Backstage Report: Afro Hair and Beauty Live 2011

Over the most recent May Bank Holiday, once again, I was flitting around backstage at a Fashion Show! On this occasion it was at the Afro Hair and Beauty Live event which took place at the Business Design Centre in Islington.

I have been meaning to blog about this a lot sooner, but balancing a full-time job as well as other fashion-related projects outside of that is certainly no menial feat! (More on these projects in the coming weeks) 

Sleep deprivation is all too familiar nowadays!


The Afro Hair and Beauty Show has been running for the past 30 years and is an event tailored for women from African and Caribbean heritage.

It is reknowned for it's mini shows and exhibitions featuring the most outlandish hairstyles and wacky fashion creations! 
A sea of various boutiques and stands can also be found where companies and brands promote and sell their products and services, using interesting demonstrations.

 During this two-day event, I worked as part of a team who jointly co-ordinated the mayhem logistics and assisted with the styling at two installments of the "Zed Eye Presents" fashion shows where established as well as emerging designers showcased some samples from their collections.

There was also a pop-up boutique where some of their ensembles were on display and available for purchase.

The first show featured samples from the emerging designers including Lanyero, Adopted Culture, Monsura Boutique, Yaa Ataa Bags, Honey Malalou and Yummi Kouture.
The second show was a display of the established designers: Zed Eye, Ayakai Couture, Afro-Chique, Oheme Ohene and Tina Lobondi.

Here are some catwalk shots:

Lanyero

Lanyero Designer (left)

AfroChique

Honey Malaolu

Tina Lobondi

Tina Lobondi

Yaa Ataa Couture Bags

...And some of the backstage happenings...

Myself and a fashion assistant organising the collections and "running order" prior to the show

Doing what I love best..

The uber-talented MAC  MUA- Stacy Okafor

Backstage, minutes before the show (and crazyness!) begins. All models dressed in Zed Eye Designs

(L-R) Stacy (MUA), Yolande (Show Overseer), Zi (Fashion Designer of Zed Eye Designs) and Bumi Thomas (photographer).