I had the opportunity to speak with the African Vibes Magazine editor-in-chief Belle Niba about the ‘I Wear African’ fashion show held in Los Angeles recently and profiled the work of two designers Christiane King and Kahindo Mateene, whose work was featured in this years event.

African Vibes Magazine editor, Belle Niba has always been a follower of fashion. I found this out recently, after asking her how much of a fashion fan she was. Her reply was clear.”OMG! I’m a die-hard fashion fan… a total sucker for fashion week too!”

It makes sense then, that Niba would use this love of fashion to “shine a positive light on Africa and Africans,” by organizing a fashion show, held in Los Angeles recently. This event was called, “I wear African.” [READ THE COMPLETE STORY]

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Coast to coast, African fashion designers are getting much-deserved attention from the American fashion industry. At Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York, the ARISE African Collective brought some colorful faces and fresh talent to the New York fashion scene. Now Californians are getting a taste of what African style has to offer. African Vibes magazine rolled out the red carpet in style to celebrate its fourth anniversary of shining a positive spotlight on Africa and Africans, by presenting the “I Wear African” fashion show at the Avalon in Hollywood. [READ THE COMPLETE STORY]

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LOS ANGELES, May 3, 2010 / FW/ — Bringing a new and fresh aesthetics to contemporary African style, “I Wear Africa” fashion show brought a positive spotlight on Africa and Africans.

Produced by African Vibes magazine, the runway show was held on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at the Avalon in Hollywood with international superstar and singer Awilo Longomba — known as the “King of Techno-Soukous Music” as celebrity catwalker, shaking his hips and gyrating across the runway as the evening’s special musical guest.

The magazine honored Awilo and celebrity fashion designer and “Project Runway” alum Korto Momolu with a Diamond Award for uplifting their African heritage through music and fashion.

The designers who participated in the “I Wear African” fashion show included Sheila Denanyoh (Ghana) of Ill-la-la Designs; Arthlene Legair (Dominica, West Indies) of the Legair Brand; Kahindo Mateene (Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC) of Modahnik; Maryanne E. Mokoko and Stephanie T. Mouapi (Cameroon) of Côté Minou; Mekdes Tefera Taye (Ethiopia); jewelry designer Monalisa Okojie (Nigeria) of NEHITA and Christiane King (Ivory Coast), who is a contestant on this season’s “Project Runway.” [READ MORE]

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Los Angeles — African Vibes Magazine has held its fourth anniversary celebration in Los Angeles, California. The gala event on April 24 kicked off in the early evening with the “I Wear African” fashion show, highlighting some of the newest names in African fashion. There were musical performances as well as an after party where many of the Los Angeles African community socialized into the night. [READ MORE]

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CELEBRATING AFRICA — African Vibes magazine celebrated its fourth anniversary April 24 at the Avalon Hollywood. The anniversary event featured an eclectic mix of African culture, style and entertainment, including a fashion show that spotlighted the creations of African designers. Pictured: Nigerian designer Monalisa Okojie. Other participating fashion designers included Maryanne Mokoko and Stephanie Mouapi (Cameroon) “Cote’ Minou”; Kahindo Mateene (Democratic Republic of the Congo) “Modahnik”; Christiane King (Ivory Coast) “The Christiane King Collection”; Arthlene Legair (Dominica) “Legair Brand LTD”; Sheila Denanyo (Ghana) “Ill-la-la Designs”; and Mekdes Tefera Taye (Ethiopia) “Mekdi Design”; and Korto Momolu (Liberia), “The Korto Momolu Collection..” Democratic Republic of Congo native Awilo Longomba sang his signature tune, “Super-man.” Later, he received the African Ambassador Award from African Vibes editor Belle Niba. [VISIT LA WATTS TIMES SITE]

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Designer Korto Momolu After receiving her African Diamond Award

Artist Awilo Longomba after receiving his African Diamond Award

African Vibes magazine rolled out the red carpet in style to celebrate its fourth anniversary of shining a positive spotlight on Africa and Africans, by presenting an “I Wear African” fashion show on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at the Avalon in Hollywood. The event kicked off at the Glam Lounge where VIP guests were offered complimentary champagne, hors d’oeuvres and gift bags with items from Tourneau, Milani Cosmetics, Tarte Cosmetics, Clear Essence. The Glam Lounge was followed by the ‘I Wear African’ Runway and Award show which brought a new and fresh aesthetics to contemporary African style through the interpretive work of some of Africa’s hottest and talented designers. And if that wasn’t enough, award-winning and international superstar and singer Awilo Longomba – known as the “King of Techno-Soukous Music” in international music circles – rocked the runway by shaking his hips and gyrating across the runway as the evening’s special musical guest. The magazine honored Awilo and celebrity fashion designer and “Project Runway” alum Korto Momolu with the African Vibes Magazine African Diamond Award for uplifting their African heritage through music and fashion.

In the “I Wear African” fashion show, one afronista after another trotted down the catwalk in a colorful kaleidoscope of designs and jewelry, representing designers from various parts of Africa. The designers who participated in the “I Wear African” fashion show included Sheila Denanyoh  (Ghana) of Ill-la-la Designs; Arthlene Legair (Dominica, West Indies)  of the Legair Brand; Kahindo Mateene (Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC) of Modahnik; Maryanne E. Mokoko and Stephanie T. Mouapi  (Cameroon) of Côté Minou; Mekdes Tefera Taye (Ethiopia); jewelry designer Monalisa Okojie (Nigeria) of  NEHITA and Christiane King (Ivory Coast), who is a contestant on this season’s “Project Runway.” Makeup for the ‘I Wear African’ Runway was provided by Official Beauty Partner, Milani Cosmetics.

A special highlight of the evening was the presentation by Liberian-born Korto Momolu, who showed pieces from her fall 2010 Collection — the Korto Momolu Collection.  Viewers will remember the Liberian-born Momolu as a finalist and fan favorite on season five of “Project Runway.”  In February, she debut her first post-show collection during New York Fashion Week. Highlighted as “one to watch,” Momolu has been featured in various national newspapers and publications including LA Times, InStyle, Essence, and African Vibes magazines.  Currently, she has a signature handbag and jewelry line exclusively designed for Dillard’s Department Stores and Dillards.com. And she’s set to produce a poolside fashion show at the Tom Joyner 2010 Fantistic Voyage™ Cruise.

Blond and blinged out, Awilo gave a stirring performance, singing in both French and English, and showing why he is the most wanted Congolese artist on the African continent and Europe.

DRC Artist, Awilo Longomba Performing at the African Vibes Magazine 4th anniversary event

Awilo’s album, “Super-Man” won the Best Soukous Entertainer Award in 2009 at the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) and was nominated for Best African Act at the African Music Awards. He is this year’s recipient of the 2010 Humanitarian Award at the upcoming Beyond the Tears Awards.  And he’s nominated again for the Best Soukous Entertainer award at this year’s IRAWMA awards to be held on May 2 in Queens, New York.

The opening acts were Avin-U C, consisting of three artists – EddyB, Naomi Achu and H.Bolo – all hailing from Cameroon. Other performances included Liberian hip hop artists Romeo Mulbah aka 2C. Mulbah just snagged the HIPCO Artist of the Year at the 2010 Liberian Entertainment Awards.

The event was co-hosted by actress/filmmaker Tangi Miller and African Vibes Magazine Editor In Chief, Amabel Niba.  Miller is best known for the role of the smart, spirited and stylish Elena Tyler on the J.J. Abrams hit show, “Felicity.”  She also recognized the winner of the $1,000 Ideas Contest created by African Vibes magazine in partnership with its Gold sponsor, Keller Graduate School of Management.

After the show, VIP guests, designers, models and artists were ushered to the VIP Lounge After Party where they were served more champagne and hors d’oeuvres while dancing the evening a way to contemporary African tunes by DJ Fly who has been a constant at all African Vibes Magazine anniversary celebrations.

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My last two years of high school was exciting. In 2008, Milani Cosmetics signed me to a modeling contract and I immediately landed a national/international campaign ad for the company. My photos have been featured in CVS, Walgreen’s, Walmart and Target Stores throughout the country. A year later, I was chosen as one of the finalists for the prestigious Pasadena Rose Bowl Court. Although I did not become the Rose Bowl Queen, a few weeks later I was chosen to model in LA Fashion Week for designer Lauren Elaine’s Spring Collection (pretty great consolation prize).

A few weeks later I was modeling prom dresses on Fox 11 Good Day LA morning show.

Most recently, designer Lauren Elaine once again chose me to walk the runway at her 2010 Black Label Fall Collection Fashion Show. I love the excitement of a show starting from the makeup to strutting out on the runway. The roar of the crowd fires me up and

pushes me to a higher level.

I was born into a musical family–my father, legendary bassist, Byron Miller has toured and recorded with some of the biggest names in the music business, including Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston and George Duke—it’s no surprise I would be drawn to performing arts and fashion. I participated in dance, theatre, and choir productions in high school, with theatre credits including Annie, Wizard of Oz and Hello Dolly. I have enjoyed playing violin, cello as well as alto saxophone, and I’m currently taking guitar lessons from my Godfather, Grammy-nominated guitarist, Doc Powell.

I consider myself grounded in my spirituality as a member of my church’s Campus Ministry. Education is important to me I am a member of Xinos, Phi Delta Kappa, Gamma Lambda Chapter. A sorority led by education administrators.

I am proud and grateful for the accomplishments I’ve made in the last few years; I am so excited to see what the future holds for me. I’d say there is no limit to the heights my career can take me!

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I am a young woman passionate about modeling. I think of modeling as not only my job, but a fun way of expressing yourself threw art with your own body. Being petite and African America to me is an even more reason to model and try to be the best at what I’d do. I have to represent for petite models and African America women as well.

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Priscilla Akosua Serwaa Dwomoh(Scilla) is originally from Ghana and currently resides in Columbus, OH. She’s a student at Ohio Wesleyan University, pursuing a degree in microbiology, and also an aspiring fashion model. Through modeling, she has had the pleasure of meeting and working with some amazing talents, including photograhers, makeup artist, designers, stylist, and models. some of the designers include, Arthlene Legair and Sheila Denanyoh from Il-la-la designs.

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Khouloud Errijaji was born and raised in Marrakech Morocco and has lived in Africa, Europe, and United States as a fashion model.

She loves  to travel and has a passion for fashion.  Her experiences range from movies to fashion shows around the globe. Some shows she has been in include: Columbus is fashion, walked for Dr Mojo fashion show and Columbus fashion week 2008 . She speaks French, Arabic, and English and has a degree in hospitality and tourism from ITHT in Morocco.

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