Tuesday, 6 March 2012

Trends: Ghanaian Fashionistas et al do Blunt Bangs….2012


Perfection…………
Perfect blunt bangs are long, modern and show-stopping-ly fabulous -a la Jane Birkin.  
 


Benedicta Tweneboa-Kodua aka Nana [Model]
Former M-net Face of Africa contestant, Benedicta Tweneboa-Kodua now known by her professional modelling name -Nana, is one of my favourite looks -here. Her hair looks healthy and natural (it could well be her own -with some weave at the back) and shiny and frames her beautiful little face -perfectly. My only wish -that the back was longer…and the front -fuller.



Perfection…………
An example of the perfect blunt bang, -this model demonstrates that to get it right, the fringe needs to be long and sharp…




Ghanaian Fashionistas do Blunt Bangs….2012
This beautiful lady’s fringe suits her.




Nikki Samonas [Actress]
Actress Nikki Samonas goes for a daring fun look in this blonde wig version -and gets it just right. A look that can go very ‘dancehall queen’ on some has added a pop of funky sexiness and colour to Nikki’s look. Its also a fabulous way for Nikki to find out if bangs suit her or not. A note of caution, very few women of colour can get away with blonde hair without looking like they walk/work around Kwame Nkrumah circle at night..!!!!




Noelle Bonner [Blogger -http://www.fashionfixxation.com//]
It doesn’t matter what uber fashion blogger and Ghana Rising fave, Noelle Bonner (http://www.fashionfixxation.com/) does -right? She always looks beautiful. Her innate sense of style, her eye for detail and model figure means Noelle can executes any look with enough verve to -make it work.  This is another of my favourite looks here -but be warned, only Ms Bonner can get away with this edgy red look, -its bound to look less stylish and more 'street' on mere mortals.




Ghanaian Fashionistas do Blunt Bangs….2012
 Cute...........



Ghanaian Fashionistas do Blunt Bangs….2012
I know I shouldn’t like this …but she looks as-cute-as-a-button.




Ama K. Abebrese [Actress]

Actress Ama K. Abebrese [on the right] looks fabulously rock’n’roll. Is it me or is there something of the Zoe kravitz about her tousled hair? Executed just right -a tad more....... and it would have looked too wiggy!!!




Grace Sarfo [Model]
Accra based model and Ghana Rising fave, Grace Sarfo is sooo beautiful that she can get away with any look. I love how her fringe (although its not quiet long enough) - frames her beautiful face -perfectly. This is nearly -perfect..




Celebrity Bangs..
Rihanna goes incognito with her fake red version…




Yvonne Okoro [Actress]
Actress Yvonne Okoro's tousled, feathery style is soft, lovely and suits her. Whoever weaved her hair should be commend...




Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu [TV Presenter & Model]
TV Presenter and model Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu looks uber young and fun in this red wig version. Honestly, I’m not a fan of fake red hair but it suits her fair complexion -and offers Deborah an alternative on-trend look -without her having to go the whole hog.






Perfection…………
what's not to love?................


 

Bertha Owusu [CEO and founder of Project Walkway]..
CEO and founder of Project Walkway, Bertha Owusu looks pretty and feminine, although a tad more and it would have looked too heavy and wiggy.




Nadia Buari [Actress]
This tousled [fluffy] red weave version should leave me cold but actress Nadia Buari [centre] totally gets away with it. She looks pretty, feminine and soft. I prefer to see her with dark brown tresses -as it looks more natural.




Raquel [Singer]
 Wow singer Raquel looks absolutely fabulous in her dark bangs with purple highlights (not that I’m advocating purple highlights -you hear, I personally think it can….look very ghetto). I don’t know how but she’s managed to look stylish with this ‘street’ interpretation of the fashionable bangs.



Sandra Ankobiah [TV Presenter]
I can barely recognise Fashion 101’s Sandra Ankobiah here [on the right] with what I believe is a wig version. Ms Ankobiah has a lovely face, and I prefer her hair -off her face. I think she would look fabulous with a fierce high-fashion ponytail and hoop earrings combo...




Dpipertwins [fashion Designers]
Fans of blunt bangs, fashion designers, the Dpipertwins always look fabulous and on-trend.




Celebrity Bangs..
Beyonce’s has the world’s top hairstylists on her speed dials -so its not surprising La Carter always gets it right!!!






Efya [Singer]
 Songstress Efya looks cute but I wish that she had pushed the envelope and opted for a longer length at the back.




Perfection…………
If you are going to go for it ...aim for this..




Ghanaian Fashionistas do Blunt Bangs….2012
This hasn’t gone according to plan but with her beautiful face, punky pink lips and verve -she gets away with it -and looks quiet rock’n’roll.....




Perfection…………
I want this wispy look …now!!!




**Fierce, eye scraping blunt bangs or fringe -depending on which side of the pond you're on -are doing their rounds in the upper echelons of Ghanaian fashionable society. The trend for heavy bangs started last year and just keeps on going, -even though said hairstyle is more successful on some than others (see above)..

Sexy, modish and a fabulous way to frame a pretty face -this global fashionista favourite can be quiet severe and is sooooooo not for wall flowers -as it demands attention...

I love and prefer the razor-sharp, structured, smoother bangs -although the more wispy bangs, feathery bangs, side sweeping bangs, waved look and dare I say -puffier, more rounded bangs as seen here on Nadia Buari, are easier to achieve … and take less work.

Bangs are a personal favourite of mine and I've worn said look more times than I care to remember -but its hard work folks! You have to wrap your hair at night [silk scarves are best] or its going to look horrible. You have to pin your fringe back to apply your make-up and forget about getting it wet whilst showering -it’s a nightmare!!!

Its also hard to get this style right, but you are more likely to be successful [and achieve some of the yummy looks I’ve thrown into the mix], -if you have your hair weaved by the best in town and then visit a Toni & Guy hair saloon or another high-end Caucasian hair saloon , -as they are trained to cut the perfect boob. Note, this look also demands a good quality ceramic hair straightener -GHD's latest model is good.

Note, perfect, successful blunt bangs are high-maintenance and should [in my opinion] be well defined and sharp but as you can clearly see from above its near impossible to achieve -so why not opt for a wig version like actress Nikki Samonas or TV presenter and model, Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonus -who's sporting a fun red version above -before going the whole hog -remember, bangs don’t suit everybody.

Happy Ghana Independence Day……….



Lots of Love from Ghana Rising… xoxoxo

Monday, 5 March 2012

The Fanti People/Culture of Ghana between 1885-1910.………….



Cape Coast fashionista
 Original caption reads "One style of hairdressing."



Cape Coast fashionista1
Original caption reads "Another style."



Cape Coast fashionistas Twin Princesses Prince of Mankessim
Original caption reads "Twin daughters of the Prince of Mankessim"



Cape Coast Fanti Women
Group portrait of three African women. The two seated hold umbrellas.



Cape Coast women first
Original caption reads: "Native girls-Cape Coast-full dress-Civilized."



Cape Coast Women
Original caption reads: "Girls (bread sellers) of C.C."



Cape Coast Elite
Original caption reads "Miss Nancy Skues C.C. daughter of the Auctioneer."

***Location: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of African Art, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives 950 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20560-0708



Cape Coast wedding party
Original caption reads: "A wedding party group. Bride & groom sitting. The man is a 'scholar'(!), but a 'heathen'."



Cape coast The Late Governor Maxwell & Hausa troops
Original caption reads "The late Governor Maxwell, Hausa troops returning from Kumassi down Ashanti after 2nd Ashanti Expedition C.C."



Cape Coast Women1
Original caption reads: "Natives women C.C.- full dress."



Cape Coast Women2
Original caption reads: "A lady in centre, who desires to make known that she is of marriageable age with her friends."



Cape Coast Women3
Original caption reads "Native women & girls in full dress."



Cape Coast Muslims
Original caption reads: "Mohammedan natives C.C."



Cape Coast Children
Original caption reads "brother & sisters C.C.children."



Women street sellers in Cape Coast
Original caption reads "Women street sellers & their wares Cape Coast. soap, looking glasses, towels, homade scent."



Cape Coast girl c. 1910
Original caption reads "Cape Coast native girl, decked with gold ornaments, and desiring marriage."

**Location: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of African Art, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives 950 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20560-0708



Cape Coast chief his wife and followers
Original caption reads: "A Native Chief one wife & his followers."



Cape Coast Africans and colonial officials
Original caption reads: "Superintendent Ellis & Mrs. Ellis & Revs. Glandfield, Morris & others & native pastors Wesleyan Mission Cape Coast-Rev Ellis died."



Kotokraba, Cape Coast
Original caption reads "part of Kotokraba."



Cape Coast part of Kotokraba
Original caption reads "road to Kotokraba (Hausa town) C.C."



Cape Coast -Ashanti Road
Original caption reads "One end of Ashanti Rd C.C. looking up Ashanti rd.


Cape Coast -A Back street
Original caption reads "A back street in C.C. showing surface water drain."


Paulina Opoku-Gyimah says: Beautiful......I'm beyond inspired ….and can’t wait to start [fashion] shooting for mag…..

The Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at the National Museum of African Art is a research and reference center with over 300,000 still photographic images documenting the arts, peoples and history of Africa over the past 120 years. Eliot Elisofon (1911-1973) was an internationally known photographer and filmmaker. He created an enduring visual record of African life from 1947 to 1973. Mr. Elisofon bequeathed to the museum his African materials, which included more than 50,000 black-and-white photographs and 30,000 color transparencies. The Archives has since added to its holdings important and varied collections from widely recognized photographers.

Credit: http://sirismm.si.edu/siris/eepatop.htm

Sunday, 4 March 2012

All things are Possible with Simone Bresi-Ando






"A trailblazing panel of British women of colour shared their life stories with an attentive, eager to learn, engaged and positive audience for the second; I'mPOSSIBLE conversation on February 8 at Pearson's London head quarters. Hosted by ITN newsreader; Charlene White; panellists:



- Margaret Casely-Hayford, company secretary and chief legal head of Waitrose & John Lewis
- Michelle Gayle, actress (Grange Hill and Eastenders) and author
- Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, first Black female chaplain to the speaker of the House of Commons
- Dr Uchenna Okoye, offical dentist of Channel 4'S '10 Years Younger' & clinical director of London Smiling dental practices
- Miss Samantha Tross, the first Black female orthopaedic consultant surgeon in the UK


the night was empowering, educational but most of all focused on being better and tools on how to achieve this.


The I'mPOSSIBLE. conversation is a series of intimate events staged in central London where a panel of British women of colour, from all walks of life, come together, to share their stories on the theme of 'how I became POSSIBLE.' It's a purely inspirational and empowering event which gives a platform for British women of colour an opportunity to share their journey on how they became POSSIBLE. with no interruptions or apologies." I'mPOSSIBLE

Paulina Opoku-Gyimah says: Something to lift the spirit, especially after the last post: I’m a big fan of Simone Bresi-Ando, the fabulous lady behind Bresi-Ando Consults [http://bresi-ando.com/] and now -ImPossible, an annual gathering of incredible black women at the very top of their game -who congregate to share and inspire others. At the last gathering [it took place last month], ImPossible founder Simone Bresi-Ando pulled together a panel consisting of; Dr Uchenna Okoye, Michelle Gayle, Samantha Tross, Ghana Rising fave, Margaret Caseley-Hayford and Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin -fabulous….
PR guru Simone Bresi-Ando is most definitely the-go-to-person-on-all-things-PR and is beyond inspirational -and I truly hope to work with her in the near future. The above film clip is a true gem…enjoy. For more information about ImPossible visit: http://www.i-am-possible.com/

More info




“Founder of social enterprise for women of colour in Britain; Simone Bresi-Ando appeared on the 'Boulton & Co' programme on Sky News, December 22, 2011 to discuss skin lightening/bleaching.” ImPossible





“On Sunday February 5, founder of I'mPOSSIBLE; Simone Bresi-Ando appeared on 'Shoot the Messenger' on Vox Africa, Sky channel 218 (UK) to talk about her goals with the social enterprise and the series of events she holds called 'the I'mPOSSIBLE conversation.” ImPossible

R.I.P kwame Ofosu Asare






One of the boys stabbed to death in [Brixton], south London in the borough of Lambeth has been named as kwame Ofosu Asare…………..

What is going on? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Who done this? Who is he? How old is he? Who are his parents? What school does he go to? How was he doing in school? How does he treat his parents? Do they know where he is at all times? What kind of family does he come from? Life is precious -was he taught this? Where does he live? What principalities hover over his neighbourhood? Does he believe in God? Are his family religious? What principles was he brought up with? Who are his role models? Does he understand what future, dreams hope and joy means/is? How did he see his future, was it full of hope, life, beauty and joy? Did he have dreams…? Did he feel he had a future? Who gave birth to him? Who? Who? Who? We have got to become truly/fully -responsible for our children -right now….

***Heart felt condolences to the Ofosu Asare family…

The Sunshine City Project ….Looks set to put Ghana's second city, Kumasi on the map…



Apart from Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, his beautiful wife -Lady Julia , the Kumasi Royal golf club & Race Course, the ability to commission a goldsmith to make you -your very own gold ring or chain, its Kente clothe weavers and some of Kumasi’s rich history -I don’t really much about the businesses or personas based there. I do know that like my son’s father, many are now choosing to spend more time there -leaving Accra’s overcrowded streets and bars behind.


I also know its increasing popular and fashionable, just check out some of the illustrious events held at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Kumasi -but its not until most of us heard about the looming work on an uber shopping mall destined to put Ghana’s Garden City on the map -that we all knew -Kumasi has arrived, and I for one is pleased.

As the Sunshine City project commences -Kumasi is set to become Ghana’s most fashionable city….. And I can’t wait. The following is more info about Kumasi’s Sunshine City….


.............................................................

By Enoch Darfah Frimpong -Dated 02 November 2011 09:48


Title:  Sun City Project takes off at Kumasi Race Course!

An impressive ceremony has been performed by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to mark the commencement of the Sunshine City project, which is designed to transform the Race Course area at Bantama into a viable commercial centre in the Kumasi metropolis.

The project, dubbed Sunshine City-Kumasi, with facilities which include the construction of a 25,000 metre square capacity shopping mall, banking halls, insurance and travelling tours, as well as restaurants, is being undertaken by a South African-based Ghanaian business tycoon, Mr Robert Kwaku Appiah Asante.

Other facilities that would be developed at the Race Course Area are a clinic with a helipad, ambulance station and a five-star hotel.
The project is expected to transform Kumasi to regain its former glory as the ‘Garden City of West Africa’ and create job avenues for the unemployed youth.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu donated the Race Course area free of charge to the developers as his contribution to the development of the Kumasi metropolis.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Samuel Sarpong, the Archbishop of the Kumasi Catholic Diocese, Rt Rev. Thomas Kwaku Mensah, the Anglican Bishop, Rt Rev. Daniel Yinka Sarfo and the Bishop of the Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Church, Rt Rev. Professor Osei Sarfo Kantanka, were among the dignitaries who witnessed the sod cutting ceremony.

In his address, Otumfuo Osei Tutu commended Mr Asante in particular and Kenbert Group company for initiating the project and gave assurance of his support and that of the entire chiefs of the Kumasi Traditional Council.

He pointed out that the project would not only enhance the development of the Kumasi metropolis and its environs, but would also offer employment opportunities to the youth.

He explained that donating the land for such a viable project was in line with his effort to support the development of the metropolis.

He mentioned the Otumfuo Educational Fund, which has helped a section of the youth to build their capacity in various fields in medicine and law, and said his contributions to health-related issues was also enhancing the primary healthcare delivery.

He said the project was one of the programmes of ensuring that the city’s development agenda for a better standard of living for the metropolis was achieved and called on traders who used to operate at the Race Course area to co-operate with the developers by vacating the area to enhance the smooth take off of constructional projects.

In his address, Mr Asante, who is also the Chairman of Kenbert Group, said the Sunshine City is a replica of a similar facility in Johannesburg which has become a major tourist attraction .

He gave assurance of the early completion of the project as part of his contribution to boost the tourist potentials in the country, and called for support from the residents in the successful execution of the project.

He also appealed to chiefs in the Kumasi traditional area to offer him the needed support and protection as a way of motivating him to complete the project on schedule.

The Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Samuel Sarpong, assured those who operate their business at the Race Course Area that efforts were being made to provide them with an alternative area.


Credit: Kumasiciti.com

Link: http://www.kumasiciti.com/component/content/article/36-r/5-cn






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