Model of the Month: Portia

I’m loving newcomer, Portia [she is with Storm]. Aged 17, 5’10 and a fabulous mix of Nigerian and South African heritage, -Portia’s about to blow. She has already shot for I-D and Dazed & Confused ……Go Portia….

Fashion et al Hearts Anna Reynolds

I love, love Anna Reynolds’ style, music and verve. An eclectic dresser, –the minute you buy the purple leggings and bombastic t-shirt combo -she wore last week, she’s already moved onto her 80’s faded denim skirt, Miami Vice jacket and one of her uber coveted ANNA-ALPHA-BETIC t-shirts. Bold colours, one-off dresses, African inspired pieces mixed with Euro-trashy leggings and hot minis - Anna Reynolds is Hot and unafraid. A fan of, Jeremy Scott, Christian Joy, Zakee Shariff, -her sister's label PRICCI and of course her very own -ANNA-ALHA-BETIC collection, Anna -like her latest Album, ‘Android Girl’ is out of this world. www.anna-reynolds.com

Elegant Economy

I’m sure that like me, –you have changed the way you shop [somewhat] –over the last couple of years. La 'Crunch' has meant a more creative way of spending [our hard earned cash] –and found ourselves visiting stores/shops we normally walk past, -but the truth is, –quality goods can be bought from any shop. Just check out the above condiments; – all were found on the high street and bought for less then £2.00 each.
**From left to right: Cadbury Instant Hot chocolate [99p from Pound land], Boylan Brand Lemon drink [£1.99 from T.K Maxx], Organic White Tea and Peppermint [£1.99 from T.K Maxx], Bay leaves [£1.00 from Tiger], Coarse sea Salt [£1.00 from Iceland], Mix Spaghetti Herbs [£1.99 from T.K Maxx], Bertolli Olive Oil 250ml [99p from Pound land], Crabtree & Evelyn Lemongrass Tea [£1.99 from T.K Maxx]. These bargain quality goods –made for a very Merry Christmas 2009.

Happy New Year ......2010 is the year of ‘New Beginnings’, ‘Restoration’ and ‘Recompense’ [Amen] ..the year of the Susan Boyle(s).....xx

It’s important to acknowledge and thank God that we [and ours] have made it into the New Year [Amen]! Its also important for me to thank my son [‘King’ Alexander ‘Jojo’ Opoku] for being a good boy –and for allowing me [well most days –anyway] to ‘do’ and to be ‘me’. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you [my fabulous readers –especially my subscribers] for your continued support.

I started this blog last year –after closing my model agency [well, the truth is –as a business, the agency was already over –but I was hanging onto it –as I fought to get funding for a magazine -I want to lunch later this year]. And so, my two blogs were born out of a need [a real need] -to keep ‘keeping on’ [Amen]. As you can tell, your sister Paulina just doesn’t do sitting still –and thus, these two blogs have been –and continue to be part of my healing [and my need to ‘express’ myself].

Many of you will relate –when I say that last year –wasn’t easy. A year of LESSONS and GROWTH and COMEBACKS [Amen], -2009 seemed to be a year of ‘one trial after another’ –but thank God that even if ‘weeping endures for a night, –joy will always come in the morning [to those who believe] -Amen. Also, many of us watched as one after another, -‘other’ less talented folks - jumped ahead or were promoted. Many of us had one door after another -shut in our faces –wondering why in the name of fashion did we choose our [chosen] professions, –whilst many [myself included] were literally resurrected like Lazarus from the grave [Amen] –but fear not, -2010 is not just about the ubiquitous fresh start [we all get at the beginning of the year] but about ‘Restoration’, ‘Recompense’ –and ‘Meritocracy’ [Amen]. God is going to restore all that was stolen from you [by the devil or anyone else]; all that was withheld from you’ –and [will] give you back what is rightfully ‘yours’ [Amen] -just like Susan Boyle [-you will dream a dream]!

You will not -be left behind. In fact, many will feel that you have been ‘fast tracked’ –as you overtake [them] and thrive. And note, you will find that the lessons learned [those very ‘lessons’ that once hurt you, -made ‘others’ pity you –and made you the focus of scorn and ridicule] –are the very lessons needed in the positions that God is promoting you too. Because when you have crawled back from hell –what can you not do, achieve or gain –by God’s Grace?

Remember, in 2010 you will not be left behind –but be in front [Amen]. You will be fabulous, ‘excellent’ and powerful but beware, –your ‘Blessings’ might just overwhelm you! Stay beautiful and keep loving…. Paulina Opoku-Gyimah xx

HAPPY CHRIST BIRTHDAY xx

2009 The Year of Comebacks..... Behold, God is doing a ‘New Thing’.....Don’t look back.....

"I didn't do anything for a year. I mean, nothing......Everyone was asking, 'What have you done?' But I had nothing to show them. I didn't go anywhere. I didn't write anything. I didn't work. I sat at my kitchen table for a whole year, people came and people went, life drifted by. It was just bleak. Bleak." Corinne Bailey Rae


"When things get really bad...sometimes it's better to restart and build again" Mischa Barton





“Remember not the former thing. Neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing, Even now it is springing to light. Do you not perceive it? A way will I make in the wilderness And rivers in the desert!” Isaiah 43:16, 18-19



I believe that, if you haven’t had to start [all over] again by the the age of 35, –then you are either ‘No threat to the devil’–or you haven’t ‘dared-to-live’. I had to comeback again -this year after letting go of my model agency [and other stuff], -and all the heartache that this experience entailed –nearly killed me, but by God’s Grace [Amen] –I am back. And so -I would like to thank God because:

"Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal. From six calamities he will rescue you; in seven no harm will befall you.” Job 5:17-19

I would also like to send out some BIG Love to Okomfo Kwaade, Lord Kenya, myself, Mischa Barton, Eminem, Whitney Houston, Britney Spears and Holly Johnson [Frankie Goes to Hollywood] and anyone [reading this] –who has had to start again, -and 'comeback' this year. Don’t begrudge the experience folks, –because these are the very lessons –that are needed to get 'you' -to the next level [by Gods Grace ...Amen].

Note, - you’ll know you have been delivered/corrected/healed by God's grace [and are making a comeback] because you will no longer have ‘Anything’ to prove. After the storm, you will notice many things.....-for example; you’ll find that you –can no longer do anything without God [and accept this fact without bitterness]. You’ll also notice that you only have two friends left [if you are lucky /blessed. You will know for sure who your [real] friends are –and be very selective about the rest, -letting only those –who are going to edify and nourish your soul –within an inch of your temple/your being]. Note, - you’ll also find it very difficult to gossip or judge people after this period ...and will be greatly distressed by poverty/injustice/hurting children/bad governance etc. But the most amazing of these new blessings are –the ‘No Bitterness’ and the ‘No Prejudice’ feelings. To hear someone disrespect another [because they come from a different place –say] –is such an ugly experience. I got a big revelation during this period too –and it was to do with God having –purposefully created every human being [of every colour and of every race] –and thus, to hate Polish people [for example] –is to hate God, or hate Jewish/Nigerian/Ghanaian/Gambian people etc – is to hate God [this type of revelation is soo big –and will only come to you ‘during’ a storm]...

But the biggest change is the creativity. I seem to be bursting with lots and lots of creative ideas. I guess there is nothing like coming back from ‘Hell’ to get all your creative juices going –just look at this Blog [hehehe] Merry Christmas folks [and welcome back]....Don't look back......’Big-tings-are-gwa'on.. next year!!! xxx

Can You Move Like Michael Jackson –the BBC want to see you dancing folks…

Can you dance like the late great Michael Jackson? If so, why not film yourselves doing the choreographed routine in my last post -and send it to the BBC at:: www.bbc.co.uk/movelikemichaeljackson/goldenticket You could be in with a chance of being featured in this new show [hosted by the gorgeous Reggie Yates]...

Anyway, below is Reggie with more info about the show [It looks like a lot of fun -I better get my gear on. I'm thinking -my 'Jane Fonda' green all-in-one, my red and black stripy 'FAME' legwarmers and some serious hairdo -what do think folks?]

BBC Three’s ‘Move Like Michael Jackson’! ....Its your chance to join in....

BBC Three has launched a nationwide search to find Britain's most talented and original dancers who can demonstrate they have the showmanship of Michael Jackson for a six part series going out December 2009.

Loads of dancers turned up for BBC Three’s MOVE LIKE MICHAEL JACKSON auditions and performed their hearts out.

The judges were impressed by the talent on show. But only 16 finalists will get the chance to work with Michael Jackson’s choreographer and friend Lavelle Smith Jr. Then they’ll go head-to-head in a dance-off which will be judged by Jermaine Jackson, Jamelia and Mark Summers (European casting director for the THIS IS IT Tour).

Stay tuned for all the action when the six-part series, hosted by Radio 1’s Reggie Yates starts on BBC Three on Monday 14th December and ends with the Live Final on 20th December.

But the fun is just beginning – now it’s your chance to join in!

Lavelle Smith Jr has created a new routine exclusive to BBC Three to ‘BEAT IT’, featuring five classic Michael Jackson moves – the Moonwalk, Toe Pop, Crotch Grab, Lean and Leg Kick.

All you need to do is go to the BBC Three website and choose one of the moves to learn using Lavelle’s easy-to-follow tutorials, film yourself copying the choreography and then upload it. Simple!

Whether your interpretation is smooth or just plain criminal, your video may be featured on television during the live final on BBC Three! Plus once you have submitted your entry you can enter your name to get one of a pair of tickets to the LIVE FINAL itself. For more information visit: www.bbc.co.uk/movelikemichaeljackson/goldenticket


Celeb mash-up:





The Routine in full:





Leg Kick:





Crotch grab:





Moonwalk:





Lean:





Toe Pop:

Style, Style, Style....

Jean-Michael Basquiat

Freida Pinto

Mona von Bismarck

Grace Jones...

Naomi Harris...

Oreanthia [Model]

Cassie...

Anita Blay [Cocknbullkid]

Billie Holiday....

Maya Rudolph...

Elaine A. Mensah of SVELTE [www.svelte-emc.com]

The Jones sisters...

Nina Simone

Kelis...

Suzanne Boyd...

Elsa Schiaparelli.....

Style,Style,Style.....

Gens

H.H Sheikha Mozah of Qatar...

Bjork...

Sycha [Model]

Susan Tabak

Wanessa...[Model]

Marsha Hunt

Desiree


Tal Chau

Mr Ozwald & Mrs Gyunel Boateng





Zadie Smith...

Model of the month: Carmen Solomon

Petite, South African model, Carmen Solomon is Fashion et al's model de jour. The red hair, the freckles and those African feature -on that pale skin -fabulous!!