Bella Naija – Humble Beginnings

Bella Naija started as a fashion blog in the year 2006. Because of their ability to bring the latest fashion on their pages, the blog became famous all over Africa. From being a blog site, they slowly became a website dedicated to fashion.

If a Nigerian or African woman desires her collection of garments made from Ankara,  where does she go to see the latest styles of garments? Bella Naija, of course. They have the maximum collection of Ankara clothes posted on their website. From ethnic African dresses to the most modern European styles, garments made from Ankara can be found on the website.

The groom who is getting married to Fatima a princess, recently became a prince and had to ride round Kano with his groomsmen in true Durbar fashion. The Durbar ceremony was organized by the Emir of Kano. First Look at Fatima Ganduje & Abolaji Ajimobi’s Arabian Themed Henna Party + Durbar Ceremony #Faaji2018  More on www.bellanaija.com/weddings or the link in our bio #BellaNaijaWeddings Bride @fateeganduje Photography @tolaniall Planner @zapphaire_events

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Trousers, skirts, blouses and a whole lot of other garments from the bright Ankara are sought after by all Nigerian women and are becoming popular very fast. Bella Naija continuously posts the latest and most modern dresses on their websites.

What is Ankara?

Ankara is a brightly printed cloth. It is 100% cotton fabric printed with the bright colors of ethnic African prints. Ankara is a method similar to that of Batik printing from Indonesia. But the designs are different. Ankara method uses mainly African style prints.

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Today Ankara is both made by machines and by hand. Because of the huge demand for this fabric, machine printing has become popular. But the handmade Ankara are still in very high demand.

Ankara is used to produce different kinds of garments for both men and women. They are also used for creating accessories like purses, belts, and jewelry.

Bella Naija And Ankara

Bella Naija has been promoting garments made of Ankara on their websites for long. The various garments in bright prints are much sought after by Nigerian and African women. Bella Naija has been offering a variety of Ankara evening gowns which are worn on special occasions. These dresses have all one common feature – the mermaid silhouette. It accentuates the shape of those who wear the dress.

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With continuously changing the styles and trends, Bella Naija has a significant influence on the dressing styles of Africa. The different styles of garments have been a craze for the people, and they keep looking for new styles on the website.

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From then on, the dancers have been having a great influence on the African fashion scene. They have been a rage wherever they have gone. The trio has been having a great time in the dance world.

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Who Are CEO Dancers?

For those who don’t know the CEO dancers here is a small intro to them. They are a team of three dancers who were based in London. They became famous when they reached the semi-final of the competition Britain’s Got Talent in 2013.

The trio consists of Ezine Asinugo and Soliat Bada, both of whom are from Nigeria. The third girl of the team is Nqobile Ntshangase who is from South Africa. Ezine and Nqobile were part of a dance team called the Kocco Dancers who were into African and Caribbean dancing styles.

When two of the girls of the Kocco Dancers left the troupe, Nqobile, who had met Soliat at a program invited her to join them. Thus, the three became a troupe and called themselves CEO Dancers.

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From the time they joined together, there has been no looking back. They have been part of the dance scene all over England. They have been in the forefront in making Afrobeat popular again. They have been conducting the Afrobeats masterclasses worldwide.

With their individual styles coming together and giving high energy performances all over the world they have become synonymous with women empowerment.

The main style of their dancing comes from Africa, from where they are originally from. But their styles range from street dancing to contemporary to dance hall.

CEO Dancers & The Fashion Scene

Their costumes have been a talking point wherever they went. Their costumes are a mix of modern with the spice of African colors. They are basically Africa influenced costumes. They are mixed with the modern and create quite a stir.

With their dressing style and their dancing popularity, CEO Dancers have had a great influence on the African fashion scene. They have worked with almost all the prominent designers of the world. It is the combination of the old African styles and the modern that has made them famous, both as dancers and as fashion mascots.

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Americans have accepted and welcomed this cultural influence. They have been intrigued by the continent and have sought to learn its background and the lives there. But the exchange is mutual.

American music has been continuously popular in all the African nations. Many singers from Africa have become famous singing American music. They have become famous artists in the American music circuit.

Both the cultures have accepted each other and grown together. The schools and universities are no different from this. Students from African nations have found themselves integrating easily with the American students in colleges.

Universities have also provided the foreigners a chance to showcase their culture and tradition. Many events are held that will allow the Africans to exhibit to the world their rich tradition.

African culture and tradition have always been different and a thing of curiosity for the Americans. They have wanted to know and learn more about the old continent. American universities have understood and nurtured the aspirations of African students.

African students have also proved themselves worthy of the encouragement given by these universities. They continue to excel in all areas of university life. Whether it is in studies, or sports or arts, these foreigners have continued to show their super skills. This has helped spread many of the African nation’s skills in the US.  Many events helped to let the world know the diverse cultures of Africa.

The African Night events held in many of the North Carolina colleges are such events. These events are becoming more and more useful for Africa to expose its capabilities to the western world.

These events have helped one industry a lot. The fashion industry of Africa was able to use these events to showcase their superb designs and products. Some Universities Like North Carolina Central University, East Carolina Univerity, North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina Charlotte, University of North Carolina Greensboro, and many others host these events annually.

Usually organized and hosted by the African Student Associations of the respective universities, these African Nights are eagerly anticipated by the students of the other nations and cultures.

Such events help the African designers to exhibit their latest creations and make them popular with the outside world.

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The AFWN, as it is popularly known, has been popular in bringing out the latest trends and designs in the fashion world. The event is aimed at promoting African fashion. It is also doing an excellent service of bringing the designers to the limelight and giving many of them a livelihood.

In addition to the fashion show, there will be meetings between garment manufacturers. This will give an opportunity for the local fashion designers to meet the representatives of the garment industry.

There will also be conferences and seminars. There will be model casting, hair styling, and makeup shows. The event is a total fashion celebration.

When the event was started, it was only aimed at showcasing the talents of Nigerian designers and giving them an opportunity to cash in on their talents. Nigerians have been in the forefront when it comes to garment designing.

Nigerian designs are bold, and they are different from others. Though it is based on African culture and life, the designs have gained the favor of people from all countries. The first AFWN was so successful that the organizers have never looked back after that.

Though initially, only the Nigerian designers had participated, now it has become a stage for all of Africa. The success of Nigeran designers has given a spur to all the other nations to bring their designs and style to the entire world.

Many experts think that the growth of the Nigerian fashion industry could be a way out of the nation’s financial worries. The African fashion industry has grown to a great extent due to this show, and it has helped many designers, who otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to showcase their talents.

The vibrant colors and designs of Nigeria are having a significant influence on the total fashion industry of the continent. Many designers from different countries of Africa are coming forward with their innovative designs and showing them to the world.

The African Fashion Week Nigeria will continue to help Nigerians and Africans exhibit their skills to the world. The AFWN will have a big influence on the future fashion industry of Africa as a whole.

Check out African Fashion on these social platforms

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9wCLho35UTbuzbwDfp3XKA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Africafashionweeknigeria/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfricaFWNigeria

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afwnigeria/

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The Top Eight Influencers Fashion Gurus on Social Media Platforms

1. I wear African (@iwear_african)- This page is present on Instagram. It displays diverse African fashion designs. The page constantly updates new, beautiful, and elegant pieces that are in a lie with the current fashion demands of the page’s target consumer.
2. Tojufoyeh (@tojufiyeh)- A fashion-forward African fashion designer of Nigerian descent owns this page. She uses this Instagram page handle to link up with her fan base and potential consumers. Most people know her through her presence in the Lagos design and fashion week in the past two years. She has been a constant fashion week act due to her diverse and intricate designs.
3. Bellanaijaweddings (@bellanaijaweddings)-This amazing platform is on Instagram. It displays African inspired weddings that are creative and beautiful. It incorporates the diverse African cultures through its designs. It uses the platform to highlight designs created across the African continent.
4. Ethiopian Love (@ethiopianlove)- Ethiopian culture is made accessible through their traditional and custom design of their clothing. The Ethiopian cultural designs are slowly permeating the international fashion industry through this amazing Instagram handle.
5. African fashion- This page is available on both Twitter and Facebook. It displays intricate and beautiful African designs by African women and men with beautiful silhouettes.
6. Haute fashion (@hautefashion)- This amazing Instagram page houses beautiful designs and prints. They mostly create beautiful Ankara skirts that fit with the basic African silhouettes. They incorporate beautiful pieces such as Ankara A-skirts with slits, among others. In addition to this, they use their page to take in consumer orders and make purchases and shipments.
7. One Nigerian Boy (@mastermindwears)- This page is based on the beautiful and creative designs of Terence Sambo, who started out as a blogger. He used to create his pieces in Lagos but is based currently in London. The beauty of this designer is that he is multi-talented. In addition to his street designs, Terence also ventures into the photography industry. In fact, he has captured some of his fashion design work. You could access his work through his website on www.onenigerianboy.com.
8. Perfect Kente (@perfect_kente) – This bran is based in Ghana. It has an Instagram page that specifically deals with the creation and selling of handwoven kentes. They use the avenue to access their customers personally who strive to make orders and recommendations to the creators.

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Three Major Influencing Aspects of Social Media to African Fashion

1. It acts as a growth channel- Through features such as followers, sharing posts, and liking posts, African fashion has garnered up a local and international fan base. Social media platforms have highlighted the genuine characteristics of African fashion that bring about its beauty. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram have a live video feature that allows users to capture events and shows as they happen. This helps potential customers view catwalks in real time and access the garments through various

2. It acts as a personalized avenue that supports interactions between designers and their consumers- Consumers can now review and provide some insight on what they prefer by directly communicating with designers from these social media platforms. Most of these social media platforms have avenues that allow the users to communicate privately on a one-on-one basis. This helps African fashion designers to incorporate new design requests and get feedback on their products from their target consumers. In addition to this, the interaction happens in real time, which allows the designer to act immediately rather than later.

3. It eases out the selection process for models- The modeling industry is connected strongly to the fashion industry. Nowadays, fashion designers look for more than just a good portfolio and referrals. The social media platform of the model is used to single out the models that will help the designer showcase their work. Social media is slowly reshaping the fashion industry. African fashion designing brands are slowly beginning to realize the economic power of a strong social media presence. Models with a strong social media presence are more prone to secure jobs than those who do not have. This is because when they were the products of the designer, they are bound to reach a greater following in comparison to the other models. Models with this quality are more prone to access and secure African fashion design campaigns.

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Five Characteristics of African Fashion

1. The fabrics used to create intricate designs have vibrant colors, patterns, and distinct prints: The fabrics used to create African designs are not even made by Africans. They were given the name because Africans appreciated them, even though they bought them from European and Asian merchants. With time, African cultures traditions begun to associate the fabrics with them. Each country has its distinct pattern, a mixture of color, and prints. In addition to this, each country has diverse cultures and subcultures, which could either mix or individually work to build o their own design. The diversity creates distinct styles and fabric designs. African designs are rich in color; rarely will you find an African themed cloth with a dull nude theme.
2. It is used as a positive protection of the entire continent:  Africa has been through a lot since time immemorial. Africans have suffered tremendously with issues such as bad governance and even slave trade. African fashion uses the fashion industry as a platform to display the beauty and strength that African have. Africans chose not to scramble after all the perseverance and pain that they went through. They opted to incorporate the beauty of each culture in the continent into their designs and this distinct creativity is evident.
3. It shows the history and composition of Africa: In the past, safari wear, Maasai beads, cornrows, and tribal fusions characterized African designs. There is more to African culture than this. The African continent has about fifty-four countries. Each country with distinct and diverse traditions and culture. Each one has a different outlook on what fashion should incorporate. Most of these diverse views on fashion come about from the different customs that the people have. This plays a big role in educating the world on the customs in different countries. It helps foreigners appreciate various traditions and customs through their designs.
4. It is used to display various historic fragments: If you could check the history of African fashion, you will find that it dates back to significant events. An example is the Kontri cloth. This cloth is unique because it is one of the few fabrics that accredit its creation to Sierra Leone. This is one of the few fabrics that Madam Wokie who is an African designer utilized in one of her many collections.
5. African fashion and style are growing rapidly and increasing its influence: Africans are slowly appreciating the influence and power hat African fashion has in the world. In the recent years, Dashiki has been one of the many African designs to break the fashion industry. This is a good example of how the fashion industry across the globe is slowly being influenced by African fashion.

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• Tribal prints
• Afro-fusion designs
• Cornrows
• African based boho designs, among others.

What stands out the most is the models displaying these cliché designs are not even of African descent. This has been evidenced in the past through catwalks featuring designs from talented people like Louis Vuitton, Issey Miyake, Valentino, Chloe, Alberta Ferretti, Isabel Marant, Missoni, and even Junya Watanabe. This phenomenon is not new, African homage and culture in the fashion industry has always created a win for cultural appropriation and still had some few shortcomings. Designers of other descent have never been able to display the richness that African culture brings to the fashion industry tactfully.

Nevertheless, thanks to the talent and input of designers in the African Diaspora the globe is finally starting to change its perspective on African fashion. The following are some of the aspects that have changed due to this influence.

1. Models- In the past, the fashion industry did not accommodate African models. They limited models to include girls with slender silhouettes solely. This did not accommodate the features of the typical African woman. However, nowadays some the fashion industry has warmed up to the idea of incorporating dark skin, curvy, and plus size models. The modeling industry is a sub-branch of the fashion industry and it has now started to accommodate
2. Designs and Textiles- The textile used to create African prints initially came from the wax resist or batik cloth of Indonesia. From years on end, designers have created rip off African designs that misappropriated our culture. They characterized African fashion to include clothing such as safari suits, animal print, and even wax print, among others. Later on, African fashion influence in the Diaspora diffused the situation by incorporating designs such as the dashiki and Ankara clothing. If we decide to limit our options to just these two options, we will find numerous designs and styles. The African patterns create different designs that increase the possibility of creating varied styles of clothing.
3. Inspiration- Designers used to discredit Africa, by stating that they came up with the designs after hanging out with people of a particular African culture. However, what the world began to realize the diversity and beauty of African designs. The beauty of African designs is the fact that they come from the diverse cultures all through the continent. In addition to this, each continent has diverse cultures that add some individuality to the designs. Each subculture has a different design that could inspire an entire fashion collection.
4. Accessories- Designers used to view African accessories to only Maasai beads and accessories. However, nowadays African-designers are including aspects such as face paints and beads from different African cultures and subcultures.

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Reasons Why the African Fashion Industry Has a High Growth Potential

Africa houses seven major economy growth houses around the globe. In addition to this, about seventy percent of the African population is present in countries that have rapidly growing economies. The following aspects have contributed to the increased growth of the African fashion industry.

1. The fashion industry has had an exclusive media presence: Media has played a big part in displaying the capabilities of African designers. This has secured global attention to the African fashion market. This has boosted the consumer and investor market, which has increased the sales in the fashion industry. This has even led to African fashion designers being featured in the New York Fashion Week that has been known to attract the attention and presence of celebrities and powerful men and women from across the globe.
2. The large market and subsequent large population in the African continent affects the African fashion industry economy: The UNICEF, United Nations Agency has estimated the African population to achieve an estimated capacity of two billion by the year 2050. This large population prospectively feeds into the business strategy of fashion brands as they pose a huge market. In addition to this, Africa houses the largest young population in the world according to the United Nation estimates. This shows the diverse creative ability of the African fashion industry within the continent. Their interaction with social media and technology gives them a high chance of boosting the fashion economy in Africa.
3. The advantage of moving fast to collaborate with African designers is beneficial: Take note that the African fashion economy is exclusive to the African continent. This means that the few investors who move in to collaborate with African designers are creating a monopoly. The various brands in the content come from the various cultures and subcultures present in the fifty-four states. This means that each color coordination, print, or design is distinct in its own right. Investors have started noticing that Africa has immense talent that is hindered by inadequate capital and infrastructure.
4. The middle-class of the American population is growing: This is an advantage for the African fashion industry as the target consumers now have more disposable income. In the past, the middle-class population concentrated on meeting their basic needs. Fashion was a secondary need for them. However, designers have eliminated the dilemma of the cost and product they will offer their consumers.

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The Seven Major Fashion Week Events

1. African fashion week London (AFWL) – This event began in 2011 and has incorporated production by third parties and has had six similar events since then. It has highlighted the African design work of designers from Africa, America, to Europe. It has attracted the attention of the media, professionals in the fashion industry, retailers, and even buyers through parties such as the annual Africa Center Summer Festival and the Mayor of London’s Black History Month. http://www.africafashionweeklondon.com/
2. Hub of Africa Fashion Week- This amazing African inspired event aims at displaying the beauty of African fashion. This event draws in a wide variety of guests who seek to view the textiles, designs such as the wove cotton and the wax print fabric. It highlights the various global celebrities who appreciate African fashions such as Solange Knowles and Rihanna. Fashion industry participants such as high fashion photographers and fashion journalists attend the event. This shows the great exposure that designers garner up form this event. This Africa based event is worth the wait. https://www.hubfashionweekafrica.com/
3. African Fashion week Houston (AFWH) – This event displays the intricate and beautiful African designs, aesthetics, and culture through various avenues. The display avenues include catwalks, special campaigns, workshops related to the industry, seminars, and events. The events seek to further African style by supporting the culture and design inspirations. https://www.afwhouston.com/
4. African Fashion week Nigeria (AFWN) – This platform helps Nigerian brands, fashion houses, and designers to highlight their work. It aims to promote distribution, manufacturing, and visibility across the globe. The one-week event aims to empower, create jobs, promote creativity, welcome investors, and support the skills and education present in the fashion industry. It incorporates showcasing aspects such as a red carpet showcase, street walk, and a runway catwalk. http://africafashionweeknigeria.com/
5. African Fashion week Amsterdam (AFWA) – This fashion event seeks to outline various designers across the globe, which has gotten style inspiration from African traditions, culture, and designs. They include Saint Laurent, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Marc Jacobs, Cristopher Bailey, Kim Jones, and even Duran Lantik. This event displays both art and designs that are African inspired. For example, in 2017 Duran Lantik displayed photographs of transgender sex workers from South Africa who had been dressed by a renowned Dutch designer. http://www.afwamsterdam.com/
6. African Fashion Week New York (AFWNY) – This event aims to shed light on African designs and culture with the aim of creating partnerships that promote the international economy. It boasts of contemporary designs and brands that deal with lifestyle, entertainment, and fashion. For example, in 2017 it highlighted a Senegalese swimsuit designer who used math to make her designs. http://www.africafashionweek.com/newyork/
7. African Fashion Week Los Angeles (AFWLA)- This amazing event uses avenues such as pop up shops, industry networking mixers, art exhibitions, runways, and even art exhibitions. http://www.africafashionweekla.com/

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