Connect with us

Business

America’s Next Top Model Coach, J Alexander is Coming to the GTBank Fashion Weekend

Published

on

J Alexander will be present at the sophomore edition of the GTBank Fashion Weekend alongside other style icons on the 11th and 12th of November. Here are a few fun facts about him

When you think of J Alexander what comes to mind? The style icon who won fashion hearts and the world over as a feisty judge on America’s Top Model? Or do you view him as the “fashion fairy godmother” that transforms awkward wannabes into fierce supermodels?

You are right in both instances. Miss J, as he is fondly called on the American Reality TV show, America’s Next Top Model, is much more than that and at 59, he is still setting the fashion world ablaze with his expertise, style, advice, and experience. Miss J is going to be present at the sophomore edition of the GTBank Fashion Weekend, which holds on 11th and 12th November 2017, alongside other style icons to share from the wealth of his knowledge and participate in Africa’s finest fashion fair. Here are a few fun facts about him:

J Alexander originally wanted to be an accountant: Alexander initially dreamed of becoming an accountant. However, after realizing that the job was too confining for his persona and after meeting the then-president of Elite Model Management Monique Pillard, he decided that he was made for the fashion industry. Impressed with his style, Pillard then signed him to her agency and sent him to Tokyo, where he graced the runway for Jean Paul Gaultier and he hasn’t looked back since then. Think GTBank can convince him to give accountancy a try again?

He has coached some of the world’s biggest models: Alexander’s career as a runway coach began accidentally; he would coach models backstage and eventually became recognized for his skills as a coach. He has been coaching and casting since 1991. Through working hard and smart, he eventually rose to prominence in this field when he coached the supermodels Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks and also model Kimora Lee Simmons. He has also worked with other runway models for popular designers such as Valentino, Galliano, Bill Blass, Alexander McQueen, Chanel and Nina Ricci.

Every outfit Miss J wears on ANTM, he made for himself by hand: J Alexander has famously stated “with the exception of the nurse’s outfit: “I did make the hat and the bag. “All the dresses that you see me wear at the challenges, I actually sit down with a needle and thread, not even with a sewing machine, and make them all by hand. I made the ruffles and everything.” Seriously what can’t J Alexander do?

He has also appeared on international versions of Top Model: J Alexander has also being a judge and runway coach on other versions of Top Models such as Canada’s Next Top Model, Holland’s Next Top Model, Korea’s Next Top Model, Estonia’s Next Top Model and Scandinavia’s Next Top Model. Alexander appeared on the 4 May 2008 episode of Finland’s version of ANTM. In 2009 and the 2011 final, Alexander appeared on Britain’s Next Top Model.

He’s a stickler for good posture: J Alexander takes good posture so seriously that it is one major feature of his book “Follow the Model: Miss J’s Guide to Unleashing Presence, Poise, and Power” When asked if he advises strangers about their posture, he said, “I told Mischa Barton at a Marc Jacob’s show to sit up straight. She looked at me like I was completely mad. She was sitting in front of me and it was painful to watch her so I put my hand out and pushed the middle of her back, and I told her, ‘You’re hurting my back just looking at you.”

This year’s Fashion Weekend promises to be bigger and is scheduled to hold at Plot 1 Water Corporation, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos. So, why be somewhere else when you can attend the event and be at Miss J’s Masterclass?

To participate in his masterclass, visit fashionweekend.gtbank.com/masterclass and register.

 

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Business

Abdul Samad Rabiu Leads the Way as ASR Africa Deliver on N5 Billion Commitment to IBB Library

Published

on

Abdul Samad Rabiu  Leads the Way as ASR Africa Delivers on N5 Billion Commitment to IBB Library

 

 

Abuja, Nigeria – February 21, 2025

 

 

The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) is pleased to announce the full redemption of its N5 billion pledge to the IBB Presidential Library Fund, fulfilling the commitment made by our Founder and Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, CFR, CON at the launch event yesterday. The pledge was successfully redeemed today, February 21, 2025, ensuring that work can begin immediately on this landmark institution.

 

ASR AFRICA REDEEMS N5 BILLION PLEDGE TO IBB PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY FUND

 

Speaking on this milestone, our Founder & Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, said, “History is not just a record of the past; it is a blueprint for the future. The IBB Presidential Library will serve as a vital resource for scholars, leaders, and all Nigerians seeking to understand the decisions and events that shaped our country.”

 

ASR Africa extends our gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his inspiring remarks and to General Ibrahim Babangida, GCFR, for his bold vision in establishing this library and for honoring our Founder & Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu as Chief Launcher alongside General TY Danjuma.

 

With this pledge fully redeemed, ASR Africa looks forward to seeing the IBB Presidential Library take shape as a lasting legacy for future generations.

Continue Reading

Business

Arthur Eze Declares Babangida Saved His Life, Donates ₦500 Million at Book Launch

Published

on

Arthur Eze Declares Babangida Saved His Life, Donates ₦500 Million at Book Launch

Arthur Eze Declares Babangida Saved His Life, Donates ₦500 Million at Book Launch

Nigerian business magnate and philanthropist Arthur Eze made a powerful declaration at the recent launch of former military president General Ibrahim Babangida’s (Rtd) book, expressing profound gratitude for the retired leader’s impact on his life and career.

In a speech filled with emotion and reverence, Eze credited Babangida with saving his life and shaping his success. “You made me what I am today. Without you, I could have been a dead man,” Eze said, drawing applause from the crowd of dignitaries gathered for the high-profile event.

The billionaire businessman went on to announce a ₦500 million donation as a gesture of appreciation, underscoring Babangida’s pivotal role in his survival and rise to prominence.

The book launch, held in grand fashion, attracted political elites, business leaders, and cultural icons from across Nigeria, all gathered to honor the legacy of General Babangida. Known as one of Nigeria’s most influential and controversial military leaders, Babangida’s time in office (1985-1993) is remembered for its political, economic, and social reforms, as well as its polarizing decisions.

Arthur Eze’s remarks highlighted the deep personal ties between the two men and added a new dimension to Babangida’s influence on Nigeria’s business landscape.

Observers noted that Eze’s statement hinted at untold stories of political alliances and behind-the-scenes decisions that shaped Nigeria’s elite class. While no details were provided about the circumstances that prompted Eze’s life-saving intervention by Babangida, the billionaire’s public acknowledgment has sparked curiosity about their shared history.

Eze, known for his philanthropic work and influence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, has long been a powerful figure in Nigeria’s business community. His donation further cements his reputation as one of Nigeria’s most generous and loyal benefactors.

As the book launch concluded, many in attendance reflected on the enduring bonds of loyalty, gratitude, and political legacy in Nigeria’s power circles—bonds that continue to define the nation’s history and future.

This dramatic public acknowledgment by Eze is expected to spark more discussions about Babangida’s impact on Nigeria’s political and business elite and could inspire deeper explorations into the untold stories of Nigeria’s most influential figures.

Continue Reading

Business

Can Musawa turn around Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy? By Akeem Atoyebi

Published

on

Can Musawa turn around Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy? By Akeem Atoyebi

Can Musawa turn around Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy?

By Akeem Atoyebi

 

The bane of development of the country called Nigeria is the overriding importance attached to politics, cronyism, patronage over competence in political appointments.

The foregoing is one of the cardinal submissions of Professor Richard Joseph in his seminal book: Prebedan Politics in Nigeria.

The Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy is one of the most important in the country given the primacy of the triad on which the ministry stands.

The minister in charge of this sensitive ministry without prejudice is said to be brilliant lawyer, but analysts have doubted her suitness for the ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy.

This reservation came early, but it would seem the retardation, lack of creative activity, immense inability to harness the potential of the triad of the ministry: arts, culture and tourism – may have validated the position and doubts of those who earlier criticised her appointment as evidence of politics trouncing competence.

Professor Adeagbo Moritiwon a political scientist told this medium that ” the earlier Musawa is removed the better for the creative economy. Let me be frank with you that woman is a misfit in the ministry, she may do well if moved to another ministry because no one doubts her brilliance. When she was a columnist at Daily Trust I always followed her incisive commentary. Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy economy can generate money for Nigeria but I doubt her knowledge of what it takes to run the ministry to efficiency and money generation.

The Nigerian government has set a goal of generating $100 billion from creative sector involving tourism, culture and creative economy by 2030.

Dr. Funke Akinmade, a theatre arts scholar noted that “the creative economy has enormous potential to generate money but only waiting for creative manager as minister to harness the resources and potential therein.

The creative economy is already Nigeria’s second-largest employer, and it could create more jobs by 2025 if well harnessed.

GDP

The tourism industry can generate foreign exchange for Nigeria, which can boost the country’s foreign reserves. There are many countries of the world that rely solely on tourism.

Already the Tinubu administration approved the establishment of the Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation.
The government is focusing on monetizing intellectual property and generating revenue from cultural and tourism assets.
It’s also creating access to international markets for Nigerian creative products and talent.

For clarity, creative economy includes arts, crafts, festivals, museums, libraries, and more.
But these enormous potentials are in danger of not being realized as a result of the Minister in charge, Akinmade declared in her chat with this medium.

Since the appointment of Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa as Minister of Culture and Creative Economy and Lately Tourism, the Ministry has been lackluster.

Analysts pointed out her lack of charisma, inability to bond with practitioners and stakeholders, her insistence on spotlights and press conferences when there’s actually nothing to showcase.
” Honestly it’s like a land full of gold lying fallow”, Akinmade continued, raising fears of possible collapse of the Ministry if President Tinubu failed to bring in capable hand to run the otherwise promising Ministry vitiated by incompetence of the current manager.

One commentator Frank Nwete said that “She is overwhelmed by an industry that presents plenty of advantages and numerate creative, hard-working Nigerians in the private sector and dwarfed by her own fears and inadequacies.

” I won’t waste my time highlighting many of her assumed operational deliverables, which are works of sorcery and kitted from the kitchen of black magic, painted in dramatic colours of deception and grandstanding.

” It’s indeed in the public space that her first ever and last stakeholders meeting targeting solely the creative community failed flat because madam minister had no Intel on how the creative community in Nigeria struggled without help from government to brace into international recognition and influence.

“Her ground zero operational evangelical approach stirred up bitterness and irked both public and private sector institutional memories minders

“How can a learner tell experienced drivers the mechanism of driving a bus on a busy highway, not minding that there were established institutional regulations and ethos before the learner came to be.
Though the above criticism by Nweke might appear harsh, many stakeholders are agreed that she has not done well.

“With over thirteen agencies under the ministry, the Minister that can effectively harness the potential must certainly be a person of long standing presence in the creative ecosystem, who has not only the experience but the drive and enthusiasm to make a difference”, Professor David Onieatan, a culture enthusiast and literary scholar told this newspaper.

Musawa has been accused of policy grandstanding, and many have pointed out her determination to work and operate outside government structured administrative ecosystems as one of the reasons for the alleged dislocations and dysfunctional in the system in the past two years.

Nweke said ,”Sadly, how she survived the last cabinet reshuffle speaks volumes of the seriousness and promises of President Ahmed Tinubu to harness the economic values of the industry.

In the last two years, Hannatu Musa Musawa ranks tops as the most travelled minister in this president Tinubu administration, allegedly on government funds without identifiable deliverables.

Early in the week a viral video called for the sacking of an alleged Hannatu Musa Musawa appointed Director of General Services by the ministry workers. The video trended all over . The Ali Abu Sufiyanu ( the Director General Services) must go calls was another embarrassment.

There have been a lot of controversies, but the icing on the cake is the near revolt of the staff of the ministry seen in form of protest calling for the sack of Ali for incompetence and a slew of grievances that bother on contracts awards without due process.
It’s high time the President reviewed her appointment by moving her to another ministry and bring a competent hand.

Atoyebi a journalist wrote in from Lagos

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending