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September 22, 2019<br />

Ways To<br />

Rock The<br />

Classic<br />

White<br />

Shirt<br />

Must-Have<br />

Pieces For<br />

Fashion<br />

Weeks<br />

Simple<br />

ways<br />

to style<br />

your<br />

Kimonos<br />

Red Carpet<br />

Showstoppers<br />

GODWIN TOM:<br />

Raising Industry Leaders


8 15<br />

12<br />

5<br />

IN THIS ISSUE<br />

email: allurefortheworld@vanguardngr.com<br />

HAPPINESS<br />

5 Cover: Godwin Tom;<br />

Raising Industry Leaders<br />

12 Sexmatics: Marriage Vows<br />

Renewal<br />

16 Instagram Moments<br />

CELEBRATION<br />

3 Fashion : Red Carpet Showstoppers<br />

4 Fashion : Must-Have Pieces For<br />

Fashion Weeks<br />

6 Fashion : Ways To Rock The Classic<br />

White Shirt<br />

11 Fashion : Simple Ways To Style Your<br />

Kimonos<br />

22 SEPTEMBER 2019<br />

12 Diaspora Life : London Fashion<br />

Week 2020 Spring/Summer<br />

Shows<br />

15 People : Tony Oguike marks 50<br />

• Waje’s “Red Velvet” Concert<br />

WELCOME...<br />

To say that the Nigerian Music<br />

Industry has grown, would be stating<br />

the obvious. Not only has the industry<br />

grown, Nigerian artists have become<br />

hot cakes around the globe, with<br />

many of them having collaborations<br />

with foreign acts. Artists have become<br />

the nation’s ambassadors, using their<br />

creativity to erase the negative<br />

perception of Nigerians once held by<br />

some foreign nations.<br />

While the industry may seem to<br />

be blossoming, many artists lack<br />

requisite education and information to run the business side of<br />

music, such as signing of contracts, etc.<br />

There is an urgent need to fashion out policies and<br />

processes by industry players, those who know how the<br />

business works in other to create better value.<br />

Our cover personality, Godwin Tom is an artist manager who<br />

has worked with some of the biggest players in the Nigerian<br />

music industry.<br />

Concerned by the lack of informed personnel in the music<br />

industry, he has embarked on series of master classes and<br />

online training to get artists and their handlers informed<br />

especially, on financial education on how to manage money. He<br />

bares all to our correspondent, Linda Orajekwe. Pg. 8-10.<br />

The classic white shirt is an amazing wardrobe stable. How<br />

you style yours makes all the difference. See great ways you<br />

can can style yours put together by Yemisi Suleiman. Pg.6-7<br />

How ready are you for the fashion weeks? Follow our tips on<br />

how to look great at the shows as compiled by Linda Orajekwe.<br />

Pg. 4-5<br />

You can’t be ignored if you stepped<br />

out in one of these pieces. See how to be<br />

a show stopper. Pg. 3.<br />

Enjoy every page, its well served.<br />

Have a great week!<br />

J . E<br />

Jemi Ekunkunbor<br />

Acting Editor<br />

08052201126<br />

Quotes<br />

“The worst form of<br />

inequality is to try to<br />

make unequal things<br />

equal”.<br />

- Aristotle<br />

“Many people die at<br />

twenty five and aren’t<br />

buried until they are<br />

seventy five”.<br />

- Benjamin Franklin<br />

“A girl phoned me<br />

the other day and<br />

said, ‘Come on over.<br />

There’s nobody home.’<br />

I went over. Nobody<br />

was home”.<br />

- Dangerfield<br />

EDITOR<br />

REMMY IFUEKO DIAGBARE<br />

DEPUTY EDITOR<br />

JEMI EKUNKUNBOR<br />

ASST. EDITOR<br />

YEMISI SULEIMAN<br />

CONTRIBUTORS<br />

TERESA ALIGBE<br />

LINDA ORAJEKWE<br />

ADESUWA EWOIGBOKHAN<br />

BAMIYO ISELEMA EMINA<br />

CONT. EDITOR<br />

LATASHA NGWUBE<br />

TEAM<br />

4<br />

COPY EDITOR<br />

DODOIYI WILLIAM-WEST<br />

LAYOUT / DESIGN<br />

OLAYIWOLA AJAGBE<br />

PHOTO<br />

OSCAR OCHIOGU<br />

(08034746487)<br />

HEAD MARKETING<br />

JANET NAJOMOH<br />

(08037156911)<br />

HEAD OF PRODUCTION<br />

CHARLES KAMMA<br />

Printed and published by Vanguard Media Ltd<br />

Vanguard Avenue Kirikiri Canal; P.M.B 1007 Apapa, Lagos.


Red Carpet<br />

FASHION<br />

Showstoppers<br />

By - Rita Chioma<br />

There are always show stoppers on any red<br />

carpet event; it’s just a rite of passage.<br />

In recent years, the red carpet has become an<br />

opportunity to showoff any daring fashion<br />

statement, while new fashion and beauty<br />

trends are forged on the red carpet.<br />

Some Fashion Icons don’t want to be<br />

associated with regular outfits anymore, they<br />

want to create<br />

a trend and make a notable fashion statement.<br />

Here are our favourite showstoppers:<br />

Toke Makinwa, always<br />

gets it right when it comes to<br />

making unique, head-turning<br />

fashion statements and<br />

as always, she did not<br />

disappoint at the Elite<br />

Model Look.<br />

The dress, which was<br />

from Erica Moore<br />

brand, had a peekaboo<br />

cut-out on one shoulder, a<br />

plunging neckline<br />

that showed off her<br />

cleavage, and thighhigh<br />

slit<br />

Nana Akua stepped<br />

out on the red carpet,<br />

stole all the attention, and<br />

became the talk-of-the<br />

town.<br />

She wore a gorgeous<br />

dress by Carl Santiago.<br />

The dress features a<br />

layered silver petals<br />

designed to flaunt her<br />

silhouette. The fascinating<br />

part of the dress is the<br />

iconic eagles resting<br />

perfectly on her shoulders.<br />

It is such a beautiful piece<br />

of art, merged with style to<br />

create an incredible look.<br />

Just like Umueruo,<br />

Bambam also<br />

stepped out to a<br />

recent event dazzling<br />

in a rose embellished<br />

dress. Her blonde hair<br />

and subtle makeup,<br />

got her the desired<br />

attention.<br />

Ugonna Umeruo<br />

was one showstopper at<br />

Glitz Style Awards 2019<br />

we couldn’t take our eyes<br />

off.In a dramatic rose<br />

embellished bodycon<br />

dress, she was the<br />

cynosure of the fashion<br />

and style event. She also<br />

accessorized with similar<br />

bag and pump shoes.<br />

Inidima Okojie<br />

made headlines when<br />

she rocked this well<br />

designed look by Derin<br />

Fabikun.<br />

Ini’s fuchsia pink<br />

number was a big win<br />

for the night at King Of<br />

Boys premiere.<br />

Her dress featured a<br />

one-shoulder turtle<br />

neck dress with balloon<br />

sleeves and ruffle<br />

details attached by the<br />

side of the dress. She<br />

accessorized this look<br />

with her woven pink<br />

pumps, matching pink<br />

lips and rings. She<br />

sealed this look with a<br />

fancy glittery pink staff.<br />

September 22, 2019 /<br />

3


croptop<br />

FASHION<br />

Statement Bag<br />

Why carry an ordinary handbag when<br />

you can get the attention with a dope<br />

statement bag, be it a mini tote,<br />

minaudiere or a sling bag? You can<br />

try to get one in any thrift store if<br />

cash conscious, or go all<br />

out and splurge that cash<br />

on a luxury sling bag.<br />

The attention can be<br />

worth your cash!<br />

Crop Top<br />

This is a recurrent<br />

street style trend that<br />

requires little to make<br />

you look fashionable<br />

and ready for the<br />

week. It can be paired<br />

with almost anything<br />

in your wardrobe from<br />

your jeans trousers<br />

to your skirt.<br />

sleeveless<br />

croptop<br />

Strawberry<br />

Bamboo Bag<br />

Must-Have<br />

Pieces For<br />

Fashion<br />

Weeks<br />

Statement<br />

Bag<br />

denim jacket<br />

Jennifer Oseh<br />

By - Linda Orajekwe<br />

As fashion lovers, if there is one season we all look<br />

forward to, it is the fashion week! While the fashion<br />

weeks have kicked off around the globe, fashionistas<br />

in Nigeria await with baited breath for the Nigerian<br />

version to begin.<br />

Since we don’t want you to get to fashion week looking<br />

like last season, we have created some necessary yet,<br />

simple must-haves pieces you need to stock your<br />

wardrobe with, to help you get the best<br />

of fashion week and give you the<br />

full fashion week experience like<br />

you deserve.<br />

Androgynous<br />

Three-piece Suit<br />

Wearing a three-piece suit right will<br />

always get you viral in fashion weeks,<br />

where people put great effort to look<br />

effortless. This is no effortless look and<br />

when done right, it’s well appreciated.<br />

So if you can, serve an androgynous<br />

three-piece and steal the show, you<br />

deserve it.<br />

Denim<br />

Jacket<br />

This is a certified street<br />

style essential, so arm<br />

yourself with one. The<br />

idea of a denim jacket<br />

isn’t to always wear it as<br />

the weather might be<br />

really hot. Sometimes,<br />

the style might just be to<br />

tie around your waist,<br />

that too is very effortless<br />

and fashionable.<br />

Gladiator<br />

Sandals<br />

For that short skirt<br />

you’ve been saving for<br />

a time such as Fashion<br />

Week, let the gladiator<br />

sandal elevate your<br />

look from a snack, and<br />

make you like a whole<br />

meal.<br />

4<br />

/ September 22, 2019


Graphic Tees<br />

Are you a supporter of any cause? Got<br />

a value you need more people to know<br />

about, or looking to attract like minds?<br />

Your graphic tees are your best bet.<br />

This fashion item will make everywhere<br />

your stage as it serves as your voice,<br />

speaking wherever you go. So design<br />

one now and get your message to the<br />

fashion world when it’s time.<br />

FASHION<br />

Ripped<br />

Denim<br />

Trouser<br />

graphic tees<br />

A “boy scout” essential<br />

that’s always ready for you<br />

whenever you are. This<br />

outfit will give you the<br />

classy vibe if paired with a<br />

t-shirt, button-down shirt or<br />

a crop top and completed<br />

with a well-tailored jacket<br />

and your pump. What a<br />

classy way to be distressed.<br />

Ripped denim<br />

trouser<br />

hat<br />

Hat<br />

It’s fashion week, it’s more than a day.<br />

You need a hat to switch up your look<br />

from the top, to spice up your style.<br />

Aside from how this piece can protect<br />

your face from the sun, you’ll be<br />

surprised how rocking a hat can be a<br />

style game-changer.<br />

sunglasses<br />

Colorful<br />

Sunshades<br />

What’s a fashion week without eye candy? In<br />

case you want to make your eyes the attention<br />

grabber, get sunshades of different neon<br />

colours to get all eyes on you even when it’s<br />

dark. The beauty of colourful sunshades is that<br />

after being functional during the day, protecting<br />

your eyes from the sun, it’s an accessory to<br />

your look when the sun is out.<br />

fisayo<br />

longe<br />

high slit<br />

Thigh-High Slit<br />

Maxi Skirt<br />

Fashion weeks aren’t the place to show your normal<br />

fashion style, that’s why you have other days. Your<br />

thigh-high slit skirt will definitely make you come off<br />

as fashionable as the crowd can perceive you. Let<br />

the fabric be preferably silk for volume and easy flow.<br />

September 22, 2019 /<br />

5


FASHION<br />

Ways To Rock The<br />

Classic White<br />

Shirt<br />

By - Yemisi Suleiman<br />

One of the most versatile pieces you can<br />

own, is the classic white shirt; no wardrobe<br />

is complete without this fashion staple.<br />

Basically, the white shirt is a game changer,<br />

whether you style it with a suit, layer it over<br />

a sleek slip dress or add over a pair of jeans.<br />

There are so many ways to style the<br />

wardrobe classic for any occasion. It can<br />

also be styled down for day and up for<br />

night. Here are classy ways to style the<br />

white shirt.<br />

with<br />

denim<br />

white shirt<br />

Pair with<br />

denim<br />

White shirts and denim go hand in<br />

hand. It is a weekend go-to; it is<br />

comfortable yet chic, and it’s perfect<br />

for a casual Friday at work or a<br />

Saturday fun day out.<br />

6<br />

/ September 22, 2019<br />

ankara midi skirt<br />

Pair with a<br />

midi skirt<br />

For a classy and corporate look, team<br />

a well-fitted white shirt with a printed<br />

midi skirt. Remember to add a<br />

bright nude colour heel<br />

to finish off the<br />

ensemble.<br />

nude heels<br />

ankara<br />

office skirt<br />

folake<br />

kuye<br />

Tuck into<br />

wide leg<br />

trousers<br />

Whether you wear this to work,<br />

brunch, or as a sleek evening<br />

look, you will love the look for its<br />

comfort and style.


Throw on<br />

over a<br />

crop top<br />

While many of us have a<br />

thing for crop top, the<br />

days are long<br />

gone. By adding<br />

an oversized<br />

shirt over the<br />

top, it gives them<br />

a whole new lease<br />

of life.<br />

white shirt<br />

FASHION<br />

sequine<br />

skirt<br />

rihanna<br />

satin shoes<br />

Glam it up<br />

Wearing a white shirt with a sequin<br />

skirt is instantly glamorous, pair it<br />

with embellished satin shoes and<br />

chunky jewellery in jewel tones, for<br />

an absolute party feel.<br />

Solange<br />

Knowles<br />

with a<br />

power suit<br />

white shirt<br />

Layer over<br />

a slip dress<br />

For day time, layer a<br />

lightweight white shirt over<br />

a slip dress and tie at the<br />

front for a whole new look.<br />

Throw<br />

on a<br />

leggings<br />

For daytime, pair an<br />

oversize white blouse<br />

with long black<br />

leggings. Play up the<br />

look with polished<br />

accessories.<br />

jennifer<br />

hudson<br />

Wear with a<br />

power suit<br />

Get in on the power suit trend and dig out<br />

your favourite two-piece suit for this look.<br />

Roll up the sleeves of a blazer and let those<br />

of your white button-down hang longer<br />

for a cooler take on this office look.<br />

slit dress<br />

September 22, 2019 /<br />

7


INTERVIEW<br />

8<br />

/ September 22, 2019


INTERVIEW<br />

Godwin Tom:<br />

Raising Industry Leaders<br />

Words By - Linda Orajekwe<br />

Godwin Tom is a talent manager with over 10-year experience. He entered the<br />

Nigerian music industry out of the boredom working in a PR company he no longer<br />

enjoyed. In 2008, he quit his job to go manage MI Abaga, who went on to become<br />

one of the best rappers in Africa. Over the years, Godwin Tom has gone on to work<br />

with some of the biggest players in the African music industry such as Wizkid and Wande<br />

Coal. In the process, he has evolved to be a brand that is now passionate about creating value<br />

by raising a new generation of industry players. In this interview, Godwin Tom opens up on<br />

his journey as an industry player, some of the harsh lessons he has learnt, and how these<br />

experiences spurred more ideas, to help grow the industry.<br />

With his wedding also approaching, the groom-to-be, talked about the new family he’ll<br />

raise and the exciting times ahead.<br />

How has it been working in the Nigerian music<br />

industry for over 10 years?<br />

It has been a learning experience for me. I had<br />

worked in multiple industries before joining the<br />

entertainment industry; so I came in with some<br />

knowledge of what major brands look for in<br />

conversations. Nonetheless, there weren’t enough<br />

people guiding most of us newbies back then.<br />

Generally, it has been filled with ups and downs. I<br />

have learned patience and how not to judge<br />

people. More importantly, I have learnt to redefine<br />

myself and focus on growth for myself and the<br />

industry.<br />

What are some of the biggest challenges<br />

you’ve faced?<br />

That’ll be the challenge of people not signing<br />

contracts. When they eventually sign, most<br />

people do not respect their contracts. My biggest<br />

challenge so far has come from my decision of<br />

trying to learn to build my own brand, and provide<br />

value to businesses I engage. I needed to be<br />

Godwin Tom and not the guy who manages<br />

Wande Coal. I believe I have gotten to that point.<br />

You’ve managed the biggest artistes in Africa<br />

including Wizkid, and worked with the likes of<br />

Davido, how was that experience?<br />

With Wizkid, it was exciting times. It was filled<br />

with a lot of drama because of the disturbing<br />

London/EME situations and tweets; but, we<br />

overcame those challenges. But something<br />

worthy of mention, is that Wizkid is one of the<br />

hardest-working people I ever worked with. To put<br />

in perspective, we all know he plays/parties a lot<br />

but, he works harder than he plays. So his<br />

success is not a surprise to me.<br />

Working with these guys can come with its own<br />

challenges. From almost being kidnapped by<br />

students to constantly avoiding getting mobbed<br />

for just being in public. I have, sometimes, been<br />

forced to develop exit strategies to get out of<br />

uncomfortable situations. It was crazy but it was<br />

also rewarding.<br />

What three unforgettable lessons did you<br />

learn managing artistes?<br />

The first thing to note is; when you manage<br />

one artist, you are managing 2 careers. The<br />

talent’s career and yours. The second thing is<br />

strategic partnerships will help you get far. The<br />

third thing to keep in mind, should be for you to<br />

stay relevant by creating value on a constant<br />

basis.<br />

How has the experience in the Nigerian music<br />

industry changed you and when did you<br />

realize this change?<br />

The Nigerian music industry has given me a<br />

thick skin, and taught me to build my own brand<br />

through active impactful work and value. Most<br />

importantly, I believe it has taught me not to take<br />

things personally or hold grudges. I realized this<br />

change when Wizkid and I stopped talking. Almost<br />

all my “friends” in agencies and brand/marketing<br />

departments stopped taking my calls. This made<br />

me realise that we were connected by the artists I<br />

managed and this made me start thinking of how<br />

to provide value to them. This changed my life!<br />

Why the need for this TMT masterclass when<br />

you already have a podcast that teaches<br />

people the ropes?<br />

The goal is to reach as many people as<br />

possible and different people want to be<br />

communicated to, in different ways. I have met<br />

people who are willing to pay top money to be<br />

part of the day-to- day business, and some others<br />

are fine with following my tweets and Instagram<br />

posts. I want to reach them all. The more people<br />

we reach, the higher the chances of getting more<br />

informed people into the industry, which for me, is<br />

the goal of the masterclass.<br />

Considering your background, have you ever<br />

been faced with imposter syndrome?<br />

I would not call it imposter syndrome. I know<br />

where I come from and I know who I am. If<br />

anything, I am very grateful for where I am now. I<br />

have also worked very hard and refused to give<br />

up in so many situations where I was told I should<br />

have given up. I see the things happening now as<br />

a reward and God’s grace. I am simply grateful.<br />

But I am reminded that hard work and humility,<br />

and being firm also got me here and those are<br />

values I hold dear.<br />

September 22, 2019 / 9


INTERVIEW<br />

What’s the most difficult situation you’ve had<br />

to face while managing an artiste, and how did<br />

you deal with it?<br />

That’ll be managing money. Making them<br />

understand that the money would not come<br />

forever. Financial education is needed in this<br />

industry, but we must also find a way to reach the<br />

artists who need it the most.<br />

It is a real struggle. It is easy to get carried<br />

away by the lifestyle. One of the ways I have<br />

successfully dealt with it, was to document as<br />

many expenses as possible and show them how<br />

much money they are throwing away. It worked<br />

great for some but didn’t go well for others.<br />

How would you say the Nigerian music<br />

industry has grown?<br />

It has grown massively. Nigerian artists are<br />

“hot cakes” around the world now and the music<br />

is travelling faster than ever before. It is a great<br />

time to be a Nigerian musician. I am currently<br />

sitting in multiple conference calls and meetings<br />

for a number of Nigeria artists, and the numbers<br />

on the table were a dream a few years ago.<br />

Do you think there is an industry or people are<br />

just doing things themselves and growing<br />

with the support of friends in the industry?<br />

There is an industry. That people are building<br />

brands and have colleagues helping out is proof<br />

that an industry exists. We just need to grow. We<br />

need more businesses with better internal and<br />

external policies and processes, to come into the<br />

The Nigerian<br />

music industry<br />

has given me a<br />

thick skin, and<br />

taught me to<br />

build my own<br />

brand through<br />

active impactful<br />

work and value.<br />

industry. We need more education for people in<br />

the industry, and for people coming into the<br />

industry.<br />

Some management companies or labels or<br />

entertainment lawyers/law firms or aggregators or<br />

promoters, need to merge businesses and<br />

provide a stronger value proposition. We cannot<br />

keep doing things ourselves. It hasn’t worked so<br />

far.<br />

Do you think we can build global record labels<br />

like Universal, Sony and the likes?<br />

Just like I said in my previous response, we<br />

cannot keep doing things ourselves. But another<br />

way to put it is that, we must ensure more people<br />

who understand how the business works are<br />

involved in the business. Also, we forget that<br />

companies like Universal is a product of mergers<br />

and services that work. If two labels each have 50<br />

million to spend, coming together gives them<br />

more human and financial resources to create<br />

bigger solutions. That’s a way forward we should<br />

adopt.<br />

What’s the craziest experience you’ve had in<br />

this profession?<br />

Well, I have had a few. From seeing a crowd<br />

chase me and Wizkid at a mall in Dubai, to having<br />

a girl show up in all the pictures Wizkid took,<br />

followed us to the hotel and refusing to leave until<br />

she goes to his room. We have had a girl in Benin<br />

Republic knock on all the doors on a floor where<br />

Wizkid was, looking for him. When I managed MI,<br />

a show promoter in the UK sent us return tickets<br />

but only booked one way. After the show, he was<br />

nowhere to be found and we almost got stranded<br />

when we got to the airport. Luckily, we had money<br />

to buy new tickets. We have had people send us<br />

false information for rooms and hotels. So, yes,<br />

I’ve had my fair share of crazy (Laughs).<br />

What would you advise artistes to do better to<br />

maintain a relationship with their manager?<br />

Artistes should ensure that they are clear<br />

about what they expect from their managers and<br />

managers should in turn, state what they are<br />

comfortable with. Artistes should also be honest<br />

with managers about terms and money. Most<br />

artistes say things like “we will discuss that later”.<br />

Do it now and avoid issues later on. Artistes<br />

should also treat their managers with respect.<br />

People will engage with your management based<br />

on the value you place on them.<br />

What’s that one thing people don’t know about<br />

Godwin Tom that you want them to?<br />

I am not an arsehole! (Laughs) I am actually a<br />

fun guy but I think that most people meet me at<br />

work where we’re trying to get things done and<br />

think that I am always that way. Sadly, I cannot<br />

explain that to everyone. Vanguard <strong>Allure</strong>, help<br />

me tell them! (Smiles)<br />

What would you regard as our greatest<br />

achievement in the Nigerian music industry?<br />

Being a part of Wande Coal’s return to<br />

greatness! We put in a lot of work and it is always<br />

great to see a plan fall into place. Most times, you<br />

can only do your best.<br />

Your wedding is coming up soon and we’re<br />

giving early congrats! Care to give inside gist<br />

on who is getting you suited for that special<br />

day with your gem?<br />

Thank you for the early congrats(Laughs).<br />

Well, Mai Atafo will be dressing me up for my big<br />

day! He always impresses me. We have already<br />

started talking and I am looking forward to seeing<br />

what he is going to do.<br />

What are you looking forward to on your<br />

wedding day? The couple’s dance or the<br />

public kiss?<br />

I do not know how to dance, so I can’t be<br />

looking forward to that (Laughs)... and sadly, I am<br />

not very great with PDA. I am, however, looking<br />

forward to marrying the best babe in my world and<br />

truth is, nothing else matters.<br />

What do you look forward to the most as a<br />

husband and a father?<br />

Dinner with my kids and attending all their<br />

events. I want to be there for my family when they<br />

need me. As a husband, I pray for wisdom. My<br />

soon-to-be wife has become my best friend. I<br />

want to keep it that way for the rest of our lives<br />

together. So help me God!<br />

What drives you and keeps you grounded?<br />

My family, my future wife and kids. I want to<br />

make sure my family is proud of me every day<br />

and every year. I also want my kids to live better<br />

than me. Hopefully, I teach the value of money but<br />

it will come from my experiences they can learn<br />

from and not from situations beyond their control<br />

as I had.<br />

10 / September 22, 2019


FASHION<br />

Simple Ways<br />

To Style Your<br />

Kimonos<br />

By - Tope Ojo<br />

mochedda<br />

Jean it up with<br />

your kimono:<br />

Obsessed about<br />

your pair of<br />

jeans, you can<br />

wear your<br />

kimono on your<br />

jeans or white<br />

pant and make<br />

some statement<br />

with it.<br />

The traditional Japanese kimono<br />

has become one of the world’s<br />

most iconic pieces of fashion. It<br />

is an excellent example of how you can<br />

use national clothes in everyday life.<br />

When translated, the word kimono<br />

means; “something to wear.” These<br />

full-length robes are instantly<br />

recognisable, thanks to their unique cut,<br />

beautiful designs, and captivating<br />

colours. They are incredibly comfortable<br />

clothes.<br />

Kimonos are very self-sufficient items.<br />

They can be worn over light linen so you<br />

feel relaxed whether you are at work, a<br />

party or a bar. Since the very masculine<br />

styles are popular, you can wear a<br />

kimono even without a belt. But if you<br />

choose to emphasise your waist, the<br />

elegant fabric will fold beautifully around<br />

your body and the V-neckline will stretch<br />

noticeably making you look slimmer.<br />

Here are some tips on how to<br />

pair your kimonos<br />

Going for a night<br />

out with your<br />

friends? Just<br />

throw on your<br />

kimono over a<br />

sexy, strapless<br />

top and a pair of<br />

matching pants.<br />

Finish tge look<br />

with a pair of<br />

high heels<br />

You can<br />

accessorise your<br />

kimono pairing it<br />

with head ties or<br />

hats and you are<br />

good to go.<br />

A perfectly paired<br />

kimono style jacket<br />

layered over a<br />

jumpsuit or a dress<br />

makes a great<br />

casual look.<br />

September 22, 2019 / 11


DiasporaLife<br />

• People • Places • Events • Living<br />

Feathers were a prevalent theme, with designers<br />

attaching them at the hems and sleeves. Then the<br />

surprise trend -the maximalist shape. Room - filling<br />

silhouettes that took up much space. Top to bottom<br />

coverage, that ‘s a contrast to previous ‘nudity is<br />

sexy.’<br />

Finally, the whooper trend-oversized<br />

sunglasses. Maximalism transcended to even<br />

eyewear. It was a case of ‘the bigger the better’.<br />

With the revelation on the runway, the proposition<br />

of a new age of modesty has just been unravelled.<br />

Big dresses, high collars and long lengths, it’s time<br />

to cover up. Big has never been more sexy.<br />

With Remmy Diagbare | remidiagbare@gmail.com<br />

London Fashion Week 2020<br />

Spring/Summer Show<br />

Big is Beautiful<br />

wickstead<br />

christopher kane<br />

bora-aksu<br />

halpern<br />

roberta einer<br />

roksanda<br />

For those who love nudity, it’s time to put on<br />

some clothes, as skimpy has been put on the<br />

back burners, at least for now. At the London<br />

Fashion Week which ended a few days ago,<br />

designers from Burberry to Roksanda Molly<br />

Goddard, to Victoria Beckham, served a dollop of<br />

big, bold dresses in supersized forms.<br />

Trends were rooted in maximalism, from<br />

cocoon, frilly sleeves, to eccentric patterns. Silvia<br />

Venturin Fendi, who took over from Karl<br />

Largerfeild after his death, debuted her first<br />

ready-to-wear runway collection for Spring 2020.<br />

Inspired by camping, the outdoor and late 60’s<br />

films; The Anniversary starring Bette Davis and<br />

Carry on camping, Fendi added her twist to<br />

sequined dresses, sheer tops and colourful tops.<br />

Bright, punchy, vintage florals, were magnified on<br />

a number of looks, adding to the groovy, retro vibe<br />

pulsating through the runways. Molly Goddard’s<br />

new take on the gown, features a buttery custard<br />

hue, and Victoria Beckham went long on crowdpleasing<br />

dresses with sumptuous shades and<br />

12 / September 22, 2019<br />

featuring ruffle sleeves. For Burberry, designer<br />

Riccado Tisci gave a serving of figure-hugging<br />

ensembles with bold feather trims and super-sized<br />

sleeves. Emilia Wickstead closed her show with a<br />

sugar pink gown that looked like a giant<br />

marshmallow, while Simone Rochas, enveloped<br />

her model in swathes of taffeta.<br />

Christopher Kane on the other hand, went<br />

galactic. He dressed his models in tiered supersized<br />

gowns and dresses printed with clouds. His<br />

‘ecosexual’ live letter to the universe, the milky<br />

way itself, provided a stellar graphic that caught<br />

the imagination.<br />

Trends to watch for 2020, for colours,<br />

Lavendar, rhubarbs and custards are your go-to.<br />

Love your plaid, they come in a rainbow of<br />

colours. Bikers short were a favourite. Chic<br />

spandex bike shorts popped on the runways. Wear<br />

with lace or shimmery fabric for a late night outing.<br />

Pattern mixing was a hit. Check out Preen, who<br />

used floral mix and Burberry, who teamed<br />

gingham with black and white stripes.<br />

16arlington


with Adesuwa 07011289316 | adesuwaewoigbokhan@hotmail.com<br />

Marriage Vows Renewal<br />

Renewal of marriage vows is a way of<br />

celebrating your union which can occur, any time<br />

after your actual wedding; from the next day to 2,<br />

5, 10, 25 or 50 years after together. You want<br />

those around to know you’d do it all over again in<br />

a heartbeat. It may also be that you want to<br />

reaffirm your commitment to one another after a<br />

rough period in your marital life. There is never a<br />

wrong reason to renew. It is an opportunity for<br />

spouses to commemorate a love that has<br />

deepened or matured. Not meant to be a second<br />

wedding, instead, it is supposed to be a more<br />

personalized and intimate affair, to be celebrated<br />

with close friends and family.<br />

Reaffirmation of wedding vows is appropriate<br />

for married people, regardless of how long<br />

they’ve been married. Numerous reasons are<br />

cited for couples desire for vow renewal<br />

ceremonies. Below are some of the reasons:<br />

Some married partners hardly remember their<br />

wedding day apart from smiling, talking to<br />

guests, posing for pictures and freshening<br />

make-up and not getting to eat. But when you<br />

renew your vows, you can do whatever you<br />

deem fit for as long as you want and for any<br />

reason.<br />

It is more relaxing with no pressure, there is<br />

no long to-do list when compared to that of your<br />

wedding details that you cared so much about,<br />

now you can less.<br />

This is more recent, the farther away you get<br />

from your wedding, the more you tend to forget<br />

the feelings you once had for each other. Vows<br />

renewal helps to remind you about the deep<br />

feelings you had for your spouse not so long<br />

ago, and give you something to cling to in the<br />

dark times, even when he/she is driving you<br />

mad.<br />

Renewing your vows is more meaningful<br />

especially after you have experienced ups and<br />

downs together, and have grown in wisdom as to<br />

what really makes a marriage work. The<br />

reaffirmation words have so much more behind<br />

them, plus your children getting to hear that your<br />

promises and commitments to one another is<br />

priceless.<br />

This can be sexy, from fixing your hair, putting<br />

on make-up, wearing a pretty dress, flirting,<br />

making promises to each other, spending time<br />

together, can make you feel sexy, vibrant and<br />

special coupled with an amazing night sex.<br />

A lot of spouses usually host their own<br />

renewal parties. Sometimes, the children have<br />

the privilege of doing the honours. A particular<br />

trend that most people love is when closest<br />

friends like the original chief bride’s maid and<br />

best man, choose to host the ceremony. This<br />

could be held at home, in church, on the beach,<br />

in a beautiful garden or on a cruise : basically,<br />

anywhere that has sentimental meaning for the<br />

couple will be nice.<br />

This is not a legally binding ceremony like that<br />

of marriage; virtually anybody the lovebirds<br />

admire, can officiate like a pastor, judge, your<br />

children, relative or close friends. And, you may<br />

decide to settle for an intimate reaffirmation<br />

whereby you invite few close relatives and<br />

friends. However, you can definitely have a large<br />

party for your extended family and wide circle of<br />

friends. Limit your guest list except you are opting<br />

for a big bash, know that this is not the time to<br />

entertain acquaintances.<br />

Couples should feel free to dress up. The lady<br />

can always wear her original gown if comfortable<br />

with it, or choose another dress such as a pretty<br />

cocktail dress/ formal evening gown, or a nice<br />

suit depending on her fashion taste and the<br />

formality and style of the celebration. Skip the veil<br />

if need be, wear a hat or flowers on your hair and<br />

carry flowers or pin a corsage.<br />

For the groom, he can wear his original<br />

tuxedo, suit or uniform if you were in military and<br />

upgrade with a new tie and vest. Other options<br />

will be to choose new ensemble for this<br />

ceremony, by putting on a gift of jewelry your<br />

spouse has gifted you, like cuff links, wrist watch<br />

and a boutonniere in your lapel.<br />

A bridal train is unnecessary for a vow<br />

renewal. You can always invite the original<br />

bridesmaids and groomsmen to stand up for you<br />

informally. They do not need to wear the old<br />

outfits again. A number of couples normally<br />

involve their children and grandchildren, to escort<br />

them down the aisle, or have them perform a<br />

reading during the party.<br />

Your marital life is something to be celebrated<br />

every day and every year. So don’t wait, take<br />

time to celebrate and renew your vows every now<br />

and then. Create new memories, relive old ones<br />

and enjoy your time with family and friends. This<br />

is an opportunity to reignite and re- energize your<br />

feelings for each other. Your marriage is worth<br />

every step of it.<br />

If the above does not sell you on renewing<br />

your vows, don’t know what other trick will do.<br />

Talk<br />

SPOT<br />

By - Yemisi Suleiman<br />

What some of your favourite<br />

celebrities said and we listened.<br />

“Always look at<br />

the bright side of<br />

life. No one says<br />

its easy”.<br />

Words from the<br />

actress, Empress<br />

Njamah to her<br />

fans.<br />

“Applaud yourself if<br />

you are living and<br />

surviving in Nigeria.<br />

Buy yourself a drink,<br />

e no easy.”<br />

Actor Ik Ogbonna<br />

is stating the obvious<br />

about Nigeria’s<br />

present economy.<br />

“Yesss!!! Mistakes have been<br />

made. Life didn’t come with<br />

instructions”.<br />

Actress Oge Okoye thinks<br />

we should know this.<br />

“I have found a way<br />

of life that I love;<br />

plus, I found the<br />

courage to live it”.<br />

TV personality<br />

Derenle Edun<br />

obviously has no<br />

regrets about life.<br />

September 22, 2019 / 13


MY LAGOS<br />

ADVENTURE<br />

By Odun Ogunbiyi<br />

...Oddbod & The City<br />

don’t want to brag about<br />

I this too much (because<br />

there is absolutely no doubt<br />

in my mind that at the<br />

slightest provocation, I will<br />

fall off the wagon again) I<br />

have gone back to regular<br />

visits at the gym. At this<br />

point, it’s the “all pain and<br />

no visible gain” part of the<br />

cycle and my thighs hurt<br />

so bad that I can’t make<br />

it off my couch without<br />

employing a cunning roll<br />

and lift technique. I have<br />

about six weeks of selfdiscipline<br />

before some<br />

results kick in. In the<br />

meantime, I hug close,<br />

the cold comfort that by<br />

exercising my heart, I am<br />

investing in a happier old<br />

age.<br />

This is Oddbod and the City<br />

– My Lagos Adventure.<br />

Chai latte - The Flower shop<br />

When it comes to<br />

music, I have to<br />

say I think we<br />

are listening to<br />

some of the best<br />

music to come<br />

out of Nigeria in<br />

the last decade.<br />

Don’t get me wrong,<br />

Nigerian music has<br />

always been amazing and its<br />

influence globally is well documented and<br />

acknowledged.<br />

Case in point: Fela Anikulapo Kuti is a titan<br />

of African music, and created Afrobeat in<br />

the 1970’s and 80’s. Since 1998, his life and<br />

work has been celebrated every year with<br />

Felabration. This year, events kicked off<br />

successfully in London with concerts at the O2<br />

Centre and shall be happening here October<br />

14th to the 20th. I am very much looking<br />

forward to the shows this year, and can’t wait<br />

to see what the line-up will be. No, I can’t<br />

dance but I don’t let that stop me working up a<br />

sweat.<br />

Nigerian music is really going through a<br />

moment and I don’t think this is a trend or a<br />

fad. I think we have finally arrived to take our<br />

14<br />

Please<br />

don’t<br />

stop the<br />

music<br />

/ September 22, 2019<br />

teyana taylor<br />

& seyi shay<br />

place on the global stage. Nigerian stars<br />

like Burna Boy are performing at Coachella,<br />

Tiwa Savage has a billboard in New York’s<br />

Time square and Beyoncé is releasing mega<br />

album projects packed full of collaborations<br />

with Nigerian musicians. I am absolutely<br />

loving this movement.<br />

One of my favourite artists, Seyi Shay,<br />

dropped a new single last week, a<br />

collaboration with one of my favourite<br />

American artists (she is all sorts of goals for<br />

her relationship and her body), Teyana Taylor.<br />

The song is called ‘Gimme Love’ and it<br />

already has over one million hits on YouTube.<br />

Hot tune, slick production and a bona fide<br />

club banger. I have already added it to my<br />

work out play list and you should, too.<br />

The Flower Shop Café<br />

So soon after my declaration about suffering for my<br />

health, we swing back into my favourite pastimeeating.<br />

I have been hearing so much about this new<br />

spot in Victoria Island, I had to go and check it out.<br />

Set in the middle of a functioning flower shop (as the<br />

name suggests), the interior is all about light, space,<br />

greens and pretty. It was also pretty packed and<br />

clearly a popular place. Why am I always the last to<br />

hear about these things?<br />

My friend and I, popped in for breakfast and we<br />

kept it simple although the menu offered up some<br />

enticements—pancakes, waffles, French toast and<br />

the usual eggs and bacon options. I will be coming<br />

back to try the breakfast burrito as I have never had<br />

one before and that warrants further investigating.<br />

We ordered the Scrambler—a dish consisting of<br />

well-fluffed scrambled eggs on sourdough bread with<br />

sausages. Yum, yum and yum.<br />

The Chai latte was out of this world- fantastic! And<br />

just as an aside, I really, really wanted to go home<br />

with the mug. I was that in love with the whole old,<br />

modern, and colourful crockery mood, and I definitely<br />

left feeling inspired to make some changes at home.<br />

The parking situation is a bit hairy, though. Flower<br />

Shop is right on the main road near a traffic light,<br />

and you have to park three deep, so there was some<br />

yelling as I got out the car by impatient drivers trying<br />

to get past. It also means your bonding time with your<br />

meal may be interrupted to move your car. The usual<br />

Lagos wahala, unfortunately!<br />

Definitely worth the visit and I will be coming back for<br />

the latte. I wonder if they do a takeaway?<br />

For further information about my<br />

adventures check out my Instagram,<br />

@le_Oddbod.


P EO PLE<br />

Tony Oguike<br />

marks 50<br />

“ONE PARTY AT A TIME!”<br />

:08034746487 | 08039675880<br />

Stories By Oscar Ochiogu<br />

Florence Ita-Giwa<br />

Ann Okoronkwo<br />

illyminiachi<br />

Tony & Chika Oguike<br />

Chief Executive Officer of Future<br />

Concerns Group, Engineer Anthony<br />

Oguike, last Sunday, turned 50. The player<br />

in the oil sector, rolled out the drums<br />

at Amore Garden, Lekki, Lagos, for a<br />

befitting celebration.<br />

The event attracted traditional rulers,<br />

politicians, clergies, friends and wellwishers,<br />

who came to celebrate one of their<br />

own at 50.<br />

The high point of the event was the<br />

electrifying performance of a Nigerian-<br />

Canadian rapper, Illyminiachi, whose<br />

performance was an icing on the cake to a<br />

wonderful and glitz event.<br />

Uzo Okoye & Elizabeth Jibuno<br />

Cecilia Aqua-Umoren &<br />

Nkeiru Anumudu,<br />

Naeto C & Nicole<br />

Emeka Okoronkwo illyminiachi<br />

& Victor Okoronkwo<br />

Waje’s “Red<br />

Velvet” Concert<br />

Award-winning music star, Waje<br />

recently held her first-ever owned<br />

concert; Red Velvet.<br />

The concert showcased the<br />

songbird’s latest critically<br />

acclaimed R&B album ‘Red Velvet’.<br />

With the concert, Waje delved into<br />

familiar territory to explore the<br />

passionate themes from the album<br />

with a distinctively new burlesque<br />

story-telling style.<br />

It was a full-blown bedroom<br />

musical; from sensual, soulful<br />

lovelorn ballads to fierce energetic<br />

affirmations.<br />

Johnny Drille led the pack of<br />

opening acts billed for the concert<br />

which also included Nonso Bassey,<br />

Chike and Good girl LA among<br />

others.<br />

The event was hosted by Chigul.<br />

waje<br />

kate henshaw<br />

omawunmi<br />

Sound Sultan Moses DJ Iwang Neptune Data Okorodudu Tosin Adeyemi<br />

IK Osakioduwa<br />

Alabi Damilola<br />

Timi & Busola<br />

Dakolo<br />

franklin<br />

September 22, 2019 / 15


INSTAGRAM<br />

MOMENTS<br />

With Yemisi Suleiman<br />

In case you missed, these were the most Interesting pictures and<br />

stories on Instagram last week as posted by your favourite celebrities.<br />

Beauty inspiration<br />

We love Beverly Osu’s glowing skin and flawless<br />

makeup. The actress rocks Glam beat by Bare2<br />

beauty to a Lagos party. She is definitely looking all<br />

shades of glam for the event.<br />

D’Banj Welcomes Baby<br />

Boy With Wife In The US<br />

Nigerian singer, D ‘Banj and wife has reportedly<br />

welcomed a new baby boy into their home. The<br />

good news was all over the internet last Friday,<br />

as congratulatory messages poured in for the<br />

couple.<br />

The Koko master as he is fondly called, lost his<br />

one-year-old son, Daniel Oyebanjo III after he<br />

reportedly drowned at a pool in their residence<br />

in Ikoyi, Lagos. Two months after the tragic<br />

incident, the artiste dedicated a beautiful song<br />

to his wife. It was a really hard time for D’banj<br />

as he revealed that he never thought he would<br />

ever lose a child, and that the sad incident really<br />

broke him and his wife.<br />

However, shortly after, the singer disclosed that<br />

he was expecting another child.<br />

He welcomed his new bundle of joy, a baby<br />

boy, in the United States of America but did not<br />

disclose the hospital ir state where the child was<br />

born, but mother and child are said to be doing<br />

fine.<br />

Ozinna Anumudu<br />

Fashion enthusiast, Ozinna<br />

Anumudu embraced excess in<br />

all its glory, with this statement<br />

pant and matching top. And<br />

she rocked it like no other.<br />

Johnny Drille, Waje, Bez, Others Thrill<br />

Fans at “Acada Fest” Charity Concert<br />

Last Sunday September 15, the charity concert<br />

organized by iManage Africa and ScholarX, Acada<br />

Fest 2019, took place at the Muri Okunola Park,<br />

Lagos.<br />

The entertaining, open-field event, featured<br />

exhibitions from book, drink and food vendors and<br />

an exciting music concert in the evening, which<br />

brought the event to a climax.<br />

Some of the celebrities spotted at the event included<br />

Big Brother Naija Star; Avala, Nollywood actor; Tope<br />

Tedela and Media Personality; Eki Ogunbor.<br />

Also in attendance were Olumide Soyombo<br />

of BlueChip Digital and Tosin Ashafa of BTA<br />

Foundation.<br />

Lovers of soul music enjoyed an intimate evening<br />

of live performances from talented singers; Waje,<br />

Bez, Johnny Drille, Show Dem Camp, Atela, Cill<br />

and The Cavemen, in addition to thrilling vibes<br />

from DJ Ruud who entertained the crowd at<br />

intervals.

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