Collins Edomaruse With Agency Reports
1 February 2009
Lagos — The prestigious Merc-edes Benz Fashion Week in New York will host the launch of THISDAY's ARISE magazine at the Bryant Park Tents and showcase the designs of an African fashion collective: Xuly Bet of Mali, Stoned Cherrie of South Africa, MOMO and Tiffany Amber of Nigeria.
The launch of ARISE, which is the first global style and culture magazine dedicated to African achievement, music, business and politics will be one of the highlights of the week-long show.
ARISE is published by THISDAY Group of newspapers in Nigeria, South Africa, New York and London for distribution worldwide.
At the fashion event, to be hosted by the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, creative new talents would take to the runways to showcase fashion's most inspiring new looks.
The line-up of talented newcomers and first-timers at the Tents include Michael Kors, Diane Von Furstenberg, Carolina Herrera, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Zac Posen, Max Azria, Dennis Basso, Badgley Mischka, Tracy Reese and Tommy Hilfiger, among many others. Furthermore, established designers and collections from Brazil, China, Nigeria, Korea, Japan, Russia, Israel, Spain, France, Italy and Australia would also be at the event, which they consider a window to present their work to the fashion world.
"We are thrilled to bring together some of the best designers both domestic and foreign," said Fern Mallis, Senior Vice President of IMG Fashion.
"We are anxious to see what they will do, what their inspirations have been, and how they would like their customers to dress in this new age of awareness, and values in all aspects of life. Creative people - the designers, as well as the editors, buyers, art directors, photographers, celebrities and media stars are the ones who will carry us all forward and will make Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week the place to experience, see, photograph, videotape, blog, twitter and tell the world what's going on."
Other debutants in the Tents include Georges Chakra, Adam, Barbie's®, Monarchy Collection, Nicholas K, E.Y. Wada, Farah Angsana, William Rast, Chocheng, Domencio Vacca, Mackage and Christian Siriano.
THISDAY Newspaper group, according to the organisers, is one of the largest newspaper groups in Africa. The organisers added that the ARISE magazine will use the opportunity of the event to celebrate the best out of Africa, from fashion to business. "ARISE Magazine will be producing a spectacular fashion show, presenting some of the best African fashion designers."
Proceedings at the show will kick off with Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman of THISDAY Newspapers presenting the first Arise/ThisDay Icon of Style Award to legendary model and agent Bethann Hardison.
For over four decades, Hardison has broken racial barriers in fashion-first as a model for designers like Willi Smith, Oscar de la Renta and Ungaro and then as an agent for some of fashion's most recognisable faces of colour, most notably Tyson Beckford. Recently she organised standing-room-only panel discussions, featuring luminaries like André Leon-Talley and Iman, to challenge fashion to open its doors to diversity.
All participating designers were selected to be part of the show due to their success in their native countries and their readiness for the international market. Some of the designers such as Xuly Bët and Stoned Cherrie have enjoyed commercial success in Europe and North America, and with their fusion of style, luxury, craftsmanship and wearability, Nigeria's MOMO & Tiffany Amber are sure to follow.
"The success of other African designers internationally is an inspiration to me" says Fati Asibelua founder and creative director of MOMO. "It shows our designs have a true place in the international market and not just in Africa. I am grateful for the opportunity given by ThisDay/Arise Magazine to show my designs on such a prestigious stage for the world to see."
Making it a truly African production, along with the great designer talent, four of the best models from Africa will grace the catwalk at New York fashion Week for the first time, amongst them will be M-Net's Face of Africa 2008 winner Ghanaian Kate Menson. Dino Moran, the Mozambican music producer has been appointed musical director.
"It's a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the amazing things happening in South Africa," continues Stoned Cherrie's Nkosi, "People continue to have a stereotypical view of Africa as the 'Dark Continent' and it will be great to challenge that."
All four designers in African Fashion Collective 2009 are celebrated in their native countries and are honored to be part of an event that shows Africa's capacity for producing world-class design. Timing of the African Fashion Collective is prescient, given the election of African American Barack Obama as US president and First Lady Michelle Obama's championing of young, culturally diverse designers.
"I'm incredibly excited about this opportunity," says Nkhensani Nkosi, founder and creative director of Afro-Urban label Stoned Cherrie. "I've always dreamt about having this kind of platform, and it launches us directly onto a world stage."
"Nduka Obaigbena is a visionary," says Jan Malan of Umzingeli Productions. "The timing is right for this show and we can expect more of these initiatives from him. I am only too honoured to be selected to produce this show and believe wholeheartedly in promoting a positive face of Africa to the international community."
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