Inspirational boredom

Few months ago i was really bored and i just didn’t feel like staying home, so i picked up my camera and headed 2 the Island to c wat fun i could pick up.

Moving around got me into a cool and serene hang out spot on the Island called ZAMUNDA to get a drink and continue my foray when i stumbled on this event going on, it was actually a simple shopping and showcasing event with loads of chops by two Young talented and creative designers

Torera Majekodunmi and Damola Araoye. They themed it Cocktailz and Dresses. I think that was where i got hooked. So we exchanged contacts and i got the chance to do a rare kinda photo-shoot with Torera’s collection, Did i mention the name of her label is OLATOSWETT? Ok so we got together and planned this shoot which was supposed to be a Runway showcasing event as well as a photo-shoot spiced with...... u know now... Chops and drinks. So i set up my mini outdoor lighting equipment, then we get the damsels doing their walk... and it wasn’t so bad after all. Though it could be better.... maybe we ‘ll just do another one sometime soon.???//.....

Stylists continued

Veronica Ebie Odeka is an international stylist with a ten year background in runway modelling, print and commercial modelling as well as a travelling model/spokesperson for notable brands like General Motors and OTC. Her successful modelling career had her working for big US fashion names like Betsey Johnson, Armani, Just Cavalli, BCBG, Donna Karan and a host of others. She’s worked alongside the famous Cassandra Walker, who styles most of the Houston’s and Los Angeles’ bourgeoisie wives and socialites.

Under Ms Walker’s tutelage and guidance, Veronica practiced the fine art of styling for events, dinners, luncheons, vacations and more. Armed with the experience, know-how and an actual passion for dressing women of all ages, shapes and sizes, she has been helping the Nigerian social class to look and dress right since 2008.

She recently launched her Styling Brand in the United States, which also berthed in Nigeria in the middle of the year (2010). Her styling trend fuses cosmopolitan with chic look; spiced with a blend of the African touch that creates her unique signature. In her own words, “you may know a lot about the latest trends but it’s incorporating it, into your signature style that shows that you know what time it is!”

Her brand VANE STYLE caters for creation of signature style, personal shopping, wardrobe consultations, makeovers and other styling work.

Already she has been featured on prominent local TV fashion shows to showcase how the everyday woman can achieve a trendy look with the contents of her wardrobe, she contributes to the prestigious ThisDay style magazine, writing on fashion and styling trends, and she runs an interactive blog called v-fab.blogspot.com that engages women in the secrets of styling right off the runway.

In addition she runs workshops to educate women on managing closets & wardrobes and is currently writing a style secrets’ guide on tips on how to achieve a great look & recently organised alongside some of Nigeria’s best internationally the First Fashion and Styling camp in Nigeria, which featured the likes of Arieta Mujay, Biki John, Deola Sagoe, Bella Naija, Fatima Wadami and Host of others.

Designers

SIMEOGIEME was established by a fashion enthusiast with a forte for designing and creating clothing and accessories, exemplifying harmony which can be attained in the fusion of diversity.

Osime Saibu, the creative mind behind Simeogieme, has a B.Sc in Accounting, an MBA and is a certified Oracle Database Administrator.

She developed an interest in sewing and fashion design at her early childhood and she kept a fantasy sketchbook where she sketched her various ideas on clothing designs as she played around the little tailoring factory which her mum established using the garage of their home, in Lagos, Nigeria. She learnt about sewing and how to use the manual sewing machine first before getting her hands on more advanced machines. At this time, sewing and sketching designs were nothing more than hobbies for her.

while working in London, she got inspired to buy her first sewing machine. Her passion led her to ask Yemi Osunkoya of Kosibah if she could intern with him and he agreed to take her on as an intern for a set period. The little time spent in his studio assisting and watching him work, plus the advice he gave on design and the fashion business, influenced some of her creations.

She chose the colour black as the theme for her first collection which she called “The Black Collection”, because black is a conservative colour associated with sophistication and power. She decided to introduce SIMEOGIEME with this theme because it matches the brand identity which is “Simplicity, Sensuality & Sophistication”.

Simeogieme aims to continually create immaculately designed pieces which would appeal to a broad market by offering a fashionably diverse clothing range, priding itself in exclusivity, originality and quality. The clothing line caters for both the young and the not so young; male and female; and everyone who appreciates simplicity and sophistication.

She also berthed her Lagos design arm recently @ the GET Arena Lekki Lagos Nigeria..... It was a day of pure admiration of creativity, discounted sales with loads of wining and Munching.........It was a remarkable event

Now don’t say u heard this from me..... she is about signing a Clothing deal with an international Hip Hop act which will make her the official clothier of the Artiste............ If this pulls through, she will Join the league of Nigerian designers in recent times that has got the international stars showcasing the Nigerian fashion clothing with Kelis recent obsession for JBL and Deola Sagoe’s collection rocking the scene,...... just keep ur fingers crossed

Note: Images with models are works of Subysinem Photography and exclusively properties of Simeogieme.

Stylists

I will be looking through some of Nigeria's finest and most creative

stylist... These set of people till recently have remain unknown and their

work unappreciated till recently when every professional in the fashion

Industry started seeing their compulsory and unique form of creativity that

will match any around the world...

Akerele Omoyemi...... A lawyer by academic qualification, who has refused to practice, but has brought all the witty & crafty ways of the great Barristers to the Styling world.... Simple looking but fiercely creative....

New Journey

i intend taking a little journey around the works of those that make the works of fashion photographers beautiful.

From Fashion designers to Make-up artistes, cobblers, hair stylist and Model stylists. i promise u its gonna be a worthwhile journey. so please ride with me.... Thank u all.

Fashion@PP

Simply put, breath taking is the word to use in describing the work of Nigerian designers in recent times.

I was at the PALMS shopping mall in Lagos Nigeria recently, and could not just help gapping at the works of the Designers, Collections include Evening wears, Bespoke, Casuals and all... The kick was not just the designs, but the combination of materials that make up the designs.. The prolific use of the Ankara is What Has continuously set the works of these designers apart..... Hmmm like i 'll not stop saying, 'The world is in for a Shocker from Nigerian designers..Just keep watching.