Still can’t believe it, my reaction to the news – just such a big loss. Ladies and gentlemen the greatest entertainer of our time (don’t forget – humanitarian) – R.I.P. MICHAEL JACKSON.
African women politicians in Europe
The media (African/African American?) has missed highlighting – as a group – a bunch of African women that are making a lot of progress in Europe in their political careers and serving to show their capability while opening doors for others. We have been so focused on our news here in the US that we sometimes forget that there are milestones being made by others elsewhere. So this is a mention of some of the women (I’m sure there are many more) in European politics…..interestingly most of them (perhaps all mentioned here are moderate conservatives or conservatives – of course this has distinction from republicanism in the US and refers more to old definitions !)
Nyamko Sabuni (Congo) - Minister for Integration and Gender Equality, SWEDEN
Rama Yade (Senegal) - Secretary of State for Human Rights, FRANCE
Ayaan Hirsi Ali (Somali) - was member of the House of Representative in Holland
Seybah Dagoma (Chad) - recently ran for one of the elected offices in Paris, France
Paul Sika – Ivorien Photographer
Paul Sika is a photographer based in Cote d’Ivoire who stages vibrant colorful scenes using actors to create sets that convey an African social narrative in his work. Check out his website.
African Digital Art
I came across this website really interesting definitely worth taking a moment to check it out. I didn’t even realize there was this much digital art coming out of Africa. The ‘poster’ below is for a TV show in Kenya – the XYZ show. There’s lots more on the African Digital site with African from all over that you should check out…
The new XYZ show in Kenya (Kibaki - pres on left and Raila - PM on right)
Nduka Obaigbena – the man behind ARISE and the publicity
Nduka Obaigbena is the media mogul behind the enterprise THISDAY media – which owns ARISE magazine and now sponsors the African Fashion Show. He is also the force behind all the recent visibility that parts of the African Fashion Scene has been receiving in London and NY as well. I guess he kind of a ‘Diddy’ of some sort. He is using his pull to create major events and publicity surrounding African society events in Lagos and South Africa. I just thought it important to mention him because it was not by sheer serendipity that all that has been taking place has happened.
Well, KUDOS to him ! Great work he is doing.
Paul Herve Elisabeth – ARiSE Africa Fashion Wk 2009
Paul Herve Elisabeth is a self taught designer from Martinique (Carribean). He most recently showed at the Fashion for Peace 2008 held by the Festival for African Arts and Fashion (FAFA) held in Nairobi, Kenya. Here are some selected pieces, a glimpse of his collection…
Bongiwe Walaza – ARiSE Africa Fashion Wk 2009
Bongiwe Walaza is also a staple favorite around here. She is a traditionalist both in certain aspects of her design and her frequent choice of fabric – shwe shwe…This particular piece (below) is a classic Bongiwe Walaza design and a preview of her show…
African Mosaique – ARISE Africa Fashion Wk 2009
Creative Director of African Mosaique is Anna Getaneh, retired Ethiopian model (see captioned picture below). Her clothing line is marked by a certain functionality and wearability of the clothes…
PAO – Arise Africa Fashion Week 2009
Designer Patrick Asso of PAO is from the Ivory Coast. His collection was ‘bling’ haute couture, golden looks that I can definitely see on the red carpet !
Photo credits: Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
Sandra Muendane – Arise Africa Fashion Wk 2009
Sandra Muendane is Mozambican and studied fashion in Lisbon, Portugal. Drapings, deconstruction and minimalism would all seem appropriate words to describe her all-white line-up. Here’s a couple of pieces…
Photo credits: Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
