dynamicafrica:

STYLE ICON: Patti Boulaye

Nigerian-British entertainer, Patti Boulaye was born born Patricia Ngozi Ebigwe on 3 May 1954 in mid-western Nigeria. As a teenager, she witnessed the horrors of the Biafran war in the country and her family later emigrated to the United Kingdom.

Raised in a strict Catholic household, Boulaye initially had hopes of becoming a nun. However, after mistakenly auditioning and for and successfully gaining a part in the musical Hair (she had thought the line was a queue for Madame Tussaud’s), Boulaye stepped into the world of entertainment and never looked back.

- DynamicAfrica

she’s stunning!!

dynamicafrica:

The beauty of the ‘Gele’ photographed by #Nigerian photographer J.D. Okhai Ojeikere

The Yoruba are one of the largest ethno-linguistic or ethnic groups in West Africa. The majority of the Yoruba speak the Yoruba language and are found in Nigeria, constituting approximately 21 percent of its total population, and around 30 million individuals throughout West Africa. 

The traditional Yoruba women’s outfit consists of four parts: the buba (a blouse like shirt), the iro (wrap skirt), the gele (head tie/wrap), and the ipele or iborun (shawl or shoulder sash). Aso oke is a hand loomed cloth woven by the Yoruba people and it is traditionally used to make the ensemble, although in more recent times organza, taffeta, damask and laces have been used. Stiff fabrics are preferred, at least for the gele, so that it holds it shape throughout the day.

The gele is wrapped around the head but unlike most head wraps that lie flat on contour of the head, the gele is manipulated to stand away from the head, creating an enormous headpiece.

Over time and with more wealth becoming available to the commoners (versus the royalty), the size and quality of workmanship and fabrication in the gele became to be a potent symbol of a woman’s socio-economic status.

(text source)

wunderfin: Whilst routing around my drawers I found this snap of my dad as teen in Accra, Ghana circa 1965. I really like this picture. Not just because it’s my dad looking cool in his Buddy Holly Ray Bans and Chelsea boots, but because it’s a nice reminder for me that fashion on the continent has always been about mixing what’s hot in popular culture with what’s always been stylish in theirs.

wunderfin:

Whilst routing around my drawers I found this snap of my dad as teen in Accra, Ghana circa 1965. I really like this picture. Not just because it’s my dad looking cool in his Buddy Holly Ray Bans and Chelsea boots, but because it’s a nice reminder for me that fashion on the continent has always been about mixing what’s hot in popular culture with what’s always been stylish in theirs.

(via negistenegest)

Tanzanian Model Herieth Paul in Flare Magazine

(Source: browngurl)

androgynousblackgirl:

Africa Fashion Week (New York) ‘11 - Gloria Wavamunno (Uganda)

bwlivingwell:

Nigerian Model Adaora Akubil, SI’s Swimsuit Issue

lozamaleombho: blackfashion: Loza Maléombho is an emerging designer from West African. She was born in Brazil and raised in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, Maléombho came to the U.S. in 2000 to pursue her fashion dreams. Maléombho states that fashion is in the fabric.  After graduating from the University of Philadelphia in 2006 with an animation degree, she moved to New York City. In 2009, her self titled label was born. Determined to leave her mark as a fashion industry maven and philanthropist, Loza uses her label to fuel the West African economy and to improve the health and education of those in that region. A percentage of her proceeds are given to schools in the region and she employs the local factories for production. As a designer with heart and purpose, Loza Maléombho’s goal is to promote education in developing countries of West Africa.

lozamaleombho:

blackfashion:

Loza Maléombho is an emerging designer from West African. She was born in Brazil and raised in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, Maléombho came to the U.S. in 2000 to pursue her fashion dreams. Maléombho states that fashion is in the fabric.  After graduating from the University of Philadelphia in 2006 with an animation degree, she moved to New York City. In 2009, her self titled label was born. Determined to leave her mark as a fashion industry maven and philanthropist, Loza uses her label to fuel the West African economy and to improve the health and education of those in that region. A percentage of her proceeds are given to schools in the region and she employs the local factories for production. As a designer with heart and purpose, Loza Maléombho’s goal is to promote education in developing countries of West Africa.

dynamicafrica:

Nigerian founder and editor of Pop’Africana Magazine Oroma Elewa walks for the Alberta Ferretti in Milan.

(Source: )

Sierra Leonean Model: Zainab O. Sheriff 

(Source: thisisdee, via sabisierraleone)

Poverty Porn - any type of media which exploits the poor’s condition in order to generate sympathy for selling newspapers or increasing charitable donations or support for a given cause.
You will find none of that here :)

africaworldnow@gmail.com