“The Journey”, the latest album from singer-songwriter LeAnne, has been released. The lead singles are the up-tempo “Deal With It” & the soulful ballad “I Cry”, already submitted and play-listed to radio stations nationwide.
Aptly named, “The Journey” the album was recorded and written in various parts of the world including Dubai, Los Angeles and Johannesburg. LeAnne worked with producers, Damon Elliot who has worked with the likes of Pink, Jessica Simpson and Mýa, on the track, “B.A.N.G.I.T.O.U.T”.
The Underdogs producer Antonio Dixon, worked with LeAnne on the lead single “Deal With It” and “Wish We Were Back”, at legendary producer Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds’ studio in Los Angeles. Dixon has produced hits for R.Kelly, Toni Braxton & American Idol winners Jordin Sparks, Ruben Studdard & Fantasia. Rap superstar El Tido features on the opening club-banger track, “Don’t Get Me Started”.
“The Journey” churns out hit after hit throughout the album, with songs to dance to like, “Put Your Hands Up” and songs influenced by South African house music: “Take Me Away (I Feel It)”. Songbird LeAnne sings from her soul on the Alexis Faku & Sipho Dlamini produced tracks “Exhale”, “Feels Like” and the smash hit ballad “I Cry”.
Photographer Nick Boulton set the visual tone for the album, by capturing LeAnne in creations by David Tlale, Vera Wang & Marc Bower.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Leeannes's sophomore album released.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Iman launches "Iman Home" designs
Somalian supermodel Iman is about to launch IMAN Home designs. The designs are " inspired by international locales and traditional, yet modern, crafts to bring a beautiful blend of cultural richness in the fabrics." The collection,
which will first be seen at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week Star Lounge, aims to" create elegant, affordable items that mix exotic elements with a new degree of sophistication." Iman says she is excited to work with Mercedes-Benz on the project.
”We have worked tirelessly in preparation for the launch of IMAN Home and to have this forum, at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, is a great way to unveil the collection.” IMAN Home, in conjunction with P/K Lifestyles, a development and marketing agency specializing in decorative fabric manufacturing for a portfolio of consumer driven brands, marks Iman’s first venture into the home decor industry adding to her current businesses, which include cosmetics, fragrance, apparel and accessories.
During the course of her fourteen year modeling career, Iman graced the covers of top fashion magazines around the world and has acted as a muse to many prominent designers including Gianni Versace, Donna Karan, and Yves Saint-Laurent. On June 7, 2010, Iman was recognized for her contributions to the industry over the past thirty years by receiving the Fashion Icon Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
In conjunction with Iman’s bold decor elements, acclaimed interior designer and interiors and special events design consultant, Carlos Mota, provides his expertise and artistic direction to bring to life the 30′ by 26′ Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge. ”This is an exciting project for me,” said Mota. ”It is great to be working with a team so attentive to detail and quality.” No stranger to the fashion community, Mota, whose friends and supporters include many NYC tastemakers and designers, takes a seemingly ordinary room inside Lincoln Center and transforms the space into a safe haven for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week VIPs. Those lucky enough to gain access to the lounge are transported to an exotic, almost tribal oasis equipped with cozy couches, chairs, daybeds, full bar and private sitting area. The Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge is available to designers, celebrities, VIPs, media and guests, by invitation or through an access card provided by Mercedes-Benz.
For more information visit her website
Akon and Sean Paul in Zimabwe
Sean Paul and Akon performed at a concert in Zimbabwe last week.. Their arrival was marked by hysteria, fans fainting and screaming. However, their concert was marred by bad organisation, sound and alleged lack of security.
The concert, held at the National Sports Stadium seemed disorganised as according to ZimboJam when fans arrived at the venue, workers were still setting up the stage. The same sense of disorganization was felt with media and artist accreditation: artists had waited for over a day to gain accreditation. The concert started eight hours after the advertised time. When Sean Paul performed the crowd near the stage surged forward and the metal barricade demarcating the stage area moved with them. The security guards leaped into action and pushed back. Fans were happy to see him in action but there were complaints about sound “We could see on the screens that he was putting his all into it, but we couldn’t really hear him,” said a fan.
After a heart felt performance by Sean Paul, there was an hour long break where Sean Paul’s equipment was removed from the stage, and Akon’s people came on to set up his equipment. Akon started performing at around half past one in the morning.
There were mixed reactions from concert goers about the time and security issues but overall the sentiment was that
people were excited at having seen Akon and Sean Paul perform live that everything else didn’t matter. Others said they had had the time of their lives.
Source: Zimbo Jam
Monday, September 6, 2010
India Fashion Week
Given that not many had the opportunity to attend the Indian fashion week, I thought I should give you snippets of what went down and a few designs that stood out for me. The Turbine hall was packed with nothing but the middle aged and the elderly that came to watch the best of Manish Malhotra and Satya Paul . Mostly Indian, there were but a few other races, majority of the blacks being the waiters. I caught the sight of SA designer Thula Sindi and that’s about all I could spot besides a few fashion writers and photographers.
As promised Satya Paul brought the 3 reigning queens in India, Manasvi Mamgai, Pantaloons Femina Miss India (PFMI) World 2010 , Neha Hinge, the Pantaloons Femina Miss India International 2010, and Nicole Faria, who holds the title of Pantaloons Femina Miss India Earth 2010. The event was also graced by ministers from the department of Trade and industry from both South Africa and India.
The collections were ok in my view, what stood out was the material selection and the colours. We got to view traditional Indian outfits with modern colour shades. One thing for sure, an Indian outfit is not complete without bling. Whether being gold or silver, something has to shine.
After the show was the gala dinner where the menu consisted on exquisite dishes and a sublime dessert, I had no choice but to indulge in the bottle of cabernet on the table as I was surrounded by golden oldies who were excited more than a granny with a new pair of teeth. India are looking to market their fashion in South Africa, I think it’s a great way to strengthen trades between both countries. There is always something new to learn in my view.
