The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 2012 Costume Institute Gala was held last week in New York City and was full of celebrities from fashion, music and film. Beyonce and Solange Knowles, Liya Kebede, Rihanna, Chanel Iman, Paula Patton, La La Anthony, and Kanye West just to name a few were in attendance.

London, April 25, 2012- Following on from a successful maiden event last year, FashionMist is back again on our calendar’s this year for our second season. FashionMist’s aim is to showcase on one platform emerging young designers of African origin who reflect the continent’s creativityand the use of African textiles in their products to infuse it with a modern Western flair. This is in the form of clothes, accessories to name a few. It also seeks to create a network for the designers to interact and inspire all Fashionista’s in attendance.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced an updated study that showed 400 shades of lipstick contain traces of lead. Brands such as Maybelline, Cover Girl and others made the list. There have been reports of lead findings in lipsticks during the 1990s. In 2007 the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics reported lead traces in lipstick, as well. These tests are conducted periodically to maintain a current record.

New York, NY, March 14, 2012 — Nigerian fashion designer Tori Famuyiwa is proud to unveil the newest creations for his African-inspired line, Toriola, at FEAST. This private celebration will take place on Friday, April 13, 2012, from 6:00-9:00pm at Wix Lounge in Manhattan. Come feast your eyes and indulge your senses upon a selection of Toriola’s creations while you sip, nosh and socialize with key industry representatives and members of the media. Tori's collection, including his latest lace designs, will be featured.

Dzuné which means jewelery of gold in the Ghanaian language “Ga" is also a synonym for wealth. This collection reflects the status Gold holds within indigenous West African Culture. From pre-colonial times it was the foundation upon which the majority of trade was founded. Its importance is further reflected in its wide use in jewelery worn by many Ghanaian tribes. Brass and Copper were also used as adornments but Gold held a place of honor amongst many tribes especially the Akan.

Today, "A Man’s Story," a documentary on the life of globally renowned Ghanaian fashion designer, Ozwald Boateng, will be in British theaters. The documentary chronicles the past 12 years of Boateng’s life not just as a fashion designer, but as a man. Parlour Magazine interviewed Boateng and the filmmaker that documented all those years of his life, Varon Bonicas, to speak about the documentary and their experiences together.

Due to the phenomenal response to participate in the much anticipated, ARISE Magazine Fashion Week, which last year hosted 5,000 guests, 51 designers, 81 models, 5 musical acts over three days – ARISE organizers have announced that it will return to Lagos in March 2012, only this time it will feature 77 participants from 6 continents – including designers as far away as India, the Caribbean, USA, Europe and Africa.

Face of Africa USA along with Africa Connect present the second annual Mr. Face of Africa Texas 2012 Pageant. This spectacular event will be held at the wonderful UTA Rosebud Theatre at 300 West 1st St Arlington, TX 76010 on February 18th, 2012. The evening will feature a night of poetry and music with performances from Dallas artist Dewun, singer Gael Boom, local poets and African dancers. We invite you to come witness an explosion of culture, fashion and performance. This much anticipated event will be like no other, featuring the most handsome African men in Texas competing not only for the title of Mr. Face of Africa Texas 2012, but to expand people’s knowledge on African culture by representing a platform of service, leadership and mentorship for the young African communities within our great state.

Due to the phenomenal success of the inaugural ARISE Magazine Fashion Week 2011, where 5,000 guests, 51 designers, 81 models, 5 musical acts performed over three days – ARISE is once again proud to announce that it will return to Lagos in March 2012.

Last night, I actually sat in front of my laptop screen, and gazed at the candid photos of former beauty queen Eva Ekvall. The first photo showed a close-up crowned young lovely woman, standing tall posing for the cameras with a beautiful warm smile that genuinely reached your eyes and warmed your day. The second photo however, showed a new look: the same woman looking dreadfully pale, bald and lying faintly on a hospital bed as she struggles with breast cancer.

Lanre DaSilva-Ajayi presents the Delicate Shades Capsule Collection by Vilsco fabric

The New York launch of Helen Jennings’ debut coffee table book New African Fashion on December 8, 2011 was a huge success. It was standing room only at the New York Public Library on Wednesday 30 November for a talk about the book. Jennings was joined by Mimi Plange, Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim (Mataano) and Enyinne Owunwanne (Heritage1960) for two hours of good conversation.