Soul Food stars spice up fashion weekend

Saturday, July 4, 2009 (The Mirror Pg 39)

By Rebecca Kwei
It was no sham — Boris Kodjoe, the German-Ghanaian actor and designer, and his wife, Nicole Ari Parker, were indeed in Accra to participate in this year’s Ghana Fashion Weekend 2009.
Boris, well known for his role as Damon Carter and Nicole as Terri Joseph in show time drama ‘Soul Food’ added a special touch to the event with their presence.
At the opening fashion show on Wednesday, July 1 in the evening, eight up and coming designers showcased their talent.
The eight namely, Elimens, Quami Wear, Rowena Adjivon, Salimi, Bern Mensah Doreen Lartey and Rita made casual and formal outfits for both men and women .
The budding designers incorporated new trends of puff sleeves, balloon/parachute skirts and maxi summer dresses in the outfits they made using local fabrics.
As the Exopa models hit the runway with the designs of the amateur designers there were loud cheers of appreciation.
According to Sima Ibrahim, the CEO of Exopa Model Agency, organisers of the event, the fashion show for the amateurs was the preliminary stage and another contest will be held on July 14 at the residence of the French Ambassador to Ghana to select the best up-coming fashion designer who will be sponsored by the French Embassy to France to develop his or her talent.
The surprise of the night was when after Exopa models wearing hot pants and had showcased specially designed muscle t-shirts of Barack Obama by London-based Jojo Castilo, Sima Ibrahim together with Boris who wore a -shirt with the inscription “Welcome home” also hit the runway briefly.
Later in a speech, Boris said he was excited to be home and grateful to the organisers of the event.
Mr Ibrahim said organising the event had not been easy but he never gave up and thanked sponsors for their support.
Ace designers, Kofi Ansah of Ghana, Pepita D of Benin and Modella of Nigeria also exhibited their designs.
The Exopa kid models were also a delight to watch in the new range of Da Viva fabrics.
Ghana’s fastest rapper, Sarkodie and Kwaw Kesse entertained the audience.
Ghana Fashion Weekend ends today with a mega fashion show at 7 p.m. at the International Conference Centre.
There will also be a football gala in which Boris would feature at the FC Nania Park, Legon at 12 noon.