A conceptual beauty editorial exploring how print, adornment, and portrait composition turn color into presence. Some beauty images rely on expression. Others rely on styling. The strongest portraits know how to use both — but they always begin with composition. Across these four UZURI Studio portraits, a single visual argument emerges with increasing clarity: color,…
Tag: beauty
The Architecture of Adornment
A conceptual portrait in which beauty is not worn — it is constructed, layer by deliberate layer. Some portraits stop you. Not because they are loud, but because they are certain. This UZURI Studio conceptual image is precisely the type of portrait described above. Everything within the frame has been considered — not merely decorated…
Soft Power, Sharply Cut
In this UZURI Studio image, softness is not fragility. Through sculptural tailoring, saturated color, and intricate embellishment, the portrait transforms adornment into a language of confidence, control, and contemporary glamour.
'They have perfect dark skin': The African nation home to fashion's favourite models
Arop Akol has been travelling around the fashion world over the last three years. Wedaeli Chibelushi BBC News Wearing an understated but chic outfit, flowing braids and a dewy, make-up free face, Arop Akol looks like your typical off-duty model. She sinks into the sofa at the offices of her UK agency, First Model Management,…
The Best Dressed Stars at the 2023 BET Awards
01of 12 Elise Neal FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY IMAGES Elise Neal had a princess moment in a gorgeous salmon-prink gown at the BET Awards. Her floor-length dress had a crisscross neckline with keyhole cutout and voluminous flowy skirt that she played with on the red carpet, twirling for photos. 02of 12 LeA Robinson FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY IMAGES LeA…
Paris’ Black Queen, Shaun OLLISON...
For me, this accomplishment meant that ALL things are possible and that GOD’s plans were much bigger for me; Than I had for myself * You made history by becoming the first Blk, African-American woman, Ms. California, an emblematic state of the USA, after being Ms. San Francisco, what did that mean to you? Stylist:…
The 19 Best Looks From the 2023 NAACP Image Awards
Not one, but two excellent archival Versace moments — plus custom Brandon Blackwood, fresh-off-the-runway Brandon Maxwell, and more. The 2023 NAACP Image Awards didn’t just celebrate Black excellence — it was also an opportunity to showcase some incredible looks, ranging from fresh-off-the-New-York-Fashion-Week-runway to archival Versace and Prada. Tracee Ellis Ross and stylist Karla Welch plucked one of the best looks…
The Most Stunning Beauty Looks at the 2022 Abryanz Style & Fashion Awards
The 2022 Abryanz Style & Fashion Awards happened last night, and they were full of absolute glamour! We are still recovering. When it came to the beauty scene, there were stunning looks ranging from Old Hollywood classics, subtle glam, and over-the-top dramatic face beats, to the natural glam we all love. Well let’s get into the beauty…
Style Crush | Zikhona Sodlaka's elegant, sexy and African-inspired looks
Seasoned actress Zikhona Sodlaka has had a busy year in television. This year, the star appeared on Showmax’s hit series The Wife, and Netflix’s Blood Psalms as well as Blood and Water. Reflecting on her latest accomplishments in these roles, Zikhona is quoted in a previous TRUELOVE article saying: “I’ve had an unfair privilege to be part of some groundbreaking productions; it’s…
Chanel Goes to Africa
The French brand brought its Métiers d’Art show to Dakar. By Vanessa Friedman It could have gone badly wrong. The optics of Chanel, one of the most haute of all European haute luxury brands, parachuting into Africa, a continent where they have no stores and no meaningful business, with a bells and whistles one-off fashion show,…
African Fashion Week Brings Amazing Talent To Dubai
Africa Fashion Week Middle East (AFWME) was recently held at Gate Avenue in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), one of Dubai’s most sought-after lifestyle destinations. AFWME featured established African fashion designers, such as Ade Bakare, the Nigerian-British fashion designer; Palesa Mokubung (Mantsho), the first African designer to collaborate with global fashion retailer H&M in 2019;…
15 Years Of AFI: Moloi-Motsepe talks Africa Fashion International
Africa Fashion International (AFI) reflects on the last 15 years through a digi-series that will feature different guests every week. by Mxolisi Simanga THuso Mbedu draped in a summer dress from AF’S collection. Image: @afi_sa Africa Fashion International(AFI) premiered its #15yearsofAFI Digi-series with the first episode featuring its founder Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe. The Livestream aired on AFI’s YouTube…
Porsha Williams Says Her 7 Bridal Gowns Between Her Double Weddings Made a 'Fashion Extravaganza'
Michelle Lee @stanlophotography The star then followed up with a gown by designer Tabik in royal blue, as well as a gold one by Lakimmy, both of which coordinated with the ceremony’s purple-and-teal color palette. In addition to selecting her three ensembles, Williams was in charge of coordinating her family members’ attire, providing the cultural…
Miss SA to DJ Zinhle: Celebs shine at AFI Fashion Week Joburg
by Sibusiso Mkize One of the biggest events on South Africa’s fashion calendar kicked off on Thursday evening 17 November. Some of Mzansi’s hottest celebs came through dripping at the African Fashion International (AFI) Fashion Week Joburg opening party at Daytona Motors, Melrose Arch in Johannesburg. The event was all the rage as it was the hot ticket in Joburg,…
GALLERY | Top 8 red carpet looks from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever global premiere
1. Rihanna Rihanna attends Marvel Studios Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever Premiere. Getty ImagesAxelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic 2. Angela Bassett Angela Bassett attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere. Getty ImagesJesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney 3. Lupita Nyong’o Lupita Nyong’o @lupitanyongo/Instagram 4. Letitia Wright Letitia Wright attends Marvel Studios Black Panther: Wakanda Forever premiere. Getty ImagesAmy Sussman/WireImage…
GALLERY | Linda Mtoba's custom gown and more - inside the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever SA red carpet
The official South African premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever red carpet saw celebrities show their own take on the Afrofuturism theme at The Zone in Rosebank, Johannesburg. The stars came out in looks featuring creative custom gowns, traditional and modern twists to the theme as well as bold and vibrant prints courtesy of South…
Elie Kuame, this magician with a thousand and one sticks
Elie Kuame is a magician! You know those people who do “EXTRAordinary” things. It, therefore, has a sort of magical power(s) over things and over people, more specifically over women. The magician An immersion in the world of fashion since childhood To understand where Elie Kuame’s gift comes from, you have to go back to his childhood. Born…
The Best Designs From Lagos Fashion Week 2022 Shows
Right from the onset, Lagos Fashion Week has been known for providing a platform for young Nigerian and African designers to showcase their craftsmanship, and this year’s edition is no exception. The four-day event, which took place last week at the prestigious Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, brought a bevy of African fashion aficionados to…
Inside Lupita Nyongo’s Stunning Beauty Tribute to Africa for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Premiere
BY CALIN VAN PARIS For the world premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in Los Angeles, Lupita Nyong’o’s beauty embodied a dual sense of place: that of the continent of Africa, and that of the fictional country of Wakanda. Makeup artist Nick Barose captured Wakanda’s earthbound-meets-futuristic aesthetic with a moment that melded African influences with Wakandian notes—an approach inspired by his recent…
Inside Africa’s leading fashion week
Inside Africa’s leading fashion week Vogue Business went backstage at Lagos Fashion Week to hear from African designers about what styles work and how they plan to play on both local and international levels. BY EZREEN BENISSAN Lagos Fashion Week, while yet to be recognized on the same scale as its international counterparts, proved itself as a…