The next edition of Globacom-sponsored CNN African Voices will celebrate Africa’s emerging style idols, including Nigeria’s Jide Ipaye, the founder of fast-rising shoe manufacturing company, Keexs Footwear.
Ipaye’s Keexs Footwear has gained wide acceptance among the upwardly mobile, fashion-conscious Nigerians of late through its innovative designs. Keexs has also been involved in a number of social-oriented projects which have endeared the brand to many of its followers.
“We, the citizens need to take more individual and collective initiatives towards correcting some of our social issues (economy and society) rather than sitting around complaining and waiting for our leaders to solve everything,” Ipaye says.
The new edition of the programme also features Mauritian designer, Mario Guillot, and Congolese super model, Noella Coursaris.
Mario Guillot, a French designer, fell in love with Mauritius and made it his home. His creations became so popular in Mauritius that his outlets rapidly grew up to five in record time. His IV Play fashion company is a fast-selling brand with five stores in Mauritius where it is as highly rated as the likes of Calvin Klein and Diesel. “It is also a huge hit among tourists,” says Chennai-based entrepreneur Vijay Jhaver who won the rights to manufacture and distribute the IV Play brand in India.
CNN African Voices’ next edition also features Noella Coursaris, an international model and philanthropist of Congolese, Swiss and Cypriot origin.
After receiving a degree in business management, she was chosen to appear in a campaign for Agent Provocateur. Modeling took her from the pages of fashion magazines like Vogue and Vanity Fair to the global stage. An advocate for Africa’s youth development, Noëlla is expected to talk to viewers of African Voices about her non-profit grassroots organization that empowers Congolese girls and their communities through education and health programs.
CNN African Voices airs on Friday at 10.30 a.m., with repeat broadcasts at 4.30 p.m. on Saturday, and at 12.30 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. on Sunday. There are more repeats at 11.30 a.m. on Monday and at 5.30 a.m. on Tuesday.