DRC contestants Soudi Fatou (left) and Thethe Ntumba talk backstage between acts.
Stella gets her make up done for the “native” part of the event, where music from all 5 countries is played.
One of the many wardrobe changes that take place during the event.
The view from backstage as participants in Miss Mama Kilo 2015 enter the stage.
The "native" performance is the last act contestants have to perform alone in front judges and a packed crowd.
Soudi Fatou dances during the native performance. This year's jury came from Mali, Ivory Coast and Benin.
Nelly Okombi, from Republic of Congo, won the 7th edition of Miss Mama Kilo. As the new Miss Mama Kilo, she gets a weekend trip to Paris offered by one of the sponsors. This is Congo's third crown in seven years, but all of the contestants received cash prizes regardless of the their result.
Preparations continue until the day of the event at the Olympic Palace Hotel.
The event starts at 19H00, however contestants arrive early in the morning to get their hair and make up done.
Two contestants help each other prepare their hair in the backstage area of Miss Mama Kilo 2015.
Make up artists work all night on the day of Miss Mama Kilo. The event has 6 wardrobe changes, and contestants' makeup has to match each style.
Stella waits with the other contestants in anticipation, just moments before going on stage.
All 18 contestants carry their countries' flags. Republic of Congo was the most represented with five contestants.
Nelly Okombi from Congo took home the title of Miss Mama Kilo 2015.
The last rehearsal takes place at the Olympic Palace Hotel the day before the ceremony.
Magalie Opangot from Republic of Congo (left) and Jenny Elongo from Central African Republic share a moment together during rehearsal. It´s the third time they participate side by side in Miss Mama Kilo.
Rosine surveys the runway during the last rehearsal at the Continental Palace Hotel. She directs contestants with a firm hand at all times.
Stella Amoussou, from Porto Novo, Benin, runs a little cosmetic shop in Brazzaville with her family.
Julie Mangono, a comedian from Kinshasa, and Stella are close. Miss Mama Kilo has a friendly atmosphere where contestants always help each other out.
This year´s edition drew contestants from five countries: Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Benin and the Central African Republic.
Stella Amoussou is from Porto Novo, Benin. She moved to Brazzaville 15 years ago. Rosine approached her in the street and asked her to be part of this year´s Miss Mama Kilo.
Contestants rehearse twice a week at Rosine´s restaurant in Brazzaville.
Rehearsals become an attraction in the neighbourhood.
34 year-old Nesrine Chkioua is a technical inspector for the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) in France. She is one of the only three female technical inspectors in France – and the only female technical controller at the airport of Roissy-Charles de Gaulle - who can prevent an aircraft from taking off and force its passengers to exit the plane if she detects a security breach. She inspects about two aircrafts per day. When she shows up on the tarmac, station managers, pilots, and mechanics hold their breath.
Every minute of delay can cost up to 1,500 Euros to the company. But Nesrine pays no attention to the cost as she does her work: the plane must be in good standing. In 2012, 2,442 flights of foreign airline companies have been inspected. 673 of them were delayed before taking off because of security problems. Three planes needed so much maintenance that they were forbidden from taking off.
In this photo essay, we follow Nesrine and her colleague as they inspect a plane going to Lebanon. Our photographer also interviewed her about how she feel about her job and responsibilities. Technical inspectors’ working conditions are difficult, as they have to endure constant heavy noise and cold.
Backstage and runway images from the Islamic Fashion Show at the CNR Center in Istanbul Turkey. Several shows featuring Islamic designers and companies premiered throughout the weekend.
In Turkey, the perceived growing Islamization in the country can be seen even in couture. The economy is booming, making Turkey more wealthy than it has ever been in modern history – and designers in capital Istanbul, are quickly meeting the demand in the market for conservative Islamic consumers’ desire for chic, modest fashion.
But though there is growing demand for conservative attire, this is not the case for the significant secular community, as is reflected in recent protests fiercely opposing what demonstrators believe is a growing imposition of Islamic conservatism by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the ruling Justice and Development Party. Even President Abdullah Gül’s daughter was widely criticized on social media after wearing a headscarf in her wedding.
Despite the unrest, new companies such as wedding dress designer Filiz Yetim, whose gowns retail at up to 4,000 USD, and chain stores like "Armine" continue to spread across the country, selling every day wear and evening gowns to female shoppers.
Designers are using non-traditional techniques on the runway, moving away from the fashion runway norms, such as barefoot models.
"Fashion for men has to be smart," said designer Galina Boiko.
"Black Swan" is designed especially for women who are not afraid to express and portray their femininity
This avant-garde collection is called "True Iron." Most of the elements used are made out of various metals.
Avant garde collection
The Fall/Winter show at Argande, a more traditional line of Turkish clothing is shown at Istanbul Fashion Week in Istanbul Turkey.
In Istanbul designers are opening a new market in the world of fashion catering to more conservative Islamic consumers. These styles feature bright colors and modern cuts while still maintaining modesty and Islamic values. ALA Magazine, which means the most beautiful of the beautiful in Turkish, launched in 2011 features monthly spreads showing off the colorful head-scarves and wedding dresses women can purchase.
After a boom in the Turkish economy, many conservative consumers were left with a void in chic fashion. New companies are quickly filling the gap like designer Filiz Yetim, a wedding dress designer who's gowns retail at up to 4,000 USD. Chain stores like "Armine" are quickly spreading across the country, selling every day wear and evening gowns to female shoppers.
While high fashion may feature colorful prints and patterns, the designers are still basing their inspiration on traditional dress for Muslim women. "
The Fall/Winter show at Argande, a more traditional line of Turkish clothing is shown at Istanbul Fashion Week in Istanbul Turkey.
Designers, Models, Make-Up Artists & Spectators Gather For Tuvanam Fashion Show At Istanbul's Fashion Week 2013.
Models are made up by makeup teams before the Tuvanam show at Istanbul Fashion Week in Istanbul, Turkey.
Models are made up by makeup teams before the Tuvanam show at Istanbul Fashion Week in Istanbul, Turkey.
Models are made up by makeup teams before the Tuvanam show at Istanbul Fashion Week in Istanbul, Turkey.
Models are made up by makeup teams before the Tuvanam show at Istanbul Fashion Week in Istanbul, Turkey.
The Fall/Winter lineup during the Tuvanam show at Istanbul Fashion Week in Istanbul, Turkey.