African Vibes Magazine Shines a Spotlight on Celebrating Contemporary African Couture

 LOS ANGELES – African Vibes magazine is bringing the rhythms, dance and pop music of Coupe Decale from Paris to Hollywood in grand style by way of DJ Oudy 1er, one of its hottest artists. With the hit single, “Tchoumakaya,” filling up dance floors across the globe, DJ Oudy 1er has been added to the event’s lineup as the special musical guest. A captivating performer, the singer/dj is the pioneer of Coupe Decale’s popular “black and white” dance move. With sold out shows in France, Italy, London and parts of Africa, Oudy 1er will kick off his United States tour with his appearance at African Vibes magazine’s fifth anniversary event – that is, the All-White Contemporary African Glam Experience.

The anniversary event will feature an “I Wear African” fashion show, showcasing the contemporary fashions of several African designers. The All-White Contemporary African Glam Experience will take place on Sunday, May 1, 2011, beginning at 5p.m at the Avalon Hollywood, located at 1735 Vine Street in Hollywood and will include special performances by some of Africa’s most talented artists. The “I Wear African” Runway brings a new and fresh aesthetics to contemporary African style though the interpretive work of some of Africa ‘s hottest and talented designers.

“This event is a great opportunity for us to celebrate and embrace the beauty that comes from the continent. Africa is rapidly evolving and having a noticeable influence in the world of fashion.  You can see African inspirations on the runways of prominent designers, such as Gwen Stefani, Christian Siriano, and Louis Vuitton, among others. There is no question that Africa is inspiring some really exciting trends,” said editor-in-chief Amabel Niba of African Vibes magazine.

“These global trends are not a coincidence,” she added. “As the acceptance of African fashions become more and more mainstream, African influences will continue to bleed into other disciplines of creative expression. It’s our goal to connect the world to a more positive image of Africa , and the ‘I Wear African’ Runway helps us do just that.”

Here’s a look at the designer lineup:

·         Princess Latifat Momodu-Lamoliatte (Nigeria) | Ravissant International Ltd. — the international designer and Edo princess is the managing director and CEO of Ravissant International Ltd. With vast exposure and French influences from time spent in Paris , Princess Latifat has created a brand that beautifully marries both continental and inter-continental designs within the framework of mainly African fabrics, producing quality and flexible designs of taste.  Visit http://www.ravissantmode.com

·         Oyin Ayoola ( Nigeria ) | Revere – the Nigerian fashionista is ready to showcase her Revere brand clothing line. Ayoola’s slogan is: “Admire…Appraise…Acquire” as the REVERExperience, describing the collaboration with a client to channel their ‘inner designer.’” The Revere clothing line imparts the richness of laces and vibrancy of prints, which inspires Ayoola’s contemporary designs. Her inner love for art and fashion turn unique fabrics into sophisticated collections. She draws her creative inspiration from the social and professional lifestyles of today’s woman. Visit http://www.reveregallery.com

·         Monalisa Okojie (Nigeria) | NEHITA — NEHITA is the vision of Nigerian designer Monalisa Okojie, who’s passion for beauty led her to change careers from law to jewelry design. Okojie’s collections embrace design trends from all over the world by using appealing and colorful precious stones and various colors of gold. Her designs express elegant luxuries and appeal to the sophisticated clients with close attention to conflict free diamonds when used.

·         Joseph Ntomp (Cameroon) | Ateliers Arthur — Founded in 2009, Ntomp and his partner, Elise Banin, created the contemporary shoe line, Ateliers Arthur, to offer a distinctive range of shoes that bridges the gap between classic, bench-made silhouettes and trainers.  The duo’s primary goal is to create premium dress sneakers for a metropolitan lifestyle. Superior craftsmanship and material selection are at the core for every step of this creative process – pun intended. The Ateliers Arthur collection offers classic elegance while capturing the essence and energy of a contemporary lifestyle.  Visit http://www.ateliers-arthur.com

·         Solome Katongole ( Uganda ) | Solome — Born in Uganda and raised in Columbia , Maryland ,  Katongole will showcase her eponymous line, Solome, which carries a  modern aesthetics inspired by color and nature. Her passion, infused with her Ugandan culture, influences her ability to design clothes that are chic, sophisticated and sexy. She creates works of art with fabrics, producing garments that are comfortable, while making a statement. Visit http://www.solome.webs.com

·         Wawi Amasha (Kenya) | Mami Afrika Designs – Kenyan artist and designer Wawi Amasha is behind Mami Afrika Designs, a brand, featuring clothing, jewelry and wearable art. Amasha’s designs reflect her love for African cultures.  Every item is handcrafted with love, totally unique and never exactly duplicated. Her designs and paintings reflect the celebration of life with the use of vibrant colors inspired by the Motherland, warming the heart at a glance. Her studio is based in Santa Monica , Calif. Visit http://www.mamiafrika.com

About the 5th Anniversary Event | African Vibes Magazine

The “I Wear African” campaign was launched at the magazine’s third anniversary event as a way of connecting the world to a contemporary Africa through fashion. The fashion show is an extension of the campaign, and brings to life the beauty of Africa through vibrant colors and diverse African-influenced styles, stemming from the creativity of very talented designers who might otherwise go

unnoticed. Actress/filmmaker Tangi Miller returns as this year’s co-host, sharing duties with African Vibes’ editor-in-chief, Belle Niba. Miller is best known for the role of the smart, spirited and stylish Elena Tyler on the J.J. Abrams hit show, “Felicity. As an independent filmmaker, she has produced and starred in several independent films, including “After School,”  “Hurricane in the Rose Garden,” and “Love … & Other 4 Letter Words.”

The anniversary event will feature a pre-show glam lounge for its VIP guests along with a glam squad to offer makeup tips and touch-ups to guests, compliments of Milani Cosmetics — the Official Beauty Sponsor of the “I Wear African” fashion show.  Additional sponsors include Gigi Jewelry, and Afrotainment, the official television media sponsor of the anniversary event.

Also, African Vibes magazine will present its Diamond Award to special honorees for working tirelessly in their efforts to shine a positive light on Africa .

African Vibes magazine is the pulse of the dynamic African culture, serving up a mix of Africa-related news, entertainment, motivation and inspiration along with in-depth profiles of the most influential and fascinating African personalities. Currently, Congolese singer Fally Ipupa graces the cover of African Vibes magazine. Past issues have featured cover stories on Grammy-nominated  recording artist Akon, Grammy-winning vocalist Angèlique Kidjo, actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (“Lost” and “Oz”), international soccer player Samuel Eto’o and “Project Runway” alum Korto  Momolu. The magazine weaves the threads of cultural identity for readers of African heritage who have a desire to stay connected to their African roots from a positive and uplifting perspective. For more information, visit  www.africanvibes.com.

 TICKETS:

Tickets prices start as low as $35.  For ticket information, visit http://anniversary.AfricanVibes.com or  http://avmag2011.eventbrite.com. 

 About African Vibes Magazine

Founded in 2006 by editor-in-chief Amabel Niba, African Vibes Communications Inc. (AVC) launched African Vibes magazine, the ground-breaking magazine representing contemporary Africa and Africans. It is a publication where people of African heritage come for Africa-related news, entertainment, motivation and inspiration. It is a brand that is revolutionizing African media and weaving the threads of cultural identity for readers of African heritage who have a desire to stay connected to his or her African roots. African Vibes reaches across the borders of national origin to engage bicultural individuals who have a desire to stay connected to  Africa  through stories that are hopeful, inspiring, educational and motivating.

Over the years, AVC has expanded beyond the pages of its flagship magazine to generate brand extensions with the annual anniversary event as well as its Village Effort and I Wear African campaigns and the Africanvibes.com website.

For more information, on the anniversary event, visit  http://anniversary.africanvibes.com. or http://www.africanvibes.com