ARISE PROMISE OF AFRICA COLLECTIVE TO SHOW AT NEW YORK FASHION WEEK ON SEPT 11

New York, NY (September 1, 2009): ARISE Magazine, riding on the success of February's inaugural launch, which culminated in a surprise appearance from international superstar Grace Jones, presents the ARISE Promise of Africa Collective star-studded runway show with four of the brightest design talents from across the African continent to Bryant Park on Friday, September 11, 2009. The show will continue the spectacle of what Hilary Alexander of the London Telegraph called “a style and cultural explosion as colourful and diverse as Africa itself.”

The second runway show in what will be a biannual tradition for New York Fashion Week, the ARISE Collective will feature designers from South Africa, Nigeria, and Madagascar on fashion's most influential stage, presented by ARISE Magazine. All four designers in the ARISE Collective are celebrated in their native countries and are honored to be seen as some of Africa's many promises in the continent's bright future.

South African designer David Tlale was one of two designers awarded Designer of the Year at the ARISE Africa Fashion Awards in Johannesburg this past June, giving him the opportunity to present in New York for the first time. “I'm very excited about this once in a lifetime opportunity,” Tlale said. “I never thought I'd show at New York Fashion Week in the Bryant Park tents this early in my career. It's the right time to show the world what Africa has to offer.”

Co-honoree Tiffany Amber, by Nigerian designer Folake Folarin-Coker, first showed in New York as part of the inaugural ARISE Collective runway show in February 2009. “The reviews and the comments made by the industry professionals, audience members and customers was overwhelming,” Folarin-Coker said. “It was a good wake up call, there is a market out there that wants to see Africa's vision, hear our stories and follow our lines.”

Also showing in New York as part of the ARISE Collective for the first time are Madagascar-born textile wizard Eric Raisina, who pioneered “silk fur” through his work with artisans throughout Cambodia, Madagascar, and the ateliers of Paris, and Jewel by Lisa, the Nigerian label of Lisa Folawiyo, which features heavily embellished and handcrafted Ankara fabric.

The show will be run by renowned show producer Jan Malan, who has worked with international celebrities such as Elton John, Tyra Banks, and John Legend for more than two decades.

Continuing the tradition of exposure for culturally-diverse designers is vital to ARISE Magazine founder and THISDAY GROUP Chairman Nduka Obaigbena. "ARISE was founded on the premise of global style and international cultural excellence,” Obaigbena said. “We are thrilled to once again bring a group of talented designers to show their work to a worldwide audience in New York City."

The runway show will also celebrate ARISElive.com, the magazine's new interactive web presence. ARISE Magazine, the first global style and culture magazine dedicated to African achievement in fashion, music, business and politics, was launched in February 2009 and is published by THISDAY, one of Africa's largest daily news outlets.

ARISE Magazine
ARISE, launched in February 2009, is the world's first magazine on global African style, culture, business and politics. Produced in London, ARISE is published by THISDAY Media Group, Leaders & Company Ltd, one of Africa's leading daily news outlets. THISDAY events, including the THISDAY Awards and THISDAY Music and Fashion Festivals, have brought music and fashion icons as well as world and business leaders to Lagos, Abuja, London and Washington, DC, including Bill Clinton, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Usher, and many more. ARISE is published by THISDAY Media Group, Leaders & Company Ltd. and can be found on the web at www.ariselive.com.