I AM
Vol 1 Issue 3 (July/August)
ASHANTI REDISCOVER AFRICA THROUGH US
A world-famous FLOWER COAT made by an up and coming young designer with big dreams
Discover PETALS GROUP Cape Town’s hidden gem that’s gone international
“I didn’t want to be part of a system that didn’t want to see the greatness of Black folks” - Jara Ezo
F I X YO U R C R O W N Untold stories of black hair
BOITY PINK SAPPHIRE A poetic, modern fragrance created to express the perfect harmony of sensuality and strength.
Boity Pink Sapphire 100ml R1495.00 50ml R895.00 15ml R295
www.haloheritage.com
Advertorial
www.nackah.com
I AM ASHANTI
A Note from Editor
CREATIVE DIRECTOR NICHOLAH OPOKU MOYO nicholah@iamashanti.com
The ‘Rona’ (global pandemic) has made it extremely difficult to stay positive, but on the flip side, we’ve all had a chance to reflect, refocus and emerge with even better and more creative ideas. When I was asked to take the lead as the Editor-in-Chief for the Fix Your Crown editorial, contrary to my usual feelings of anxiety, I felt very comfortable. I think working with the I Am Ashanti team for the past few months felt like reconnecting with my long-lost cousins; I have gained some true soul sisters. All right, enough of the sentimental stuff and on to the details of this whimsical editorial! This editorial is special because we get to celebrate how we wear our hair, what our hairstyles and beauty regimens symbolise - you can tell a lot about a woman by how she wears her hair. It’s important to note that our hair does not define us, it’s simply an extension of our characters and a way to communicate without words. I believe that the Fix Your Crown editorial is also a true expression of new beginnings and fresh starts, from cherry blossoms, fabulous flower crowns to the mane attraction—the flamboyant hairstyles. Not only was this shoot a reflection of teamwork and perfect synergies but also a growth spurt for I Am Ashanti as a brand! We managed to clinch a collaboration with Darling Hair which left us beyond stoked. All I can say is our publications are getting better each time, and we can’t wait to show the world the other side of the African story, one that boasts ingenuity, solidarity and success. I am so excited to look back at this editorial a few years from now and say, wow, a few African girls and guys with serious drive and big dreams did that.
EDITOR LIZ CHIMANI elizabeth@iamashanti.com WEB EDITOR ANITTA BANJWA anitta@iamashanti.com ART/LAYOUT DIRECTOR NICHOLAH OPOKU MOYO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER ALEX KAORI contact@iamashanti.com OPERATIONS ASSISTANT ANOSH CHETTY anosh@iamashanti.com PRODUCTION ASSISTANT ASMEEETA CHAVDA asmeeta@iamashanti.com PUBLIC RELATIONS LINDA MATSOLO linda@iamashanti.com
CONTRIBUTORS FASHION CONTENT AMO MODISE THEME CONTENT RELEBOGILE MALAZA PHOTOGRAPHERS MARCUS MGADULE, ZWELIHLE BUKHWELE MAKE-UP ARTIST PEGGY SYD TAMBWE HAIR STYLIST JOLLY KABIKA HAIR EXTENSIONS DARLING HAIR SOUTH AFRICA SHOOT LOCATION PETALS GROUP MODELS DIANA KASONGO JOSEPHINE SALUMU ERICA CHIPATO CELESTE ANTONIO
Looking forward to our next editorial...
MARIA VICTORIE KOBO SAVANNAH REYNOLDS JULIA KAWAL MUTOMBW SIMONE NYAMABO
Editor Liz Chimani
CONTACT US ADVERTISING advertising@iamashanti.com OTHER ENQUIRIES contact@iamashanti.com
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04 - PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT Fenty Beauty This editorial’s must-try is the fenty beauty eaze drop blurring skin tint 18 - MAIN FEATURE - PETALS GROUP A unique combination of flowers, family, art, creativity and theatrical bliss! 28 - ARTIST FEATURE : JARA EZO A passionate woman building the future of black female musicians in France
ON THE COVER Model Maria Victorie Kobo Photographer Zwelihle Bukhwele Creative Direction Nicholah Opoku Moyo Production Assistants Alex Kaori, Asmeeta Chavda, Liz Chimani, Anosh Chetty Floral Dress & Set design Petals Group Hair Jolly Kabika Hair Extensions Darling Hair South Africa Make-up Peggy Syd Tambwe
36 - EMELIA D. FLORAL COAT, BY DORCAS MUTOMBO A genuine story of the young designer behind a Vogue-featured floral coat
CONTENTS Untold stories of black hair
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42 - I AM ONE OF MANY, BY RELEBOGILE MALAZA A metamorphosis from a state of self-rejection to, affirmation of beauty 46 - SEASONAL FASHION TRENDS BY AMO MODISE A detailed styling guide to ditching your quarantine sweatpants 54 - BEAUTY A journey of enlightenment to uncover the true essence of what characterises the aesthetic of Africa 58 - BEAUTY BRAND FEATURE: VUYISLE ZONDI, CORIUM SKINCARE FOUNDER Simplicity, purity and credibility
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68 - DON’T TOUCH MY HAIR! BY LIZ CHIMANI
148 - TRAVEL GUIDE - CAPE TOWN
Exploring the symbolism of hair in the black community
A food and drink guide to the best places to visit in Cape Town, South Africa
132 - GET THE LOOK - MAKEUP Syd guides us on how she achieved her favourite makeup look from the shoot 136 - BEAUTY BRAND FEATURE : JO FERRAGE AND CATIA J PINTO Hairitage - Fostering inclusivity in all aspects of textured hair 144 - BEAUTY BRAND FEATURE : DORIEN TOKU Sapo Body Sponge - promoting economic independence in Africa and beyond
156 - THE ORIGINS OF CACAO Meet the female chocolatiers redefining the chocolate industry
I AM ASHANTI // 14
Our Editorial Pick Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
You heard it here first! Our girl Riri keeps coming up with the most effective beauty products and the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop will not disappoint! So what is it? A lightweight, natural-looking skin tint, perfect for every skin type and available in a selection of 25 inclusive shades. What does it do? It gives you that ready-to-go airbrushed look within minutes, we love how light it feels, especially when you’re looking to achieve a natural yet even-toned look. Plus, no one will know that you’re wearing make-up—we promise not to tell! Why we love it... It’s affordable and handbag handy, perfect for when you’re off to the beach or getting ready in the car. The best part is you can even apply it with your finger and it will still provide amazing coverage and the same effect as a beauty blender or foundation brush. We really hope you give it a try soon! Cheers Nicholah Opoku Moyo
Founder / Creative Director
PETALS
Group “Our business is about living with beauty; creating fun, laughter and happiness and sharing it with the world.” -Flower Walker
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lower Walker, the creator and tastemaker of The Petals Group, began her new commercial path in 1967 by starting a floral store on Cape Town’s Foreshore. The publishing world’s fashion experts became her regular clients and sources of inspiration. From that point forward The Petals Group has developed into an occasion facilitator’s wonderland. When an event design necessitates the creation of custom-made artworks and décor elements from scratch, the Petals family gets together in their fully equipped workshop to conceptualize and construct them. The Petals Group creates bespoke beauty celebrations for customers and other event planners, where trust, luxury, authenticity, and human connection are inextricably linked.
I AM ASHANTI // 18
Collaboration is the life force driving the team’s ideas, whether they’re producing a handmade floral art piece or assisting with the planning of your special event.
WE ENJOY LASTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR CLIENTS BUILT ON OUR HISTORY OF FULFILLING PROMISES WITH INTEGRITY AND DELIVERING EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCES; ON TIME, EVERY TIME
When did your love for flowers or nature start? Flower Walker: My mother was a keen gardener and judged many competitions around the Karoo. I often went along and was very fond of her special imported Dutch Irises with exquisite colours. My dad was also an avid gardener, and I loved helping him water the furrows. How would you describe yourself in three flowers and why? Flower Walker: Oh goodness, that’s very difficult! 1.The Arum Lily because such perfection in the wild is a clear indication of a special God. 2.The Dutch Iris because I love their colours. 3.Gardenias and Tuberoses with their strong perfume as I am a perfume freak! How did you get started in Cape Town and what challenges did you face especially now during the Covid-19 pandemic?
FLOWER
Walker
“...because every event was a new challenge as we never repeated anything, always creating specifically for the individual requests.” -Flower Walker
MAGAZINE // 20
F
lower is such an interesting and unique name. Tell us about how your name came about?
Flower Walker: I grew up in a small Karoo town called Richmond, and I was a flower girl at so many weddings that they started calling me flower/flower vase/ blompot!
Flower Walker: It’s a long story… A friend asked me to help her sell her husband’s dried Proteas then an existing flower shop became available on the foreshore, and we bought it by just taking on their debt which we paid off monthly. My profession as a teacher did not help much, so I went to Elro Braak in Pretoria to learn how to wire and tape wedding bouquets. The rest slowly fell into place with the wonderful support of the Cape Town community. With any business there are challenges, but there are rewarding highlights as well that keep you going. What has been your major highlight since starting Petals Group? Flower Walker: Highlights—too many to mention! When I think back, I reminisce about so many special occasions because every event was a new challenge as we never repeated anything, always creating specifically for the individual requests. A major highlight was the contract to supply the Union-Castle mail ships with masses of flowers up and down the coast twice a month—it was certainly a memorable era to cherish. From there on, our events have taken us to so many unique and unbelievable destinations – from Seattle, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Angola to Zurich, and everywhere in between!
space but we find it very easy to compliment each other, merge our ideas, see the other’s vision and build on this to make something we are both proud of.
Philip & Christine: We both have different styles and approaches to how we style an event, flowers, or
Flower Walker: Teaching Philip: Interior design Christine: Fashion design
If your destiny had not led you to your love for floral arrangement, what do you think you would be doing right now?
Veronica: Marketing When we walked into your store it felt like we’d stepped into a wonderland, tell us about the creative process for this beautiful escape? It’s a total team collaboration of the props and design items we have curated over the many years in the events world – then we found a colour palette and are inspired by the seasons to build the accessories
I AM ASHANTI // 21
P
hilip and Christine, you are living a life that most married couples dream of, the blessing of sharing the exact passion with your partner. Creatively, do you have the same style or does the difference allow you to continue to create amazing designs ?
around this and make it feel wondrous. We want people to feel like they are stepping into one of our events every single day – where there is always something special to look at, feel, smell and experience ….we hope that everyone has this impact when walking through our doors.
I AM ASHANTI // 22
Your designs for our 2nd editorial are out of this world and when we first saw the beautiful pieces created by the team, we were in awe…Please walk us through each design process for the dress, the individual themed sets and flowers used? We used your reference images to set the tone but as always with anything handmade it takes on its own direction and life, once you start with the base then it’s one layer on top of the other, adding and gluing and piecing everything together until , as a team, we are happy with
the overall impact that the item will have. We knew that the items had to be unique, avant garde and something you would find on the runways of Paris Fashion Week – where there are no rules! We don’t like rules very much – so we were grateful to be allowed to let the creativity flow – and as you saw that’s when the magic happens! We would love to believe that our collaboration with you was your most lavish creation but we are not naive to think that. What is the most opulent creation that you have been commissioned to create? Working with the I Am Ashanti team was just fabulous and allowed us to be uber creative but we think our biggest challenge was Sir Elton John’s White Tie And Tiara Ball at Vergelegen Wine Estate where a marquee was turned into a Georgian Manor House ( inside & out) complete with precious works of art!
This was a spectacular challenge starting with a 17th-century pantomime in the octagonal garden and culminating with a magnificent Zulu dance in the spectacularly lit forest behind the lily pond. Another very memorable and unique experience – was at the World Economic Forum in Davos where we had to transform a bland conference centre into an African tribal village set for dinner in 3 hours – the transformation was mind-blowing. Similarly – we were commissioned
to decorate and assist in creating a gala dinner on the knife edge of a gorge ( with a drop of over 200m) in Zambia overlooking the mighty Zambezi transforming the raw unclaimed bush into a crystal-studded venue for one night only!
in the events and creative industry – as we feel our very special and unique industry is one where we get to play dress-up for one night only and that is truly a gift!
Are there any limits to your creativity?
How much does sustainability play a role in creating your masterpieces? Are your flowers sourced locally?
Our creativity is inspired by people, places and spaces. We are inspired daily by anything that moves, talks, sparkles and shines. We are inspired by our colleagues
We are passionate about supporting locals, not only from a sustainability perspective but because one hand needs to help the other – we have a responsibility to our
communities, and our industry – in all the layers that it’s made up of. There are small suppliers and growers of unique and very special flowers and greenery – and we are blessed to have amazing relationships with them – going above and beyond to look for new local suppliers for all our raw materials. We try our best not to impact too heavily on the green footprint that we leave – and do try our best to recycle, reuse and make good on floral waste ( i.e. creating potpourri from our old flowers, and compost from all floral waste).
What is your advice for taking care of flower bouquets especially in winter and summer?
While there’s always a botanical link, these Masterclasses offer a wide variety of mediums such as ceramics, resin, essential oils and even CBD. Every few months the schedule is updated on our social media platforms, while the soon-to-be-live Flower Café website will allow guests to book and pay online.
I guess only time will tell as we’re taking it one day at a time but never giving up with tons of hope and trust that like in the past the angels will follow us and all our loyal suppliers and friends in the industry as a whole! Without our strong faith nothing is possible!
I AM ASHANTI // 24
1. Don’t keep them in direct sunlight or in a draught 2. Ensure the water is always clean & filled to the top ( ideally changing the water every 2 days ) 3. Flowers love sugar – add a teaspoon of sugar to the water every time you change it 4. A cap-full of household bleach will keep your water fungus free 5. Trim your flowers as they get oldYou have showcased some of er – until they are have as little life as IT MAKES US the most beautiful workshops floating heads in a bowl – and then dry EXTREMELY on your social media platforms them for potpourri that have empowered beginPROUD AND ners to create stunning pieces. I believe the Petals Group is celeEMOTIONAL TO Please tell us more about your SEE THE BUSINESS brating a beautiful milestone this workshops and what one can do year, how does this make you feel? TRYING ITS BEST to join? TO RIDE THE Although the Petals Group has been opWAVES. Flower Café Workshops are a go-to erating since 1967 our ‘Covid baby’ The spot for milestone celebrations, upFlower Café is having its first birthday, lifting team-building experiences, or and we couldn’t be prouder and cannot casual meet ups with friends, Flowwait for the 6th of August! It makes us er Café has become one of Cape feel immensely grateful for the gift of Town’s favourite spots! Make a one-of-a-kind floral time – that allowed us to have the ability to use our creation while sipping on barista-brewed coffee skills as a team and come up with a unique and and nibbling on delicious homemade eats. unbelievable space during a pandemic! This is an almighty achievement! The COVID-19 pandemic Our daily floral workshop menu offers guests a hit very hard in the events and hospitality industry variety of creative activities using flowers & all but our amazing and loyal staff persevered and put things botanical. Guests may choose any of these shoulder to the wheel to create the Flower Café. It experiences on any visit to the Café.Our collaboramakes us extremely proud and emotional to see the tive Monthly Masterclasses bring local artists and business trying its best to ride the waves. creatives into our space to share their unusual skills with visitors. What’s next in the world of Petals?
www.hellocalzada.com
Jara Ezo
French-born Togolese artist. Follow her journey of self-discovery as she pursues her passion for music. Jara’s frustration with the system culminates in her creating her own recording studio aimed at elevating black women in the industry while also liberating them for the stereotypical entertainment roles of drug addicts, prostitutes or maids with the hope of changing the perception of black communities.
I
discovered that the music business was hard for women, especially black women. There was no room for us. So I tried musicals. Not a lot of roles either. Then I tried cinema as an actress. I had opportunities that I turned down because, to me, it was always clichés : roles of drug addicts, prostitutes, maids and illiterate women. I didn’t want to be part of a system that didn’t want to see nor to show the beauty, intelligence and greatness of black folks. I found ways to use my singing and performing skills to make
a living. I started producing my own concerts, distributing flyers, produced my first EP with my hard earned money. For a while I struggled to stay afloat, to some extent meeting and marrying my husband was my saving grace. Raising my stepson and son has been my motivation to keep pushing if not for me then for them. The support from my family and friends helps to keep me grounded and that is why I’m determined to keep working towards my dreams and goals.
My music was and is influenced by jazz, R’n’B, pop music, and afrobeat. I had a passion for new soul music when I was a young adult : Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, D’Angelo, then later my passion evolved to pop rock music : Phoenix, Gossip. For me, music is music, when it’s good it’s good. I don’t like limits and that’s why I love alternative music, it mixes different styles.
Describe Jara Ezo in three words. Love, fire, light What would you be doing right now if you weren’t an artist? I guess I would be lost! lol… I can’t imagine not being an artist... How would you describe your creative process? I have zero creative process. I lack discipline. I have ideas all the time, day and night, awake or asleep but to sit down and really start working on something is rare! I do what I feel when I feel it and it can take weeks or months before I finish a song..
Jara Ezo Photographer Nazhachi Make-up Artist Haiffa Baccour Dress Artists Own Location Le Decor a l’Envers (Paris)
Is there a particular genre of music that you don’t like? I think I like all genres of music. When a song sounds good to me, it’s good and I’m happy. When you told us your age, shocked would be an understatement, how have you defied the graceful burdens of aging? LOL! I’m not that old! People are gonna think I’m 85 or something like that! I’m only 38, I’m young, bold and melanated 😄 Melanin is the secret. We don’t age, we beautify… Hair and beauty have been
major contributions to an artist’s appearance especially in the entertainment industry, how have you managed to embrace your short, curled crown and what does this mean to you?
on European beauty standards. I.do. not. care.
At first it was an act of rebellion. As everybody wanted me to rock long straight hair (wigs and weaves), I decided to rock my nappy African hair.
Would you agree that learning, studying, and comprehending old music and music history is important?
Then I thought I looked really beautiful like this, and it is cheaper too! lol The truth is, at the end of the day, hair is just hair. BUT! I know nappy or curly hair can be an “issue” in an old-fashioned system based
Love me or leave me alone ! I don’t have to fit in. The world has to accept and adapt to me and to my kind of beauty.
What is really important is what you feel when you listen to or when you create music. If you wanna know your classics that’s good! But there are no rules. It is very personal.
Jara Ezo Photographer Nazhachi Make-up Artist Haiffa Baccour Dress Artists Own Location Le Decor a l’Envers (Paris)
Everyone knows that you love Bella Bellow, tell us why? I love Bella Bellow because she was fresh! Her voice, her charisma, her style… She was classy… She was a queen! It is sad that she passed away very young but the music she left us is a masterpiece. And I am so grateful for that. That is why I wanted to make my own version of her “Blewu”. To show gratitude. You self-funded and produced your first EP which was extremely challenging, what is different now with your second upcoming EP? It is still challenging but now I have the best team to support me: loving husband, children and friends. I am not alone anymore! Hopefully great professionals are gonna add up to the team so I can finally have the “power squad” I’ve always dreamed of ! Producers, managers, tour managers, you’ve
heard me! LOL With the second EP in production have you collaborated with anyone and if not, who would you like to collaborate with next? I haven’t collaborated with anyone yet but maybe I will in the future. If so, I will definitely make a song with my nephew Delador, check him on IG (@delador) and I would love to sing with a Togolese artist also.
have a favorite one! When can your audience expect your second EP and what platforms can they stream it on? I don’ t like to say too much about it because most of the time, the way I see my creations is not really the way people see it. Ya’ll will listen to it and tell me about it later! lol What platforms? For sure iTunes, Tidal, Spotify…
What or who was your main inspiration for this new EP. What’s your favourite song and why?
What advice do you have for aspiring artists, especially those that the industry frequently overlooks?
I don’t even know what inspires me. Maybe it’s just life and the emotions I go through. I write about things I have experienced myself, it is genuine. But the truth is I am in a transformative mood. I am changing, I can feel it. I am more mature and I am happier, so I guess I am inspired by the new me… And I love all of my songs, I don’t
Do your thing. Do listen to your heart and intuition. They never lie!
Victoria Wendish
I AM ASHANTI // 33
Jara Ezo Photographer Nazhachi Make-up Artist Haiffa Baccour Dress Artists Own Location Le Decor a l’Envers (Paris)
www.adeledejak.com
Sisterhood of the travelling
coat of many flowers Up and coming designer, Dorcas Mutombo takes us on an inspiring journey on how she created her most sought after coat using 1066 handmade fabric flowers and the attraction it has garnered from numerous publications.
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n 2019 during my second year of fashion the extension but this didn’t mean that my classes studies at Elizabeth Galloway Academy of would be placed on hold while I continued with Fashion Design, we were tasked with a project my project, this meant I had to attend classes durof creating a garment that was aligned with ing the day and work on the coat in the evenings. the floral theme and that was how I ended up making the coat. While looking for inspiration and how I was unable to do everything on my own, I was I could take this project on, the academy arranged lucky enough to enlist the help of my family to a visit for all the students to visit Okasie in Stelmake the flowers. I fondly remember my dad, lenbosch for inspiration. At Okasie, I saw different Joseph, my sisters, Ruth and Teresa cutting the types of flowers, from interesting shapes, vibrant scraps of fabrics into petals. While everyone else colours and different textures. The was on cutting duty my brothers, MiSOME DAYS WERE chael and Moses, and my youngest experience left me so inspired, I LONELY; I BURNT knew I had to make a garment comsister, Goretti, burnt every fabric petal MY FINGERS, pletely covered in flowers, and that is to avoid any fraying from occurring and exactly what I did with the coat! to also give it form. My mother, CharPRICKED MY lotte, was responsible for placing all the FINGERS A I only had five working days to competals together for me to turn them into MILLION TIMES plete my coat, and I knew that flowers. WITH THE covering a coat in handmade fabNUMEROUS ric flowers was going to take me Those evenings were full of fun and NIEEDLES I HAD, time and require a lot of flowers. In filled with laughter from the jokes we preparation for my sewing week, I AND ALSO FOUND shared while we worked (until they made use of Pinterest and YouTube MYSELF SLEEPING too got tired of the never-ending cutto learn how to make the fabric flowting and burning hahaha). It wasn’t all ON THE FLOOR ers using the scrap material I had sunshine and roses (no pun intended), I collected at the academy . Using my love for colremember one evening being so tired and crying ours, flowers, and form, I went wild with the flower when Moses couldn’t help me, this was honestly making and prepared the first batch of three one of the most difficult things I have had to crehundred fabric flowers for the coat using leftover ate! material. After making the coat and its lining, I started hand sewing each flower on the coat before I spent two months hand sewing flowers day and attaching the lining. night; at least I listened to music or some podcast. Some days were lonely; I burnt my fingers, pricked As I sewed, I realised that three hundred flowers myself a million times with the many needles I could not even cover the front panel, and it was had, and also found myself sleeping on the floor. extremely time-consuming. I was confident in my There is even a picture of me sleeping on the coat creation but I wasn’t naive to know that the process in class from being so tired. I remember crying was going to be harder than I had imagined and from frustration, wondering why I chose to do take longer than the five days we had been initially something so difficult and time-consuming but the given so I decided to ask for an extension to submit admiration from my peers and family was enough my finished garment. Thankfully I was granted to keep me going.
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THIS COAT REPRESENTS SACRIFICE, PATIENCE, DEDICATION, SUSTAINABILITY, HARD WORK AND CREATIVITY
I AM ASHANTI // 38
eople started calling the coat “flower garden” or “rose garden” or “flower bed”. My garment construction lecturer, Monique would say: “is the rose garden still not done?”. Monique was so gracious and patient with me and the process; she understood why I took so long to complete the coat. My fashion design lecturer Fiona was forever supportive, and she kept on checking up on me. My friend Simisola was kind enough to help me sew some of the flowers, and so many people kept me company on my many days of hand sewing, it really took a village!
I remember the overwhelming emotions of finally sewing the last flower and finishing the lining off, I cried (I did this a lot!) and laughed from disbelief. I was very happy and proud of myself for going through with the original idea and not giving up at all! This was the most challenging and rewarding experience but i couldn’t wait to put away the coat and never stare at it for a long time. This coat truly changed my life and paved
my fashion career sooner than I thought! The coat enabled me to become a finalist for the TWYG sustainable fashion award under the student category in 2019. In 2020, it was an outtake for Vogue Portugal, it was published in the South African Glamour Magazine’s November issue, was part of Woolworths Fabric week, and showed at two charity events. Now, it will be featured in the I am Ashanti Magazine. This coat represents sacrifice, patience, dedication,sustainability, hard work, and creativity. I sacrificed a lot of time and put in a lot of effort to complete this task. I simply never gave up on my vision to make the idea a reality! With the help of my family, teachers and friends I managed to complete the coat and make it an unforgettable masterpiece.
Coat Emelia Dorcas designed by Dorcas Mutombo Creative Direction by Nicholah Opoku Moyo Pants and top Model’s own Photographed by Marcus Tshepo Mgadule Hair styling executed by Jolly Kabika Make-up slayed by Peggy “Syd” Tambwe Model Josephine Salumu Set designed by Petals Group
Jessica Felicio I AM ASHANTI // 42
I Am One Of Many by Relebogile Malaza
You would never ask yourself why trees grow in the shape they do or ask a flower why it looks the way it does, nor would you think about how you would manipulate a plant’s roots to alter its identity because we’ve accepted its natural state. Tracie Thoms, an African American Emmy nominated actress and singer, once stated: “It’s amazing that it’s considered revolutionary to wear my hair the way it grows out of my head.” Thread-like strands that have been growing from the roots of Black woman’s hair have been the topic of discussion for generations. It’s intriguing how the psychology of hair changes according to race. Furthermore, in our society, hair is a form of non-verbal communication; it creates the first impression and determines how we are perceived by other individuals. We do this fortuitously according to social constructions and standards of beauty. Unfortunately, one kind of people has been seen as the monopoly when defining beauty standards, and in the past, diversity hasn’t been taken into consideration. Growing up as a black child resulted in
being asked questions like, “why doesn’t your hair move? or “why is it braided like that?” *laughs and giggles that it’s stiff*. Black women have been forced to engage in a different dialogue for centuries as the hair that grows naturally out of their heads has been stigmatised and stereotyped. It’s as easy as a black child who has natural hair searching images on Google for “professional hair,” and the immediate photos show countless eurocentric women with long straight hair. Imagine what it does to her self-confidence? The exclusion of black women’s hair when defining beauty standards created our struggle for recognition as we internalise beauty and gender standards.
than making us beautiful. It forms a huge part of our identity. We’re unlearning and creating a world where social and economic advancement is possible by just being our authentic selves. Black women are beginning to exude confidence in both their weaves and coils. Hair is an art form that we’re beginning to understand how to maintain. Madam C.J Walker, an African American entrepreneur, philanthropist, political and social activist, became the first self-made millionaire by developing a line of cosmetics and hair products for black women.
Jessica Felicio
The misrepresentation and marginalisation of black hair is like having photos taken of you and your family, but yours were never worthy enough to make it up the wall. Black hair is not just hair, it has never been and never will be. I am one of many countless black women who used to question their hair but are now learning to embrace it in different forms. Black hair is an expression of oneself; it is a part of our natural being. We give it the ability to empower or disempower us. History has created daughters of resistance — women who push boundaries with their hair by expressing their being and carrying history on their heads like a crown. A crown that is carried from generation to generation, and that crown doesn’t just come in one form. Every hairstyle has its own historical story, from braids to cornrows to wigs and weaves; versatility thrives when discussing a black woman’s hair. We are learning to take pride in our roots, and like the roots of trees and flowers, we should never be questioned about why our hair grows the way it does because it plays a bigger role
Joshua Oyebanji
T MAGAZINE // 44
his shows how large scale the market was for black women who want to maintain their hair properly. Currently, there are over thousands of black hair products, equipment best suited for black hair and countless YouTube tutorials from black women on how to maintain their hair, black women sharing their big cut to show we’re a supportive community and the importance of protective hairstyles. Social constructions of beauty are being deconstructed as more black women showcase themselves, embracing and celebrat-
ing their hair, whether it’s a wig, cornrows, braids or just their afro’s.
many beautiful people in society, as beauty doesn’t come in one form.
In essence, black women are beginning to wear their hair like a worthy crown on their heads. This is what I am one of many means; you are not alone.
I am grateful for the representation that has come before me and hope for future generations to wear their crown on their heads and say “I am one of many” with pride as we create a standard of beauty that includes diversity.
After many years of self-rejection, I am proud to say I am one of many black women who wear their hair like a crown on their heads without questioning their beauty. I am proud to be one of many daughters of resilience. A black woman’s roots and ancestry cannot be denied. We are one of
Taking you on a sensory journey like no other.
Tired of your favourite grey sweats from quarantine? Let us be your guide to changing things up. After a year of sweats, iced coffee and banana bread, I’m sure we all need a change in routine and to spice up the wardrobe a bit. Whether you’re planning outfits for summer travel, simply looking to up your game for all seasons or even trying to recreate looks from your favourite celebs – we’ve got you covered.
Amo Modise
Priscilla Du Preez
Summer
Recreate this timeless Jacquemus linen dress worn by Chelsea, showing a bit of leg with an open back with a similar replica from Zara, ASOS and NAKD.
Zara Draped Black Dress Price: $68
NAKD Draped Strappy Dress Price: $72
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Jacquemus La Robe Saudade Cotton And Linen Dress Price: $798.
ASOS DESIGN cami ruched front maxi dress in linen in stone Price: $48
Autumn
We all can’t be a part of the Knowles family but we sure can try to dress like them. For a slightly chilly evening walk down the town’s hotspots, a fitted Dion Lee lace corset combined with a cropped blazer paired with trousers with a tad of a reveal at the hip.
Maniere De Voir Blazer With Vegan Price: $97
Maniere De Voir Corset Waist Blazer Price: $93
Zara Crossover Blazer - Limited Edition Price: $48
Dion Lee Lace Bustier Single-Breasted Blazer Price: $1,198
Adika Bono Flared Leggings Waist Detail Price: $25
Winter
A good coat always sets the tone for a winter’s day. Ciara flaunts in Max Mara Cashmere coat over a woolen shirt and trousers. You can’t go wrong with heels either.
Asos Topshop Belted Double Breasted Coat In Came Price: $124
Asos Topshop Belted Coat In Camel Price: $83
Asos Topshop wide leg trousers in camel Price: $56
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Max Mara Cashmere Labbro Coat Price: $6090 (similar coat to picture) Max Mara Renon Relaxed-fit High-rise Wool Trousers In Tobacco Price: $710
Spring
After shedding the winter’s weight, all you want to do is feel good in your skin during Spring. Of course we had no choice but to include our style icon, Rihanna drenched in Louis Vuitton from head to toe in a utility-inspired wide-leg jumpsuit with angular shades to match.
G-Star MONO ARMY jumspsuit Price: $104
LEVI’S®
Louis Vuitton Jumpsuit
Women’s Jumpsuit Price: $104
Utility
Nike Women’s Utility Jumpsuit Price: $125
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Price: not available
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The essence of African
BEAUTY
and a journey of enlightenment
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African beauty is eclectic, it can be expressed through hair, character and countless other distinctive features. Let’s embark on a journey of enlightenment and uncover the true essence of what characterises the aesthetic of Africa. Ready to rediscover Africa through us?
Ten Amazing
BEAUTY PRODUCTS we know you will love! 1 SUKI SUKI NATURALS. This butter with a sweet scent will leave your hair and skin shining, soft, and smelling excellent. It repairs, softens, and keeps the skin nourished and supple.
2 AFRICOLOGY This velvety lotion is combined with pure essential oils that relieve tension, balance emotions, and quiet the mind, leaving the skin soft, nourished, and wonderfully fragranced.
Maybelline Baby Skin stant Pore Eraser Prim
3 MAC matte lipstick. A creamy thick lipstick formula with strong color payoff and a matte finish that doesn’t shine.
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4 NYX matte lipstick. It offers highly rich pigmentation in a number of colours that fit any complexion, from neutral shades like nude to smooth reds, thanks to beeswax and emollients.
NEBEDAI. All-in-one face oil at its finest. It can be used to fade scars and dark spots, brighten the skin, and level out the complexion. Additionally, it aids in the treatment of minor irritation and enhances the texture of the skin.
Inmer
6 BENEFIT BROW GEL. Brow shaping and setting gel that lasts for 24 hours. The brush’s long-bristled side evenly coats brow hairs. Sculpt and shape hairs into position using the short bristles.
7 WOOLWORTHS. Vitamin complex, pollushield, and hyaluronic acid are found in this hydrating gel moisturizer. It will increase the hydration level of your skin, making it feel soft and supple.
8 EADEM. A fragrance-free milk serum designed specifically for skin of colour to help remove dark spots and prevent new ones from appearing.
9 CLAIRE HILL. A high-performance skin firming and rejuvenation serum that delivers a concentrated dose of active ingredients to the skin’s deeper layers
10 SKIN CREAMEY. Because of its high protein content, it deeply regenerates and rejuvenates the skin. Baobab oil is a natural moisturizer that
// VUYISILE ZONDI FOUNDER OF CORIUM SKINCARE F
ounded in South Africa, with purely natural ingredients at the core of everything they produce. Corium is a skincare range inspired by traditional African, Himalayan, and Ayurvedic beauty practices..
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www.coriumskincare.com
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T
he opportunity to speak with amazing entrepreneurial women is significant to us as a brand. Being able to showcase Africans, especially women making it on our forum, means a lot. It means a lot for our continent because that’s the whole essence of I Am Ashanti—to discover and highlight creative people making a difference; people who are making products for Africans by Africans. Now is an ideal time more than ever for us to change the perception of Africa. We are so much more than the poverty narrative; the ingredients, the products, Africa is behind some of the world’s most trusted skincare products.
Model Diana Kasongo Photographer Marcus Tshepo Mgadule Creative Direction Nicholah Opoku Moyo Assisted by Alex Kaori Dress Cotton On
Tell us about yourself and how Corium skincare began; what inspired you to develop your product line? First of all, my university qualification was in building, construction, and development. My career started on the other side of the spectrum, then I went to business school and ended up studying strategy consulting, and that’s when I began Corium as a side hustle. It was just a passion project and something I liked doing. In terms of my academic and my vocational background, none of those spoke to beauty, but I used to be and I still am such a girly girl and someone who is just so invested in personal care and grooming that it came naturally for me to start Corium, from being a hobby to it evolving into a passion-filled business.
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I started making my products on the stove, first I was making for one person and then two people, next thing there’s an online store. That’s
Model Diana Kasongo Photographer Marcus Tshepo Mgadule Creative Direction Nicholah Opoku Moyo Assisted by Alex Kaori Dress Cotton On
basically how Corium came about. We know of people who started with a particular major in university. Ten years down the line, they are not practicing what they studied. Would you say that in your case, your passion for beauty found you along the way? I think so; hey, it really and truly was a passion project. You do something, and you’re not sure if people will buy into it or if they will like it. So, for me, I put myself out there, and people encouraged me, and that’s really how it happened with Corium. “AS AN ENTREPRENEUR, YOU HAVE TO MAKE HARD DECISIONS; IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT WHAT MAKES BUSINESS SENSE, BUT IT IS ALSO A RESPONSIBLE DECISION”
Were you not afraid of entering an already saturated market with another skincare brand? How did you tackle that, and what was your thought process?
I think everything happened so quickly so I didn’t have the luxury to be afraid. The skincare industry is a competitive industry with very large players, so I guess with Corium, we could garner support because the story was so relatable. I made these products on the stove, so people felt that they grew with the brand, and I think that is the most important thing. The relatability behind Corium became almost a value proposition for us because people felt like, “oh, this is a proudly local, black, woman-owned brand” and wanted to support or give it a chance. So those things that you would’ve seen maybe as a scam and or the things that restricted how you could play in the markets ended up being a positive advantage for us.
In terms of accessibility, we’re an online and e-commerce store, and that’s been our market; now currently looking at theJepchirchir retail part of the Maureen business. We aspire to be heavily on shelves nationwide mainly because we’ve made the footprint that allowed it to happen.
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In an era where brands maximize profit over value, how do you still keep your brand honest and easily accessible to your customers?
The first thing is creating an affordable product you know will work, then building a community —that was exactly how we wanted to enter the market. We’re not cheap as such, but we want to be accessible to our target consumer, which is working professionals and some students. It’s not a splurge or that they have to save up for many months before buying, like the lemon serum, for example. Putting profit aside, it’s also essential that the products we make for our customers are effective. We also carry a more luxe range that is slightly more premium than the other range within Corium; it’s more niche than the classic range. The introduction to our products should be through the more affordable range, and once they know about us, maybe they can try something that’s a little bit more luxe. What makes your skincare range so unique? It all comes down to the fact that our brand is credible, it’s African, and there’s a story —what better way to tell people about your brand than through a story. We’re such a storytelling continent; we love feel-good stories —that’s also part of our brand appeal. The fact that you’ll feel a sense of ownership when the story is relatable and that we are exceptionally professional in terms of how we package our products and how we communicate about the brand. So even though it’s relatable, we make sure that everything is professional, so people know they’re getting their money’s worth. I think that’s very important, and to be so consumer-driven that you want to give them the best as well. Hence, I think those are the things for me that make Corium stand out and our professionalism while maintaining customer-centricity. What inspired you to draw from African, Himalayan, and Ayurvedic influences? I researched so much because my background is not in beauty. I also didn’t want to mess it up; that’s why I got a formulator involved, and I wanted to learn so that if I’m on a platform, I can speak
confidently about the products. It was crucial that we revisited the traditional beauty ingredients and pair them up with things that still enhanced the effectiveness. The right price was the main drawcard, but it was vital for me to get someone who understood formulation to come in and to help. What’s your favourite product from your range and why? We have the toners and the mist that launched recently; I like those a lot . The skin-perfecting body butter was one of the first three products we made; that’s also one of our bestsellers, a firm favorite of mine. The argan oil is a favorite of mine as well because I have combination skin, and then there’s the green tea clay mask —I love that very much. What advice would you give those experiencing chronic skin problems? I’m going to be honest, as much as we’re a skincare brand, I think some skincare problems need a dermatologist; sometimes, an over-the-counter product is not suitable for a severe dermatological problem. Suppose it’s someone who has the odd breakout or uneven skin tone, in that case, I’d say give us a chance because we put so much thought into making products that appeal across different skin types and the various everyday skin concerns. Although we want to make sales, we always put the consumer first; that’s why we’d advise you to consult a doctor if it’s something that needs special attention. What sort of challenges do you experience while operating a socially responsible business? It’s difficult because as you scale up, you have to make decisions for the business, so it’s always a bit of a trade-off. I always think you must have a list of the things that are important to the business and then the things that will ensure the sustainable and consistent growth of the business. Those things are quite significant, and being aware of the environmental impact is always a trade-off. As an entre-
preneur, you have to make hard decisions; it’s not just about what makes business sense, but it is also a responsible decision. You can’t be purely capitalist, where you’ll do anything to make the business grow at the expense of others, so I think it’s about your morality as well and your integrity as a person. To what extent does sustainability play a role in your production process? For us, because we say that we want to bring you the best in skincare, we source the butters and the oils in their country of origin. Hence, our shea butter comes from Accra, Ghana, and our turmeric comes in from India. Therefore, we always try to preserve the integrity of the product. We work to deliver nature’s best to you and always try to get the ingredients in from the native country —in their most unrefined and raw form. How did you establish connections and communication with the product suppliers in the various native countries. I met a South African lady who married a Ghanaian and settled in London very strangely enough. She has a business that operates in Africa and I think there was a cooperative or government initiative in Ghana to sponsor companies that were focused on exporting shea butter.. I was so lucky that I didn’t have to search for the supplier physically. I had someone who had been earmarked to produce shea butter and to make sure that it’s fair trade, compliant and that the community is uplifted. What advice would you give to aspiring African female entrepreneurs? As a person, especially in the startup phase of a business, just put yourself out there, meet people, speak with people and attend virtual meetings. It’s crucial that you build; I would say, your human and social capital because that’s quite a big advantage, especially in the business’s startup phase.
www.hellocalzada.com
Don’t touch my
Hair
Exploring the symbolism of hair in the black community Words by Liz Chimani
What is it about black hair? I think our hair is what we make it; it’s a reflection of our mood, attitude and an extension of our character —but tread carefully; this only applies when we say so. The way one black woman views and wears her hair will never be the same as the next—some like it braided, locked, bold or natural, others like their wigs and weaves. The superstar and self-acclaimed hair chameleon Taraji P. Henson once said, “as black women, our hair is not just an accessory, it’s a part of our culture, it’s the way we express ourselves’’
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For centuries black women have been judged harshly by the appearance of their hair, but not anymore. Hair or hairstyles in the contemporary black community symbolise several things that are rooted in a history of identity, the utmost dignity and pride. Many often wonder why black women are stereotypically known for finding offense in anyone who attempts to touch their hair without permission. So much that “don’t touch my hair!” has become a famous catchphrase. Setting aside all the time and effort it takes to style and maintain our hair, the simple answer is: it’s sacred. Our ancestors, who were captured as slaves, used their hairstyles to signify their tribes, send messages; as a matter of fact, freedom maps were often encrypted in cornrow styles. Today hair or lack thereof sends messages of rebellion, pride, individuality, femininity, confidence and many more.
Let’s explore some iconic black women who’ve made a statement with their hair. India Arie – The legendary songbird not only wore her hairstyles with pride, but she was also one of the leading black hair activists during a time when most women of colour were either struggling or too ashamed to wear their natural hair because of societal pressures from the media’s perception of black hair. The lyrics of her song “I am not my hair” say it all:
Good hair means curls and waves (no) Bad hair means you look like a slave (no) At the turn of the century It’s time for us to redefine who we be You can shave it off like a South African beauty Or get in on lock like Bob Marley You can rock it straight like Oprah Winfrey If it’s not what’s on your head, it’s what’s underneath, and say Hey (hey) I am not my hair I am not this skin I am not your expectations, no (hey) Tina Turner – broke all the barriers with her fabulous wigs Diana Ross – always made sure she was the “mane” attraction Brandy – made braids trendy Cush Jumbo – Taught us to slay short hairstyles with bold colours. Nicki Minaj – showed the world that black women could wear wigs of any shape, colour and size Sho Madjozi – keeps adding pops of colour and pizzazz to her cornrows and braids Zozibini Tunzi – showed the world that Miss Universe can have short afro hair and still be beautiful Shudufhadzo Musida – is the ravishing definition of ‘no hair, don’t care!’ The list is endless, but we hope these women have shed a little bit of light on why black women take so much pride in their hair; it’s more than who they are, it’s their soul. Next time you see an attractive hairstyle on a black woman, remember not to touch their hair!
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‘‘What is it about black hair? I think our hair is what we make it; it’s a reflection of our mood, attitude and an extension of our character —but tread carefully; this only applies when we say so.’’ Model Maria Victorie Kobo Photographer Marcus Tshepo Mgadule Creative Direction Nicholah Opoku Moyo Dress Didina Closet Set design Petals Group Hair Jolly Kabika Hair Extensions Darling Hair South Africa Make-up Peggy Syd Tambwe
Maureen Jepchirchir
Quaepudant perum quo
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Fix Your
CROWN Creative Direction by Nicholah Opoku Moyo Photographed by Marcus Tshepo Mgadule , Zwelihle Bukhwele Hair styling executed by Jolly Kabika Hair Extensions Darling Hair Make-up slayed by Peggy “Syd” Tambwe Production Assitants Alex Kaori, Liz Chimani, Anosh Chetty, Asmeeta Chavda Models Diana Kasongo, Josephine Salumu, Erica Chipato, Maria Victorie Kobo, Julia Kawal na Mtombw, Celeste Maria Antonio, Savannah Reynolds and Simone Nyamabo Location provided and styled by Petals Group
“Black is Beautiful” pertains to the idea of embracing black culture and identity. Through centuries of ethnic hair being the antithesis of the Euro-American standard of beauty, by using ‘nappy’ as a derogatory term, prevailing through years of taunting and degradation today we are able to reclaim our throne and wear our hair poised in
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elegance.
Model Maria Victorie Kobo Photographer Zwelihle Bukhwele Creative Direction Nicholah Opoku Moyo Floral Dress & Set design Petals Group Hair Jolly Kabika Hair Extensions Darling Hair South Africa Make-up Peggy Syd Tambwe
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BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL
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Maureen Jepchirchir
Model Simone Nyamabo Photographer Marcus Tshepo Mgadule Creative Direction Nicholah Opoku Moyo Outfit & Set design Petals Group Hair Jolly Kabika Hair Extensions Darling Hair South Africa Make-up Peggy Syd Tambwe
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Model Celeste Maris Antonio Photographer Marcus Tshepo Mgadule Creative Direction Nicholah Opoku Moyo Dress Didina Closet Set design Petals Group Hair Jolly Kabika Hair Extensions Darling Hair South Africa Make-up Peggy Syd Tambwe
ad vibes
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Model Julia Kawal na Mutombw Photographer Marcus Tshepo Mgadule Creative Direction Nicholah Opoku Moyo Dress Model’s own Set design Petals Group Hair Jolly Kabika Hair Extensions Darling Hair South Africa Make-up Peggy Syd Tambwe
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Model Julia Kawal na Mutombw Photographer Marcus Tshepo Mgadule Creative Direction Nicholah Opoku Moyo
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Model Diana Kasongo Photographer Marcus Tshepo Mgadule Creative Direction Nicholah Opoku Moyo Dress Didina Closet Set design Petals Group Hair Jolly Kabika Make-up Peggy Syd Tambwe
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The apprehension of the plight of black women is not solely based on comprehending diurnal encounters of “Is that your real hair?” or the 6am interrogations on whether your hair is a “weave or a wig” but of how imperative it is to include the word “black/ethnic” when
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searching for hairstyle inspiration on Google/YouTube opposed to just simply Googling “hairstyles”.
Model Erica Chipato Photographer Zwelihle Bukhwele Creative Direction Nicholah Opoku Moyo Dress Cotton On Set design Petals Group Hair Jolly Kabika Hair Extensions Darling Hair South Africa Make-up Peggy Syd Tambwe
It is a well-known fact, almost a blatant certitude, that a person’s hair is the first perceptible feature of their physical appearance. It sets the tone for the entire ensemble, furthermore enhancing natural
beauty. One could be dressed and drenched in opulence; however, if your crown does not coordinate with your clothes, it becomes catastrophic and could make you look like Harry Dunne from Dumb and Dumber in vintage Dior. The gleaming obstacle visible in this modern age is the actuality that people remain unsure of which styles will augment their features. It is essential to opt for a hairstyle and colour that matches the shape of your face and complements your skin tone. Think about cheetah print hair swatched against a multi-colour Gingham coat? Joan Rivers would be livid.
Model Savannah Reynolds Photographer Marcus Tshepo Mgadule Creative Direction Nicholah Opoku Moyo Dress Model’s own Set design Petals Group Hair Jolly Kabika Make-up Peggy Syd Tambwe
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The censorship of ethnic hair online encompasses not having the opportunity of authentic, genuine representation on how we should go about loving our own crown, whether it be through styling or how to coordinate it with an outfit. However, we have moved into a space where it is time to embrace all hair types,
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whether it be 4c or 2b.
Model Josephine Salumu Photographer Marcus Tshepo Mgadule Creative Direction Nicholah Opoku Moyo Dress Model’s Own Set design Petals Group Hair Jolly Kabika Hair Extensions Darling Hair South Africa Make-up Peggy Syd Tambwe
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Cover Story
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Quaepudant perum quo
The Beauty of a
Woman Written by Kataleya
The beauty of a woman is in the poems she’s wrote, the dreams she’s weaved and all the stories she’s told. The beauty of a woman is in the adventures she’s taken, the lives she’s touched and all the minds she’s awakened. The beauty of a woman is in the caring she gives, the sincerity in her laughter, and the passion in her griefs. It’s not the expensive clothes she owns, her body size, the diamonds she’s worn. Measure not the beauty of woman in gold, for the beauty of a woman is reflected in her soul.
“Fashion is the art of expressing one’s passion, feelings and uniqueness through style, clothes, roots, beliefs and many more” - Eudes Desiderio Andre
Not for sale to persons under the age of 18
Get the look
Our talented makeup artist Syd gives us a step-by-step guide on how she achieved this stunning look and which products she used..
1 Skin prep Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer
2 Base Nyx Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation Full Coverage
3 Eyebrows Benefit Cosmetics Ka-BROW! Eyebrow Gel Cream #5
4 Highlight
8 Mascara
L’Oréal Paris Infallible More Than Concealer #338
L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise
9 Flowers
5 Setting Powder
To secure the flowers I used lash glue
Almay Loose Finishing Powder
10 Lips 1. Mac Lip Pencil Chestnut 2. Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer
6 Contour Black Radiance True Complexion™ Contour Palette medium to dark
11 Finish
7 Eyeshadow 1. P.Louise Eye Base Rumour Shade 3 2. Juvia’s Place Masquerade eyeshadow palette 3. MAC Cosmetics Dazzleshadow
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1. Juvia’s Place Nubian Loose Highlighting Powder 2. Mac Cosmetics Prep + Prime + Fix Makeup Setting Spray
BOITY PINK SAPPHIRE A poetic, modern fragrance created to express the perfect harmony of sensuality and strength. www.haloheritage.com
HAIRITAGE Jo Ferrage and Catia J Pinto, the founders of HAIRITAGE, were no longer willing to compromise on their hair care shopping experiences and decided to open a hair and beauty company that gave its clients the power, knowledge, and beauty journey they deserved, allowing them to take pride in their versatile coils, curls, and waves!
“Ethnic women (and now men) spend over a billion pounds yearly on hair products. We consume most of the products but lack in representation and adequate knowledge.” - Hairitage
Jo: Thank you so much for this opportunity. Both Catia and I come from different professional backgrounds; I come from a beauty and fashion PR Marketing background. I gave up a secure job to follow and pursue this dream to help individuals like me learn and cater to their natural tress. Catia: I’m the other half of HAIRITAGE, and also Jo’s cousin. I come from a financial background and was incredibly annoyed at how women of colour were shopping for their haircare products and the disconnect they would experience with the ‘typical’ sales advisors. Alongside HAIRITAGE, I have a beautiful toddler and am still in my full-time job.
What would you do differently if you had a chance to start your career all over again? Jo: Nothing, I believe we had to go through all the challenges (and still are) in order to understand and appreciate the work we are putting in and learning. Catia: I wholeheartedly agree. The name of your brand is absolutely genius; how did that come about? Jo: We were playing around with the idea of the wording resonating with our roots, representing who we are, and we thought of heritage; it was actually Catia’s partner who came up with the play on word: HAIRITAGE. Catia: HAIRITAGE captures what we’re about but also our individual journeys, knowing our history and understanding where we come from. Being that we are a small family busi-
ness, it also represents that. HAIRITAGE was founded on frustration from the lack of proper representation within the hair care industry. Tell us more about this. Jo: Where do we even start? The industry has been dominated by Asian men for years, especially those who sell black hair care products. Both Catia and I wanted to change the narrative and for black women not to compromise their shopping hair journey. Catia: Exactly what Jo said. The beauty industry has only now slightly opened its eyes to representation, especially with Coily (afro) hair. Everything we do, we try to show inclusivity from all different aspects of textured hair. We’re celebrating and owning it back and encouraging our consumers and those around us to do the same.
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Hello ladies, always a pleasure getting the opportunity to chat with young and upcoming entrepreneurs. Please tell us a little about yourselves and your background.
Over the last couple of years, there have been a number of movements that are calling for inclusivity. Do you think the beauty and hair industry has evolved regarding inclusion, and how is HAIRITAGE bridging the gap? Jo: Absolutely! I came from a PR/ Marketing background, and when I first started my professional career, it was incredibly difficult to see inclusivity in print media, especially in the beauty industry. Catia: One thing which I love to hear from our consumers and walk in’s is ‘Is this only for afro hair?’ and ‘wow, we’ve never seen anything like this for us before’. Via these responses, it shows us we’re doing the right thing in filling in those empty spaces where people want to see a more tasteful representation. In a world that has normalised profit over values, how has HAIRITAGE maintained its core belief in offering honest products to its customers? Jo: I love this question, and thank you for asking. Both Catia and I are not sales individuals, and to be honest; I would never call us that either. We are two cousins who had/have hair experiences and want to share our knowledge with textured hair individuals to help with their hair journey. Catia: The fact that we have stuck to the brands and products we stock shows that we care consciously and selectively. We have learnt to say no to opportunities that are not aligned with our ethos. We prioritize the value we add to our customer’s natural hair journeys.
Catia: There’s no one miracle product that everyone is after. The key is consistency and education, which is what HAIRITAGE heavily promotes. What is your favourite hair care product and why? Jo: Oh, by far Mielle Shampoo and Conditioner. It was one of the first products I used when I was recovering from damaged curl patterns and still now use it. It’s absolutely gentle on my hair and smells amazing! Catia: Waffle towel and Superfood LX Balm (the brand creators have carefully depicted the essence of what is needed in the black haircare market). What is your go-to haircare routine? Jo: Wash and Go. Simple, quick and easy Catia: We underestimate the value of a good brush and water. Currently, you are mainly focused on stocking haircare brands that are manufactured for other companies and that echo your brand values. Would your own bespoke product range be something you would consider, and what would that look like? Jo: Our clients have been screaming for us to create our own products, and we do listen. So we started off small with our beard oils.
What challenges have you faced as young, driven female entrepreneurs, and how did you overcome them?
Catia: This requires so much research and time. Definitely, something that we would love to expand into, but we also want to make sure it covers all different types of coils and curls as one product does not fit for all.
Jo: Definitely, the wholesalers are not taking us seriously and buying stock. It’s a headache within itself.
What advice would you provide to someone who wishes to start their own business?
Catia: That’s the challenge itself, being young, innocent and black in an industry that’s heavily dominated by big brands.
Jo: Do your research and listen to podcasts which will help stimulate your business mind and personal growth.
What is the one lesson that you have learned and carried with you since starting HAIRITAGE?
Catia: You’ll never know until you start. Think about the value you’ll be adding to the market.
Jo: You can’t do everything by yourself. You need helping hands.
www.kinapure.com
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Kinapure exquisitely crafted natural skin care that nourishes your skin and empowers West African families
www.kinapure.com
Sapo body sponge founder
Dorien Toku
Promoting economic independence in Africa and beyond
You wear many career hats and all impressive in their own right, but who is Dorien Toku apart from the entrepreneur?
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I am an extremely proud Ghanaian American woman whose existence is to share a passion for bridging the gap between America and the African diaspora. Encouraging cultural diversity to influence economic independence through business development and reinvestment in Africa and beyond. After a sleepover at 16 years old you discovered a need for a beauty product that wasn’t common in most households unless you are from Africa. Tell us more about how this birthed Sapo Body Sponge. I can remember how shocked I was
that my friend had never heard of this sponge, moreover the fact that she was only familiar with using a washcloth to bathe. Although I dismissed this as quite “strange” it wasn’t until college when so many people questioned my net like sponge every time I took my bath caddy to shower. As a biology major, I didn’t have time to focus on the business opportunity that was right in front of me. However, after college was when I dabbled with the thought of making it a business. In the workplace my skin was a familiar topic that ended with the question “what do you use for your skin?” After gifting this product multiple times and receiving positive feedback it was time to turn it into a business, my mind was clear. You studied a completely different degree to what you are doing
now, tell us about that career change. Any advice for people wrestling with the same decision? Growing up in a traditional Ghanaian household my parents’ aspirations for me to become a doctor came to an end when I realized it was time to explore life and move away to “find myself ”. I moved to a city that was kinder to young black entrepreneurs, Atlanta GA. I was inspired by creatives and their success stories; my passion continued to push me into becoming a business owner. The blood, sweat and tears that I continue to work through are worth it and I will not stop until Sapo Body Sponge is worldwide. I would encourage anyone to pursue what they are absolutely passionate about.
In Ghana one of the spoken languages is, Twi. In Twi “Sapor ‘’ which is the correct spelling is translated to “Sponge”. Because the R is silent when it is pronounced I wanted to ensure it was pronounced as phonetically as possible so I respectfully dropped the “R” and birthed Sapo Body Sponge.
can be lost. And this part will test a person to see how invested they are in themselves. Giving up is the easy part, pushing through tested my commitment to myself.
and reinvesting in her strength.
What is your ultimate goal for Sapo Body Sponge in terms of social responsibility?
Dorien: My favorite is the Royal Purple. The royal part is a reminder that I am the queen of my destiny. The color is beautiful, understated yet powerful and radiant in its simplicity. Ironically all these verbs also describe the Sapo Body Sponge brand.
That a business is way more than an LLC and a good idea lol. The most difficult hurdle was knowing when, where and how to spend money because some of it if not all of it
The ultimate goal for Sapo Body Sponge is to become a global brand so we can give back to the country of origin, Ghana. I would love to work with organisations to assist in building more specialty schools (science, math, tech, art, design schools etc) with the best tools and resources. Bridging gaps between the US and Africa I would love to implement more exchange programs for students to “Rediscover Africa through us”. Creating narratives that encourage uplifting Africa
however there is still a lot of work to do. For me it was a reminder that there is no ceiling to the level of success that I will achieve and there is so much more to come.
ASK QUESTIONS and DO THE RESEARCH. It is so important to have direction and taking partnership with a successful mentor will help in time and money lost.
Starting a business is challenging and sometimes a dose of humility is needed to succeed. What is the one thing that young entrepreneurs should not be ashamed of doing when they first start out?
Is there a certain type of product that you’ve always wanted to develop but haven’t been able to under the Sapo brand?
What were the most difficult hurdles and learning curves you encountered while growing Sapo Body Sponge?
Not yet as we have been quite linear in our approach and focus on one product at a time.
The body sponges come in different warm colours, which colour is your favourite and why?
Sapo Body Sponge is now available in Walmart, from an outsider looking in this is really impressive, to you what does this symbolise? Being on Walmart was a huge step in the right direction and definitely assisted in validating the brand
With regards to expansion, what’s next for Sapo Body Sponge? All things beauty in the near future; soaps, body washes, body butters and who knows maybe even fragrance. More to come for sure, stay tuned!
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How did you come up with your brand name?
Mossel Bay South Africa
Not for sale to persons under the age of 18
Be
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est places to eat in
ape Town If there’s one thing I can confirm is that I like “nice things” so here you have it—my list of the best things to do in Cape Town. I know it’s a “pandemic” *in Elsa Majimbo’s voice* but we can still spoil ourselves when things open up again, so here’s a list to help you preparere
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Words by Liz Chimani
But first coffee If you’re a serious coffee drinker as I am, you’d know that Cape Town has some of the best coffee places in the country (don’t fight me, I said what I said!) Shift Espresso bar, Truth Coffee Roasting, Origin Coffee Roasting and Deluxe Coffeeworks are top of our list.
Truth Coffee Roasting
Jessica Felicio
Fancy another cuppa? Try: The Conservatory at Cellars-Hohenort The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa
The Silo Hotel
A cup of tea and a slice of cake If coffee isn’t your “cup of tea” (excuse the pun) then enjoy a taste of opulence with high tea in the heart beat of the prestigious Silo District. The Silo Hotel Cape Town. This stylish establishment is housed adjacent to the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) where Africa’s largest collection of contemporary African art is stored.
Origin Coffee Roasting
The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa
The Conservatory at Cellars-Hohenort
Break the fast Soak in the harbour views at Woolworths Café V&A Waterfront as you enjoy a gourmet style breakfast with delectable sweet and savoury options.
JARRYDS Espresson Bar
JARRYDS Espresso Bar + Eatery New York Bagels
JARRYDS Espresson Bar
If you’re looking for a good breakfast spot that offers a great selection of local breakfast favourites, like egg, bacon, steak, bagels and more check out our top picks below.
Wine not! The category is scenery. Picture this, a serene lush green setting with Noordhoek beach as your backdrop. You’re slowly sipping on a glass of crisp, cold sauvignon Blanc on a moderate summer’s day, you can only experience this bliss at Cape Point Vineyards.
Da Capo Vineyards at Idiom Wine Estate
Cape Town city has a vast offering of food and drinks spots but these just happen to be my favourites.
Delaire Graff Estate
Other beautiful settings to enjoy a glass of wine include: Beau Constantia Delaire Graff Estate
Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia
Meerendal Wine Estate
Babel at Babylonstoren
Bottoms Up
Expect to be wowed by their authentic infusions sprinkled with local herbs and extracts.
The Secret Gin Bar
The Art of Duplicity
Other favourite’s include Cause Effect Cocktail Kitchen The Art of Duplicity
Cause Effect Cocktail Kitchen
Fancy a cocktail or two? Then look no further than the not so Secret Gin bar. This cosy little cocktail bar is everything you’ll need to satisfy your gin and tonic needs.
www.poeticallylivingnara.com
Ly le Minh
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The origins of the cacoa beans
A new wave of passionate, highly-skilled female entrepreneurs are emerging from across the African continent. Similarly, some of the world’s finest chocolates are produced in Africa, by dedicated artisan growers who are on a quest to deliver the world’s most sophisticated and delectable types of renowned African cacao. Some of the best chocolatiers on the planet happen to be women– meet the female chocolatiers redefining the chocolate industry. Written by Sihle Qelekeshe
D
id you know that almost 70% of the world’s cacao is produced in Africa? So, next time you indulge in a stunning bean-to-bar artisan chocolate block, or a homemade truffle, or a lovingly crafted chocolate packed with fluffy ganache remember that there is a high chance that it is flavoured with fresh African cacao.
Some of the world’s finest chocolates are also produced in Africa, by dedicated artisan growers who are on a quest to deliver the world’s most sophisticated and tasty types of renowned African cacao to enjoy! Because we are firm believers in Women Empowerment, what better way to dedicate our first issue by introducing you to some of the women who are chocolatiers and who have redefined the chocolate industry
Chocolates for All by Women Selassie Atadika, a Ghanaian artisan chocolatier, is developing a high-end truffle collection inspired by Africa’s many flavours and culture. Her passion for food stems from her Ghanaian roots, and it has grown over time as she has travelled and has been exposed to both Europe and America. Meet Kimberly and Priscilla Addison, two Ghanaian sisters who created 57 Chocolate in 2016 wanted to show that quality chocolate
can be made in Ghana. The two sisters saw an opportunity to manufacture chocolate in Ghana and across the continent of Africa. FACT: Ghana is the second largest producer of cocoa. Jazeera Suwani is an entrepreneur that creates artisan chocolates for those with dietary challenges in Kenya. Jazeera is the founder of Say it with Chocolate. She has created a business making handmade chocolates that cater for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan. Sanja Hanekom, if you are looking for high quality chocolates that are produced in South Africa using the finest ingredients and that are also gluten free, look no further, Sanja has what you need at Noir Chocolates SA. Oluwafemi Oyedipe, a Nigerian chocolatier, is at the frontline of African women chocolatiers, she is the founder of LoshesChocolate, and is soaring to greater heights with her bean-to-bar philosophy of chocolate making. There are lot of passionate, highly skilled, women entrepreneurs emerging from across the African continent and the world who are making a name for themselves as some of the best chocolatiers on the planet!
Interesting facts about chocolate It takes about 400 cacao beans to make one pound of chocolate. Theobroma is the Latin name for cacao and means “Food of the Gods”. The origin of World Chocolate Day is from the introduction of chocolate to Europe in the 1550s. There are around 2 million cacao farms in West Africa producing around 75% of the world’s cacao. Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon are Africa’s largest cacao producers. The smell of chocolate increases theta brain waves, which triggers relaxation. Eating dark chocolate every day reduces the risk of heart disease by one-third. Global retail sales of chocolate amounted to approximately 98.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2016. Switzerland had the highest chocolate confectionery consumption per person compared to any other country. On average, every Swiss citizen consumed about 8.8 kilograms of chocolate in 2017. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, which are believed to prevent or delay certain types of diseases, including cardiac disease. Source: Lioness of Africa
Industry Pioneers in African Fashion and Lifestyle Rediscover Africa through us
Digital copies available on Issuu www.issuu.com/iamashanti (Print publication launching soon) For more information contact@iamashanti.com Follow-us on Instagram/twitter/facebook @iamashantimag website www.iamashanti.com
MARANATHA BEACH CAMP, ADA FOAH, GHANA BY ETORNAM AHIATOR
I AM ASHANTI //AFRICA// E. CONTACT@IAMASHANTI.COM // WWW.IAMASHANTI.COM
