LIFESTYLE

Pharrell Lands GQ Cover
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Pharrell spent 2013 chasing “Blurred Lines” with Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” and more recently, “Happy,” the contiguously cheerful song from the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack, which is now the lead single for his new solo album, G  I  R  L. Now he’s celebrating his accolades with the cover of GQ Magazine.

GQ‘s Zach Baron sits down with Pharrell for an exclusive interview to talk about the making of G I R L — an entire album of disco-infected, ’70s-soul-addled sex songs — and how it stands out from his previous work.

Below are some excerpts from the interview:

Pharrell on his first solo record in 2006, In My Mind:

“I wrote those songs out of ego. Talking about the money I was making and the by-products of living that lifestyle. What was good about that? What’d you get out of it? There was no purpose. I was so under the wrong impression at that time.”

“The money was too loud. The success was too much. The girls were too beautiful. The jewelry was too shiny. The cars were too fast. The houses were too big. It’s like not knowing how to swim and being thrown in the ocean for the first time. Everything is just too crazy. You’re like, flailing and kicking and whatever, and you know what happens, don’t you? You sink. My spirit sank. I just felt like, ‘Fuck, what am I doing?’ ”

“That was just bragging. I wanted to be like Jay. I wanted to be like Puff. Those are their paths. I got my own path. But I didn’t know what my path was. I knew that I was meant to do something different. I knew that I needed to inject purpose in my music.”

On the name of his new album:

“I instantly knew that the name of the album was called G  I  R  L, and the reason why is because women and girls, for the most part, have just been so loyal to me and supported me.”

“There is no breathing human being on this planet that did not benefit by a woman saying yes twice. Yes to make you, and yes to have you. Point-blank.”

 Tyler, the Creator on Pharrell’s influence on him as an artist:

“Being a young black kid, especially at that time, I was different from all my other peers. So when I seen that this dude was saying he was open to rock and jazz and fucking skateboarding and all this other stuff that I was interested in, I was gravitating toward it because it was like: ‘All right, I’m not the only black dude who’s probably called weird every fucking day.’”

She Stole My Look

Jennifer Lopez, 44, and model Jourdan Dunn, 23, rock an identical tight Tom Ford dress

Jennifer Lopez and Jourdan Dunn seemed to share a similar level of affection for Tom Ford as they stepped out recently wearing exactly the same dress by him recently.

The 44-year-old triple threat performer did it first in Los Angeles in January, and the 23-year-old leggy British model followed closely behind as she slipped into the same monochrome garment in February for Elle Style Awards in London. 

Jlo showed off her toned dancer's legs in the short frock, which she teamed with an elegant and basic pair of white heels to let Tom Ford's sexy design take center stage.

Although Jourdan was styled similarly to Jennifer, she took her ensemble in a particularly different direction, adding even more edge with a daring pair of black lace-up heeled boots.

Who do you guys think wore it better?

KONKO FASHION

Nina Ricci Fall 2014 Ready-To-Wear

Welcome to Paris Fashion Week... Welcome to the country I'm from in my mind ^_^

Nina Ricci designer has a serious thing for interiors. A group of photos of his favorite interiors was his starting point at the Paris Fashion Week, and it just goes to show that designers are at their best when they do what they know.  

The organization of the show loosely followed a woman going about her day: skirtsuits and wrap coats for work, pajama separates in knits backed with leather or silk to relax in when she returns home, and finally cocktail attire and gala dresses for when she leaves again at night. But even when she's out of the house, the Nina Ricci woman will bring the comforts of home with her next fall. 

See more pictures of the collection below.

LIFESTYLE

Biola Alabi Shines In Hello! Nigeria Magazine’s February 2014 Issue

M-Net Africa‘s MD Biola Alabi is pretty on the cover of Hello! Nigeria Magazine‘s February 2014 Issue.

We see Biola inside the magazines trike a fun and happy look in the infamous Tiffany Amber wrap dress. She shares in an exclusive with the publication life in general, love and being the boss. Also inside the mag, are Nigeria’s art queen Nike Davies-Okundaye and Maki Oh designer Amaka Osakwe, she gives the scoop on adire, culture and fashion.

Two of the most buzzed about weddings of the season – Bez Idakula and Bolatito Ladoja‘s as well as Peter Okoye and Lola Omotayo‘s, is featured in the magazine.

Other features include a photoshoot with Miss Nigeria 2013 Ezinne Akudo for Hello! Nigeria’s Valentine’s Day shoot, perfect gifts for the special people in your life, and a display of African inspired furniture.

The magazine retails for N 1,500.

KONKO FASHION

Stella Jean, Fall 2014 Ready-To-Wear

I'm guessing we all have been following the Milan Fashion Week, sorry I haven't gotten you guys pictures from the show. But here is Stella Jean and her beautiful collection.

Stella Jean collection at the Milan Fashion Week included floor-scraping cardigan coats in bucolic intarsias and printed tights that matched the patterns on the stiffened petticoat skirt along with natty tailoring in colorful tweeds and plaids that added an element of newness to a mix that leaned heavily on Ankara. 

Ankara were her unique selling point. They were vibrant and gorgeous.

See more pictures of the collection below.

KONKO FASHION

Jennifer Lawrence Stars in Third Dior Campaign

Dior's third campaign featuring Jennifer Lawrence is out, and unsurprisingly, it's gorgeous. The images, shot by Patrick Demarchelier, have the American Hustle actress looking soft and feminine, with nude lips and the hint of a smoky, sultry eye, balanced by a more sophisticated, slightly boyish, tousled hairstyle. She wears clothes from the spring 2014 women's collection and holds chain-handled Miss Dior bags.

According to WWD, Dior will release a behind-the-scenes video next week in which the Academy Award nominee talks about visiting the design house's atelier to choose which glorious Dior number to wear to the Oscars. (And if there was any doubt in your mind about what Lawrence would be wearing).

Of her last Dior ads, Lawrence said, "I love Photoshop more than anything in the world. Of course it's Photoshop; people don't look like that."

See more pictures below

SHE STOLE MY LOOK

Nicole Scherzinger wore the sassy jumpsuit by Three Floor for the press launch of The X Factor and paired it with bright red Kurt Geiger pumps, while Mollie King wore the same blue piece just a few weeks earlier for ‘We’re The Millers’ UK Premiere, teamed with a satin black belt, black heels and a gold clutch.

Who do you guys think wore it better?

PRO CHAT WITH JESSICA

Segun Allinson is a wedding photographer who works in Lagos. He is also the CEO of Ace Koncept Photography, he has been shooting since 2010 and has has gone from shooting nature/outdoor and now weddings and events. Enjoy this brilliant interview and leave a comment. I’m sure he would appreciate it.

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

My name is Segun Ahmed Allinson, I am an indigene of Ogun State, Sagamu. I am from a large family of nine children and I am the 7th child. I’m a Christian, I love to meet new people and I love photography.

Where is home?

Home is where I am most free, especially with friends and we are having a good laugh. That’s home.

Did you study photography as a course in any institution?

I fell in love with photography in an academic environment. But I didn’t study photography as a course.

How long have you been a photographer?

I have been a photographer for four years now.

When did you realize you wanted to be a photographer?

I have always loved photography; my friend told me I am supposed to be a photographer and that he was too sure I won’t be jobless when I become a photographer. And because it was something I believed in, I resigned from my paid employment and pursued photography.

How would you describe your style of photography?

Free style. I started as a nature photographer. It was all about landscape, skylines and flying objects. I really don’t like studios; I express myself more when I shoot outdoors. So I can’t really say I have a particular style though I’m more of a wedding/event photographer now. We can’t say what tomorrow could be. I love taking surprise pictures. Innocent pictures, pictures people are not aware of.

How have you evolved as a photographer from your first days at this craft?

When I started photography I was shy and it felt sort of strange but now I am more confident. I turn every disadvantage to an advantage now. I have grown wiser, when a flash stops working I turn it around for my good now.

What type of cameras do you shoot with?

I started shooting with Nikon, but now I prefer a canon, I love canons

What is your favourite photography accessory, other than your camera?

My lens!!!

If you had to choose one lens which one would it be and why?

I would choose my 11-100mm, it’s a wide angle lens!

Best piece of advice you ever received about photography?

Understand your camera. That was said to me by my brother and boss. Mr. Babajide Oguntuyi (Jendomatic photography).

What lighting equipment do you take on a shoot?

The environment matters, but for outdoors I take the reflectors with me, but for indoor I just use the softbox.

What’s your favourite computer/editing accessory, other than your computer?

There really isn’t any best for me, but you can’t go wrong with Light room, Photoshop and for a quickie Picasa.

How important is Photoshop in your final images?

I try not to make Photoshop important. A good image really doesn’t need editing. Understand your camera and work with it. But for me I can live without Photoshop. (Confidence ti poju)

Do you plan on buying any new equipment and if so what do you have your eyes on

Yes I do, I plan on buy a 35mm, 100mm lens and a Mac airbook airies.

Most challenging shoot you’ve been on?

I won’t call it most challenging, but let’s just say difficult clients. I try to meet clients at least once before the proposed day of the shoot to make them feel free with me before the said day. Sometime I get contacted by some else and I am supposed to shoot someone else, that can be a bit tricky but I try to make time to meet the person being shot so we have fore knowledge of each other and what the shoot will entail. But so clients can just be unreasonably difficult.

You’ve just been given a blank check to go shoot anywhere in the world for a week – where would that be and why?

I would pick Brazil! From the skylines to the ghetto, suburbs everything in brazil is fascinating. I pick Brazil because Brazilians are very colourful people.

What has photography taught you?

It has taught me that there is beauty in everything. If you look close enough you will find beauty in everything.

Favourite saying while you’re shooting?

I stress my “thank you” a lot and people always ask why I say so much thank you. When taking group photographs I say “next!” or “okay”.

How do you educate yourself to take better photos?

In photography every day you pick up your camera, you learn something new. I have made it a point of duty to always take a better shoot than the last one. Then I try to read up on latest treads in photography, i.e. lighting, software, cameras etc

Do you have an assistant/2nd shooter that accompanies you on wedding assignments?

Yes I do. Depending on my agreement with the client or the magnitude of the event, because assistants get paid too!

What do you feel is the most challenging about photographing weddings?

Getting the bride and the groom to smile at the camera (if they are not camera friendly). People mistaking you and your obviously expensive camera for a #100 picture guy and you to explain to them “ooh it for the couple”. Rudeness from people at events; some people believe you must be hungry to be a photographer.

A wedding photographer who inspires you is?

Ade Plumtre

A website and/or blog you visit often?

Facebook: My fanpage

New York Institute of Photography

Photoshop professional website and wedding planner

Of course jessiekonko too

What is Ace Koncept’s marketing advice?

Firstly make sure you deliver quality and not quantity. Customize services to fit you client’s budget. Have a good interpersonal relation skill, don’t be too rigid, don’t give flimsy excuses and don’t be proud. Let it be known that you are an authority in what you do.

If I wasn't not a communicator, I would have liked to be a model walking on runways worldwide. What would you have been?

Business development/marketing manager.

Something you’re still learning?

I’m still learning about life. In photography, I’m still learning about the phenomenon of light and lack of excess editing.

What or who is the greatest love of your life

My late mum, I still love her so much

Something that is overrated?

The general perception of success is overrated. The extent people go to show that they are successful is overrated.

If you could have lunch with anyone who is famous or dead who would it be?

Jesus! Lunch with Jonathan will secure nothing forever but lunch with Jesus who is forever in power is it. It’s not about being a Christian.

Your favourite movie of all time?

I have seen through a lot of good movies o, it’s hard to pick one.

Who would play you in a film (movie) of your life?

Ashton Kutcher. I can be very serious and unserious sometimes, I feel he fits the role. But for a black man I would pick Jamie Foxx.

What would you like to be doing in 5 years from now?

Have a photography institute, have my name on every photographer lips, happily married with kids.

If someone said ‘how can I be the next Ace Koncept?

Don’t ever try to be the next Ace Koncept, be the next you. Go all out and believe in yourself, because if you believe in yourself you can do it. Don’t let people take you down.

Thank you for your time

The pleasure is mine

For inquiries
Twitter:  (@ACE_KONCEPT)
Facebok: https://www.facebook.com/allinsonadesegun
Email: allinsonadesegun@gmail.com

LIFESTYLE

Kendall and Kylie Jenner Cover Marie Claire Mexico, Talk Career Ambitions and Being Famous Teens

TGIF and we are feasting on the march issue of Marie Claire Mexico.

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star grace the latest cover of Marie Claire Mexico and pose for a series of sexy shots in the magazine's March 2014 issue. Modeling looks by Tori Burch and PAVON, the sisters showcase their versatility as models. "We had a great time," Kendall says of the shoot. "It was especially different for Kylie. It kind of showed her in a different light, so I think that was cool."

Kendall, 18, explains that she's "always enjoyed watching and looking at high fashion models and supermodels. I always wanted to be them. Even as a kid, I remember always looking at my mom's magazines. I would look up to them and I thought they were so beautiful and they seemed very elegant and cool." The brunette beauty adds, "It's just something I really wanted to be."

Listing Gisele Bündchen, Miranda Kerr and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as her inspirations, Kendall is dying to work for Chanel or Burberry. "Everybody tells me I should do Ralph Lauren," she adds.

Kylie, meanwhile, is pursuing other passions. "Right now I love designing and I want to pursue that career once I turn 18, but acting is something I would regret not giving a chance when I'm older, so I would love to try it and see if I like it," the 16-year-old reality star says. "I used to do plays in school and then in my community. I would participate in all of them 'til I was 13."

Kylie is currently focused on Keeping Up With the Kardashians, which is currently in its ninth season. "It would be very weird to not be filming because that's all I remember since I was the age of 9. I can't imagine it." When the show inevitably ends one day, "It's going to be a whole new chapter in my life."

The teen star looks up to her family in a number of ways. "They've got great work ethic and they are so kind to everyone around them," Kylie says of parents Kris Jenner and Bruce Jenner, plus her many siblings. "They really take in and appreciate everything they have around them when it comes."

Kendall shares her sister's sentiments, but adds that they have a YOLO mentality. "I think our biggest thing is that you're only a kid for so long and you're an adult your entire life, so live that until you can."

While they've been famous since childhood, the siblings are grounded in reality. "We keep ourselves surrounded with friends and try to have a normal life, but every time we go out of the house we're followed by paparazzi, so it's not completely normal," Kendall says. "But we try to keep it as normal as possible." How so? "We love to go to Magic Mountain, which is an amusement park with rides and roller coasters, but it gets a little difficult do that kind of stuff now because we're bothered a little bit more than we used to be," the budding fashionista continues. "But it's still fun. We have a good time."

Kendall and Kylie may be all grown up, but in many ways, they're still the same girls from Calabasas.

"I literally couldn't go anywhere without Kendall when I was younger," Kylie admits.

"She was obsessed with me," Kendall recalls. "She followed me everywhere."

"I would follow her everywhere she went. We would sleep in the same bed. If she got up in the middle of the night, I got up of the middle of the night. I literally couldn't leave her side," Kylie remembers. "We even matched everything we wore."

Kendall—who remembers cutting "all" of Kylie's hair off as a kid—tells Marie Claire Mexico that they're not nearly as mischievous as teens. "We were evil. We would lock people outside when it was raining."

Sounds like the girls are maturing in more ways than one!

KONKO FASHION

Soft Hues & Chic Drapery! Re Bahia’s Spring/Summer 2014 Collection Is All About – “Minimal Dreams"

Presenting their new collection for 2014, “Minimal Dreams“, is Nigerian design label Re Bahia owned by Creative Director Orire Omatsola.

The Collection draws its inspiration from the designer’s love for minimalism. The brand stuck to its core aesthetic which has always been the idea of simplicity, using luxurious yet comfortable fabrics such as crinkled silk, silk chiffon, double georgette and silk shantung for this season,

According to the creative director, Orire Omatsola, “as a creative, I love to focus on the bare necessity. Call it a cliché but for me, less is honestly more. I believe in creating pieces that are clean, finely finished and most importantly non-fussy. I really wanted a simple palette for this collection. I had to train myself for the first time to be as cohesive as possible, focusing on only three colours, white, blue and pink.”

See more picture below.

For more information
Twitter: @REBAHIA_ng
Instagram @REBAHIA_ng
Email: rebahiang@gmail.com
Call: 08134918666

LIFESTYLE

Rihanna Covers Vogue For The 3rd Time and Gives Up All Her Style Secrets

We know all there is to know about Rihanna, we don’t need to know her back story or her controversial past in another post. So for her third go-round as the cover-girl of Vogue Magazine, the fashion Bible got into what we really want to know about Rihanna: her fashion secrets.

Vogue gave Rihanna a task: to give one of their writers a Rihanna-style makeover. For starters, all of Rihanna’s staff refer to her as “She” and her security guard carries a backpack with everything She needs. But the fun stuff came when She started showing her tracks and talking about buying throwaway jewels from places like Claire’s.

All-in-all, there was one grand takeaway from Rihanna’s latest Vogue issue: She’s about to be something bigger (can you imagine?) on the fashion horizon soon enough, as she has announced her plans to start her own label soon.

Check out some excerpts from Ri’s latest Vogue interview below.

Rihanna on her weave:

Rihanna’s long, wavy black hair is shaved close to her head on one side. “It’s not my hair, but the girl who donated it, she’s the bomb,” says Rihanna. “Black girls never let anyone see this,” she adds, pulling apart the locks at the back of her head to show me the intricate workings of the false hair, which is woven into a net attached to her own. “I have two main hair people I work with. They’re always with me. I’m like, ‘I’m bored! I wanna change my hair!’ That’s the good thing about a weave. You can do whatever with it.”

On her commitment to wearing literal “killer” heels: 

“It’s not about pain. It’s about the commitment. I say to myself, ‘I want to look like this,’ and worry about the pain later. I’ve had nights I had to tiptoe home and the balls of my feet wouldn’t even allow me to stand.”

On her accessories: 

“My jewelry’s all fake—from Claire’s. Or I get it from my mom’s boutique in Barbados. Her shop’s called FAB-U-LUS.”

On her favorite things about men’s clothing:

“More than anything, I like a jacket. You can do anything with a great jacket, the bigger the better. You can have any silhouette underneath. It gives you an attitude. It makes a gown look cool.” She is sounding authoritative. I could learn something from her about fashion. “I love baggy things. I wear men’s clothes, men’s shoes, oxfords, creepers.”

On how she fell into fashion rebellion: 

“When I was thirteen or fourteen, I didn’t want to wear what my mom wanted me to wear. I was very much a boy in my style, my demeanor. All my friends were guys. I loved things that boys did. I loved being easy with my clothes. I loved wearing hats and scarves and snapbacks on my head. It was my way of rebelling. I wanted to dress like my brother. After a while, it was just easier for Mom to dress us both the same. We wore the same jeans, the same T-shirts.”

On how she became an actual rebel:

“I don’t go out of my way to be a rebel or to have that perception, but a lot of the decisions I make, a lot of the direction I want to move, is against the grain, or against society’s tight lane, and I’m aware of that sometimes. It might not be fitting with the norm, but that’s OK for me.”

On starting her own fashion label:

She wants to start a fashion label soon. She thinks fashion is a big part of her success. “It’s not all down to my voice. There’s people with way more talent than I when it comes to singing. Bigger voices. But people want to know who you are. Fashion is a clear indication, a way to express your attitude, your mood.”