Thursday, 26 September 2013

Choose A Career In The Fashion Industy


Hey guys, been a minute. Hope y'all are having a great week. As usual, i'm here to educate my readers on a topic not many people know much about.The fashion industry in Africa is really growing, In the past decade, there has been an influx of fashion labels into the industry. Unless you've been living on a deserted island, you've been exposed to the fashion industry at some point, whether it’s seeing the covers of magazines plastered with the faces of celebrities or designers who have just started the next fashion craze, watching TV shows where a parade of models show off the latest fashions on the runway or red carpet, or just walking down the street. Fashion can be found virtually everywhere, and many fashion designers are now just as famous as the models and actors who wear their designs. However, there is a lot more to the fashion industry and fashion careers than the designers and models we see in the media.


The fashion industry is a huge industry and there are a multitude of jobs available; you can find one to suit your temperament and talents. Here are some careers you can pursue:

Fashion Design: Fashion design is the art of the application of design and aesthetics or natural beauty to clothing and accessories. Fashion design is influenced by cultural and social latitudes, and has varied over time and place. Fashion designers work in a number of ways in designing clothing and accessories; and, because of the time required to bring a garment onto the market, must at times anticipate changing consumer tastes. The sophisticated and often over-the-top styles found on the runways of Paris and New York do not represent the full spectrum of fashion designers' work. In reality, there are a multitude of opportunities in fashion design, from sportswear, to children's clothes, to haute to menswear. If you can wear it, someone has designed it.  Designers may be responsible for the following kinds of things: Researching fashion trends and staying current on contemporary styles, Creating sketches and samples, Choosing materials, Attending fashion shows, Performing business administration tasks, Marketing products, Supervising or working with design team members. Some fashion designers in Nigeria include: Frank Oshodi, Mai Atafo, Deola Sagoe, iamISIGO, Orange Culture, J Reason,April by Kunbi. TT Dalk, DEJ, David Bowler to say the least.



    Fashion Merchandising: Fashion merchandising jobs require a blend of fashion sense and business expertise. Staying ahead of the fashion curve is a feat involving both art and science. Strategy and marketing know-how are an integral part of fashion merchandising. This is where design and business intersect. Designers ultimately need to get their product to the market. Merchandisers track and monitor fashion trends and consumer trends.There are many options that fall under the “Merchandising” umbrella. Retail management is one, Buying is also another. In a fashion merchandising job, your task is to make fashion relatable to your customers. In order to do this, you may perform a variety of tasks, including the following: Going to fashion shows, Fashion buying, Negotiating with suppliers and manufacturers, Managing retail outlets, Creating store displays, Advertising and marketing. Some stores in Nigeria include Grey Velvet, L'Espace, Jumia.com (Online Store) amongst others.



    Production Management: According to Cheryl Wischhover, This is front line of fashion. Production managers are responsible for getting textiles and clothing made at the manufacturing level. They work with suppliers and retailers to make sure a quality production. This field has potential to be an exciting and challenging. This weekend the New York Times reported about a growing movement towards “zero waste” production, where very little material goes unused. It’s a design as well as manufacturing challenge. The product manager is a professional figure that looks to the future.  Challenged  by the growing demand of new profiles in the sector of new digital media. The fashion product manager usually manages a specific product or line of products.  In the course of their career within an company they specialize in a specific area of the industry foreseeing forthcoming scenarios in which to work. Some fashion schools offer Production Management as a degree option. The job requires some business training and you should have a fascination with how things are made.



    Visual Presentation/Styling: From working with celebrity clients to styling models for photo shoots, a fashion stylist career provides exciting opportunities to share your passion for style with a variety of interesting people. As far as styling, A degree isn't totally necessary, but again, having some understanding of numbers, business, and communications is essential. And internships and networking are probably more important in styling than in the other professions. There are many different arenas in which fashion stylists use their talents, from music videos to advertisements to TV shows and movies. They may also work with designers or public relations experts. Good fashion stylists know how to accentuate the positive attributes of the people they dress. Some known stylists in Nigeria include Toyin Lawani (TiannahStyling), Bayo Oke-Lawal, Bolaji Animashaun, Dimeji Alara, Veronica Ebie, Kelu Ogunleye, Sharon Ojong and many more.



    Public Relations (PR): PR is the middle man between a product and a retailer or consumer. PR reps are in charge of keeping a brand’s image squeaky clean and making sure people are talking about it.  One common, yet often forgotten career path for bloggers is that of a Fashion PR. In fashion, this often means working with the media and stylists for press coverage or celebrity placement. However, it now also requires an ability to determine right message, right audience, and right platform – taking into account not just traditional media but social media and a brand’s “owned media,” When you stick around long enough, you’ll notice the PR companies that tend to hire people with strong blogging backgrounds, which if you’re looking for a new career and you have a an established blog and network of blog friends, this might be your calling. Fashion brands these days are increasingly looking emulate editorial content on their brand channels, and even bringing on former fashion editors to spearhead these efforts. Styljunki.com, D.E.E.V.A.S, The fashionportal, Venussbay and many more are into fashion PR.



    Fashion Journalism: I can totally relate to this :-). Fashion journalism involves all aspects of published fashion media, including fashion writers, fashion critics, and fashion reporters. The most obvious examples of fashion journalism are the fashion features in magazines and newspapers, may also includes books about fashion, fashion related reports on television and online fashion magazines, websites and blogs. t first and foremost you need to be a good writer. Consider a journalism or creative writing program, but at the very least take writing courses. I can tell you firsthand that the feedback you get from instructors is invaluable and can really up your game. Write constantly. Blog for EVERYONE. Get clips however you can. Prove that you know the industry. You’ll need research and interviewing skills and you’ll need to network. Fashion journalists are either employed full time by a publication or are employed on a freelance basis. Terrence Sambo (onenigerianboy), Titilayo Belo (imperfectverbalista) and Sayedero Enytan (thefashionengineer) are examples of fashion bloggers. Some fashion magazines in Nigeria are Complete Fashion, Thisday Style, FAB Magazine, WOW magazine and many more.



    Fashion photography: Fashion photography is known as a style or photo taking that captures men and women in either fashionable poses or the newest clothing styles. is a genre of photography devoted to displaying clothing and other fashion items. Fashion photography is most often conducted for advertisements or fashion magazines such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, or Elle. Traveling to exotic locations is one of many perks you might enjoy as a fashion photographer. While you may also find yourself shivering on top of a glacier a time or two, fashion photography is a creative job that won't keep you chained to a desk for sure. Working in fashion photography, you will help fashion designers market their clothing to the public. You'll create a visual story that sparks interest in new styles and trends. As a fashion photographer, you may be self-employed or do freelance work. You may also find employment opportunities with magazines or clothing retailers. Some fashion photographers in Nigeria are: Obi Somto, Hakeem Sallam, Terrence Sambo (onenigerianboy.com), Kiki Melissa amongst others. 



    Fashion Show Production: This aspect covers a vast variety of what makes fashion such an intriguing industry. A fashion show is an event put together to showcase a designer's upcoming line of clothing during Fashion Week. Fashion shows debut every season, particularly the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter seasons. This is where the latest fashion trends are made. The two most influential fashion weeks are Paris Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week, which are both semiannual. In a typical fashion show, models walk the catwalk dressed in the clothing created by the designer. It involves handling events. production; securing designers, venue, model castings, make up, hair , photography, logistics. A wide range of contemporary designers tend to produce their shows as theatrical productions with elaborate sets and added elements such as live music or a variety of technological components like holograms. Events like The Africa Fashion week London (AFWL), Ghana Fashion Week, Arise Fashion Week and many more is a great sigh that the fashion industry is developing. For example, the Lagos design and fashion week has been put together by British Council and LFDW.




    With the appropriate education and experience, you could become a model, a photographer, a salesperson, a stylist, a designer, or another similar type of fashion professional. Regardless of the exact job, there are some personal qualities that every fashion professional should have in order to carry out the design, marketing, and/or production tasks that are necessary in the industry. In addition to an artistic flair and an interest in fashion, individuals pursuing a career in the industry need to possess certain skills in order to be able to promote and get themselves started. 

    Whats your take on this? Which Fashion Career is Right For You?
    Are you looking to pursue a career in the fashion industry?
    Or is it simply not for you?
    Did You Find this Helpful?

    For further enquiries on the contacts of the Fashion Schools or listed names above, Email me: kosokolanre@gmail.com
    I'd be glad to help.

    Let me know your thoughts, Why not drop a comment ? :-)












    Friday, 13 September 2013

    Ikeja City Mall presents Fashion And Music Show 2.0 Edition

    IkejaCityMall

    Calling all fashion n music lovers, Where would you rather be this Friday, the 13th Of September?
    The ICM in collaboration with Drimcruz entertainment Ltd, presents the second edition of the IKEJA CITY MALL FASHION AND MUSIC SHOW. It’s an event with unmatched glitz and glamour, designed to bring together the best of youthful, models and artistes to entertain guests at the shopping mall.

    Put together by DRIMCRUZ ENTERTAINMENT LTD, a fast growing Entertainment Company in Nigeria. The show is a brainchild of Nigeria’s top model Adedamola-Cruz Adebowale, assisted by Lola Lawal.

    The Ikeja City Mall fashion and music show promises to give you the best of fashion, light and music performances from your favourite models, music artiste’s and comedians. Hugely anticipated through this event is customer patronage and delight especially amongst teenagers.

    Activities will include electrifying catwalk by top models, music performances by top celebrities, comedy, dance, raffle draws, special sales/auctions and celebrity guest appearances.
    The event will also host renowned models, Ken Okoli (Mr Nigeria 2010), Adedamola Cruz (best model of the world Africa 2011), Victor Kwen, Francis Chinko, Kelvin Godson, Michelle Udoka (Miss Global Nigeria 2013), Micus Pius (Mr Universe Nigeria 2013), to mention a few. Also featuring are guest designers YOMI CASUAL, MON-AMI, SIGNATURE BY ANIFERAZ and J-REASON. They will be showcasing their outfits alongside 15 other fashion stores in the mall.

    Styling will be done by KELU of K.I.C and stage light and sound will be supplied by STS, a leading company in events resources, equipment and logistics.

    The host of the evening is the prolific Sound City presenter, S.DOT.
    Young and ground-breaking musical talents such as AYOOLA, winner Project Fame 2012, T-songz, Korede Bello, I-rap, Mykey o, Karate kid, El-phlex, Donna Diva, wale waves, amongst others will rock the show!

    And special guest appearance of top Nollywood stars and the big brother chase representatives Melvin and Beverly.

    Participating stores include: US POLO, ADIDAS, DAVIVA, WOOLWORTHS, FUNCHINI, MARKHAM, LEVIS, NIKE, UINTED COLOUR OF BENETTON and TWICE AS NICE

    Date: 13th September, 2013
    Venue: ICM @ Obafemi Awolowo Road, Alausa, Ikeja.
    Time: Red Carpet 3PM / Main Event 4PM
    Admission is absolutely FREE.

    For more information, visit the ICM Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/ikejacitymall and Twitter @ikejacitymall @drimcruzent @dmolacruz and like our fan page on facebook  http://www.facebook.com/drimcruzent

    FOR SPONSORSHIP AND ENQUIRES CALL ADEDAMOLA ON 08089722852 AND LOLA ON 08094406542

    See Y'all There.......

    Wednesday, 11 September 2013

    Build Your Wardrobe (On A Budget)



    Hey y"all, how has your week been so far? Splendid I guess :). BTW, I hope y'all enjoyed reading my previous posts? Following my post on the "wardrobe essentials for men" , I decided to add some few tips and tricks to get the most for your money from shopping as you are building your wardrobe. Not everyone can afford the luxury of wearing the expensive brands we see on the rich n famous. The key to building a great wardrobe on modest budget is not to do it all it once, but to take it in steps. Here are some tips to follow: 

    • Sort out you closet: First, before spending a dime, you must commit to making the change.  Do this by going through your current clothing and setting aside everything that you 1) Have not worn for two years 2) Is noticeably stained and 3) Fits so poorly not even a master tailor could adjust it to fit. Also keep in mind that trends go and they come, so be very liberal with your selection process  Now that you’re down to the stuff you plan to keep, take stock of what you still need. 
    • Have a shopping list: Nothing works out without doing some research first.Try to make a list of things that you need and the things you would like to have. Make yourself a priority for the upcoming season.Stick with what you need and buy that stuff first. If your budget allows it, treat yourself with something that you wished, but have a plan. There is no point in buying clothing items that you cannot pair with anything you already have. Follow this blog and i'll be keeping y'all up-to-date with the latest trends :).
    • Have A Budget: Here is the basis of our discussion. After you make yourself a list, make yourself a budget. See how much you can spend on clothes that you need. In the beginning buy less. A good alternative to buying an item you have seen in a magazine or on T.V, is to buy one that looks exactly like it. Have a plan how much to spend on a pair of shoes, how much to spend on a shirt, how much to spend on accessories.
    • Quality over quantity: Even if you are shopping on a budget, Don't be afraid to spend some money here and there. Quality is much more important than quantity. Buy clothes with good fabric-100% cotton, etc. Good quality leather goods will last you a long time if you take care of it. This is true especially for the shoes. If you buy few necessary pairs that have great quality, with good care, you can wear them for a while. If the sale season is coming, wait and maybe you can buy some quality stuff on the sales.
    • The Perfect Fit: I can't overemphasize this tip. Buy clothes that fit you.  If you have gained some weight and you plan to lose that weight and get back to your normal size then postpone shopping for later. Don’t buy something that fits you now and in two months you will lose 10 kg. Then it will be too big and you wasted your money. Also do not buy things that look good but don’t fit your silhouette. Don’t follow fashion, follow your style. I will write a post on size guides for those of you that don't know your shoe or clothing sizes.
    • Have patience: If you cannot afford some things don’t bother yourself about it. Do not become frustrated or obsessed with clothes. It should be fun. If you can, save some money on the side for future shopping tours. You don’t need to buy everything now. Besides, it takes time to build great wardrobe. Rome wasn't built in a day either. Also pay attention to SALES, Women are experts in this field you can get a lot of quality stuff at a bargain.
    • Update your list: Remember fashion is constantly evolving. Keep refreshing my blog and all your favorite magazines and blogs on what is hot in fashion and style. This way you will always be up-to-date with the latest fashion trends. Remember that true style comes from within and sometimes we have to make sacrifices to look good :).
    Some stores that make you look good for less include: asos.comTopmanRiverislandH & M and so many more not mentioned. Asos.com and Riverisland have made shopping online and shipping to Nigeria easier. Other online retail stores like jumia.com.ng and konga.com among others are very helpful when it comes to buying clothes online in Nigeria.

    I hope y'all find this helpful :)... Feel free to also ask questions. As always remember, Whatever you do today, be fashionable! Make a statement! Own the room!

    SHARE AND LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW






      Friday, 6 September 2013

      Networking Party for the Fashion and Creative Industry

      Networking Party for the Fashion & Creative Industry - September 2013 - BellaNaija

      Calling out all fashion lovers and everyone interested,

      You are invited to the networking party for the fashion and creative industry set to take place this Tuesday at Tavern Bar, Lagos

      Date: Tuesday 10th September 2013
      Time: 6 PM
      Venue: Tavern Bar, 23 Younis Bashorun, off Ajose Adeogun, Victoria Island, Lagos.

      Sunday, 1 September 2013

      Style Guide: Wardrobe Essentials For Men

      How to build men's wardrobe essentials
               A few days ago i was going through the 360nobs fashion posts by Tokunbo (i love her work btw) and i saw her post on the "10 fashion must haves for men" which motivated me to write this post. Sometimes It is difficult to keep up with the constantly changing trends in fashion especially if you lead a busy life. You may not be the most fashion-conscious male out there and if you're the one who has to be literally dragged to a mall, you might even think that dressing well doesn't matter. Well, dressing well is an important part of presentation and the good news is that you just need to get a few items in your wardrobe right, and you can get through the entire year in style. I've put together a Men’s Wardrobe Checklist that every man should follow, read the following list and take note of which fashion items are missing from your wardrobe :).

      A WELL TAILORED SUIT – Black,navy blue and gray. It does not matter if you have to dress up for work or not, you will need these suits, they are the essentials. Even if it's a "once a year" occasion, it's embarrassing to feel out of place and look like a cheapskate without a suit.


      DRESS SHIRT - A dressy shirt is a must-have for suits and/or dressy pants for more formal occasions or casual as well. It's a classic article that will never go out of style.Go for a slim or semi-fitted style with your button down.I recommend both a white and blue dress shirt for versatility.


       BLAZER - Blazers are used to make a fashion statement. A blazer that fits well can come in handy all round the year. A black, classic grey or navy blue blazer is a must have in every male wardrobe, and can be used to create versatile formal and casual looks. You can team them with a pair of jeans or khaki pants apart from the standard trousers.



      BLACK SHOE/ BELT- One of the biggest fashion no-nos is to mismatch the color of your belt with that of your shoes. Wearing black shoes and a black belt is a fashion fundamental and will bail you out for any occasion, whether it's casual or formal. A good pair of shoes will last a long, while if you take good care of them, and a belt will likely last for many years.Buy plain derby or Oxford lace ups. After that you can extend your collection with some brogues,

      Black shoes and belt

      TIES (BOW OR LONG TIES) -  A tie is a fashion essential because it complements the suit. From the broad printed, patterned ones to the thin-barely-there variants in mono-color or stripes. It is important to have a variety of ties to coordinate with other items in your wardrobe or just match your mood. Also, if you wear suits every day, you should buy a trendy tie every season.

      Building suitable men's wardrobe.Bow ties



      THE BAG - Following recent trends, not only women carry bags anymore; Men now carry bags and even in a more stylish manner. Before, most men, no matter their sexual orientation, personal style or level of comfort with their masculinity, don’t really want to look like they’re carrying a purse nevertheless man bags have come to stay.




      WRISTWATCHES - The sole purpose of a wristwatch is to tell the time. However, it is no longer a tool for people to know time today. A good-looking accessory helps a person to have a good image. As one of the most important accessories for men, it decides whether a man leaves good impressions to others or not. If the timepiece he wears is a high-end piece which is made by a famous manufacturer, most people would consider it as a wealthy and successful person. 



      COLOGNES - Every man needs to have a cologne as a wardrobe essential. Colognes also have a way of boosting men's confidence as it makes them smell good.. The masculine scent just always does the trick, its a confidence booster.



      QUALITY JEANS - This is a piece that was actually made with men in mind. They look great, durable and appropriate to wear all year round.  You just need to get a couple of denim jeans either blue or black will do.Stay away from jeans that are too skinny or tight or too long. 



       KHAKI TROUSERS - Yes, I'm talking about style, but comfort cannot be compensated on. Khakis are comfortable and stylish. They are a part of casual dressing and can be teamed with shirts and T-shirts or even denim shirts. Choose a pair of khaki pants that are neither too baggy nor too skinny. They are commonly called CHINOS. They come in different colours too.


      SOCKS - Socks constitute an important part of your overall attire. Just because they will be hidden underneath your trousers and inside your shoes, you CANNOT not pay attention to the socks that you are wearing. A very important rule is that the colour of your socks should match with the colour of your trousers and not your shoes. There are different types of socks from Checked socks to Broad striped socks to Monocoloured pair of socks in self stripes and also printed socks.






      POLO SHIRTS - Perhaps no shirt is more versatile than the classic polo shirt. The short sleeve collared shirts provides a timeless look that is appropriate for just about anything from casual Sunday at home to a meeting at the office or a weekend trip visits to friends.




      CASUAL SHOES - Adding a pair of any choice shoe to your classic closet is a must, an essential that creates a lasting focus on the feet from admirers. Casual shoes range from loafers to boat shoes to velvet slippers to sneakers. They could be a very good match with jeans or shorts.




      POCKET SQUARES - The pocket square is the single most indispensable tool for defining a man of style these days. A simple thing as a good pocket square can do so much to your outfit. Buy few pocket squares. Silk and linen ones. When matching tie and pocket square make sure that they are not from the same material, for example don’t wear a silk tie and silk pocket square.


      ACCESSORIES/JEWELRY - When it comes to men's jewelry, one piece can make a big statement. Im talking about chains, bracelets, rings, cuffflinks amongst others. Preferably gold or white gold chains whichever works for you. Im also going to place sunglasses under this category, they are really stylish and add a lot of detail to an outfit.



      Other essentials include hats/caps, suspenders,slipper/sandals, traditional attire (for the African man).. The list is almost endless but i"ll limit it to these items i've provided. I hope y"all would find the list very helpful and keep your wardrobe up-to-date with these essentials (if you don't already have them all).Your comments on this are welcome :)

      P.S: All items have been listed in no particular order.

      Till next week guys, and always remember Whatever you do today, be fashionable! Make a statement! Own the room!