AFRICAN INSPIRED GLAMOUR...WE LOVE IT

Looking at the African fashion scene, there is a lot of progress in the quality of designs being belted out to the world. We are particularly proud of the exposure that the African fabrics and form of dressing are enjoying in the international fashion scene and runways, these designs by African and non-African designers should indeed make us proud to be African.

             

MODEL OF THE WEEK INTERVIEW: South African Male model, Johan Wolter Brand.

  Today, we unveil our model of the week. his name is Johan Wolter Brand, a male model from Capetown. Please go through the interview, conducted by Ali Afegbua, to know more about this striking new model.

1. please tell us a bit about your self, (like a brief bio)

      My name is Johan Wolter Brand and I'm 25 years old and currently living in the beautiful City of Cape Town in South Africa.

 I'm one of two children and grew up on a small town in the west coast so I was raised in a "country" like atmosphere which

probably contributed to my love of nature and the outdoors. I moved to Cape Town at the age of 18 to pursue a career in graphic design.

     

      I would describe myself as an interesting individual. My personal style and the way I present myself is very important

      to me.

      I’m a “student” of fame and behaviors in people, pop culture and “celebrity” has always been fascinating to me

      and I look up to legends like Marlin Monroe, Madonna, James Dean and most recently Lady Gaga.

      I’m currently signed at LC Models in Cape Town.

        


   2. how did you start modeling, did you always want to be a model?

      I always knew I would reach people in some way or the other, but most likely with art or design. Some friends suggested

      that I should try out modelling, I was very nervous because I never considered myself a good looking guy being “pale” and “skinny”.

      I met with some agencies and the response was actually very good.

     

      I’m still relatively new on the scene but it’s been amazing and I really love meeting people and creating images

      and stories, its almost like acting … you can be anybody and do anything.:)

      So I wouldn’t say I always wanted to be a model, but fashion and design plays a huge role in my life so it feels like a natural progression.

   3. you were in Nigeria some time ago for the arise magazine fashion

   week,how was the experience for you?

   I was very humbled to be chosen as one of the international models to go to Arise Magazine Fashion Week. The five days

   I spent at the Federal Palace Hotel was most definitely the highlight of my year so far. I have a huge respect for African designers

   And being part of the biggest platform of its kind in Africa was amazing. The people from Lagos were so friendly and I made so

   many connections and friends.

   The scale of the production was huge, and it made me so proud to be an African. Will definitely be going back next time.

   4. what is the most fulfilling modeling assignment you have ever had?

      Like I mentioned above, Arise Magazine Fashion Week was my most fulfilling and challenging assignment to date.

   5. how do you normally dress, when you are off duty from modeling

   assignments?

   The way I would dress on a given day usually starts with the mood I’m in when I wake up in the morning.

   I feel that the way you dress and your personal style is one of the most important things and some

   people just don’t get it. The way you are dressed is a direct reflection of your state of mind and

   it’s the first thing anybody will notice when they see you. So for me, first impressions most defiantly count.

   I would describe my personal style as quite classical with a modern twist, even preppy at times. I like to buy

   clothes that wont go out of fashion any time soon and then just accessorize with something more updated like

   a scarf or a pop of color.

   Style is about feeling confidant in your own skin, it’s an extension of your personality and you

   can wear a piece of plastic if you want to as long as you have the attitude to go with it.

Thank you wolter, for taking your time to answer the questions just nicely, we are making you a honorary "FASHION FREAK" its a special tittle reserved for fabulous and fashionable people only. congratulations!!!

this is an effort we are making weekly, to promote young African models who have the potential to represent this great continent internationally. 

feel you deserve to be on this page? send us an email on fashionfreaksafrica@gmail.com

AT THE NIGERIA'S NEXT SUPERMODEL SCREENING AND FASHION FIESTA

BY: Ali Afegbua

It was truelly a glamorous affair at the scintilla events center recently, when celebrities, models, designers and press all gathered to witness the screening organized to pick the female models who will be competing in the NIGERIA'S NEXT SUPER MODEL 2011, the girls where all hurdled up at a corner as the judges scrutinized them, one long legged girl after the other.

Mrs Joan Okorodudu, impressed the audience with her anchoring skills as she entertained and informed everyone on the NNSM 2011,

The event was made even more exciting when  Mrs Florence Ita Giwa, came in with her friends looking so glamorous in a chiffon animal print frock, pared with gold silk pants and red accessories.

the models had to wait for some time for the results to be announced, and from the looks on their faces they were really nervous, the results were however announced after a beautiful display of outfits by an array of wonderful designers we all know well, like House of Jola, Monami, Anjorin and others. there was also beautiful music by sugar-boy and other artists, the event was truelly a magical experience for all who attended.

Here are the final selection of girls who will compete to win the NNSM 2011 tittle.

ANDROGYNOUS FASHIONISTAS IN NIGERIA!!!

By: Ali Afegbua

The gender line has never been as blurred as it is today, the androgyny phenomenon, strongly experienced in the 70’s and 80’s is getting stronger in 2011, and in Nigeria, you will agree with me when I say it has become a way of life for many fashion savvy individuals. If you think this is a bad thing, then have you ever rocked a pair of skinny jeans and bright colours as a guy? Or have you ever had a pair of male looking pants, blazers and shirts as a lady? These add subtle androgynous appeal to your look whether you know it or not, it may be that you feel comfortable in these outfits, but the quality of having a blend of both strong masculine and strong feminine characteristics, is the definition of androgyny.

We have seen over the years the emergence of Nigerian artists and celebrities deliberately trying to blur the gender line in their appearance;
My first example is weird mc, the Nigerian female rap artist, who has never been feminine in her dress sense, she is a perfect description of an androgynous woman, and this has been her identity for more than a decade now, we are fascinated by her and want to gawk at how masculine she looks, with traces of her femininity she cant completely conceal, she becomes interesting to watch as she wins the hearts and curiosity of people with out trying too hard.

 
The evidence of our fascination with sexual ambiguity is everywhere; the ideology of sexual ambiguity pervades the American pop media also. The fashion industry correctly predicted current trends over thirty years ago with the Unisex style, and continued to capitalize on the popularity of androgynous dress, copying the styles of Boy George, Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Grace Jones and the Punk scene.
 

 
"Androgyny is in, and it's about time! Because American culture is more comfortable at handling sex and playing with gender roles”

But what about Nigerian culture? There are people who will scream “abomination” at anyone who looks remotely androgynous in this country, but the larger population seems to ignore the rise of this phenomenon and doesn’t seem to see it as the mixture of strong male and female gender characteristics, androgyny is the trend right now and a lot of people are also taking it as a way of expressing their gender and sexual identity, look at Derele Edun, who has successfully created a template for other androgynous celebrities in Nigeria. His style is a blend of male, female and a dark Gothic look, popular in Europe and America, he constantly recreates his look in different ways and he takes it seriously. We have gotten so used to him looking that way that if he shaves his hair, takes off his 12 inches platform boots and rock star outfit, we won’t recognize him or be interested in looking at him, he’ll be “normal”.

In this century we have seen androgyny all over the fashion world, Adebayo Jones, a UK based Nigerian designer, creates outfits that have a blend of both genders and are comfortable to wear. The celebrities are on it also, and we have spotted several of them in outfits that look androgynous.

The fashion industry has evolved into an era of androgyny and this was a gradual process with Calvin klien and Ralph Lauren leading the way, designers have sent out Models in androgynous styles at fashion shows and enticing the conservative dresser into an adventure of gender experimentation, this is a consequence of being part of a youthful generation, where there are no limits, and the only thing that matters is comfort.

 
We all have male and female qualities, why not be able to show both? ...People are being looked at for what's in their eyes these days, their inner sexuality and not what they wear, if you are still stuck in uncomfortable clothes, I think its time to try something else, explore the male and female characteristics you have and dress accordingly. Why? Because I said so, Ciao!!!

NIGERIAS NEXT SUPERMODEL 2011 IS FINALLY HERE!!!

 Nigeria's Next Super Model 2011 - Screening and Music Fashion Fiesta - will be coming up in Lagos, Nigeria on the 5th of June, 2011 and afterward will be hosting various Designers such as Naa Amanua Williams - (Ghana), Monami,  Daviva by House of Jola, Eternally Zoe, Sally Bawa - Lagos, Berry Couture - Abuja, Remi - Lagos, Zhalima Grazioni - Port Harcourt, Ajonri Couture, Hallero, Daviva by Patience Please, Queen Ahneva.Ahneva Cultural Couture, Tellu - J. Couture (Nigeria's Next Super Model Finalists 2010)

Also Music by Harry Song, Sugarboi, Charlie Nathan, Azaka, Oge

The Venue is Scintilla KB 20, Lekki Expressway, Lagos, Nigeria.

Date 5th of June, 2011

Time: Screening - 9:00am 

Music Fashion Fiesta - 4:00pm