Monday, 21 November 2011

THE FIRST LADY CHRISTMAS FAYRE (and First Anniversary!)




The First Lady Fayre press release

The First Lady is back with its third installment of the First Lady Fayre.  This event is a double celebration, marking their first anniversary and second Christmas Fayre! The First Lady Fayre is a unique retail extravaganza showcasing a range of products, goods and services from female creative entrepreneurs. In addition to this we have live performances from some fantastic musicians and workshops focused on developing your business/ business idea and wellbeing (this includes two Zumba classes!).

This latest shopping event, which follows our two previous successful events, features retail stands from over fifteen of London’s finest independent and emerging brands including, fashion, hair and beauty, art and yummy cakes!  In terms of music we bring you “The Blackout Sessions” live acoustic sets from some super fly UK talent including Sherry Davis (http://www.myspace.com/sherrysherrydavis ), Ash Catch’em (http://www.ashcatchem.com/ ), Lekhem (http://leklane.blogspot.com/ ) and more to be confirmed please check out our website for updated information.

We have some excellent workshops that will enable you to grow your creative business, look at the way you view yourself and have fun:

Jennifer Williams-Baffoe of Willbaforce - Are you ready for retail?
Jennifer is a business consultant for creative businesses, she lectures at Central St Martin's College and London College of Fashion.  Jennifer has been involved in a number of initiatives throughout her career including organising creative events for the mayor of London's office and The Brick Lane Festival.

Yvonne Witter of Ampod - Effective business plans
Ampod Business Consulting & Training provides services to develop and sustain organisations in the Private, Public and Third sector. Ampod offer a range of customised services especially designed for micro businesses and SMEs.

Body Gossip’s Natasha Devon - Image and confidence. www.bodygossip.org/gossipschool
Body Gossip are a registered charity campaigning and challenging the common distorted images we create about what our bodies should look like.


Handle your Heels by Maxine Griffiths:
Maxine is the founder of The Platform Creative Arts and Entertainment. Maxine and her team have developed a series of workshops & tuition classes designed to enable the individual to become refined & active within the fashion & entertainment industries.



The First Lady organisers, Tamu Thomas and Sonia Meggie aim to continue to support deserving projects in Africa.  During this event we are collecting pre-loved books, toys, stationary, clothing etc for children aged 3 – 10 yrs to send to Heaven's Gate Nursery in Majay Town Sierra Leone. The items MUST be in GOOD condition.  Heaven’s Gate is an infant and nursery school established by a local pastor that feels passionate about educating local children. The First Lady would like to support Heaven’s Gate by sending the items listed above to Heaven’s Gate.  

If you have any of the listed items we would be very grateful if you could bring them to the event so that we can ship them to Sierra Leone.  You’ll be helping the environment whislt supporting others!

The items donated will not end up on a market stall in Sierra Leone. They will be hand delivered in February to ensure the safe delivery of the items.  It will also serve as an opportunity to catch up with the two girls we have provided scholarships for at The Holy Rosary School in Kenema, Sierra Leone.

We welcome you to come together and celebrate our first year at The Rag Factory just of London’s famous Brick Lane.  Join us for some festive shopping, learn from some phenomenal women and network while being entertained.  We guarantee that you will leave feeling inspired.

For up to date information and interviews of the brands/ acts featuring in the event please log on to www.thefirstlady.org.uk or follow us on Twitter @TheFirstLadyLDN

The First Lady
Sunday 18th December 2011
11 - 6pm
The Rag Factory,
16 – 18 Heneage Street
London
E1
Off Brick Lane


The line up for the First Lady Christmas Fayre includes:

Fashion:
Tina Lobondi - www.tinalobondi.com/
Beni Huwa - www.benihuwa.com

Jewellery:

Hair and Skincare:

Candles:

Gift cards:

Art:

Food:
'Free From' cakes from Sweet crumbs bakery - http://www.facebook.com/SweetCrumbsBakery

Music - The First Lady presents, "The Black Out Sessions" no frills just great music stripped bare.
Ash Catchem - www.ashcatchem.com
'The Raise EP' is now available via http://bit.ly/TheRaiseEP

Gelish and Minx nails from NailsbyAma - www.nailsbyama.co.uk
Zumba:

Zumba Zumbata - www.zumbazumbata.com

AND MUCH MUCH MORE!

Under 16's free

info@thefirstlady.org.uk

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

Mayamiko Inspired Fundraising Fashion Show, Music and More!





Mayamiko Trust in collaboration with Slaves of the Extraordinary presents a night of emerging fashion, music, ground breaking performance and a hell of a good time. Join us for an inspiring and entertaining evening, an extraordinary collaboration that will result in a charity night like no other.
Lauren Solomon for SLAVES OF THE EXTRAORDINARY
MIA by Mia Nisbet
Fair+TRUE
Bestow Elan
Christi Sanders
 Kenema
Listen, feel and taste the wonderful cocktail of emerging musicians, DJs and dancers including E.I.C Dance Theatre, Michelle Cade and Catwalk music by Jakub Gaudasinski. 
Mayamiko Trust continues its work in helping people lift
themselves out of poverty and end injustice. We watch, we listen, we learn, we act. Through skills training, education, nutrition, sanitation and fairer trade practices. Mayamiko works to support creative talents and turn them into sustainable activities. Mayamiko loves everyone, but has a special soft spot for the most vulnerable - women and children.
For more information, visit: www.mayamiko.org
Slaves Of The Extraordinary are a newly formed London based Creative Collective. They are a team of highly skilled creatives joining forces to take you to the heights of forward thinking, imagination and creativity. Their talent, passion and creative integrity set them apart from the everyday. They value the environment and believe people should be treated ethically and fairly at every level within the design industry. Escape from normality and join them for what will be an explosion of creative energy, no short of extraordinary some would say….
For more information, visit: www.slavesoftheextraordinary.com
Mayamiko Trust is a UK registered charity. (Charity Number 1126126).

Sunday, 4 September 2011

Media loving part 2



Media loving


Some more pictures from Africa Fashion Week London via Retox magazine

They also caught the Mende collection on film too!

Monday, 8 August 2011

Kenema at Africa Fashion Week London mentioned on Memoir Mode blog.



Kenema referred to and quoted here by Memoir Mode blog.

Africa Fashion Week footage

Africa Fashion Week London from Kylie Lawson on Vimeo.


1 min 50 sec for Kenema video courtesy of Kylie Lawson.

Sunday, 7 August 2011

Sneak Peak's from the forthcoming Mende Collection



Tie dye playsuit


A-line backless dress with 3 layered wax cotton lining


4 panel printed Kente sport shorts


A-line backless dress


Models: Nyla Mirza and Ashade Cole
Make Up: Annette Beauvouir
Photography: JR Fotography
Styling: AlizĂ© Demange and Wanita Bardouille 

Saturday, 6 August 2011

Mende Collection Behind the Scenes...


The good folk at Flyprints filmed 'behind the scenes' at our recent photo shoot for the forthcoming "Mende Collection"

Modela: Nyla Mirza & Ashade Cole
Make Up: Annette Beauvouir
Photography: JR Fotography
Styling: Alizé Demange, Wanita Bardouille and Tamu Thomas
Video by: Flyprints

Sunday, 17 July 2011

The First African Fashion Week London

Hello!!

I haven't blogged on here for a while...I've been too busy tumbling!  Also I am eagerly awaiting my website *runs round excitedly*... anyway I thought I'd stop by to let you know that I will be exhibiting at the first EVER Africa Fashion Week London on Saturday 6th August 2011.  Kenema will be on at 5pm.


Tickets are FREE but must be booked online and you must arrive early to avoid disappointment.  You can get tickets here.

This will be an opportunity to get a preview of my SS12 collection, "Mende".  This collection is inspired by the Mende tribe of Sierra Leone.  It features more Kenema designed Batik and Tie-Dye, some beautiful embroidery and more fun with African fabric.  A number of pieces focus on the back as it is one of my favourite parts of the body.  Very sensual and elegant unlike exposed bosoms which is over done and can be tacky (in my opinion).  Anyway I hope to see you there!


Saturday 6th August 2011 at 5pm
Africa Fashion Week London

Gibson Hall 
13 Bishopsgate
London EC2N 3BA
United Kingdom