I asked the Tall, elegant and well-spoken model “What modeling meant to her, Lora Akati said in response to my question ‘ Modeling is about expressionism. I put on clothes and assume a certain character. I get to play with my features and limbs and express myself in a language of clothes, makeup, hair etc.’
I noticed then, her shaved head which was bold and distinguished her on the runway. I had first seen her on the runway at the recent Glitz Fashion Week in Accra, wearing pieces by renowned Nigerian designers like Mai Atafo, Ejiro, Moofa and Vonne Couture. At 6’2, she is truly striking and you can’t help but notice her sleek, elegant form sashaying the runway.
I wondered for a moment, asking Akati ‘How did you get to walk for designers of such repute especially as a new face?’
Her features softened, smiling sweetly she said ‘I’ll tell you what. I walked into the fitting room on the second day and immediately I got in, Mai Atafo stood tall amidst a number of models and he said to me upon entering, where have you been? I’ve been looking for tall girls like you!. In a matter of seconds, I was stripped down to my lingerie and already sliding my legs into this crazy ruffle pants.’
Akati went on to explain that designers knew what they want and what body type worked best with what piece. In the same way, Vonne Couture approached her and asked if she’d like to open their show.
I remember that vivid yellow jacket and batik skirt she strutted as Studio 189 closed the Glitz Fashion Week. I could tell there was something special about this 21-year-old. I was pleasantly surprised to meet her at Lagos Fashion Week a couple of days later.
There, she still towered over her peers, walking with such grace. She wore a yellow number from the Sunny Rose collection, finishing off with Maki Oh on the last day. It’s not often you meet a diamond breaking out of the rough but as I watched Akati on the runway at Heineken Lagos Fashion Week, I knew a star was born
Later in an interview with Carmen & Coco of Marie Claire, she disclosed its her first show in Nigeria as well. She mentioned how immensely supportive everyone seemed especially the designers and their creative team, ‘Elvis of Sunny Rose treated me like a princess’ she added laughing. ‘It’s been a tough 3 days and my feet could use a massage and day off, but it’s been such a wonderful experience.’
I had to ask what her plans for the future were. She revealed a lookbook shoot for American-Nigerian Odio Mimonet the next day and a huge collaboration with Afrodesiac Worldwide which she had to keep under the lid for now
The 21-year old is signed to Scope Model Management in Nigeria and is looking to walk in Milan, NYC and South Africa next season. We wish her the best of luck as we keep a keen eye on her career.
Instagram: lora.akati
Fendi has designed this pink circle scarf printed with the brand’s signature logo and lined with brown fur in the center.
But many Twitter users have compared it to a Punani. Yep, the tweets are true. Fendi designed a $1,000 blush-toned “Touch of Fur” scarf that reminds people of the very moment they were brought into this world.
Unfortunately for those of you who wanted to add this scarf to your Christmas list, it’s already been removed from the Fendi website because of people’s reaction and so all that’s left is its memory. And to be fair to Fendi, the “Touch of Fur” scarf is available in blue and red, but online shoppers have stayed fixated on the pink version out for obvious reasons.
Business Insider reports that While many mocked the scarf, others said that they would try wearing it. The scarf is still available to purchase in blue and red.
South Africa’s Riky Rick who has been in the entertainment industry for more than 5 years is known for pushing the boundaries when it comes to his fashion choices and he recently broke the internet with his latest outfit when the rapper wore a skirt during a recent appearance on ‘Live Amp’.
Although Riky Rick is known and loved for his unique sense of style, some of his fans however think he has taken his love for fashion one step too far this time. See some reactions below:
The monochrome gender-fluid ensemble is from the newest menswear collection by revered knitwear fashion brand, Maxhosa by Laduma.
The man behind the brand, Laduma Ngxokolo, insists for starters the correct term for the look is not a skirt or kilt, but rather it’s his interpretation of ibheshu – a calf-skin apron worn by Zulu men. He does, however, confirm that the get-up was heavily influenced by the Scottish kilt. “The collection is called culture, so the whole objective was to celebrate different cultures around the world,” he told Sowetanlive
Velvet has the potential to look elegant, sophisticated, and smart – but it also has the potential to look cheap or even trashy. So, when velvet fashion is worn right, it’s luscious and can be a total winning look for whatever occasion you’re wearing it for. Conversely, the opposite is true. We’ve been seeing a lot of velvet emerging as a beautiful trend, and it is, of course, very important for people to know exactly how to wear velvet in the most successful way possible.
Velvet goes hand-in-hand with ‘70s fashion and is a type of woven tufted fabric in which the cut threads are evenly distributed, with a short dense pile, giving it a distinctive soft feel. By extension, the word velvety means “smooth like velvet.” Velvet can be made from either synthetic or natural fibers. It complicated process meant that velvet was expensive to make before industrial power looms became available, and well-made velvet remains a fairly costly fabric.
Velvet fashion has also been typically seen in evening wear rather than day wear, but we have been seeing velvet as day wear pop up on various runways this year. Velvet bottoms are about as deep into this trend as you can get. While they aren’t the easiest item to pull off, when styled the right way, their impact will be unforgettable. Check out a few styling tips on how to rock velvet fabric.
1. Say yes to an elegant Velvet dress or jumpsuit, is a perfect choice for evening. A velvet dress really stands out on its own, but you can add a statement necklace to be fancier and voila, there you go!
2. You can try a velvet accessory like a velvet cross-body bag, you can wear it for any occasion, from running errands to the fanciest of date nights.
3. Velvet makes even a t-shirt or top look more chic and glam. Wear it with high-waist jeans.
4. Make a velvet midi skirt work by pairing it with a cozy and comfy top.
5. Wear Velvet in any shoe you can find it in. A mule, a platform pump for a special occasion, a chunky boot for any time in between, the velvet gods were good to the shoe lover this year.
6. Mix with different textures and a velvet jacket or pant style blends rather than making too much of a statement. Dress down to make it a statement, or up to turn. Either way, your wardrobe will thank you.
7. When you need a break from all the skinny jeans and tailored trousers, Wear Velvet in wide-leg options. Whether they’re for work or play, a swinging pair of party pants can spruce up the dreariest of days and span all occasions.
There is an appealing airiness to the clothes. Long, languid dresses with a 1930s sway with Duro Olowu’s signature prints—florals, polka dots, and a particularly charming butterfly print that covered a striking high-waisted pantsuit as well.
Indeed, even the most modest floor-length looks with full sleeves have an ease about them that belied their construction—the gorgeous blue floral number in the lineup is a good example, made with several layers of chiffon.
MORE STUNNING IMAGES BELOW:
Mss Deee whether dressing for work, the gym or a night out, makes modest fashion look effortless and chic. She creates outfits that you will definitely want to copy. Let’s just say that this chic blogger is in the right pair of heels, and on her way to conquering the world!
Here are 5 times she killed it in gorgeous outfits from her fav designer Yartel @yartelgh
Look to her style blog, mssdeee and you will find all things chic, elegant and sophisticated for the modest and refined woman, helping you achieve a refined work to weekend wardrobe that will leave you feeling effortless for every occasion.
