Thursday, 16 January 2014

Shuga to Hollywood

Lupita Nyong'o is popular from the Golden Globes Award winning film- 12 years a Slave. But this stylish, talented actress has been making waves in the creative industry for years. Lupita word on the production crew of films, including Fernando Meirelles The Constant Gardener and Mira Nair's The Namesake. 



Born in Mexico City to parents highly involved in politics, it is not secret she is a power-storm. 


She starred in the 2008 short film East River, directed by Marc Grey and shot in Brooklyn, New York. She returned to Kenya in 2008 and starred in the Kenyan television series Shuga. In 2009, she wrote, directed, and produced the documentary In My Genes, about the treatment of Kenya's albino population, which played at several film festivals.
Nyong'o was cast in 12 Years a Slave immediately after her graduation from Yale in 2012. The film was released in 2013 to great critical acclaim. Nyong'o received rave reviews for her performance, and has been nominated for several awards including a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress and two Screen Actors Guild Awards including Best Supporting Actress. She will next be featured in Liam Neeson's upcoming film Non-Stop.
In the movie 12 Years A Slave
In 2014 she was chosen as one of the faces for Miu Miu's Spring 2014 campaign, alongside Elizabeth Olsen, Elle Fanning and Bella Heathcote.

In a curve-hugging Christopher Kane midi and Christian Louboutin heels to the European premiere of Twelve Years A Slave at Odeon Leicester Square.
What do you think of Lupita's fashion style?
Photo credit: Google Images 

Thursday, 9 January 2014

Featured: The Promota Magazine

Many thanks to The Promota Magazine for featuring Eighteen Forever in their magazine. It was a nice surprise.


Photo credit: Nish Tog 
Photo developer: The Promota Magazine 

Tuesday, 24 December 2013

Future Events

As this year draws to an end, we begin preparation for next year's events and activities. Below are some really useful dates for your diary.

Event: Fashion Business Planning For Success
Date: 15th January 2014.
More details here- http://www.fashion-angel.co.uk/events-and-workshops#

Event: Corporate Afrika
Date: 7th February 2014
Time: 5pm - 11pm
Entry: Free
W- http://cokobar.com/eventdetail.aspx?eventid=139 

Event: Britain's Top Designer
16th February 2014
Tickets: £15 STD £35 VIP
Venue: Grand Connaught Rooms London

For more information, please visit www.britainstopdesigner.com

We wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year! Send your fashionable pics to us, you know we love to share them- eighteenf@gmail.com

Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Promotional Packages

Marketing is an important element of business success. Our aim is to give you the platform(s) to promote your business/brand/hobby to a wider audience. 

Who we are
As well as a blog, we own an emerging online fashion brand with exceptional unique prints in modern designs for women. The brand's social aims is to create sustainable employment and income in developing communities through fashion design.  Thus promoting economic development and empowering the community. Take a peek at our web> www.eighteenforever.co.uk 

Our achievements so far....

  • BEFFTA Awards and Black Weblog Awards Blog of the Year nominee 2012 & 2013
  • Contributor to Africa Fashion Week London Magazine 2012. 
  • Featured at FAB Magazine Online, Ciaafrique, Africaidea, Africa Fashion Style Daily, Fashion Cadet, Lifestyle Monthly Magazine, Liverpool Hope University Website, The Daily Post, Echo Magazine.
  • Fashion talk on The Sporah Show London (SKY 209).  
  • Supported by UnLtd Funding UK. 
  • Launched our fashion brand in 2013. 
  • Won competition to Showcase at Africa Centre Summer Festival London 2013. 
  • Showcased at Liverpool Urban Hair Show 2013.
  • Press at Africa Fashion Week London 2012. 

Our stats
We launched as a Fashion Blog in February 2012.
  • We have over 50k page views. 
  • Top 10 countries in order are: USA, UK, Russia, Germany, France, The Gambia, Canada, Italy, Latvia and India. 
  • Page views by operating systems are- Windows, Macintosh, Linux, iPad and iPhone. 
  • Two main traffic sources are- Facebook and Google. 
  • Most popular posts are- Articles (we can write an article about your brand or use endorsements). 

Promotional Packages

Types of packages                Benefits                                    Cost                                            Duration 

Bronze                             Brand listing on                            FREE                                          2 months  
                                        our blog only             

Silver                              Listed on our blog                          FREE                                         4 months 
                                       and 2 social media 
                                       platforms of your choice            

Gold                              Featured and listed on                     Product endorsement                   Lifetime 
                                                                                             for giveaways/competitions. 
                                      our blog + all social media 
                                      platforms and promotional 
                                      materials at events. 


Please note: for Silver package users, we expect you to share our business details with your contacts. 

For more information about our packages, please contact us:
E- eighteenf@gmail.com 
W- www.eighteenforever.co.uk
T- EIGHTEENF

Friday, 29 November 2013

African Print Maxi Dress

As you know, we are also a Social Enterprise with a clothing range for women. Our collection showcases vibrant African prints in modern designs like this Mermaid style dress.

Shop the range here> www.eighteenforever.co.uk
We are giving away 20% off all items from this range for Christmas at www.stylesafrik.com

If you wish to collaborate with us, please send us an email- eighteenf@gmail.com

Happy Shopping!


Photo credit: Nish Tog

Thursday, 14 November 2013

Christmas Photo Shoot

We are preparing for our shoot on Saturday 23rd November in Liverpool City Centre. Looking for the following people to join us:

10 models
2 make-up artists
2 hairstylists
1 stylist
1 event runner

Interested participants should email- eighteenf@gmail.com


Photo credit: Eighteen Forever 

Sunday, 3 November 2013

5 Ways To Promote Your Blog

Once you start blogging, you are now faced with "keeping it interesting" for your followers. The question is- how do you keep your followers happy? A very simple question with a complex answer. The trouble is, only your followers can tell you how to keep them interested. Here are 5 tips to help you keep your current followers and gain new ones (in no particular order). These tips are based on my experience as a blogger. They cost you nothing but few hours of your time per week.

Credible content
As a blogger, you are also an informant. It is important to have legitimate content to keep them rightly informed. Make sure you share honest information with your followers. Do not share information that you are uncertain about or taken without consent from another source. The same goes with images. They must be credited to the source or avoid using them. Once your followers realise that your content cannot be trusted, your credibility will be flushed down the drain. Trust me, you don't want that on your brand.

Networking
There would be no success without meeting people. You have to get out there. Go on Google and search for fashion networking events in your area (or whatever you blog about). There are lots of FREE networking events to trial before committing to paid events. With networking, comes the opportunity to collaborate and develop your craft.

Collaborations
You know the saying 'two heads are better than one', yes!....that one. Collaborating with emerging brands and even well established businesses will benefit you in terms of visibility and return on your services. It is always useful to run competitions on your blog and social media page to keep up with competition, but most importantly keep yourself relevant.

Events
It is important to attend events but, it is also important to organise one. Of course this depends on what you blog about. For example, if you blog about Arts & Crafts, then you might want to organise an Arts & Crafts fair/workshop/discussion with people in the industry. This would help raise your profile as well as others involved. Ask for sponsorship from companies in similar trade. It is also an opportunity for you to meet with some of your followers. Make sure you have a feedback form to help you improve or know how well you're doing. We all need reassuring now and again.

Professionalism
Although you might be blogging for fun, you might want to take this to the next level at some point. Get your brand name, logo, slogan (if applicable), aims and objectives in check before you go out networking or seeking collaboration. If you can get the aforementioned marketing mix in place, people/businesses will take you seriously. Make sure you get a business card too! Oh...and your business proposal.

If you have any questions, please contact eighteenf@gmail.com

Content credit: Eighteen Forever