Festival for African Fashion and Arts – FAFA

It was bigger, better, and run for two days this time. The FAFA Gala night on 30th October was the essence of glitz and glamour! Whilst some of us were slaving away backstage ensuring the show was a success, the crème of Nairobi was treated to a game drive, cocktail reception and 5star dinner courtesy of Sarova. The backstage crew was super fantastic! How can it not be, with Randolph and his Revlon team on hair, top make-up artistes Sam, Suzie and Muthoni, former top model Waridi on choreography with assistance from Dorothy, and myself piecing everything and everyone together as Backstage Manager.

I have to give a big-up to the FAFA team, and Mwaniki mageria - and his team - of Balozi for piecing together a fantabulous event!

And the designers were:

Kiko Romeo



Deepa Dosaja





John Kaveke (Pics coming up)

Nkwo (from Nigeria)





Mustafa Hassanali





Koo Roo





Patricia Mbela





Nike Kondakis





Moo Cow





Betty vanetti






Monica Kanari






African Mosaique (Ethiopian designer based in South Africa)






Photos Coutresy of Conrad Samanya.

As if that wasn’t enough, FAFA had to celebrate Kenya’s upcoming designers during a second emerging designers’ show on Sunday afternoon. And the designers were:

(Pictures to come)

FAFA Styling Workshop

The styling workshop, organised by FAFA and run by Lara Ubago, was more than I expected going into it. Day I was general information on Styling and different approaches one can take. Day two was planning for a fashion shoot, preparing briefs, selecting clothes, and making accessories – hey I made a flower chocker from manila and paint! And the third day was the photo shoot, where I had Emily as my model, Randolph who put stunning bangs on her bald head, and Sam who did fierce make-up as usual. The resulting images, photographed by Abraham Ali were:

Outfit by Deepa Dosaja, Jewellery by Le Collane Di Betta


Outfit and jewellery by seed of Hope (and my flower...woohoo)

Baby Banda Maternity Beauty Pageant

For the first time ever! We had a Maternity beauty pageant in Kenya. It was held during the Baby Banda Exhibition in Sarit Centre from 15th – 17th. The motions sponsored show was a climax of the exhibition on Sunday afternoon. I had a fantastic time with the mums-to-be during their catwalk training sessions the previous weekends, and I have to pass out a HUGE KUDOS to all who participated.

The exhibition itself, organised by Beauty Bee Ltd was funn of fun and activities for mothers and their children, mothers-to-be and even fathers and fathers-to-be. There was a baby shower organised that had a whooping 500 pregnant women! All in all, it was one of those events that leave you feeling rather broody ;-)

Congratulations to Khadija Mohammed who came all the way from Mombasa and Won first place.

(Picture’s to come)

The African fashion Fair – TAFF

Third year running, The African Fashion Fair has the potential of achieving what Kenya Fashion week never could. Organised by Lucy Rao with support from Monica Kanari, the three day event involved fashion exhibitions, workshops and fashion shows with designers from Kenya, Rwanda and West Africa. And they were:

Vaishalli Morjaria






Benzele (From Burkina Faso)





Intrinsic Designs






Occassions and Days





Ox Designs



Di Maximo (From Rwanda)





Zulu Designs





Glow Designs




Rialto Fashions






Ally Dio (From Senegal)





Ally Rehmtullah




And then there was Kiko Romeo!

Pictures courtesy of Andre!! ;-)

For more details on the event, go to: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=30752916929&ref=ts

Fashion And beauty Expo [F.A.B]

It has been a hectic month, but I’m back with all the info on the ‘IT’ fashion events in Nairobi.

FAB, a three day expo (2nd to 4th July) was organised by the Pink Company and held at the roof top parking of the Westgate Mall. There were daily fashion shows held at the food court, and top fashion exhibition AND SALES in the stands! African Woman a media sponsor, I was there, all three days, and I must say, it was a blast.

The food court was a buzz of activity with lots talks from players in the fashion and beauty industry such as: Suzie Wokabi of Suzie Beauty, Muthoni and Ayako of Evolve, Stylist Annabel Onyago, Mina Laboso of African Woman and Peace for Sylvia Owori (amongst others). There were also plenty of fashion stores exhibiting, with the final closing show, Sunday at 5pm by Sylvia Owori Couture.

African Woman Magazine also had a model shoot out during the expo where the winner, as per votes on Facebook, is to grace the pages of the magazine. However, the turnout was so promising, that we may feel inspired to use more than just one face from the search. You Go Girls!

My personal highlight of the three day expo was the battle between Fashion and Football! The 5pm fashion show just happened to coincide with the free airing of World Cup Quarter Finals LOL! You should’ve seen it… is this cheering for the close call goal, or the fabulous dress that just stepped onto the catwalk…

All in all, it was an exiting event, and one I was personally glad to be a part of. Big up to Pinky Ghelani-Raj of The Pink Company!

For more information, visit the Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/FAB-fashion-and-beauty/101937016516520?ref=ts

Pictures To Come

African Woman Kenya turns ONE!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO AFRICAN WOMAN, KENYA EDITION!!! The May 2010 issue marked the 12th issue of African Woman Magazine in Kenya. I am proud to watch the steady growth of African Woman Magazine, Kenya Edition, both in market share and advertising revenue since it's launch at the Nairobi National Museum in may 2009.As the Fashion editor, I have to say this has been the most fulfilling work I have done yet - with the Andre's fantastic pictures and the high quality of the magazine, how could it not be!!!

MAY 2010:
MODEL: Maureen Chebet, HAIR & MAKE-UP: Saima Rashid Bargfrede, DRESSED BY Bellissimo



APRIL 2010
MODEL: Gloria Barassa, HAIR & MAKE-UP: Saima Rashid Bargfrede, DRESSED BY Nike Kondakis



MARCH 2010
MODEL: kwakho Qongqo, HAIR: Oupa Poonyane, MAKE-UP: Sandile Mthokozisi, DRESSED BY Thula Sindi



FEBRUARY 2010
MODEL: Melan Wachie, HAIR & MAKE-UP: Saima Rashid Bargfrede,DRESSED BY Ivory



DEC/JAN 2010
MODEL: Cecelia Maguta, MAKE-UP: Wacuka Thimba, DRESSED BY: Sylvia Owori



NOVEMBER 2009
MODEL: Kabura, HAIR & MAKE-UP: Saima Rashid Bargfrede, DRESSED BY Kache by Angie



OCTOBER 2009
MODEL: Diana Nekoye, HAIR & MAKE-UP: Saima Rashid Bargfrede, DRESSED BY Truworths



SEPTEMBER 2009
MODEL: Anne Obure, HAIR & MAKE-UP: Saima Rashid Bargfrede, DRESSED BY Kache by Angie



AUGUST 2009
MODEL: Lisa Wanjira, MAKE-UP: Saima Rashid Bargfrede, DRESSED BY Thula Sindi



JULY 2009
MODEL: Jane Anyango, HAIR & MAKE-UP: Olive Gachara, DRESSED BY Karim Issaka



JUNE 2009
MODEL: Rosa, HAIR & MAKE-UP: Saima Rashid Bargfrede, DRESSED BY Sylvia Owori



MAY 2009
MODEL:Elizabeth, HAIR & MAKE-UP: Olive Gachara,, DRESSED BY Mango now Fashion Brands



Back Issues of African Woman, Kenya Edition at our offices in Lavington (Plot 2, Jacaranda Avenue), Nairobi.

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