You have seen his image serve as a backdrop for www.ladybrillemag.com this September 2011. Now, we get to announce, officially, that Hollywood Jeweler Chris Aire is Ladybrille’s Man of the Month for our September 2011 Fashion Week Edition. Aire is the man responsible for connecting Nigeria’s artist D’Banj and music producer Don Jazzy up with American artist Snoop Dogg for D’Banj’s “Endowed” remix music video. The music video created so much buzz across Africa, USA and UK, online and offline, and also served as a great credential on D’Banj’s music CV, a CV that became relevant when D’Banj courted Kanye West to ink a deal with West’s music record label, GOOD Music.
In addition, Ladybrille Magazine just celebrated Arise’s showing at New York Fashion Week 2011. But, did you know Chris Aire paved the way for the African fashion glitz and glamour we now see and enjoy at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week?
His interview publishes on Monday so be sure to stay tuned for it!
In the meantime, travel back in time with me to Chris Aire at what was Olympus Fashion Week with my 2006 article below for NE Magazine.
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Chris Aire “King of Bling” Blings Out Olympus Fashion Week
What would the world of music be without fashion? Think the Grammys, AMAs, VMAs, Channel O Africa Music Awards and Music Videos? US based Nigerian jeweler Chris Aire aka “King of Bling” showed the natural chemistry between fashion and music with his Spring 2007 collection titled “Red Hot Red Gold” at the recently completed New York Olympus Fashion Week; held September 8th to 15th, 2006.
Preparing for what was to be an electrifying lyrical night with fashionably fantabulous designs, NE popped backstage to learn how the designer keeps Hollywood, pro-athletes and hip-hop moguls coveting his designs. Aire dressed in a sharp GQ like cream suit oozed warmth, charm and a super laid back “no wahala ([problem). Everything dey under control” attitude. Astonished, NE asked, “how is it you stay so calm under pressure?” “I don’t know,” he replied with a hearty laughter as he threw his head, slightly, backwards. “I guess everyone has been saying the same thing.”
“Everyone” meant Nigerian London based designer Adebayo Jones, US based Nigerian Supermodel Ngo, NFL and NBA players, Rappers Foxy Brown and Lil’ Kim, among others, who made up his backstage and later front row guests. “He just makes the most unique jewelry [I] have ever seen,” said Lil’ Kim [who was wearing one of Aire’s timepieces] just before the show to NE.
Indeed. Aire kicked off his show with a surprise performance by Gnarls Barkley. His seductively smooth voice got most grooving to his current hit song “Crazy.”
Immediately after, Aire who uses red gold in his designs because he finds, “it is complimentary to all skin tones,” sent long legged, show stopping models down the catwalk in very haute innovative and trendy red gold, diamond and platinum necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets and time pieces. The “King of Bling” also revealed new takes on his signature Dog tags, Tri-Tag and Rec-Tag.
Things really heated up when Supermodel Tyson Beckford, who drips of male sexuality, strutted and worked the runway, shirtless, revealing tattooed arms and a chiseled chest. He was adorned in Chris Aire’s necklace made out of white diamond/white gold. In response, fashionistas threw echoing sounds of “muah!”
Hotter, however, was Aire’s $50million red gold halter dress that sparkled and glowed on the dark and lovely skin of Supermodel Alek Wek. Fashionistas responded with a resounding applause.
The ever socially conscious Aire who avoids, like a plague, the use of suppliers that fund “Conflict Diamonds”, closed his show with the hit song “Katrina Clap” performed by rapper Mos Def. Chris Aire’s designs (which includes), affordable price-points of a $1,000 or less, can be found on his website at www.chrisaire.com.
Founded in 2007, Ladybrille® Magazine is a California based pioneer digital publication demystifying the image of Africans in the west through contemporary African fashion and celebrating the brilliant woman in business and leadership, with an emphasis on the African woman in the diaspora. Our coverage includes stories on capital, access to markets, expertise, hiring and retention, sales, marketing, and promotions.
