The Casting Dojo an up and coming award winning Casting Agency
A Global Talent Sourcing and Casting Directory
We are a group of entertainment industry professionals with
a vast global network of show business contacts from
Hollywood to Broadway, the UK and Europe, Canada,
Australia, Nollywood, Bollywood, Middle East and Far East.
The two complaints we constantly hear from Talent in the industry are that,
1. Existing casting sites are expensive and 2. The overall quality of castings and jobs on them are poor.
So with this in mind we established The Casting Dojo to;
1. Source High Quality Castings and Jobs, both Advertised and Non-Advertised, using our
broad network of contacts in the industry.
2. Give the Talent free, online profiles, a ‘personalised website’ to help them market themselves
and their work in the industry e.g. www.castingdojo.com/AFUA
3. Enable Talent to view our castings/jobs and apply online, using their profiles.
4. Include these profiles in an online Talent Directory which can be searched for employers,
casting directors etc. looking for specific skill-sets.
5. Enable the Recruiters/casting professionals to post Castings on our site for free and to
manage the Talent selection process with ease.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
On www.CastingDojo.com, it is free to Register and set-up an online ‘Portfolio’.
It is also free to view and apply for roles that don’t have a financial benefit but may still be profitable to
those wanting to break into the industry or established talent that want to enhance their CV. Our free
basic membership is still beneficial to those members without a big budget.
The only time you will pay is if you want to view and apply for ‘Paid’ Roles with a set fee or salary.
We have flexible membership options, paying on a 1, 3, 6 and 12 month membership. Prices are
outlined in the Membership page
on our site. We are very reasonable and offer significant savings of
up to 75% on some memberships.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
We wanted to make the process as simple and fast as possible. We know you are busy people!
1. Go to our site, www.castingdojo.com and click on
FREE SIGNUP.
2. You can then quickly set-up your online Profile - this is a 1 pager including personal details,
skills, experience, website links, headshots and videos of your work.
3. Go to our Castings & Jobs page and browse through our listings.
4. When you find a Role you like, click Apply.
Recruiters read through the profiles of people who have applied and then
Accept/Reject/Shortlist on that basis. You will receive an email from the Recruiter in your
Casting Dojo inbox.
WHAT DO I GET WITH A FREE PERSONAL PROFILE?
A personalised web address to help you market yourself in the industry.
A brief CV section with personal statistics, experience and education.
Free to upload up to 16 photos and 5 video links.
Search function so you can look for castings by category and location.
Personalised Dashboard so you can edit your profile whenever you like.
A ‘Hit Counter’ showing how many people have viewed your profile.
A list of all the castings you have ‘Applied For’ or ‘Favourited’.
Casting Professionals can view your Profile and contact you through The Casting Dojo.
NOTE - We distinguish between two main types of roles, Paid and Unpaid
Unpaid Roles are a category where there is No payment or benefits at all, Expenses only,
Profit Share, TFP (Time for Print), Run Throughs, Game Shows & some reality shows.
As a registered member you can apply for any roles in this category for free.
Paid Roles – These are full-time/part-time/temporary roles where you will be paid a salary.
To view and apply for Paid roles, you must upgrade to a premium membership.
Some of our members choose the Basic package until they see a role that they are really
interested in and then they upgrade to apply for it.
HOW DO I UPGRADE MY MEMBERSHIP?
Upgrading to Premium Membership is a simple 3-step process
1) Choose the package you want on our Membership Page.
2) Select the currency you would like to pay in; USD, GBP or EURO.
3) You will be directed to Paypal to complete the payment.
HOW DOES IT WORK FOR RECRUITERS?
We wanted to make the process for a Recruiter as fast and easy as possible. We know you are busy!
1. Go to our site, www.castingdojo.com and click on FREE SIGNUP.
2. You can then quickly fill in your details to create a simple account.
3. If you prefer to remain anonymous you can hide your name and/or company name so you can
shortlist the candidates anonymously. Your privacy is important to us!
4. In your easy to use Dashboard, click CREATE NEW JOB and add your casting.
Add the details of the role and instructions on how to apply.
You can easily add a logo photo and/or a poster image for the casting (OPTIONAL)
You can tick the box if you want to upgrade to a ‘Featured Ad’ for $10 for your
casting/job to be at the top of the jobs listings. (OPTIONAL)
You can share your casting on social media or Email etc. by clicking on the social
media logos on our site.
Click CREATE JOB at the bottom and your Casting is immediately live.
5. We have a sophisticated dashboard that allows you to view your active job postings and
candidates that have applied. You can then easily manage the selection process by scrolling
through the profiles of candidates who have applied and either Accept/Reject/Shortlist each
one instantaneously.
6. When Talent apply for your casting you will also receive a confirmation message in your
Casting Dojo account inbox. This means your personal email will not be clogged up with
notifications of Casting Dojo applications and you can handle the whole process from our site.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE CASTING DOJO TO RECRUITERS?
Free, easy and quick to post Castings. We even have a dedicated section for Urgent/Last
Minute Jobs.
Access to a large pool of global talent.
We are very prominent on social media, enabling us to reach a large pool of talent globally.
You can tailor your search on the Talent Directory to candidates with particular skills and in
particular regions.
We make the Talent selection process easy - once you have marked the applicants as
Accept/Reject/Shortlist, our system will email the appropriate responses to the Talent’s inbox.
In your personal Dashboard you can Favourite and Message directly any Talent on our site.
You can also easily review your recent listings on your personal dashboard.
Hassan Reese (middle) after winning best male model (photo credit to Trevor Griffiths)
Hassan Reese triumphs by winning the best male model at the BEFFTA awards 2013 voted for by the public. Hassan started modelling only in 2011 and was talented spotted by Hilary Alexander, fashion journalist and committee member of the British Fashion Council. Hassan has gone on to model as a body double for Usain Bolt, a billboard campaign for an African bank and for several designers at the official London Fashion Week. His star rose very quickly when his catwalk photos were featured in British Vogue in 2012 and Italian Vogue in 2013. Hassan has even found time to become a TV and reality star winning Channel 4's Dinner Date, playing a detective in Fox and doing a Fashion Film with USA reality star Courtney Stodden. Here are Hassan Reese's credits so far
- London Fashion Week - AW13 - Sydney Davies - Royal College Of Arts/Graduate Fashion Week (Adelaide Tamm) - May 2013. - House Of Flora Campaign/Fashion film Feb 2013 - CBS Drama - Video shoot/advert (Detective) - Currently showing - 2013 - Billboard/Website - Eco-Bank shot in May 2013 (Summer release 2013 in 33 countries) - Jigsaw label (Best Of British Fashion Show) - September 2012 - London Fashion Week - FF AW12 - London Fashion Week - SS12 - Africa Fashion Week London 2012 - Africa Fashion Week London 2013 - London College Of Fashion BA Runway 2012 - Guinness - Billboard (x 2) Late 2012/Early 2013 - Pepe Jeans (A/W Collection) - Nov 2011 - Gatorade (1 video attached) - Lonsdale - LCF Project - July 2012 - Rokstedi designs - August 2013 - Threads Creations (Lookbook) Aug 2013 - Helen Anthony Designs (August 2013) - SHOWfashion film - September 2013 - Brighton Fashion Week 2013 - Tata Christiane - Brian Chan - Pakistan Fashion Week SS 2012 - Pakistan Fashion Week 2011 AW 2011
Photographers worked with include - Hill & Aubrey - Stefan Kapfer - Tom Miles - London College Of Fashion - Royal College Of Arts - Fashionnaires via Oliver Morris - Bernard Miller - Elizabeth James
VOX AFRICA WINS BEST TELEVISION STATION AT THE BEFFTA AWARDS 2013
We are very happy that Vox Africa won the best Television station at the BEFFTA 5th Anniversary awards as our media partner the Sporah Show is broadcast worlwide now on Vox Africa including the UK on SKY Channel 218.
You can watch the Sporah Show on Vox Africa on SKY 218 in the UK on Tuesdays 8pm, Thursdays 11 am and Sunday 6pm. Watch the Sporah Show and see Sporah Njau shine the light!
WELL DONE TO PAULINE LONG ON THE 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF BEFFTA AWARDS
Pauline Long and her team will be celebrating the 2013 5th anniversary BEFFTA awards on Friday 25th October and Saturday 26th October at the Hippodrome Golders Green, London.
This will be a star studded glamorous invite only event with celebrities and media coming from all over the UK, Europe, USA and Africa. For a list of nominees please check http://www.beffta.com/news/?page_id=10
4th Annual BEFFTA UK hosts: Eddie Kadi and Pauline Long
BEFFTA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: SIR TREVOR MCDONALD BEFFTA AWARDS GUESTS: All guests are by invite only Date: 27th October 2012 , Black History Month VENUE: The Hippodrome, North End Road, Golders Green, London. N11 7RP TIME; DOORS OPEN: 4.00 pm VIP ARRIVALS: 4.15pm DRINKS RECEPTION AND CANAPÉS : 5.15pm – 6.30pm PRE-AWARDS RED CARPET PHOTOGRAPHY AND PRESS INTERVIEWS: 4.15pm – 6.30pm MAIN AWARDS SHOW: 7.00pm – 10.30pm VIP Drinks: 10.30pm – 11.30pm POST-AWARDS PRESS INTERVIEWS AND RED CARPET PHOTOGRAPHY: 10.30PM – 11.30pm OFFICIAL BEFFTA AFTER-PARTY: 10.30PM TILL LATE * *BEFFTA AWARDS DRESS CODE MUST BE ADHERED TO* * Strictly Black Tie/Full glamour Men: Black Tuxedos or Black Suits Women: Evening gowns
Best Male Act: Angel, IKES, Smiler, Wiley, G Range,Clement Marfo, Jermaine Riley, J Sol, Donaeo, Valentine, Dele, Infecta, Scorcher, Fuse ODG, John Hectic, Micall Parknsun, Pane and Yardz, Alim Kamara
Best Gospel Act: Guvna B, Faith D, Divine Divine, V9 Collective, New Rivers Choir, Muyiwa and Riversongz, Andrew Bello, Meleke, Grace Galaxy, London Community Gospel Choir, Dolly P , Divine Impact, Lyrical Soldier,
Best International Act: Zahara, Camp Mulla, Cover Drive, Dbanj, Grace Galaxy, Ruff Kid
Best UK AfroBeats Act: Fuse ODG, Mista Silva, May7ven, Kida Kudz, Musik Maestro, Shay, 2kriss, Shiikane, Tipsy, Mo Eazy, Vibes Squad, Ezi Emela
Best UK Caribbean Act: Carol Thompson, Roger Robin, Sandra Cross, Maxi Priest, Lloyd Brown
Best International Caribbean Act: Movado, Vybz Kartel, Gyptian, Damain Marley, Sean Paul, Munga Tun Up, Konshens, Aidonia, Popcaan
Best Producer: Mr J, Ayo Beatz, Perry Mystique, Victizzle, Rymez, J Weathers, Don Jazzy
Best Video Director: P Designs, Sesan, Moe Musa, Elmino, Trail Pictures, AJE Filmworks, Antoine Dixon-Bellot Colin Tiley, Dego Visionz, Uvi Orogun, Akpe Ododoru, Duminas Alliance
Dance
Best Dance Act: Boy Blue, CEO Dancers,High Rollaz,D3 Dancers, Project G, Akai, Dan-Kira, Cerebro
Best Dance Choreographer: Ricardo Gomez, Kenrick Sandy, Ashley Banjo, Tony Adigun, Turbo
Comedy
Best Comedian: Eddie Kadi, Babatunde, Funmbi, Ola the comedian, A Dot Comedian, Geoff Shumann, Don’t Jealous Me, Prince Abdi
Radio
Station of the year: Rainbow Radio, The soul of London Radio, Voice of Africa radio, Zimnet radio, Guess Radio, Bang Radio, Colourful Radio, Premier Gospel, Zimpower FM, Playvybz Radio, Zimonline Radio, East Africa Radio Online, Inspiration FM
Radio personality of the year: Yinka Awojobi, Kojo, Ace and Vis, Dave P, Steve Sutherland, Jade Avia, Nage, Kweku Frimpong, Dotun Adebayo, Geoff Shumann, Wayne Boucaud, Benita White, Julie Ann Ryan, Space Clottey
Newspapers/Magazines/Blogs
Best Community Newspaper: The Voice, The Vision, GLA News, Afro News, Trumpet, Phoenix,
Magazine of the year: Black Hair, New African Woman, Black Beauty and Hair, Diva Scribe, Rewind, Ovation, Fab Magazine, OK Nigeria, Ninetynine Magazine, Arise Magazine, Pride, Afro Pulp, Tropics, Zen
Journalist of the year: Charlene White, Lukwesa Burak, Janelle Oswald, Mimi Fawz, Lorna Cooper, Henry Bonsu, Regina Jere-Malanda, Belinda Otas, Shoggy Tosh
Blog of the year: Nissi Knows, Shadders, Notjustok.com, Bella Naija, Funmi Ogunja, Black Grape, Jennie Jenkins, Berry, Haut, Lolo’s Kloset, Jestina-George.com, Africa fashion guide, afrocentricityunleashed.com, The peoples Hub, Eighteen Forever, We Plug Good Music, Nollywood Uncut
Events
Best Events Promoter: Smade, Cokobar.com, West Coast, Bashment Vibez, Play Entertainment, USH(UK Unsigned Hype), Deroots Promotions, Theodore Ibekwe PR, CRU NETWORK, FOCUS organization, Femtej Kreations media, Disk&Jockey entertainment, Cams promotions
DJ
DJ of the year: Dj Neptizzle, DJ Unbeatable, Dj Fabuloz, DJ Shola Bee, DJ Xclusive, DJ Cameo, Dj Steve Sutherland, Dj Cee Cee, DJ French Kiss, DJ Lady G2, Dj Dubwise, Dj Longers, Dj Melody, Dj Eve Parkes
Photographers
Best Photographer: Akwasi Photography, Sixoone Media(David Mbiyu), Trevor Griffiths(iDelick Media), Cassandra M Photography, EJS Photography, Dami Oyetade, (Idezign), Squiz Hamilton, Stuart Dayley, Fire Shonu Photography, Sync Photography, Creative Piece, Adeyinka Adepitan, Vivida, Akpe Ododoru
Fashion Category: Fashion Designers
Best Male Fashion Designer: Adebayo Jones, Visual Artistic Designer, James Brendan, Keve, Kgtkkt Couture, Zekaryas Solomon, Kitoko, Obiora Ichiebuka, Yusuf Abubakar
Best Female Fashion Designer: Bukki Ojo, Bestow Elan, Light of Marie, Fabryan, Rouge, Eki Orleans, Anita Quansah, Korlekie, Adopted Culture, Dionne Gooding, Bubbushiiky, Tina Lobondi, Janet Opoku, Linda Mirembe, House of Adjeiwaa, AGR Clothing, Dephne Madyara, Johanna Jasmine Maddix
Stylists
Best Hair Stylist: Edmund Bossman, Junior Green, Eugene Davis, Charlotte Mensah, Donnie Smith, Sandra Webb, Verona White, Adeola Olase, Charlene Cumberbatch, Leon Jade, Joel D, Edee Beau, Ether
Best Wardrobe Stylist: Samson Soboye, Joel Dash, Tanesha Westcarr, Erica Matthews, Viennty Styling, Natasha Clarke, Crystal Deroche, Yemisi Adedipe, Sandra Aji, Samantha Watson , Jason Boateng, Abigail Ayoola
Make-up Artists
Best Make-up Artist: Sophia Taylor, Sheeba Raye, Imelda Ladebo, Sophia Taylor, Kristy Prince, Saamia Khan, Joy Adenuga, Barbara Mensah, Dimple Patel, Ganga Bahambra, Edee Beau, CSG Make-up and beauty
Best male model: Martins Igbinedion, Dudley O’Shaughnessy, Hassan Resse, Guetan, Jeremy Boateng, Salisu Abdullai, Charles Rare, Duke Dadzie, Zebulun Delisser, Prince Nkay, Dwain Stephens, Hassan Reese
Best Modelling Agency: LV Casting Agency, Minc Model Management, Mahogany Model Management, Stomp Model Management, D1 Model Management, Oxygen Model Management, Demus Castings
Beauty Pageants
Best Beauty Pageant: Miss West Africa UK, Miss Ghana UK, Miss Zim Diamond,, Miss Uganda UK, Miss Jamaica UK, Miss Flavour UK, Miss Black Africa, Miss Congo UK, Queen of Zambia UK, Miss Nubian Pageant
Best Beauty Queen: Miss Congo UK 2012, Ruvimbo Chinzou, Fatoumata Touray, Ann Marie M’Sichili, Victoria Okafor
Best Former Beauty Queen: Shirley Dee,Vicky Ngari, Nicola Sackey, Maria Namiro, Ruvimbo Chinzou, Denise Hanson, Misha Terrett, Victoria Mtonga,
Best Beauty Pageant Director: June Daley, Mavis Osei, Dennis Tawiah, Jacqueline Wabara, Bridgette Chalu, Glorianne Francis, Dele Onabowu , Justina Mutale, Jacqueline Matovu
Film Category
Best director: Richard Ayoade, Noel Clarke, Patrick Campbell, Obi Emelonye, Christian Asaiku, Tawanda Chimuzinga, Samuell Benta, Lanre Balogun
Best Actor: Wil Johnson, Anthony Manjaro, James Bryhan, Wale Ojo, David Ajala, Ken Smart
Best Actresses: Fatima Jabe, Omotola Jalade, Queen Allen, Sherrie Silver , Lorraine Fox, Anita Bellamy, Uru Eke
Best Film: Last Flight to Abuja, Amina, To The End Of The Road, Moral Conflict, Amina, Shattered Hearts
Best screenwriter/Scriptwriter : Obi Emelonye, Maxine Chantel, Bola Agbaje Ann Akin, Debra Odutuyo, Samuell Benta, Babi Isako, Tolulope Yesufu
Best theatre production Meet The Adebanjos, Belong by Bola Agbaje, I stand corrected byMojisola Adebayo
Best Webseries: Breach, Venus Vs Mars, All About The McKenzies, Before The Big Time,
Best online TV: Factory 78, UPshot TV, SBTV, Time With Natalie, Gidiculture TV
ART Category
Best Spoken Word Artist/Poets – Oneness Sankara, Alim Kamara, Dan Bosi, Chaleboy The Poet, Dean Atta
Best Art Director – Trendy Couture, Kwame Knight, Akpe Ododoru, Ola Shobowale
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. BEFFTA UK 2012 public nominations are officially closed. Thank you for nominating.
BEFFTA UK official press and nomination launch was on 26th September in Mayfair, London How to nominate: *Choose your nomination category or categories below *You can make multiple nominations from the categories below *You can nominate yourself *Send your nominations including details of the nominee, website links to nominations@beffta.com *Nominations closed officially on 14th September (PLEASE NOTE FINAL NOMINATION LIST WILL BE DECIDED BY THE BEFFTA MEMBERS)
Adopted Culture designs by Nana Afua is simply embracing different cultural values, style and originality to form on piece through fashion. The name 'adopted Culture' is to experience the unique and originality of bringing different cultural designs together and making it fashion.
Adopted Culture theme ideas was inspired from John Galliano, Kofi Ansah and Leigh Bowery, quite fascinated especially with Galliano's trend on how he depicts different cultural textiles and style it up to make a dress, it really inspired the whole concept and theme ideas. Kofi Ansah ideas was also a big influence in this designing piece as more of adopted culture trends has to do with colorful pallets which normally reflects his designs as well.
Adopted Culture, Africa Fashion Week
Adopted Culture, AFW London
Adopted Culture, AFW London 2
Adopted Culture, AFW London 3
Adopted Culture has positive vibe with a funky twist as well as theatrical inspiration from Leigh Bowery which is going to go a long way in the fashion industry with its upcoming designs. The collection ranges from sizzling evening wear to couture, promoting fashion through unity with different cultural style and designed for today's woman to embrace curves and appreciate their wonderful body in every style.
Adopted Culture, AFW London 4
Adopted Culture, AFW London 5
Adopted Culture, AFW London 6
London Guru: We should start with the Ghana UK Based Achievers awards (GUBA), how was the night? Were you nominated for anything or presenting an award?
Thank you yes! I was nominated for Rising Star Award it was such a honour. A fantastic event with celebrities from the film, fashion, sports and music industry supported by the Ghana High Commissioner.
Nana at GUBA Awards 2011
London Guru: Nana, apart from being a designer you were also the Top Model of Colour in 2010, how has your reigning year been for you?
Oh my God!Its been incredible, I have done so much this year that I didn’t expect from gracing every fashion and hair Magazine to campaigns with loads and loads of interviews. It is such a dream come true and there’s still more to come!
Nana on Cover of Black Hair
Nana on Cover of 601 Magazine
Nana on Cover of E'LON
Nana on Cover of TIYA Mag
Nana on Cover of Afro Pulp
Nana on Cover of 601 TV
London Guru: You have just have just had the finals of Top Model of Colour (TMC) 2011, about 2 weeks ago, how was the evening and how strong was the talent?
The show was on point as always. Mahogany productions deliver excellent shows in the UK, this year’s TMC welcomed brilliant aspiring models, Male and Female, and they had quite unique looks. The Talent was of good standard as I saw so much potential in the models in becoming the next big thing. Congratulations to the new winners as it takes a lot of hard work and dedication.
Nana "rocking" high fashion
Nana bringing high fashion elegance
London Guru: You have been a familiar face in the awards scene this year as a designer and model. Run us through your nominations and wins in 2011.
Oh Wow! This year has been such a blessing, I did attend numerous award events and got nominated for four awardsI was nominated for Beffta Awards for Best Female Model and Best Female Designer and I won Best Female Model, I was selected for the Award of Excellence byM&M Awards for Model of the Year , Nominated for Ghana UK Based Achievers Awards for Rising Star and Ghana Fashion Awards for Best Model and finally I had an Award as an Ambassador in my role as Top Model of Colour UK.
Adopted Culture on the catwalk 1
Adopted Culture on the catwalk 2
London Guru: When did you come up with your concept for Adopted Culture and how did you make it come to life?
The name Adopted Culture popped into my heard from nowhere when I was deep in thought for a theme title during my last graduation project in Sept 2009 (London College of Fashion). I have always been inspired by ethnic and western fashion and wanted something different I passed on the name to my tutor Lesley Ford and she loved it. That’s how ‘Adopted Culture’ was born!!
Model wearing Adopted Culture 2
Model wearing Adopted Culture 1
London Guru: So what does the name Adopted Culture mean to you?
Adopted Culture is designed to embrace different style of fashion in one piece I have always thought how nice it will be to see various original fashion styles put together in unison, translating a different language in fashion. That’s what it meant to me and am happy I was able to bring that to life doing my showcase at Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL).
Adoped Culture on Catwalk
Adopted Culture, Nana doing the honours
London Guru: What fashion icons inspire you?
I love Chloë Sevigny she simply knows how to sell a dress and Sonia Rykiel is an amazing designer.
London Guru: When you create a garment what goes through your mind. Lead us through your creative process.
It such an exciting feeling whenever I am working on a garment as am always looking forward to the outcome. I start my process first by sketching fashion roughs and develop on my ideas, create my colour pallet and then bring the garment to life and make it a reality. I love colours it’s my first priority, I have to ticket that box first when creating my collections, the choices depend on the fashion concept.
Sketch for Adopted Culture ball gown
London Guru: How do you put your chosen colours and materials together?
I must say its always hard when blending colours with materials most of my colour and material selection run through a visual evaluation, where I imagine it and sketch it simultaneously. More importantly I normally harmonize both colour and material to bring out the best results.
London Guru: What market are you targeting with your fashion line?
Good question I am targeting International global fashion market
Adopted Culture Press 1
Adopted Culture Press 2
Adopted Culture Press
Adopted Culture Press
London Guru: Am I correct in saying that Adopted Culture has a familiar trend using Kente cloths and spirals, but you vary it by using a wide range of colors and design concepts in your lines?
Adopted Culture is a brand that celebrates original background fashion. Each trend has an idea behind it. This year I did the evening/bridal A\W 2011 and the S/S 2011, which was the Kente collection for summer. The whole idea of using real Kente was to potray the rich colour of the Ghana’s original traditional fabric in the international market by constructing it into a casual funky trend which can be worn globally. The spiral motif on the label is a signature with a meaningful origin.
Adopted Culture Bridal 1
Adopted Culture Bridal 2
Adopted Culture Bridal 4
Adopted Culture Bridal 2
London Guru: So when a woman is looking for something suitable to wear in your collection, how should they choose the outfit most suitable for them?
I am glad I came out with an idea of designing a trend that celebrates women of all shapes. My collection by kind courtesy of Fashion’s Finest is available on their website boutique to select which oufits are suitable. Normally its best to contact me directly for advice depending on your body shape.
London Guru: Which personalities so far has won your designs?
At the Moment I haven’t had anyone worn my outfits as they are not on sale yet but I must say it was an honour to make a dress for Sinem Bilanjo Editor for Fab Magazine and Shingai Shoniwa from the Noisettes. Shingai Shoniwa has shown much interest in my collection at the Screen Nation Awards this year.
Nana wearing Adopted Culture at Screen Nation Awards
Shingai Shoniwa at Screen Nation Awards
London Guru: How long does the preparation of a season’s collection take?
Wow preparation for a season collection takes a while all depending on the team behind you, my experience has been tough as am just starting and its been really difficult financially doing it all by yourself and sometimes you can lose a lot if you don’t make sales.
Adopted Culture, beach wear
Adopted Culture, beach wear 2
London Guru: Where did you showcase 2011 and what are your plans for the line in 2012?
This year I showcased at the Mahogany Bridal Show in March, Afro Hair and Beauty Show in May, Fashion’s Finest show in June, Africa Fashion Week London in August, London Fashion Week in September with Fashion’s Finest and the 1st Annual Ghana UK Fashion show November 27th. In 2012 I would love to showcase at the main London fashion Week that will be brilliant.
Adopted Culture Bridal 5
Adopted Culture Bridal 6
Adopted Culture Bridal 7
Adopted Culture Bridal 8
London Guru: Adopted Culture was featured on Vogue’s Fashion Night Out 2011 in London. Congratulations how did that incredible honour come about?
OH Yes! It was an amazing opportunity! I got a phone call from the Director of Fashion’s Finest who was sending off emerging designers for selection to Vogue Fashion’s Night Out. They wanted emerging designers to showcase at Sartoria Bar on the world famous Saville Row. When I learnt that my collection was picked for Vogue’s Fashion Nigh Out, I was speechless and shocked. It was a dream come true to be the first ethnic “young” designer to have designs gracing Saville Row a few yards from the Oswald Boateng shop. Vogue added to this great experience by featuring the article (with Adopted Culture) on their website, which was my biggest highlight.
Adopted Culture, VOGUE Fashion Night Out, Saville Row1
Adopted Culture, VOGUE Fashion Night Out, Saville Row2
Adopted Culture, VOGUE Fashion Night Out, Saville Row3
Adopted Culture, VOGUE Fashion Night Out, Saville Row4
London Guru: What do you want ladies to feel like when they wear your designs?
Ladies should feel elegant and fierce as ‘adopted culture is a design label for you to strut yourself in.
London Guru: What would you say to aspiring designers who want to follow in your footsteps?
Never rush with your designs take your time and produce a masterpiece!
Nana showcasing Adopted Culture at Fashions Finest
London Guru: Even with your busy schedule you have also had the time to become a philanthropist. You have founded the Akosua ODe Foundation. Tell us what is the mission of this charitable foundation and why did you create it?
The foundation means a lot to me as it it’s named after my late Mother. Yes it’s been quite difficult juggling Modeling, Designing with Charity to start with, so I plan to do more work to set up the charity next year. I was inspired to start the charity after a news release on the BBC of a tragic incident in Ghana that killed over 15 young women working on a local mining site when it collapsed. The research I did showed the women who died were mostly single mothers. I could relate to that as its close to me, my Mother was also a single mum before she passed away.So the first thing that hit my mind was “who will be responsible for their children?” And I also asked myself “what can I do to assist young women out there in Ghana and the rest of Africa facing such harsh lives?”. The mission of the charity is to aid these women to becoming self independent through training and support, and to work decently for their own health and safety. Ultimately to live and carter for their young ones.
The plan for the foreseeable future of the Akosua Ode Foundation is to formally launch the charity and put the word out there. Also to promote my vision and our mission statement, our mission is to see the charity reach a high success and creating a huge impact in people’s lives.
Nana at Anya Wilkinson show, London Fashion Week
BIOGRAPHY OF DESIGNER Nana Afua Antwi, current Top Model of Colour UK founder and creator ‘adopted Culture’ fashion brand and Akosua Ode Foundation . She is originally from Ashanti Ghana known to be one of the top African emerging models in the UK and definitely the one to watch. Ever since crowned the winner for Topmodel of Colour UK it’s been one of her greatest achievement to beat over 3200 applicants to make it to the top of such a well known Model competition for models of Colour and within one year in the modelling Industry she’s got massive exposure and has been a great inspiration for young upcoming models. She was featured on the Voice 6 times continuous spread and has been the upcoming front cover for black fashion and Lifestyle Magazines in the UK. She is also studied Art and Design and now specializing in fashion.
Nana Afua, was highlyinspired about aiding Young Single Women living harsh lives in Ghana and Africa after watching a documentary footage on BBC News of women who lost their lives after a local mine collapsed. She wanted to reach out to these women and used it at a platform to win Top Model of Colour UK which has given her the channel to raise more awareness on this campaign. We hope you will also be part of this project to help promote the charity to higher levels.
THE MANY LOOKS OF NANA AFUA ANTWI
Nana Afua Antwi - Photo Shoot for Natural Hair Extensions by Diva Natural Hair
