Friday, 28 October 2011
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Alexander McQueen, UK Fashion Master
One of the UK’s most influential fashion designers, Alexander McQueen, has been found dead at his London home.The death of Mr McQueen, 40, is not being treated as suspicious, the Metropolitan Police said.
Reports that the four-time British designer of the year had taken his own life have not been confirmed.
His family are said to be “devastated” at the “tragic news”, according to a statement which added that they shared “a sense of shock and grief”.
In a message on his Twitter page on 3 February, Mr McQueen said his mother had passed away.
Mr. McQueen won the distinction of being named British designer of the year four times between 1996 and 2003 and was also awarded the CBE.
‘Shock and grief’
The London-born designer started his career as an apprentice in Savile Row with Anderson and Sheppard before going on to work for Gieves and Hawkes.
In 1996, the man nicknamed “the hooligan of English fashion”, with his close-cropped hair and Doc Martens, was named head designer at the Paris couture house of Givenchy.
Mr McQueen’s close friend and fashion icon Isabella Blow, who helped kick-start his career, killed herself in 2007.
A statement released by his office – referring to the designer by his given first name, Lee – read: “On behalf of Lee McQueen’s family, Alexander McQueen today announces the tragic news that Lee McQueen, the founder and designer of the
Alexander McQueen brand, has been found dead at his home.
“At this stage it is inappropriate to comment on this tragic news beyond saying that we are devastated and are sharing a sense of shock and grief with Lee’s family.
“Lee’s family has asked for privacy in order to come to terms with this terrible news and we hope the media will respect this.”
His death came days before London Fashion Week, and as final preparations were being made for a spring collection to be unveiled in Paris.
On 3 February, he wrote on his Twitter page that his mother Joyce had passed away the day before, adding: “RIP mumxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.”
Four days later he wrote that he had had an “awful week” but said “friends have been great”, adding: “now i have to some how pull myself together”.
Tributes have been paid to Mr McQueen from across the fashion world and beyond.
Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw said he had “made an outstanding contribution” to British fashion.
A statement released on behalf of the model Kate Moss said she was “devastated”.
The designer Katherine Hamnett said: “He was a genius. What a terrible, tragic waste.”
Alexandra Shulman, editor of British Vogue, said Mr McQueen had influenced a whole generation of designers.
She added: “His brilliant imagination knew no bounds as he conjured up collection after collection of extraordinary designs.
“His death is the hugest loss to anyone who knew him and for very many who didn’t.”
Designer Matthew Williamson said he was “shocked and deeply saddened”.
Paul Smith paid tribute to “a very talented and creative designer”.
Mr McQueen’s body was removed from the house and taken away in a private ambulance at 1646 GMT.
A man with short blond hair, who said he was Mr McQueen’s boyfriend, had been allowed inside at 1615 GMT.
Staff were in tears at his company headquarters in Farringdon, central London.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “We were called by London Ambulance Service at about 10.20am this morning to reports of a man found dead at an address in Green Street, W1.
“He is believed to be 40 years old and from London. Next of kin have been informed, however we await formal identification before releasing the name of the deceased.”
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Arise Magazine Fashion Week - Day 1
It was disappointing start to the Arise Magazine Fashion Week, with slight delays and shows been rescheduled. There was also the last minute dispatch of invite information on ticket costs and payments. However, the excitement was still in the air, as the designers worked hard at getting their last fittings done, models doing final practices on their walks and press accreditation.
The Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos was filled with activity in final preparation for the three day event, starting tomorrow, 11th March 2010.
celebrities at the event.
Monday, 24 October 2011
Deola Sagoe is a haute couture fashion designer from the Ondo State in Nigeria. A mother of three who studied at the University of Miami and University of Lagos with a Masters in Finance and Management, Sagoe began designing in 1998 and has gained international notoriety for her lively, and colorful designs. She was recently appointed to represent Nigeria in a new international campaign organized by the United Nations World Food Program. The campaign, titled “Catwalk the World: Fashion for Food.”, began in Nigeria in April 2006 and recently staged an event in Ghana which brought celebrities like Damon Dash, his wife, designer Rachel Roy, and Ghanaian-born, London-based designer Ozwald Boateng. The campaign's goal is to raise money towards halving the number of hungry people in the world, particularly children, by 2015. Sagoe frequently exhibits her couture collection at Cape Town Fashion Week and has been an invited guest of New York Fashion Week in the past. Sagoe has won the “Africa Designs” and the MNET/ Anglo Gold African designs 2000 awards for which she was nominated by Andre Leon Tally, US Vogue editor. She has also has famous fans such as Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith.SOME OF HER DESIGNS
The second season of Pretty Little Liars, based on the books of the same name by Sara Shepard, began airing on June 14, 2011 on ABC Family.[1] It follows the lives of four teenage girls, Aria Montgomery (Lucy Hale), Spencer Hastings (Troian Bellisario), Hanna Marin (Ashley Benson), and Emily Fields (Shay Mitchell), who are dealing with the mysterious disappearance and death of their former best friend and queen bee, Alison DiLaurentis (Sasha Pieterse), along with other problems in their personal & social lives. Outcomes of Alison's death include messages from an anonymous source that we know as "A". This person knows everything about the girls, including some terrible things that they did in their past with Alison. The second continues from the season finale of the previous season, in which Ian Thomas (Ryan Merriman), Spencer's brother-in-law, is presumed to have been killed in an incident at the top of a bell tower but is also accused of murdering Alison.
Storylines
Season two picks up immediately where season one left off. After telling the police about Ian’s death and then the cops finding no body, the girls are now seen as liars by the town. With their parents concerned for their daughters, the girls are now forced to seek counseling from a therapist. But will the girls be able to entrust everything in her? “Where’s Ian?” “Who is A?” will continue to be the mysteries of this season, though Marlene King stated that there will be a whole new mystery that is going to be introduced right away and will be a huge one that’ll have people talking. With the girls being forced to separate and the ever so sinister “A” watching their every move, things in Rosewood are about to get a whole lot crazier![9][10][edit] Spencer Hastings
Spencer Hastings has a lot on her shoulders. Not only does her family not believe her account on Ian, but they are now forbidding her to see Toby; with his family as well. Will she find a way to keep seeing Toby without her family knowing or will she give in to her parents’ demands? And with a person like “A” watching her every move, caution will definitely need to be had. "A" forces Spencer to break up with Toby only to end up being comforted by Wren after he brings her home leading to them kissing.[edit] Hanna Marin
After suffering a broken heart from Caleb’s betrayal, Hanna will find herself confronted again with the man who caused it all. Will she be able to forgive him and reconnect, or is their relationship a thing of the past? Caleb finds his mother, leaving Hanna to go to Arizona, they make up after Hanna demanded that his foster mom keep sending him checks. They are still, happily in love.The possibility of finding out about Mona’s deception, Hanna’s got a lot of complications to deal with before she can find peace of mind. Hanna and Caleb reunite, only to find him going to California to visit his mother. Hanna's daddy issues continue as she breaks up the wedding between him and Isabel, with Hanna revealing her father and mother hooked up before the wedding.[edit] Aria Montgomery
After learning Ezra’s ex-fiancee Jackie Molina is working with him and Ezra hiding it from her, Aria now finds herself hurt and betrayed. Things are now bittersweet for her because if she stays with him, she can finally have a normal relationship that other couples have without hiding out in his apartment. However, she must also face the fact that his ex is now in the picture. Besides having to decide if the relationship is worth it, she also has to deal with her family having more secrets in the house and her brother Mike continuing to grow in his rebellious ways. Aria's relationship with Ezra will also be tempted by the arrival of a new love interest who will be age appropriate, Jason DiLaurentis.[edit] Emily Fields
Emily's love life won't be the only thing with complications this season. After being informed by her mother that the Fields family will be moving to Texas, Emily is now faced with the dilemma of moving. But moving might not be her only option as she soon discovers there's something she can do to keep herself in Rosewood. But will she go to the extremes to stay? she has a chance to get a scholarships, and that will prevent her from moving, but her family needs proof emily had a hard time being "A"s new target and went under a lot of stress[edit] Episodes
Sunday, 23 October 2011
This week on Beautiful People, we bring you the talented and stylish creative director of the edgy brand Orange Culture, Adebayo Oke-Lawal. We did an interview with him so you can get to know one of the youngest designers changing the Nigerian fashion scene.
Orange Culture is a young and fast growing brand that caters to young men and women. This brand is not for the shy and retiring, rather it’s for people who aren’t afraid to make a statement and let their personality shine through well made tailored clothing.
Besides being a fashion designer, Adebayo is also a stylist. His styling company is called Bubaai. He runs the company with two others: Bubu Ogisi and Aisha Bello
What is a regular day like for you?
I don’t think I have a regular day if that makes any sense. Lol
How would you describe your style?
My style is very me, very personality and temperament driven; playful, diverse, fun, sometimes a bit dark. My style is very much influenced by how I feel at the moment, or what is going on with me at the moment, so I’ll say my style is very self influenced.
What or who inspires your designs?
My designs are very experience driven, like the first collection was inspired by something I had been through and that is how most of my collections are created.
Tell us all about “Orange Culture”
Orange Culture is more than a line; it’s a movement. A movement for men and women who don’t allow clothes determine who they are. It’s a line for people who just enjoy fashion with a colourful disposition, pieces with an edge and collections that tell stories. It’s a line for people who enjoy being different and don’t care how much they are judged based on that.
If you could do anything else, what would it be?
A stylist (which I already am- Bubaai) lol
How did you get into fashion design?
I’ve always wanted to design. So mid last year a friend of mine introduced me to these guys (Dapo, Seun and Oyahire) who were interested in building a fashion based company, and they wanted me in as a creative director, I was like uhmm ok, let’s try it out, we did the first collection “The Haunting” and the label was called onyx and pearl, we showed for d first time at a church show which ended up being a competition and we won, that secured my place in the design part of the industry.
University of Lagos, I studied Banking and FinanceDid you have to train or apprentice with another designer? How was that?
I did. I worked under Kiki Kamanu and Ugoma Adegoke of Zebra Living. Beautiful experiences, learnt sooo much from them.
What inspired you to get into fashion design?
I just loved creating pieces that I could wear and envision other people wearing as well, plus it’s my own way of expressing myself, believe me everyone needs a form of self expression.
Describe your philosophy about the art of fashion.
I really don’t have any ingenious philosophies about fashion. But I do have my own philosophy I run by in this industry; The industry is very powerful, don’t get carried away by it, remember your passion and work hard to fulfill them.
What did your classmates think in school when they saw your designs and original creations?
A lot of people thought I was joking, they thought it was just the hobby of a misguided young boy, thank God it wasn’t and isn’t.
Who is your inspiration?
God o! I know it sounds cheesy but really he gives me experiences I can build on, the fact that I’m able to interpret them and make them fashion worthy pieces is beyond me. So it’s definitely God
Which fashion designers or fashion houses do you admire (home and abroad)?
Basil Soda, Marc Jacobs, Ituen Basi, Kemkem Studio etc
Who is your style icon?
Don’t really have one actually
When you create something, what goes through your mind?
“Do I like it?” That’s all. lol
How do you intend people to feel when wearing Orange Culture clothing?
I want them to feel like they’re a part of something different, something unique
You design for both men and women. How does that work? Do you prefer one to the other?
I do, and it works fine, it makes me enjoy what I’m doing a lot more and makes me work harder, because it’s hard to satisfy both genders honestly.
Hmmm. In some collections I definitely prefer one to the other, but it’s never the same, so can’t really say.
What is your take on the fashion industry in Nigeria?
It’s not ideal just yet, but it’s definitely growing, and tending towards that.
What projects have you been involved with lately?
As a stylist and designer Music Meets Runway, The Making, Meet and Greet orange culture and IamIsigo, the afro show in nottingham and loads more to come
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Every where possible.
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