Thursday, November 25, 2010
WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE WRIST WATCHES
This is a compilation of the world’s rarest and most expensive timepieces which come with very large price tags that run well into six figures. Unlike ladies’ watches that drip of jewellery, these world's most prestigious luxury watches which cost more than some cars are distinguished from ordinary watches because of the infusion of platinum ,Diamonds , fancy tourbillions, chronographs, and perpetual calendars in them.
Patek Philippe - Sky Moon Tourbillon -$5, 6 million
The Sky Moon Tourbillon Ref. 5002 is the most complicated watch ever made by Patek Philippe and also the workshop's first double-face wristwatch. On the front side: perpetual calendar with retrograde date hand and on the back side: sidereal time, sky chart, phase and orbit of the Moon. Sky Moon Tourbillon movement consists of 686 parts, some of which are microscopically small. On May 10, 2010 , a Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon 18K gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases from 1943 sold at a Christie’s auction in Geneva
Patek Philippe - Platinum World Time- $4 million
Experts consider this platinum Patek Philippe world time wristwatch the only one of its kind ever made. In 2002 this watch became the most expensive watch, sold in action thanks to its action bid - $4 million. Patek Philippe’s Platinum World Time has a self winding mechanism, displaying all the 24 time zones and is famous for its easily switchable night and day tones, user friendliness and readability.
Piaget - Emperador Temple
The Piaget Emperador " Temple "
Patek Philippe - Model 2523 Heures Universelles (1953) $2,899,373
Patek Philippe Model 2523 Heures Universelles with its dial, representing the map of North America can help you. This 18-karat yellow-gold world time watch wit fitting the polychrome and enamel dial deserves to be taken with you.
Cartier - Phoenix-shaped watch $2,755,000
Cartier’s debut with the Phoenix-shaped watch model took place in April. 18 carat, rhodium-plated white gold wristwatch uses emeralds for the bird eyes and has one pear-shaped, portrait-cut diamond weighing 3.53 carats. The masterpiece from the Merveilles du Nil de Cartier collection covered with 3,010 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 80.13 carats is ready to fly from your hand.
Franck Muller - Aeternitas Mega 4 $2, 7 million
Containing 1,483 components this Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega4 has the most complications of any wristwatch model in the world - 36! Aeternitas Mega4 fits 3 time zones indicators, 999-year calendar and a fly back chronograph. The watch has chimes the Carillon Westminster melody on the hour with small strikes on the quarter hour. Not sure if this is a real complication, but…Despite of the high power inputs Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega has a 3-day power reserve for the movement and 24-hour reserve for the chime. Don’t be naïve, because the watch is available only in New York Geneva
Patek Philippe - Model 2499 First Series $2,280,000
Patek Philippe Model 2499 First Series (1957) is a real limited edition, as there are only 5 other examples of this 18-karat rose-gold wristwatch, which appeared in public to date. The model is the most expensive watch ever sold at Christie's
Patek Philippe - Model 1591 $2,263,964
In 1996 Patek Philippe Model 1591 was firstly offered at auction and won the place of the most expensive stainless steel wristwatch model ever sold at auction. Until this time the model was not known publicly. Although, it was made in 40-th. Patek Philippe Model 1591 is said to belong to a maharajah who wore it when playing polo. Then it became a present to a maharajah's wedding organizer. Some say that it is the only stainless steel model 1591 ever made.
Blancpain - Tourbillion Diamants $1,812,700
If you are in need of 480 diamonds totaling 58 carats contact Blancpain’s headquarters in Paudex and you’ll get them on the dial, case middle, bezel, bracelet and lugs of the Blancpain Tourbillion Diamants watch model. The self-winding mechanism has an amazingly long power reserve: 7 days. Blancpain Tourbillion Diamants has water resistance to a depth of 100 meters.
Vacheron Constantin - Tour de l’Ile $1.5 million
Some people consider this unique watch to be the most complicated watch ever made. It is so because of the amount of its parts - 834 inside the Vacheron Constain’s Tour de l’lle. The watch is equipped with 2 time zones, Can the sunset time function and incredible astronomical indicator of the night sky. Moreover, the watch model fits a perpetual calendar. Vacheron Constantin Tour de l’Ile is the world 5th most expensive watch coming with the price tag $1.5 million.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE BRASSIERES
Diamonds are truly a girl’s best friend, with their breathtaking brilliance and gorgeous radiance , they naturally draw the attention of any woman who has an eye and taste for good things, it has an eternal and untarnished appeal which explains the reason for this seemingly outrageously expensive brassieres. Most women who believe there is nothing wrong in having much will definitely love these compilation of the world’ most expensive brassieres. Most of these bras are made by Victoria
Korea’s Golden Zone Gold Bra
$1 million
It is decorated with encrusted diamonds and loops of liquid gold, it has liquid gold cups
and diamond-encrusted straps. The uniquely designed bra series has been launched by Korea Seoul
The Victoria
$3 million
This bra is covered in white, champagne, and cognac-colored Damiani diamonds and it also has a 16-carat diamond pendant
Black Diamond Fantasy Miracle Bra
$5 million
Modeled by Brazil
$6.5 million
This exotic bra has 2,000 diamonds weighing 800 carats and a 10-carat diamond centerpiece
Heavenly 70s Fantasy Bra
$10 million
Featuring 2,900 diamonds set in 10kt white gold, this Victoria
$10 million
It has 1,150 ruby roses and1, 600 emerald leaves and 60-carat it was created in 2002 by Mouawad Mondera. It took over 370 hours of work to make and featured the 60-carat Mouawad Mondera diamond.
Very Sexy Fantasy Bra
$11 million
Another 370-hour Mouawad creation, the Very Sexy Fantasy bra was designed in 2003. It trumped the Star of Victoria with its 70-carat Mouawad Excelsior diamond. A replica of this bra, along with one of the Star of Victoria, was created by Mouawad for the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad
Heavenly Star Bra
$12.5 million
Studded with 1,200 Sri Lankan pink sapphires, this bra features a 90-carat emerald cut diamond as its centerpiece. That diamond alone, in fact, is worth $10.6 million. For an additional $750,000, one could even purchase a pair of matching briefs.
Red Hot Fantasy Bra
$15 million
The world’s most expensive underwear was made with 1,300 precious stones, including 300 carats of Thai rubies, on red satin. The appearance of the set was kept secret until the grand opening of Manhattan Victoria 67th Street Victoria
Sexy Splendor Fantasy Bra
$ 12.5 million
The bra features 2,900 pave-set diamonds along with 22 ruby gemstones. The stones are set in 18K white gold. It took over 300 hours to create. The focal point of the bra is a 101-carat flawless pear-shaped stone. The total carat weight of the bra is 108.37 for the diamonds and 38.25 for the rubies. The bra is on sale for $12,500,000. Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen wore this bra for the first time in a fashion show in 2005.
Friday, November 19, 2010
SO MUCH FOR BLUSH LUCK!!
TARA FELA DUROTOYE'S TIPS
So many women in Nigeria abandon the whole blush thing because for we believe that we can never find the right shade. Well, here’s a tip for you so that you don’t have any excuses to live without a blush.
Any blush with a bit of shimmer looks fabulous on you. It instantly brightens your face and makes you look like you've just returned from exotic lands.
UK BASED BAG DESIGNER, FUNMI ADEYERI SPEAKS ON HER PASSION FOR LEATHER
26 year old Funmi Adeyeri CEO of Rebirth line of bags was born and bred in Lagos Nigeria, she moved to the UK about ten years ago. where she obtained a degree in information technology systems from the university of Sussex, in the united kingdom, after her degree, she became a consultant with IBM logics and banks like Lloyds TSB , her childhood love for leather was however stronger and she decided to go back to school four years ago to study leather craft in London college of fashion after which she set up her own line which she calls rebirth .in this chat with city people’s Editor (Quarterly) Bunmi Odunowo at the launch of her new line last year in Lagos she talked about her passion for leather and why she chose the name rebirth
Q what prompted u to go change over from your high paying and corporate job for something like leather craft?
I’ve always loved leather, my late father had a leather factory in Nigeria about 14 years ago, Madeland leathers in Opebi, lagos but he’s passed on now. So I’ve always loved bags and decided to go back to where it all started, from like the childhood memories of running around with leather everywhere and it was fun, so I started doing bespoke for people so in the last two years I decided to come up with my own collection and that’s what I’m displaying today.
Q where do you make your bags, where do you source for the leather and how do you make them?
All my bags are made in the UK, and the leather is sourced in Europe and all my bags are handmade, either I make them myself or I have people that work for me and they are all handmade.
Q. How About The Designs, Do You Do That Yourself Too?
I do the design and the making myself, the first few prototypes are made by me, and based on quantity I have people that help me out.
Q So How Has It Been So Far?
Well, I wont say it was hard, because doing bespoke bags is what broke me into the industry, I was doing one off bags, so by the time I came in, because the passion is there, it’s easy for you to ride on the passion.
Q You’ve Been Doing This For How Long Now?
I’ve been in leather for a total of about five years.
Q Your Clientele In UK Would Be Far Different From The Ones You’ll Get Here, Who Are Your Target Audience And What Are Your Expectations Considering The Fact That They Are A Bit On The High Side?
Well I guess it’s a breath of fresh air for people, it’s different, and my bags are luxury bags and that’s in regards of all the efforts that go into it, its handcrafted and I use the finest leathers, if you look at it, the finishing is fine, the lining is great, I source for the finest material so it’s more of a luxury /lifestyle my bags cater for people at different levels, it ranges from 40thousand naira to 200 thousand naira.
Q What schools did you go to here in Nigeria?
I went to Airforce secondary school, Ikeja and I went to the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom and I studied Information technology Systems
Q so apart from bags what else do you do?
That’s all I do for now, I used to be a project manager and a consultant for IBM logical and Lloyds TSB
Q What kind of person is Funke Adeyeri?
Well I’m just a smily girl, I’m just a happy go lucky
Q how about your family? Are they in the UK too?
Well my family is kind of all around, I’ve got a sister, I’ve family in America, I’ve got family in London and I’ve got family here in Nigeria so we are kind of all over the place, my mum is based in Nigeria.
Q you are such a pretty girl, with talents and focus, how old are you and who is the man in your life.
I’m 25 years old, and about the man thing, (laughs) I’ll leave that for now, don’t worry you’ll know in good time, I’ll leave that.
Q Is this what you want to do for a long term or do you still have plans to do other stuff?
No, I want to do this only, I see myself in the leather industry for like virtually.
Q where did the name rebirth come from?
The name rebirth came from two things, leather is all about rebirth that’s about the process leather went through, then also it’s a tribute to my dad and having a leather factory and taking it on and bringing the passion back basically.
Q with the launch of your bag, what’s the next step for you? Do you want to relocate to Nigeria?
I’ll be having stockists in Nigeria whom I’ll be talking to in a couple of weeks so people can get my bag from different stores which will be confirmed to people soon. I come back to Nigeria a lot like 4, 5 times a year.
Q what chances do you think you’ll stand with other brands in Nigeria, you know people like the known labels?
I guess every name has its thing and I’m not competing with anyone, I’m just setting my pace, I’m not in contest with anybody?
Q what’s your fashion statement?
I’m a very simple and chic class kind of person, I don’t work all the time, I’m just a chilled out person and I love to be at home with my friends
Q I can see you have a lot of friends, who are your closest friends?
Well, my family, I’ve got Ifeoma Williams as my friend, I’ve got Yemisi Olagbaiye virtuosso, she does bags also, and I’ve got Yemi Shittu Balogun the marketing consultant for rebirth
Q what prompted u to go change over from your high paying and corporate job for something like leather craft?
I’ve always loved leather, my late father had a leather factory in Nigeria about 14 years ago, Madeland leathers in Opebi, lagos but he’s passed on now. So I’ve always loved bags and decided to go back to where it all started, from like the childhood memories of running around with leather everywhere and it was fun, so I started doing bespoke for people so in the last two years I decided to come up with my own collection and that’s what I’m displaying today.
Q where do you make your bags, where do you source for the leather and how do you make them?
All my bags are made in the UK, and the leather is sourced in Europe and all my bags are handmade, either I make them myself or I have people that work for me and they are all handmade.
Q. How About The Designs, Do You Do That Yourself Too?
I do the design and the making myself, the first few prototypes are made by me, and based on quantity I have people that help me out.
Q So How Has It Been So Far?
Well, I wont say it was hard, because doing bespoke bags is what broke me into the industry, I was doing one off bags, so by the time I came in, because the passion is there, it’s easy for you to ride on the passion.
Q You’ve Been Doing This For How Long Now?
I’ve been in leather for a total of about five years.
Q Your Clientele In UK Would Be Far Different From The Ones You’ll Get Here, Who Are Your Target Audience And What Are Your Expectations Considering The Fact That They Are A Bit On The High Side?
Well I guess it’s a breath of fresh air for people, it’s different, and my bags are luxury bags and that’s in regards of all the efforts that go into it, its handcrafted and I use the finest leathers, if you look at it, the finishing is fine, the lining is great, I source for the finest material so it’s more of a luxury /lifestyle my bags cater for people at different levels, it ranges from 40thousand naira to 200 thousand naira.
Q What schools did you go to here in Nigeria?
I went to Airforce secondary school, Ikeja and I went to the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom and I studied Information technology Systems
Q so apart from bags what else do you do?
That’s all I do for now, I used to be a project manager and a consultant for IBM logical and Lloyds TSB
Q What kind of person is Funke Adeyeri?
Well I’m just a smily girl, I’m just a happy go lucky
Q how about your family? Are they in the UK too?
Well my family is kind of all around, I’ve got a sister, I’ve family in America, I’ve got family in London and I’ve got family here in Nigeria so we are kind of all over the place, my mum is based in Nigeria.
Q you are such a pretty girl, with talents and focus, how old are you and who is the man in your life.
I’m 25 years old, and about the man thing, (laughs) I’ll leave that for now, don’t worry you’ll know in good time, I’ll leave that.
Q Is this what you want to do for a long term or do you still have plans to do other stuff?
No, I want to do this only, I see myself in the leather industry for like virtually.
Q where did the name rebirth come from?
The name rebirth came from two things, leather is all about rebirth that’s about the process leather went through, then also it’s a tribute to my dad and having a leather factory and taking it on and bringing the passion back basically.
Q with the launch of your bag, what’s the next step for you? Do you want to relocate to Nigeria?
I’ll be having stockists in Nigeria whom I’ll be talking to in a couple of weeks so people can get my bag from different stores which will be confirmed to people soon. I come back to Nigeria a lot like 4, 5 times a year.
Q what chances do you think you’ll stand with other brands in Nigeria, you know people like the known labels?
I guess every name has its thing and I’m not competing with anyone, I’m just setting my pace, I’m not in contest with anybody?
Q what’s your fashion statement?
I’m a very simple and chic class kind of person, I don’t work all the time, I’m just a chilled out person and I love to be at home with my friends
Q I can see you have a lot of friends, who are your closest friends?
Well, my family, I’ve got Ifeoma Williams as my friend, I’ve got Yemisi Olagbaiye virtuosso, she does bags also, and I’ve got Yemi Shittu Balogun the marketing consultant for rebirth
ABOUT RIHANNA'S MANY TATTOOS
Getting tattoos seems like the IT thing in showbiz, it’s hard to find a celeb without a tattoo these days, but while some prefer to have one or two, others follow their tattoo obsession and have dozens of tats cover their bodies.
The Tattoo-addicted Barbados born singer, Rihanna debuted her new neck tattoo in August 2010, before then she had earlier on showed off a set of fake tattoos in Hawaii. A pistol on her hip and several tattoos on her arms have been created for her new movie Battleship, her big screen debut in 2012. Now,14 permanent tattoos cover her body. They include:
- a music note tattoo on her ankle,
- a Pisces sign behind her right ear,
- a Sanskrit prayer going down her hip
- a star in her left ear,
- the word “love” on her left middle finger,
- an Arabic phrase meaning “Freedom is God” on her ribcage area,
- a trail of stars going down the back of her neck,
- a skull with a pink hair bow, the phrase “shhh…” on her right index finger,
- the date 11.4.86 in Roman numerals on top of her left shoulder,
- a henna-style dragon claw including hibiscus flowers,
- a handgun under her right armpit,
– the word shh on her finger,
- a Pisces sign behind her right ear,
- a Sanskrit prayer going down her hip
- a star in her left ear,
- the word “love” on her left middle finger,
- an Arabic phrase meaning “Freedom is God” on her ribcage area,
- a trail of stars going down the back of her neck,
- a skull with a pink hair bow, the phrase “shhh…” on her right index finger,
- the date 11.4.86 in Roman numerals on top of her left shoulder,
- a henna-style dragon claw including hibiscus flowers,
- a handgun under her right armpit,
– the word shh on her finger,
the singer who is known for her Leather outfits,ever changing hairstyles and Very short hair added the thirteenth tattoo in late 2009 and it reads “Never a failure, always a lesson”. The tattoo is on her chest and tattooed backwards for Rihanna to be to able to read it in the mirror.
The “rebelle fleur” ink was added to her collection In August 2010
OMOWUNMI AKINNIFESI, BEAUTY PERSONIFIED
Omowunmi Akinnifesi is one beauty Queen who will never fade away. Her style is unique and that makes her the quintessential style icon. she's got the element of simplicity and elegance and never stops 'wowing' anytime she steps out. She spent her early years in Sierra Leone before returning to Nigeria to stay with her family. She attended Queen's College, Yaba, where she won several prizes for her art work. In 2005, the eighteen year old girl became the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, making her eligible to represent her country at the Miss World Pageant in China that same year, where she displayed her skills and also engaged in tree planting for the Chinese government; she displayed more of her talent at another international pageant - Miss Tourism International in Ukraine, in which she emerged winner.
Akinnifesi also represented Nigeria in Jordan, where she was welcomed by the Jordan Tourism Board, in order to promote Tourism and later in Ghana where she launched a water fall in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism Ghana.
In 2008, Akinnifesi graduated from the University of Lagos with a degree in Geography and Regional Planning, second class upper division, and was also first runner-up in the Nigerian version of Strictly Come Dancing, Celebrity Takes 2 Dance before she launched her own public relations and usher-hiring business Elle Poise.
In June 2009, Akinnifesi was appointed Environmental ambassador by the Lagos state governor Babatunde Fashola.
REGINA ASKIA’S DAUGHTER, STEPHANIE, A HOT MODEL!
Regina Askia needs little or no introduction, the beauty queen came into our subconscious in the days of Zeb Ejiro Fortunes a popular TV series running on National TV in the early 90’s where she played the role of an impudent gold digger Tokunbo Johnson. Before then, she had worn the crown twice as Miss Unilag 1988 and Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 1989.
After a brief romance with Nollywood, the sultry and hazel eyed beauty who had in between had controversies trailing her here and there concerning her relationships and particularly her short lived marriage to business man Charles Orie after which she found love in the arms of an Afro American Rudolph Williams who flew down to Nigeria and had a secret wedding with her.
Subsequent to this she relocated to America and has been involved in so many things, she rode on the back of her beauty while in Nigeria and modeled for the likes of Visine Eye Drops and Kessingsheen Hair Care products and so it wasn’t much of a surprise when she and her daughter Stephanie Idara co-modeled a 2000-N-Six Cleansing range of products.
Regina’s teenage daughter Stephanie Regina Idara Hornecker the product of Regina’s dalliance with her French business man lover Patrick has effortlessly stepped into her mother’s shoes, the gorgeous drop dead beauty who now models in the United States of America attends a French school High School Lycée International des Pontonniers. Now she is one of those been touted as the likely face of Facebook a social networking site.
Her mum Regina Askia who is fully supportive of her and canvassing votes for her on Facebook is now an independent beauty consultant for the Mary Kay products is also studying to become a nursing practitioner. She has two other children for her husband, Teesa Olympia and Ruddy Jnr. And they all live in Staten Island in the United States of America.
MEET AMERICAN CELEBRITY MAKE UP ARTISTE, THOMAS DYE
Thomas Dye is a 47years old American celebrity make-up artist who has worked with a lot of American superstars like Tony Braxton, Beyonce Knowles, Alicia Keys, recording artistes’ Destiny's Child, supermodel Iman, and at Christian Dior and Dolce & Gabbana runway shows. He was raised in Columbus Ohio, USA and lived in Atlanta Georgia, USA for 23 years he moved out to Las Vegas to work with Tony Braxton on her show and moved back to Atlanta when the show was over. When he got back, he decided he needed to do something more, since he has accomplished everything that he wanted to do, so he sought to make himself known internationally. His first stop was Ghana and now he is in Nigeria as the International makeup artist of the Iman cosmetics line In this exclusive interview with BUNMI ODUNOWO he spoke on his project in Nigeria, his plans to work with Miss Nigeria beauty pageant and the high point of his career working with Oprah Winfrey on her show as a makeup assistant of Reggie Wells, Oprah Winfrey’s long-time makeup artist.
What do you do basically?
I’m an international make up artist, my name is Thomas Dye, I do celebrities, I do fashion shows, I do concerts, I do big events and I’m looking to work with Miss Nigeria while I’m in the country I want to make contact with her so when Miss Nigeria Pageant comes up, I’ll be able to work with them.
For how long have you been in the business?
I’ve been a makeup artist for almost 14 years
How did you start the makeup business and what were you doing before then?
Before I started makeup, I was working with Delta airlines, in corporate America, I decided that I wanted to change my career and do something different than working in corporate America.
So why did you choose makeup
I chose makeup because I was an artist doing drawings as a kid so I knew how to draw. So I met one of the ladies that I used to date who was a makeup artist for Revlon and I went to California to help her do an award called the Soul Train awards. So the flight of three of her makeup artists got cancelled so they couldn’t get out there and she needed help immediately so she taught me how to do makeup in the hotel room for the weekend to help her out and once I learned it I realized I had a passion to do something different and I learnt how to do it, that was around ‘95 or ’94 or somewhere around it. And ever since then I’ve been doing it non stop as a career
What’s your experience been like so far?
It’s been wonderful over my 14 years, I’ve covered the Caribbean’s the United States, now I’m here, I’ve been to Ghana now I’m here in Nigeria.
So what’s the deal with Ghana?
In Ghana I worked with the biggest modeling agency Exopa, we did a photo shoot and we did the mass graduation and I’m going back on the 24th to do a fashion show.
Why are you in Nigeria?
I’m in Nigeria as a representative of Iman cosmetics and since she is a co-sponsor of the Face of Africa and the finale is here in February and I’m here to represent the line and introduce the line to more people and get people to understand the colours that Iman offers which is for women of colours.
Why were you chosen by Iman?
Em... because I was coming to the country, I was going to Ghana and she asked me if I could go to other parts of Africa to teach people and get them to understand Iman cosmetics and I knew Michael and his wife Yinka Bodyline were here as distributors of Iman cosmetics and I came to connect with them to spread the word about Iman cosmetics and Face Of Africa coming here in February.
While here, are you going to run makeup classes for interested people?
Yeah, I came to train people here, we are going to recruit people through Michael and to train distributors on the brand, and anybody else who wants to know about the brand.
What’s particularly unique about Iman cosmetics?
Iman cosmetics is a true cosmetic line for women of colour, it has 14 different colours and ranges so it goes form the darkest person right to the lightest person and the colours are true to colour, the undertones are beautiful undertones of women of colour. You don’t have to mix 4 or 5 different colours to get your skin tone you can find one colour in Iman and the line has been around for years. You know Iman is from the continent, she’s from Africa so she’s bringing her line back to her home, her people and making it affordable to people to wear her brand. I really want everybody to know Iman’s cosmetics, because it’s a line and it’s a brand that is universally wide. I want it to be the number one brand in the country.
What’s your favourite Iman product?
My favourite products in Iman are the bronzers and the luminous foundation because they have gold particles in them, so you could just dust it on your skin and give your skin a nice glowing look without caking your skin with a lot of foundation. Bronzers are always gorgeous because here in Africa you just dust your skin with the bronzer and it gives you a gorgeous look without putting a whole lot on and it is the perfect thing for people who don’t love to wear a lot of foundation
Apart from Iman cosmetics, who else have you worked for?
I’ve worked on the Oprah Winfrey show, Oprah’s makeup artist’s name is Reggie Wells and I worked as his assistant and I’ve done women on her show with him, I’ve worked with Destiny Child on their House of Blues tour, I’ve worked with Kym Whitley the actress, I’ve worked with a lot of celebrities and there are a bunch of names, Alicia Keys on one tour, I worked on one of her shows and a whole lot of other people.
What’s been your highest moment in the course of your career?
My highest moment was working has probably been working on the Oprah Winfrey show, I think that’s my highest achievement because that’s global. It’s my greatest achievement working on the richest black woman in the world’s show.
You work with women all the time, especially celebrities. How do you cope with their mood swings and occasional tantrums?
Laughs, I keep my mouth shut and I listen and let them speak because they are speaking for a reason, I really don’t voice my opinion because if they are talking to me, they are talking because they want to talk about something, I just listen be a kind ear and just speak when necessary, dealing with women there are so many different types of personalities, so you have to treat each individual separately. My philosophy is I’m quiet until they ask me their opinion and when they ask me their opinion that’s when I speak out.
Why are you still single?
It’s hard to be married when you are in my profession because for instance, like this venture that I’m doing now, if you tell somebody your going away for a month or more, they might have plans, like now I’m going to miss Christmas, I missed thanksgiving, that’s hard to deal with when you are in a relationship or marriage because they want you there with them and it causes lots of problems.
You are a man in a woman’s business people view men like you as being probably gay, can we say that about you?
In the United States too they think that way, the perception is the same. I get that all the time there too, because make up artists there that are men are gay. I have that exception of being a straight guy doing make up, which is a benefit because most women want a make up artist who is straight because they are so used to gays so when they see I’m straight, the immediately gravitate towards me so it’s a benefit to be a heterosexual person doing makeup.
How do you ward of advances from women mostly your clients who would love to date you?
Easy, “not interested” laughs. In my career you just don’t have the time to put that into you, so if I don’t get you 100% then I’m not going to give you anything. A real woman would understand that. That’s how I’ve been for the last 10 years. When I first got into the industry, it was flattering but then you start realizing you can’t mix business with pleasure because they would cross out each other
You’ve worked your entire career with black Americans and this would be your first time with full African women, is there any noticeable difference in the skin tones?
The only difference I see is that there’s more rich colour, darkness in African skin, I’ve worked with a couple of African’s in the united state and they had good skins but seeing all the different colours of skins gave me more awareness of what true African skin really is . I love deep dark chocolate skin I don’t see that there, you have to search for a needle in a haystack to find a true dark sister like that, but here it’s like a playground and every time I see on I just go like “Oh my God look at her skin” I just want to work with that skin so I’m happy to be here because I can work with so many ranges of skin tones.
So what do you think of the Nigerian women, at least you’ve met a few of them?
You’re right, I’ve met some of them, I think Nigerian women are very beautiful people, they are lovely, they are happy, bubbly and aggressive, their skin is beautiful, the ones I’ve met take care good care of their skin and the really like fashion and that’s really impressive to me because I love woman who really takes care of her skin and her fashion.
Is Iman herself going to be here for the finale of the Face of Africa?
Yes, she will be here in February.
Did you undergo some kind of training yourself?
Yes with Joe Blasco in Las Vegas, I took some online classes with Mac but I’m mostly self taught and picked up things to help me build my business.
Can you compare Iman to other big brands like Mary Kay?
Those brands are a white line, and they don’t perfectly fit the black skin. black women in America spend almost two billion dollars per year on cosmetics, most lines saw this and started going after that black dollar by taking powder and putting it in the white powder, they didn’t make any new powder, they try to darken it so they can sell it to us but it doesn’t fit us. Iman is true colour, it’s made with brown powder its chemically organic made to fit our skin tone, there’s no colour added to it, it’s true to colour and it fits everybody
What do you do basically?
I’m an international make up artist, my name is Thomas Dye, I do celebrities, I do fashion shows, I do concerts, I do big events and I’m looking to work with Miss Nigeria while I’m in the country I want to make contact with her so when Miss Nigeria Pageant comes up, I’ll be able to work with them.
For how long have you been in the business?
I’ve been a makeup artist for almost 14 years
How did you start the makeup business and what were you doing before then?
Before I started makeup, I was working with Delta airlines, in corporate America, I decided that I wanted to change my career and do something different than working in corporate America.
So why did you choose makeup
What’s your experience been like so far?
It’s been wonderful over my 14 years, I’ve covered the Caribbean’s the United States, now I’m here, I’ve been to Ghana now I’m here in Nigeria.
So what’s the deal with Ghana?
In Ghana I worked with the biggest modeling agency Exopa, we did a photo shoot and we did the mass graduation and I’m going back on the 24th to do a fashion show.
Why are you in Nigeria?
I’m in Nigeria as a representative of Iman cosmetics and since she is a co-sponsor of the Face of Africa and the finale is here in February and I’m here to represent the line and introduce the line to more people and get people to understand the colours that Iman offers which is for women of colours.
Why were you chosen by Iman?
Em... because I was coming to the country, I was going to Ghana and she asked me if I could go to other parts of Africa to teach people and get them to understand Iman cosmetics and I knew Michael and his wife Yinka Bodyline were here as distributors of Iman cosmetics and I came to connect with them to spread the word about Iman cosmetics and Face Of Africa coming here in February.
While here, are you going to run makeup classes for interested people?
Yeah, I came to train people here, we are going to recruit people through Michael and to train distributors on the brand, and anybody else who wants to know about the brand.
What’s particularly unique about Iman cosmetics?
Iman cosmetics is a true cosmetic line for women of colour, it has 14 different colours and ranges so it goes form the darkest person right to the lightest person and the colours are true to colour, the undertones are beautiful undertones of women of colour. You don’t have to mix 4 or 5 different colours to get your skin tone you can find one colour in Iman and the line has been around for years. You know Iman is from the continent, she’s from Africa so she’s bringing her line back to her home, her people and making it affordable to people to wear her brand. I really want everybody to know Iman’s cosmetics, because it’s a line and it’s a brand that is universally wide. I want it to be the number one brand in the country.
What’s your favourite Iman product?
My favourite products in Iman are the bronzers and the luminous foundation because they have gold particles in them, so you could just dust it on your skin and give your skin a nice glowing look without caking your skin with a lot of foundation. Bronzers are always gorgeous because here in Africa you just dust your skin with the bronzer and it gives you a gorgeous look without putting a whole lot on and it is the perfect thing for people who don’t love to wear a lot of foundation
Apart from Iman cosmetics, who else have you worked for?
I’ve worked on the Oprah Winfrey show, Oprah’s makeup artist’s name is Reggie Wells and I worked as his assistant and I’ve done women on her show with him, I’ve worked with Destiny Child on their House of Blues tour, I’ve worked with Kym Whitley the actress, I’ve worked with a lot of celebrities and there are a bunch of names, Alicia Keys on one tour, I worked on one of her shows and a whole lot of other people.
What’s been your highest moment in the course of your career?
My highest moment was working has probably been working on the Oprah Winfrey show, I think that’s my highest achievement because that’s global. It’s my greatest achievement working on the richest black woman in the world’s show.
You work with women all the time, especially celebrities. How do you cope with their mood swings and occasional tantrums?
Laughs, I keep my mouth shut and I listen and let them speak because they are speaking for a reason, I really don’t voice my opinion because if they are talking to me, they are talking because they want to talk about something, I just listen be a kind ear and just speak when necessary, dealing with women there are so many different types of personalities, so you have to treat each individual separately. My philosophy is I’m quiet until they ask me their opinion and when they ask me their opinion that’s when I speak out.
Why are you still single?
It’s hard to be married when you are in my profession because for instance, like this venture that I’m doing now, if you tell somebody your going away for a month or more, they might have plans, like now I’m going to miss Christmas, I missed thanksgiving, that’s hard to deal with when you are in a relationship or marriage because they want you there with them and it causes lots of problems.
You are a man in a woman’s business people view men like you as being probably gay, can we say that about you?
In the United States too they think that way, the perception is the same. I get that all the time there too, because make up artists there that are men are gay. I have that exception of being a straight guy doing make up, which is a benefit because most women want a make up artist who is straight because they are so used to gays so when they see I’m straight, the immediately gravitate towards me so it’s a benefit to be a heterosexual person doing makeup.
How do you ward of advances from women mostly your clients who would love to date you?
Easy, “not interested” laughs. In my career you just don’t have the time to put that into you, so if I don’t get you 100% then I’m not going to give you anything. A real woman would understand that. That’s how I’ve been for the last 10 years. When I first got into the industry, it was flattering but then you start realizing you can’t mix business with pleasure because they would cross out each other
You’ve worked your entire career with black Americans and this would be your first time with full African women, is there any noticeable difference in the skin tones?
The only difference I see is that there’s more rich colour, darkness in African skin, I’ve worked with a couple of African’s in the united state and they had good skins but seeing all the different colours of skins gave me more awareness of what true African skin really is . I love deep dark chocolate skin I don’t see that there, you have to search for a needle in a haystack to find a true dark sister like that, but here it’s like a playground and every time I see on I just go like “Oh my God look at her skin” I just want to work with that skin so I’m happy to be here because I can work with so many ranges of skin tones.
So what do you think of the Nigerian women, at least you’ve met a few of them?
You’re right, I’ve met some of them, I think Nigerian women are very beautiful people, they are lovely, they are happy, bubbly and aggressive, their skin is beautiful, the ones I’ve met take care good care of their skin and the really like fashion and that’s really impressive to me because I love woman who really takes care of her skin and her fashion.
Is Iman herself going to be here for the finale of the Face of Africa?
Yes, she will be here in February.
Did you undergo some kind of training yourself?
Yes with Joe Blasco in Las Vegas, I took some online classes with Mac but I’m mostly self taught and picked up things to help me build my business.
Can you compare Iman to other big brands like Mary Kay?
Those brands are a white line, and they don’t perfectly fit the black skin. black women in America spend almost two billion dollars per year on cosmetics, most lines saw this and started going after that black dollar by taking powder and putting it in the white powder, they didn’t make any new powder, they try to darken it so they can sell it to us but it doesn’t fit us. Iman is true colour, it’s made with brown powder its chemically organic made to fit our skin tone, there’s no colour added to it, it’s true to colour and it fits everybody
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