Fashion featured during Africa Rising August 1

Fashion will play a central role on Friday night, August 1 when the Africa Rising: Music and Fashion Festival unfolds at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Washington, D.C.

Designers from the U.S. and Nigeria will watch as their unique fashion designs adorn renowned international models. Whilst live music will be supplied by some of the world’s leading musicians, all of which is in celebration of the cultural splendor of Africa.

Among the event’s featured designers is the West Coast “King of Bling” Chris Aire, who will present his hand-crafted jewelry and timepiece designs. Aire has been featured in such top magazines as Vogue and Rolling Stone, with celebrities as Will Smith, Halle Berry, and Nelly proudly showcasing his latest creations. Another contributing designer is Deola Sagoe, hailed for giving “African fashion… the most radical expression imaginable.” Over the years, Sagoe has displayed her creations alongside Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Chanel in various shows across Europe, Africa, and the U.S. Joining these two fashion artists will be renowned Nigerian designers Momo and Dahola.

Fashion model Naomi Campbell will lead the runway, joined by Liya Kebede, Alek Wek, Oluchi, and Ralph Lauren supermodel Tyson Beckford, of Washington D.C. Originally from New York, Beckford was a host/judge on America’s Next Top Model, and is now host of Make Me a Supermodel on the Bravo network, where he co-hosts with fellow modeling star Niki Taylor. The former VH1 “Man of the Year” will also make his way down the D.C. catwalk, this summer.

“Everyone looks at Africa as poverty-stricken … but there are parts of Africa that are rising and people making a difference”, said Campbell in a London interview. This event, Campbell says, is designed to showcase Africa in a positive light for all the world to see.

Headlining a list of star-studded performers is Grammy-Award-winning performing artist Seal, with information on additional acts to follow.

About “Africa Rising”
“Africa Rising” was first launched in 2006 under the direction of THISDAY's Editor-in-Chief, Nduka Obaigbena. Its mission is not only to reflect the culture and positive attributes of Africa's social, political and economic progress, but also to reach out to the continent's diverse population and the Diaspora and International communities.

About THISDAY
Leader’s & Company Limited began trading in January 1995. Its flagship newspaper, THISDAY, was first published on January 22, 1995. Despite entering a crowded newspaper market which was then home to more than 25 serious national dailies, 10 national news magazines and several periodicals, THISDAY quickly established itself as Nigeria’s premier newspaper of record. In its first year of publication, it won the prestigious Newspaper of the Year award, which it retained for three consecutive years. Its editors and writers have also won several national and international awards for news coverage, presentation and robust commentary. Ever since its inception in 1995, THISDAY has fiercely guarded the values of free enterprise, anchored on social justice and democracy.

Today, THISDAY has some 700 staff members in 38 offices across Nigeria. It also maintains a bureau in Washington DC, from which it provides news on Africa to a variety of global news organisations and agencies across all platforms, from online to broadcast. In Nigeria, THISDAY has a readership of 5 million people. To learn more about THISDAY, please go to www.thisdayonline.com.