Have you ever had your email account hacked and broken into? I did and its taken sometime to recover, literally….

My email account was violently hacked into! It then proceeded to send out the most awful, disgusting spam and links to everyone in my contact file and as you can imagine this wasn’t good. I don’t know if some of the people in my contact file thought I had created the spam in my kitchen and was sending them out but I've had the worst week of my life and at times didn’t think I could recover. But what’sbeen the biggest eye opener and the biggest lesson is that those at the very top of their game, artists who have Giorgio Armani on their speed dial and persons who have truly made it -understood. But there were one or two wannabes and a few individuals who haven’t exhibited since 2002 -surprisingly rude!

Still I understand that someone’s emailing/sending you spam, possibly to infect your email with viruses is not good but I wonder if any of these individuals thought about how this has effected and impacted me?

I’ve been truly shaken by this hacking. I’ve lost numerous contacts, files, addresses and most importantly interviews, images and things of that nature intended for Black Star magazine. Plus I’ve learnt that the minute I receive something in my email account, I must deal with it straight away etc. But mostly that my reputation matters to me and that certain people thinking that I intentionally sent them spam is very hurtful. And that certain people felt the need to email and tell me to remove them from my contact list was very upsetting.

I don’t know if I’m doubly effected and sensitive because I spend morning, noon and night up, rewording some of hideous work sent to me by some of Ghana’s finest, who believe that YES & No are right and OK answers for interview answers being sent to a high-end magazine, and that -adjacent to the old American embassy is an address, can you imagine?

Anyway, I didn’t at times think I would recover but I have Amen and I’m tired. I’ve also grown and would like to take this opportunity to apologise again to anyone who received spam from my old email address. Microsoft Works have finally closed down said account. And I’m still pressing on with Black Star. To contact me please leave notes under any of my latest postings or message me via Facebook but my new email address is now private and strictly for business.

Thanks and have a Blessed day.

No Kwakoe Festival in Amsterdam this year?

I had a fabulous time in 2005 and 2006 at Amsterdam’s Kwakoe Festival and recommended it to everyone I meet there after, so I’m shocked that due to luck of funding it’s a no show this year… As the name suggest [Kromanti] Kwakoe is used to celebrate the end of slavery and is also celebrated in Suriname. It’s a real shame because our people, the Suriname community and beyond love and look forward to it.

Its got me wondering, what do folk in Bijlmer and Amsterdam Spot [if you’re not familiar with this part of  the Nederland’s -it’s a must, its all parties, lace front weaves and some of the best Ghanaian and Ivorian food in the world] -think about the no-show, so I rang Amsterdam Doris [nee Sunyani Doris] and she concluded, “the council is cutting down on spending, the organisers behind the festival couldn’t raise the funds needed and it was cancelled.” I hope its back on next year, as I’m thinking fashion shoot with the festival as a back drop!! What do you think? Do you wanna go?

About the film clip above, its soooo familiar, -right? The faces, music, the dance, the handkerchiefs and the need to form a circle, its all there -remnants of Kwaku….

Justin Nana Kwame Akomiah launches Pick Mix magazine

“Welcome to Pickmix Magazine, the publication intent in pursuing the search of new talent to create aplatform for those without a voice. With every turn of a page we aim to stimulate all of your senses with a medley of a luring imagery and captivating articles. Pickmix is an electrifying celebration of great fashion,beauty and talent. We are a fusion of photographers, writers artists and stylists expressing individual stylesto create fashion in its pure form. We delve deeper into the essence of trends with encapsulating visualsand a commitment to report truthfully to our readers. Our purpose is to influence. To influence and inspire a new generation of individuals.” Pick Mix magazine

Pickmix_Magazine_Issue_1_Consume_Consortium from Justin Akomiah on Vimeo.


**A Facebook friend, I spotted Justin Nana Kwame Akomiah’s fashion talents way back and made a note of his name, adding him to a list of people I want to work with once I started work on Black Star magazine. Well imagine my surprise when I googled his name and out popped info about his very own publication called Pick Mix. I’ve checked it out and its fierce and on-point, and I love it. Joining the ranks of other fabulous Ghanaian publishers like Reggie Ansah of Luxure magazine, [and my soon to be self], I expect great things from Mr Akomiah and wish this young Ghanaian man every success with this uber fab glossy and hope to still work with him in the near future. For more info about Pick Mix magazine visit: http://www.pickmixmagazine.com/
http://pickmixmagazine.blogspot.com/
****All cover images come courtesy of Pick Mix magazine…

Ghana Rising Hearts Faustina Agolley …2011

For many women once they're engaged or married, style and fashion go out of the window but not Ghana Rising fave, Faustina Agolley, she is engaged to footballer, Harry O'Brien. Upping her game, Mz Agolley took Rosemount Australian Fashion Week by storm earlier this year and cut a dash in this pink & black colour block dress. I also love the playful spacey jumpsuit and lovely maxi dress above. The first and last photos come courtesy of

http://www.zimbio.com

Hot Blog Alert: Vanessa Sarpong’s blog is a must-visit…

“The Official Blog for Vanessa Sarpong aka Vinesse Vgramour, here you will be able to go with Vanessa on the journey, the journalistic journey which means music, fashion, art, films, news and much more. Everything Journalistic can be found here. Vanessa is a Newsreader and Producer for 107 Spark FM, the views expressed here are Vanessa's and not those of 107 Spark FM or its affiliates.” Vanessa Sarpong

I’ve had my eye on the ever beautiful and consummate blogger Vanessa Sarpong, -forever. I’m not a big fan tumblr.com but I make a habit of visiting Mz Sarpong’s blog as she has the most exquisite taste. A fabulous writer, her blog is an eclectic mix of fashion, quotes, wisdom and all of Vanessa’s yummy happenings. Do check it out at: http://vanessasarpong.tumblr.com/

Ghana in the Park 2011

Photos come courtesy of Talk of Gh… you keep up with all their hot happenings via:

http://www.talkofgh.com/

AQL Collection, Anita Quansah’s A/W 2011 collection..

I’m thankful that I passed by Ohemma Shadders’ blog today [http://www.shadders.net/]. On-trend and of-the-minute, the Shadders website is a must for all African fashion lovers. I was searching for info about yesterday’s African Fashion Week and noted she’d written about Ghana Rising fave, Anita Horsfall [nee Quansah ??]. One of our favourite jewellery designers, Anita Quansah’s latest AQL collection is to-live-for. Inspired by ‘Avatar’ and work by artist & designer, Valentim Quaresma- the collection has her signature, bold, fierce and sexy feel about it. I’m inspired, I hope to shoot these pieces soon. For more details or to purchase the above visit: http://www.anitaquansahlondon.com/