FI DI CULCHA
handmade jewellery by chrissy’s coils and more..
SPECIAL EDITION
FROM THE
EDITOR I would like to extend a warm and huge thank you to every single individual who helped to make this project a success.
Lastly, another very big thank you to my family and lecturers who gave their design expertise, support and time from their busy schedules.
Fi Di Culcha’s purpose is to explore three aspects of black culture ,those being hair, clothing and jewellery, often appropriated and exploited by other cultures. I do this by featuring individuals whose craft is centered around those aspects and highlight how they used their craft to reclaim a To all my friends who gave their support when part of their culture. planning did not go my way and also In an environment where globalisation has caused human extended their wisdom, I give a big bear hug. beings to constantly be stripped of their beliefs and cultural background I belive it is pertinent to stay true to oneself, To all the stylists and designers who gave hence the decision to create Fi Di Culcha. their time as well as their products another big thank you. To all the models who gave their time and energy and patience to this project, I greatly appreciate it.
BLESSINGS AND LIGHT
@momopenellidesigns
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quick chat with quaint
07
a crown for a queen
09
all the styling help naturalistas need
The creator of Quaint by GSC tells us all about the afro brand
Chrystal sits down with Fi Di Culcha and dishes out all the deets
Hair care tips & tricks for all the natural girls out there
11
the new africa
Must have Afro prints and accessories in your closet
ENTS
13 17
dipped in gold Christen Romans tells Fi Di Culcha about her handmade jewellery line “Chrissy’s Coils” and much more
style it! love it! Three super cute styles for natural hair
19 keep your coppers poppin'
Four ways to keep your copper jewellery longer
21 shop chrissy's coils
Chrissy’s handmade jewellery for sale
CONT-
C
ulture in outure
If Jamaican Afro- wear had a name, it
would be ‘unusually interesting’, which is the meaning of the intriguing Afro brand ‘Quaint by GSC’. Gabrielle S. Clarke, the 22-year old founder and creator of the brand, describes it as one that strives to keep Afrocentric culture alive through fashion. The young entrepreneur describes Quaint as her calling. Starting at the early age of 6 years old, fashion has always appealed to her sense of creativity. From creating clothing for her dolls and teddies to owning a one-of-a-kind Jamaican brand, Gabrielle is on her way to being a force to be reckoned with in the fashion industry. However, in a ‘world’ where scales are not always tipped in a black girl’s favour and history has ushered the discourse of self-hate into the minds of black people, Gabrielle describes her brand as one that strives to make people proud of their roots and to embrace them. The young creative attributes her inspiration for the brand to her blackness. She states: “I am black. My brand should always represent me and African prints were the only thing that spoke to me when I had to
Fi Di Culcha 03
decide what line of fabrics I would use for my products.” The Afro- entrepreneur states that black culture needs to be represented, as Jamaicans are mostly exposed to American and European fashion and culture. She states African culture has been psychologically and physically beaten out of black people and it is important to return to our roots. Her brand is a representation of black culture and she deems it important to put her good talents and skills to say black culture is worthy.
QUAINTBYGSC “I AM BLACK. MY BRAND SHOULD REPRESENT ME.”
From fashion shows at Elsa-Leo Rhynie Towers Hall at the UWI Mona campus, to pop up shops at Bae Vibes, Gabby describes Quaint by GSC growth as phenomenal, especially with the use of new age marketing via her social media platforms. Quaint bag packs are generally made within 4 hours after ordering, with material all locally sourced from establishments such as Pings, Pablo’s and Marc’s Upholstery. The Afro brand is definitely on that allows individuals to once again get #AQUAINTED with black culture through fashion.
Style it!
Love it!
Taking care of natural hair can be super difficult, but not with these three super cute and easy protective styles!
THE BRAIDED CROWN & LOW BUN
1
Start by sectioning off the front of your hair into two. Then, braid both sections all the way to the back of your head.
2
Next, slick back the remaining hair along with the two braided pieces and use a scrunchie to hold together. Fluff bun to desired volume.
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FAUX LOCS
1
Start by plaiting natural hai additional hair to length of
2
Take kanekalon or marley h around the braids previous
3
Burn ends to avoid hair unr accessories of choice.
1 2
TWISTED BUNS Moisturise hair with product before sectioning hair into four parts. Grasp two twists and seal with an elastic band, now creating two twist instead of four. Twist ends of hair of both twists into four smaller twists and wrap into a bun, using hair pins to hold together. You may add additional hair to your own for extra volume.
ir to its full length, adding f choice.
hair and wrap tightly sly made.
ravelling . Add any
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THE MANE
ATTRACTION CHRYSTAL GRAHAM
with
A crown FOR A A Queen Like bees are to honey, a black woman’s hair is her crown, and for one reason and one reason only; because she is a queen. Chrystal Graham is the 22-year old Scotia banker by day and a hair wizard after 5 p.m. Her hair brand which she proudly calls, ‘Ubber Hairdresser’ is the innovative hair salon that comes to you. The young stylist says what makes Ubber Hairdresser stand out, is that she goes the extra mile to please her clients, by finding their perfect style, as well as taking them on an educational hair journey by giving them hair care tips and tricks. The creative was inspired to dedicate her hair talents to a black audience because of her excitement for black culture. She describes it as fascinating to re-create and modify styles from the past and highlights that many styles she has attempted are inspired by the Fulani tribe among others in Africa. When Chrystal isn’t scouring YouTube looking for tips on perfecting her craft, she is definitely putting in the work to get her name and her business, into the ears and unto the lips of everyone she can, through the use of social media platforms such as Instagram.
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As many aspects of black culture are often appropriated and exploited with high fashion runways calling bantu knots mini buns and cornrows boxer braids, the young hair guru believes it is disrespectful and quite tactless for elements of a culture to simply be claimed by another. Chrystal states, “While I’m not perturbed by people from different cultures wearing hairstyles affiliated with black culture, what I don’t appreciate is when the foundation of black culture; especially in the case of hair, is taken and other cultures affix their names to it without giving much or any credit to the black community as the original source.”
, e n o y r e v e o t n e p p a h s y a d a d h a t i w e “B s r o w n e v e e b t i t e l t ’ n o but d ” e l y t s r i a h bad Despite hair styling to be strenuous, with styles taking up to 10 hours to complete, and the challenge of not owning a vehicle restricting the young hairstylist from quickly getting around to conduct business; this style savvy queen hopes to spread her wings and one day expand her business, master her craft and be on her way to becoming a mane attraction. Ubber Hairdresser can be found @ubber_hairdresser on Instagram.
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All the styling help naturalistas need LAY ME ! Lay those edges mamacita ! Eco styler gel is a girl’s baby hair’s best friend ! Eco styler gel comes in many variations; flaxseed,argon oil and even coconut oil. Eco styler gel is perfect for neatening hair and slicking back cute buns. It works great on defining curls on damp hair. Raking baby hair back with a tail comb or toothbrush defines them perfectly.
CURL ME ! Shea Moisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus Combo is perfect for those curls! L The curl enancing smoothie is enriched with natural elements that give gloriously shiny and bouncy curls! Section damp or dry hair and apply product sparingly and style hair as desired. As every product is different for every naturalista, this product is good to have as a go to. Its mouisturising and hydrating formula tames flyaway hairs and is great for transitioners with damaged or over processed hair. Fi Di Culcha 09
GROW ME ! VOLUME VOLUME AND MORE VOLUME !! Black castor oil is the holy grail when it comes to growing and thickening hair. Massaging a little castor oil into one’s hair helps to stimulate hair growth. Also sealing hair ends with castor oil before washing will help stimulate hair growth over time.
SHINE ME ! Argon Oil is one of the best oils when it comes to achieving that super shiny hair we all dream of ! A little goes a long way with this product. Argon oil is great for taming frizz and promoting shine and gloss in every queen’s crown. It can even help fight dandruff and dry scalp. Its Vitamin E encourages healthy hair growth with its chockful of antioxidants.
STRENGTHEN ME ! Coconut oil and Olive oil are great apart but even greater together! A hot oil treatment with a mixture of coconut oil and oilive oil is perfect for preventing hair breakage and alaso treating dry and brittle hair. It can be used as an overnight leave-in conditioner and after washing hair will be smoother and stronger.
the
new Africa Update your wardrobe with these cute Afrocentric essentials
M DOL U S IP M E R LO DESIGNS
NS
MOMOPENELLI DESIG
MOPENELLI
PHOTO COURTESY OF
MO URTESY OF
PHOTO CO
OR SIT
NS
NELLI DESIG
F MOMOPE
PHOTO CO URTESY O
Designer Momopenelli shows us all her earrings, necklaces and shirts for all the kings and queens out there.
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CHRISSY’S
COILS
DIPPED
IN GOLD
Dipped in gold and bronzed in elegance is the pure definition of Chrissy’s Coils. The handmade coiled copper jewellery line was introduced to Jamaica by 23 year old UWI law student,Christen Romans. The young wire bender took the initiative to become more serious with her craft during a period of financial difficulties at university and describes the creative direction of Chrissy’s Coils as a reflection of her personal style and what she finds visually stimulating. Christen uses gold-plated copper and anodised aluminum; which is a coat of a metal, especially aluminum with a protective oxide layer, to create her jewellery. She believes that her brand stands above the rest because there’s something for every type of female and even male, such as her arrowhead rings and half bloom earrings which are a big hit among the females. Chrissy’s Coils is the brand that gives individuals the platform to boldly or subtly express their pride and alliance with Afrocentrism and Africa on a whole, in such a racially divided society.
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“As a black wo blackness, I wa and in creating my target audie copper connois inspiration from marginalisation cultures benefi problem of cult things that wou unappealing an into hip, trendy source needs to worldwide deb items such as b believes repres extremely impo so heavily infiltr representation
oman taught to embrace her as initially creating pieces for myself g for myself, I indirectly carved out ence“,the creative said. The sseur believes that everyone draws m somewhere; however, the n of black culture in which other it without giving credit, is where the tural appropriation lies. “Taking uld be considered ghetto, nd inappropriate and turning them y and urban, without citing the o stop,” says Christen. There is the bate as to why it is so difficult to find black dolls, and as such, Christen sentation of black culture is ortant. She states that in a country rated by U.S media, black ensures that we as black people
“I s ee m ys el f as a g ir l w h o w as b le s s ed to h av e b ee n b o r n b la c k ” remember who we are and not have our black culture dictated to us by those who would seek to further marginalise, manipulate and exploit us. The coiling creative, voices that being a one woman show is the hardest thing about running a business, but appreciates small pleasures, like vending at events such as the last Bob Marley birthday celebration at the Bob Marley Museum. She says it is a good forum for her to interact with her customers. Christen’s goal is to be recognised both locally and internationally; to become a company synonymous with quality and uniqueness and dipping the world’s black kings and queens in the gold that is Chrissy’s Coils.
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BAKING SODA INDREDIENTS: Baking soda, lemon/lime and salt Mix equal parts of baking soda, lemon or lime and salt to create a paste. Apply to copper jewellery with a toothbrush and set for at least 5 - 10 minutes, then rinse with water.
KEEP YOUR COPPERS POPPINĘź
02
KETCHUP Ketchup is a great option for vintage copper jewellery with a lot of detailing. The household find contains vinegar, which is great for cleaning copper. Rub the ketchup on the jewellery with fingers then use a damp cloth or a toothbrush to buff out the ketchup. Rinse the jewellery then let it dry and shine it with a polishing cloth.
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Jewellery Care
03
VINEGAR BOIL Bring a pot of water and vinegar solution to a boil and immerse your copper jewellery in it for a deep clean. Leave jewellery for at least 10-15 mins. Remove jewellery with tongs and let cool before touching and rinsing. After jewellery has cooled, rinse the copper with cool water.
04
WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE The acidic nature of this sauce has the ability to clean copper jewellery. This is however not recommended for pieces that contain details such as pearls. Coat the item in sauce and leave for about 10 minutes then rinse with lukewarm water and dry with a clean cloth.
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Shop Chrissy’s Coils
JMD:$2000.00
JMD:$1200.00
JMD:$1500.00
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JMD:$2500.00
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MY CULCHA. YOUR CULCHA. FI WI CULCHA. FI DI CULCHA.