Then I got the chance to go to Cape Town, which is always a relief, then Durban a few days later, which was quite an experience; Zululand, and the whole experience at the shaka village. And then back to Joburg and then back to Nairobi to fix a problem and finally I am back in Joburg. Mmh...this all happened in about 2 weeks.

So now here I am working on so many things; I thank God for the opportunity and the doors he keeps opening for me and I look forward to enjoying myself on this and hope that you will all enjoy what I am preparing to present your way this year.

Musically speaking
Got the opportunity to perform at SABC morning live, 2 weeks ago with Vincent on the keys. Thanks to Timothy, Gee, Romy and team.
Next thing I was at studio recording a hook for Coptic and featuring on that was also Mr. Veezy from Zambia.

On Monday, I just pulled off a hot ‘reggae-vibe' song with MXO at his studio here in Joburg. I will post it up as soon as we are done in about a week and I believe you will enjoy that one. Why do I smell a hit song?
If you are in Joburg on the 14th Feb.....yes Valentine's Day, Check us out for a great evening a lovely performance. Details will be up shortly.

If you are in Joburg on the 27th Feb and you know what's good for your life musically, Please come and check me out at ‘Cantare' - Monte Casino. I will be performing with MXO and Bheki Khoza. MMh! I even have goose bumps just thinking how much fun we will have on stage.

Already recorded a hot French song with Octave Couplet "La coeur qui crie l'amour!", then a Swahili song "Jambo! Mambo!" And lastly spoken word "Supermodel!" You know it's funny that I am struggling to take fashion out of my musical energy, but it just will never separate. It' like 2 -in-one. Anyway the "Supermodel "spoken word is a celebration of these heroes and even more of a motivational word to models.

You don't really have to be a fashion model to relate to the issues I address. Also will post that as soon as possible. You can listen to "La Coeur qui crie l'amour!" I already posted on http://www.africaunsigned.com/lizogumbo
I look forward to working with Brother Buntu as well. Thanks Gee. His musical ear is unbelievably too close to mine so I am certain we will create beautiful tunes.

Also I am grateful for my potential label and their interest. I hope something phenomenal comes out of this.

Lastly, I will stop on this music thing for now by expressing my innermost gratitude to my better half for all his faith in me and my untapped potential...and all his support!

On the fashion tip:
I am working on another new fresh collection for Africa Fashion Week in Dublin in April 2010. Thanks to Stha and the team out there.
House Of Imani has the pleasure of dressing one of the finalists for The face Of Africa finals in Lagos, Naija next month. That is one of my inspirations for my Little Black Dress concept too.

My little black dress concept is also in production as we speak. Just because I have avoided the black dress for too long and now it's time to pimp it up and celebrate it. Ladies, I know sometimes we focus too much on our complexion; what we think works and what does not, and we finally miss out on those very dresses that could get us the hotter dates! Lol!
Anyway, the House of Imani LBD's will be out in about 2 weeks and I will keep you all posted on that and which stores they will be available in.

I think I need to stop here and save the rest of my 2010 plans for another day.

Let's try to send whatever we can or give whatever we can to Haiti. please try.... It makes all the difference.

For all your 2010 objectives/goals, get on your knees and pray that God help you achieve all that you ever-imagined. Put your mind, body and soul to it and make it happen because we were given this life to live in ABUNDANCE! Not in little unsatisfaction and all that comes with it...

The hot 8-live- girl band; a drummer, a pianist, a bassist, a guitarist and three backup musicians. The band was dressed and styled by Imani hse of Fashion - Liz Ogumbo in different pieces from the popular ‘Dress-a-Croch' collection. Liz , the founder and director of Imani International Modeling Management/ Imani Hse Of Fashion was also the lead vocalist of the sensational Girl Band performance which stole the evening. as the readings continued. Thanks to the British Council for their support.

Despite the sudden rain and double traffic on the 24th July 09 evening as we got ready for the beautiful evening of live jazz renditions by Liz's girl band dressed in Imani Hse Of Fashion's ‘dress-a-croch collection, the cocktail was hot!

Kenyan designer, Liz Ogumbo of Imani House of Fashion, launched it's ‘Dress-a-croch' collection at the first ever Arise Africa Fashion Week in Johannesburg on Friday 19th June, 2009 at 6:00pm which was sold out completely, hence an evening cocktail event at the Clubarn to give Imani lovers in Nairobi a chance to experience and celebrate the collection.

The setting was just perfect. The lighting was just enough to set the mood right; a laid-back jazz-y kind of feel. Guests started streaming in at about 7.30 all coming to celebrate the ‘Dress-a-croch' collection by Imani Fashion House. Family, friends and various people from the ‘it' crowd; likes of Emo Kule, dressed in the strict dress code colours; red, orange, black and/or white; the main colours of the ‘dress-a-croch' collection which was also shown at the South Africa Fashion Week in Johannesburg. Some guests were wearing the pieces they had ordered from the collection. At the door was, a stand serving the guests free glasses of sangria and baileys and two scouts from the fashion house to welcome the guests.

Imani House of Fashion, a clothing line designed to say less but exude mere edge through its simple elegance was incorporated in early 2007 by Liz Ogumbo, Model, and Imani into Model Management founder and director, artist and fashion icon.

‘Imani House of Fashion' is based in Nairobi, Kenya. All the work and tailoring takes place within the same location as we come up with fresh designs distributed to retail sales outlets and customers globally through the internet to reach ‘Imani House of Fashion' lovers across the globe.

Kenyan designer, Liz Ogumbo of Imani House of Fashion, launched it's ‘Dress-a-croch' collection at the first ever Arise Africa Fashion Week in Johannesburg on Friday 19th June, 2009 at 6:00pm which was sold out completely. A lot of last minute tickets were given away to callers on radio stations such as Kaya, metro radio, Radio 2000 amongst other media groups during Liz's interviews and surely, audience turned out in masses.

Kenyan designer, The Imani House of Fashion, will debut the Dress-a-croch collection at the first ever Arise Africa Fashion Week in Joburg on Friday 19, June, 2009 at 6:00pm.

Designer Liz Ogumbo Dress-a-croch collection is inspired by a visit to her mother's house and local Kenyan crochet styles.

"On a brief visit to my mother's house, I found myself staring and falling in love with her well-spread old- skul crochet table clothe and my 'Dress-a-croch' collection came to life made out of cotton-poly fabric and with hints and finishing's of old-skul crochet techniques. The dots and bright colours bring out a vibrance and "all-time classic" edge that dressaholics must look out for this season", says Liz.

SUNDAY TIMES, Lifestyle Sunday, 14 June 2009

KENYAN model-turned-designer Liz Ogumbo learnt about Arise Africa Fashion Week during a visit to Joburg last year when she overheard a couple of PR people talking about it, she recalls. "I told them I'm African, I'm upcoming and I'm interested."

Ogumbo has been designing for her label, Imani House of Fashion, from her Nairobi studio for the past three years. Like her, the line is playful and urban, taking from the energy of busy streets of Kenya's capital as well as traditional design elements. Kikoi fabric is reimagined as mini shirtdresses with plunging necklines and denim comes in balloon dresses with cinched waists.

"Some people say the line is not African enough; it's too modern," she says. "I'd rather be too modern and described as just a designer rather than an African designer. Everyone's importing things from here, we need to be producing it so the world can say: so thats what's really happening in Africa."

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