October 2009
Liz Ogumbo “Rest if you MUST…but NEVER quit!”
T
Editors Note he colder winds are coming through and
it is now time for us to harvest. For farmers the harvest is visible and tangible and deliciously edible. For the rest of us that practice a different kind of farming, the harvest is more intangible. With the economy on a downward spiral and many of us losing our jobs, it’s hard to take the time to live the life of our dreams. But as we look at the most successful among us even in these times, it is those that dared to pursue their dreams that are doing better than most. Look at our recent and previous AIM profiles, Liz Ogumbo, Kemo Camara, Thomas Mwicigi, Sulley Imoro and you see the brave souls among us who strive to live the life of their dreams by pursuing their passions. For them there is a harvest because they dared to invest in their dreams. For you and me we have to reflect and evaluate what we have invested in and we know very well whether our efforts have borne fruit. Did you seek to get a better job, an education, more money, a better relationship, a healthier lifestyle? Did you invest the time and energy in your goal for it to be realized? That is what I seek for us to reflect upon. The only way for us to elevate our lives to the next level is by dreaming bigger dreams and taking the time to make sure that we get where we need to be despite the adversities we face. In this economy, the adversities are plentiful and the money is short. This is a climate that withers our resolve to realize our dreams, but as the late Aaliyah crooned, "If at first you do not succeed, dust yourself off and try again". The reason AIM profiles those in our community that have a plentiful harvest is to keep the idea fresh in our minds that we cannot remain complacent.
AIM is a product our dreams and aspirations and is a daily reminder for us that our dreams are important and are part of what strengthens us so that we are able to deal with all the other strife that is part of life. Take a page from the AIM profiles and beyond and pursue your dreams. Each new day offers us season to plant our dreams, but you cannot harvest if you don't plant and if there is nothing to show for it come harvest season, "dust yourself off and try again". Farmers have to wait months for the planting season to begin, but lucky for the dreamers who pursue their goals, it is always planting season. Enjoy life, share in the bountiful harvest, edible and intangible alike and always strive to do better!
By Evalyn Githina aimminnesota@gmail.com
Nmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwer The Feature Story tyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopas Imani House of Fashion was incorporated in early 2007 by Liz Ogumbo, and is located in dfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzx Nairobi, Kenya. Liz the fashion house's designer is cvbnmqwertyuiqwertyuiopasdfghjklzx constantly coming up with new fresh designs to distribute Women’s' dresses, suits, blouses, cvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmq blazers, swimwear, accessories, jeans, men’s' shirts and pants to retail sales outlets and wertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuio customers over the Internet, their future product line is concurrently in development. pasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghj klzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbn mmqwertyuikehhhhosollklnghfkgldnl http://www.imanimodels.com/index.php/imani-house-of-fashion
Imani House of Fashion is mainly built on three principles:
opasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfgh jklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvb nmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwer tyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopas dfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzx cvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmq wertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuio pasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghj To sell quality, trendy clothing affordably. To sell unique, ever-lasting trends that our buyers cannot find elsewhere. To offer our customers free wardrobe consultation 24/7 in person, via email or via phone.
Address: 1 Hamp Court, Upperhill P.O Box 12258-00400 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254-725-227453 Fax: +254-20-218457 Cell: +254-737-569748
Wambui Wamutogoria a designer herself and owner of Utamaduni Wear sat down with Liz Ogumbo of Imani house of fashion to find out what motivates her, her dreams and designs…..
Wambui: Most designers design for themselves, please tell us what inspired you to begin creating clothes. Liz: I used to be based in LA, when I went shopping I wasn’t 100% happy with clothes in the stores. I would see a dress that needed a longer zipper, or a jacket that needed a ribbon on the hem line to give it a more finished look. Instead of whining about what was missing I would modify the clothes I bought and it ended up being my design. People would always ask me “where did you get that” and I knew I was on to
Liz Ogumbo
something, that’s when I decided to go commercial. Wambui: Your clothes are beautiful, tell us what inspired them Liz: I work with fabrics that I have locally and I create clothes that fit my perception on style. Right now, I am working with cotton polyester and crotchet wool. For production purposes I have to find sustainable fabric so that should I get a large order I can always replenish. I also try to break the monotony by using unconventional mixes of fabric and accessories. I haven’t seen crotchet in convention clothes. I love crease free fabric, something you can pack in your suitcase and not worry about. Wambui: How did you get into the fashion industry? And who is the typical woman you design for? Liz: I first started in LA modifying clothes that I found in the department stores, but I first and foremost had a
modeling agency that I started with. I wanted to expand from LA to Kenya, but I had a difficult time
“Rest if you must but NEVER quit!”
transitioning due to lack of professionalism and a different beauty standard and what was considered fashionable here. I didn’t come for fashion but when looking at both businesses I realized that fashion design was sustaining me more than the modeling agency. Wambui: Where do you draw inspiration for your designs, and does your culture affect your designs? Liz: Inspiration comes from me and how I want to see things; and my perception of style. My culture affects my designs because I am African. I don’t try to be African I am African and everything I design comes from that source. Wambui: Has your design aesthetic changed as you’ve matured in your craft or do you have one set vision that you’ve stuck with? Liz: I have stuck with my core styles. I love maxis I think they flatter any woman no matter her shape, size or height. I am also very specific about cuts. The cuts make the clothes because they dictate how the clothes fit on the woman. Anyone wearing clothes by me needs to be flattered or they shouldn’t wear it. Wambui: Do you have any style tips for our readers? Liz: Less is more, some women are scared to be simple but sometimes simplicity is elegant and stylish. Colors are great of African skin tones; they also help uplift your mood and can give you the pep you need to get you through the day. Wambui: If you had to describe your collection in a few words what would it be?
Liz: Trendy, simple, sexy, elegant and of course it has to be affordable Wambui: What do you find unique about doing business in Africa? Liz: This is home and home should be the most comfortable place, it has its challenges but you can always work through them. Wambui: Are your designs available for purchase and where can we purchase them? Liz: I sell my own clothes. Right now I prefer to sell in dozens and whole sales, I am slowly moving away from one item sale. I am working with some buyers in Cape Town but nothing is finalized. I am open to all options. Wambui: What advice would you give to anyone aspiring to make it? Liz: Rest if you must, but never quit!
“Less is more, some women are scared to be simple but sometimes simplicity is elegant and stylish� says Liz
Liz wearing a short suit and a ruffled blazer
The G-Spot Before we get started… “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” -Proverbs 27:17 KJV.
A
s iron is used to sharpen iron, causing both pieces to be sharpened, so does the sincere exchange of philosophies and wisdom between two persons to make them both the better off. The G-Spot® isn’t about me having all the answers or being the absolute authority on a given situation (we should never completely surrender our judgment to an individual simply because he or she is an “accredited expert” just as we shouldn’t completely dismiss the advice of others simply because they are not). It’s about the exchange of philosophies, hopefully more proven than unproven, for the betterment of all parties. It’s about honest genderbased ideas and nuances (e.g. the “why do men and women do what they” do type questions). I look inside myself each and every time I give advice and I ask that you do the same when asking a question. Before we get started there are three things, rules if you will, that I swear by when it comes to advice giving. Number 1, I believe that we must start with the truth as we know it, measuring all other things to that truth if we wish for all the piecing to fall in line and arrive at the best course of action. Starting with the truth requires integrity on my part as well as yours. This means that your question and how you phrase it must be as truthful as possible.
Sharing a biased version of reality to get the response you are hoping for isn’t conducive to growth (remember we want both of our iron swords to be sharpened). Likewise my answer must be rooted in truth (i.e. my understanding as governed by my philosophies and convictions), especially if that truth convicts me as well (again, iron sharpening iron is the goal here). The second is that certain liberties must be allowed in order to facilitate points of view. In other words generalizations in the absence of actual facts will be made for the purpose of cultivating answers to the question, I will try to point out these generalizations by with terms like “most”, “some” or “many” instead of “all” or “none” when replying to questions. The path the advice takes as it moves towards a result will be based solely on the situation as it has been presented to me and the liberties taken to fill in the blanks, not based on the actual situation in which details were not made available to me (as working out a situation is like plugging variables into an equation, what you get out is directly related to what you put in). When generalizations are made the fact that a trait or behavior attributed to the masses may or may not apply to you directly doesn’t negate the fact that you must be aware it applies to others around you. Lastly, but certainly not least, relationship advice assumes that you are in a safe and salvageable relationship. It is against everything I believe in to advise a woman or man for that matter to remain in an abusive relationship or to persuade a person to leave a safe and salvageable relationship based on an isolated incident. I will not advise you to “stay” or “go” as to consider doing so requires one on one or couple counseling with a professional. My purpose is to shed some light and provide perspective with which to help you make the best decision for your situation as I and others reading the exchange increase in wisdom as well (dare I say it again, iron sharpens iron). Thank you in advance for sharing and I wish you all the best!
Gerald Montgomery
Love
Let’s talk about… L-O-V-E (Part I) Love, the great equalizer, can take someone who seems bad for us in every way and elevate him or her to soul-mate status. Hence the expressions; “blinded by love” or “love is blind.” Blind because we so often pursue and maintain relationships that defy rationale and, in extreme cases, logic. Love- the mystical force that endows us with supernatural abilities- like the song writer who said “I‟ll stop the world and melt with you!” (Now I‟m dating myself.) Or the irrational pledge of walking a thousand miles to be with our lover. We willingly compromise our resources, reputation and relations in the name of true love, as if true love requires nothing less. Ahh, mi amore! When asked why you are in love with your mate (not to be confused with the initial attractive feelings that leads to our desire to court them, but the love declared which solidifies a commited relationship) you innately recite the list of characteristics and physical traits that did you in, as if they are the reasons anyone would be in love with him or her, hoping at least one of those items meet the interviewer‟s approval (i.e. validates your love). To no one‟s amazement you list some of the same characteristics and traits found in many others. Yet you are not madly in love with everyone exhibiting these qualities, to include your ex. At the same time your mate isn‟t bombarded by other “love-crazed zombies” because of these distinctions; these same characteristics that took complete control of your senses.. Why is that? Is it because you are the only person intuitive enough to realize how loveable your mate is? If that were true then why aren‟t you madly in love with everyone with these same characteristics and traits? Maybe, just maybe, the reason we fall in love with a particular person has very little or nothing to do with their makeup. Maybe, just maybe, to be in love with another is an objective not an outcome. Perhaps we date with falling in love as the goal and it is the other person‟s responsibility to mess it up, meaning it‟s not what he or she does right but what they don‟t do wrong that leads to the declaration of love. Sure, it is much more romantic to have tripped, falling into love unwittingly while walking a platonic path- for love to be the result of the stars aligning. To be swept completely off your feet as if God himself (masculine, not male) ordain it before time began. But the truth of the matter is being in love is a human vocation; we fall in love because we need to be in love. If it were the result of a spirit afflicting people at will (e.g. cupid and his arrows) then emotional monogamy would be an impossible expectation. If so we truly couldn‟t “help who we fell in love with.” We are predisposed to falling in love if for no other reason than procreation. That‟s not to say I feel procreation is the primary reason for love‟s “jones” (the lust or infatuation we feel). But to say that even the least romantic among us “feels the heat” every now and again.
I‟m merely pointing out that there is a biochemical element to being in love (a chemical in our brains called PEA, phenylethylalamine) to facilitate a biological need. I‟ll even go so far as to say when the courtship begins we are not waiting to see if love will possess us (which we interpret as divine confirmation) but we tarry for what those around us will agree is an acceptable duration before letting love out of its cage. Those who disregard this waiting period claim “love at first sight” as their defense.
Once we decide to
“
be in love with someone the reality is we find reasons to justify it, even if we have to make some up”
Once we decide to be in love with someone the reality is (i.e. unleash love in the direction of our latest crush) we find reasons to justify it, even if we have to make some up (e.g. possibilities). This opens the door to a whole host of personality types and with each type more excuses to love in spite of them. The weakest justification for loving someone we have absolutely nothing meaningful in common with, in my opinion, is the misused adage, “opposites attract…” as in opposites attract, likes repel. This law, regarding the polarity of protons, neutrons and electrons, governs science not the human heart. Yet when we set our affections on an individual nothing, not even the wisdom of experienced loved ones, can deter us. OK, so is it a bad thing, predicating love? Definitely not! It‟s actually the reason I believe being in love is so extraordinary; the choosing of one above all others in spite of themselves. But I think we would make much better decisions in the name of love if we realize that being in love doesn‟t control us, we control it. I am convinced the purpose of love, the covenant between lovers, is to justify the good that we do, to validate godly behavior. To do right by someone even when he or she is unwilling to do right by us. To look out for the best interest of another even when they exhibit selfdestructive behavior. Realizing that we control love means never having to give in when someone says “if you love me you would do it”. If they do [say that to you], you tell them that love has but one master; you‟re the ambassador of your love for them, not them! If it‟s not something right for you to do when you‟re not in love it is just as wrong for you to do because of love! I am also convinced that how an individual loves (quality and quantity) is directly proportional to his or her capacity to do so, not a universal measure of love displayed by all. Our ability to love others is capacity to love as a cup with liquid in it; the bigger the cup the more it is able to hold but you will still only get out of it what has been put into it. The cup size is the potential to love, which is a good thing. But it may only be filled a quarter, a half or three-quarters of the way up. This is all you can get out of it until more is put into it! So when an abusive husband claims to love his battered wife I am convinced that he believes he does. Unfortunately this means there is very little liquid in a very small cup! In „Let’s talk about L-O-V-E part 2‟ I‟ll share where I believe the liquid comes from. It may not be where you think. Iron sharpens iron, so lets be better because of it! By
Gerald Montgomery
Gerald Montgomery is a free lance writer and a contributor to the AIM Magazine.
Sports …And Justice for All? In light of Michael Vick’s “strings-attached” reinstatement to the National Football League, I got to thinking about an issue I usually avoid discussing- that being the criminal justice system. For those who may have been taking full advantage of their passport for the past 2 ½ years, visiting the most remote parts of the planet, Michael Vick, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback, was convicted and sentenced for his involvement in a Virginia dog-fighting ring. All the angles were covered- from illegal gambling across state lines to animal cruelty to conduct unbecoming a celebrity/role model. During the proceedings the racial and cultural element to this case was undeniable, reminiscent of the O.J. trial. Mr. Vick has been released from prison and is working through the conditions of his parole. Naturally, if he is to survive, he will need some source of income, no one disputes that. The nation-wide quarrel is over if he should be permitted to return to the NFL- that is, to iconic status and millions in net worth. Or should he as an ex-felon continued to be humbled for is crime, placing a cap on is earning potential?
Michael Vick
Our legal system, federal and state, congruently with our social system began to run its course. Our judges, D.A.’s, defense attorneys and prison system all contributed to what was supposed to be the complete penitence for Vick, at least in this life. And this penitence was supposed to satisfy not the hunger of vengeance but the appetite of justice. See, our legal system is meant to exact a fair (as in equal to, not necessarily the same) and impartial (as in with a degree of mercy) punishment for crimes committed. Otherwise the offender would be at the mercy of those who seek vengeance instead of justice - both beasts are hungry but vengeance is the one without a stomach. In other words once the legal system, the only system of the two with the authority to punish, declares time served the matter is supposed to be concluded and the thoroughly punished and rehabilitated individual returns to the general public. Society, then, should not be permitted to carry out its own consecutive sentence (trying to satisfy the stomach-less beast), which is essentially a non-legal form of double jeopardy. To discriminate against an ex-felon should be no different than
discriminating against homosexuals or minorities. Am I putting ex-felons in the same category as gays and blacks? Not at all! But I am putting the unprovoked hatred towards others in the same category. Once a felon has been released from prison he or she should have at a minimum the following rights: (1) The right to provisions- food, clothing and shelter, (2) The right to provide for said provisions- employment or other legal sources of income, (3) The right to equal protection under the law and (4) The right to a franchise in the society in which he pays taxes- the right to vote for elected officials.
If the punishment he received from our legal system did not fit the crime then shouldn’t that be the issue?
Serving time for a heinous crime then landing a very high paying job may not seem fair to those in poverty but salary capping ex-felon would most certainly be unfair. After all isn’t that why Vick is in the news now, his salary potential? Emotions aside, in the matter of, “Michael Vick vs. the American psyche”, if the punishment he received from our legal system did not fit the crime then shouldn’t that be the issue? Let us debate if it fit the crime or not and if so or if not why not. Not if he should be entitled to a job that allows vengeance as the goal; to compensate the injured party (or parties) without being as criminal to the offender as he was in his act. Let’s make this debate about much more than Vick, about much more than race, about much more than money! If our legal system is indeed broken then let’s fix it and let’s fix it now! Perhaps our laws and sentencing practices should be reviewed periodically, if they aren’t already, so that we all agree before we are either plaintiff, defendants or spectators whatever the punishment fits the crime, and evaluate the flexibility afforded to judges is consistent with the spirit of justice. For the record I am neither “pro Vick” nor insensitive to animal cruelty. I am just a citizen with an opinion seeking truth in all things, in spite of myself. Gerald Montgomery
The Buzz 3D TVs, THE NEXT BIG THING (I THINK) The movies we used to watch in the 80s and 90s used to depict the year 2010 as a year when we would have flying vehicles and the ability to teleport ourselves to our destinations like they used to in Star Trek. Well, obviously that hasn’t happened. We are in the age of touch screen monitors and HDTVs; where we have a portable computer in our hands and the ability to communicate with someone across the world in a matter of seconds. Well, rumor had it that Panasonic and Sony are about to take us to the next level. Queue the age of 3D TVs. Panasonic and Sony are looking at debuting their 3D TVs either at the end of this year or in 2010. Most 3-D technology involves showing two images, one for each eye, that viewed together are seen as a single three-dimensional scene. The new generation of 3-D TVs uses a technology that rapidly flickers between two images, together with electronic glasses that allow each eye to see only one. Without the glasses, images on the screens are blurry and a bit nauseating to watch.
So then does this mean anytime you watch your cool new 3D TV you have to deal with those bulky glasses?? Sounds futuristic alright! Well these TVs are probably going to start off like the HDTVs started, priced in the thousands of dollars. But with 3D technology comes the need for 3D content. For now they are talking about having cable companies broadcast in 3D, but that is not slated until 2011. They are also looking at rereleasing some movies in 3D. Great… that means you have to also buy the 3D players they are going to sell which can play the 3D DVDs. More money to spend… As for me, I am still stuck on the tube TV. I was just hoping this year to get a nice HDTV for Christmas. As much as I love technology, my pocketbook doesn’t love it as much. For now, until I hit the lottery, I am content with remaining one step behind technology for the sake of my bank account. I’ll still be pretty excited to see these 3D TVs at Best buy so I can check it out for myself and day dream about the day 3 years from now when I might be able to afford one.
By Linda Obel
The Buzz
The must haves……. $21.99 Kina Klothing is Pan Afrikan, Art, Bongo Flava, Afro Beat, Taarab, Fashion, Poetry, Sankofa, Jazz, Pop-Culture, Fela Kuti , 60s, 70s, 80s Afrika, HipHop, Play, CDs, mp3s, Graphic Design…everyday people. Check out their awesome tees www.kinaklothing.bigcartel.com
$16.99 at Marshalls Covet Perfume a very smooth and aggressive perfume with a very seductive blend of fragrance notes.
Upload photos, create text, draw and design a new bottle wrap. Design a skin for your bottle or order a new bottle and skin. Go GREEN! http://www.siggskins.com
Lush makes effective products from fresh, organic* fruit and vegetables, the finest essential oils and safe synthetics. They invent their own products and fragrances. They make them fresh by hand using little or no preservative or packaging, using only vegetarian ingredients, and tell you when they were made. Lush can be found in cosmetics at Macy’s or at www.Lush.com
Cantu products found at Target
$15.00 Aromatherapy Body Mist Sensuality - Black Currant Vanilla Black Currant Absolute inspires heightened sensuality. Vanilla Absolute soothes and calms to instill feelings of comfort. http://www.bathandbodyworks.com
Food & Health Butter Squash Soup… A recipe sure to keep you warm!
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS 2 tablespoons butter 1 small onion, chopped 1 stalk celery, chopped 1 medium carrot, chopped 2 medium potatoes, cubed 1 medium butternut squash - peeled, seeded, and cubed 1 (32 fluid ounce) container chicken stock salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For your Health! Getting six or more glasses of water a day is hard enough in summer, and now that it's cold outside, it might be even more difficult to drink one. Just remember……. Water is necessary to maintain a healthy body temperature, to digest food, transport nutrients, remove waste and even to breathe. That doesn't change just because it's cold outside. So drink on…for your health!
1. Melt the butter in a large pot, and cook the onion, celery, carrot, potatoes, and squash 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Pour in enough of the chicken stock to cover vegetables. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer 40 minutes, or until all vegetables are tender. 2. Transfer the soup to a blender, and blend until smooth. Return to pot, and mix in any remaining stock to attain desired consistency. 3. Season with salt and pepper
Fashion
● ● ● Colorful Coats
Fall ’09 Must Haves!
“Skip the traditional black or neutral jackets and go for something bright and bold this fall. Brightly colored add interest to every look and
looks very fresh for the fall. With these bright coats, simplicity is key. Keep it simple and make the coat the focal point of the outfit”
● ● ●
Cozy Cardigans Diane …is AIM’s new fashion contributor. She considers herself a lover of style and fashion and self expression through clothes. She is proudly Nigerian and loves to add elements of her culture to her style of dressing. To read more about Diane go to www.africanawardrobediary.com which is a daily blog of her fashion ideas. If you have any fashion related questions, project ideas or just kind words, you can contact her at ifeghabo1@gmail.com
A cardigan is a quick way to update your fall wardrobe because there’s a cardigan for just about every outfit. It’s perfect for in-between weather when it’s not quite cold enough for a jacket.
Adding animal print, leather and studded accessories are easy ways to update your fall wardrobe.
Rock and Roll
Opulence and DecadenceRich colors and embellished fabric add excitement and make any outfit festive.
Dark Shimmer & Sequins
Showcase your legs in fun tights/ leggings.
Contributors
Eva Githina AIM aimminnesota@gmail.com
Wambui Wamutogoria Utamaduni Wear Email: utamaduniwear@gmail.com www.utamaduniwear.com
Wangechi Ruguaru AIM aimminnesota@gmail.com
Gerald Montgomery Dr. G G-Spot Email: gmonty@popp.net
Linda Obel AIM aimminnesota@gmail.com
Diane African Wardrobe Email: ifeghabo1@gmail.com www.africanawardrobediary.com
To alert us to an error, contribute or to write a comment, please email us at aimminnesota@gmail.com