The Toghu taking a giant step: Contri collection by EB Kreations

Language is a means of communication and it identifies peoples and culture. Accents identify geographic regions anthropologically. Majority of the time, you can tell where a person is from by what he/she is wearing.

 The Toghu is uniquely Cameroonian :the identity of the grass-fields region. It's designs vary depending on taste, traditional ranking and cultural heritage which is diverse when it comes to that part of Cameroon. Over the years the toghu has gathered steam show casing our rich culture as the official wear in major international events especially the Olympics. Young designers have added a modern touch to it, eroding the too officious stigma to more every day ready to wear collections. This cuts across all the age groups and gender. The Toghu is rich in colour, it brings out the hospitality of the north west and western region of Cameroon.

The journey of finding the perfect profession can start at a very early age: first as a hobby that later, supported by studies, can grow into something bigger than just  pure curiosity – your passion, your work, your future. This is exactly the story of EBANGHA NKWANYUO the DOUALA CAMEROON based fashion stylist and creative director of @EB Kreations. 

Her drive and passion has led her to many new opportunities. In Aug 2013 she founded her own  brand @EB Kreations that was shown recently during her 2015, EB KREATIONS  fashion week in LIMBE, BUEA, KUMBA and DOUALA, where she lectures on Design & Styling, i asked her to share few words about how her career took off and what are her experiences in the fashion industry.

Becoming a stylist was always something she dreamt about. Her interest started with early childhood, she used to organize mini shows for my family and friends, and she did all styling for those shows together with her sisters. With time, it grew into more serious interest and later it became her passion and her work.

WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION FOR WORK?

CONTRI"COLLECTION

"CONTRI" EB Kreations embraces TOGHU for 2015 ready to wear collection.

.CONTRI:The Nostalgic feeling only Toghu ignites.

Toghu is our local Cameroonian design with a rich illustration of the gong and other cultural symbols on the print. I am inspired by the prestigious toghu design of the Northwest and western people of Cameroon

Since I started my little sojourn I have been working with west african prints and I suddenly developed a burden to do a proudly Cameroonian ready to wear collection.

The "contri closs" as locally known has been poorly represented in my country. Young people will say it's for

 their parents. The bourgeoisie. North westerners use it to potray luxury and royalty but I believe it's our identity as Cameroonians and we should all tow the line and identify ourselves.

This is a proudly Cameroonian Collection and so I designed simple ready to wear pieces fused with elegance to cut across all age groups and With the right attitude these outfits can be worn to work, cocktails, church and casual visits.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR DESIGN, TASTE AND JOB?

That I can put my fantasy out there. I enjoy the whole creative process starting from research, preparing the whole look and then to finally presenting it. It is a feeling that I can never describe in words – it’s a magic that is beyond my dreams.

YOUR FASHION BRAND EB KREATIONS HAS A VERY UNIGUE CONCEPT, CAN YOU TELL A BIT MORE ABOUT IT?

The whole concept behind EB KREATIONS, TOGHU clothing line was born from my imagination of the rich colorful culture and outfit of the Northwest Region of Cameroon. I want to bring this exquisite attire to a reality, and mostly the world with all  inner fierceness and dynamism. I want people to feel the energetic and sassy vibe behind the Toghu– this is what our brand is all about. We have built a very distinctive brand with a strong personality.

Photography: core5medis

Makeup:Muenge for Zaron

Stylist: Ebangha

Celebrities highlight the popularity of the toghu

Fidelia Nkwain of Fashion Model, actress. A cameroonian living in America

 

 Manka Nadine, a humanitarian model and philanthropist. A Cameroonian living in Canada

Eleanor Herman! (Traditional title Ya'ah) New York Times best-seller a historian, a fascinating writer and author of Legacy of kings. At the US Northwest Fons council meeting. Such a wonderful human being, so kind, so lovely

Mr. Anjeh Divine,(Traditional title Ngamfon) A terrific teacher and Treasurer of the Northwest Fons council meeting in the US.

Artist/musician, PBRODAS, his wife and daughters. An outstanding artist with a high taste of fashion. A Cameroonian living in America

Eku Edewor, a Nigerian TV presenter, who was in Cameroon for the Ecran noire festival.

Stevie Wonder, a world class artist, awards winner and philanthropist, wearing the toghu, a traditional attire from Cameroon. 

The following are some of the Awards bestowed on Stevie Wonder as a result of his artistic work.

969	US Distinguished Service Award	US Government
1974	Presidential Award	National Assn. of Recording Merchandisers
1983	Induction	Song Writers Hall of Fame
1984	Founders Award	ASCAP
1985	Artist of the Decade	National Assn. of Recording Merchandisers
1985	Best Original Song (I Just Called to Say I Love You)	Academy Award - Oscar
1985	Best Original Song - Motion Picture (I Just Called to Say I Love You)	Golden Globe
1986	W.C. Handy Award for "Outstanding Humanitarian Efforts"	Black Gold Awards
1989	Induction	Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
1990	Honorary Global Founders “Don’t Drive Drunk” Award	Recording Artists Against Drunk Driving
1994	Star Unveiled	Hollywood Walk of Fame
1996	Lifetime Achievement Award	National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences
1998	Ambassador of Peace Award	United Nations
1999	Polar Music prize	The Royal Swedish Academy of Music
1999	MusiCares Person of the Year	GRAMMY Awards committee
1999	Kennedy Center Honor	Kennedy Center
2000	Lifetime Achievement Award	Rhythm & Blues Foundation Pioneer Awards
2001	Lifetime Achievement Award	Ivor Novello Awards (UK)
2002	Lifetime Achievement Award	Songwriters Hall Of Fame
2003	Walk of Fame Honor	BET Honors
2004	Artistic Achievement award	T.J. Martell Foundation
2004	Lifetime Achievement 2004	Billboard Century Award
2005	Lifetime Achievement Award	City of Detroit
2006	Michigan Walk of Fame	Michigan State
2006	National Artistic Achievement Award	A Capitol Fourth
2006	Maria Fisher Founder's Award for Public Service	Thelonius Monk Institute
2006	Lifetime Achievement Freedom Award	Civil Rights Museum
2006	Legends in Songwriting Award	Clive Davis Award
2007	American Troubadour Award	ASCAP
2007	Living Legend Award	American Society of Young Musicians
2007	Lifetime Achievement Award	National Civil Rights Museum
2007	Hope of Los Angeles Award	City of Los Angeles
2008	Hall of Fame Award	National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People
2008	Gershwin Prize	Library of Congress
2009	Spirit Award	Montreal Jazz Festival
2009	UN Messenger of Peace	United Nations
2010	Living Legend Award	California's African American Museum
2010	AAPD Image Award	The American Association of People with Disabilities
2010	Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres	France's Arts & Literature Award
2010	Honorary Doctorate	The Oberlin College
2011	Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Degree	Tulane University
2011	Hall of Fame Induction	The Apollo Theater
2012	Musical Arts Award	BET Honors
2012	Icon Award	Billboard
2013	Distinguished Individual Award	The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF)
2013	Music Makes One Global Ambassador Award	Mnet Asian Music Awards
2014	Epitome of Soul Award	The Consortium Mmt (Memphis Music Town)
2014	ASCAP Centennial Award	American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)
2014	The President's Medal of Freedom	Bestowed by an act of U.S. Congress — The highest civilian award of the United States

I think we as Cameroonians have to learn to glamourize our toghu attire, we have done for other fabrics like kente, angelina that are not originally ours.