Next Time Models

Middlesex 3rd Year Fashion Show

For more info go to:
http://www.mdx.ac.uk/

Rewind: April Through The Years

Written By: MIM!—It's the end of the month, and our big news this month is that we launched a new look for the magazine (April 2010: Live Your Life) and joined Facebook! Don't forget to follow, friend and/ or like us on Facebook, and together we'll define the voice of this generation's African women.

When we were publishing the magazine nine times a year, our April issues marked a time of the year when we were deliberately reflective about where we were yet hopelessly optimistic about what was in store. In 2006, it was time to Spring Forward with Rosemary Chileshe (Zambia) on our cover. In 2007, we brought in Something New with covergirl Mirembe Campbell (Uganda). In 2008 we celebrated Black Beauty with Liya Kebede (Ethiopia) gracing our cover. And in 2009, Sehin Belew (Ethiopia) showed us how to be Simply Fabulous by being on the cover of MIMI with no regard for her age.

Here are the hot topics that we were blogging about in past Aprils:

2009: The State of Black Models In Mainstream Fashion,

2008: The Joy Of Being A Black English Monarch, and

2007: First Malaria Awareness Day In The United States.

(Caption: Reading MIMI Magazine Online (Model Used Solely For Illustrative Purposes))

(Photo Credits: © iStockPhoto | STEEX)

Jeanette's Pop-Up shop in Start's Boutique

Myself, Philip Start & Jeanette

Murray Arthur & Lyndell Mansfield

Jeanette with jewellery designer Dominic Jones

Lady Noise performed

Pictures by my assistant Luke Freeman
For more info on Start Boutique go to:
http://www.start-london.com/

Palace Skateboard party

Florence Welch

Model, Eliza Trump

Illustrator, Saskia Pomeroy

'Happy Socks'

Vogue's, Jaime Perlmann

Carri Mundane

See my pictures at http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs
Exhibition pictures by Alastair Mclellan

They're Just A Band That's Made It Big

Written By: MIM!—Just A Band's video "Ha-He" has been credited as Kenya's first viral video. Here's the catch: it has only been available for a little over a month, and during this time the video has made it big, no really big, with its spoof of of blaxploitation films, featuring the hilarious protagonist Makmende.

Just A Band (Kenya) - "Ha-He" with Makmende from Akwaaba Music on Vimeo.

We ♥ Just A Band's particular brand of supernerdycool electro synth (Afri) pop. Look out for more of Just A Band in an upcoming issue of MIMI, and for now, enjoy their video.

African Swim: A Hip-Hop Sonic Journey To South Africa

Written By: Nani Hapa—As Research Editor, I usually spend hours (mainly online) looking for all news Africa, hoping to find just one noteworthy story to cover in the magazine. Every now and then, however, a gem magically falls in my hands. This was the case with the free African Swim album (yes, free).

First, the what: African Swim is a free compilation album of some of the finest South African hip-hop artists (Zola, Jozi, Magaz) that was released in 2008 by Adult Swim. Which brings me to the who: the Adult Swim network released the album; bringing South African hip-hop to an audience likely unfamiliar with hip-hop from outside the US is definitely a good look for the network. Where: the entire album is available online for free download (again, yes, the album is free) at this link www.adultswim.com/williams/music/africanswim/index.html. When: I'm nearly two years late in "discovering" this album, but better late than never right? And finally the how: as I mentioned when I started this post, this album landed in my hands (figuratively speaking that is since it's a digital download) because a MIMI reader thought to email us about it. Thank you MIMI-ista!

All Dolled Up

Alright lovelies, let's be honest...how many of us girls didn't dream of looking like a Barbie one day?

The beautiful hair, the killer curves, the perfect boyfriend....who could ever ask for more?
Then one day we wake up,
we look in the mirror,
and we realize...
we don't look like a Barbie after all!

What's that little spot on my face there? Where are my curves?!
Where are my long, flowing locks of golden hair?!

The truth is girls, no one looks like Barbie....not naturally at least :D

How boring would the world be
if we all looked "perfect" all the time?
None of us would be unique and therefore none of us would be beautiful.

Beauty comes in the imperfections, quirks and traits that make us all
individual and special.

Remember that you are beautiful! When you wake up in the morning,
look in the mirror and feel proud of who you are.

Annabella from "A girl should be two things, Classy & Fabulous" is having a "Doll" contest to celebrate her 400 subscribers. I thought it would be fun to enter and to see what I'd look like as a doll...the verdict...
I look fake, but I had a good time getting All Dolled Up!

China Glaze Advice

I Need Your Help Lovelies!!!

It's been one of those weeks and I want to take myself on a
China Glaze Shopping Spree!!!
I'm so upset because I bought myself some lovely blue polish from Sephora for $8...and it stinks!
It started chipping the day I applied it!

So...I need advice. I seriously have a list of about 40 China Glaze colors that I want.
And I found a website www.head2toebeauty.com
that sells China Glaze for $2.99 a bottle.
I know that I definitely want "For Audrey", a beautiful
Tiffany & Co. blue...

As well as Flying Dragon and Japanese Koi from the Ink collection....

I want to know what other colors you think I should get.

I love blues, purples and pinks.

Please let me know.
I hate wasting money on things that I think will be great that end up being rubbish...aka Sephora Nailpolish.

What have your China Glaze experiences been like? Good, Bad, Ugly?

The future of my nails is in your hands ladies....I'm trusting you! Let me know what colors I should buy in the comments section.
Ready, Set....Go!!!

Fashion F-U-N With Anna ALPHABETIC

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Written By: MIM!—Our favorite singer-stylista Anna Reynolds recently released the new collection from her ANNA ALPHA BETIC line, titled ALPHABETIC No.2. Like Anna, the collection is fun and fashion forward. Get the style scoop at www.anna-alpha-betic.com.

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(Photo Credits: ANNA ALPHA BETIC)

Indie Inspiration: Duaba Serwa

Written By: MIM!—Ghanaian jewelry designer Nelly Hagan Aboagye and her business partner launched Duaba Serwa with the idea of creating a jewelry line incorporating indigenous Ghanaian, Sierra Leonean, and Ivorian beadwork all hand-made with contemporary designs fused with middle eastern stones. The result is uniquely spectacular. Visit www.duabaserwa.etsy.com to learn more about the line.

(Photo Credits: Sefa Nkansa For Duaba Serwa)

Revealed: Sade's Babyfather Album Cover

Written By: MIM!—Today, Sade revealed on her website the stunning artwork for her new single Babyfather. The video will be available to purchase on iTunes starting May 4th. Get the inside scoop on Sade and her projects by visiting www.sade.com.

She Defines Soul.Substance.Style (No. 011): Lira

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Written By: MIM!—Lira is undoubtedly one of the hottest performing artists in South Africa. Although she has been singing since childhood, it was the 2006 release of her second album Feel Good which catapulted Lira to the stratosphere. A sweet mix of Afro-Jazz, R&B, and soul, the album earned her several South Africa Music Awards (SAMA) nominations including Best New Artist, Best Female Artist, Best R&B Album, Best Single, and Best Video (which she won). At the time (2007) the title track off the album enjoyed more radio airplay than any other South African song. Today, Lira has another album under her belt, Soul In My Mind, and her star continues to shine bright.

(Photo Credits: Sony BMG South Africa)

Boho Girl

Okay, so the title of the post is a teensy bit misleading as Daniella isn't purely a boho girl......she likes to mix up her style: a little bit girly, a little bit luxe-hippy, a little bit edgy but always, always accessorised. Piles of rings, strands of necklaces, geek glasses, hats: Daniella's room is a treasure trove of gorgeous things she has picked up on her travels. A stylist from Toronto Canada, Daniella loves to mix vintage with high street finds and a little bit of designer as well.

Daniella's long dress, denim shirt and hat in these photos are all vintage. And the mandarine/clementine? That was my daft idea! It got a bit squished in my bag on the way to Daniella's- ick!

p.s. I wanted to do a separate "I am running off to Australia" post but I am all out of time - I haven't even packed yet and my plane leaves in a few hours (hopefully with me on it!) Anyway, so I am heading off to photograph at Rosemount Australia Fashion Week in Sydney, and also going back to see much loved family and friends. I haven't been home for 3 years so I am a wee bit excited :)))) Very nervous about photographing in Australia as I haven't done it before (please everyone be nice to me!).

Hopefully I will have some Aussie pics to show you in a few days. I have a brand spanking new Apple laptop (my first piece of Apple equipment except for my ipod) which I have absolutely no idea how to use so bear with me if my photos look completely and utterly crap when I am away. It is going to be a bit hit and miss......please let me know if my photos look really odd (you can email me if you don't want to do it publicly!).

Right, now, off to pack, which will probably involve just throwing a heap of clothes in my suitcase and sitting down on the top of it to close it :)