Some more of my favourite African artists (past and present)…..enjoy

Fally Ipupa feat krys -Congo DRC

Hot music!!!!!!

‘Aicha’ by Cheb Khaled (Algeria)



Still beautiful after all this time…


Menie by Okomfu Kwadee -Ghana



What’s not to love, simply the best x


The great Koffi Olomide (Congo DRC)



I sometimes wonder how Koffi (Congo DRC) picks his girls ???? Xxx



‘Osokari’ by Manecas Costa -Guinea Bissau



I believe that Manecas Costa needs more recognition -he is a true ‘Great’ of African music…


‘Teacher Don't teach Me No Nonsense’ by Fela Kuti -Nigeria



One of the greatest musicians of all times, -Fela is still hot fire!

Two of Ghana’s greatest artists: King Ayisoba & Wanlov at Fasching in Stockholm

Fashion et al Hearts Esperanza Spalding

If you thought jazz bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding was all t-shirts and jeans or waistcoats -you’re mistaken. She can do sizzling 'causal' in neat shirts and trousers combo and traffic stopping va va voom in couture for the red carpet. 2011 is also proving a pretty fabulous year for the ever beautiful Esperanza Spalding. She’s not only won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist, but she is now being feted as one of the hottest and stylish people in the music industry. Plus, fashion et al is loving her natural hair. For more info about Ms Spalding visit: http://www.esperanzaspalding.com/

We are all African baby............

OKkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!

Karl Lagerfeld 4 Macy’s

Title: Karl Lagerfeld aims to give Macy’s contemporary business a kick come fall.

The multitasking designer is the latest to design an exclusive capsule collection for the department store group, which will launch Aug. 31 in 235 of Macy’s 800-plus stores, and on macys.com.

The Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse collection will have 45 limited edition styles and an average price tag of $100, though items will range from $50 to $170, putting it within Macy’s “better” price zone. Lagerfeld’s exclusives for Macy’s will have a limited run, from six to eight weeks, depending on consumer reaction.

The Macy’s collaboration is “a kind of test how to do this kind of clothes in that price range....As you know, I love occasional co-branding,” deadpanned Lagerfeld, who ignited the masstige movement in 2004 when he partnered with fast-fashion giant H&M on a one-time collection that sold out in a flash, spurring annual designer tie-ups at H&M and copycat strategies by other low-cost players.

The prolific Lagerfeld has engaged in numerous fashion collaborations, including H&M, Diesel, Hogan and alpine specialist Napapijri, even pens and lighters for French accessories firm S.T. Dupont and tableware for Swedish crystal maker Orrefors. “It’s interesting to see and participate in the world of others in that business on all kinds of levels,” he said. (Credit: http://www.wwd.com/)

“So if you a bull-bucka, Let me tell you this, -I'm a duppy conqueror”

Bob Marley

I’ll wait for you! Should I fall behind…..will you wait for me?

Don’t put your daughter on the stage Mrs Brown….Amy Winehouse is dead…

What is this???????…….Amy Winehouse is dead -can you believe it? No, nor can I. ....I‘m guessing, fame has claimed another soul. R.I.P Amy! Gone but never forgotten ..Thanks for the music. P.ssss Why am I soooooooooo effected? No….. I will not talk about the drugs and all the other s*&% or how tragic it all seems. Her music is soooo much bigger than that!!! I just hope that all the forthcoming Walhalla, jagger, jaggerness will pass quickly -so that we can enjoy, what will now become -iconoclastic music by a late great talent etc.

More Info...

Title: BREAKING NEWS: Amy Winehouse, 27, found dead at her London flat

By: Sarah Bull

Amy Winehouse has been found dead at her home in London, it has been reported.

The Back To Black singer was apparently found at the property in by emergency services at around 3.54pm this afternoon, according to sources, and her death is being treated as 'unexplained' by police.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: 'Police were called by London Ambulance Service to an address in Camden Square NW1 shortly before 16.05hrs today, Saturday 23 July, following reports of a woman found deceased.

'On arrival officers found the body of a 27-year-old female who was pronounced dead at the scene.

'Enquiries continue into the circumstances of the death. At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained.’


It is thought her father Mitch has yet to find out about his daughter's untimely passing, as he is currently on his way to America to perform at a jazz festival.

Winehouse had been seen with her goddaughter Dionne Bromfield earlier this week as the teenager took to the stage at the iTunes festival.

She refused to join in for Mama Said, but did support the 14-year-old with a few dance moves before urging the crowd to buy Dionne's new album Good For The Soul.

A source said: 'Amy staggered onstage and grabbed the mic to beg the crowd to buy her protege’s new album.'

Winehouse's appearance at the concert came after she cancelled her European tour following a disastrous performance in June when she stumbled onto the stage in Belgrade and gave an incoherent performance appearing very disorientated and removed from reality.

Following the concert which saw fans enraged and the subsequent video that circulated to millions she cancelled the remaining dates of her European tour.

A statement released by the troubled singer's spokesperson said that the 27-year-old would be given 'as long as it takes' to recover.

The statement read: 'Amy Winehouse is withdrawing from all scheduled performances.

'Everyone involved wishes to do everything they can to help her return to her best and she will be given as long as it takes for this to happen.'

Winehouse had been working on her long-awaited new album, the follow-up to her 2006 breakthrough multi-million selling Back To Black, for the past three years.

Winehouse has had a troubled life which has included various stints in rehab for drug and alcohol addiction.

In an interview in 2008, her mother Janis said she would be unsurprised if her daughter died before her time.

She said: 'I've known for a long time that my daughter has problems. But seeing it on screen rammed it home. I realise my daughter could be dead within the year. We're watching her kill herself, slowly.

'I've already come to terms with her dead. I've steeled myself to ask her what ground she wants to be buried in, which cemetery. Because the drugs will get her if she stays on this road.

'I look at Heath Ledger and Britney. She's on their path. It's like watching a car crash - this person throwing all these gifts away.'

(Credit: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2018020/Amy-Winehouse-dead--Found-dead-London-flat.html)

Hot Blog Alert: Musie

I’m loving this blog -the images and subject matter is uber inspirational. Just check out the above imagery by Dia de los Muertos, -they are driving me crazy!! Aren’t they ugly/beautiful/creepy/intriguing ? http://musie.wordpress.com

Adjoa Osei -fashion’s new darling…

“Adapt: Reshaping the way we view and wear prints. Adapt is an eight piece, limited edition capsule collection with hand woven detail. The focus of Adapt is clean lines and classic shapes with injections of print, colour and detail. As a prelude to the winter collection, Adapt explores the different ways that smart/casual wear can be enhanced by African print. Gone are the days when prints were sporadically featured in 'safari' inspired collections or dusted off for cultural celebrations. Prints defy seasonal trends, and can be dressed up or pared down. The options are infinite. Season by season, trend by trend, I invite you to join me in this creative dialogue.” Adjoa Osei

Elegant, modern and a-must, I’m loving this new eight piece, limited edition capsule collection called Adapt by Adjoa Osei. Alerted by one of London’s uber stylish, Emefa Anthony -to check out her new label crush, Adjoa Osei is now Fashion et al’s label du jour. Just feast your eye on the above pieces. The style, cut, details and colours are on-trend for A/W 2011, something that many so called African labels are not. I’m looking forward to shooting some of the pieces for Black Star magazine. For more information or to order the above pieces visit: http://www.adjoaosei.com/

Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Adjoa-Osei/235077463181370

Viva…..The Republic of South Sudan: A Sovereign and Independent State on the 9th July 2011.….

"After so much struggle by the people of South Sudan, the United States of America welcomes the birth of a new nation. Today is a reminder that after the darkness of war, the light of a new dawn is possible. A proud flag flies over Juba and the map of the world has been redrawn. These symbols speak to the blood that has been spilled, the tears that have been shed, the ballots that have been cast, and the hopes that have been realized by so many millions of people. The eyes of the world are on the Republic of South Sudan. And we know that southern Sudanese have claimed their sovereignty, and shown that neither their dignity nor their dream of self-determination can be denied." President Obama


God Bless South Sudan, its people and culture. The future is sooo bright.

Ford Model Agency celebrate their ‘Models of Colour’

A big thanks to my mate Talib for the following piece by Leah Chernikoff for Fashionista website…entitled: Exclusive Sneak Peek: Ford Models New Promo Featuring Only Models of Colour…..Enjoy

Like any other company selling a product, modeling agencies put together promotional materials to showcase their goods, which happen to be beautiful people. And no one does this better and more creatively than top agency Ford, especially their fast growing plus board, Ford+ (they rep Crystal Renn, Candice Huffine and Marquita Pring to name a few). Last month Ford+ put out a “blond story” to showcase their blond plus size models. Over the weekend, they did a promotional shoot that spanned four boards–Women, Direct, Lifestyle and Ford+–featuring only models of color. Models featured ranged from size 4 to 14 and included Marquita Pring, Bre Joyner and Damaris Lewis. And our little spy at the shoot sent us a bunch of behind-the-scenes preview pix.

What do you think of the photos and the concept in general? Is it a good step towards promoting diversity on the all too-often white catwalks and magazine pages? Or is it isolating rather than integrating? Vogue Italia’s all black issue got a lot of buzz in part because it received mixed reviews. Naysayers felt it was a stunt that relegated black models to a single issue (kinda like Black History Month) rather than integrating models of color (and models off all sizes for that matter, too) throughout.

Though, this is a modeling agency promotion not a runway show or a magazine. Magazines and show bookers get their models from agencies. So it’s nice to see that Ford is promoting their models of color (though it would be nice if there were more). Now if other agencies would only follow suit–and rep more models of color.

Credit: http://fashionista.com/2011/07/exclusive-sneak-peek-ford-models-new-promo-featuring-only-models-of-color/#

WOW …Ruth at 100 …..Clap for her….

I’ve just celebrated my blah, blah birthday and was feeling very sorry for myself until I stumbled across the neat, poised and incredibly elegant Ruth via Ari Cohen’s Advanced Style Blog -a must read and I’m totally inspired… Advanced Style Blog is a wonderful and fabulous celebration of the older fashionistas amongst us. A genuine proof that real style is innate and timeless -Cohen’s subjects are truly inspirational. You can admire the above personas and more via: http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com/


Paulina get up and go….just do it.. Xxx

Ghana Rising Blog is turning into Black Star Magazine -launching in November 2011.…

“Ghanaians in London represent one of the largest and oldest West African communities in the capital. The vibrancy of its culture means that for many Londoners their very conception of what is African derives from Ghanaian culture.” 

**Wow what a journey! I started this blog early 2009 to celebrate my community, the Ghanaian community, to share our successes with the world -and I truly believe that by God’s grace this has and continues to be realized. Anyway, Ghana Rising Blog has grown-up, matured and is turning into a Luxe glossy called Black Star Magazine, -a niche luxury publication aimed at the contemporary Ghanaian community and beyond.

Covering the latest in fashion, beauty, hair, celebrity interviews, travel, culture, business, society news and property as well as a comprehensive business directory -Black Star magazine will provide a superb platform for businesses and individuals wishing to reach this emerging community in Ghana, the Diaspora and beyond.
Black Star Magazine is a bi-annual fashion/lifestyle consumer magazine that will come out twice a year to cover the Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer trends. Black Star Magazine is primarily aimed at luxury consumers of Ghanaian descent and those who want to reach this emerging and successful community. Innovative, niche and a first for the Ghanaian community -this high-end beautifully bound glossy is both aspirational and relevant.

Facts about Ghana…
Named as the second fastest growing economy in the world, touted as the next big tourist hotspot by Forbes magazine (tourism is the fastest growing industry in Ghana, and likely to keep growing due to its stable domestic setting and is fast becoming a favourite destination for Africa travellers), -and with poverty reduction rates of 8.6 per cent in urban areas and by 10.4 per cent in rural ones (Ghana’s poverty reduction rates are the best throughout sub-Saharan Africa in the past 15 years), -Ghana was firmly put on the map by the Obamas’ in July 2009 and again in 2010 by its national football team, the Black Stars at the World Cup.

Facts about the Ghanaian community in the UK..
Did you know that: Freema Agyeman of Dr Who fame, politician Paul Boateng, UK's first black Cabinet Minister, Margaret Busby OBE, UK's first black female publisher, Adam Afriyie, the first black Conservative MP, TV presenter June Sarpong MBE, world renown architect David Adjaye, Film director Amma Asante, actor Idris Elba, uber fashion stylist Edward Enninful, fashion designers Ozwald Boateng OBE and Joe Casely-Hayford, Ekow Eshun, journalist, author, broadcaster and current Director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, -footballer Michael Essien and musicians: Dizzee Rascal, Tinchy Stryder and Cockandbullkid are just a few of the illustrious people of Ghanaian descent based in the UK -leaving their mark on the world?

An increasingly prosperous and community conscious Diaspora -the Ghanaian community is one of the oldest communities in the UK. And even though the ONS estimates that there are approximately 93,000 Ghana-born people living in the UK (this figure doesn’t include first or second generation people born in the UK of Ghanaian decent) -Ghana High Commission believes this figure is nearer the 1.5 million mark -thus, the increase from $449 million in 1999 to $1.79 billion in 2009 with regards to remittances sent to Ghana from the UK , goes some way to prove this.

Why a luxury magazine aimed at this niche community?Why not? Why not have a sleek, contemporary, luxurious and relevant magazine that will not only showcase Ghana, its people and its culture -but can be use to promote tourism, businesses, talents/creativity, various organisations -plus bring some much needed attention to real issues effecting Ghana today. Also, Black Star Magazine offers the cachet needed by successful brands hoping to advertise their luxury goods or elegant services to this exciting community, giving established businesses and individuals -an unique platform to reach this aspirational, cultured and successful community.

For more information about Black Star magazine, sponsorship and advertising opportunities or to send us your latest press releases, kindly email me Paulina at: info@blackstarmagazine.co.uk or nanaaba69@hotmail.co.uk

Kind Regards

Paulina Opoku-Gyimah
Editor-in-Chief & Publisher
Black Star Magazine
info@blackstarmagazine.co.uk
http://www.blackstarmagazine.co.uk/
http://twitter.com/#!/BlackStarMag
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Star-Magazine-AccraLondon/221856697848010

***Thanks for your continued support folks. Don’t forget to keep me in the loop concerning all your yummy happenings -and an eye on Ghana Rising Blog for regular updates about Black Star Magazine. xx

Luxe: The 2.0 collection by Pratesi

After a childhood spent in poly-cotton bed sheets I’ve become a bit of a bed linen snob with a real phobia of any less than 100% Egyptian cotton or minus 300 thread count. Well my fellow bed linen connoisseurs -that’s all changed. Step forward Pratesi, a the 105 year old Italian company best known for producing the finest, most coveted home linens in the world, beloved by the international jet set, royal households and Hollywood A-listers. The Pratesi’s have had numerous famous clients over the years including Ernest Hemingway, Elizabeth Taylor and the Saudi Royal family to name but a few. Madonna, Stella McCartney and Jennifer Lopez are also fans. They have just launched their latest, the 2.0 collection which features a set of innovative wrinkle-free 100% Italian linen sheets that go directly from the dryer to the bed and get softer and softer as washed, with prices starting from £800 for a full set of bed linens –lovely! My birthday’s on the 29th of this month, -I’m guessing you all know what I want –right? For more information about Pratesi’s 2.0 collection visit: http://ue.pratesi.com/

Luxe: Moët & Chandon Ice Imperial Champagne

You know how you kind of always want to put ice in your champagne but know it looses it flavour, plus it’s a bit crass in certain circles? Well the days of warm champagne are over. Step forward Moët & Chandon latest baby, - Moët & Chandon Ice Imperial Champagne -champagne made to be drunk with precisely three ice cubes. It took five years to perfect this uber Champagne and it’s only available in ten bars nationwide, so let the party begin. For more information about Moët & Chandon Ice Imperial Champagne visit their Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/Moeticeimperial

Glitterboys and Ganglands

Lauren Beukes, winner of The Arthur C. Clarke Award for the year's best science fiction novel for Zoo City, makes her directorial debut with Glitterboys and Ganglands, the story of three contestants at Miss Gay Western Cape. The 60-minute documentary is a co-production between Clockwork Zoo and Okuhle Media. It's African premier will be at Encounters South African International Documentary Festival, which runs in Cape Town and Johannesburg from 9-26 June 2011.

Object Art: Couture Magazine ..50’s & 60’s Issues

$44.99     http://www.zgallerie.com/

**How relevant and on-trend are these covers? Can you believe that they were produced in the 50’ & 60’s? I’m inspired…

(Credit:http://www.zgallerie.com/Showviewall.aspx?catid=40&pagenum=0)

Be Inspired: Olaf Hajek’s Flowerhead illustrations

World renowned Illustrator Olaf Hajek’s illustrations from his Flowerhead tome, out last year -is soo beautiful and inspirational, I’m charmed. He’s represented by Bernstein & Andriulli, they have the best creatives on their books -and you can view the rest of his work via: http://www.ba-reps.com/blog/

More Info
Bio: Olaf Hajek was born in North Germany along the frontier to Denmark, and now resides in his homeland, London and New York. Whilst studying Graphic Design, Olaf quickly realized he did not want to be sitting in front of a computer all day and moved into Illustration. His formative professional years were spent in Amsterdam, where he threw himself into the social and freelance Illustration scene, and he has proven to be a strong asset in all senses to the Global Contemporary Art Community. He had taught illustration alongside the likes of Punk fashion legend: Vivienne Westwood, and his pioneering, altruistic tendencies have helped nurture much talent: young and old. His elegant, figurative, colorful, textural work holds a strong sense of character and fine art sensibility, he exhibits regularly in galleries all over the world, and appears ubiquitously in the awards: American Illustration, Images, Communication Arts, D&AD. Olaf's versatile and ever evolving work is well established in all areas: advertising, design, publishing and editorial, with the occasional foray into animation, and he looks set to be one of the superstars of the genre for many years to come.

Credit: http://www.ba-reps.com/artists/olaf-hajek#image_339317

Sakawa, 419

Date: Thu, 26 May 2011 18:46:47 +0100

From: iamgood@voila.fr
Subject: GREETINGS OF THE DAY.

Dear friend,

With due respect to your person and much sincerity of purpose I make this contact with you as I believe that you can be of great assistance to me.

My name is Mr.Eric Abdu. from Ouagadougou Republic of Burkina Faso. Presently I work in the Bank as manager.

Please see this massage as a confidential message and do not reveal it to another person because it is top secret.

I am about to retire from active Bank service to start a new life but I am skeptical to reveal this particular secret to a stranger. You must assure me that everything will be handled confidentially because we are not going to suffer again in life.

It has been more than ten years now that most of the greedy African Politicians used our bank to launder money overseas through the help of their Political advisers. Most of the funds which they transferred out of the shores of Africa was gold and oil money that was supposed to have been used to develop the continent.

Their Political advisers always inflated the amounts before transfer to foreign accounts so I also used the opportunity to divert part of the funds hence I am aware that there is no official trace of how much was transferred as all the accounts used for such transfers were being closed after transfer.

I acted as the Bank Officer to most of the politicians and when I discovered that they were using me to succeed in their greedy act, I also cleaned some of their banking records from the Bank files and no one cared to ask me because the money was too much for them to control.

They laundered over $5Billion United States Dollars during the process .

As I am sending this message to you, I was able to divert more than Nine Million Dollars ($9m) from the boom to an escrow account belonging to no one in the bank. The bank is anxious now to know the beneficiary to the funds, because they have made a lot of profits with the funds.

It is more than ten years now and most of the politicians are no longer using our bank to transfer funds overseas. The Nine Million Dollars ($9m) has been lying waste but I don't want to retire from the bank without transferring the funds to a foreign account to enable me share the proceeds with the receiver. The money will be shared in agreed terms between us.

There is no one coming to ask you about the funds because I secured everything. I only want you to assist me by providing a bank account where the funds can be transferred. You are not to face any difficulties or legal implications.

If you are capable of receiving the funds, do let me know immediately to enable me give you a detailed information on what to do.
For me, I have not stolen the money from anyone, it was an advantage from my office, but you must keep the details of the funds secret to avoid leakages as no one in the bank knows about the funds.

If you are honest and capable of handling the transaction, Please supply me the following:

Your current contact address and Telephone Numbers.

I shall intimate you on what to do when I get your confirmation and acceptance.

Waiting for your urgent response.

Yours Faithfully,

Mr.Eric Abdu.