Gidan Nodza handbag exhibition – February 26-27, 2010

The incredibly talented Amina Hassan, owner and designer of Gidan Nodza bags and accessories (really, go check out her work on her blog!) will be holding an exhibition in Lagos this coming Friday and Saturday, February 26 and 27. The exhibition is called Jaka – An Exhibition of Bags. I’m a huge fan of her work so I begged her for more information. For those of you who are in Lagos or plan to be, or those who know someone who you can send there on your behalf, here are the details:

Dates: February 26-27, 2010 (this week!)
Time: 9:00am – 8:00pm (both days)
Location: Cactus Patisserie, 20-24 Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos

Amina’s work blows me away because she doesn’t only construct the bags herself, she hand dyes the fabric part and I can’t even imagine how much work goes into that. Don’t take my word for it though; here is a preview of she has in store for you:

If you can make it on either of those days (or both days sef), go and show your support (tell her GNG sent you). Her work is truly beautiful and it’s good to support fellow Nigerians doing entrepreneurial things like this at such a high level, in addition to their day jobs! Simply inspiring!

Genevieve Magazine — now available online

When I was in Nigeria last November, I spent a lot of time reading. I had brought three books with me (to my mother’s horror as she was sure that NEPA and all the things I’d be doing would not leave me any time to read), but not only did I finish all my books, I also managed to get my hands on some Nigerian magazines too. I’m a huge magazine lover and I read as many as I could get my hands on while I was there. At first, I was reading the magazines for ideas for the clothing I wanted to have made, but the articles about people doing amazing things (which regularly forced me to re-evaluate my own life, and whether I’m living up to my full potential or not) and the fashion and beauty tips were great too.

I was contacted by the owner of Chicnicity LLC, the company launching Genevieve Magazine Online, to pass on some information concerning the launch of the online version of the magazine, and since I had read the magazine before and enjoyed it, it was easy for me to agree. For those of us who can’t run to the store and pick up a copy of the magazine for our very own, here’s the information on how we can have access to the latest copy of the full magazine from now on:

genevieve1CHICNICITY LLC is launching Genevieve (the Leading Nigerian Fashion and Lifestyle magazine) online in an easy to read digital format. The digital format allows instant reading online at anytime and any part of the world.

CHICNICITY LLC will be offering 3 FREE EDITIONS that can be read instantly of Genevieve Magazine Online to visitors of http://goodnaijagirl.com and you do not have to subscribe to read the free editions.

All visitors who subscribe to Genevieve online for 1 year will receive an additional free edition and will be automatically entered in a raffle draw and are eligible to win various services and products for or by African women in the Diaspora (they include unlimited movie streaming subscription from Izogn Entertainment LLC, ethnic inspired leather bags from Tae, Genevieve tote bags and lots more).

Please visit http://chicnicityllc.com/ to READ FREE EDITIONS or SUBSCRIBE.

So, if you’re living outside of Nigeria, think about it, and if not, pass this information on to your friends or family members who are abroad (and who you’re tired of spending your hard earned cash to send the latest issue to by mail!).

Nigerian clothing

One of the many things I’m looking forward to coming back to Canada with is Nigerian (some call it “traditional”) clothing. I do own a few pieces of Nigerian clothing, but I have refused to wear them out because they are ill fitting and worse, they make me look larger than I am. Large women like myself do not look good in shapeless, mumu-like garments and I have therefore refused to wear the few such garments that have been sent to me. I don’t intend to let them sit unused forever though: I have grand plans to use my sewing machine and alter them a bit…one day.

Call me ungrateful but if you saw me in one of them you would agree. Of that I have no doubt. I was tempted to put one on and snap a picture but I don’t feel like being depressed today :)

So, my goal is to have some things made that are not mumus, and are not iro and buba, as I find those just emphasize my matronly figure. Instead, I’d like some skirts and blouses, with the top being form fitting without being too tight. I would also like to get a dress or two made, and perhaps even a shirt or two or a blazer that I can wear with denim, and mix and match with my regular clothing.

What a shame that having a tailor or seamstress here would be sooo costly! I mean what could possibly be better than buying clothing that is made specifically for you and your body?

So, because of that, I have been looking around for gorgeous styles of Nigerian clothing, for inspiration’s sake. Many of the models I’ve seen wearing these cute things have a very different body shape from mine (read: they look like models and not like a woman who has had five children, and in fact may be heavily pregnant with her sixth), so I share the following styles that have caught my eye, knowing there would have to be modifications made to suit me.

Peridot and Ruby have some amazing styles—check them out! The styles that caught my eye from their Spring 07 collection are below. All the dresses have sleeves, which my arms greatly appreciate.

And from their Fall 08, the following lovely things grabbed my attention. I like the idea of wearing a hot skirt with a plainer top—a tshirt or something else.

So gorgeous! You should definitely check out their site for more beautiful offerings (and they have a lot—check the “Look Book” section too).

Are there other sites that you go to when seeking inspiration for your Nigerian clothing?

(with the exception of the first image, all images are courtesy of Peridot and Ruby.)

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