Uduak Oduok Articles

Funlayo Alabi, Co-Founder Shea Radiance, LadybrilleNigeria Personality of the Month - Click To Read Article
In all facets of various societies, worldwide, you can find Nigerians doing their country proud. One such Nigerian flying the green white green flag ,so prominently and boldly, is Funlayo Alabi. The DC/Maryland based Funlayo is co-founder and owner of AgroBotanicals, a company she founded with her husband Shola Alabi which focuses on obtaining fairly traded raw shea butter from women cooperatives in Nigeria; and shipping these shea butter products to the USA. AgroBotanicals also serves as a wholesale company selling large quantities of shea butter (1000lbs to container loads) to mid size cosmetic manufacturers.

TAN Conf 2007: Is Entrepreneurship Teachable? - Click To Read Article
Palo Alto –CA, October 16th, 2007, “Is entrepreneurship teachable?" Can we really teach Africans how to manage and run successful companies? This was the provocative question asked by one of TAN Conf 2007’s attendee; who was a former ambassador to the USA for Rwanda during the Clinton administration.

"The Future . . ." is 'Sole' Sista Tosin Dekalu, Lawyer Turned Shoe Cobbler - Click To Read Article
As part of our pre-event coverage for "The Future Awards . . ." 2008, we selected some nominees we thought you would find interesting and will feature them until the event date scheduled for January 13th, 2008. We begin with a beautiful woman we think you will find quite interesting! Former Lawyer turned Shoe Cobbler,Tosin Dekalu, is one of "The Future Awards . . ." 2008 nominee. A graduate of the University of Westminster, London, Dekalu relocated to Nigeria in 2001 and shocked most when she quit the practice of law to open a shoe repair company! Today, her reputable shoe company provides shoe repairs for individuals and has expanded its services to include repairs of other accesories such as bags, suitcases and more; gaining clientele from numerous organizations including hotels. Shall we meet Ms. Dekalu?

The Africa Growth & Opportunity Act, What You Should Know - Click To Read Article
It is undisputed, to a large extent, that President Bush made the wrong move with the war in Iraq. Nevertheless, there are a few things he did right. One was being the first President to hire qualified African-Americans to his cabinent--think current Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice & former Secretary of State Colin Powell. The other, was the enactment of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act [AGOA]. Since the enactment, however, there has been much confusion as to what it means and how Africans & non-Africans, especially those in the apparel and textile industry can benefit from it. LADYBRILLE.com wraps up what has been a good month with all the scoop, directly from the source, about AGOA.

Taé Flagship Store, Lagos by Bisola Edun - Click To Read Article
Designer Bisola Edun has made it explicitly clear to all who will listen her goal to have her fashion label Taé be the first Nigerian fashion label listed on Nigeria's Stock Exchange. The very ambitious Edun also wants to have Taé retail chain stores across the country and also in every major city across the globe. Bisola's recent launch of her label Taéflagship boutique in Nigeria's fashion capital Lagos, brings her a step closer to her goals.

Part 2 Interview of Nigeria/New York's Fashion Designer Lola Faturoti - Click To Read Article
We complete our interview with Nigeria/New York's Fashion Designer Lola Faturoti. Here, Lola discusses some tips African designers can use to get noticed in the USA/European fashion industries.

Palms Shopping Mall, Changing Retail Distribution in Nigeria - Click To Read Article
South Africa owned, Nigerian managed 'The Palms Shopping Mall' launched in 2005 is a major contributor to changing retail distribution and ultimately the retail experience for Nigerians, particularly the growing middle class to affluent. The Mall's opening provided significant channels of distribution to allow manufacturers reach buyers who are ready and able to spend.

Nyakio Kamoche Launches Safi Fragrance - Click To Read Article
By now, you are probably familiar with Nyakio Kamoche. The first generation American with Kenyan heritage who launched Nyakio, a sucessful skin care line based on family recipes and ingredients from Kenya. Nyakio's skin care line is sold online and in over a hundred and eighty nine boutiques around the country. Just recently, the fierce entrepreneur diversified her portfolio to launch a fragrance line, Safi Fragrance. Of course Ladybrille had to catch up with the very Ladybrille woman to see how she does it.

Mary Onyali, 20 Years and Still Running Strong - Click To Read Article
Mary Onyali aka the “African Sprint Queen" is a woman you should get to know. Over two decades ago, when the social norm for a female in Nigeria was everything but being an athlete, Onyali went against the norm getting involved in the sport of track and field and continuing on to compete for Nigeria and Africa, on a national and international level. Since her entrance into the world of track and field, Onyali has opened the door for many women as well as amassed numerous medals along the way: Commonwealth Games medals, three World Cup medals, four African Games gold medals and two Olympic bronze medals, are just a few of her achievements. Onyali now embraces a new and frankly speaking daunting task, manufacturing and distributing the first ever sports apparel wear in Nigeria.

M.I. aka Hip-Hop Messiah, Uncut, a Ladybrille Exclusive - Click To Read Article
It is past midnight in Nigeria and roughly about 3:00pm in California when I get the call from Jude Abaga aka M.I. [pronounced ‘em eye’]. He has been out and about all day plus he tells me “dealing with Lagos traffic jams” aka “go slows” so he renegotiates our interview time. When his call comes through, he is full of apologies his voice taking on a humble tone, quite contrary to the one I am used to from my sound system i.e. bold, strong and unapologetic for his mad talent, intelligence and refreshing MC skills.

Lucire Magazine's Jack Yan Offers Tips on How to Get the Media to Notice You! - Click To Read Article
A big believer in Corporate Social Responsibility [CSR] and a very savvy media expert, Jack Yan is the publisher of the global fashion magazine Lucire. He is also an identity and global branding consultant, management consultant, a cross-media specialist, an international columnist, author and speaker. He holds a law degree from Victoria University of Wellington Law School in New Zealand, has been profiled and interviewed in too numerous a publication and TV shows to name. Jack Yan shares with LADYBRILLE.com the importance of media, branding, and how African fashion professionals such as models and designers can feature on the glossy fashion pages of a magazine such as Lucire.

Ladybrille Exclusive: Interview with Storm Records' Music Mogul, Obi AsikaPart II - Click To Read Article
This is Part 2 of a two part interview with Storm Records' Executive Chairman, Obi Asika. Obi & I discuss the music business in Nigeria, entrepreneurship in Africa, piracy, artists abuse, technology/new media, Nollywood and international expansion and collaborations.

Ladybrille Exclusive:Interview with Storm Records' Music Mogul, Obi Asika - Click To Read Article
This is Part I of my indepth interview with Obi Asika, Executive Chairman of Storm Media and Entertainment Group; one of the biggest players in music and entertainment in Nigeria--think SonyBMG Music Entertainment Group although not quite the same reach, for now. In Part I, I ask and Obi candidly responds to questions on his background, managing artists, substandard music videos and the lack of sophisticated African fashions in Nigeria/Africa's music videos. In Part 2, Obi & I discuss the music business in Nigeria & Africa, entrepreneuralship, piracy, artists abuse, technology/new media, Nollywood and international expansion and collaborations.

Interview With South Africa's Top Fashion Insider, Renato Palmi - Click To Read Article
South Africa's Renato Palmi an academic and also business developer for the clothing and fashion sector in South Africa discusses with Uduak Oduok aka Ladybrille the State of South Africa/ Africa's current Fashion Industry. He addresses issues on doing business in South Africa, expanding into the USA markets and the obstacles and challenges such as lack of business skills, and influx of cheaper Chinese imports that create challenges for Africa's fashion designers and the industry as a whole.

I Am Iman, Fashion Legend - Click To Read Article
Supermodel IMAN needs no introduction. There's simply been so much written about her background, model career and marriage to Rock star/Musician David Bowie it would be repeating it heare would be redundant.IMAN has managed to brand her image and name as a fashion icon/legend. It is indeed why we chose to make her our feature during this month of the prestigious New York Fashion Week and to aptly title her feature as “I am Iman, Fashion Legend.” We caught up with the extremely busy Supermodel, albeit briefly, while she was in Canada shooting Project Runway Canada, a show she hosts, to gain a little more insight into her world, especially the Africa side of things.

Funke Adenodi Akinbuli Helps Disabled in Africa Live With Dignity & Respect - Click To Read Article
If you didn't already know, most of Africa’s disabled [including the blind, paraplegic etc.] citizens live in deplorable conditions. Most are unemployed and can be found on Africa’s major streets and highways placing themselves in harm’s way as they beg for money to meet their basic needs. Rarely will you find a paraplegic in Africa, for example, with necessary medical equipment i.e. wheelchair. Most navigate the streets and freeways on their hands. Sadly, a lot of Africa’s citizens have become desensitized to the deplorable conditions of the disabled partly because most are frustrated with economic and political conditions in the continent and are barely trying to keep heads above water. Others just have no idea where to begin helping and still most lack awareness of the plight of the disabled.

Best of African Fashions 2007, Ladybrille Reports - Click To Read Article
As we say goodbye to 2007 and usher in 2008, we crank that fashion dial as far back as we can to give a recap of individuals, organizations, events, news, trends and headlines that rocked Africa’s Fashion Industry in 2007!

Bola Atta, Editor-in-Chief True Love West Africa, Personality of the Month! - Click To Read Article
Fashion icon and Editor-in-Chief for Vogue, Anna Wintour, is one personality that helped raise the profile of fashion/lifestyle magazines from mediocre to excellent. In Nigeria, Bola Atta, Editor-in-Chief for TRUE LOVE West Africa Magazine a subsidiary of South Africa's Media24 Publications, has had the same effect. Atta through her management of TRUE LOVE West Africa has succeeded in raising the bar of fashion and lifestyle magazines in Nigeria from mediocre to superior quality, commanding millions of loyal readers. Her hard work, brilliant creative vision and managerial skills earns her Ladybrille®Nigeria Personality of the Month for August. Read on as we delve into media/publishing in Nigeria and of course reveal a lot more in our exclusive about the seemingly mysterious brilliant Ms. Atta!

A Chat With Toni Payne About Makeup and the Beauty Business - Click To Read Article
Talk to Toni Payne, CEO and owner of Toni Payne Cosmetics, over the phone or in person and her personality quickly makes you feel at ease, like you are lounging with some of your favorite girlfriends on a very comfortable sofa, at home or a spa, and talking about everything! Everything, including sharing beauty secrets and bursting out in laughter when you realize, “oops! I think I goofed on some of the beauty secrets you are sharing Toni.” As Toni Payne prepares to open doors to her first retail store in Hollywood, Ladybrille caught up with her for a chat about makeup: choosing the right foundation, lipsticks, blush, mascaras, concealer and more! And of course, since we know you will be inspired to achieve like this young lady, we ask and Toni offers insights on getting into the beauty business.

Africa + Nollywood Makes the List of "Eighty Things to Watch in 2008" - Click To Read Article
JWT, "the largest advertising agency in the U.S. and the fourth-largest full-service network in the world,yesterday, [r]eleased its list of 80 things to watch in 2008." Africa was #1 on their list to watch for "foreign investment and development in." Borrowing Kelly Rowland's line from her hit song, "bump like this," we say "Africa told ya'll they were gonna bump like this, ya'll didn't think that they could bump like this."

Africa's Music Industry Issues, Part I - Click To Read Article
Musicians like fashion designers et al "gotta eat!" Therefore, we are not only interested in enjoying and grooving to their songs, we also want to know how the musicians we cherish, can get paid what is owed them for their work product. In this two part interview, with the help of music industry insider, Wale Ewedemi, we shed light on the business of music in Africa. Part I covers the current state of Africa’s music industry and its intellectual property rights [IP]. Part II explores technology, distribution, advocacy, infrastructure, music authenticity and social media.

Africa's Music Industry Issues, Part II - Click To Read Article
This is Part II of our discussion on Africa’s Music Industry Issues. In Part I, Wale Ewedemi, a music industry insider and founder of the recently formed Nigeria Music Industry Association, discussed with us the current state of Africa’s music industry and intellectual property rights. Here, we continue with our insider as we explore issues around technology, distribution, advocacy, infrastructure, music authenticity and social media.

Access Granted: Stephanie Okereke on the Making of "Through the Glass" Film - Click To Read Article
Whether in Nollywood or Hollywood, it is rare to find women, especially Black/African women, in executive film roles such as producers and directors. Nollywood A-list Actress Stephanie Okereke bucks the trend with the debut of her first film called "Through the Glass," in which she wrote, produced and directed. "Through the Glass" is about phobias we have in entering committed relationships. It also cuts to the core by addressing some of the reasons we have such phobias, for example, childhood pain. Okereke recently released a trailer of "Through the Glass" and the response has been lots of excitement and buzz! Amidst all the excitement, Ladybrille caught up with the A-list actress for an exclusive all access granted on the making of "Through the Glass." http://www.throughtheglassmovie.com/

2nd Annual Beyond the Tears Humanitarian Awards, 2008 - Click To Read Article
Not even the crazy downpour/storm that hit New York on September 6th, 2008 could stop the Second Annual Beyond the Tears Humanitarian Awards. And, while the legendary Apollo theater was not filled to capacity, the show was nothing short of perfection! The second annual event began with the very funny, Nollywood handsome actor and comedian, Francis Duru welcoming the audience. His jokes through out the evening was the icing to a great evening. After his welcome remarks, Duru introduced members of the SACAIDS, the non-profit responsible for producing the event.


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