Jan 19 2013

STYLE: Feeling Inadequate? Ridiculous ways to BOOST that self-esteem

You’re at an event with all the fabulous clothes and glamour; yet you feel you don’t look good enough. What do you do when insecurity sets in and your self-esteem comes crumbling down? Consider these ridiculous suggestions

1. Admit it. Allow it.
Admit that you’re feeling insecure and let the feeling sink in. (That’s the easiest way to let it go because the more you fight against that feeling, the more pronounced it becomes) Remember all the wonderful quotes on self-loving? This is when to pull them out.

2. Find something to laugh about.
It’s cruel but it works.Look at the crowd, try to spot any wardrobe malfunctions and laugh it off. It might be difficult at first, considering the fact that you’re having trouble appreciating your own outfit. Just keep laughing (it will feel forced initially) but do it till you end up laughing at yourself for trying to laugh at something that’s not funny. Let your mind travel, don’t be scared to go Fashion Police on them.

3. Dash to the ladies room.
Only do this when you feel an ounce better about yourself. Put on some mascara, redo your lipstick and tell yourself you look good.

4. Distraction: Chat your insecurity away.
Distract yourself from getting over-whelmed by what you’re feeling. Shove it aside and chat with your friends. Another way is to really focus on the reason for the event. If it’s a fashion show, get your mind on the runway and criticize the designs. If it’s a family gathering or an all-girls night out, get yourself into the conversation and bring out old files of good times and difficult moments.

5. Take a deep breath and a shot!
Throw your emotions off with a deep breath. Repeat it till you feel relaxed and if you still can’t get your mind off, take a shot! (of course it should be tequila!)

Jul 6 2012

HOW TO DRESS LIKE AN AFRICAN?

“Ghanaians are trying to dress like people in the western world. Be true to yourself and dress like Ghanaians”

I came across this random comment online today and it struck me! For long, I’ve tried to understand the real issue behind the ‘IF YOU’RE AFRICAN, DRESS LIKE ONE!!’ perception. It’s really super complicated. How do Africans dress like? 0_o?? Hair, clothes, makeup, what symbolizes Africa and what doesn’t? I’m I less African because I permed my hair and have hair extensions in it?? Does it matter that my wardrobe has been deprived of African Prints?

sometimes, it’s simply different shades of ‘black’ – Lira (South African singer) & Brandy (African American)

There are so many sides to the ‘being more African debate’ but when it’s narrowed to fashion, I like to call it ‘sense of style or the lack of it’! Whether its going along with popular trends ( color block, animal print, neon brights), creating your own, ‘I-wear-whatever-I-feel-comfortable-in-trend or simply going all out with African print fabrics. The liberty to express yourself with fashion shouldn’t come with shackles. Now, if you’re in hot steamy Africa (especially Ghana) and you decide to wear leather jacket or pants, that is definitely a non-African element. Unless of course the leather is perforated (LOL)

Let’s engage ourselves, what makes one more or less African? Share your thoughts. Are you a ‘natural hair’ advocate? Is this even a valid debate? Would you ever question someone’s commitment to their culture based on their outfit?

NB: Black is beautiful, really…and the many variations of it! Stay fabulous!! xoXO

….more photos (eye candy purposes only )

credit: Afrodesiac Worldwide

would you classify this as one of the ‘not African’ outfit?

Jan 31 2011

Innovative fashion brewed in the African pot: Kenema & Co

STILL MAKING AFRICA PROUD

My fashionability, led me to discovering Tamu Thomas of Kenema &Co. Kenema & Co, which makes ‘magic’ out of a wide range of African Prints. K&C, started production in April, 2010, and finally got into the market fuzz in May.

The name ‘Kenema’, is a District in Sierra Leone that was really ravaged by the war from 1991 – 2002. Kenema is an area that is well know for its gold and diamond mines and abundance of palm trees. If you were to visit Kenema today you would see that the people are poor but you would not necessary guess that they were war torn a less than ten years ago. The people are very resilient and just get on with it. In an interview with StyleBistro, Tamu said she hoped “Kenema & Co represents the area, resilient like the people, high quality and desired like Gold and Diamond and something that can used by all like the palm trees”

As I read more and more about Kenema& Co, and the brain behind it, I realized that, Tamu, really buys the idea of ‘universality’. According to her, most African prints are usually ‘housed’ under ‘Couture’, which limits its usage for some specific events and occasions (more like a runway thing, according to her). Tamu believes that, African Prints should be more than just a fashion but rather, a style that can be used always, by anyone.

Kenema & Co, are based in Sierra Leone (where Tamu’s parents come from, although Tamu is based in Nigeria). Tamu and her partner, seem to be of the same ‘free-spirited and free-minded’ kind, as they left for Sierra Leone, somewhere in April 2010, to ‘solidify’ their ideas. She describes the experience in her blog

Tamu and her Partner, Alize

She advices: “think about style over fashion, style is for everyone and fashion isn’t. Look at your body shape and skin tone when purchasing clothes. Learn to dress for you.” Her online store is open for business http://kenemaco.bigcartel.com/

Words you live by….

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again – simple really but it’s so true. Also don’t be blinded by dreams of becoming rich you need to believe in what you are doing, if you don’t believe nobody else will.

She sure sounds spicy to me