The eagerly awaited GTCO Fashion Weekend has once again proven to be Africa’s foremost fashion event. This year’s showcase was a masterclass in elegance, ingenuity, and style, presenting the pinnacle of African fashion to a global audience.”

The event united distinguished designers, models, and fashion aficionados from all over the continent and beyond. The runway showcased breathtaking collections from leading designers such as Tolu Coker, Oríré, Gert-Johan Coetzee, Xu Zhi, Ituen Basi, and Romeo Hunte, among others.”

GTCO Fashion Weekend created an opportunity for up-and-coming designers to present their work alongside well-established brands. The event’s dedication to fostering new talent was showcased through the remarkable demonstrations of creativity and expertise.”

Renowned industry figures such as Sheika Daley, Patricia Bright, Lulu Kennedy, and Ted Gibson imparted their valuable knowledge and expertise.”

GTCO Fashion Weekend has firmly established itself as a key driver in the growth and evolution of African fashion. By offering designers a platform to display their creations, the event has significantly bridged the gap between African fashion and the international market.”

“As anticipation builds for next year’s event, it’s undeniable that GTCO Fashion Weekend has established itself as the benchmark for fashion extravaganzas in Africa.”

Rebecca Ruona Olotu, known as Ruona, has taken her passion for makeup artistry and transformed it into Kymarle Beauty, a mobile makeup studio that is revolutionising the beauty industry.

Ruona’s journey began in the halls of Nottingham Trent University in the UK, where she studied law. While she meticulously honed her legal skills, her heart was drawn to a different calling: the world of makeup.

What started as a pastime watching countless YouTube tutorials and experimenting on herself and friends soon blossomed into a serious pursuit.

By 2018, Ruona embraced her creative side, becoming a freelance makeup artist with a mission: to enhance natural beauty using minimal products.

The turning point in her career came when she attended a masterclass in Lagos led by the renowned celebrity makeup artist King Mali Magic. Inspired by Mali’s “Dewy Brown Girl Project,” Ruona began to advocate for the representation of women of color in the beauty realm, empowering them to celebrate their luminous skin.

Ruona conceptualised the Kymarle Beauty Mobile Studio a luxurious vanity housed inside a truck.

Launched on June 12, 2022, the innovative service brings a fully equipped beauty studio to clients’ doorsteps, making it perfect for weddings, music video shoots, Nollywood sets, and more.

Ruona’s multifaceted talents extend beyond beauty. After graduating in 2014, she stepped into the music scene with her debut EP and later formed the girl group Rcube with her sister and cousin, both notable performers in Nigeria.

Their vibrant performances at major events like “Industry Night” and “Felabration” solidified their presence in the music industry.

Ruona also pursued a legal career, becoming a qualified lawyer in 2018. She has contributed significantly to the Presidential Amnesty Program, focusing on empowering communities in the Niger Delta region.

Her creativity knows no bounds; in addition to her mobile makeup services, Ruona has ventured into special effects makeup for Halloween events and has provided free makeovers for charity, embodying her commitment to giving back to the community.

Following a highly publicized withdrawal from the Miss South Africa contest, precipitated by protracted controversy and intense questioning regarding her national affiliation, Chidimma Adetshina has demonstrated remarkable fortitude and perseverance.

Her ultimate triumph in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant on Saturday bears eloquent testimony to her unyielding spirit and dedication to her craft.

“This crown represents more than just beauty; it’s a call for unity,” she said.

Subsequent to the highly publicized controversy surrounding her eligibility to participate in the Miss South Africa contest, Chidimma Adetshina received an invitation to partake in the esteemed Miss Universe Nigeria competition, thereby presenting her with a fresh opportunity to showcase her exceptional qualities and talents.

On August 8, Chidimma announced her withdrawal from the Miss South Africa competition, citing safety and the well-being of herself and that of her family members.

Chidimma’s withdrawal from the competition was announced in a statement she personally signed and posted on her Instagram page amid the continued controversies surrounding her nationality ignited by the South African authorities, despite organisers’ certification of her qualification.

In the statement seen by SaharaReporters, Chidimma said, “I would like to start off by thanking everyone who has stood beside me right from the start of my Miss South Africa journey. I’m really grateful for all the love and support I have been shown.

“Being part of the Miss South Africa 2024 competition has been an amazing journey; however, after much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and wellbeing of my family and I.

“With the support of the Miss South Africa Organisation, I leave with a heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience.

“I would like to take this opportunity to wish my fellow finalists all of the best for the remainder of the competition. Whoever wears the crown represents us all.”

Born in Soweto, South Africa to a Nigerian father and a mother who is of Mozambican descent, Chidimma’s participation in the South African competition and her rise to become a finalist in the competition were a subject of controversy for some time as many South Africans objected to her participation, citing that she is not truly a South African.

Social media attacks targeted her Nigerian heritage despite her being born in South Africa and meeting all competition requirements.

Later, the South African government said Chidimma’s mother may have been involved in identity theft.

The development regarding her mother was contained in a circular issued by the country’s Department of Home Affairs dated August 7, 2024.

Chidimma became a key figure in South Africa’s xenophobia debate and national identity discussions after making it to the Top 30 and becoming a finalist in the Miss SA competition.

By winning Miss Universe Nigeria on Saturday, Chidimma is set to represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe competition in November.

At the global event, she will compete others from around the world including Mia le Roux, who won the South African version after Chidimma withdrew from the competition.