The month of love is here, and with it comes its own pressures!!! I personally think you can measure the strength of a relationship based on how partners deal with the red cloud that is Valentine's Day. Some love it, some hate it, some love to love it, and some love to hate it. Whichever you may be, ensure that your partner knows what you expect. If, like me, it is no big whoop, then say so. But only if you mean it! Do not say "Valentine's Day is really a day created by the cards and gifting business to make an extra buck and I really do not care much about it, or cards, or gifts, or flowers, or chocolate," and then sit there hoping that he will read between the lines and get you said card, gift, flowers and chocolate all topped off with an elaborate dinner for two! If there is something I have learnt about men in my short life, is that they are extremely simple beings! Keep it simple and reduce all risk of unhappiness and drama by stating your expectations well before hand.

The gentleman’s issue is one of my favourite issues of the year. It could be because this is the one time, we get to focus on what men want and need – fashionably speaking. Coming up with interesting beauty regimes for men is definitely an interesting conversation to have; you would have to be a fly on the wall of that brainstorm room to understand why. The highlight of this issue, however, is the couture conversations. This could be because I was able to join the crew in meeting, shooting and sitting with each of these men, or because, I’m a great fan of light, yet interesting banter on topical matters. Brief and to the point, I hope you enjoy the read. We also have some great men’s fashion and beauty lined up for you, and while we may not have a ‘male cover’ as we always do, I think our Miss Universe runners up, did us some justice. 

Our anniversary issue celebrates the epitome of female success by highlighting various female ambassadors to Kenya and talking to them about their lives and experiences in our wonderful country. We also discuss the future for women in Africa and beyond – in their opinion – and what a great conversation it is. We also have the lovely Lisa Christoffersen gracing our pages as our celebrity of the month, and our brand-new travel writer for what I suppose shall be very exciting issues to come. We hope you enjoy reading this issue, as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

“… if, when you stop and look around, do not like what you see, make a firm and concrete commitment to change it!”

Our dollhouse theme in this month’s issue of COUTURE Africa magazine, coupled with the piece on the social media mirage by our curious observer makes me think that perhaps – in one way or another – we are all living in a dollhouse of our own making. The excitement we had then, as children, is not different from the thrills we get today, as adults, when we buy that brand new flat screen TV or upgrade the 10-year old fridge. Such is the cycle of life…work hard…get paid…buy stuff…from someone who is also working hard…to get paid from the stuff you have just bought. Oh, the joys of commerce. Then comes your persona… I admit that I cannot leave the house before “putting on my face” even if I am just going to the supermarket and back home because we have to present ourselves a certain way to the general public. Look at our social media pages…riddled with moments only of perfection. Do not get me wrong, I do not think it is a bad thing, I think it’s great – if it’s authentic! I am a true believer that you – consciously or unconsciously, actively or passively play a very present role in the creation of your reality. In the creation of your ‘dollhouse’. What does yours look like?

Allow Your Passion to Become Your Purpose and It Will One Day Become Your Profession.
 
The last article on here really inspires me and is pretty close to my heart. Call it a homage to all who have dared walk down the path less trodden – and have created a life and livelihood around it. So, as we get into the meat of 2019 [January is just the starter pack] I hope that more and more people will be willing to take the plunge into the abyss of entrepreneurship and fully follow their dreams.

Fashion designers are displaying much more novelty than before. Considering the current talent pool, it is probably at an all-time high. Until recently, we had only a handful of them - we knew each of them by name. However, that’s not the case anymore. There are innumerable designers with incredible talent. The evolving runway scene has thrown open many doors for every kind of designer – from fashion Gurus to new designers. With 2018 wrapping up, these are the designers who have been shaking things up. At COUTURE Africa, we celebrate such achievements with the hope that they shall continue to do even more in the new year!

What are little boys made of?
What are little boys made of?
Frogs and snails,
And puppy-dogs' tails;
That's what little boys are made of.
What are little girls made of?
What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice,
And all that's nice;
That's what little girls are made of.
An old English nursery rhyme
This, is my favourite issue all through the year. The one that talks about, to and with men. Men, to me, are compelling, enthralling, captivating subjects. Nothing like me, yet in some way, human, like I. I observe women and their interactions with men, and watch men and how they respond, sometimes react, to women, and secrets are always revealed. I have read up, and I am familiar with, PUAs - pick up artists, men who teach men to pull women, and some of the overwhelmingly silly things they teach, some bordering on macho, misogynistic crap. I listen to feminists, and how anti-men they can become, and they stand their ground, declare themselves radical. I listened to my mother who was terrified of my vulnerability to men - or so she thought, because it turned out I was not boy crazy, I just have an intense affinity for male energy. I thrive around it. I surround myself with it. I need it like air.

THE DARKER THE BERRY THE SWEETER THE JUICE
Kenya is constantly described as cosmopolitan. A melting pot. A baby New York. A place without a solid ethnic vibe. Where 42 tribes all have a sense of pride with their own identities. It is a metaphor for Africa. 54 states that will not become unified any time soon. Each with its singular culture. All vibrant. All misunderstood. All agree that TIA is a phrase expressing a barely masked frustration with government. Mired in political fatigue. Such potential, never to be realised. Africa Rising is just hot air. Money comes to you only if you steal it. Nice guys die before finishing last. Only conspiracy theories make sense. Where they have to take you in when Trump kicks you out. Where Sauti Sol will live and die. Where you can look ugly and enjoy it.

THE ONLY THING TO FEAR IS... YOURSELF
The notion that a contemporary woman must look mannish in order to be taken
seriously as a seeker power is frankly, dismaying. - Anna Wintour

BLACK MAGAZINES ROCK
I can’t remember when I fell in love with magazines. It could have
been the Buda catalogues my mother had all over the house with
pictures of lean, blonde women in clothes that inevitably made their
way into her wardrobes. Growing up, there were no magazines for me
to dive into. And, they were also very, very pale the exact opposite of
my family and friends. I know it has become popular to say people
do not see themselves represented and so they start something to fill
that void. I did not realise there were no black faces. At least not until
I stumbled across a copy of Ebony. It was a shocker to me flipping
through the blackness and because this cliche fits, in all its glory.
Slowly, the pieces started to click. There were no magazines with
women like me. There was Viva for a while. My mum confessed
she had been asked to be a covergirl. She turned them down. I was
aghast. She showed me the black and white picture. It is framed and
hangs in both home. She is young, gorgeous, with a TWA and a top
I later discovered was striped pink and white. I could even see the
cover lines! Except she said at the time magazines were associated
with women of a certain character. I think these days we insist on
mistakenly calling them socialites. I wanted to shake her.

BEAUTY IS AS BEAUTY DOES
“Makeup is not a mask that covers up your beauty; it's a weapon that helps you express who you are from the inside.” - Michelle Phan
There was a time I didn’t care to be beautiful. Of course I was also waddling and cute by default so that hardly counts. As I grew older I became aware there was a standard of beauty and I did not meet it. She has soft, clear, light skin with thick dark hair with big round eyes. As she grew older she was allowed to darken a smidge provided she had glorious curves to be ogled at in real life and increasingly, on social media. Then my flawless skin broke out at 29. Hormones. Stress. Genetics. Androgens. Environment. Diet. Dermatologists played blind darts. I sunk money into skin care and lifestyle. I got trolled for having acne. Threads confident in my ugly. That was the actual word used. Ugly. Other women were effortlessly beautiful so why was I working so hard to earn mine dammit! It would seem I was destined to be on the wrong side of beautiful my entire life. 

Yes, this story has a happy ending where I will gloss over all the hard times and tell you I finally slayed that dragon. Killed it. Dead. The end. Insert smiley face. After years of being told I was too black, that my hair was too something, my arms too toned, my body a little too strong and agile-looking, my muchness simply too much, a switch flipped in my head. I hate this cliche but it is ever so perfect. I found my beauty, as dramatic as it was. I embraced me. I realised I only had two speeds when it comes to lipstick: red and a deep plum. No nude lippie for me. I loved how my wild red hair went every which way. I was bemused by all the attributes directed my way simply because of how
I looked.

Carol Odero.

Life is all about Balance; Mind Body and Soul! 
Balance in life is one of those things whose value you discover as you get older. It is also one of those things you do not realise you need until you get it. Now I am not necessarily talking about work-life balance [as someone who works 90% of her waking life, I am yet to become an expert in that area]. I am talking about balance within yourself; mind, body and soul. 
MIND
“You are the books you read, the films you watch, the music you listen to, the people you spend time with, the conversations you engage in. Choose wisely what you feed your mind.”
“If you feed your mind as often as you feed your stomach, then you will never have to worry about feeding your stomach or a roof over your head or clothes on your back.” Albert Einstein
BODY
“Take Care of your body. It is the only place you have to live.” Jim Rohn
“Eat well, move daily, hydrate often, sleep enough, love your body and repeat for life.”
SOUL
“You do not have a soul. You are a soul.” India Arie
“It does not matter what world you live in; what matters is the world that lives in you.”

Some of the most complex female characters on TV are polarising because of sex. Why? For one thing women need to be able to laugh at their own sexual choices and behaviour. They get to make decisions about their own sexuality. Very much the idea behind She’s Gotta Have It, a Netflix reboot of a similarly titled Spike Lee movie. The lead, Nola, has four lovers: three male, one female. So far. How To Get Away With Murder opens with Annalise Keating receiving oral sex from someone we figure out is not her husband. A collection of remarkably audacious stories of Scandalous Women: The Lives & Loves of History’s Most Notorious Women. Then of course there is sex positive, polyamorous, gender fluidity, transgender and terms that were never there for our consideration as teenagers. 
It is easy to admire women who live their lives unapologetically. It is just as easy to resent them. There is a reason Rihanna is a wildly popular as she is. Why she is considered sexy. Her brown skin are more like duck feathers. Water rolls off of it. She shakes it off and on to the next. We like branding ourselves queens and goddesses, thinking only of the part where we get what we want. Being royalty or being a deity is a woman thing. Deities are responsible or they better be! You can’t be a true kween if you think sex unravels only on the physical plane; that it is something you give in order to get. True royalty gives and has a fair grasp on things they decide on. To fully grow up and into your own as a woman you will need to approach sex with more than a little timidity. You are going to have to do the unthinkable - go spelunking into your woman cave. Not THAT cave… the one in your mind, heart and soul. There is a lot that is left up to a woman’s lover. If you love yourself you will have to be your best lover. Take that any way you please.
Carol.

HERE’S TO NEW BEGINNINGS. 
I do not know about you, but I love the holidays!!! Not sooo much because of the festive season – which is great, yes but gets less and less exciting as you grow older – but because of the promise of the New Year! When I was in my early 20’s I was all about New Year Resolutions, 3-month detoxes, new finess regimens et al. But, that would usually only see me until my Birthday in the end of January, or worse yet, if I did get through the first three months, I would usually go back to my “unhealthy” ways with abandon immediately after. Not a very wise way to deal with life. 

Now that I am older, and perhaps a little wiser, I get into the new year with a little more structure and long-term planning. I no longer believe in New Year resolutions but instead believe that you can resolve to become a better version of yourself at any point in time; as long as you feel the calling. So my annual plans usually invove financial goals, travel goals, family and relationship plans, work plans etc. and it is usually done in two phases; the first one in December just before the holidays, as we close the year and a second review on my birthday which conveniently sits at the end of January. At this point you have already seen the pace the year is starting with and you can adjust accordingly. More often than not, I will also do a mid-year review to asses how the year has been so far, and whether I am on the right path to achieving my goals for that year! 

Happy Holidays and an even Happier 2018! 

Love & Light 

O.

The Fashion Issue is nothing if not about resilience. Of the industry, the people, their solutions to problems and yes, it has to be said, the passion that has driven them thus far. There is unpleasantness. There is exhaustion. There is frustration. There is agony! But there is also beauty in the struggle like a flame torch sculpting ice, melting away the edges until eventually, hello David! 

The Africa Issue is both challenging and intriguing. What does it mean to be African in our time? Fashion is not defined by Ankara, lesos or kikoi. It is not about safaris because you live and work in a town or city. We are not The Croods. Africa is a complex place with corners yet to be understood.

What is your definition of power? I ask women this in interviews so many times as I was writing this sentence I finally realised I have never asked the men to define power. And now suddenly I want to know nothing more than what men think power is. Is it the bipolar mother on medication, struggling with ADHD while raising an autistic son? Is it a life lived on the edge so precariously and peppered with mistakes that you know you have to fix and somehow make right. Power is knowing your team and your beat and your body with such intimate understanding you are fearless on stage. It could be that moment when you finally tell your crush, the love of your life or significant other what turns you on, and your relationship hangs in the balance in those few seconds that s/he processes the phrase BDSM in his mind. 

Power is that moment you step into your house at the end of a long day and into this magnificent sanctuary you created, inside this space you call home that looks exactly like you wanted it to when you were 6, 16 or 26. Or not. Power is fuelling your body, making it strong, efficient, alive, awake, knowing you have limits and still, still you are ambitious enough to push past them. Power is being a superhero to your loved ones, when you make a child laugh and get rewarded by the purest sweetest sound. It is the moment you look at your shoe collection and the fabulous clothes hanging in your closets and realise all the things you want to say are spoken with the textures and colours of your wardrobe. When you make a choice saving the environment and money. 

Four Years of Awesomeness…oh how time flies! It was just the other day when we were setting up Touch Media House’s first brand COUTURE Africa Magazine, having the age-old ‘let’s wait for elections to pass before we launch Issue One’ conversations and now, here we are! Four years strong, COUTURE Africa has defied societal norms. “Print is dying,” they said. “Digital is the way to go,” they said. “You will only burn your fingers,” they said. “It’s too much work,” they said. Well, here we are, printing our way to success, overworked? Possibly. But only passionately so. Love what you do and you will never have to work a day in your life, right?! 

Having been in business for over 12 years now, Touch Media House Ltd has definitely been my biggest challenge yet. The best thing about any challenge is that you have to step into the person you have to be to overcome it. See now, mountains will not shrink to accommodate you, you have to grow into the person who can handle them. Once you understand this, you appreciate life, and any difficulties you may face.

ENTREPRENUERSHIP IS THE BACKBONE OF ANY SOCIETY. 
We are the creators, the visionaries, the dreamers, the realists, the leaders, the influencers and now, the trend setters – as entrepreneurship has become the coolest thing in town. Do you dream of starting or running a successful business? Well, gone are the days when our parents and society at large encouraged us to get good grades, get into a good university, so that you can get a good job [well, truth be told, I was born in THAT generation of parenting]. Today, everyone is trying to raise the next Mark Zuckerberg and all young adults are looking to make it as big as Richard Branson. Are all these opportunities really out there, or is the vision of not only building successful businesses, but being a multi-millionaire as a result of them just a façade? So that is what this issue is about. Celebrating entrepreneurship and all its nuances. If you love business, are in business, have a side hustle that you think should be your main business, then this is the issue for you.

The Gentleman’s Issue is always an exciting issue to work on, as this is the one month in the year where we get to celebrate the men in our lives. So, ladies, feel free to share this with the gentlemen in their lives, as we tried to keep all articles light, entertaining and informative for both male and female readers. As we welcome our new Managing Editor, Carol Odero to the COUTURE Africa Family, she kicks off with a somewhat conversational topic on
the Emasculation of Men in our main Feature and talks to Niyat Patel of Marini Naturals and fitness guru Frankie Jus Gym It. We also cross over to other interesting matters such as raising boys, and male PMS [yes, it’s actually a thing] before topping it off with amazing fashion featuring industry heavyweights John Kaveke and Niku Singh as well as newcomers Tasnim Dosaji and Suraj’s wearable art. 

As “He Is COUTURE” is an annual special edition, we welcome your thoughts on all the things about men you would like us to explore for and with you when we next talk all matters MEN.

Love & Light.

@olivegachara

CELEBRATING MOTHERHOOD is always a great thing for any daughter, son or mother [that should cover every being, right]. And this month in COUTURE Africa, we celebrate the great work that has been done by Janet Mbugua-Ndichu in her #IAmMotherHood campaign as well as talk so some fabulous mums [and grandmoms] on their personal style, as well as their beauty and grooming tips. We also celebrate ALL modern mothers, because they make it all look so seamlessly effortless. 

A lot of brainstorming and research has gone into putting this issue together, during which I came across one article that caught my attention, in a way
that none other did. Said article was talking about the modern-day mom and how little guidance has been given to her to help her become who she has to be today; a working mother where motherhood in the workplace is more oft than not considered an inconvenience to the status quo. It is quite ironic because I do remember a male business owner quipping about how expensive it is to hire young women because they always seem to be getting pregnant. I laughed his not-so-witty remark off at the time, but it was not until almost eight years later that I recognized the weight of his words. I too may have fallen prey to this mentality. I hear myself repeatedly telling
women to focus on their profession, career and related qualifications as their claim to fame and/or success and leave home-at-home. I mean, we are competing in a “man’s world…right?” Well, I shall leave this ‘man’s world’ conversation for another day, however, what I have realized is the domino effect our mentality has on younger girls. Suddenly, being a wife and mother is no longer appealing to them… Certainly not when you can be Olivia Pope. And I am talking about Brainiac smart girls who look up to the Oprah’s of this word…and it makes me wonder… Is our aspiration as women – beyond all else – killing future generations [literally]?

So I know that saying every issue is a personal favorite is getting overrated, but THE BEAUTY ISSUE really is. Growing up, as a little girl, I was more of a tomboy than anything else…spending my mornings climbing loquat trees [I was super skinny with long limbs so I would usually get the furthest], and afternoons cycling around the neighborhood climbing people's gates. If you told 12 year old Olive that ten years on she would be spending her days in spas and money on the best cosmetics available, she would laugh you up said loquat tree. But here I am, and there is no place I would rather be. This is because make-up and beauty, “girly” as it may be, is not nearly as
shallow or superficial as it is oft perceived. Granted the Lady Gaga’s and the guy they call the Human Ken Doll may have taken it a good number of steps too far, but where you use beauty to accentuate, not camouflage, great things happen. Teach a woman how to dress appropriately for her body shape, give her a make-over and teach her how to maintain her hair and do her makeup, and the results are simply magical. It is almost like opening her to herself. Her confidence catapults and she somewhat reclaims her personal power, feeling – if only for a moment – that she can do anything and be anyone! Research has shown that an improved image goes a long way in mounding one’s self image for the better and, your self-image dictates to some extent others image of you too [hence my credo fake it till you make it].
My point? There is nothing superficial nor fluffy in taking the time to make yourself look beautiful. Your more confident you will thank you, your partner will appreciate it, and your kids will notice it too. Remember, when life gets difficult, put on some lipstick and attack has become a common adage, and I second that 100%.

I love the Body Issue because I always learn so much when putting it together! The story that takes the cake [no pun intended] is definitely Kunga’s Juicing Diet! His is an inspirational tale of finding oneself that led to the 100-Days of Juicing Campaign you must have heard of by now. We also talk to Madeline Kariuki on her weight loss journey and Uncle Zach on his cancer battle. If you do not feel motivated to be a better you and live a healthier, better lifestyle by the time you are done with this issue, I do not know what will inspire you! Remember, the most important thing in this life is to take care of your body, because it is the only place you have, to live in.

My-oh-my… The Holidays are upon us once again. This time it finds me with mixed emotions; I am not sure if I should be excited for the year that was or eager for the year to come. Well as I continue to try and live in the now, embracing every waking moment of being part of the awesomeness that is COUTURE Africa, I would like to thank all our readers for supporting us through 2016 and we look forward to an even more amazing 2017!

As you plan for your holiday break [or your working holiday], we have amazing tips on how to get through them without absolutely losing your mind, wanting to kill your partner and running away from your children, so do have a good read. When it comes to fashion, we have a special feature featuring one of the loveliest ladies I have met, yet, Lucy. This month, we celebrate a different kind of beauty with photographer,Beatty, as a way of celebrating people with albinism for they too have their own special attributes. We also do not forget to bring you all the latest trends that will guide you well into 2017 in both fashion and beauty.

If business is your thing, then you definitely want to read up on Adil Popat; the force behind Simba Corp and Joan Okorodudu; the founder of Nigeria’s Next Top Model. If you are all about life on the fast lane, we have great insights on fashion and lifestyle from Kaz, Toya Delezi and Sunny Dolat. All in all, something for everyone on our Christmas Issue.

Until next year, Love and Light from the COUTURE Africa Team! @olivegachara

LIVE LIFE • LOVE AFRICA

COUTURE Africa is ‘East Africa’s home of Fashion,’ and this month, we focus on all things – you guessed right, fashion! I truly believe that fashion – as a way of life, means to make a living and form of creativity – is viable and important to our society. I believe this magazine is proof of this! I have been reflecting on what this means for our country, and indeed our continent. When we started, not many were convinced that a magazine focused primarily on fashion was viable. Some thought there were more important issues, or that fashion was not something Kenyans would be that interested in. Today, things are different, and beautifully so. I have watched with pleasure as a small base of designers, stylists and models turns into large units of brands, businesses and organisations that are interested or focused on this wonderful topic: fashion. What does fashion mean to you? In this issue, we explore different ideas and concepts of style. Of course, this is something that we always do; so we just put a little more emphasis and “Vavavoom” into this issue! I particularly enjoyed working on the ‘Safari Chic’ (pg. 64) piece this month, featuring the all-new Jaguar F-Pace shot at the scenic Nairobi National Park, courtesy of Kenya Wildlife Service. It reminds me that fashion is more than fabric, high-heels and looking good – it is a way of life!We also created a list of some of Nairobi’s best-dressed people (pg. 64), something that was not as easy as we thought because Kenyan’s have begun to put a lot of effort into what they wear! While the list is not exhaustive, it is educative and was enjoyable to work on. What does fashion mean to YOU? Join us in the conversation all through the month of October using the HashTags #DoYouHaveYourCouture and #TheAfricaIssue. Do not forget to follow and tag @coutureafrica on your social media platform of preference. Remember, Live Life, Love Africa!

What does it mean to be African? We hear over and over that, ‘Africa is rising’. Do we resonate with this sentiment and more importantly, resonate with our African-ness? Working on this month’s magazine was quite an interesting experience. How do you define which fashion, food or stories are African? We are such a diverse, and beautiful people, the options are endless. It is a special place, ‘this our continent’! The best things have come out of it, and the best people conquer some of the most despicable situations. One quote comes to mind: "What I've come to learn is that the world is never saved in grand messianic gestures, but in the simple accumulation of gentle, soft, almost invisible acts of compassion, everyday acts of compassion”. In South Africa, they have a phrase called Ubuntu. Ubuntu comes out of a philosophy that says, “the only way for me to be human is for you to reflect my humanity back at me," Chris Abani. Ubuntu is one of those things we take for granted, because it is [almost] everywhere we are on this continent. It is in your mother, in your cousins and even in that interesting old lady who wonders when you are going to get married. We, Africans, live off and feed off each other. It can be terrible sometimes, when we choose to focus on the negative. OR, it can be amazing when we focus on what is great, and beautiful and amazing as we tried to do in this month’s Main Feature. If had to choose, I would say I love being a young enterprising woman in Africa today, living in Africa and making my life work in Africa. What do you love about being African and living in Africa? Join us in the conversation all through the month of October using the HashTags#DoYouHaveYourCouture and #TheAfricaIssue. Do not forget to follow and tag @coutureafrica on your social media platform of preference. Remember, Live Life, Love Africa!

No matter where you are in the world, women are statements of enthusiasm. They are one with nature, giving rise to life and constantly striving to improve their surrounding, image, outlook, perspective and anything that says better living. As women in Kenya strive for equality, it is important that we understand the journey that those who went before us have had to overcome. Tumultuous strife, going against what was thought of as acceptable, stepping out of their comfort zone so that their daughters in posterity would have a better life and overcome lesser struggles. This is taking root – slowly and there’s better awareness today than a few years ago. So feel encouraged, hold on to this worthwhile journey with the hope that in the near future, more paths will be cleared and step out into the world knowing what it means to be a woman of substance. This September, we braze time and bring you a sample of women who are amazing as they each curve out their niche in different fields in the NGO world, business, FMCG and communication. It is not an exhaustive list but we hope as you read our main feature, the array of power women will inspire you to strive for better heights. There’s more interesting reads for you in our various sections – did you know that you could make a wine smoothie? Why not try it one of these sunny afternoons as you flip through travel, décor, finance and parenting segments? We drape out in timeless black and white to bring you Yvonne by Afrostreet gorgeous BLAWH collection, Kirat Khalsa and Roma Designs Africa as we also showcase to the men how they can look stunning despite the bipolar weather.
All things artsy, all things inspirational and all things beautiful this September!
Talk to me, @olivegachara and remember to LIVE LIFE, LOVE AFRICA and LOVE OUR POWER WOMEN.

So… You know I have had the same HP laptop for my editorial work for the last 3-years, right. I bought it three years ago at the onset of COUTURE Africa magazine, and with its in-built Beats by Dre speakers, it has served me exceptionally well… writing from the COUTURE Africa HQ, from my home office, from my bed, by the beach, on the plane… I have literally carried it EVERYWHERE with me. I remember someone laughing at me recently because some of the letters on the keys have rubbed off…now we just type from memory [who types looking at the keyboard anyway]. Point of the story is this: just as those letters have rubbed off my keypad with the ultimate goal of ending up in these pages, month upon month, year upon year, we hope that the COUTURE Africa message has rubbed off on you too. A message that celebrates all that is authentically African, from our fashion to our food, our people to our stories! Over the last three years, COUTURE Africa has indeed morphed from being just a magazine to becoming an experience and a community, and we are glad to have you as part of that amazingly fashion forward, futuristic community.

The cost of urban and urbane living has and continues to get insanely expensive, it seems. But has it really? I ask this because we find that more and more, pop culture is influencing what ideal lifestyles are. This has happened in the past with beauty ideals, and it took well over 10-years for women to hone their personal power and embrace themselves regardless of body shape, body size and/or skin tone. It is interesting then to see how long this opulent way of living shall last before people have enough confidence and satisfaction in themselves and their lives to become authentic. This does not go to say that we are living in-authentic lifestyles, however when ‘sponsors’ have become acceptable ethos in society, then we know there is something going wrong somewhere. So in this issue, we talk about money and the influence it has on our lives. How much does it cost to live that ‘fabulous’ lifestyle, and what are people willing to do to achieve it? 
Follow this and more interesting conversations on social media @coutureafrica on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and let us know your thoughts on the above. I think this shall be a very exciting month! 

What is the measure of a man? A true gentleman? This is the new-age question that we try to demystify in the next couple of pages, so I can guarantee you a great read. A read that all ladies should share with the important men in their lives. A read that all ladies should use as [dare I say] a benchmark when relating to the men in their lives. Because at the end of the day, a guy is a man by birth, but a gentleman by choice. He Is COUTURE is dedicated to all the great men in East Africa and beyond working every day to become better people for themselves, their partners, their colleagues and their families.
This month we touch greatly on men’s fashion and style – from the dapper to the casual – as well as basic grooming tips for the ‘manly’ man. We also do not forget to give you all the fashion style and beauty trends for our COUTURE female readers as we continue to try and be disruptive yet informative with our content. We have interesting conversations for you from Sean Cardovillis and Kevin Ombajo to Pierra Makena, who’s making strides in what was known to be a man’s world, and our cover star Nick Mutuma amongst others.
Lots has been said through these pages, and I would like to hear more from you on our social media [@coutureafrica across all platforms]. What is your take on today’s generation of men? Is chivalry really lost, or are we, as women, lowering our expectations of men? Talk to me, @olivegachara and remember to LIVE LIFE, LOVE AFRICA and LOVE OUR AFRICAN MEN.

COUTURE Africa  Cover - The Gentleman's Issue 2019 Edition

The Gentleman's Issue 2019

COUTURE Africa  - The Gentleman's Issue 2019

COUTURE Africa  Cover - 6th Anniversary Edition Edition

6th Anniversary Edition

COUTURE Africa  - 6th Anniversary Edition

COUTURE Africa  Cover - The Doll House Edition

The Doll House

COUTURE Africa  - The Doll House

COUTURE Africa  Cover - The Creative Economy Edition

The Creative Economy

COUTURE Africa  - The Creative Economy

COUTURE Africa  Cover - This Year In Fashion Edition

This Year In Fashion

COUTURE Africa  - This Year In Fashion

COUTURE Africa  Cover - It’s Movember Again! Edition

It’s Movember Again!

COUTURE Africa  - It’s Movember Again!

COUTURE Africa  Cover - This Is My Africa Edition

This Is My Africa

COUTURE Africa  - This Is My Africa

COUTURE Africa  Cover - The Power Issue Edition

The Power Issue

COUTURE Africa  - The Power Issue

COUTURE Africa  Cover - 5th Anniversary Issue Edition

5th Anniversary Issue

COUTURE Africa  - 5th Anniversary Issue

COUTURE Africa  Cover - April 2018 - The Beauty Issue Edition

April 2018 - The Beauty Issue

COUTURE Africa  - April 2018 - The Beauty Issue

COUTURE Africa  Cover - March 2018; The Body Issue Edition

March 2018; The Body Issue

COUTURE Africa  - March 2018; The Body Issue

COUTURE Africa  Cover - February 2018; The Sex Issue Edition

February 2018; The Sex Issue

COUTURE Africa  - February 2018; The Sex Issue

COUTURE Africa  Cover - December 2017/January 2018 Edition

December 2017/January 2018

COUTURE Africa  - December 2017/January 2018

COUTURE Africa  Cover - November 2017 Edition

November 2017

COUTURE Africa  - November 2017

COUTURE Africa  Cover - October 2017 Edition

October 2017

COUTURE Africa  - October 2017

COUTURE Africa  Cover - September 2017 Edition

September 2017

COUTURE Africa  - September 2017

As East Africa’s Pioneer Fashion Magazine, COUTURE Africa seeks to not only celebrate African Fashion, but bring global fashion and beauty trends into the African market in a relatable and easily translatable way to our readers.

It is because of this that COUTURE Africa has over the years become a voice for the modern woman in Africa. The woman who understands quality, appreciates value and is constantly seeking to look and feel her best on a daily basis.

COUTURE Africa magazine is indeed the go-to read for today’s woman.

1. お客様は、Magzter.com、アプリケーション、およびそのサービスの使用は単独でご自身の責任で行うことに同意します。 Magzter.com、その関連会社、従業員、サードパーティのコンテンツ プロバイダーは、サービスが完全に中断されないこと、エラーがないこと、不正行為に対して確実であることを保証しません。また、Web サイトや製品が期待または約束したとおりの正確な結果が得られることも保証しません。

11. サービスおよびすべての出版物は、「現状のまま」および「入手可能な状態」で提供されます。 MAGZTER、その関連会社、サプライヤー、ライセンサーおよび代理店は、明示的か黙示的かを問わず、商品性、特定目的への適合性、および権利侵害の非侵害に関する黙示的な保証を含むがこれらに限定されない、あらゆる種類の保証を明示的に否認します。上記を制限することなく、MAGZTER もその関連会社、サプライヤー、ライセンサー、代理店も、(I) サービスがお客様の要件を満たすこと、(II) サービスが中断されず、タイムリーに、安全に、またはエラーが発生しないことを保証しません。 III) サービスの使用から得られる情報、または出版物に含まれる情報が正確または信頼できるものである、または (IV) 出版物またはサービスの品質がお客様の期待に応えるものであること。信頼できるインターネット接続とデバイスの取得と維持については、お客様が単独で責任を負います。 MAGZTER は、お客様がコンテンツをダウンロードできないことについては責任を負いません。ダウンロードまたはサービスの使用を通じて取得したマテリアルは、お客様自身の裁量とリスクで行われ、かかるマテリアルのダウンロードに起因するコンピューター システムまたはモバイル デバイスへの損害またはデータの損失については、お客様が単独で責任を負うものとします。口頭か書面かを問わず、お客様が magzter から、またはサービスを通じて、またはサービスから得たアドバイスや情報は、いかなる保証も生じません。

2.お客様は、その情報を真実、正確、最新かつ完全なものに保つために維持し、速やかに更新するものとします。あなたは、自分のアカウントとパスワードの機密性を維持し、自分のコンピュータへのアクセスを制限する責任を負い、すべてのコンテンツとサービスの選択と使用を含む、自分のアカウントで行われるすべての活動に対する責任を受け入れることに同意します。

3. いかなる場合においても、Magzter.com、ウェブサイトおよびアプリケーション上のコンテンツの作成、制作、配布に関与する個人、団体、第三者は、契約上または法的責任を負いません。 Magzter.com の使用中または使用中にお客様に発生した直接的、間接的、付随的、特別、および結果的。 Web サイトに登録するか、アプリケーションをダウンロードすることにより、このセクションに記載されている規定が Web サイトおよびアプリケーションのすべての使用およびコンテンツに適用されることに同意するものとします。

3. Magzter からの事前の書面または許可がない限り、ここに公開されているものはすべて Magzter またはそのライセンサーの専有財産であるため、Magzter から取得したコンテンツを変更、コピー、配布、販売してはなりません。このような不正使用は、著作権法や商標法を含む適用法に違反する可能性があるため、Magzter はこれらを厳しく禁止し、そのような違法行為が証明または検出された場合は、アクセスとアカウントを停止します。また、これらの不正行為によって生じた損害についても責任を負う必要があります。出版物の法的所有者が許可する場合を除き、お客様は、サービスを通じてアクセスした出版物をダウンロードすることによって所有権を取得しないことを承認するものとします。著作権法で明示的に要求されている場合、またはサービスの機能によって許可されている場合を除き、変更、リバース エンジニアリング、公開、送信、表示、譲渡または販売への参加、派生作品の作成、またはいかなる形であっても商業的に利用または提供することはできません。 Magzter およびかかるコンテンツの所有者の明示的な許可なしに、アプリのコンテンツ、出版物、またはそれらの一部を第三者に提供すること。当社は、明示的か黙示的かを問わず、Magzter または Magzter のライセンサーの知的財産に対するライセンスを付与しません。

5. あなたは、Magzter.com が他のユーザーや第三者、またはそのコンテンツのいかなる種類の中傷的、攻撃的、または違法な行為に対して責任を負わないこと、および前述の行為による傷害のリスクは完全にあなたにあることを特に認めます。

8. Magzter は、お客様が本利用規約および Magzter が定めるその他の運用規則に準拠しているかどうかを判断する目的で、お客様が公開および入力したコンテンツを監視するすべての権利を留保します。 Magzter は、コンテンツについて決定を下し、独自の意志で削除する権利を有します。

9. Magzter は出版物の販売代理店であり発行者ではないため、Magzter は雑誌に掲載されている意見、アドバイス、声明、サービス、オファーなどを含むコンテンツに対する編集管理を行いません。したがって、Magzter は、そこで提供される情報や事実、または公式の資格に従って行動する Magzter の認定従業員以外の者がサービスを通じて利用できる情報や事実の正確性や信頼性について責任を負いません。したがって、当社には出版物に対する編集上の管理権がありません。本サービスが提供する出版物で行われた意見、アドバイス、声明、サービス、オファー、または第三者によって表明または利用可能にされたその他の情報またはコンテンツは、それぞれの著者または出版社のものであり、第三者のものではありません。マグザー。 Magzter は、サービスを通じてまたは出版物から得た情報への信頼によって生じた損失または損害に対して責任を負いません。本サービスには、他のインターネット サイトおよびサードパーティのリソースへのリンクが含まれている場合がありますが、Magzter は、そのようなリンクされたサイトで利用可能な通信またはマテリアルについては一切の責任を負いません。これらのリンクは便宜のためにのみ提供されています。サードパーティのサイトにアクセスしたり、サードパーティのサイトを通じて注文したりするときに適用される利用規約を理解するのは、お客様自身の責任です。

不快なコンテンツの詳細（プラットフォーム上のリンクを含む）

お気に入りの作品をダウンロードすれば、いつでもどこでもオフラインで読むことができます

愛する人に Magzter ギフト カードをすぐに贈り、何千ものベストセラー タイトルの中からお気に入りの雑誌や新聞を自由に読めるようにしましょう。

Gift your loved ones with a Magzter Gift Card instantly and give them the freedom to read their favorite magazines from thousands of best-selling titles.

{{magCount}}冊の人気のインターナショナル雑誌からお気に入りの雑誌を自由に選べるMagzterギフトカードを、大切な人に今すぐ贈りましょう。

Girish Ramdas は、世界的なデジタル出版ビジネスで話題を呼んでいる、ニューヨークを拠点とする新興企業 Magzter の共同創設者兼 CEO です。 Magzter は 2011 年のサービス開始以来、150 か国以上から 9,000 万人のユーザーを獲得しており、世界中の 4,500 以上の出版社から数千冊の雑誌、新聞、書籍が提供されています。彼は、印刷物、モバイル、Web 開発を含むクロスプラットフォーム出版において 25 年以上の経験があります。この期間中、彼は 3 つの新興企業を共同設立し、経営して成功を収めてきました。彼は雑誌社のデジタル化を可能にし、デジタル世界でコンテンツの収益化を支援してきました。ギリッシュは、オンライン、モバイル、出版エコシステムにおける深い業界経験により、世界中のプラットフォームにわたるデジタル コンテンツの取得、マーケティング、収益化の専門家となっています。

当社のプラットフォーム上で不快なコンテンツに遭遇した場合、当社はお客様の懸念に対処するために苦情救済ポリシーを導入しました。

Magzter Inc. (「当社」、「当社」、「当社」) は、お客様がご自身の個人情報がどのように使用および共有されるかについて関心を持っていることを承知しています。当社のプライバシー慣行の詳細については、次のプライバシー ポリシー(「ポリシー」) をお読みください。当社が運営するウェブサイトおよびそのサブドメインのいずれかにアクセスするか、当社のモバイル アプリケーションやその他のコンテンツ配信方法(総称して「サービス」) を使用することにより、概要が説明されている慣行およびポリシーに同意したことになります。本ポリシーに記載されており、お客様は、当社がお客様の情報を以下の方法で収集、使用、共有することに同意するものとします。

Magzter Inc. は、世界最大かつ急速に成長しているセルフサービスのクロスプラットフォーム デジタル ニューススタンドで、2011 年の創業以来 9,000 万人を超えるユーザーがおり、40 以上のカテゴリ、60 以上の言語にわたる数千の雑誌や新聞を扱っています。ニューヨークに本社を置く Magzter は、アムステルダム、ロンドン、メキシコシティ、チェンナイ、ムンバイ、ニューデリー、バンガロール、シンガポールに現地拠点を置いており、間もなく他の国にも拡大する予定です。 2011 年 6 月に世界的起業家であるギリッシュ ラムダス氏とビジェイ ラダクリシュナン氏によって設立された Magzter は、世界中の雑誌や新聞の出版社が自社のタイトルのデジタル版を作成し、世界中の消費者に配信できるようにします。

Magzter は、ユーザーに安全なプラットフォームを提供することに尽力しています。 Magzter は、パブリッシャーがコンテンツを配布するためのプラットフォームにすぎないことに注意してください。当社は、当社のプラットフォームで公開されるコンテンツを管理または推奨しません。当社は、発行者の行動またはそのコンテンツに対して責任を負いません。

Magzter は、コンテンツまたはコンテンツの一部が権利を侵害したために損害を被った、または費用が発生した当事者を補償する責任を負いません。 Magzter は、第三者の権利を侵害するコンテンツまたはコンテンツの一部に起因する権利侵害について、民事裁判所で法的措置を講じる責任を負いません。

Magzter は、Magzter GOLD と呼ばれる世界最大の「読み放題」サブスクリプション サービスを提供しています。これにより、デジタル読者は月額サブスクリプション料金で 9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞に無制限にアクセスできます。 Magzter はまた、アプリ向けの革新的な ezRead 2.0 機能により、世界最大の記事数を誇ります。これにより、スマートフォンや小さな画面のモバイル ユーザーは、本来の楽しみ方で雑誌コンテンツを楽しむことができます。読みやすく、素晴らしいビデオと高解像度の写真が付いています。

名前

Magzterでのコンテンツ発行に関するサポートが必要は場合は、このフォームに記入してください

 Magzter に入社する前は、Dot Com Infoway (DCI) および Galatta Media の社長を務めていました。彼の任務には、戦略的マーケティング、パートナーシップ開発、コンテンツの世界的な収益化が含まれていました。 DCI は、2000 年には 3 人だった小さなチームから、2011 年には 300 人にまで成長し、世界中のクライアント向けに Web、ソフトウェア、アプリの開発を手がけていました。

Magzterの開始以来、お客様に最高のニューススタンドテクノロジーとサービスを提供するため、世界各国の組織や機関と提携することに尽力してきました。雑誌の購読を顧客に提供したい場合や単に詳細に興味がある場合など、お気軽にお問い合わせください。Magzterはお客様のビジネスの成長を支援いたします。お問い合わせ内容について、以下の質問票にご記入ください：

{{trailText}}無料でお試しください

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 DMCA では、元の DMCA 通知を提出した当事者が反対通知のコピーを受け取ってから 10 営業日以内にお客様に対して訴訟を起こさない場合、当社は削除されたコンテンツを復元することができます。

このポリシーは、お客様がサービスにアクセスする際に当社が収集する、個人を特定できる情報(「個人情報」) およびお客様およびお客様のコンピューターまたはデバイスに関するその他の情報の当社の取り扱いを対象としています。以下で詳しく説明するように、当社はお客様から個人情報を収集することがあります。当社はこの個人情報を、当社の製品、サービス、コンテンツ、広告をパーソナライズ、提供、改善するため、またお客様がユーザー アカウントとプロフィールを設定し、お客様に連絡し、特定の製品やサービスに対するお客様のリクエストを満たし、お客様によるサービスの使用状況を分析するため。場合によっては、当社は一部の個人情報を第三者と共有する場合もありますが、これはポイント 4 に記載されているとおりに限られます。

このタイトルは Magzter GOLD サブスクリプションに含まれています

コンテンツの品質を分析し、パブリッシャーに適切なフィードバックを提供するため

当社では、不快なコンテンツに関するあらゆる苦情に対応する苦情担当者を任命しています。

不快なコンテンツに関する苦情は、上記の電子メール アドレスに電子メールで苦情担当者に送信するようお願いします。また、苦情を申し立てる際には、以下の詳細を提供するようお願いします。

さまざまな雑誌、書籍、ニュース、雑誌および出版物関連コンテンツ (総称して「出版物」と呼ばれます) を注文、購読、配信を受け取り、これらの出版物のデジタル版を配信する機能を提供するアプリ

c.また、パーソナライズされた推奨事項を作成するために、アプリケーションの使用に関連する情報も収集します。お客様がサードパーティのアカウント資格情報を当社に提供した場合、お客様がそのような送信を許可した場合、それらのアカウント内の一部のコンテンツおよび / または情報(以下「サードパーティのアカウント情報」) がお客様のアカウントに送信される可能性があること、およびそのサードパーティのアカウントが当社のアカウントに送信される可能性があることを理解したものとします。サービスに送信される情報は、本ポリシーの対象となります。

 f.当社が収集する個人情報により、当社はお客様のリクエストに対応し、当社の製品とサービスを改善し、お客様に表示される広告とコンテンツをカスタマイズし、新製品についてお客様に連絡することができます。

は、2011 年の設立以来 9,000 万人を超えるユーザーがおり、40 以上のカテゴリと 60 以上の言語にわたる数千の雑誌や新聞を擁する、世界最大かつ急速に成長しているセルフサービスのクロスプラットフォーム デジタル ニューススタンドです。ニューヨークに本社を置く Magzter は、アムステルダム、ロンドン、メキシコシティ、チェンナイ、ムンバイ、ニューデリー、バンガロール、シンガポールに現地拠点を置いており、間もなく他の国にも拡大する予定です。 2011 年 6 月に世界的起業家であるギリッシュ ラムダス氏とビジェイ ラダクリシュナン氏によって設立された Magzter は、世界中の雑誌や新聞の出版社が自社のタイトルのデジタル版を作成し、世界中の消費者に配信できるようにします。

 n.また、ユーザーが当社の利用規約を遵守していることを確認するために、使用状況情報も使用されます。たとえば、ユーザーの使用状況情報は、ユーザーが雑誌やその他のコンテンツを許可された回数、または許可された数のデバイスにのみダウンロードしていることを確認するのに役立ちます。

これにより、デジタル読者は月額購読料で 9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞に無制限にアクセスできるようになります。 Magzter はまた、アプリ向けの革新的な ezRead 2.0 機能により、世界最大の記事数を誇ります。これにより、スマートフォンや小さな画面のモバイル ユーザーは、本来の楽しみ方で雑誌コンテンツを楽しむことができます。読みやすく、素晴らしいビデオと高解像度の写真が付いています。

COUTURE Africa - February 2017

COUTURE Africa - February 2017

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