Tag Archives: africa

Africa And The City… Izelia Brings Cutting Edge Couture To London Fashion Week SS/16

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On the 18th of September 2015, ISATU HARRISON brought her Spring/Summer 2016 IZELIA collection to the Millennium Gloucester Hotel, 4-18 Harrington Gardens, South Kensington, London, SW7 4LH.

With her exuberantly eclectic style, ISATU HARRISON put on a typically vibrant performance, throwing a storm of colour onto her spring/summer 2016 couture catwalk.

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Rampaging through any shade she could find, she produced a highly luxurious and supremely feminine collection, a cacophony of brilliantly rich splashes and prints that fulfilled every expectation of her, producing a supremely feminine collection using fabrics that suggested she had rummaged through the most luxurious of haberdashery boxes that you could say, had a touch of the Christian Lacroix about it.

This was the IZELIA brand to the core, but she refused to let the chaos take over.

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The designer’s breathtaking collection featured a delicious palette that ran from lemon and lime sorbet to pomegranate and featured piles of gold, African-inspired prints splashed over a selection of dresses and jumpsuits that were tailored to the point of perfection, as if the designer had forfeited any need to cut the fabric.

The Sierra Leonean designer, whose strength is her ability to celebrate the feminine capacity to be seriously spoilt, gave her models big seventies-style curly hair and layered on the eyeshadow and lipstick to give them a air of high maintenance narcissism.

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Models were wrapped in an explosion of colour and luxurious fabrics with exuberant head-wraps that demonstrated Isatu’s desire to discover what women really want.

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Isatu produced a spring/summer wardrobe that was rich in detail, finish, and texture, with a slim, somewhat sixties silhouette, counterpointed with the occasional controlled bursts of volume. There were exemplary denims slashed with vibrant citrus yellow, sleek and streamlined, with cinched jackets and skirts that finished just above the knee.

The IZELIA sophomore-inspired collection, featured pants, jackets, dramatic capes and long-line waiscoats that wrapped around the body like an embrace.

As for the dresses, they were expertly executed, achieving soft, supple, drapey effects, as well as more structured ones, making a famously clingy fabric practical and wearable.

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Isatu balances the qualities that women expect from cutting-edge urban fashion—sportiness and sex appeal, in equal measure—with the contemplative, cerebral nature of her own approach, revealing her fondness for the folkloric aspect of her native country.

Cognac-coloured prints translating into a quietly glamorous collection of embellished feminine pieces, juxtaposed with sturdy, more masculine ones, the IZELIA brand is morphing into the go-to brand for hip young women looking for must-have pieces.

This was an accomplished collection from an inspired designer who is transmitting a jolt of excitement about contemporary dressing, with a perennially youthful eye, giving her best collections a tomboyish naturalness that manages to capture the essence of camera-ready fashion…

 

About Izelia…

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Izelia is the creation of talented designer Isatu Harrison, who draws on her Sierra Leonean heritage to create a modern and sophisticated range of ready to wear pieces. Combining African wax prints with contemporary cuts, Izelia is a brand for those who want to make an impression in stylish and colourful outfits with high quality fabrics and precise tailoring. Each piece features a new twist on African-inspired fashion and Isatu’s interpretation of upcoming fashion trends results in a debut collection full of innovative and eye-catching pieces! The Izelia collection is a selection of pieces that include military inspired jumpsuits and dresses in both elegant floor length and chic fitted styles. Fashionistas will find something to inspire them among Izelia’s flattering stretch denim and glamorous silk chiffon materials. With African-influenced fashion taking Europe’s fashion capitals by storm, Izelia is bringing striking and sexy African prints to the high street, allowing the style conscious to sprinkle their wardrobe with up-to-the-minute multi-ethnic flair.

http://izelia.co.uk

facebook.com/IzeliaFashion

@IzeliaFashion

info@izelia.co.uk

 

About the Millennium Gloucester Hotel…

This modern and luxurious Kensington hotel offers a relaxed environment in the heart of London. Hotels in Kensington with such charm and supreme comfort are rare. The Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington effortlessly combines a convenient location with a unique sense of style and character.

The Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington is also home to the Millennium Conference Centre, with 1,600 m2 of contemporary meetings and events space. Clients have a wide selection of spaces to choose from, all varying in size and style, for events such as business conferences, award ceremonies, Champagne receptions and weddings.

Situated next to Gloucester Road Underground Station, this hotel is perfectly positioned for visiting many of the British capital’s greatest attractions. They include nearby Hyde Park, the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Palace, the Natural History Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Earl’s Court and Olympia Exhibition Centres are also a short walk away.

www.millenniumhotels.co.uk/millenniumgloucester

Images copyright Shane Finn (Visual Devotion) UK Runway and International Fashion Photography

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www.corinne-modelling.co.uk

Corinne@frostmagazine.com

@ladycdtt

https://www.facebook.com/corinne.tuddenhamtrett

Food For Thought – Community Cooking: Frost Loves…Wonderbag

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We love this environmentally friendly slow cooker that also helps poverty-stricken families in Africa. The powerless cooker which brings power to people! Invest in insulation and this foundation donates one Wonderbag to a poverty stricken family in Africa with every one bought.

Think Empowerment, Economical, and Environmental, helping the world with the Wonderbag! Simple, slow cooking that saves energy and society. Heat it, bag it, cook it, eat it.

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This revolutionary slow cooker will keep food heated all day long. Flavour up your lives and welcome the fabulous Wonderbag as an innovative method of home cooking! So support the motto ‘a recipe for change’ and transform the lives of yourselves and others less fortunate!

Energy efficient and effective portable power, this convenient cooking system is perfect for all occasions and places – picnics, parties and camping! You can even keep your food cool or frozen as it re­uses energy so efficiently!

Wondering where these Wonderbags are available… www.prezzybox.com for only £79.00

Features:

Insulated, heat­ retention technique

Electricity free slow cooking

Buy One, Give One campaign – Easing poverty and improving lives

Saves precious water and food in Africa cooking conditions

Reducing CO2 Emissions

Efficient cash saving, cooking time and energy

What do you think?

Le Gala Des Dames

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Le GALA des DAMES is a red carpet gala event hosted with the support of the French Embassy in UK on Sunday August 25th 2013, 8:00pm – 6:00am in CRIMSCOTT HALL, 18-19 CRIMSCOTT STREET, LONDON, SE1 5TE. Profits generated on the night will go in support of the JACKSON FAMILY FOUNDATION, a non-profit organisation (chaired by Joseph Jackson) that, besides caring for the legacy of the Jackson family, also supports charitable cultural, social and educational projects. Funds raised at Le GALA des DAMES will be devoted to stop the spread of AIDS in Africa. Another charity, also been announced to be benefiting from the event, is the Guinean Fraternity UK.
PAUL ERICK TRESOR (PE Promotions)
The gala, at its second edition, is organised by Paul Erick TRESOR and Sandrine POCH founders of PE Promotions.  The event was originally born with the intent of commemorating African ladies, to create a platform of unity, appreciation and exposure for their efforts. This year Le GALA des DAMES has been attracting so many attentions, from high profile personalities, celebrities, press and even nominees from non-African cultures, that the organisers are intending to expand the event more and more in support to all women no matter their origins. Performing on the night will be, ambassador of the

Le GALA Des DAMES. WES MADIKO(1)

JACKSON FAMILY FOUNDATION, WES MADIKO known among Western audiences for “In Youpendi” a song from The Lion King II Soundtrack. Zouglu Royalo, Chantal Ayssi, Vanessa Kompressor, Ashley Abigo, Astride Costa will be the other musicians performing on the night. During the gala night, out of all the ladies being put forward as nominees, eight will be awarded. Nomination categories include: “Best Business Woman of the Year”, “Young Achievers”, “Inspirational | Role Model”, “Best Media Person”, “Outstanding Mother”, “Best Women Organisation”, “Queen of Le Gala des Dames”. PAULINE LONG, founder of the BEFFTA Awards, is one of the most high profile ladies being nominated “Best Business Woman of the Year|”.

Le GALA Des DAMES e-flyer

Confirmed in attendance, in support of the event cause, popular Fashion model and jackof-all-trades, DANISH WAKEEL; celebrity burlesque performer, CHRYS COLUMBINE; upcoming Fashion designer, Maria Thukas (INONECTIMA), celebrity personal stylist NATALIE ROBINSON, singer JORDANA MBA, PATRICIA INDER; expected in attendance, other profile people like Normki Anderson, Miss Arab World and many more! During the night expect the unexpected… there will be an Hollywood theme similar to the Oscars night with red carpet photo shoot; roses to each lady, three course dinner with champagne, music, dance, press, TVs and even surprise goodie bags sponsored by award winning Beauty Salon, CUCUMBA, DERMALOGICA, STYLE ICON, MARY KAY and MYA MINERAL MAKEUP.

Dress code: evening gown |glamorous for ladies, tuxedo | dinner jacket for men.

Sensational Butterflies at the Natural History Museum

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Book now to see the Natural History Museum come alive with Sensational Butterflies
29 March to 15 September 2013 at the Natural History Museum, London
If you are looking for something to do this Easter weekend then Frost recommends the Natural History Museum. From chomping caterpillars to beautiful butterflies, experience the magic and beauty of one of nature’s
most fascinating life cycles in this popular outdoor exhibition. The live tropical butterfly house and
garden will be returning to the Museum’s east lawn on 29 March, just in time for the Easter holidays.
As you follow the trail along the life cycle route, watch hungry caterpillars hatch by your side and
witness hundreds of striking butterflies and moths fluttering above your head.
012 Sensational Butterflies
Come face to face with species from all over the globe including the spectacular swallowtail, the
beautiful blue morpho, the magnificent moon moth and many more, originating from Africa, Southeast
Asia and North and South America.
Sensational Butterflies will give you the chance to see the world’s most stunning butterflies, while
learning about the surprising lives they lead through live specimens, games and interactive displays.
Highlights include:
  • an outdoor butterfly garden with tips on how to attract butterflies and create your own
  • butterfly garden at home
  • fun, interactive activities allowing you to explore fascinating butterfly facts
  • the chance to watch butterflies emerge from their chrysalises through the hatchery window
  • a riot of colourful tropical plants in the house and garden
  • tips and advice from the butterfly house manager
Dates and times:
29 March to 15 September 2013, 10.00–17.50
Visitor enquiries:
020 7942 5000
Admission:
Adult, child and concession £4.50*, school £2.50*, family £16*.
Adult, child and concession £4, school £2.50, family £14.40.
Free for Members, Patrons and children under four.
Nearest tube:
South Kensington
Website:
Twitter:
#sensationalbutterflies

Cheap and cheerful sun in Gran Canaria

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When you want to escape the cold and gloom of a northern European winter, you generally have to think about travelling a long distance to get some heat and sunshine. The Caribbean, Thailand, India all offer warmth and great holiday resorts, but it takes a long flight to get there, and though there are deals to be had, they generally aren’t cheap.

An alternative that will save both travel time and money is to head to the Canaries – a group of Spanish islands that are situated off the north-west coast of Africa in the Atlantic. Known for their fantastic climate, they are sometimes nicknamed the Fortunate Isles and their climate is referred to as ‘eternal spring’. In fact, the climate varies little during the year, and while the winters are warm and mild, the summer temperatures don’t ever get unbearable.

The main islands are Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria and they have been dedicated to mass tourism for the last sixty years. Consequently, these places are really ideally set up for holidaymakers looking for beautiful beaches, hotels with great facilities and lots of different things to do. The Canaries make an ideal location to take the family for a ‘fun in the sun’ holiday, but you can also find quieter resorts if you’re after a walking or hiking holiday.

The biggest and most popular resort on Gran Canaria has to be Playa del Ingles, where you’ll find the biggest concentration of tourist attractions like waterparks and hotels such as the IFA Continental which all boast excellent facilities including swimming pools, tennis courts and spas and are designed to make your holiday relaxing but simultaneously full of entertainment possibilities.

Whoever you’re going on holiday with, you’ll find a resort in Gran Canaria that is suitable for your party, and the fact that you can get there so cheaply and easily makes it an ideal place for a sunshine break any time of the year.

 

Davey MacManus: fundraising show ahead of Africa nursing trip | Music News

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Davey MacManus, singer in The Crimea, has announced a solo show at the Enterprise in Chalk Farm on 21st June. The gig is a fundraiser ahead of a 2 month trip to Soweto, to nurse at an HIV orphanage, and follows a similar trip to Kenya in 2011. Tickets for the show are available here. With the money raised Davey will buy harmonicas, guitars and other musical instruments. Here’s a video explaining:

 

 

Following the Kenya trip in 2011 MacManus wrote a short eBook, ‘Fear of Sky’, which gives a detailed and unique insight into his life as a volunteer nurse at Nyumbani orphanage and includes photos, poems and related short stories. You can get a copy, including a free song ‘Out of Africa’ from The Crimea’s Limited Pressing site.

External Links:

Tickets for The Enterprise show

Davey’s Facebook page

 


Maps & Atlases – Beware and Be Grateful | Music Review

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I must confess that before being given this to review, I didn’t know of Maps & Atlases. Having listened to their new album “Beware and Be Grateful” I’m still not sure I know them. Getting to grips with them is a tough grind but wonderful, nonetheless.

The band formed in 2004 at art school in Chicago and in that time they’ve grooved their way from being a pure math rock/post rock band to making beautiful pop music but based on the old math-rock principles of signature time changes. We’ll call it Math-pop.

The record begins with “Old And Gray”, a six minute affair that doesn’t exactly blow the doors off of the house that is “Beware and Be Grateful”, but tiptoes gently in and makes a nice cup of tea. It’s clever. It knows it doesn’t need to be route one. It will sit waiting for you in the living room, until you come to and will assassinate you there and then. It’s pop Jim, but not as we know it!

“Fever” moves towards more straightforward pop music and “Winter” is very much in the same vein. Both songs have a million things going on behind the music in the way of vocals and music. It’s all incredibly well arranged – a beautiful layering of the music and backed up by soft electronic beats. On “Remote and Dark Years” Dave Davison’s lush baritone vocal has more than a tilt towards Paul Simon and the song has a lot in common with his African moments.

Throughout the record you can hear morsels of the influences behind the record – all sorts. From Vampire Weekend to Paul Simon to Secret Machines to Joeyfat but built around those math-rock principles. It’s a stunning mix but it’s a mix that needs to be played in the order it was made – no skipping, no shuffle etc. I don’t they Maps & Atlases have quite realised that the internet has rendered the album superfluous but their ignorance is our gain – a finer collection of songs you’ll struggle to find all year.

 

“Beware and Be Grateful” is released 17th April 2012. They tour the UK from 16th – 20th April.

 

Pregnancy Rumours Dog Duke And Duchess On UNICEF Visit

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were dogged by pregnancy rumours on their visit to the UNICEF Supply Centre in Copenhagen.

The couple were there to highlight the desperate plight of children in East Africa, but the rumour mills went into overdrive suggesting Kate is pregnant after she refused to eat peanut paste on the Denmark trip.

According to eyewitnesses, Kate gave her husband Prince William ‘a knowing look’ as he tucked in. ABC news reported that Buckingham Palace ‘went out of their way to stress that she has no nut allergy whatsoever.’ The Palace denied Kate was pregnant saying that they would have announced it and ‘not some gossip magazine’.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made a special visit to the UNICEF global supply centre ito help maintain the world’s attention on the humanitarian crisis in East Africa, which has left more than 320,000 children so severely malnourished that they are at imminent risk of death unless they get urgent help.

UNICEF’s Copenhagen supply centre includes a warehouse the size of three football pitches where essential supplies for children around the globe are sourced, packed and distributed. These include food, water, special nutritional supplies for the most malnourished children, vaccines, education materials and emergency medical kits.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were accompanied on the visit by the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark and were welcomed by Shanelle Hall, Director of UNICEF’s Supply Centre. The Duchess and Crown Princess were given flowers by Amanda Kofoed and Maryam Abdullah, both 10 years old, who are children of UNICEF staff.

Both couples then received a briefing on the desperate situation in the region from Peter Hailey, Chief of Nutrition for UNICEF in Somalia. He told them about the reality for many children and their parents, who often have to walk for 25 days to find food.

They met four packing staff who showed them how different medical provisions – including essential medicines and emergency surgical equipment – are packed. Both Royal couples joined the staff on the production line and helped to pack boxes of emergency health kits, each of which will provide life-saving supplies to over 1,000 people.

Both couples then toured the warehouse, seeing the huge variety of supplies that are sent to emergencies around the world, including ready-to-use therapeutic food for severely malnourished children under five years old and supplementary food to support-families, emergency health kits, vaccines and water supplies including water purification tablets.

At the end of their visit, the Duke of Cambridge said: “An incredible amount is being done. UNICEF is leading the way and doing a fantastic job, but sadly there’s lots more still to do, and that’s why we’re here today.”

The Duchess talked more about the purpose of their visit, saying: “We really hope to put the spotlight back on this crisis.” The Duke then added a heartfelt appeal: “Anyone who can do anything to help, please do.”

Both went on to Copenhagen Airport to see the supplies being loaded onto flights provided by British Airways and UPS, bound for Nairobi.

Since the visit of both Royal couples to UNICEF’s Supply Centre was announced on 26 October, UNICEF has already seen a huge response to the appeal for donations to the emergency.

Shanelle Hall commented: “It has been wonderful to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark to UNICEF’s Supply Centre and to show them the scale of the vital operation delivering supplies to malnourished children and their families. Their visit has already helped to draw the world’s attention back to the scale of the current crisis and we hope it will help us to raise the resources needed to continue our work in the region.”

To respond to the remaining needs of children in East Africa for 2011, UNICEF still requires US$40 million. The financial needs for 2012 are US$402.8 million, including US$300 million for UNICEF Somalia, to ensure that provision of life-saving therapeutic and supplementary feeding can continue.

To donate to the East Africa Appeal please visit www.eastafricacrisis.org or, in the UK, text ‘LIFE’ to 70800 to make a £10 donation or call 0800 037 9797