MOMO: This/Day Arise Magazine, African Fashion Collective Fall 2009

In these very tough economic times where fashion designers have scaled back on shows at New York Fashion Week and some not show at all, for each African Fashion designer who showed at fashion week, there had to be something that made each one stand out when pitied against their American/International counterparts. Something memorable. Basically a 'umph' factor that gets the press going and buyers excited to order knowing that it will rejuvenate and make customers spend, again.

The designs shown by Fati Asebuela, the designer behind the label MOMO, failed to do so. In fact, MOMO's designs played safe--too safe to the point where it crossed over to the land of "just there" i.e. unmemorable. Her Fall '09 collection while nicely tailored,lacked a unique identity that would make any fashion-forward woman forgo spending on a label she is used to for a MOMO design. We hope next season, if she shows, that she BRINGS ON THE FIERCENESS.

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Photo credits: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

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Tiffany Amber, ThisDay/Arise Magazine: African Fashion Collective Fall '09

While major publications are hailing the arrival of African designers in New York; and highlighting Grace Jones on the runway, none have offered any real, much less meaningful analysis on the designs, trends and colors that these African designers showed at fashion week. Accordingly, we take the lead in doing so by starting with the Tiffany Amber show for Fall '09.

Everything about the Tiffany Amber Fall 2009 Collection was on point. From the colors, shapes, fabric choices and design execution, she showed a collection that can easily translate from the red carpet at the Oscars to a very chic cocktail event for any Ladybrille woman.

Tiffany Amber [Designer Folake Coker] sent jolts of vibrant colors down the runway in mostly purple, electrifying/royal sapphire blues and lemon yellow dresses. Fabric choices included cotton ankara and silks. Sleeves were kept full on some dresses and shapes were classic yet accommodating of the Ladybrille woman whether she be a size 4 or 14. Design details were obvious with rich embroideries on short silk dresses. Hair was a simple french braid head band and makeup was equally simple, fresh and clean consistent with Fall '09.

GET RED CARPET READY IN TIFFANY AMBER GOWNS

Perfect for the Oscars, just right around the corner, this silk dress moves so fluidly and is guaranteed to be a show stopper with its plunging embroidered neck line.

Floral print gowns remain sexy and Tiffany Amber does it well with this explosion of trendy colors: blue, purple, red, grey and black. The heavily embellished wide belt is unnecessary. Substitute that for a solid wide black leather/patent belt. Belt not recommended if you have a short waist.

This Royal Sapphire blue dress, with silver detailing on the top, will light up any room you walk into. Substitute the shoes for sexy silver sandals and be sure to add some sexy earrings to go with it.

ANKARA PRINTS

It's official. Michelle Obama's one shouldered Jason Wu white Swarovski embellished crystal gown she wore at President Obama's Inauguration set the trend for 'gotta have' one shouldered dresses. Tiffany Amber hits the nail on the head with this one shouldered ankara embellished mini-dress.

The Ankara belted shirt dress is a look we have seen many times from London based Nigerian designer Duro Olowu. In fact, that is his signature; and of course the many Western designers who get 'inspiration' from Africa. However, it remains a clever choice by Tiffany Amber and reflects the dominant trend for ankara across the continent and especially in Nigeria, where the design label is based.

More Ankara dresses with a flapper style reference from Tiffany Amber

SHORT FLIRTY EMBROIDERED SILK DRESSES

A salute to the flapper look, this short/mini-dresses with rich embroidery are cute, sexy and fun. It is best worn on taller, leaner shapes. If you are short and/or heavy on the top and bottom, the look might not be as flattering as it can make you appear bigger than you really are.

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Photo credits: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

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African Fashion Collective: Ladybrille Exclusive Backstage and Front Row Pictures

The Africans invaded New York Fashion Week and brought a whole lot of attitude with them, thanks to ThisDay/Arise Magazine! We take you backstage with some exclusive photos from the event. More coverage to come both in pictures, words and Ladybrille TV.

Oh, you don't know me? Me! Allow me to introduce myself. I am one of the most sought after, fiercest model in South Africa. I go by the name Milen Magese.

"Yeah, yeah. I am in New York. Gurl you need to hurry because I am at the African Fashion Collective and I'm about to walk.

"How you like me now?!"

"Hello people! AFRIKA in the house! We are so holding it down for South Africa also."

Nana [far right says] "I told you it was not a solo thing. Now me and my African SISTAS will RIP the runway. Ha ha ha ha!"

"Yes I am Nyasha Zimucha winner of Miss Africa USA and I had to come through to show support."

"But of course we had to show support. This is truly beautiful"

Yes, yes, yes. We needed to be here to make sure it is a blessed event.

Singer Chrisette Michele

Photo credits: Thanks to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

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Africans and Friends of Africa Impress at the 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards

Africans and friends of Africa gathered at the 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards to honor the outstanding works of people of color in the arts [motion picture, television, recording,and literature]. Actress Taraji P. Henson, Actress/Singer Beyonce, Actor Will Smith, Actress/Singer Jennifer Hudson, and Actress Keisha Knight Pulliam are some of the names that walked home with awards. Majority of the celebs at the event put the 'BRILL' in brilliant with 'musthahave, gottahave' fashions. Enjoy a select few images of celeb Africans and Hollywood fans of Africa who attended the event.

Eva knocked the breath out of many with her oh soooo stunning strapless empire waist blue lace gown sealed with a silk blue ribbon. Breathtaking!

Actress Taraji P. Henson has the spotlight and boy does she work it in this halter lemon gown! Her matching lemon eye makeup, hair and accessories show she understands how to take advantage and bask in the spotlight.

Actress Jennifer Frederique was smooth as silk on the red carpet in a sexy champagne spaghetti strapped gown.

Nigerian Hollywood based actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim made it a velvet affair on the red carpet.

The self proclaimed fan of Nollywood, actress Vanessa Williams, brought the fierceness in this one shoulder embellished gown.

Actress Sanaa Lathan, girlfriend of Nigerian NFL player Wale Ogunleye, was hot like 'FIYAH'in this red plunging neck jersey gown.

Keisha Knight Pulliam aka Rudy Huxtable made her presence felt in this dangerously electrifying blue gown with a slit that goes on for miles.

Actor/Producer/Director/Entrepreneur Tyler Perry, currently dating San Franciso/Ethiopian Model Gelila Bekele, co-hosted the Awards event.

Actor Danny Glover, ever the avid lover and supporter in words and action, of Africa, graced the event with his presence.

Photo credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for NAACP

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New York Fashion Week Fall '09 Day 1: Yigal Azrouel

Israeli born designer aka hottie Yigal Azrouel has been a darling within the industry for a while now. In fact, for this Fall 2009, Yigal has been named the "Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer." Mercedes-Benz Presents is a program that "supports and celebrates the chosen designer throughout the week [Fashion Week] through the sponsorship of their runway space, access to the VIP Star Lounge for hosting media receptions, and a charitable donation to a design educational program/school on behalf of the designer and the Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer program."

Azrouel showed Mercedes-Benz made the right choice with a Fall'09 collection that was dark yet fresh and romantic. For makeup, models' faces were kept nude but contrasted with edgy and bold smoky eyes. Fabric colors included gray, metal, olive green and black. Azrouel's attention to details was also obvious with his signature draping and design details.Overall Azrouel served up a really chic timeless collection that is great for our pocket books in this recession times.

Front Row

Runway

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