Dress by Designer Oyin Ayoola

African Vibes Magazine shone a bright light on up and coming African designers and performers at its all white 5th Anniversary event which took place on May 1st at the Avalon Hollywood. The event kicked off with a Pre-Show Glam Lounge where Beauty Sponsor, Milani Cosmetics glammed up guests while VIPs sampled some delectable desserts and sipped on complimentary champagne. Guests received exciting gift bag items including a selection of Milani’s Passport of Color Spring collection items. The show kicked off with an opening dance act from renowned choreographer, Titus Fotso along with members of his troupe (Wilfried Souly, Michel Kouakou, Rachel Tisby, Malik Sow and Soro Gnenmon). Other performers included the Brown Family (Somto Madu, Samuel Dosumu and John Paul Arabome) and Oudy 1er whose performance and dance moves had guests on their feet asking for an encore.”

This year’s participating designers included jewelry designer Su Beningfield from South Africa, clothing designer Solome Katongole from Uganda, jewelry designer Monalisa Okojie from Nigeria, shoe designer Joseph Ntomp from Cameroon, clothing designer Oyin Ayoola from Nigeria, clothing designer Princess Latifat from Nigeria and clothing/jewelry designer Wawi Amasha from Kenya who closed the show with models dancing down the Runway in her clothing.

Designers have previously showcased clothing items and accessories for women but this year, the men were all too happy to spot Joseph Ntomp’s shoe collection while the ladies cheered as the male models walked down the runway with a swag in their step. Other designers who included pieces for men in their collection were Princess Latifat and Monalisa Okojie.

Editor In Chief, Belle Niba and Actress Tangi Miller who hosted the event kept the audience entertained throughout the evenings. As part of the event, the African Vibes Magazine African Diamond Award was given to Senator Curren Price Jr. for encouraging trade and investment opportunities between Africa and California, Dr Condessa Curley and Anita Gent Williams for the work they do to help African communities through their Charity organization, Project Africa Global. The Awards were sponsored by Arik Air along with Supporting Sponsor, Gigi Jewelry.

Following the show was the VIP After Party where VIP guests, designers, models and artists joined in celebration with International DJ Fly kept guests on their feet on the dance floor throughout the evening. Hors d’oeuvres were served along with complimentary champagne for Gold, Platinum and Diamond VIPs.

For those who missed the show, Television media sponsor, Afrotainment TV, will be airing it on May 7^th at 6:15pm (PST) and on May 8^th at 11:50am (PST). The show will be on their DishNetwork Channel 751 available nationwide.

Wawi Amasha

Kenyan artist and designer Wawi Amasha is behind Mami Afrika Designs, a brand featuring clothing, jewelry and wearable art. Amasha’s designs reflect the celebration of life with the use of vibrant colors inspired by the Motherland, warming the heart at a glance. Every item is handcrafted with love, totally unique and never exactly duplicated.

She mainly uses a fabric called “Khanga or Lesso very common in East Africa. The khanga is a colorful garment worn by women and occasionally by men throughout Eastern Africa. Each has a unique Swahili saying; usually of bright colors and bold patterns with a decorated border around the main design.

Her Website: http://www.mamiafrika.com
Follow her On Twitter @mamiafrika

Latifat Momodu-Lamoliatte

International Designer, Princess Latifat Momodu-Lamoliatte will be coming all the way from Nigeria to showcase her designs on the “I Wear African” Runway. With vast exposure and French influences from time she spent in Paris, Momodu-Lamoliatte has created a brand that beautifully marries both continental and intercontinental designs within the framework of mainly African fabrics to produce quality and flexible designs.

Her Website: http://www.ravissantmode.com

Coupe Decale is coming from Paris to Hollywood in grand style with non other than Oudy 1er, one of Decale’s hottest artists. Oudy 1er’s hits such as “Tchoumayaka” continues to fill up dance floors from Atlanta to New York, Minnesota to Hollywood. Always the captivating performer, he was a pioneer of coupe decale’s popular “the black and white” move.

He has sold out shows in France, Italy, London and parts of Africa and is coming to the United States to join the African Vibes Magazine 5th Anniversary celebration with special performances of some of his biggest hits. This will be the kickoff of his Official United States Tour.

Tickets to the event can be purchased at http://avmag2011.eventbrite.com

The ever so captivating “I Wear African” Runway and Award show taking place at the African Vibes Magazine 5th Anniversary Event May 1st in Hollywood will be televised and broadcast exclusively by Afrotainment on May 7th on their DISH Network Channel 751.

“We are so thrilled to have Afrotainment cover the event this year,” said Belle Niba, African Vibes Magazine Editor In Chief. “When you see Africa expressed so colorfully and with such exuberance, the urge to share the experience is irresistible and we plan to do just that.” she continues, “It is my hope that our efforts as African media to showcase positive Africa will only continue to gain momentum with every new initiative and the relationships we develop along the way.”

AFROTAINMENT is the first and only Network of channels in North America dedicated to broadcast the best African Music videos, Movies, Series, Realities, and Comedy shows for the highly coveted African Diaspora in the USA.

To subscribe to the AFROTAINMENT family of channels customers can call DISH Network™ at 1.866.267.7805 or contact their local Dish retailer for more information. Some Afrotainment shows are also made available on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/user/AFROTAINMENTCHANNEL

To learn more about The AFROTAINMENT Family of channels visit: http://www.afrotainment.us/

Oyin Ayoola

Nigerian Fashionista, Oyin Ayoola plans to take the “I Wear African” Runway by storm with her Revere brand clothing. She coins her slogan, “Admire…Appraise…Acquire” as the REVERExperience which she describes as “a collaboration with the client to channel their ‘inner designer’ as they select fabrics and designs which REVERE brings to life, recognizing that we are all art,  just as we are all fashion!”

The richness of laces and vibrancy of prints inspire Ayoola’s contemporary designs. Her inner love for art and fashion turn unique fabrics into sophisticated collections. She draws her creative inspiration from social and professional lifestyle, fabric patterns, and art in all facets of life.

Her Website: http://www.reveregallery.com
Follow her On Twitter @Reveregallery

Monalisa Okojie

Monalisa Okojie will once a again showcase her luxurious collection of some of the finest handpicked exotic stones, golds and conflict free diamonds on the “I Wear African” Runway. Okojie is the founder and CEO of jewelry brand Nehita.

Her creations have been worn by top celebrities such as, Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole, Alan Cumming, Melora Hardin, Michael Henderson, Sally Pressman, CCH Pounder, Lu Parker, Katherine Joosten, Meagan Good, Brandy, Hosea Chanchez, Carrie Ann Inaba, Quinton Aaron, Malina Moye, Jackie Long, Lisa Raye, Christelle, Omarosa, and many others.

Her Website: http://nehita.com
Follow her On Twitter @nehitajewelry

Joseph Ntomp

Cameroonian couple, Joseph Ntomp and Elise Banini are owners of a contemporary shoe brand known as Arteliers Arthur. Founded in 2009, the duo’s primary goal is to create premium dress sneakers for a metropolitan lifestyle. Superior craftsmanship and material selection are at the core of every step of this creative process.

“I draw my inspiration from a not so long gone era of well heeled men, yet my designs are well anchored in the present and always looking forward. I want to leave behind an emotional reaction, a feeling that makes you remember our shoes as unique pieces you have never seen before.” Joseph Ntomp, Co-Founder and Creative Director.

Their Website: http://www.ateliers-arthur.com
Follow them On Twitter @ArteliersArthur

 

Solome Katongole

 

Gigi’s Jewelry is a Supporting Sponsor of the African Vibes Magazine’s milestone 5th Anniversary event in Hollywood.

Gigi’s Jewelry offers an assortment for everyone who desires to Expand their collection of fine jewelry. Their jewelry Consists of 14, 18, 22, and 24 carat yellow, white, and rose electroplated gold – A genuine layer of gold is electro-chemically bonded to copper or metal.

Their pieces are accented with authentic Swarovski Crystals which enhance the beauty of their Fine Collection.

Support Sponsor Website: http://www.gigisjewelry.biz/