Divas of colour is back, tickets now on sale.

Divas of colour is the largest gathering of world's most powerful women of colour from around the globe. The special event celebrates, recognises, rewards and discovers the best of women of colour .

This is never to be missed event of 2015. No woman or man of substance should miss this one of its kind event. We sure will be there full time to talk to you all. join the twitter convo with the hash tag - #Divasofcolour and follow @Divasofcolour

Lets get there! Buy tickets now . You can also just turn up at 12noon for a shopping in style at the Divas of colour trade show and exhibition, same venue, free entry see address on the flyer below. Tell your friends . Turn up Turn up!!!

Movie Premier: The stars who wore what and how they came.

In the star studded premier night at Odeon cinema in London for the movie Shameful Deceit by Theodora Ibekwe, it was glamour, laugh and excitement. It has been described as the London stand still nollywood premier of the year. Theodora Ibekwe the Director and producer of the movie- Shameful Deceit was beaming with smiles and dazzles in the Desiri Couture designed red and black dress obviously proud of how well this went. Flaunted by friends, fans and colleagues, she again has proven that whatever a woman does, she does it very well.
In the first images that have reached us, we bring you our most outstanding dressed ladies and gentlemen.

This year's McDonald's 365 Blacks award to be hosted by award winning Taraji Henson.

This year's McDonald's 365 Blacks award will take place during Essence Festival weekend at  the New Orleans Theatre.
The star studded golden carpet event hosted by the award winning Taraji invites consumers to join in the salute to outstanding individuals who are committed to making positive contributions that strengthens the African-American community.
In the honour list are :
Legendary recording artist and 'Empress soul' Gladys Knight.
Supermodel Beverly Johnson
Education leader Dr Steve Perry
Executive Vice President of the Chicago white sox - Kenny Williams
McDonald's Owner/operator- Roland Parrish
Teen entrepreneur -Leanna Archer
and Youth environmentalist - Charles Orgbon.

Tickets and registration is now on at : wwweventfarm.com/365blackawards 

Pregnant Kate Middleton sparks a fashion trend in maternity wears.

maternity collar tunis dress £28 

As she continues to paint a picture of elegance throughout her pregnancy, opting for ditsy printed tea dresses, embroidery, and lace, the Duchess of Cambridge's choice of maternity wear has sparked a nationwide trend with more and more expecting mums are going for more pretty feminine maternity wears according to sales information reaching us from the department store Debenhams today. With the store seeing sales of floating dresses and pretty styles of maternity wears increase by more than 500% compared to this time last year. 
Debenhams spokesperson Michelle Dowdall says, "sales suggest that mums-to-be are waving goodbye to leggings and dungarees, instead opting for timeless stylish maternity wears". 

maternity black textured ponte £35

According to the figures, the top 5 maternity salers are :
Red Herring maternity fan collar dress £28
Red Herring maternity textured ponte dress £35
Red Herring maternity daisy sundress £42
Red Herring maternity lace insert chiffon dress £35
Red Herring maternity dragonfly chiffon blouse £28.

All available now in all debenhams stores, online and via mobile app

'A Shawl for all women' by Zambia's first Lady - Dr Christine Kaseba.

'A shawl is a powerful and universal symbol that unifies all women and represents the interrelated themes of art, culture, health and motherhood', says Her Excellency Dr Christine Kaseba, First Lady of Zambia, at this year's Cannes international festival of creativity.  The launch of Shawl for all women came about as a result of MARITAGE (multicultural Art and Heritage) international's partnership with McCann Health to create this first ever global campaign.
MARITAGE international as a global initiative led by first ladies, women leaders, and influential artistic societies, governments, policy makers, and development actors, seeks to economically empower female artisan groups in developing countries through collaboration with the public and private sectors.
Speaking of the his delight with the partnership, Mr John Cahill of McCanne health says, " its a privilege to embark on this journey of hope with MARITAGE and to have the opportunity to connect partners brands with a global initiative that supports women's health and empowerment. A shawl for all women will bring together partners from health, beauty, and fashion to generate economic development opportunities for women through the design and sales of Shawls, often leveraging partnerships with high fashion partners. Also will raise funds for maternal and child health initiatives, such as every mother counts".
The initiative - 'A shawl for all women' will be launched at a gathering of first ladies and influencial women of the world on 24th - 25th September coinciding with the United Nations General assembly conference and New York fashion week.

Corinne when faced with going jobless and caring for her ill Son, she created a thriving business for herself.- She's Royal Head Wraps.

She has to stand up to her son's illness due to Sickle cell, she had to choose between keeping her work and becoming a stay at home mum. But then Corinne in the midst of it all tapped back into her natural gift to give it her all. Started her own business and now living a life that is balanced and today she can care for her son, and yet earn enough to keep the family healthy. Corinne shares her journey with all of this with my black woman.

Corinne Roberts.  Mother to young teenager, who has Sickle Cell Disease. The nature of his illness is that you never know when he'll have a painful crisis, resulting in him being admitted to hospital. Hence the reason She decided to become self employed.

A former secondary school Art and Design Teacher and had always relished the thought of working for herself.  She became more and more convinced, when my son has his first crisis and had to be hospitalised.  There she was doing her job, which she loved, working with children and having to be there for them, and felt she couldn't be with her son who needed her then, as teaching is not a profession where, you can be absent for too long as children need the consistency of a regular teacher.

"I continued teaching, but the more times he was admitted to hospital, the more I realised I need to have a job that would allow for me to look after my son when he was in a crisis." 

She then began working as a freelance  Jeweler tutor and Black History Month Presenter. Allowing her to fit in her working days around her son's sudden hospital admissions.  She also started doing Youth Work at another company, as well as co-ordinating all the Art and Design Summer programmes. 

"It was a fantastic company to work for as I was able to be truly creative as I am an artist first, educator second. The company Elevating Success procured a contract for me to facilitate my Head wrapping Workshop at a college as part of their Black History Activities, it was a hit!"

Finally  Corinne could set up She’s Royal Wraps in February 2012.  As the name suggests, it promotes the regality of head wrapping.  Through informative workshops, it dispels all the negativity that is sometimes associated with head wrapping. 

It serves in part as a retail outlet, where you can purchase African Print headwrapers.

What is different about She’s Royal Wrap head wraps, is that Corinne has created written literature that teaches one how to wrap in five easy steps, this is exclusive to my company. 

"I created it because, we all learn differently, and for some being there and seeing how I wrap will be enough for them to wrap themselves, but there are others for whom having the step by step, to hand, will find it particularly useful.  It also lends itself to be given as a complete present".

She's Royal Wraps also provides a range of Jewellery Making  Programs, Creative workshops and Head wrapping, at a variety of skill levels :

 team building workshops for employees :  which provides a chance for colleagues to unwind as they explore their creativity in a harmonious working group.

Intergenerational training: where parents, grandparents and carers can work alongside family members to create a display of jewellery items.

Themed workshops such as African Jewellery making as part of Black History Month.

Classes for 6-11 year olds during the school day or holiday time.

 Also available is a one - off taster days at school fairs.

For interest in any of these, contact My Black Woman - myblackwoman@fauntee.com 

Samona Naomi Williams is bound for the skies not the Wheelchair.

When Samona was struck by a rare illness that kept her bound to wheelchair and bed, it seemed like the world had came crashing on her. However, she was determined to be who she is created to be. Discovering the strength in her, her power, her rare gift of strength, she found her way around to cheat this life destroying illness. It is said this rare condition is incurable, can only be managed with combination of cocktail of medications. With such condition so threatening, humiliating and above all disarming, with unpredictable situations that comes like a wave of storm. Samona struggles to live and cope with daily normal life challenges like bathing etc. She was bound to be a burden and no longer the beautiful young rising film director who was a real asset.
Holding on to that special thing within, Samona collaborates with her photographer friend to create stunning images that are never been seen before. These images have not only been a source of strength and security for Samona but has become a source of inspiration, motivation and hope for many. It has become a campaign creating awareness on this illness.

How does Samona feel about her condition and where does she find strength to keep going ?
"Realising I wasn't going to recover easily, or quickly or worst still ever, I didn't know what to do. I had nightmares and I thought I could end it - MY LIFE!
There wasn't anyway I would live a life of being a burden to anyone. I felt worthless.
But then somehow, my strength soared thinking of diamonds, golds and all the beautiful and valuable things of life all went through immense pressure to become what they are. Then I began to see my illness from a different perspective, I began to see my value, my worth. I slowly began to see my illness as less torment more of growing into something greater than I have been. Today I could still contribute to my family and society by merely allowing myself to be me."

In trying to cope with this rare condition, Samona and her friend created an art project with their stunning images to tell the story of a woman BOUND to for the wheelchair but finds a way to cheat an illness that is not just debilitating my has no place in the life of anyone.

"This project BOUND meant I didn't have to be afraid any more. It gave me purpose, it soothed my pain and calmed my dark thoughts. It gave me my life back".

Samona's images will be exhibited at the Images of Black Women films festival kicking off May 4th and runs everyday till 11th of May.

*This will be another chance to get an exclusive sneak preview of what to expect from the main event as we will be planning a full "Bound" exhibition with all the images later in the year.

Main Bound Art Exhibition September 2013  - Will keep you updated on the launch party,

"Bound" is a collection of photographs depicting my journey through illness, and is a raw, unrestricted look at the moods and feelings I have experienced since being diagnosed. The photographer is Anthony David King*.

Samona's full story features on C.Hub magazine issue 3 out now. 

C.Hub issue 3

Bra on or Bra off, the bra war comes back thanks to scientists and their studies.

M&S spot frill bikini top£19.50

A French Prof. have sparked another Bra war after almost 5 decades that we have seen the Bra war calm down. It was in the 60s that feminists ditched their bras in a fight for their right. But today, it is far from the political jangle. The scientist have given us even more reason to keep our headlight on the full beam.
In his study with 320 women  within the age of 18 and 35, Prof Jean- Denis have weighed in heavily supporting the need for women to go braless branding it a 'false need'. He went on to say that both medically, physiologically and otherwise, breast do not benefit from the supposed bra support.
Claiming also that after a year of not wearing bra,the nipples of the participating women between 18 and 35 rose by about 7mm bigger on the average.
However, other women in the opposing school of thought have branded the findings useless and needless. Accepting though that bra could sometimes be uncomfortable but not as uncomfortable and embarrassing  as it is without the bra. One female commentator have said, if the support is needless, why then do we hold it with our hands when on the run. She would rather gag her thing with a bra as firm as M&S new range of bras.
Since the division in opinion I would like to know which side of the war are you, is it bra on or bra off for you?

Rihanna designs for River Island get the look now!

Riri showcasing at LFW

Rihanna's collaboration with River Island has sparked a debate whether or not this is another opportunity for her to show off her talent or is it another stunt for her to continue to be in the news. Whichever one, I have seen something unique about her cuts. They are so her. The collections are typical of what Riri stands for and wears and I wonder if you too get it.


Would you like to wear her piece?





Get inspired by my selection from River Island.

Grey Crop Top with Originami Top; £35.00

Black thigh high split Maxi Skirt
£40.00

B/W bra cup top
£30.00

W/B sandal shoe
£95.00

www.riverisland.com 
for more info.