Truly Grateful... Let the New Year Begin : D

Thank you all for your support, I am truly grateful for everything that God has given me this year and I'm looking forward to next year being fruitful, healthy and happy!

Be blessed and Happy Holidays.

Love FT!

Holiday Pick - Love FT!

source: Mrs Lilien

LOVE

I absolutely love the 70s and Sixties style. This is reminiscent of Twiggy's look in the 60s! So beautiful!

I love this Donna Karan shoot in Haiti so beautiful

TIME FOR GIVING -

To my esteemed customers/FT likers and viewers,

FT BOUTIQUE has decided to donate 5% for every item (new or old) sold for the rest of December to help the people affected by floods in Dar es Salaam.

Every little can help someone in A Big way. Also if you have blankets, clothes, food please find a way to donate. I truly feel sorry for all the kids and babies who are helpless.

Love FT.

Oysterbay shopping centre (Sweet Eazy building) next to Top Knots hair & beauty salon

City Underwater

As most people were psyched about the Festive season, there aren't much festivities going on due to heavy rains in our beautiful city. It has seen 13 people and maybe more dead and thousands stranded with no shelter and little help. Dar es Salaam is drowning bit by bit and team FT would like to wish everyone all the safety during this trying time.

As much as we can help we should please, whether donating or physically helping. Every little helps!

Houses under water

BE SAFE AND BE BLESSED! 

Wishing you a SLEEK Festive Season!

Oysterbay Shopping Centre next to Top Knots Hair & Beauty Salon

HOLIDAY COLLECTION NOW IN STORE

Karibu and shop a fun filled collection with a lot of FT's classiness!

Beaded Jewellery made and designed by FT! 

FESTIVE SEASON FUN PICKs!

I will possibly be cruising on a boat watching fireworks light up the sky all around Dar, having great food, great music and surrounded by fun people! Thinking of what to wear mmmh!

Model Love:

Atui for Flaunt, Gorgeous!

It couldn't get Better than This!- CLASSY!

Models Love

THE IMPECCABLE - BI KIDUDE

Mesmerising the crowd at TEDeX Dar

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING JUST GOT BETTER!

Gorgeous: G B

Love the necklace

FT's Pick

Million Man March

The night has been long, The wound has been deep, The pit has been dark, And the walls have been steep. Under a dead blue sky on a distant beach, I was dragged by my braids just beyond your reach. Your hands were tied, your mouth was bound, You couldn't even call out my name. You were helpless and so was I, But unfortunately throughout history You've worn a badge of shame. I say, the night has been long, The wound has been deep, The pit has been dark And the walls have been steep.

10% OF PICHINI COLLECTION TO HOUSE OF PEACE

As you all know FT Boutique is giving out 10% of every PICHINI purchase to the HOUSE OF PEACE.

I though I'd share with you all the magnitude of this cause. This is a story of one of the women. I urge you to please make contributions, every little helps. A lot of women go through violence but are afraid to let go and move on!

Tanzania: Battered Women Find Safety in House of Peace

Ichikaeli Maro

8 July 2010

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Ashura and Alice are among the 33 women and 17 children who live in the house in an anonymous location in Dar es Salaam. The House of Peace is an initiative established in 2002 to provide temporary shelter for women and children who are victims of gender based violence.Dar Es Salaam — ASHURA Iddi (25) is a mother of one and pregnant for her second child. Her colleague Alice Mlatu is a mother to two boys, 11 and four years, respectively. Both are survivors of abusive relationship and accommodated at the House of Peace in Dar es Salaam.

Ashura and her colleagues, although victims of violence, continue to be hosted at the house to gain some strength that will allow them to feel dignified again. Narrating how she went to the house, Ashura says: "My husband and I got married in 2003. We got one child within one year of our marriage and because we agreed to observe child spacing I had to go for family planning. "In 2009 my husband changed, he started staying out late...sometimes up to 2am and started beating me and blaming me for not conceiving and threatened to marry another woman.

I had to leave the contraceptives and within three months I was pregnant. But even then he insisted he could no longer live with me, he was planning to marry another woman. "He continued to come home late, beat me up and chase me out of our bedroom with my child. One day he woke up at 9am, found me on the corridor and insisted I must leave the house otherwise he would kill me.

He took his motorbike and left. He came back at 12 noon and asked why I was still in his house...he beat me until neighbours came to my rescue. Ashura says she was seriously hurt and that her husband took her to hospital where, however, she was refused treatment pending presentation of a PF 3.

"He took me be back home and left me there. At around 6pm he called asking if I could walk and meet him at a place called Madoeko. On arrival I found him with a woman whom he said was the one who deserved to be with him and not me," she says. But that was not all.

The poor woman received another beating from her husband in front of the other woman and other passersby. "He beat me till I became unconscious.

Good Samaritans took me to Amana hospital where I was admitted. He never came to see me for all the time I was at the hospital. When I was discharged, I decided to go back to my matrimonial home and called to inform him but he came and chased me out of the house with my child," she says.

Ashura who hails from Lindi, says her family members advised her to leave the house or else she would get killed. She, however, says she did not have any money to go back to her home in Lindi. She left her matrimonial home, though and started to roam around the streets with her child. She says life was tough especially at night because she did not have a place to sleep. Some of her friends would invite her, but still it was difficult for her. Her child caught a cold and was coughing extensively.

"I thought of committing suicide because all what I had after selling my wedding ring so that my child could eat was finished. I was directed to offices of the Tanzania Women Lawyers Association (TAWLA) to present my case. TAWLA asked me if I knew the House of Peace situated at an anonymous place at Msasani. I was directed to the place and given bus fare.

"Staff at the House of Peace received us and have been supporting me and my child with all the basic necessities. I am at peace planning for my next step in life," she says. It is such horrible incidents that pushed the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), United Nations Fund for Women (UNIFEM), US Embassy in Tanzania and several public and private enterprises to organise and launch a special campaign titled: "Don't kick her, kick the ball" to advocate for non-violent relationships and support activities of the House of Peace.

The campaign coincides with the first football World Cup in Africa. The campaign uses footballs with the "Don't kick her, kick the ball" slogan to advocate for free-violent relationships. The footballs will be sold at Protea Hotels and Shoppers supermarkets and profits from the sales will be channelled to the House of Peace. The House of Peace is the only crisis centre for women in Dar es Salaam. It provides shelter, legal and health care, food and clothing to women and children survivors of gender-based violence.

Clients to the centre are brought by organisations dealing with human rights advocacy groups and institutions such as TAWLA, Tanzania Media Women Association (TAMWA), the police as well as Amana hospital and Muhimbili National Hospital. At the house women and their children are given three-month shelter after which she must be in a position for alternative means to cope with life.

"But the state under which these women come, we find it difficult to let them go within that time. Some are severely bartered, we have to treat them, provide counselling and means to start new life," says a social worker at the house. Other parties in the campaign, launched by the Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children, Mrs Margaret Sitta, are Coroina Society and Dar es Salaam-based Diplomats' spouses.

Prevailing gender norms show that sexual violence such as rape in intimate relationships are still considered culturally-acceptable by both men and women. Dr Julitta Onabanjo, UNFPA Country Representative, urges the government to mobilise and sustain resources and provide a safe environment where women's rights are respected and where they can live without fear of being violated or abused.

She says the objective of the initiative is to show the world where has Africa come from, who are the people of Africa and what are they doing. "A lot has been done...at the same time poverty across the continent still has female face-girls and women keep dying while giving birth, women still lag behind in education. Many dream of Africa where they can live freely, with dignity and respect."

She says it is women like Ashura and her colleagues that inspired UNFPA and partners to organise the initiative. The event was also attended by the US Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Alfonso Lenhardt and his wife Jacqueline. "Ashura has courage to raise her voice to talk about what is the reality for many women in Tanzania," she said. According to her, in Dar es Salaam alone almost half of women who have been in a relationship have experienced physical or sexual violence at the hands of a partner.

"Inequality and injustice are still part of everyday life for women particularly in the rural areas and this must stop," she says, adding there is no noble cause than to stop all forms of violence against women and children. She praises President Jakaya Kikwete for the launch in 2008 of a "Say no to violence against women" campaign led by UNIFEM.

President Kikwete was the second African Head of State after President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal to sign on the UNIFEM campaign. Mr Kikwete also promised the government's commitment to end violence against women, review laws and take necessary measures to make it happen.

To her, so many women in Tanzania are suffering but stick to abusive relationships because they are poor. She said the only solution to women's suffering was to empower them economically. The ministry, in collaboration with development Partners, has been conducting violence against women campaigns in the Lake Zone where it is widely believed that "a woman will never feel loved by her husband until she is bartered." About 700 million US dollars have been set aside for the campaign against such cultural practices which the minister rubbishes.Mrs Sitta could not hold her emotion as she heard Ashura's ordeal, saying, "There are so many women in Tanzania suffering the same way -- they are still bartered and some are killed. She said, wondering: "How many men are suffering the same as women? Why are women bartered? Vividly disturbed, the minister told the gathering that even educated men in the country barter their wives.

EasyWear at Artisan Market

FT EasyWear Top and FT Accesories

FT EasyWear, FT Accessories and Pichini Collection

This past weekend as I posted last week, there was an Artisan Market at the Oysterbay Shopping Centre. I must say I opened my mum's salon in 2005 and FT Boutique in 2009 since then I have never seen that place that packed. It was a great experience full of so many creative people from around Tanzania. I was pleased to be around so many creative women who were selling their talent and not looking for popularity.

I have for a long time been making clothes with my mum, and my little sister. My Mum is a professional tailor with skills like no one i've ever seen. I am a very creative designer, when I touch a pencil to draw I can design for days. My creativity just pours! : D

I found these great fabrics and told my mum i'd love to display some at the market if they let me since The Artisan Market is not just for anyone, you must be registered and be about something and giving back to the community not just selling for your own profit. 

So in two days we made EasyWear by FT and the response was great, all were sold out, I was so happy! Plus more orders that people asked me to make! 

Let me tell you about FT Accessories, when I thought of FT long time ago 5 years back or more I actually wanted Finishing Touches to be the finishing touches that make your outfit. I wanted to make great and unique jewellery. Anyway, after the first sells, I travelled back to London and the person who made my designs decided to sell the designs to shops around Dar and ran away. So I kept busy with my career so the other day I thought I should revive my passion and seriously I never thought I'd get such a great response. I thank God for it and the organisers of the Artisan Market for allowing me to display my creativity.

Since we are giving out 10% of our Pichini Sales to The House Of Peace, we decided to also display the collection and thank you to those who supported the cause, it was great knowing you all do like to help women who go through Domestic Violence.

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE ON EASYWEAR by FT!

Gorgeous Naturals

Solange and Jannelle Monae

Gorgeous J Monae

These two ladies know their style and keep to it and they are known for it! Jannelle keeps to her signature black and white as opposed to the lovely Solo who changes it up and is not afraid to experiment with style which has worked on her favor!

Ladies SWITCH IT UP!

ASILI NATURAL HAIR SALON

Cool art at ASILI

Hey guys, If you have natural hair and are out with the chemicals in your hair like me. There's a new home in town for natural hair ONLY!

You can do all the styles you like dreads, twists, plait, styling of your natural hair without extensions. The added factor, natural products and treatments.

Past weekend I went for the first time, since every salon I went to for my afro they just didn't do it justice at all. I left ASILI a satisfied customer, and realised I love my natural texture of hair.

Asili is located right opposite Shoppers Plaza in Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Trust me go try them, I know i'm there this or next weekend. I'd go everyday if I could : D

Paris' Mon Amore

Look of the day...

Would so wear this for work! Gorgeous!

A dapper man

FT's Pick of the day

Elegant days for an Elegant lady!

Style Stars

Since J.Hud lost weight her style game has been up there! This white Versace coat is absolutely Gorge!

It creates some elegance in her look.

Michael Cors suits are just daringly bold in colours and I for one love bold colours. This is a beautiful cut suit Mrs Steel is adorning.

BEAUTY = SHALA M.

 

The Beautiful Ms. Shala Monroque in a shoot for Vogue Japan! Very elegant, very classy, fun filled and what I love about it all is the natural make up! Makes me want to book a holiday in the beautiful Carribean Islands somewhere!

More pics

KARIBU FT BOUTIQUE

THIS  SARTUDAY GUYS, YOU ARE VERY WELCOME (KARIBUNI SANA) TO THE ARTISAN MARKET! IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR! GET YOUR GIFTS AND ENJOY THE FESTIVE SEASON..

FT BOUTIQUE WILL HAVE A STALL OUTSIDE OUR SHOP, WE WILL BE INTRODUCING SOME NEW STUFF PLUS SELLING PICHINI ITEMS TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE HOUSE OF PEACE!

SEE YOU THERE, DON'T FORGET!

EDITOR AT LARGE - INTERVIEW

So my fierce Super Model Naomi is the new Editor at Large of Interview magazine. Isn't that exciting! Nobody can do it like Naomi, she knows her work and continues to wow the world! Go Naomi!

NEW CLUTCH BAGS AND JUMPSUITS...

AVAILABLE AT FT BOUTIQUE!

LADIES IT IS TIME TO DRESS!

PLEASE REMEMBER WE ARE GIVING 10% TO THE HOUSE OF PEACE, HELPING REDUCE GENDER BASED VIOLENCE! 

BE FASHIONABLE. BE CHARITABLE!

Have a Great week Lovelies..

10% AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

This is only happening at FT BOUTIQUE!

PRIDE + MODEST

The gorgeous Ms Tyra Banks

“While I know myself as a creation of God, I am also obligated to realize and remember that everyone else and everything else are also God's creation.”

Maya Angelou

Have a Lovely Weekend Everyone : D

Mother Daughter

Diana Ross and Tracee Ellis Ross

A mother is the one person who will climb hills and mountains, walk through fire just to see a smile on your face!

I love my Mama, she is a blessing and the best, been there for me through thick and thin! I love to see her smile, she has the most beautiful laugh. Straight from the heart, she is so sweet when she is shy : )

This is dedicated to all the mothers who give their best to their children no matter what! Do remember if you give up, who will teach what you brought into the world. Be a great Mother, Most of all Be a great  role model!

Jordan Dunn

Last week I had the cover for Jordan's I-D magazine shoot! Here is the feature, how beautiful is she. Bless!