#House of Deola

[weministertomonsters]

Deathsinger - M monster x F reader

The scent of spices and food is heavy in the air. Henna-stained hands flash as servants from various households buy from the stalls, arguing with sellers over prices. Small tents house coffee mats, where men and women drink strong cups and play cards, pinning and unpinning jewelry from their hair as they win or lose.

Other tents hold fortune tellers or shamans with pouches of dried snake skin and oils that will make a person fall in love with you. Troughs full of embers sizzle as the juice from meat and corn drips on them. Teenagers loiter and small children play tag and pilfer food until their mothers find them and drag them home.

This is Vasskeva, the desert market.

Your tent is set up under a fig tree a little out of the way, purposefully harder to find. That's what makes it unique and what keeps customers coming back. That, and your dancing, and the seductive arch of your eyebrow, and the way you engage with your audience. They love it, men and women alike.

The boisterous people that come crowding into your tent tonight look a lot like bandits, but tonight is Vasskeva, and peace is the one rule everyone upholds on this night. They come with pockets full of jewelry they have either won or stolen from the card tents, high on the buzz of coffee, fried cheese, and wine.

You dip your head in a courteous bow.

"How may I entertain you today?" You ask.

They cheer, and a few calloused fingers stuff gold rings and bracelets into your bedazzled bra, sneaking touches of your skin. You smile, red lips glistening in the candlelight.

"Dance, dance!" A bandit says in a thick accent. "Say, where's the Oskov we found? Oskov are music people, no?"

A man is pushed forward. He has no shoes on which is a risky move in the desert. His robes are plain, not his native clothes then. The Oskov are famous for the brightly colored fabric that even the commoners wear. Except for his feet, the rest of him is covered, even his hands. The shawl swathed around his head is deep black and you can only guess from the tilt of his head that he is watching you. The only other thing you can make out is the glint of a metal band around his neck.

"Have you instruments, deola?" One of the men asks, his thumb caressing your ankle.

You smile and pull your foot away before he ends up tripping you. It has happened before, your very presence entrancing someone to the point that when they touch you, they don't let go.

"I have a drum. Can you play?"

The Oskov nods once and you unearth the drum from beneath your mountain of dancing ribbons and tambourine and shakers, holding it out to him.

The metal band around his neck glistens with repressing magic and you idly wonder how he got caught. His gloved hands touch yours for a moment as he takes the small drum from you and sits cross-legged on the floor. He pulls off the gloves and lays them on his knee. His hands are dark grey with veins close under the surface that resemble tree roots. His long fingers are dangerously elegant, the black-tipped nails trimmed down to harmless crescents.

You pick out a soft orange dancing shawl with metal beads that make a shimmering sound and wait for his signal. The drums start slow and rhythmic. You've always liked the deep sound of this particular drum, a pitch that drags the movement out of your very being until you feel like the drum is directing your movements.

The bandits clap along appreciatively. They are well-behaved and respectful, which is more than you can say for some noble people who have visited your tent.

You begin to learn the beat the Oskov is playing out for you, anticipating the highs and the drops. You spin and shimmy, letting your shawl dance through the air, whispers of the fabric slipping sensually over hands and grinning faces. The drum speeds up, and as you dance, a fine sheen of sweat covers your skin. When the song finally ends, you're breathless, and not from exertion. You feel alive, your vision sharp and your veins flowing hot with blood. It transforms your body. Anyone would be a fool not to recognize how turned on you are.

The bandits look pleased like they've accomplished something. Gold coins and jewelry are offered to you, but you refuse. You manage to catch your breath and you push your heavy braids over your shoulder and announce,

"I want him as payment."

The bandits turn to look at their captive, and for a few moments, there is silence. Just as you think they will refuse, their leader booms out a laugh. Their leader turns out to be a tiny, toothless old woman, not the muscular man you had presumed.

"You certainly have an eye for nice things, eh, little deola?" She lisps. "You have danced well. Hmmm..."

She taps her gnarled fingers on her cane.

"I will bargain with you, yes? We will give you not only the Oskov but half the gold if you put on another show for us."

"Very well. What dance do you want?" You ask.

"A dance of life, shall we say. With him in it." The leader smacks her lips in satisfaction.

She probably thinks you won't bite. But you're determined to have him, so you give your head a little toss and nod. The bandits cheer. The Oskov is sitting very still. He offers no resistance when someone snatches the drum away and begins to play a disjointed, banging tune. You hold your hand out to him with an apologetic smile. Sleeping with him hadn't been your initial plan, but you have no choice now.

He has the right to refuse, but he takes your hand and stands, intentionally looming over you. You're not afraid. You lean into him, and whisper against his covered ear,

"Do this for me, and I will help you remove the band around your neck."

~ • ~ • ~ • ~

It's been a long time since I enjoyed writing something this much! It turned out exactly how I wanted it. I have a part 2 in mind as well, in case anyone is interested! The music at the beginning is exactly what I listened to while writing this.

The dancing I envisioned for the story is bellydancing, which I happen to be learning myself, as a fun way to exercise. I kept wanting to take a break to dance myself. 😂

[brandspurng]

Nigeria Breaking News on Local Brands: A Spotlight on Innovation and Growth

In a landscape defined by dynamic evolution and rapid growth, the narrative around Nigerian businesses has become increasingly captivating. This week, Nigeria breaking news on local brands highlights significant milestones, showcasing how these enterprises are making waves not only domestically but also on the global stage.

Flourish of the Fashion Industry

Nigeria’s fashion industry continues to gain international recognition, with brands like Tiffany Amber and Deola Sagoe leading the charge. These designers are not only celebrated for their unique designs that blend traditional African aesthetics with modern trends but also for their commitment to sustainable practices. Recently, Tiffany Amber launched a new collection made entirely from locally sourced materials, reinforcing the brand's dedication to supporting the Nigerian economy.

In other news, Orange Culture, another prominent Nigerian fashion house, made headlines by securing a collaboration with a major global retail chain. This partnership is set to introduce Nigerian designs to a broader audience, further establishing the country’s presence in the global fashion arena. Such developments underscore the vibrancy and potential of the Nigerian fashion sector.

Tech Startups Redefining the Digital Space

The tech ecosystem in Nigeria is a hotbed of innovation, with local startups gaining significant traction. This week’s Nigeria breaking news on local brands spotlights Flutterwave, a fintech company that has revolutionized payment solutions across Africa. Flutterwave recently announced a new partnership with Amazon, enabling seamless payment solutions for Nigerian merchants on the global platform. This move is expected to bolster cross-border commerce and provide Nigerian businesses with unprecedented access to international markets.

Another tech giant making waves is Paystack, which has continued to expand its influence after being acquired by Stripe. Paystack’s latest initiative focuses on enhancing financial inclusion by simplifying the process for small and medium enterprises to accept online payments. Their efforts are not just reshaping the financial landscape but also empowering countless local businesses.

Agricultural Innovations Leading the Way

In the agricultural sector, Nigerian brands are pioneering sustainable practices and innovative solutions to address food security challenges. Farmcrowdy, an agritech company, recently introduced a new digital platform designed to connect farmers directly with consumers. This initiative aims to reduce the supply chain bottlenecks and ensure farmers receive fair prices for their produce. Farmcrowdy's efforts are pivotal in transforming agriculture into a more lucrative and sustainable industry in Nigeria.

Additionally, Thrive Agric, another key player, has been in the news for its groundbreaking work in providing farmers with access to affordable financing. Their latest funding round, which attracted significant foreign investment, underscores the growing confidence in Nigeria's agritech potential.

A Promising Horizon

The narrative of Nigerian local brands is one of resilience, innovation, and an unwavering spirit. As these brands continue to break new ground, they not only contribute to the nation’s economic growth but also set a powerful example of African excellence on the world stage. This week's Nigeria breaking news on local brands serves as a testament to the incredible strides being made across various sectors, reflecting a future filled with promise and potential for the nation's entrepreneurs and businesses.

As we celebrate these achievements, it’s clear that the story of Nigerian brands is one of relentless pursuit of growth, innovation, and global impact. With every milestone, these brands are not just making headlines—they're creating legacies that will inspire generations to come.

[bellephill]

BamBam, Seyi Shay & More On The Runway! See All The TECNO Camon X worthy Moments at Lagos Fashion Week We Won’t Forget Soon

BamBam, Seyi Shay & More On The Runway! See All The TECNO Camon X worthy Moments at Lagos Fashion Week We Won’t Forget Soon

Lagos Fashion Week 2018 may be over, but it left behind no shortage of buzzworthy moments. We are calling our buzzworthy moments TECNO Camon X moments because it’s such a special device.

The four-day Lagos Fashion Week event brought with it incredible sartorial offerings for Spring/Summer 2019 and a lot of noteworthy highlights. If you couldn’t make it to the LFW2018 tents or you missed some…

[ogamadam]

HEINEKEN Lagos Fashion Week 2018 (recap)

Lagos Fashion Week is an annual multi-day fashion event founded in 2011 by Omoyemi Akerele.

 It held from the 24th – 27th October 2018.

It was filled with colour,  texture , and some great african beats.

Tulle and aso oke were some of the prominent fabric not runway this year.

Lagos Fashion Week is a fashion platform that drives the Nigerian and ultimately, the African fashion industry; .

The…

[adolaonline]

Fashion | House Of Deola Debuts 'Teintes de Bijoux,' Inspired By African Royalty

Fashion | House Of Deola Debuts ‘Teintes de Bijoux,’ Inspired By African Royalty

Talking about high fashion, House Of Deola has added yet another scintillating selection of designs for bridal and occasion wear. And guess what… …It started with weaves of age long Western Nigerian woven fabric intricately given modern twists by the talented designer, Deola Ojo. ‘Teintes de Bijoux’ is reminiscent of the mood and myths of royalty – African royalty – through the ages. Adopting…

[agbotrends]

DEOLA AINA COSMETICS FETES BEAUTY BLOGGERS, ENTHUSIAST TO MAKE UP,MUSIC AND FASHION SHOW; UNVEILS MORE NUDE LIPSTICK SHADES

DEOLA AINA COSMETICS FETES BEAUTY BLOGGERS, ENTHUSIAST TO MAKE UP,MUSIC AND FASHION SHOW; UNVEILS MORE NUDE LIPSTICK SHADES

The amazing Deola Aina cosmetics recently celebrated the unveiling of more nude lipstick shades. The event Which started at exactly 5:00pm WAT, witnessed the presence of media houses like, soundcity,hip TV,music Africa and lots of others. The event featured cutting of cakes, games, musical performances and dance. Our amazing models were not left out,as they graced the runway with the recently…

[forsoothsayer]

Deola Thinking by Cesare Pavese

Deola passes her mornings sitting in a cafe, and nobody looks at her. Everyone’s rushing to work, under a sun still fresh with the dawn. Even Deola isn’t looking for anyone: she smokes serenely, breathing the morning. In years past, she slept at this hour to recover her strength: the throw on her bed was black with the boot-prints of soldiers and workers, the backbreaking clients. But now, on her own, it’s different: the work’s more refined, and it’s easier. Like the gentleman yesterday, who woke her up early, kissed her, and took her (I’d stay awhile, dear, in Turin with you, if I could) to the station to tell him goodbye.                              She’s dazed this morning, but fresh— Deola likes being free, likes drinking her milk and eating brioches. This morning she’s nearly a lady, and if she looks at anyone now, it’s just to pass the time. The girls at the house are still sleeping. The air stinks, the madam goes out for a walk, it’s crazy to stay there. To work the bars in the evening you have to look good; at that house, by thirty, you’ve lost what little looks you had left. Deola sits with her profile turned toward a mirror and looks at herself in the cool of the glass: her face pale, and not from the smoke; her brow a bit furrowed. To survive at that house, you’d need a will like Marí used to have (because, honey, these men come here to get something they can’t get at home from their wives or their lovers) and Marí used to work tirelessly, full of good cheer and blessed with good health. The people who pass the cafe aren’t distracting Deola— she only works evenings, making slow conquests to music, in her usual bar. She’ll make eyes. at a client, or nudge his foot, while enjoying the band that makes her seem like an actress doing a love scene with a young millionaire. One client each evening is enough to scrape by on. (Maybe that gentleman from last night really will take me with him.) To be alone, if she wants, in the morning. To sit in a café. To not look for anyone.

[bldafricancookhouse]

Last #Sunday of the year private catering #Jollofrice on the menu with baked stewed #Hakefish and #Plantain Though the holiday makes you want to laze around the house, need to attend to our dear clients' needs Thank you for always @blackprince_mj You are deeply appreciated #NaijaCook in #Johannesburg #Cook #NigerianFood #FusionDishes #AfricanFood #foodfood #orders #delivery #winchesterhills #foodie #jozifood #JohannesburgSouth #eatwelllivewell #instaeats #Catererlife #Caterer #DishesbyDeola (at Dishes by Deola) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6qOouEFaqJ/?igshid=d8eaiwlkrajt

[biofunmy]

Real Wedding Day Looks – The New York Times

A traditional aso oke for a Nigerian wedding. A kimono for a Japanese tea. A red lehenga for a Hindu ceremony. The men and women featured in our wedding announcements (and other couples) wore outfits that told many stories, some of personal style and others of cultural traditions. Here is a selection of photographs from their weddings, with details on their purchases.

1. A Dream (Dress) Come True

Alix Raspé in Eve of Milady

Since she was a little girl Alix Raspé dreamed of wearing a pink princess dress when she got married. “This dress seemed like the perfect, more adult, compromise of my dream pink wedding dress,” said Ms. Raspé, who chose an Eve of Milady gown embellished with delicate pale pink and white flowers, along with a layer of clear sequins underneath the top skirt. “I was glowing, I felt so happy, beautiful, in love and loved by everyone who attended our wedding,” said Ms. Raspé who found her dress at Kleinfelds in New York. “I knew I was marrying my prince and I had the perfect princess dress to make my wedding feel royal and spectacular.”

2. A Touch of Red and a Nod to Tradition

Jennifer Miao in Zuhair Murad

Dr. Jennifer Miao learned to work under pressure as she studied for her medical degree. But finding a wedding dress during her residency proved to be a greater obstacle than she thought. “I purchased my dress online without a formal fitting, given my schedule,” she said. “The second time I tried it on was my wedding day — one week after finishing a monthlong rotation in the medical intensive care unit.” Dr. Miao wore a dress designed by Zuhair Murad. “I fell in love with its simple but elegant front and dramatic, intricately layered tulle skirt that enhanced the dress’ free-spirited, impressionistic qualities,” she said. “I chose to wear red lipstick and red suede Valentino Rockstud heels as a homage to my Chinese heritage.” In the end, she felt that what she wore paled in comparison to the love she felt. “I felt incredibly fortunate to be able to see my husband-to-be’s asymmetrical dimples and green eyes light up as I walked down the aisle.”

3. Classic with a Twist

Laura Suppan in Raf Simons for Calvin Klein and Jacquemus

Laura Suppan was inspired by New York and the many iconic couples who wed there, and so she carefully selected wedding day looks that featured mostly New York-based designers. “The idea of looking back at our pictures and seeing my husband and me in this amazing setting inspired me to choose pieces that have an equal connection to the city and my heritage,” said Ms. Suppan, who wore a dress designed by Raf Simons for Calvin Klein for the morning ceremony at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau and a suit from Jacquemus for the reception at the New York Yacht Club. “It didn’t feel right for me to wear an elaborate wedding gown, so I was set to find a non-wedding dress. I tried about 50 different dresses all over the city before I found ‘the one.’”

4. Four Looks, Two Weddings

Morenike and Ademola Adewale-Sadik in custom outfits crafted by the Nigerian designers Tsemaye Binitie, Toju Foyeh, Andrea Iyamah and Deola Sagoe of House of Deola

Morenike Adewale-Sadik had a total off four outfits, two for each day of her two-day wedding celebration. For the traditional Nigerian wedding, Ms. Adewale-Sadik and her husband, Ademola Adewale-Sadik, chose a matching teal blue aso oke, a garment worn by the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria. “I wanted to wear a solid color to stand out solely from the color in a sea of so many people,” said Ms. Adewale-Sadik, who later changed into an embellished pink tulle aso oke, while her husband wore a matching pink ensemble. For the next ceremony, Ms. Adewale-Sadik donned a white, off-shoulder mermaid gown from Andrea Iyamah a Nigerian-born designer based in Canada. “My outfits were all custom-made by Nigerian designers,” Ms. Adewale-Sadik said. “I have never felt such a sense of pure euphoria. Each of my designers paid tremendous amounts of detail to my outfits and getting to wear some family heirlooms made it all the more special.”

5. A Dreamy Vintage Gown

Anna Kaschel in a custom dress designed by Mariel Manuel

Anna Kaschel didn’t see herself wearing a white traditional bridal dress, especially because her wedding was not a very traditional one. “We decided to do a spontaneous and fun road trip to New Orleans from New York City,” said Ms. Kaschel. “Inspired by the tropical vibrant spirit of New Orleans and our beautiful location, the Tree of Life in Audubon Park, I chose to go for a colorful but very dreamy tropical ‘L.A. desert vintage’ inspired wedding dress.” Ms. Kaschel enlisted the help of her friend Mariel Manuel, who designed and created an outfit that consisted of a colorful underdress made from Bombay silk, handmade and tie-dyed, and a top layer of petal pink chiffon. “When I slipped into my dress that day and into my favorite bright golden summer shoes, I felt like a dreamy vintage, yet contemporary bride,” she said. “I was so happy.”

6. A Grandmother’s Gift

Eri Tagaya in a custom kimono and gown by Zahavit Tshuba

On Eri Tagaya’s 20th birthday, her grandmother bought her a traditional Japanese furisode kimono from Mitsukoshi in Tokyo. Years later, she didn’t have to look far for the perfect look for her tea ceremony. “The furisode style is one which can only be worn by single women, and I wore it to our tea ceremony at the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco, the day before the wedding,” Ms. Tagaya said. “During the tea ceremony, I felt connected with my grandmother, who passed away in 2012.” On her wedding day, Ms. Tagaya wore a dress from the Israeli designer Zahavit Tshuba for the ceremony and later changed out of the long skirt and into an ostrich feather mini so that she could dance the night away. “On my wedding day, I felt full of joy,” she said. “And at the same time, deeply peaceful, like I was floating through the best dream I have ever had.”

7. Palm Spring’s Rat Pack Glamour

Henry Orzynski and Judson Trapnell in the Black Tux

Henry Orzynski and Judson Trapnell’s black-tie dress code from the Black Tux was a nod to Palm Spring’s history as Hollywood’s playground. “Jud and I wore ivory dinner jackets while the male wedding attendees wore standard black tuxedos,” Mr. Orzynski said. “We wanted to stand out, but neither of us wanted to be the only one in white for fear of looking like ‘the bride.’” The couple added a custom detail to their wedding day looks with cummerbunds bearing their monograms in a needle point design by a Colorado artist. “Our outfits felt highly personalized and reminiscent of Palm Spring’s Rat Pack glamour,” said Mr. Trapnell, who surprised Mr. Orzynski with bespoke fox and hound cuff links made by Anna Biggs, a family friend and jewelry designer. “As we left the ceremony, we hopped into a vintage red Mercedes convertible that Henry arranged as a surprise for me.”

8. Fit For Martha’s Vineyard

Najah Woodby in Made with Love

Najah Woodby knew she wanted a form-fitting dress, but she wasn’t quite sold on lace. “Originally, I didn’t think I wanted lace until I saw the most beautiful lace dress that was classic yet unconventional at the same time,” Ms. Woodby said of the Made with Love dress that she bought at Lovely Bride, a bridal shop in New York. “It was elegant, sexy and fit my wedding venue in Martha’s Vineyard perfectly. And most importantly the dress made me feel beautiful and perfectly flattered my figure.”

9. Inspired by Mom

Lepi Jha Fishman in traditional lehengas

Lepi Jha Fishman didn’t think much about what she would wear on her wedding day, but she didn’t have to look far for ideas. “I ended up looking at my mother’s wedding photos for inspiration,” she said. “My mother wore a beautiful red sari with gold accents.” Ms. Jha Fishman also looked to her then-fiancé Eddie Fishman, who loved trees, for inspiration. “To recognize these two incredibly important people in my lives, I chose to wear a deep red lehenga with gold accents that were arranged in the likeness of a tree,” she said of the outfit she wore to her reception, designed by Manish Malhotra. On Ms. Jha Fishman’s wedding day, her parents gifted her a custom maang tikka, an Indian bridal centerpiece worn on the forehead, and to complete the look, she wore a beige lehenga from Nazranaa, an Indian bridal shop in Iselin, N.J. “I wanted both the Jha and Fishman sides of the day to come through in my choice of lehengas,” she said. “Thinking through the elements that were part of both of our traditions made me feel like I could wear those traditions during our ceremony and reception.”

10. Dressing for a New Outlook

Meghan Paul in Oscar de la Renta and Naeem Khan

The first time Meghan Paul wore a wedding gown she had idealistic expectations about marriage and a wedding dress. This time, she wanted a dress to reflect the change in her outlook. “I had previously worn a princess-style ball gown, which in hindsight, perfectly described my idealism when it came to marriage,” she said. “Now, I had a more mature, realistic view on marriage, and wanted my dress to reflect that, while still being fashion-forward.” Ms. Paul married Peter Marquis on Sept. 2 at the Greengate Ranch and Vineyard in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Shopping for that wedding was trickier than she expected, so she enlisted the help of a professional. “I was referred to the bridal stylist Maradee Wahl who expedited the process immensely, and even made it fun,” Ms. Paul said. “After going through the look book process, we ended up selecting the Lola gown from Oscar de la Renta’s 2018 collection.” Ms. Wahl also helped with selecting a reception gown designed by Naeem Khan from the Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier in New York. Having a second outfit, Ms. Paul said, “took the pressure off getting the perfect wedding gown and made dancing the night away so fun.”

11. The Un-Bridal Gown

Anne Fink in Dan Jones

Anne Fink had a very specific vision for what she didn’t want to wear on her wedding day, and that was a strapless, lace, mermaid gown with a beaded silk belt. “I wanted something that felt unique and also fit my body, I wanted something simple that I could move around in.” Ms. Fink heard about an Australian designer, Dan Jones, that created an entire line called “Unbridaled,” which included wedding dresses that didn’t feel “too bride-y.” It didn’t take long for Ms. Fink to find the gown that she had been searching for. “The dress is so reminiscent to that of my late grandmother, the second I put it on I knew it was the dress,” she said of the gown that featured long sleeves, a high neckline and a simple skirt. Ms. Fink completed her look with vintage diamond floral shaped drop earrings and classic white Manolo Blahnik shoes. “I’ve never felt more beautiful in my life,” she said. “I got to marry my best friend, and do it feeling beautiful.”

12. A Marriage of Two Visions

Lauren Gumerove in Pronovias Atelier

When Lauren Gumerove was considering what to wear on her wedding day, her future husband had his own ideas. While Ms. Gumerove wanted a more form-fitting wedding dress, he wanted to see her in a poufy princess gown. “After shopping at countless New York wedding dress boutiques, I had yet to find ‘the one,’” said Ms. Gumerove, who married Brennan Gumerove Jan. 19 at the Metropolitan Club of New York. “So, I decided to buck tradition and bring my fiancé, who routinely vets my outfits, with me to see if his input could get me any closer to finding my dream wedding dress.” However, their visions still didn’t align. “To marry these two visions, my wedding planner, Jennifer Taylor of a Taylored Affair, and I came up with a compromise: a magnificent custom overskirt that I could wear in the first part of the evening and take off when the party started.” Ms. Gumerove worked closely with Designer Loft and Pronovias to make her (and her fiancé’s) vision into a reality, and, after seven fittings, her dress was finally ready. “I felt otherworldly and regal in my dress and custom overskirt, so much so that I ended up wearing the overskirt well into the night. It perfectly fit the grandeur of the venue and the decadence of our vision for the wedding.”

13. Falling in Love with Saris

Megan Barry in Sabyasachi

When Megan Barry and Rohit Anand began planning their Indian wedding ceremony, Ms. Barry knew that a white dress, which is usually worn as a sign of mourning in the Hindu religion, was not in the cards. “In the beginning, I was a little sad about this but then I started looking at my sari options and I fell in love,” said Ms. Barry, who married Mr. Anand Sept. 8 at the Light House in Chelsea Piers in New York. Ms. Barry visited the Sabyasachi store in Mumbai, India, and was captivated with all of his designs. “Since I couldn’t wear white I knew I wanted to wear gold and when I saw my dress in the designer’s book I knew I had to have it,” she said.

14. First Time’s a Charm

Alexandra Britton in Monique Lhuillier

After visiting Ultimate Bride, a bridal shop in Chicago, it didn’t take long Alexandra Britton to find the dress of her dreams. “It was the first dress I tried on, and I fell in love with it,” said Ms. Britton, who bought a Monique Lhuillier gown that she paired with a custom cathedral veil designed to match. “I wanted something elegant and classic while also being fun and festive.” Ms. Britton, who had a black-tie New Year’s Eve wedding last year at the St. Jane Hotel in Chicago, said she felt beautiful and empowered on her wedding day. “Someone called me an ice princess,” she said, “and it was probably the most astute and flattering description possible.”

Continue following our fashion and lifestyle coverage on Facebook (Styles and Modern Love), Twitter (Styles, Fashion and Weddings) and Instagram.

Sahred From Source link Fashion and Style

from WordPress http://bit.ly/2MOrc4u via IFTTT

[brandspurng]

Nigeria Breaking News on Local Brands: A Spotlight on Innovation and Growth

In a landscape defined by dynamic evolution and rapid growth, the narrative around Nigerian businesses has become increasingly captivating. This week, Nigeria breaking news on local brands highlights significant milestones, showcasing how these enterprises are making waves not only domestically but also on the global stage.

Flourish of the Fashion Industry

Nigeria’s fashion industry continues to gain international recognition, with brands like Tiffany Amber and Deola Sagoe leading the charge. These designers are not only celebrated for their unique designs that blend traditional African aesthetics with modern trends but also for their commitment to sustainable practices. Recently, Tiffany Amber launched a new collection made entirely from locally sourced materials, reinforcing the brand's dedication to supporting the Nigerian economy.

In other news, Orange Culture, another prominent Nigerian fashion house, made headlines by securing a collaboration with a major global retail chain. This partnership is set to introduce Nigerian designs to a broader audience, further establishing the country’s presence in the global fashion arena. Such developments underscore the vibrancy and potential of the Nigerian fashion sector.

Tech Startups Redefining the Digital Space

The tech ecosystem in Nigeria is a hotbed of innovation, with local startups gaining significant traction. This week’s Nigeria breaking news on local brands spotlights Flutterwave, a fintech company that has revolutionized payment solutions across Africa. Flutterwave recently announced a new partnership with Amazon, enabling seamless payment solutions for Nigerian merchants on the global platform. This move is expected to bolster cross-border commerce and provide Nigerian businesses with unprecedented access to international markets.

Another tech giant making waves is Paystack, which has continued to expand its influence after being acquired by Stripe. Paystack’s latest initiative focuses on enhancing financial inclusion by simplifying the process for small and medium enterprises to accept online payments. Their efforts are not just reshaping the financial landscape but also empowering countless local businesses.

Agricultural Innovations Leading the Way

In the agricultural sector, Nigerian brands are pioneering sustainable practices and innovative solutions to address food security challenges. Farmcrowdy, an agritech company, recently introduced a new digital platform designed to connect farmers directly with consumers. This initiative aims to reduce the supply chain bottlenecks and ensure farmers receive fair prices for their produce. Farmcrowdy's efforts are pivotal in transforming agriculture into a more lucrative and sustainable industry in Nigeria.

Additionally, Thrive Agric, another key player, has been in the news for its groundbreaking work in providing farmers with access to affordable financing. Their latest funding round, which attracted significant foreign investment, underscores the growing confidence in Nigeria's agritech potential.

A Promising Horizon

The narrative of Nigerian local brands is one of resilience, innovation, and an unwavering spirit. As these brands continue to break new ground, they not only contribute to the nation’s economic growth but also set a powerful example of African excellence on the world stage. This week's Nigeria breaking news on local brands serves as a testament to the incredible strides being made across various sectors, reflecting a future filled with promise and potential for the nation's entrepreneurs and businesses.

As we celebrate these achievements, it’s clear that the story of Nigerian brands is one of relentless pursuit of growth, innovation, and global impact. With every milestone, these brands are not just making headlines—they're creating legacies that will inspire generations to come.

[bellephill]

Heineken Lagos Fashion Week 2018 – Runway Day 3: House of Deola

Heineken Lagos Fashion Week 2018 – Runway Day 3: House of Deola

Day 3 of the Lagos Fashion Week 2018 runway shows have come to a close and here is your BellaNaija Style Runway Recap.

Visit www.bellanaijastyle.com for more.

See the collection below:

Photo Credit: Femi Alabede | @the.alfe

Follow the conversation on social @bellanaijastyle

– Bellephill

[lindyhunt]

5 Standout Designers From Lagos Fashion Week

The seaport city of Lagos, Nigeria exudes creativity. As the so-called fashion capital of Africa, its citizens aren’t afraid of breaking fashion rules; the louder the print, the bolder the better. Lagos has hosted its own fashion week since 2011, and the annual events attract some of the continent’s best designers, inspiring many more to enter the industry. This year over fifty designers gathered in the city to present their Spring/Summer 2019 collections. Below we’ve curated five of our favourites.

NKWO

Though Nkwo Onwuka debuted her line in London in 2007, she relaunched it in 2012 as an artisanal brand. This change was inspired by Onwuka’s research of traditional craft skills; she often incorporates weaving, beading and embroidery into her work, and employs local artisans to produce her designs. In this collection, traditional Nigerian head wraps (also known as geles) are fashioned from plastic laundry bags.

Lisa Folawiyo

By adding ornate details and meticulous embroidery, Folawiyo transforms common ankara fabric into something brand new and, in turn, has become a globally-recognized name. To date she’s dressed stars like Lupita Nyong’o, Solange Knowles and Thandie Newton and her line has been picked up by the likes of Selfridges and Moda Operandi. Her collection at Lagos Fashion Week continued to pay tribute to her love of prints and each look was a masterful mash-up of colour.

Anyango Mpinga

Anyango Mpinga is a fierce social activist as well as a fashion designer. She used her Lagos Fashion Week show to campaign against human trafficking, by highlighting her “FREE AS A HUMAN” initiative, which aims to end the sexual exploitation of young girls. Much of the collection centred around playful textiles—like the newspaper and hummingbird print above—but while the artistic prints read fresh and modern, Mpinga also used her accessories to create a whimsical juxtaposition. Many of the models donned feather-topped boater hats, a styling choice that gave a distinct nod to the early 20th century.

Maki Oh

A favourite of Michelle Obama, designer Maki Osakwe was actually invited to the White House in 2014 for her work and also achieved finalist status in the first LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers. For Lagos Fashion Week, Maki Oh used a plethora of fabrics, from traditional indigo hand-dyed prints—referred to in Nigeria as Adire—to this metallic purple midi-dress.

Deola

A trailblazer in Nigerian fashion, Deola Sagoe got her start in the fashion industry back in 1988 when she joined her mother’s business. After finding her own distinct voice, she started her own label of haute couture designs. In this collection, many of Sagoe’s pieces took on an almost origami-like feel and each outfit featured various plays on texture. From draped fringe to curly spiral cut-outs, each look that Deola sent down the runway was a statement.

[jessicakehoe]

5 Standout Designers From Lagos Fashion Week

The seaport city of Lagos, Nigeria exudes creativity. As the so-called fashion capital of Africa, it’s citizens aren’t afraid of breaking fashion rules; the louder the print, the bolder the better. Lagos has hosted its own fashion week since 2011, and the annual events attract some of the continent’s best designers and inspires many more to enter the industry. This year over fifty designers gathered in the city to present their Spring Summer 2019 collections. Below we’ve curated five of our favourites.

NKWO

Though Nkwo Onwuka debuted her line in London in 2007, she relaunched it in 2012 as an artisanal brand. This change was inspired by Onwuka’s research of traditional craft skills; she often incorporates weaving, beading and embroidery into her work, and employs local artisans to produce her designs. In this collection, traditional Nigerian head wraps (also known as geles) are fashioned from plastic laundry bags.

Lisa Folawiyo

By adding ornate details and meticulous embroidery, Folawiyo transforms common ankara fabric into something brand new and, in turn, has become a globally-recognized name. To date she’s dressed stars like Lupita Nyong’o, Solange Knowles and Thandie Newton and her line has been picked up by the likes of Selfridges and Moda Operandi. Her collection at Lagos Fashion Week continued to pay tribute to her love of prints and each look was a masterful mash-up of colour.

Anyango Mpinga

Anyango Mpinga is a fierce social activist as well as a fashion designer. She used her Lagos Fashion Week show to campaign against human trafficking, by highlighting her “FREE AS A HUMAN” initiative, which aims to end the sexual exploitation of young girls. Much of the collection centred around playful textiles — like the newspaper and hummingbird print above — but while the artistic prints read fresh and modern, Mpinga also used her accessories to create a whimsical juxtaposition. Many of the models donned feather-topped boater hats, a styling choice that gave a distinct nod to the early 20th century.

Maki Oh

A favourite of Michelle Obama, designer Maki Osakwe was actually invited to the White House in 2014 for her work and also achieved finalist status in the first LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers. For Lagos Fashion Week, Maki Oh used a plethora of fabrics, from traditional indigo hand-dyed prints–referred to in Nigeria as Adire— to this metallic purple midi-dress.

Deola

A trailblazer in Nigerian fashion, Deola Sagoe got her start in the fashion industry back in 1988 when she joined her mother’s business. After finding her own distinct voice, she started her own label of haute couture designs. In this collection, many of Sagoe’s pieces took on an almost origami-like feel and each outfit featured various plays on texture. From draped fringe to curly spiral cut-outs, each look that Deola sent down the runway was a statement.

  The post 5 Standout Designers From Lagos Fashion Week appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

5 Standout Designers From Lagos Fashion Week published first on https://borboletabags.tumblr.com/

[aniekanekah]

Coward, Thunder will strike you if I ever see you in my house again-Deola Smart Blast Dino Melaye

Coward, Thunder will strike you if I ever see you in my house again-Deola Smart Blast Dino Melaye

The daughter of Senator Adeyemi Smart, Deola Smart has taken to her insta-story to blast senator Dino Melaye for coming to their house so as to make mockery of them.

According to report, Melaye recently posted a video of some men allegedly mocking Senator Smart on his instagram page.

Deola who got so upset with the actions and mockery of Dino Malaye to their family, took to her instagram and…

[kenzymirror]

Senator Adeyemi Smart’s Daughter, Deola Calls Out Dino Melaye

Senator Adeyemi Smart’s Daughter, Deola Calls Out Dino Melaye

Senator Adeyemi Smart’s daughter, Deola Smart took to her insta-story to call out Senator Dino Melaye.

Recall Melaye recently posted a video of some men allegedly mocking Senator Smart on his instagram page.

Now Deola is claiming, Melaye has been calling them (probably her father) and even claimed Melaye was at their house tonight but was ignored. So upset was she that she took to instagram to…

[limgsblog]

Why Your Business Needs a Blog – And Why Big Businesses Should Pay Attention, Business Blogging

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I have am taken an interest in how people and organizations are affected by technology, and subsequently how it affects my pocket and yours. Whether you believe it or not, blogs are quickly evolving from the normal online journals and diaries into strong powerful marketing tools that are already shaping the way advertising and marketing is being done. There are well over 35 million blogs, with 40,000 new blogs being started every day. The blogosphere - the world of blogs - is doubling in size every 5 months! Some blogs have millions of readers per month, while your organization's website looks like a dull poster. If your organization is not paying attention, something is happening, you it may be going extinct!

While most companies and corporations have websites that look static and boring, with contents remaining unchanged for weeks, months and even years! Internet users typically don't have much reason to visit a website over and over unless they want to buy something or want a current gist. Big Corporations are already paying attention to the problems they can cause; from the whistle blowing on the MLMs (dipotepede and deoluakinyemi's posts on wonder bank blogs) to customers' complaints on forums ( nairaland's user- mypeace created a thread to announce UBA's hidden COT charges on savings accounts, Nigerian Village Square online protesters and British airways saga). Your business cannot afford to close its eyes to them, because they have been the next big phenomenon since the internet itself...it has given the small business a leverage to compete with other companies- and the rising profiles of blogs have the potential to shake up just about every business -- including yours. It's now no more an ordinary online journal; it's become a potent business weapon. It doesn't matter whether what that business is you are running, we need to pay attention before a one-man company runs you out of business.

Blogs have gradually becoming a potent voice in mass communication, advertising and marketing campaigns. Blogs have been responsible for breaking a number of stories before tele-media, including the capture of Saddam Hussein. A 20 year old Nick Ciarelli, has continued to be one pin apple can't sit on. His blog has a reputation as a reliable source of information about Apple computers' planned launches. This has made his blog a hot site for both competitors and buyers. Someone decided to open a blog to put McDonalds on it toes, to "discuss the brand experience of the world's largest fast food chain from the customer's point of view" , and consumers have been talking. There is an uploaded clip of a dell product exploding on YouTube; this has forced Dell computers to withdraw 4.1million of the defective model from the market. A dis-satisfied customer of United Airlines angrily created a website, "untied.com -problems of the united airlines", even arrogant Nigerian British Airways could not ignore the internet community at the Nigerian Village Square and their signature collection for an airline boycott to protest the treatment meted out to Nigerians in the airport. MTN, Biggs, and other corporations need to pay attention-they may be next, or a competitor may be coming. Mr. Edet (not real name) met the company he lost a web design and branding contract to-it was just a 28-year old boy working from the dining table of his Dad's house. While Mr. Edet runs a 12-man company, with his website running, exquisite office space in Ikeja; the young guy work alone, at home-a weblog and a proposal, did it.

Apart from being "consumer-revenge portals", blogs are now strong marketing and innovation tools tools. Millions of books hare being written everyday on business blogging. Business Week stated on its cover, "Blogging will change your business," and virtually every business needs to embrace blogging as a business tool. I have a strong conviction one of the users of nairaland, who posted a question on bank PHB's services, is a staff of Bank PHB trying to do a near cost-less survey on how their services are doing and it's amazing the kind of downright straight 2 d point responses. Most foreign companies are already incorporating blogs into their websites or encouraging their employees to blog and many of us are starting to offer business blogging consulting. Blogs can help companies in several ways:

" They give personality to a company and add personal relationship and interactivity to its website and brand. Thus building brand trust and customer retention. People give their money to people on blogs, for investments, goods or services, though they have never met them before.

" They offer a fantastic system to publicize company programs, opinions, values and products. I commend the PMNews team for adding the comments section to their news sections, imagine the reactions. Survey could be conducted easily, thereby giving us the power to keep tabs on market

" Search engines love blogs than websites. Due to their dynamic content, regular readers, and social network compatibility, blogs will drive traffic to your site traffic. Hence, potential customers.

" Since the internet has flattened commerce, SMEs (businesses) can become popular almost overnight. It has given businesses the potential to become popular overnight, and to literally reach literally millions of potential customers all around the globe, without the attendant cost of capital projects and infrastructure.

Business, in its simplest form, is the obtaining and retaining of customers, and the ability to make money and deliver excellent and quality products and services. Blogs will cause a huge change in the way customers are obtained and retained, how goods and services are delivered, and even how market survey is being carried out.

[ad_2] Source by Deola Kayode