With August 2014 being the 12th issue of COUTURE Arica, we are officially One Year Old – how fast time flies. COUTURE Africa was brought about to change the publishing and fashion scenes through dynamic features, articles, fashion spreads and covers, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the entire team – both full-time and contracted – in helping to realize this vision. Most importantly, I would like to thank you, the COUTURE Africa reader for picking up the magazine month upon month, engaging with us on social media and giving us your feedback. We would not exist were it not for you. Finally, I would like to thank our advertisers, who have believed in and put their weight behind this new brand – and we look forward to growing together as we move from strength to strength.

As we move into our second year, Kaizen is the motto we continue to live by. We shall try to not only bring you more innovative fashion and more entertaining articles, we shall also spread our wings to cover more  regional ground, and truly be a product for all East Africans. Our eyes, ears and minds are always open to new suggestions, compliments and even complaints, so if you have any thoughts you would like to share, write to me

When I think of art, I think of all the things
that bring us together as a humanity.
I think of nature – in its various depictions. I think of
culture and the vast interpretations of it. I think of beauty through
its various forms. The thing is, art is all around us, it just takes one
to slow down and look around. “Slow down, don’t dance so fast;
time is short, the music won’t last.” I have come to realise that
the appreciation of art is the appreciation of life itself, and as we
rush hurriedly through our days, it is important – every once in a
while – to take a step back, slow down (or stop completely) and
internalise the things about us. “Take time to hear to the music –
before the song is over.”
So this month, as we shall do for many more Octobers to come,
we talk art and we embrace art. As an introduction, we take you
through an intricate guide on all places ‘artsy’ in Nairobi. If you are
the type of person that cannot be bothered about the opening
of the latest bar/lounge, but instead are looking for something
more visually and mentally stimulating to occupy your free time,
this guide is just for you. We cover everything from theatre and
dance to art galleries and museums – and believe me, this is just
the tip of the ice berg of what Nairobi, and indeed East Africa,
has to offer. This October, celebrate art with COUTURE Africa and
support local, regional and international artisans by buying one of
their pieces, or simply going out to watch them in their various
mediums.
It is with this in mind that I also turn your attention to the African
Heritage Mansion that is currently under threat of demolition by
the Government because of the Railway Line upgrade. If you have
never been to this amazing structure rife with African history down
in Mlolongo – it is a must-visit. That said, we wish the African
Heritage team all the best of success in Saving The African Heritage
House - a true icon in cultural history.

As we get into the second leg of COUTURE Africa, year two, we
start with The Power Issue! This time around, we focus on your
personal power, a subject whose self-realisation causes many an ‘aha’
moment. Career and life coach Renee Ngamau takes us through just
what personal power is and how we can achieve it in our main feature
– a definite page turner. We also talk to various industry greats who
have scaled heights, and through hard work and determination are
currently on top of their game. Our gentleman, Big Ted and celebrity
Nonny Gathoni are undisputable trail blazers because they went where
there was no path, and created one for themselves. We also talk to
industry greats such as Isis Nyong’o Madison in technology, James
Smart in news reporting and Wacuka Thimba in make-up, just to get a
more personal perspective to their lives on all matters fashion, beauty
and lifestyle – something we do not read about often.
As I look at all these people – and many more we have interviewed
before, as I listen to (or read) their stories, it always gets me thinking
about that elusively defined ‘power personality’. I am slowly beginning
to realise that there is a common thread that spans across
almost all people who are deemed successful; all people who are
thought leaders and game changers. These people may not be type-
A personalities, but what they all do have in common is their level of
self-assurance and self-confidence. They have a deep knowing that
they can achieve anything they want, and set forth in their journey.
Secondly, whether it comes from passion or the sheer fear of failure,
they also work, and work hard to get what they want. Thirdly, and
most importantly, they speak big. They talk about the end result.
They celebrate success even before they have achieved them, because
deep down they have a knowing that it is their destiny.

he Business of Fashion
A lot has been said a lot about the business of fashion in Africa,
and as someone who loves business, and is a fashion fanatic, this
is one topic that really does ring essential to me. There is a lot to
say about the metamorphosis of the fashion industry in Africa, and
to get us started, we focus on Kenya. An observation I always like
to make is where people spend their money on luxury products,
and the reasons why they make the choices they do. I try and
give my view on this in our main feature – but 3,000 words is not
nearly enough. Perhaps I have found a topic for my first book! If
you are a fashion lover, or an avid business woman – this month’s
issue will be the ultimate page-turner.
We also talk about global fashion destinations for the travel shopper,
and our monthly contributor, Ian Arunga, tells us in his forever
witty style why he feels women have it better when it comes to
shopping. We then get to chat to two albeit uncelebrated players
in the fashion Industry, Diana Opoti and Graham Shaw, and
they tell us their business side of things. I simply could not have
the issue close without giving you some tried and tested tips on
building a wardrobe, and so I put on my “Image Consultant hat”
and gave you a sneak peek on what you could do to achieve
that perfect closet. This is not even the fashion issue yet, and I
am so excited!
Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that our first anniversary
is around the corner, or perhaps it is because as COUTURE
Africa grows it is really developing into an informative guide for
today’s modern woman. I tell, you, you cannot get information
like this anywhere else. Thank you for keeping it COUTURE and
until next month:
LIVE LIFE. LOVE AFRICA

Couture Africa Magazine  Cover - October 2014 Edition

October 2014

Couture Africa Magazine  - October 2014

Couture Africa Magazine  Cover - September 2014 Edition

September 2014

Couture Africa Magazine  - September 2014

Couture Africa Magazine  Cover - August 2014 Edition

August 2014

Couture Africa Magazine  - August 2014

Couture Africa Magazine  Cover - July 2014 Edition

July 2014

Couture Africa Magazine  - July 2014

COUTURE Africa is a multi-platform women’s fashion, beauty and lifestyle magazine that touches on every aspect of a woman’s life, from fashion and beauty to relationships and career, from food and restaurants to finance and decor. It is an aspirational magazine that educates as well as entertains. 
COUTURE Africa is a high quality publication that boasts of high superior photography and print, as well as an easy to read, easy to follow layout amass with captivating features. It is the magazine every woman wants to have on her bedside, home page, tablet or coffee table to slowly read through, throughout the month. 
At COUTURE Africa we pride ourselves in our ability to source for uniquely interesting and dynamic stories and features, as our main purpose is to inform our reader, day after day and month after month, on maters pertaining to their lives.  
At COUTURE Africa we Live Life and Love Africa!

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Couture Africa Magazine - August 2014

Couture Africa Magazine - August 2014

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