The 6th Anniversary of the only annual fashion event in Ghana that specializes in promoting creative men’s wear designers and brands to showcase their collections was held from the 27th to the 28th of August.
The show this year welcomed the presence of it’s fans as last year due to the Covid 19 pandemic it was hosted virtual.

Kojo Boadi, Eccentric Clothing,Jay Ray Shaltey,Dzramdoh,Samarra, Ibrahim Fernandez, Kai’s Divo collection, Hectors (UK) and the three finalists of KGL style Man project designer competition presented their collections at GHMW 22.

This year’s event was unique as a mixture of entertainment and informative was presented through out the show.
Entertainment was through music and the exhibition of designed clothes.

While education came in the form of seminars that were hosted by the British Council,Accra themed ‘Forging Creative Alliance In The Fashion; collaboration over competition”.
GHMW was this year in partnership with TECNO mobile and was hosted for two days at World Trade Center.

Have you ever asked yourself why Nigerian male models are always considered as first in the runway modeling casting, especially international.We interact with Nigerian model, Alexander Odinaka Ojiavor-Joseph who gave us the insight of what makes Nigerian models unique.He also shared with us his journey during Mister Ideal Nigeria.

Q:Can you introduce yourself to our readers?

A:My name is Alexander Odinaka Ojiavor-Joseph I am an igbo boy from Abia state in Nigeria. I am an undergraduate studying Environmental science and I love to read as often as I can..I cook alot. I swim and play video games during my leisure hours

Q:Why was participating at Mister Ideal Nigeria important to you ?

A:Participating in the pageantry was very important to me because it was the stepping stone to achieving my goal as a model, not just domestically but also international.I have dedicated 7years of my life to modelling, through those years I have worked hard, non-stop, though there were no opportunities or platform to “showcase” all my hard work I still kept pushing until the Mr. Ideal Nigeria pagentry. At first I was nonchalant about the whole thing since there were more than a thousand people who signed up for it and because it wasn’t my first time signing up for it, but somehow I got motivated and put more work into it and here I am. I’m really excited and grateful to Mr ideal Nigeria for this opportunity because they saw something others didn’t see, and now I’m on my way to being a well known international model just as I have always wanted.

Q:You won the title Mister Ideal Nigeria was earth can you tell us more about the purpose of the title?

A:The Mr ideal Nigeria earth title is one that comes with responsibility..one of the purpose of being the Mr ideal Nigeria earth is that I get to work with various brands within and outside the country, also having a passion project and being the best version of myself.

Q:Aside from Mr Ideal Nigeria earth title, you also are Mister Man Of the World Nigeria 2022?

A:Yes of course, I got the opportunity to represent my country at the man of the world show in the Philippines earlier in the year but due to some personal reasons I was unable to be there but hopefully I’ll get the chance to do so next year.

Q:How do you fuse both modeling and your acting career?

A:Well I don’t think it’s a problem for me.. I love the challenge and juggling both modeling and acting can serve as a good experience for me.

Q:What do you think makes Nigeria’s male modelling outstanding?

A: Our male models stand out based on our looks. The world is looking at Nigerian models now that’s what makes us stand out.

Q:What is your favourite novel currently at the moment? 

A:My favorite novel right now is ‘Storm and Silence by Robert thier’.

Q:What is your top 5 favourite music jams ?

A:I love essence by wizkid ft tems

* Science by Burnaboy

* Calm down by Rema

* Buga by kizz Daniel ft tekno

* Under the influence by Chris brown.

Q:Besides being a pageant model you also feature in runway,who are some of the most prominent designers you have worked with ?

A:I have worked with Royals vogue, thriftforgood both based in Dubai UAE.

Xhosa brand designer Thando Piliso is on another tour as he is traveling across the continent to headline another International fashion show GT

For the first-time the Piliso fashion brand will be headlining in DRC-Khishasa at Fashion Without Borders which will be celebrating its second anniversary launch in DRC.

From exhibiting one of East Africa’s biggest fashion shows, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Kigali in Rwanda to Western Africa in Nigeria were he debuted his collection which was dominated by his Xhosa culture. Pilosi will be in East-Southern Africa on the 25-26th of August at Fashion Without Borders Africa (DRC).under the theme #FashionFrointers

Piliso will be joined by local DRC fashion designers along with other Regional designers from South Africa, Mozambique,Botswana and Zambia.

MEET INTERNATIONAL CHEF WHO IS PLAYING A UNIQUE ROLE IN THE MODELING INDUSTRY 

The name Takudzwa Hove or Taku Hove is known as the name of one of the most talented Zimbabwean Chef,model and a guesthouse manager. Takudzwa Hove tells us more about his multi-talented jobs and how he manages his time.In addition we find out how he is prepared to represent his country in an international platform Mister Model Mediterranean Global 

Q:Can you introduce yourself to us and the readers ?A:My name is Taku Hove, I’m a guesthouse manager and model. I was born in Zimbabwe but grew up travelling Southern Africa which is where I found my love for Tourism and Hospitality as well as languages of which I speak about 5 (French, Portuguese, Spanish, Shona and English).

Q:You will be representing the country during Mister Model Mediterranean Global what does it mean to you as a Zimbabwean?

A:Representing my country on the international pageantry scale is something that is a huge huge honour because growing up, although the adventure of travelling and living in different countries was nice, there was always that element of “belonging” that evaded me for so many years. I didn’t always feel accepted or it took time for me to be accepted, but this opportunity of going to represent Zimbabwe and what we are all about has kind of given me a new identity because It has given me the chance to re-learn what it actually means to be Zimbabwean given that I’d left the country long time ago. 

Q:To those who don’t know you aside from being a model you are also a chef.Among the two professionals which came first ?

A:In terms of what came first, my hospitality professional came before the modelling one. I literally started modelling during the Covid-19 pandemic. Because I was working at a lot of high end events in South Africa, there were a lot of top quality pictures taken and my friend told me she thought I would flourish in modelling and so when the pandemic started and I moved back to Zimbabwe, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to start. 

Q:And how do you balance the two ?

A: With the demands of Hospitality, it’s kind of hard to balance it with my modelling life. However I try to do shoots at any given opportunity I can get especially during my off days. 

Q:What is your favourite dish?

A:In terms of my favourite dish, it’s Dombolo and stew. During my time in South Africa, my friend as well as the mother of another friend and my chef mentor (Chef Nti) introduced me to 3 different variations of a dish I’ve never had before and it was really amazing to see and taste African Steamed bread as a main starch to a dinner or a lunch. It was one of the first things I cooked for my family when I moved back to Zimbabwe and now they also can’t get enough of it. I ended up sound my own variation of it which involves dried kapenta (matemba)

Q:Can you provide methods of how to prepare the dish ?

A:For the Dough:

– 2 cups self-rising flour

– 3 tbsp chopped parsley

– ¼ tsp salt

– 1 cup Kefalos Double Cream Plain Yoghurt

For the Stew:

– 3 tbsp oil

– 1 chopped onion

– 2 cloves of garlic, crushed or minces

– 2 chopped tomatoes

– 2 tsp curry powder

– 2 cups Dried Kapenta

– 1 cup tomato puree

Method:

– Soak the Kapenta in hot water and start making your dough.

– Stir self-rising flour, parsley, and a pinch of salt in a large bowl.

– Stir in the cup of yoghurt into the mixture to form a dough. Knead dough on a floured surface until soft and smooth.

– Divide the dough into 8 ad roll into evenly sized balls.

– Leave to rest and start with your stew.

– Heat oil in a large pot and fry onions and garlic until soft and translucent.

– Stir in the curry powder and fry until fragrant.

– Add chopped tomatoes.

– Strain the Kapenta and add into the pot.

– Add a cup of tomato puree.

– Mix well and add salt and pepper to taste.

– Place dumpling balls on top of stew in a circular formation and close on a low heat for about 25 min.

– Plate some stew with a dumpling into a bowl and sprinkle fresh parsley.

Q:Do models have a certain diet to keep themselves in shape and healthy?

A: I do believe a diet is important in terms of staying in shape and being healthy but something even more important is exercise. That not only makes the body look good but also helps the mind feel good. Especially with the fluctuation of the cost of goods today, there are certain training methods that can alleviate the need for a strict diet. 

Q:Who is your inspiration as a model ?

A:My modelling inspiration comes from,Hector Bellerin. He’s a footballer and he loves what he does but it has not stopped him from pursuing other passions and it’s evident as he has walked at some of the most famous Fashion weeks (Paris, Milan, New York and London Fashion week) and collaborating with some of the most famous fashion brands (Louis Vuitton, Burberry, H&M and 424)

Q:Which pageants are you planning to take part in ?

A:Before my age becomes a problem, I’d like to compete in almost any and all pageants I can. Mr. Supranational, Mr. Zimbabwe, Mr. Africa International, Mr. International, Mr. Tourism International you name it.

Q:Any words to those who want to be models and to represent the country International?

A:  To anyone out there wanting to be a model, I first advise to get some sort of training or research. I’ve never done things blindly, I need to know what I’m getting myself into so that I know if it is actually something meant for me. There are lots of platforms and agencies in our country that can help you learn more about this career path and also it will show that you’re actually serious about doing this. Secondly, know that it won’t be easy in the beginning, there are already the “favourites” of brands and everything but if you keep your head down and keep working you’ll get there. And lastly be yourself and have fun, since starting this journey I’ve watched a lot of pageants online and a few in person but the main thing I see people doing is smiling so there’s no reason for you not to enjoy yourself because the opportunity of networking and travelling the world is there if you want it..

Godswill Mpofu Ruba

GOOD NEWS FOR MARRIED OR A SINGLE MOMS ASPIRING TO BE THE NEXT MISS SOUTH AFRICA YEAR.

It has been a tradition that anyone who is married, divorced or is a single parent cannot take part in any pageant.

However few Modeling pageants have broken the biggest custom,by allowing married, divorced or single women totake part in pageants.

It was announced that when it comes to the 65th edition of Miss South Africa,which was held on the 13th of August that the custom will be abolished.

Many analysists in the world of modeling and fashion believe that the new rule is set to be an open door for many women who had thrown away the towel of taking part in Miss South Africa because of the previous regulations.

This year all the way from Tzanee,Limpopo province is the Honours Degree in Bcom Investment Management holder and the reigning,Miss South Africa,Ndavi Nokeri.

She was coronated on the 13th of August at the Sunbet Arena ,Time Square,SA.

“My Culture is colourful,which reflects not only our vibracy as a people,but how we truly embrance the concept of a rainbow nation” said Ndavi during women’s month .