Bellafricana, Author at Bellafricana

Bellafricana published in Arts & Crafts, Uncategorized September 23, 2019

These Home Decors Are A Must Have

Hello Bellafricana family, I trust you are doing great. So, I went visiting a friend at her house and the home decors she had made me wonder if my place is a house or a building. No jokes oh, I just couldn’t stop staring. It got me wondering where I had missed it while decorating my house.

Luckily for me, she is not one of those who won’t let out their good life secret. And as a sharp babe that I am, I asked her to give me names of where she got her home decor from. When I kept asking about almost everything in her house, she decided to give me a full list. LOL!!

Anyway, I figured I might not be the only one in need of some house decor, keep scrolling to see the list I got.

Home Decor You Should Have

Mirrors;

Think of it, having a mirror around the house gives it some kind magnificent feel and using these mirrors from Mitimeth would definitely give a good feel. Check this out;

Wall Mirror by Mitimeth

Flower Pots;

You can’t have a garden in your room but you can definitely have a flower pot as part of your home decor. Check this below

Leaning Pot by Mitimeth

Chairs;

What is a home decor if there are no chairs? I am guessing you already know that the decor isn’t complete. So check out the lovely chairs below.

HUTA Chair by ethnik

Okin Chair by Ile.Ila

Throw Pillows;

Is it just me or do they really give the house some warmth? You know, having something to hold onto while sitting. If you weren’t into them, I trust after seeing what I have below, you will be convinced. See below

Throw Pillow by Mitimeth

Throw Pillow by Adire Lounge

Table Mat;

Why leave your table without a cover when you can have a table mat? You didn’t know? Now you know, check below!

Table Mat by Mitimeth

Ok, that’s it from me to you, tell me if you make any changes to your home decor.

Bellafricana published in Fashion September 17, 2019

Aso-Oke Creative Gift Ideas

If you still think aso-oke is for the old and has no place in the modern space, you are missing. Worse, if you are thinking of creative gift ideas for loved ones and you didn’t think of Aso-oke inspired items, you ain’t in vogue.

I had a discussion with my friend some few days ago and she explained how Aso-oke was gradually taking over the fashion space.

As you would expect, I argued with her, because I didn’t have any aso-oke piece and I didn’t see the need to. Not until she mentioned some brands making waves with aso-oke.

As a ‘doubting Thomas’ that I am, I still didn’t believe her, so I went on to do some research myself.

And oh my, I admit to have been sleeping on this oh! Like how can I be a fashion enthusiast and still not have an Aso-oke piece? Unbelievable! In fact, since festivities are fast upon us all I want for this season are aso-oke inspired pieces.

Before you even ask what is special about Aso-oke, let’s go down to the history.

Aso-Oke is a short form of Aso Ilu Oke also known as Aso-Ofi meaning clothes from the up-country. It is the traditional wear of the Yoruba’s (the tribe of the southwest people in Nigeria, Africa). The Yoruba’s are the second largest tribe in Nigeria after the Northerners. Aso-Oke is a cloth that is worn on special occasions by the Yoruba’s usually for chieftancy, festivals, engagement, naming ceremony and other important events. To read more on its hisory, click here.

Do you see why Aso-oke is not just another fabric and having it in forms different from the normal is unique? And of course, would make a perfect gift item.

In other words, thinking of what to buy for friends, family etc, keep scrolling to see some aso-oke inspired items.

Ketekete Chair by Ile.Ila

Ever seen a chair this beautiful? Well, it is made with aso-oke and would make for a beautiful gift. What do you think? Want to get this? Click here.

Footstool;

Probably for a footstool for the house, how about spicing the house up with an Aso-oke inspired footstool or send as a gift to the family house. This I bet you would get your mum and dad grinning. Ready to get this? Click here.

The Adventurer Back Pack by Ethnik

In the world today, almost everyone has an extra luggage they would be glad to have a backpack from you. Make it even special by getting them a backpack made with Aso-oke. Not only is it exclusive, it is also beautiful. To get this, click here.

Hadizah Bag by Ethnik

I could not complete this without putting in something special for the ladies. And the perfect gift would be the Hadizah Bag made with aso-oke and leather. Have a special lady you would want to surprise? Then you should click here for more details.

Hold on guys, before you even say it, keep reading to see something for you.

Aso-Oke Shoe from Moroks Xpression

This is a premium bespoke shoe made from Aso-oke by Moroks Xpression. This would definitely make for a great gift for friends and family. For more details, click here. You can also check out some other creative gifts for him here.

Are you convinced? That aso-oke is needed to complete your gift items.

While I go source for more, do well to check out these creative gift ideas.

Did you like this? Click here to read some other posts on the blog.

You can also keep up with our activities on social media on;

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Facebook @Bellafricana

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Bellafricana published in Health & Beauty, Uncategorized September 16, 2019

Discover Some Healthy Snacks And Food For You

This blog post is dedicated to showing you healthy snacks and food for yourself, family, friends and loved ones. Simply because, your health and that of those around you is of concern to Bellafricana. You are probably thinking to yourself why is that a concern?

Well, if you are reading this, you are definitely a Bellafricana community member and we care.

Now let’s go back to the post, shall we? This blog post ‘healthy snacks and food was inspired by my conversation with my mum. So, my mum clocked 40 not too long ago and oh my, every time she is given a snack or food she considers ‘unhealthy’, she reminds me of her age.

God help me when she is 50 and above. This my dear reader has not been the easiest. Now, I am all about healthy snacks, food, and the likes. As you can relate, it is not the easiest, and your girl has been all up researching for healthy snacks to save the day.

If you are not 40 yet, lucky you but then, health is wealth. So, here I am with some well-researched snacks and food to save you the hustle.

Keep scrolling to see some;

Healthy snacks and food

Bounties Honey;

The next question in your mind is, ‘is honey a food?’ Well, according to nutritionists, Honey is a sweet, viscous food substance produced by bees and some related insects. Also, honey is used as a substitute of sugar to sweeten meals. That as well makes it a consumable and a very important one.

And like every other thing that goes into the body weather as food or drink, it should of good quality. This is why I trust Bounties Honey. Bounties honey is 100% organic honey for a healthy living. Click here for more details;

SACfruits;

A little different from the every day fruit but gives the same nutrient and easier for you to pack as lunch for school or work. Dried fruit is made by taking the water out of the fruit by sun drying or using a special machine called a dehydrator. Since the water is removed during drying, this also means that the natural sugars in the fruit are concentrated. For this, SacFruit is Bellafricana verified, check them out here.

Happy Coffee;

Before you go about how coffee is not a food or snacks, allow me explain that for most people, coffee makes up the first meal of the day . This is because it helps the brain and mind stay alert and ready for the day. So, it is important that our coffee is healthy, hence it is included in our healthy snacks and food for you. To stay healthy on this, I recommend Happy Coffee for your everyday coffee needs. To read up on its importance, click here.

Shaun’s Pops;

This is a personal favorite. You know when the need to satisfy your sweet tooth comes in. Well, you should try Shaun’s Pops. It is a handcrafted gourmet delicious ice pops using seasonal fresh fruits sourced locally. All Natural. No Sugar added, No water added, Just fruits and Vegetables, Suitable for kids and adults of all ages. For more on this, click here.

There you go, some healthy snacks to keep you and your loved ones fit always.

What really is this Bellafricana about? Bellafricana is the leading platform that empowers, supports and provides creative Indigenous Businesses with a platform to showcase their business and connect to their global consumers looking to patronise and trade with them.

Need quality creative products, think bellafricana!

What is your Mission: To Make Finding Quality Indigenous Businesses Easier.

But Why: We noticed a vast increase in the number of unique quality creative products made in Nigeria (Africa) but noticed a huge gap between local creative Indigenous Entrepreneurs and consumers.

Hence, we created this platform to bridge that gap. What better way than through online, which gives it a global opportunity.

Click here to Learn more about how to grow Your Unique Indigenous Business with Bellafricana

What if I just want to advertise on bellafricana website/newsletter? : That’s totally possible, just email [email protected], cc [email protected] or call 08086363970

Bellafricana published in Exclusive Interviews, Meet The Founders September 15, 2019

Meet The Creative Director and Co-Founder Of D-Dee Bags (Exclusive Interview)

D-Dee Bags is the newest addition to the Bellafricana Verified Family, and I am very excited to be introducing this amazing brand to you. Keep reading to meet the Co-Founder and Creative Director, Denike Ogunsola, as she speaks with Beatrice Miangogo of Bellafricana.

Please introduce yourself and your background.

Hi, my name is Denike Ogunsola, I co-own and manage D-Dee Bags, I have a B.A in Accounting from Temple University and a Masters Degree in International Business, I worked in business consulting before joining the manufacturing business. I enjoy operations management and creating processes but running D-Dee has helped hone my creative side.

Tell us about your work. How did D-Dee Bags start?

D-Dee is a family owned manufacturing business, started in 2001. We run a Bag, Footwear and Accessories manufacturing facility that produces for several brands, one of which is D-Dee Bags. It was founded by my mother Ayo Damola, who is still very much involved with the business. She was a pioneer in using tote bags as souvenirs when she first started the business. Since then we have evolved into producing a wide range of products in large quantity as a B2B company, For Corporate Gifts, Souvenirs, Brand Merchandise and Private Labelling.

How did you come about the name and what does it mean?

D-Dee is a nick name that just stuck.

What is your niche and how did you know it was a market to get into?

Our niche is in medium to large scale production of custom designed products, there was a market for a company that could bring custom designs to life and produce in large quantity, we are able to do this because of the expertise and set up we have.

Where do you get the inspiration for your products?

Sometimes inspiration comes from basic everyday living, but very often one person in our team gets an idea, and then we all come together to build on it until we come up with a great product. In the end, each product we come up with must be functional using quality materials.

Can you remember one of the first products you made? What makes it memorable?

Since I joined the business, I would say its been products other than bags, like our Boxes, because people expect us to always make bags, there’s always a pleasant reaction when we produce other unique items.

What are some of the challenges you face in your business?

We face the same issues majority of businesses in Nigeria face; high overhead costs, staffing issues and sourcing of adequate materials.

Do you have any regrets venturing into this line of business?

No, even with the challenging moments. It is a very rewarding experience when you are creating something, the process from design to final product makes it worthwhile.

What is your most popular product?

Our Tote Bags, in various iterations are our most popular item, but fast becoming popular are other novelty items made with Adire or Ankara.

To what extent do you draw upon your Nigerian (African) heritage for your work?

We try to infuse our Nigerian heritage in the materials we use, and in certain design styles.

What are some of your short term and long term goals, both in your business and life in general?

We have long term plans to extend our manufacturing services to other kinds of products, in addition we have two new in-house brands we are about to launch, the first one is LORE (@lore.designs)- a leather accessory line.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Because I’m naturally an introvert, most people are always surprised to see me in work mode, let’s just say I run a tight ship, lol. I prefer certain standards and can be quite determined to get it .

What profession would you be in if you weren’t in this Industry?

Business Management Consulting

If you could give one piece of advice to anyone who wants to start their own business in your industry, what would it be?

Build your business with people who have technical skills and share your vision

To find out more about D-Dee Bags, check out their listing page here. (Click Here)

Bellafricana published in Articles September 10, 2019

Creative Gifts For Him

Talking to a male friend of mine some days ago, and he just would not stop lamenting, for friendship sake, I asked him what the issue was. Apparently, he didn’t get a gift from anyone, including me. Oh well, the excuse of course was, I had no idea of gifts for him.

Now that I think of it though, are there really no gifts for him? Even though I gave him that reply, I sincerely didn’t believe it, in fact the reason I gave him that response was because it was the quickest response I could come up with. But now, I am looking to make amends.

From conversations with female friends, I know I am not alone. So, allow me to help you with some creative gifts for him. ‘Him’ here can be your friend, husband or father, so keep reading as I show you some creative gift ideas for him.

Foot wears;

Let’s start from the very obvious ones like shoes. What happened to having the good old quality foot wears as a gift? I can already think of your excuses, you are probably looking for something affordable and of good quality. Well, I gotcha you, check out these shoes from brands I love and I know you will too;

What were you saying again? Amazing foot wears for him.

There is more, keep reading!

Clothing Items;

You saw that right dear, you can get him clothes or little pieces he could use in dressing up. No! It doesn’t have to be expensive, and I have some ideas that could work. Check them out below;

What do you think? Those are just a few clothing items you can get and like I said, they don’t cost a fortune. I trust you like what you have seen so far but that is not all, stay with me for more.

Bags;

You are probably wondering if men carry bags right? Yes, they do! Let me show you a few samples;

Did you say men don’t use bags again? Lol!! Well, just in case you had a doubt, by now you should be convinced. That’s still not all, let’s continue.

Office Decor;

Yup, not all gifts are worn you know, so how about gifting him some decor items for his office? You still don’t get the gist? There are pictures below. scroll to see what I mean.

At this point, if you still say there are no gifts for him, I have no words oh! LOl!!

I believe with this few points of mine, I have been able to convince and not to confuse you that there are more than enough gifts for him.

Bellafricana published in Events September 9, 2019

Creative Leather Brands in Nigeria At The Lagos Leather Fair Event

The Lagos Leather Fair 2019 has come and gone but not without showing us some incredible leather works by brands in Nigeria. The event with theme ‘Advancing The Conversation’ took place on the 7th and 8th of September at the Harbour Point, V.I. Lagos.

Though the event was for two days only, the organizers did not fall short of their promise, which is to promote the Nigerian leather industry. The event brought together leather brands from different parts of Nigeria, as well as provided an enabling environment for lovers of creative indigenous brands to shop and learn a few things from experts in the industry.

In other words, the event was amazing, well put together by the organizers and we look forward to the next edition. Oh! Just in case you weren’t there, you missed. Check out some pictures with Bellafricana Verified members.

Wondering where I am? LOL

I am somewhere in there in green print. Let me know when you spot me!

That said, I would like to shed light on some of the amazing leather works I came while across at the fair. Why is this of any importance? Well, before now, the Nigerian leather industry did not receive the accolades it deserved, simply because most consumers did not trust the quality of these brands.

Now, I am here to say, the leather train in Nigeria has moved and creatives in this industry are doing some amazing things. You still don’t believe? Let me show you some.

Ethnik by Tunde Owolabi;

This is a global brand in Nigeria inspired by culture, creating fashion accessories from aso-oke hand woven fabrics and leather. They were present at the Lagos Leather Fair exhibit some really cool works of theirs ranging from bags to foot wears and even chairs. Isn’t that amazing? It is, if you ask me. Here are some of their works

Marte Egele;

Another made in Nigeria leather brand I am proud of. Marte Egele is a burgeoning Nigerian leather goods and accessory brand. This brand founded by Uche Egele in 2011 is here to stay with trending mini bags in different colors. Here are pictures of what they had in stalks at the Lagos leather fair;

K.Aspen Footwear;

This is an African inspired foot wear brand made in Nigeria. This brand was founded by Kemi Juba is out here creating contemporary foot wears for men and women in and outside Nigeria. Their unique designs stood them out at the Lagos Leather Fair. Here are pictures of their works;

Moroks Xpression;

Another brand that goes out of its way to promote the Nigeria leather industry. This is a foot wear brand that creates one of Nigeria’s finest and premium bespoke footwear brand. It is not everyday you get to see a bespoke footwear brand in Nigeria, well I saw and I was impressed. Take a lot at their items;

Sincerely, I could go on and on about indigenous brands present at the fair and I would still not have said enough about how amazing their works are. Some how, I feel with these few words of mine and of course pictures, you are convinced that the leather industry in Nigeria is thriving.

So. just in case you are searching for some leather products ranging from bags, shoes, art works and more, do check out these brands and a few others in Nigeria.

Bellafricana published in Fashion September 4, 2019

Fashion Tips For Women

I believe you have heard the phrase ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ and you probably believed it.

Well, that’s good but not in fashion. In the book of fashionistas, you must never be caught unfresh i.e not looking your best, because truth be told, everyone judges a book by it’s cover. Even you, lol!

Hold on, before you start thinking ‘Thank God I am not a fashionista’, allow me to remind you that no one is born fashionable but the desire to look good is within. At this point you are wondering the purpose of this long sermon, right? Ok, I will cut the chase.

I am here to give some fashion tips that will help you stand out at meetings, events, work, in fact, any where. Are you ready?

Organise Your Closet

Start from the beginning, by this I mean things you have in your closet, which include your dresses, shoes, accessories and the likes. Take a moment to go through everything you own, decide on those to keep, sell or give away and do so accordingly. By doing this, you take note of what you have, what you need and how to match them. Before you rush on to the next thing, make sure to keep your items where you can assess them easily, use racks, shelves, boxes etc.

Find A Good Designers

Making your own clothes saves you some extra cash and still have you looking dope! Of course I realise that you might not be a fashion designer and that is ok, but, you can get yourself a good designer, who you work with to create amazing designs that suit your body frame. Some designers that can help you achieve this include; Eyiyemi Olivia of EoNL and more.

Invest In Timeless Pieces

There will always be a new fashion item to get. That said, do not carried away with all this, rather invest in things that are timeless, which means, regardless of when you wear them, they remain relevant and are not seasonal. examples of timeless pieces are,

Don’t Forget Your Accessories

They might be little but they go a long way in transforming your entire look. Imagine dressing up for a meeting without your ear rings, the look on your face in that moment of realisation is enough to explain the strength of accessories. My point is, don’t forget to spice up your outfits no matter how simple with an accessory. Accessories vary, no need to limit yourself to just ear rings, here are few accessories to transform your look;

Flaunt Your Outfits

This is where I say, do not be afraid to rock and re-rock your outfits, that is what they where made for.

So, these are a few tips to help you stay on top of your fashion game, hope you find them useful.

Found them useful? Leave me a comment and let’s get talking.

Just before you go, follow @bell_africana on instagram, bellafricana on facebook and bellafricana on twitter.

Bye for now!

Bellafricana published in Events September 4, 2019

Lagos Coffee Festival

The city of Lagos will play host to a series of events that aims to promote the Nigerian Coffee Culture and Community as a whole. With the main theme: “Coffee, Culture & Community.”, this inaugural edition of the Lagos Coffee Festival sets off an annual celebration of the coffee consumption culture in Lagos, and in Nigeria by extension.

Two pre-events are scheduled for the 14^th and 20^th of September leading up to the International Coffee Day on the 1^st of October and the Main Festival slated October 5^th at Nakenohs Boulevard, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria. To register for this event, click here.

According to the International Coffee Organization, Brazil remains the largest exporter and hosts one of the 30 annual global coffee events. Lagos is set to join Addis Ababa, Cape Town and Nairobi to push forward the African agenda in the worldwide coffee market. In a bid to enhance cohesiveness on a national front, Lagos Coffee Festival 2019 presents a platform for dialogue amongst the actors in the burgeoning coffee economy in Nigeria.

In alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 8 – 12, local farmers, policy makers and retail companies will share a table to propose responsive steps for better working synergy and mutual benefit.

Exhibitors, partners and stakeholders will showcase and engage the richness, uniqueness and versatility of the Nigerian coffee value chain through carefully curated events. There will be a guided tour to a coffee roastery in Lagos, live art performances, book readings & an exposé into all the ways in which coffee is consumed in Lagos and Nigeria.

Among the partners already confirmed are Brazilian Consulate-General in Nigeria, Q21 Solutions LTD, Happy Coffee, ShawlArchiTunde.Africa, Red Factory, Social Prefect Tours, GreenHill Recycling, Ochatoptasia LTD, Kanda Creatives Branding, Aidan Partners, Kaldi Africa.

Info:

Lagos Coffee Festival 2019 – Coffee, Culture & Community.

October 5^th :Nakenohs Boulevard Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria

Registration: https://www.lagoscoffeefestival.eventbrite.com

facebook.com/lagoscoffeefestival

instagram.com/lagoscoffeefestivalv

Bellafricana proudly supports the Lagos Coffee Festival.

Bellafricana with the support of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is a platform that connects producers of creative indigenous products like Adire lounge with their consumers locally and globally.

For more detail about Bellafricana follow @bell_africana 0n Instagram, bellafricana on Facebook and Twitter.

Bye for now!

Bellafricana published in Fashion, Textiles September 3, 2019

Introducing Adire Lounge Aro-Ewa Collection

You’ve probably heard it before ‘ out with the old, in with the new’. But at Adire lounge we’ve found a perfect blend for both the old and the new to have congruence, hence the Aro- Ewa collection.

The collection is borne out of the belief that being ancient in spirit, yet modern in expression is the perfect scenario to remain consistent and relevant in our ever changing world of sustainable fashion.

Aro Ewa simply translated as ‘Dyed Beauty’is the recreation of contemporary patterns; employing old age historical techniques, coupled with the rich indigo dye, reminiscent of African indigenous designs, in order to celebrate our old Adire heritage.

At the heart of the collection, ensuring sustainability of the fashion value chain is paramount; from farmer to designer, the use of cotton fabric grown and milled in Nigeria, and our collaboration with other creatives in the industry like Denike online, Henri Uduku and Busayo Longe attests to our commitment to showcasing our brand ethos of ‘Made in Nigeria’.

By this, we believe our existence as an indigenous premium brand would contribute greatly in reviving the local manufacturing sector; modernizing the art of textile design, while inspiring more people to embrace original African fashion that have history and art infused within them as wearable pieces.

Adire Lounge is a member of the Bellafricana family, as a member the business gains visibility, growth, voice & credibility. Bellafricana with the support of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is a platform that connects producers of creative indigenous products like Adire lounge with their consumers locally and globally.

For more detail about Bellafricana follow @bell_africana 0n Instagram, bellafricana on Facebook and Twitter.

Bye for now!

Bellafricana published in Events, People & Culture August 29, 2019

Bellafricana Creative Breakfast August Meet-up

With a name like Bellafricana verified, you probably wondered if the Bellafricana creative community is any fun.

Well, yes, the community is fun and many other things included. While the aim is to get indigenous brands selling locally and globally, there are also opportunities for members of the Bellafricana Verified community to meet up and have fun.

One of such opportunities was the ‘Bellafricana Creative Breakfast August Meet up’ which occurred on the 3rd of August, 2019, with the theme ‘Life & Business’. The event which took place at the Lagos Tea House, Lekki was an opportunity for members to talk about balancing life and business in the everyday world.

This event which had over 30 members and 15 non members in attendance was filled with laugh, talks on balancing business and of course, good food!

If you were there, you would definitely agree that it was a good time.

If you missed it on the other hand, well, you missed!

The good thing is, there are pictures for you to see while you get ready for the next event.

Here are some pictures;

Sincerely, I am tempted to continue posting pictures from the event, but then everything with a beginning, has an end.

On that note, if you would love to be part of this beautiful community, click here!

So, it’s a wrap from me to you,

Just before you go, follow @bell_africana on instagram, bellafricana on facebook and bellafricana on twitter.

bye for now!

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These Home Decors Are A Must Have

Aso-Oke Creative Gift Ideas

Discover Some Healthy Snacks And Food For You

Meet The Creative Director and Co-Founder Of D-Dee Bags (Exclusive Interview)

Creative Gifts For Him

Creative Leather Brands in Nigeria At The Lagos Leather Fair Event

Fashion Tips For Women

Lagos Coffee Festival

Introducing Adire Lounge Aro-Ewa Collection

Bellafricana Creative Breakfast August Meet-up

Join the Bellafricana Community of audacious, driven and courageous creative entrepreneurs

Explore

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Join the Bellafricana Community of audacious, driven and courageous creative entrepreneurs

Explore

quick links

Contact

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