Last day of 2013! Recap! shall we?

All too soon the year has ended and I guess we were all quite trilled. Glad to have been a part of making your year an exciting one, bringing you the trendiest in Fashion from Ghana. I will just provide you with a summary of this years activities starting from the camp of Trendsandblendsgh. We started this year with an Editorial on Afro Diva Nally, we shared her hair story and organized a whole shoot in collaboration with Ghanaian fashion brand Sarah Christian. 

We also interviewed some Designers and models a was present at Ghana Fashion and Design Week, Glitz Africa Fashion Week but however couldn’t make it to Citi FM’s Expressions of Accra. Finally we had two different giveaways in collaboration with Sarah Christian, Afiyo creations and Fuschia. I keep saying “we” and I know you are wondering why. Well, we represent a whole team (OAB Photography’s Ben Bond and Fredrick Tetteh have been of great help this year.

Look Books: Fashion designers were at their peak this season with really creative collections. Sarah Christian’s “Ego “, Ameyo “reflections”, Afiyo creations “daga” Christie Browns “Dure”, Alikoto’s “Nkyinkyim”, mSimps “Krai Coon”, kama by kilson’s “rogue” , Afro Mod’s “Nyornu”collection  these are few of the collections I can remember off the top of my head. Lets not forget Deborah Vanessa’s entrance in the industry and we definitely can’t forget her designs nether can I forget those from Abrantie clothing.

 

Events:  I think fashion events this year were Fab. It started with the FashionistaGh shopping  festival at trade fair which was exciting, Pop up shops were not left out this year. Glitz Africa fashion week took place at the Accra International Conference Centre and I must say I enjoyed every bit of it. It was a 3day event with over 50 designers from Accra, apart from the lateness, which this time was the fault of the attendees, I think it was a Great Event and Mai Atafo from Nigeria and House of Eccentric from Ghana nailed it. Organizers should work on their media tags. Having the name of the media house present on the tag is as important as the picture. 

The Retro Fab fashion event a private fashion show held at La villa boutique Hotel OSU. I loved their runway set up in the pool and also loved the clothes from some major boutiques in Accra, must say it was an exhilarating event. I am hoping it will be a bigger show next year.

 Finally, Ghana fashion and design week took place at the plush Moven pick Ambassador Hotel, this year's event was okay, it had some flaws and I know the organizers realized and will work on it for a better show next year!!!! p.s I love their media tags #simple 

Trending: African wax print hit the peak this season! Everyone joined in the craze. This year we saw bags, shoes, clothes, earrings all made out of the African Print, some labeled it as Ankara but should it really be called? I was quite thrilled to see Printex and GTP rebrand! We are still love their new fabrics and hope they keep up with the growth.

 Models and photographers were not left out this year.  This year brought a lot in a lot of models!  I think there should be a body to organize all these models and brand them.  Congratulations to Mecy Ashie and Prince IB for winning the model of the year award at the Glitz Africa Fashion week 2013. We appreciate all you models that have worked tirelessly this year, more grease to your elbow. I am sure next year will be awesome for all of us. More shows, articles, look books, giveaways etc.  There is still definitely room for improvement from all angles! So lets get to work people.  

Big Thank u to  Sarah Christian for clothing me this year!!! 
Thank u all for always reading my post. Any highlights of 2013 you want to share? drop it in the comment section . 

Medaase

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Happy New Year everyone !! Blessings

The Big GiveAway!!!!!!

Trendsandblendsgh turned 2 years in Novemeber and I have been thinking of something  special to giveaway. I have been working with two Ghanaian fashion brands and both are  really dear to me , therefore it was just natural to share the love with you.

Sarah Christian is a Fashion brand that focuses on designing trendy clothes for the Ghanaian woman.

Read more on her via 

http://www.africafashionweekny.com/2013/12/fashion-focus-ghana-sarah-christian/

http://trendsandblendsgh.blogspot.com/2013/11/glitz-africa-fashion-week-day1-sarah.html 

 Afiyo creations is the second brand I'm partnering with, she makes accessories with beads infused with African print . 

Read more about her via 

http://trendsandblendsgh.blogspot.com/2012/11/tnbs-close-up-with-anastasia-atiglo-of.html .

 Now do you want to win any of the gifts? Here's what to do

1. Like the following pages: 

*Trendsandblendsgh:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trendsandblendsgh/203522483054565?ref=hl

*Afiyo creations:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Afiyo-Creations/222274967801895?ref=hl

*SarahChristian:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-christian/189891464372235?ref=ts&fref=ts 

 
2. Tell me what your favorite post is. 

3. Tell me why you deserve to win in the comment section under this post.
4. Share the blogs URL on your Facebook page .

THATS ALL. 

 P.s this giveaway is the first of many to come 

Feature on: AfroDiva Nally

I embrace  trends as they unfold in our society, one which is swiftly gaining grounds in our society is the natural hair culture. most ladies have decided to go natural for various reasons.there have been soo many questions lingering on my mind when it comes to the natural hair trend.Therefore i decided to interview a friend who seemed to have answers to most questions i have always wanted to ask and i found it quite exciting that she's been keeping her hair for awhile now and it looks great. I personally have my hair permed at the moment but if ever I'd want to go natural, you would be the first to know. Here are some few answers to some questions i asked her.

TnbGh: Tell me more about Naa.!
AFD:I am a simple yet complicated young Ghanaian woman ready to take on the world. I love volunteering, blogging, making video tutorials, 1taking care of my hair(of course!!!)reading, travelling, eating and sleeping.
TnbGh:How did u come up with the name AfroDiva Nally?
AFD:Well I wanted something that would make me feel confident as a woman rocking her natural hair. And for me AfroDiva immediately speaks to the fact that I am of African descent and also directly describes the way I wear and rock my hair. Nally is an acronym from my first and last names.
TnbGh:Before your natural hair, what kind of her did you have on and can u take me down memory lane?
AFD:My hair was relaxed, I didn’t really have a clue that I could take better care of it and not rely on Ghanaian hairdressers.
TnbGh:When did you decide to go natural and what influenced that decision?
 AFD:I was just tired of the burns and scabs from my relaxer. My hair was breaking and had become brittle. A few months later, I had hosted a student from the US in my home who cut all of her hair when she returned to the US.I must say, I was shocked by her decision but my interest in her return to her roots sparked my decision to return to my roots.

TnbGh: Which kind of "big chop" did you go for"?
AFD:I couldn’t handle the transition process. The two different textures made my hair tangle most of the time so I got fed up and cut it off at about 2-3 months.
TnbGh:What was the reaction from friends and family concerning your new lifestyle?
AFD:When I was on campus, it was perfectly fine. My family thinks I’m crazy so it wasn’t a big deal for them.
TnbGh:The assertion that natural hair is Unprofessional still lingers on the minds of a lot of ladies in this country,what do have to say to that?
AFD:I think you can’t really blame us for holding that assertion. An experience I had during an internship proved this assertion to be a fact but this was only in one case. I work in a liberal open minded organization so no one has a problem with my hair as far as I am concerned. There a bit of teasing once in a while but its nothing I can’t handle.

TnbGh:How are your able to maintain the natural hair because I know it's very difficult especially if your hair is stubborn?
AFD:First of all, I don’t believe natural hair is stubborn. I believe that once you dedicate the time to learn and understand the dynamics of your hair, you are on the track to embracing what is truly yours.No hair is stubborn for that matter.
TnbGh:Is it that expensive to maintain?
AFD:Well it depends on the individual, if you wear your hair in its natural state all the time, your cost will definitely go into deep conditioners, conditioner and shampoos at most. But if you wear, weaves, braids and protective styles often,that can increase your cost. If you go to the salon often to get these done, your cost will also increase. So it really depends on the individual.

TnbGh:You have a YouTube channel, please tell me more about your channel and how do you intend to get you intend to get your message out other ladies who want to go natural?
AFD:Well, when I started researching for information on natural hair, I realized that a lot of these natural hair communities and channels were in the west and they spoke of products and other things which you could not find in Ghana. So with the encouragement from Ghanaianemprezz, I started mine.The channel is basically to share my knowledge and experiences with natural hair so as to help people who have no idea what to do and how to go about it.
TnbGh:Ghanians are slowly beginning to embrace the idea of vlogs (video blogs), any plans on how you intend to get more ladies to get on your channel  and  subscribe?
AFD:Well, I’ll be having a 100+ giveway on my YouTube channel soon and I intend to use this meduim to attract more Ghanaians to the channel. I believe exposure such as this one  will get the message across widely. 

TnbGh:Any favorite quotes in relation to natural hair?
AFD:We didn’t go natural, we returned.
Everyone isn’t going to like your hair. That’s their problem, not yours.
Keep Calm and Love your Natural Hair.
Be natural!!! Be you!!!










COSTUME:CHIDA COLLECTION BY SARAH CHRISTIAN
PHOTOGRAPHER: BEN BOND OF OAB PHOTOGRAPHY 







comments and suggestions are welcomed......

JOYCELYN :a model and beauty Queen from Ghana

I love the modelling world and everything it has to offer, spent some time looking for very interesting stories from our own models here in Ghana.
20 year old Joycelyn rocks the runway every time shes on it. but wait ,that's not the only thing she does.I spent some time to know more about this young lady and i thought you should  know more about her too. enjoy the first phase of her interview.

Tnbgh: Tell us about yourself?

Joycelyn: My name is Joycelyn Afia Aduakye, 20 years old, a student of Ghana Telecom University studying Bsc. Telecom Engineering.

Tnbgh: What drove you into auditioning for Miss West Africa Ghana?

Joycelyn: Initially, I was skeptical about joining it because involving in a pageant is a risk on its own; you may win or may not win. But my friends and people around me gave me all the encouragement and support, telling me I had what it takes to win, so I went for it.

Tnbgh:How do you shuffle between being a student and a beauty queen and a model?

Joycelyn:I plan my time very well and organize my plans such that the most important things are achieved first, in that order. I know when and when not to do something. I set my priorities right and plan accordingly. i normally plan ahead of time when I want to do a couple of things so they do not clash into each other.

Tnbgh:Do you have a role model? And would you mind telling us who your role model is, and why?

Joycelyn: Tyra Banks. She's hardworking and has achieved a lot in the fashion industry with which she's greatly imparting other people who want to get into the fashion industry. She has a great personality as well, which I believe helps one go places. Aside Tyra, I get motivation from women who have made it or are making it on the global scale.

Tnbgh :You have been spotted on some runways, how has that experience been and how far do you intend on taking it?

Joycelyn :I love runway modelling and I'm good at what I do. The experience is amazing for me. I intend taking it to the international level where I would not be just an international model, but an international supermodel. Dreams come true and with God on my side I know it will come true.

Tnbgh: Do you have any beauty regime that u follow and would you love to share?

Joycelyn:I exfoliate every once in awhile. I concentrate more on my face as it's the first contact on my body, this keeps my face and skin always clear.

Tnbgh: Do you think there’s a difference between a beauty queen and a model?

Joycelyn:Yes, there is. A model is usually used for advertisement purposes and often has the physical features, but a beauty queen goes beyond just physical beauty; it involves personality, intelligence, congeniality, courage, confidence, charity and many other qualities. A beauty queen is supposed to be a combination of all that. Having beautiful physical features is a plus. I'm fortunate to be a beauty queen and a model as well.

Tnbgh:brief us about Miss West African international and How will Ghanaians be able to help you win the coveted crown and bring it to

Ghana?

Joycelyn:

It's a beauty pageant involving the winners of all 15 ECOWAS countries with the inclusion of Sao Tome et Principe, Mauritania, Cameroon as well as Non-West African countries such as Germany, Portugal, US, UK. The winners from these countries come together to compete for the Miss West Africa International title.

* Ghanaians can support me with their prayers and encouragement. I've received tremendous support from a lot of Ghanaians already and I'm very grateful to them for that.

feel free to drop a comment or suggestion and dont forget to share .love Naa

welcome*Contours makeup* by valerie

hi everyone,

This post is to introduce a segment on the blog i will be working on pretty soon. I love you all and always want to provide you with original contents to read every time.Therefore,whenever i step out  , i try to look for people and things that inspire me and also provide contents for the blog  so you all can enjoy reading. I love makeup and maybe able to provide some few tips.However, i think its time i get all the  scoops about make up from the professionals. I met this lady at Sarah Christian's photo shoot for one of her collections and i must add shes a pro, i decided to contact her for make up tips and she agreed to providing makeup tips for the blog . Xcited ! here is is a little biography this young lady make up artist. 

Valerie Lawson

Valerie Lawson is the head makeup artist and CEO of contours makeup artistry, who's work is highly in demand for her ability to create soft, natural looks. She understands the balance between looking beautiful on camera and flawless In person. She sees sculpture in every woman that sits in her chair and her work focuses on bone structure and luminous skin. She has become one of Ghana's top makeup artists in the industry and also works in the US. She's been nicknamed the makeup genius by her clients. Her clients include celebrities, publications, the everyday woman, movie actresses and actors and glam brides. In addition to artistry, Valerie is a hair stylist,as hopping and beauty consultant and also ties  Gele for traditional brides and occasions.

Guess what the first post will be to win an amazing price!!!!!!!!!! 

if you have any question about make up,just leave your comment below and i will reply as soon as i can .

thank you

5 UGLY TRUTHS ABOUT ME!!!!!*new*

  Hi everyone, hope you all enjoyed the Christmas and New Year holidays. ……Well I had to take a break to  write my exams but I am back, I have missed a lot and I know you all have  missed reading posts from me too.
For my first post I decided to be a bit personal, share something intimate from me to you.
We all have things we suck at doing, when it comes to fashion, yah I know I do! And you will be amazed to read them. I will just start with 5 things for now and as time goes on I will release the rest

 

1. I just can’t make decisions when it comes to choosing my hairstyle. YES I AM INDECISIVE when it comes to that. I keep on asking friends or looking into magazines and when it's time to have it on, I change my mind AGAIN! At the moment i have fixed a weave, but I'm keeping my natural hair, but due to the pain i am thinking of perming it at the same time , I'm thinking its actually cool to have the natural hair on!this shows how confused i am when it comes to choosing the right hairstyle  Dear readers I would need a little advice here.

                                                         

                                                    

2.Wearing short skirts: short skirts, short skirts, short skirts! When will I? That’s one question I keep asking my self. Well, I don’t wear short skirts beyond my room. It’s a bit weird but that’s the truth. I see girls in body con skirts and I wonder when I’ll have the courage to wear it to the mall or some party.i may try one of these days to wear 1 but i'm still not certain about the outcome .....fingers crossed , i will try to post a photo on the blog if i do .

 

3.Heels: hahaha, I know its funny but that’s the truth, I suck at wearing those eye catching  6-10 inches heels to anywhere! The problem may be I think too much about comfort and overlook the Ghanaian slogan “beauty is pain”. I’ll prefer flats to heels but I hope to work on it this year, I need some height at times, considering how short I am.

 

4.  Hoop earrings and bangles: for this I think its just too bad, I really suck at wearing those huge earrings and bangles and once again I blame it on “comfort”, I just do things to keep me in my comfort zone but sometimes steeping out of my comfort zone maybe the only way to explore!!!!

 

5. Finally, I don’t have the courage to put on red lipstick, I just put it on for photo shoots but not able to put it on to work or church or the mall. I think I need to work on that too.just watch out for the red lipstick Naa Adjeley.. lol

These are SOME UGLY TRUTHS about me i thought i should share!everyone has one or two or maybe 5...... Just comment or email me on naadjekonney@gmail.com and lets talk about it .