Reppin Africa: Beauty Companies Exploring Africa

Africa’s economy is growing at an astounding rate, and brands are starting to take notice. MAC Cosmetics, Estée Lauder Tom Ford, L’Oreal looking to African expansion.  Not only is there a huge pent-up demand for upmarket products from Europe and North America but also for the entire range of beauty and personal care products from major manufacturers around the world.

Look Book: MAF Couture Spring Summer 2013

We are always on the look out for cool, fresh, upcoming designers, with aesthetics that speak to our tastes. We came across pieces from designer Mary Tataw from  M.A.F.Couture Spring/Summer 2013  collection and fell in love. Take a look at the collection after the jump:

Reppin Africa: Urban Outfitters Reps Africa With Della

For their latest collaboration Urban Outfitters  has teamed up with socially conscious, LA-based fashion line Della . Della's founder Tina Tangalakis teamed up with a local entrepreneur in Ghana to begin Della, a socially responsible fashion line that provides jobs, education and skills training to women and men of Hohoe.

Reppin Africa: ANTM Reps Africa With Nigerian Supermodel Oluchi

CBS Studios International announced that the African format rights for hit reality TV show competition, ‘America’s Next Top Model’ had been given to Nigerian supermodel Oluchi Orlandi’s production company, LuLu Productions. African models, get ready for African's Next Top Model.

Reppin Africa: Gbemi By Alice Oluyitan

We got a new Nigerian/London based designer Reppin Africa and Elegancy101 is starting to love her style already! Alice Oluyitan a London based designer who recently graduated from the University of Brighton. She studied fashion design with Business studies and has interned for Matthew Williamson.

Reppin Africa: Angela Simmons In Virgos Lounge

Angela Simmons loves Nigerian/London based brand Virgos Lounge. She went out in a £15 VL  (approx. EUR 17,-) Karla Crop Top and £35 (approx. EUR. 41,-)Karla Pencil Skirt. Do you want it, Get her top here and her skirt here. Do we like it? 

Reppin Africa: Draya In African Ankara printed Two Piece Suit

Draya has a great body, nice legs and she showed it all off in a African Ankara printed top and high-waisted short set! I must say...she haves every right to rep Africa in that body! Find out where she got her outfit from after the jump:

Reppin Africa: Topshop African Safari Collection

Are you guys ready to roar! Go into the wild with Topshop's Safari collection. It outsizes jewellery and untamed separates, bombastic bombers and Ikat-print shorts. No binoculars are needed to spot this riot of day-glo patterns and animalistic prints. Collect motifs on your sweaters and pick up bold jewellery like a magpie on the plains for jungle style. Take a look at the look book and shop it up!

Reppin Africa: Kim Kardashion In Nigeria - Not So Amusing?

Following her controversial trips to the Middle East and the Ivory Coast earlier this year, Kim Kardashian headed to Nigeria last week staying less than a day in the city of Lagos. She was paid a reported $500,000 for her fleeting visit, angering some commentators in the African country. Kim's visit was an example of the country's economic elite 'blowing its money on bling puffery while most of the country suffers.

Reppin Africa: MAC Opens First African Store in Nigeria

Attention to all the Naija girls! MAC Cosmetics is determined to conquer Africa and has recently opened a store in Lagos, Nigeria and two more will open in Zambia and Botswana.

“MAC has always been a trailblazer in emerging markets—India, Brazil and Turkey, for example,” Karen Buglisi the global brand president for MAC Cosmetics told the trade publication. “We believe that the breadth of our product line, particularly in foundation shades, and our pricing will appeal to the Nigerian market, as well other African markets.”

Reppin Africa: Kat Graham In Traditional African Inspired Dress

The best outfit for today goes to Kat Graham, she flaunted her ombre hair and a funky vintage dress combined with her fave alexander wang sandals while doing some shopping in LA. What do you think of her African vintage printed dress?

Spread: Sharleen Dziire spreads Elle South Africa.

Model Sharleen Dziire for a spread in the January 2013 issue of Elle South Africa. She was photographed by Ross Garrett and styled by Poppy Evans. Take a look at the flicks after the jump:

Make-Up: New Jewel By Lisa x L’Oréal Lipstick And Nailpolish

Nigerian brand Jewel By Lisa is going global! They just signed a collaboration with International Cosmetic Company L’Oreal. The rising Nigerian design brand, Jewel by Lisa (JBL), breaks the mold and they are set to launch a line of limited lipstick and nail polish for the JBL & L’Oréal woman.

Reppin Africa: Leila Lopes Is One Of Africa's Most Powerful Woman!

2 days ago Olivia Culpo, 20, beat 88 other beauty queens to take the title from Leila Lopes of Angola during the two-hour Miss Universe competition in Las Vegas (congrats to her). The beautiful Leila Lopes, was crowned Miss Universe last year and is known for her beauty, becoming the first Angolan woman to be crowned as a Miss Universe and her dedication to her charity work for HIV/AIDS patients. Forbes recently highlighted Leila and 19 other incredible women from Africa on their list of "20 Youngest Power Women In Africa 2012." With Leila's spot on the prestigious list, they highlighted some of her hard work and dedication:

Reppin Africa: Topshop Opens Store In South Africa

Topshop has opened its first store in South Africa at the Sandton City shopping center. The one-stop source for cool London style is loved by everyone from Rihanna and Solange Knowles to Paris Vogue editor Emmanuelle Alt. South African readers, are you going to visit it?

Reppin Africa: Tyra Banks For Cosmopolitan South Africa

Tyra Banks is reppin africa by covering the December 2012 issue of Cosmopolitan South Africa, wearing a gold Herve Leger dress. How do we like it? See the cover after the jump:

Reppin Africa: African Beauties At The Miss Universe 2012 Competion

History was made on Monday 12th September 2011 when Angolan beauty hopeful, Leila Lopes won the coveted title of Miss Universe at the age of 25 – She was the first woman from her country to win. Wednesday 19th December 2012, the 2012 edition of the Miss Universe Competition will take place at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, USA. At the Miss Universe finale, 88 beauty queens from around the world including our very own African queens from Angola, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Mauritius, Namibia, who will be returning after a 3-year long hiatus, Nigeria, South Africa and Tanzania, will vie to win the coveted crown and take over as Miss Universe from Angolan beauty, Leila Lopes.Take a look at the beauties who are reppin Africa on the 19th after the jump.

Men's Wear Fashionshow: Kola Kudus Spring/Summer 2013

Attention! Take a look at some male fashion from the Kola Kudus Spring/Summer 2013 collection. More after the jump:

Reppin Africa: Thandie Newton Wearing Nigerian Brand Jewel by Lisa

Last week, British actress Thandie Newton attended the Hope Rising benefit Concert in Toronto. Hope Rising is a fundraising event intended to raise both awareness and funding for the HIV/AIDS pandemic of women in Africa. Award-winning actress Thandie wore a jumpsuit by Nigerian label Jewel by Lisa’s Spring 2012 collection. Hot or Not:

Reppin Africa: Sharam Diniz In Victoria Secret 2012

Sharam Diniz is the first Portuguese and Angolan model to walk in the show. Sharam Diniz hasn’t always been a Victoria’s Secret model, but she’s always dreamed of becoming one. One of the 100 women who were fighting for less than a dozen spots to walk the runway, confidence and the perfect figure was needed for the work. Finding out she would be part of the show before the rehearsals on Tuesday, Diniz has been excited about her new job and picking up as much knowledge as possible for a perfect show. Look at more pictures of the show: