Roberta Annan's efforts mark her as a general in the growing army of distinguished professionals elevating African fashion from a series of spectacular runway shows to a legitimate industry.

It's time we get to the root of it all... literally!

Unlike NYFW and it's European counterparts, ARISE Magazine Fashion Week kept its audience captive in daily shows that generally started at 6 p.m. and ended at 1 a.m. and featured up to 22 designers a day.

As designer after designer took a bow -- I found myself doing something I usually refrain from at fashion shows -- giving applause. I was as proud of them as they were of their continent.

Those keeping their eyes fixed solely on the catwalk saw why the wait was worth it: a collective of talented young designers who are redefining African fashion.

Could a country that could barely provide consistent energy sufficiently lead development in Africa's fashion industry? Is ARISE truly the brand that can guide in that development?

The Calvin Klein billboard which has broken taboos, elevated the brand, and sparked the careers of Hintnaus, Wahlberg and Bergen before him -- is about to change it all for him too.

This rookie's show may not have delivered the polish of a Michael Kors or the production of a Diane Von Furstenberg, but for all it's lows it had achieved the ultimate high: connecting with an audience.

"I must admit, I am kind of tacky. I am kind of like a Vegas show girl," Zandile Blay said during our interview, but it couldn't be farther from the t...

Since exiting the magazine industry, Khirma Eliazov is now doing what countless Vogue alumni have: launched an eponymous fashion line.

Unlike your average women's magazine Tyra: Inside & Out will have one very unique element: Tyra, whose insides and outs will undoubtedly be featured every single day.

I had confused the icy stares and warnings she doles out to Project Runway contestants on television with the reception she would give in person.

After your fifth time on the fifth day of watching the same models walk up and down the runway you have a shocking epiphany: you don't really see the clothes.