ARISE MAGAZINE FASHION WEEK 2011-TRIUMPHS IN THE END

Agbani Darego(Behind) and Millen, a
 Kenyan
 Tanzanian model,
lookalike kept us doing a double take..
They could pass for sisters..both are wearing
Lanre Dasilva-Ajayi

Oh boy, am I glad the Arise Fashion Week is over..!!! It was indeed an ambitious production, fraught with a multitude of problems. However, as the event progressed, the relentless and fearless team at ARISE MAGAZINE soldiered on, tackling each issue one at a time while putting up a BOLD face, not minding the apparent embarrassment caused. From broken down air conditioning, technical issues to poor scheduling these guys were not going to let anything hold them down...in the end ARISE MAGAZINE rose to the occasion delivering spectacular shows....

What was even more obvious was the fact that, the team seemed to have taken on board complaints by designers and probably guests about the poor choice of models, poor styling and bad makeup on the first day on the runway (DAY 2) that by DAY 3, Arise Magazine had lined up a new set of 'professional-looking' models including former Miss World, Agbani Darego and Big Brother Africa All Stars Winner, Uti Nwachukwu..A new team of Make-up Artists were flown in on Thursday, including BECKS BUKI of London, Fabulous UK Stylist and River Island PR Director, Arieta Mujay...amongst others.

In fact as at last count according to the event organiser and THISDAY newspaper founding Editor-in-Chief and Chairman, Mr Nduka Obiagbena, over 600 experts were flown into Nigeria for the event. Clearly ARISE MAGAZINE did all they could to realise their big ambition to stage Nigeria's and indeed Africa's Biggest Fashion...Kudos to the Arise Team!

I am indeed proud to say that in the end, ARISE MAGAZINE certainly managed to pull the event off..

With 50 designers showcasing their various collections...it would be days to get through all so you know what ?  

Here are a few highlights and my favourite bits...

Fashion Critic, BoFinni....looking super cool..

We spotted Lagos Party Rocker and Fashion Lover,
Taofeek Okoya at the show.
That's the designer Ituen Basi next to him. Ituen won
Arise Magazine's Creative Designer of the Year Award on the night ...Yipee!

Alexander Amosu's World Most Expensive Suit
was shown in style with a bouncer and two body gaurds..
London Styleee!

You should have seen Agbani Darego..!!!
she was just stunning, here she wears one of Tsemaye
Binite's Dresses..

London-based Mimi Adeoye..in Lagos!!!

Backstage with Samantha Cole, here is one of the models just before
she hit the runway..As usual Samantha's collection was mind blowing..

!

Ohh! That's me rocking out my favourite Samantha Cole Piece...

We spotted lovely Genevieve Nnaji (wearing the polka dot top)
gisting away with friends..
Ohh.. I love her shoes!!

After her collection was shown on the runway, Lanre Dasilva-Ajayi took the desinger's
 walk in style dancing and clapping down the run way...Loved it! 

 Found this model backstage..hmmm!
if you're single, feel free to clap your hands..
All the single Ladies...now put your hands up...!!!LOL!

Big Brother Africa All Stars Winner, Uti Nwachukwu
was one of the male models on the runway...and Yes..Ladies loved him!

This lovely young model is called Chika Emmanuel, I saw her backstage and just loved her face
there's just something about her. Found out later that she is apparently  Elite Model Look Nigeria 2010 winner.
She went on later on the night to win ARISE MAGAZINE's New Face of the Year award...love her meen..! She is certainly one to watch..

BlackUp sponsored the backstage makeup, delivering amazing
 looks we loved on Day 3 and 4..That's Agbani checking her face out..
Girl.. you are fine!!

Samantha Cole and team in last minute deliberations before models
were prepped for the runway..Samantha is one true professional.

Arieta Mujay A-List Stylist and PR Director at River Island and Designer Bunmi KoKo
and their teams were flown in from London for the show

Arise Magazine Editor, Helen Jennings..Do you like her top?

My Favourite Girl, Tiwa Savage and I

London Designer Tsemaye Binite was on the line up of 50 Designers that stormed
Lagos he even made the Top 5 selected to go to the New York Fashion Week

London based Designers, Bunmi Koko (made it to top 5 going to New York Fashion Week)
 and Samantha Cole both showcased truly gorgeous pieces from their individual collection

Tiwa Savage looking absolutely lovely wearing an outfit by Toju

Yours truly and Funmi Ayanbadejo wearing an outfit from  House of Farrah designed by
 Fatima Aliyu Garba

Guess who was in the house..? It's Lynxx..Utunu!
For you dude am about to change my parade...

TV Presenter Eku Edewor actually modelled on the
runway wearing Deola Sagoe