BABY BANDA Maternity Beauty Pageant

The first of it’s kind in East Africa… and I believe Africa!!!!

September was spent around lots of mums-to-be, most of them being first time mum’s, and I must say, it was much more fun than I expected it to be, with lots to learn – especially for a zero-time mum like me!

The Baby Banda Pregnancy and Baby Fair, in its fourth leg this year, and was held on 23rd – 25th September 2011. Maternity fashion has been, and still is, a sort of dilemma for pregnant women, and ever more so in Nairobi (does someone sense a business opportunity here). Baby Banda felt the need to inform the public on the various options they may have In terms of maternity clothes, and trendy ones at that. From using fake bumps on models – yes, we did that –it has grown into an amazing fashion event that cannot be better targeted!

Through their Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/BabyBanda , we had over 150 expectant women apply to participate in this years pageant, and through votes on facebook, they were shortlisted to 15 amazing women!

It was fun meeting with these ladies the weekends preceding the event, where they got posture and catwalk training from me. They also shared with me, and each other, various fashion tips and tricks when you are searching for a Fabulous Maternity Look, when you are searching for a Fabulous and Comfortable Look and when your ultimate goal is maximum results from minimum input in terms of hair, make-up, clothes, shoes etc. I think I learnt more from them than they learnt from me as an image consultant and model trainer.

There was lots of fun and laughter....as the mum's to be found that modelling isn't quite as simple as it looks...

Lots of food too...

And that was just the beginning; we also brought in Hair Expert, Marion Boadi Marketing Manager Hair Care Division, Haco Tiger Brands to talk to them on hair care, pre and post natal.

Maternity expert, especially when it comes to comfort, and Baby Banda Founder, Carol Ngige who facilitated all their training, and still took the time to give them comfort tips on sleeping, breastfeeding, driving etc by use of her famous ‘Baby Banda’ pillows

Other speakers included Mukami Miriti from Palmers Cocoa Butter of HACO Tiger Brands on skin care and pregnancy also graced us with their presence.

Our awesome mums-to-be also got an opportunity to try out the lastest in maternity fashion trends during pre-show fittings by maternity shops including Mimba (www.mimba.co.ke), Beautiful Bumps (Located on 2nd Floor Nakumatt Lifestyle), Molly's Maternity, amongst others (FASHION SHOW PICTURES WITH THEIR COLLECTIONS WILL BE POSTED UP)

Backstage was buzzing with excitement on the day of the show, and they got pampered and groomed by Corrine Muthoni on Hair and the Make-up Lounge Team (www.muthoninjoba.com) on make-up.

They also got to meet and bond with our celebrity MC, Sheila Mwanyigha, Singer (aka Nikki), Radio presenter on Easy Fm and TV Show Host (Dramas of Life, NTV and Tusker project Fame, Citizen TV)

Who also got a chance to bond with all the children at the Baby Banda Pregnancy and Baby Expo

AND THE FASHION SHOW WAS TOTALLY AWESOME!!!! These mums-to-be totally rocked the catwalk with confidence, grace and swag.

And the finale.....

And the winner was Gloria.... who was crowned by Mariam Boadi and Mukami Miriti of HACO Tiger Brands.

For more information on the Baby Banda Pregancy and Baby Expo , as well as the Maternity Beauty Pageant 2012, go to www.babybandafair.com or www.facebook.com/BabyBanda

THE RISE AND RISE OF A MAKE-UP ARTIST - Saima Rashid Bargfrede aka SAM

Saima, better known to me and most as Sam, revolutionised the world of make-up in Kenya. To her, make-up is not only a means of highlighting and bringing out beauty, but a work of art to be explored.

Sam hard at work

Having met Sam for the first time at Severine Devailly’s Fashion Show at Rusty nail in 2008, we seemed to make an instant connection, and I loved what she was doing with make-up. Her make-up was completely over the top, wild crazy hair, in other words, she broke all the rules of make-up as it was known in Kenya.

Severine Devaily’s Fashion Show

I brought Sam on board to do make-up for African Woman Magazine, and together we made an incredible team – not to mention Andre, the African Woman Photographer, absolutely loved working with her. Sam’s make-up brought the fashion to life, and much as it was not understood by the public at first, strong make-up looks become somewhat a trend.

Some of my favourite looks from our time together at African woman include:

Red and Black (Valentine’s) Shoot at Onami, Feb 2010, with Kinkey Model, Melan Wachie

Nike Kondakis Fashion Shoot at The Nairobi National Park with Kinkey Model, Gloria Barasa

Metallics Fashion Shoot at The Go Down Arts centre, with Kinkey Model Yvonne Odhiambo

And my BEST covers were:

Gloria Barasa, on Issue 11 of African Woman (Gloria actually let us shave her bald for this one)

Leah Akinyi on issue 13 - which was perfectly represented the cold June-July weather

Wangari Ngugi, winner of the Vaseline / African Woman Cover Girl Competition... This was the ultimate Fabulosity make-over for Wangari (Issue 18)

Fridah, rocking a Patricia Mbela head and neck piece... on issue 19 was simply awesome

With my history in fashion shows, and fashion show production, I worked with Sam on a couple of shows through our time together. Some of the shows include:

Italian Fashion Food and Wine, 2009 (organised by Sam and Dorothy Chrystlun, with assistance from me)

FAFA (Festival for African Fashion and Arts) 2010 Workshop and Fashion Show

Tribal Chic 2011 at Tribe Hotel

And... she is also responsible for my make-up in my profile shoot:

I shall keep adding more amazing pictures to this blog post as I find them, not only to showacse Sam's amazing talent, but also inspire aspiring make-up artistes. In the meantime, if you are too eager, follow this link to Saima Rashid Bargfrede's Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Saima-Rashid-Bargfrede-SRB/172530129473941

Sam, you'll definitely be missed in Nairobi... Take Europe by STORM!!!