Arise Magazine is a Nigerian based magazine that focuses on African culture that is Fashion, Music and Lifestyle. Since it is all about promoting Africaness the December issue was all tributes to the Icons in Africa who have made a mark in either politics, music, humanity and fashion. You all know I will be concentrating on the Fashion bit, so on the cover they had 3 supermodels who have paved or influenced the fashion industry not only in Afirca but the world as we know it. Presenting
Naomi Campell,
Liya Kebede and
Alek Wek....
In case any of you haven't heard of Liya, she is from Ethiopia and her career started when she was spotted by a film director that was in her country at the time. She was introduced to a French modelling agent with whom she moved to France to pursue her career. She then relocated to New York for her big break which she got when Tom Ford the creative director of Gucci then hired her for a catwalk show for the Fall/Winter 2000 Gucci Collection. This really was a big break for her because after that she appeared in the May 2002 Paris Vogue issue below which dedicated the issue to her. And after she went to grace the cover of American Vogue twice..!
 |
| LIYA KIBEDE IN PARIS VOGUE, MAY 2002 ISSUE |
Of all the three models I didn't know much of her either but after research I found that she has made it big in the fashion industry and in the magazine she says that she looks at Naomi Campbell as her inspiration. Naomi really paved way for black models in the industry and to see people like Liya who had always wanted to be in her shoes finally make it is truly humbling and legendary.
Others who were also featured were
Nnenna Agba from Americas next Top Model cycle 6. We all remember the bald, strong faced woman from Nigeria, she entered the competition with a bang but unfortunately didn't win it. She however got a modelling contract with MC2 which is proving to be successful. She also got a spread in Arise magazine check it out..
NNENA AGBA
Oluchi Onweagba is also a supermodel of Nigerian descent. She started her modeling career when she was 17 after winning the Nokia Face of Africa competition in 1998. This resulted in her winning a 3 year contract with Elite Model Management that is based in the US. While there she appeared in many fashion shows like John Galliano, Christian Dior and even the famous Victoria Secret. She has also graced the covers of Italian vogue, i-D and Elle just to name a few but the highlight of her career is when she was featured on Sports Illustrated 4 times in a span of three years. Now being in Sports Illustrated is a big deal and when an African girl is featured 4 times, its major big deal! She now has her own modeling agency in South Africa,
OModel which awarded winner of Nokia Face of Africa 2008 Kate Tachie Menson with a $50,000 modeling contract. I think she has done a great job representing Africa don't you?
Check out her spread in Arise Magazine below...
I love the print in this editorial....I think it will be my signature look for 2011 :-)
If you want to read or rather see more on the Arise Magazine, check it out
here
images via
Arise Magazine and
Google
GOD BLESS...
