robin Hill, a rep for the Department of Natural Resources (Wildlife Resources Division) tells the site that they will recreate the accident using special computer programs to determine the details.
Based on the results, Usher could choose to press charges over the accident.
TMZ reports that despite their ongoing bitter divorce battle, Usher hired a private jet to bring Foster to her injured son.
The former couple have two children together – Usher Raymond V, 4, and Naviyd, 3.
